Download Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater

EOC EARTH SCIENCE RELEASED TEST ITEMS
REPORTING CATEGORY: METEOROLOGY, OCEANOGRAPHY, AND
GROUNDWATER
DIRECTIONS
Read each question carefully and choose the best
answer.
3
Land breezes and sea breezes are created
by the differences in —
A the Earth’s tilt on its axis
B solar radiation reaching the Earth’s
surface
C the heat capacity between water and
land _
D the living organisms occurring in the
land and sea
4
1
2
A
B
C
D
All of the following are sources of energy
derived from the ocean except —
A
B
C
D
coal _
thermal
tides
waves
Oil spills have a tremendous impact on
the ocean environment, and the oil must
be cleaned up after these spills. A new
technique for cleaning oil from beaches is
called bioremediation. This technique
uses naturally occurring bacteria to break
down the oil. How is this accomplished?
A The bacteria bind with the oil and bring
it to land.
B The bacteria pull the oil down to the
ocean floor.
C The bacteria chemically change the oil
into less harmful substances. _
D The bacteria die and absorb the oil.
All of the following features of the ocean
indicate tectonic activity except —
5
If the polar ice caps were to melt, all of
the following would occur except —
A
B
C
D
6
abyssal plains _
mid-ocean ridges
seamounts
trenches
increased coastal flooding
increased sea level
decreased ocean salinity
decreased tidal action _
The two most common ions found in
ocean water are —
A
B
C
D
chloride and sodium _
potassium and calcium
phosphate and nitrate
magnesium and sodium
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
7
Only 3% of the Earth’s water is fresh
water. The world’s oceans contain the
rest of the Earth’s water. Of that 3%,
three-fourths is tied up in glaciers, ice
caps, and snow fields. Antarctic glaciers
contain nearly 85% of all the ice in the
world, and floating sea ice in the Arctic
contains 10% of the ice. Sea ice freezes
from ocean water, but the salt is excluded
in the freezing process, resulting in mostly
freshwater ice. Where is the remaining
5% of the world’s permanent supply of
ice and snow?
A
B
C
D
8
High mountain peaks _
Permanent Arctic blizzards
Floating icebergs
Drifting Antarctic snow
Moist air from the Pacific Ocean rises
and cools as it passes from west to east
over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Once
it is over the mountain range, the air
descends and warms on the other side.
What is the result of the air ascending,
then descending over the mountains?
A Desert on the west side of the mountains
and heavy rains on the east side
B Heavy rains on the west side of the
mountains and desert on the east side _
C Heavy rains on the west side of the
mountains and year-round snow on the
east side
D Desert on the east and west sides of the
mountains and heavy rains on top of the
mountains
9
Fish are abundant in areas where the
ocean is upwelling because it —
A causes currents that carry fish into the
area
B brings nutrients to the surface _
C causes surface turbulence that attracts
fish
D changes tidal flow in that area
Page 2
10 Why is the surface temperature of the
oceans more variable than the water near
the ocean floor?
A Most energy is exchanged at the
surface._
B Most animals live near the surface.
C The water is less dense at the surface.
D The salt concentration is more variable
at the surface.
11 A boat will float higher in the Atlantic
Ocean than it will in the Potomac River
because ocean water has —
A a lower freezing point
B more organisms in it
C more oxygen in it
D a greater density _
SESSION: 36 PAGE: 16 1
12 Water vapor is lighter than many
atmospheric gases such as oxygen,
nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Why then
doesn’t water vapor rise above these
other gases to a higher level of the
atmosphere?
A Water vapor contains other elements
that give it weight.
B The cool atmosphere condenses the
rising water vapor and causes it to fall
back to Earth. _
C The water molecules are attracted to
molecules of heavier gases and remain
in the lower regions of the atmosphere.
D There is an attraction among the water
vapor molecules to hold them together
close to the Earth.
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Page 3
16 What is one of the major indications that
the Earth’s climate has varied over time?
13
A Land forms carved by glaciers in
temperate areas _
B Depletion of oxygen in lakes and rivers
C Ocean currents
D Magnetic reversals in layers of rock
On weather maps, there are lines with tiny
triangles on one side. This represents —
A cold air moving in the direction the
triangles point _
B cold air moving opposite the direction
the triangles point
C warm air moving in the direction the
triangles point
D warm air moving opposite the direction
the triangles point
17 If there were a slight increase in the
amount of solar energy that reached the
Earth, there would be an immediate
increase in —
A
B
C
D
erosion
evaporation _
volcanic activity
groundwater flow
18
14 Which diagram correctly shows wind
motion between pressure areas?
According to the map, most hurricanes occur
where —
15 What causes currents in the atmosphere?
A
B
C
D
Ocean waves and currents
Pressure from the ozone layer
Solar heating of the upper atmosphere
Warm air rising and cold air sinking _
A
B
C
D
the oceans are warmest _
the landmasses are largest
the atmosphere is driest
areas of greatest population exist
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Page 4
22 Which element in Earth’s atmosphere is
essential for human life and is extremely
rare or nonexistent in the atmospheres of
other planets in our solar system?
19
A
B
C
D
Carbon dioxide
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Oxygen _
23 Which of these is important in the
formation of clouds?
A
B
C
D
Which factor would best explain why
Charlottesville is clear while Norfolk has
mist?
A
B
C
D
Temperature
Humidity _
Wind speed
Pressure
20 Ocean
Evaporation → Condensation
Which of these would come next in the
water cycle?
A
B
C
D
Aeration
Sedimentation
Deposition
Precipitation _
21 The ozone layer protects life on Earth
from —
A
B
C
D
ultraviolet rays _
gamma rays
infrared rays
x-rays
The relative length of day and night
The Coriolis effect
The melting of the polar ice caps
The cooling of air as it rises _
24 Government programs to reduce acid
rain have resulted in cleaner emissions
from U.S. industries in recent years. As a
result, the sulfate concentration in
rainwater has declined significantly. But
the sulfate concentration in some lakes is
showing little, if any, change. Why might
this be true?
A There is no connection between
emissions from industry and the acidity
of lake water.
B The sulfate in American lakes is actually
coming from industries in Europe and
Asia.
C Sulfate that accumulated earlier in the
soil is still being flushed into the lakes
by run-off. _
D Individual industries produce fewer
emissions but the amount of
precipitation has increased.
SESSION
25 During droughts, lack of rain can lead to
wells drying up. This is because the
drought has lowered the —
A
B
C
D
water table _
water trough
zone of aeration
zone of porosity
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
26 When placed in water, ice rises to the top
of the liquid. Unlike most solids that sink
when placed in their liquid forms, ice
floats because —
A
B
C
D
it is colder than water
it is less dense than water _
the pressure of the water holds it up
gases inside the ice make it buoyant
27 In which of the graphs would the
precipitation at ground level most likely
be rain?
_
Page 5
28
The drawing above shows the water table in
the vicinity of a newly drilled well. Which of
the drawings below shows the appearance of
the water table several months later when the
well has been in regular use?
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
29
Page 6
30
This picture shows a simple well that was dug
down to the groundwater. What probably
caused the lower level of groundwater, known
as a “cone of depression,” in the vicinity of
the well?
A The weight of the atmosphere presses
down on the groundwater in the well.
B The ground below the well acts as a
vacuum sucking out the water.
C Gravity pulls down the water beneath
the well.
D As water is drawn from the well, it takes
time for the groundwater to percolate
through the soil and restore the level. _
According to the data shown in the graph, the
hypothesis is only correct for latitudes —
A
B
C
D
up to 40 from the equator _
from the poles to 40 from the equator
between 20 and 60 from the equator
farthest from the equator
31 Why does water move more slowly
through clay than through humus?
A Clay has greater permeability.
B Clay has very small pore spaces. _
C Clay prevents capillary attraction of
water.
D Clay reduces evaporation rates.
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Page 7
35 Which of the following was primarily
responsible for the development of life
outside of the oceans?
32
A A decrease in atmospheric hydrogen
B A decrease in atmospheric carbon
dioxide
C An increase in atmospheric nitrogen
D An increase in atmospheric oxygen
36 Which of these would most likely occur as
the ice caps melt?
A
B
C
D
The countries shown here released much
more CO2 than the rest of the world because
these countries have the largest —
A
B
C
D
The Earth would become cooler.
The sea would cover more land.
The rivers would flow more rapidly.
The rain would be more acidic.
37
number of people
amount of rainfall
number of heavy industries _
amount of land per person
33. During which portion of the Earth’s
revolution around the sun is the Northern
Hemisphere tilted toward the sun?
A
B
C
D
Vernal equinox
Summer solstice
Autumnal equinox
Winter solstice
34 A rain forest is found at the base of Mt.
Kilimanjaro, and the summit is
snowcapped. Which of the following
would best account for this?
A Temperature differences due to
elevation changes
B Climate differences due to seasonal
changes
C Differences in precipitation due to
formation of a rain shadow
D Climate changes due to changes in
latitude
The graph shows the outdoor temperature
at a certain location during a 24-hour
period. What possible occurrence
happened at 2:00 P.M.?
A
B
C
D
Daylight-savings time
Eclipse of the moon
A solar storm
Thunderstorm passes
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Page 8
38 Which diagram below best represents the
most common arrangement of zones in a
water table?
39 During which of these phases of the moon
will the tides be highest?
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
40 On clear nights in late summer and early
fall in the Shenandoah Valley, why does
ground fog form in the low areas near the
Shenandoah River?
Page 9
42
A Cool, descending air meets moist air in
the low areas near the river.
B Cool, moist air ascends from the river to
the hilltops.
C Warm winds bring moisture from the
hills down into the valley.
D There is more air pollution in the
evenings.
At which ocean feature would the greatest
amount of water pressure be exerted?
41
A
B
C
D
What would explain the change in the
direction of air movement from daytime to
night?
A Water is always cooler than land.
B Land temperature changes more quickly
than water temperature.
C Cool air rises more quickly than warm air.
D The sun warms the moist ocean air more
than the dry land air.
Continental shelf
Continental slope
Abyssal plain
Trench
Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
Page 10
VIRGINIA
STANDARDS OF LEARNING ASSESSMENTS
RELEASED TEST -– EARTH SCIENCE ANSWER KEY
Number
Answer
Category
Reporting Category Description
1
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
2
C
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
3
C
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
4
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
5
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
6
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
7
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
8
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
9
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
10
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
11
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
12
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
13
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
14
C
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
15
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
16
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
17
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
18
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
19
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
20
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
21
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
22
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
Page 11
Number
Answer
Category
Reporting Category Description
23
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
24
C
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
25
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
26
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
27
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
28
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
29
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
30
A
001
Scientific Investigation
31
B
002
Geology
32
C
002
Geology
33
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
34
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
35
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
36
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
37
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
38
C
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
39
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
40
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
41
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
42
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater