Earth Science Practice Test 2013

Which statement describes the motion of Earth around the sun? 

• The speed of Earth is constant regardless of its distance from the sun. 
• The speed of Earth is constant because the distance remains the same between Earth and the sun. 
• Speed increases the farther Earth is from the sun and decreases the closer it is to the sun. 
• Speed increases the closer Earth is to the sun and decreases the farther it is from the sun. 

If it is summer in the northern hemisphere, which statement is true?  

• Earth has changed the tilt of its axis by 20 degrees due to its revolution. 
• It is winter in the southern hemisphere due to the tilt of Earth’s axis. 
• It is summer in the southern hemisphere due to the tilt of Earth’s axis. 
• Earth has reached its closest point to the sun due to its revolution. 

How does a straight alignment between Earth, the sun, and the moon impact the tides on Earth? 

• It produces the greatest change in high and low tides. 
• It produces the least change in high and low tides. 
• It produces semidiurnal tides. 
• It produces diurnal tides. 

Which describes the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion? 

• Nuclear fission is the process that produces the radiant energy of stars, and nuclear fusion splits a heavier nucleus into smaller nuclei. 
• Nuclear fission splits a heavier nucleus into smaller nuclei, and nuclear fusion is the process that produces the radiant energy of stars. 
• Nuclear fission produces the energy in the core of Earth, and nuclear fusion produces energy in nuclear power plants. 
• Nuclear fission produces energy in nuclear power plants, and nuclear fusion produces the energy in the core of Earth. 

How does heat from the sun get to Earth? 

• by radiation, using electromagnetic waves to transfer the heat 
• by convection, using liquids and gases to transfer the heat 
• by conduction, using solids to transfer the heat 
• by absorption, using primary waves to transfer the heat 

Why do green plants require solar energy? 

• to produce their own food 
• to absorb nitrogen into their roots 
• to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere 
• to decompose the dead or decaying remains of animals 

Which structure can form as a result of a divergent plate boundary? 

• a continental volcanic arc, due to the collision of two plates 
• a continental mountain, due to the collision of two plates 
• a mid-ocean ridge, due to the separation of two plates 
• an ocean trench, due to the separation of two plates 

Which would produce the most severe earthquake damage along the surface of Earth? 

• an earthquake with a deep focus and a magnitude of 2.5 
• an earthquake with a deep focus and a magnitude of 2.5 
• an earthquake with a deep focus and a magnitude of 4.5 
• an earthquake with a shallow focus and a magnitude of 4.5 

Scientists are studying a graph showing the time differences between the seismic P-waves and the seismic S-waves as they travel through Earth. Which information can they learn from the graph? 

• the magnitude of an earthquake 
• the duration of an earthquake 
• the epicenter of an earthquake 
• the intensity of an earthquake 

Which agent of erosion leads to the formation of sand dunes? 

• ice 
• wind 
• water 
• gravity