Semi-Final Review Earth and Space Science

Which of the following characteristics could be used to correctly indicate a relationship between two of Earth's layers?

• The lithosphere has convection due to heating and cooling, while the core radiates heat.

• The core radiates heat, which has a role in the convection of the mantle.

• The inner and outer cores are both composed of solid iron.

• The crust and mantle are the densest layers.

The Earth is made up of distinct layers which have different characteristics. How would a geologist best distinguish between the lithosphere and crust? 

• The lithosphere is the upper part of Earth’s crust.

• The crust is along the surface of the Earth, while the lithosphere is near the core.

• The lithosphere is liquid while the crust is solid.

• The crust and upper mantle, make up the lithosphere. 

Scientific knowledge results from the interaction of scientists who are investigating natural phenomena. Which of these bests describe how a scientific explanation becomes widely accepted?

• A hypothesis is debated by the scientific community.

• A hypothesis is tested repeatedly, and the results are confirmed with evidence and debated by the scientific community.

• A hypothesis is tested repeatedly, and the results of the tests are debated.

• A hypothesis is tested repeatedly, and the results are partially supported by the scientific evidence.

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In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed the idea of continental drift. The idea stated that Earth’s continents were once joined as a single landmass, as shown in the illustration. Wegener believed that over time, this landmass broke into pieces and drifted apart to form the continents as they are known today. Wegener had evidence to support his idea, most scientists rejected the idea of continental drift because they could not explain how it occurred.

Today, however, the theory of continental drift is widely accepted by scientists. Which of the following explains how the theory of continental drift came to be widely accepted?

• Scientists repeatedly found evidence of sea floor spreading in ocean ridges.

• One Scientist found evidence of a pattern in layered rock deposits.

• Scientists believed that all natural processes had to occur everywhere on Earth in the same way.

• More information was discovered about the rock cycle by a scientist studying rock formation.

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As new information is discovered, scientific theories are changed. Sometimes, old theories are revised. Why is this a necessary practice for science? 

• The process allows for an increasingly accurate understanding of the world.

• Old theories are dependent on primitive technology that was flawed, so new technology must be used.

• It ensures that the newest ideas are the ones used to develop medicines and important safety equipment.

• New scientists need to get credit for their ideas or no one will go into science professions 

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Students want to test how the temperature changes each day throughout the year. Which of the following does not have to be kept the same during the test?

• The thermometer used to take the measurements

• The place where the temperature is measured

• The person reading the temperature measurement

• The time of day when the temperature is measured

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A scientist wants to make certain the results of her experiment are accurate. She has repeated the procedure numerous times and recorded her results. In addition, she reviewed her interpretation of the data, which she found to make sense. What should be the next step in making sure her results are valid?

• Repeat the experiment more times changing the procedure

• Have other scientists repeat the procedure and obtain the same results

• Repeat the experiment using a different test variable (independent variable) 

• Make two different graphs of the interpreted the data.

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A cellular phone company tested its phones for safe levels of radiation. They repeated the test 1,000 times. The company then hired a team of independent researchers to replicate the tests.

Which of the following statements best explains why the company hired a team of independent researchers to replicate their tests? 

• The company knows that if research results can be replicated, they are more likely to be valid. 

• The company wanted to see if the researchers would obtain the same results with a different procedure.

• They needed a company to repeat part of the test.

• The company believed they tested the phones too many times for their test to be valid. 

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An experiment is described below. A large field at the base of a mountain becomes flooded when heavy rains in the mountains cause a stream to overflow. Each time the flooding occurs, more soil washes away. The owners of the land want to perform an experiment to see if different types of plants could help reduce the soil erosion. They choose five areas of ground that are the same size, the same distance from the stream, have the same slope and the same kind of soil, and receive the same amount of sunlight. The type of plant planted in each area is different for each of the five areas. Measurements of soil erosion will be made each time flooding occurs. The results will be compared after six months. Which hypothesis is being tested in this experiment?

• Flooded areas have greater soil erosion than areas that are not flooded.

• Some types of soil are more easily eroded.

• Some types of plants reduce soil erosion more than others.

• Soil erosion is affected by the strength of the wind.

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A farmer wants to find out which type of soil is best for growing his corn. He also wants to find out which type of fertilizer is best for growing his corn.

He does the following experiment using two different types of soil and two different types of fertilizer:

What can the farmer conclude from this experiment?

• It is NOT possible to conclude from this experiment which soil is best for growing his corn or which fertilizer is best for growing his corn.

• He can conclude that Fertilizer Y is the best fertilizer for growing his corn.

• He can conclude that Soil B is the best soil for growing his corn and that Fertilizer Y is the best fertilizer for growing his corn.

• He can conclude that Soil B is the best soil for growing his corn.

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