Science Benchmark Review

Rain and snow are both types of precipitation. Precipitation occurs when the water vapor in the air condenses and falls to Earth. What change in atmospheric conditions would most likely cause an increase in precipitation to occur?

• Increase in air pressure

• Increase in wind speed

• Decrease in air temperature

• Decrease in sunlight

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

What is the process that involves droplets of water joining together to become clouds?

• conduction

• evaporation

• precipitation

• condensation

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Tiny drops of water sometimes collide to form bigger drops of water. These big drops of water then collide with other large drops of water. Eventually, the large drops of water are too heavy to be supported by the air. What results from this process?

• rain

• sandstorms

• wind

• tornadoes

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

The water cycle is the process that moves water from place to place on Earth. Water moves between underground rivers, lakes and oceans on Earth’s surface, and the clouds in Earth’s atmosphere. What is the energy source that drives the water cycle?

• Fossil fuels

• hydroelectricity

• Ocean waves

• The sun

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The water cycle is the process that moves all water on Earth between different locations. Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation are steps within the water cycle. What would happen to the water cycle if the process of evaporation completely stopped?

• There would be no more rain or snow.

• There would be more land to inhabit as sea levels dropped.

• There would be a build-up of clouds in the atmosphere.

• There would be more hurricanes.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Water evaporates from Earth’s surface and later falls to Earth as precipitation. What is the course of the water that evaporates from Earth’s surface?

• Salt water from Earth’s oceans

• Ice, salt, water, and fresh water from all over Earth

• Fresh water from Earth’s lakes and rivers

• Ice from the North and South poles

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Brazil’s rainforest is located in a region with a tropical climate. The tundra of the North Pole is located in a region with a polar climate. Why does air in an area with a tropical climate hold more water than air in a polar climate?

• Warm air holds more water vapor

• Tropical climates have more rivers

• Polar climates have ice instead of water

• Polar climates get more sunlight

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

When the layer of atmosphere spanning from the clouds all the way to the ground is below freezing, what kind of precipitation falls?

• snow

• rain

• hail

• freezing rain

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Mr. Traub’s car was damaged during the school day. The hood, trunk, and top of the car looked like someone had hit it repeatedly with a small rubber mallet. What most likely caused the damage?

• snow

• sleet

• hail

• rain

Scientific studies show that people with arthritis feel more pain when the humidity is high. When is someone with arthritis more likely to feel pain?

• When the sun is shining, and there are no clouds in the sky

• When a storm with thunder and lightning is approaching

• When the wind is blowing more than 20 knots per hour

• When a snowstorm has ended