Earth Science

Locations around the world can be placed within three different climate zones. Scientists study the weather of a place over a period of many years to determine its climate. Which are the main factors that determine a location’s climate and its climate zone?

• average wing speed and temperature

• average temperature and precipitation

• average length of day and time of year

• average number of cloudy days and sunny days

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Most places near the equator have warm tropical climates. Some places near the equator are much cooler and even have snow. Where in a tropical climate are you most likely to find cooler weather and snow?

• at the top of a tall mountain

• at sea level near a cold ocean current

• in cloudy places near a desert region

• at the base of a mountain range that blocks air flow

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of these bodies of water has the greatest effect on the climate of neighboring land?

• lake

• ocean

• pond

• river

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Savitri is making a model of a tundra. A tundra is a treeless area that usually gets less than 10 inches of precipitation each year. The soil below the surface is frozen. Which climate zone does Savitri’s model show?

• equatorial

• polar

• temperate

• tropical

At home in Clearwater, Florida, Mary Ellen watches the local weather report on the news. The announcer states that a high-pressure system is over the area. Which item should Mary Ellen take with her to the park?

• gloves

• rain coat

• sunglasses

• snow boots

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Precipitation occurs when water moves from the atmosphere to Earth’s surface. The water can be in liquid or solid form. Which two forms of precipitation consists of solid water?

• hail and rain

• sleet and rain

• hail and sleet

• rain and snow

A weather forecaster predicts that there will be high humidity and high levels of precipitation in an area. How does humidity differ from precipitation?

• humidity is water that falls as a liquid, and precipitation is water that falls as a solid

• humidity is water that falls as a solid, and precipitation is water that falls as a liquid

• humidity describes gaseous water mixed in air, and precipitation is liquid or solid water

• humidity describes the amount of air pressure in the atmosphere, and precipitation describes the type of cloud

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

A puddle evaporated from a sidewalk. What happened to the water that caused it to evaporate?

• The water cooled down.

• The water disappeared.

• The water heated up.

• The water soaked into the sidewalk.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

June is making a model to show how water evaporates from the ocean. Which items can she use in her model?

• flashlight and tea kettle

• stove burner and a pot of water

• thermometer and heating pad

• heat lamp and bowl of salt water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Which of these can be made of gases, dust, and hundreds of billions of stars?

• a galaxy

• a planet

• a solar system

• a constellation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2