Investigating Factors Affecting Earth Systems

Sand dunes are large piles of sand that can be found in the 
desert. What causes these sand dunes to form?

• Water

• Wind

• Ice

• Volcanoes

A valley will take on a U-shape as a result of the movement 
of -

• Glaciers

• Wind

• Flowing water

• Waves

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The formation of the Palo Duro Canyon in the High Plains Region was mostly due to —

• the erosion of land over millions of years by the swift-moving water of a river.

• tectonic plates causing the uplift of land.

• wind storms blowing away large chunks of land over millions of years.

• the chemical weathering of land from acidic rainfall.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The use of pesticides and fertilizers is carefully monitored 
because of the effect they can have on the environment. 
Which of the following is a possible negative effect of the use 
of these chemical on the environment?

• Runoff carries these chemicals into lakes and streams.

• Theses chemicals cannot be purchased in large bulk.

• 
  These chemicals are expensive to produce.
  

• Storage space for these chemicals is limited.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A neighborhood in a small Texas town had to be evacuated because the houses were sinking due to a problem in the aquifer. What is the most likely cause of this problem?

• Heavy rains caused oversaturation of soil foundations.

• Overbuilding in the area polluted the ground water.

• Runoff from fertilized land created a dead zone.

• Excessive removal of water weakened the ground.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Why is gravity a factor in watersheds? 

• it causes the water to flow away from a watershed

• it causes the water to flow down towards a watershed

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

High rains cause the flow in a river to increase also known as flooding. The increase in the river’s flow will most likely have which of the following effects on the environment?

• The banks of the river will experience increased erosion.

• The river will deposit less material onto its delta.

• The path of the river will become more crooked.

• The river will dry out completely in a few days.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Where does the water flow at the slowest point dropping of sediment?

• Canyon

• River Delta

• Sea Arch

• Island

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What caused the landform is shown in the image?

• Gravity

• Ice

• Water

• Wind

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What is the type of water that moves underground?

• surface water

• water table

• groundwater

• watershed

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4