Earth Science Trivia

How can you determine which way a river is flowing on a topographic map?

• It flows parallel to the curves on the map

• It flows perpendicular to the curves on the map

• It flows from lines that are closer together to lines that farther apart

• It flows from lines that are farther apart to lines that are closer

Which of these events is an example of how the water cycle includes interactions with the biosphere?

• Rainwater falls on a grassy slope

• Strong waves wash away sand at a beach

• Ocean water evaporates and forms clouds

• Sediment on a mountainside is washed away.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which statement describes the classification of water as a mineral?

• It is a mineral only as a solid because it has a definite crystalline structure.

• It is a mineral only as a liquid because its high polarity allows many substances to dissolve in it.

• It is a mineral only as a gas because it can condense back to a liquid at temperatures found on Earth.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Sedimentary rock can be classified into two major groups: clastic and chemical. From which of these do chemical sedimentary rocks most likely originate?

• Lakes and oceans rich in dissolved elements

• Chemically pure water carrying silt and sand

• Sand blowing and being deposited in a desert environment

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The rock cycle is a system with inputs and outputs. Which of these is an OUTPUT of a rock cycle process?

• Erosion of igneous rock

• Melting of metamorphic rock

• Newly formed metamorphic rock

• Heat that melts igneous rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

The rock cycle is a system with inputs and outputs. Which of these is a rock cycle process?

• Heat meting an existing igneous rock

• Erosion of a metamorphic rock

• Newly formed sedimentary rock

• Sediment formed from weathering

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

A student will use this scale to determine hardness of a mineral unknown to her. She finds that the mineral can scratch topaz but not corundum. Which conclusions can she make about this mineral? Choose all correct answers.

• This mineral is likely a diamond

• The surface of this mineral displays little cleavage

• This mineral has a moderate resistance to breakage

• The bonds between the atoms in this mineral are strong

• This mineral is relatively harder than most other minerals

Earth’s mantle involves a process of slowly moving, molten rock. The following statements describe the energy that drives this process. Which one is NOT true?

• The sun’s energy provides much of the thermal energy inside the Earth.

• Most of the thermal energy in Earth’s interior is energy left over from Earth’s formation and energy from radioactive decay

• A primary source of the energy is radioactive decay in the mantle.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Kali listed important sources of energy in the Earth system. Which item does not belong in Kali’s list? Choose the correct answer.

• water

• the sun

• radioactive decay

• collisional heating

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What is the process that causes hot materials within Earth to move toward the surface?

• rotation

• convection

• continental drift

• magnetic reversal