NC 5.L.3

The diagram shows the process of upwelling along the coast of South America. Westward blowing trade winds blow the warm surface water from the coast to the ocean. Cool nutrient-rich water from below upwells to the surface. Every three to seven years the trade winds weaken, and an El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event occurs. Which is the most likely result of an ENSO event?

• decline in the number of cyclones in the Pacific Ocean

• increased number of thunderstorms to the South American mainland

• decline in the fishing industry because of the change in the aquatic food chain

• decline in the number of people scuba diving due to a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Where does most fresh water exist?

• ice caps, lakes, and streams

• glaciers, rivers, and oceans

• aquifers, ice caps, and glaciers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Which best explains why inhabitants of an estuary must adapt to frequent environmental changes?

• Estuaries receive little sunlight.

• The water temperature is constantly warm.

• The salinity of the water is constantly changing.

• Low levels of oxygen are absorbed by the water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A family living in a house needs to dig a new well before they will have usable water. Several options for the well location are shown in the diagram. Which location would be the best choice for the new well?

• Q

• R

• S

• T

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Which would most likely cause a sudden increase of nitrates in a waterway?

• spill from an oil tanker

• runoff from a boat yard

• runoff from a golf course

Mary pours 1,000 mL of water into a beaker to represent all of the water on Earth. She then measures out 800 mL and puts it into another beaker. Which portion of Earth’s water is most closely represented by the 800 mL?

• water in the ocean

• water in the ground

• water in lakes and rivers

• water trapped in polar ice caps

Of the 74% of Earth’s surface that is covered in water, which contains the most water?

• lakes

• rivers

• oceans

• streams

Indicators of aquatic health are best observed under which conditions?

• once every ten years

• at the surface, every year

• once a year at many depths

• many times a year at many depths

Which best explains why there is a greater concentration of oxygen located near the ocean’s surface?

• Sunlight warms the ocean’s temperature and stimulates oxygen production near the surface

• Plankton produces excess amounts of nutrients that remove oxygen levels from the atmosphere

• Marine life gives off oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, which makes the ocean water rich in oxygen

• Plants, which release oxygen, live near the surface of the ocean, where they receive large amounts of sunlight

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Which are the most abundant dissolved gases in ocean water?

• nitrogen and carbon dioxide

• oxygen and carbon dioxide

• oxygen and methane

• nitrogen and sulfide