Category 3 STAAR

Imagine you're a daring explorer witnessing the colossal dance of two tectonic plates. As they collide in a slow but mighty tango, one plate performs a dramatic dip below the other. What fascinating phenomenon could this powerful movement unleash, sending magma surging upwards?

• fossil layers

• volcanic islands

• deep-sea sediment

• seafloor spreading

Answer explanation

When tectonic plates collide and one moves below the other, rising magma can lead to the formation of volcanic islands.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

🌍🔥 Dive into the depths of Earth's layers! What two crustal features sparkle near every subduction zone? 🌋⛏️

• Volcanoes and Trenches

• Rift Valleys and Mid Ocean Ridges

• Volcanoes and Rift Valleys

• Mid Ocean Ridges and Trenches

Answer explanation

Near every subduction zone, volcanoes and trenches are two crustal features that occur, making the correct answer choice Volcanoes and Trenches.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Adventure Time! You're standing at the spot marked X on a thrilling topographic map. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to conquer the hill ahead! How many meters must you valiantly ascend to claim victory at the peak?

• 203m

• 253m

• 303m

• 353m

Answer explanation

The student must climb 253m to reach the top of the hill as indicated by the contour lines on the topographic map.

Consider the image. Which statement best describes this type of galaxy?

• The image is a spiral galaxy and our solar system can be found in the bright center of the galaxy.

• The image is an irregular galaxy because each of the arms has a different length.

• The image is an elliptical galaxy and is where our solar system can be found.

• The image is a spiral galaxy and is made up of billions of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Consider the diagram. This demonstration models which of the following?

• Surface water runoff from a recent storm

• Percolation of polluted water into the groundwater supply

• The purification of water through the water cycle

• The positive impact human activity has on local watershed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Fossils of Mesosaurus, a freshwater animal that lived approximately 250 million years ago, have been found on continents separated by saltwater oceans. The discovery of the fossils in these locations suggests which of the following?

• Mesosaurus likely swam great distances between continents.

• Weathering, erosion, and deposition moved the fossils.

• The fossils must have been transported by humans or other animals.

• The fossils must have been separated as the continents slowly drifted apart over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Consider the diagram. Which of the following is demonstrated by their model?

• formation of a rift valley

• mountain building

• a major earthquake

• a volcanic eruption

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Consider the diagram. Which two areas on the topographic map have gradual slopes?

• 1 and 2

• 2 and 3

• 1 and 4

• 3 and 4

Consider the model. Which of the following statements best describes the conditions at Location 1 and Location 2?

• There are more daylight hours at Location 1 than at Location 2.

• It is day at Location 1 and night at Location 2.

• It is summer at Location 1 and winter at Location 2.

• It is winter at Location 1 and summer at Location 2.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Consider the diagram. Which image best represents the moon phase viewed from Earth when it is in the location shown on the diagram?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1