Unit 6

1. A cycle of rock flow within the mantle contributes to the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates. What is a main source
of energy for this cycle? DOK 1
A. Earth’s mantle, where radioactive elements decay
B. Earth’s oceans, where energy moves by conduction to the crust
C. the sun, which transfers radiant energy to power all of Earth’s systems
D. volcanoes near the mid-ocean trenches, which heat surrounding rock until it is molten

8. Tall buildings in earthquake-prone cities sometimes have vibration dampers meant to protect the buildings from
excessive shaking. What is a constraint of the dampers? DOK 1

A. Dampers protect a building from motion in only one primary direction of motion.
B. Installation of dampers must be customized for each building and its environment.
C. Dampers offer little protection when shaking from an earthquake starts suddenly.
D. Installation of dampers requires a large area within and around the base of a building.

9. Which feature is a characteristic of a divergent boundary between tectonic plates? DOK 1

A. hot spot
B. rift valley
C. ocean trench
D. subduction zone

Unit 7
2. Which process is a type of chemical weathering? DOK 1
A. the growth of a tree root breaking apart a boulder
B. salt crystals blowing against boulders and rounding them
C. sudden freezing and thawing causing cracks in a sidewalk
D. water combining with carbon dioxide to dissolve minerals

8. Over several decades, a crack in a large rock becomes deeper and wider. What is the most likely cause of the
increase in the size of the crack? DOK 1
A. the eruption of a nearby volcano
B. the impact of direct sunlight on the rock
C. the alternate freezing and thawing of water
D. the wind blowing small sand particles over the rock
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9. The diagram shows a glacier moving through a valley. DOK 1

Which letters indicate areas of a moraine?

A. A and B
B. B and C
C. C and D
D. D and B

Unit 8
2. As a river flows through an area, which property of water is most responsible for carving deep grooves in the
landscape? DOK1
A. its high specific heat
B. its ability to freeze and thaw
C. its capacity to dissolve materials
D. the high energy of the flowing water

8. What happens to water as it becomes a solid? DOK1

A. Its density increases.
B. It becomes more polar.
C. Its kinetic energy increases.
D. Its molecules are forced farther apart.

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9. Surface water is freshwater that is available to organisms and people to use. Which statement correctly describes
this freshwater supply on Earth? DOK1

A. Almost all of Earth’s water is surface water, and most of this is found in ponds.
B. Most of Earth’s water is surface water, and most of this is found in swamps.
C. About half of Earth’s water is surface water, and most of this is found in rivers.
D. Only a small fraction of Earth’s water is surface water, and most of this is found in lakes.

Unit 9

1. The diagram shows that most of the gases a human inhales and exhales are the same. The concentration of the gases,
however, can change when a person exhales. DOK1

Which of the gases have about the same concentration when a person inhales and exhales?
A. nitrogen and argon
B. oxygen and nitrogen
C. argon and carbon dioxide
D. carbon dioxide and oxygen

3. The ability to predict weather helps people make some decisions in advance. For which of these decisions would
knowing the weather forecast be least useful? DOK1
A. estimating the strength of a hurricane
B. planning for planting and harvesting of crops
C. determining the likelihood of hail during winter
D. finding the precise location to install solar panels

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6. Earth’s climate changes by natural and human causes. Which one is an impact made by human activity on global
climate? DOK1
A. changes in solar energy
B. changes in ocean currents
C. changes in greenhouse gases
D. changes in the motion of tectonic plates

True and False

12. The diagram shows a mantle plume that geologists have discovered near a chain of islands
in the ocean. DOK 3

Write one X in each row to show whether each statement is true or false.
Statement about the Diagram True False

A. The mantle plume is slowly moving east.

B. The oceanic plate is slowly moving west.
C. Island 1 is slowly moving toward Island 3.
D. After many years, another island will most likely form.
E. The islands were all formed from the same mantle plume.

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[Link] diagram shows frost wedging in a rock. DOK2

Write an X in one cell in each row of the table to show whether each statement about
the process shown in the diagram is true or false.
Statement True False

A. Liquid water will soon begin to erode the rock.

B. Ice forming in the crack is weathering the rock.
C. The volume of the water is increasing as it freezes.
D. Rushing water is pushing parts of the rock together.
E. The density of the water is decreasing as it freezes.
F. The wedging occurs just as snow melts into a liquid.

10. A fossil must meet certain requirements to be useful as an index fossil. Write one X in the
box for each statement to show whether it is true or false. DOK2

Statement True False

A. A type of plant must have lived on Earth many millions of years for its
fossil to be an index fossil.
B. A fossil found only in sandstone could be an index fossil as long as it is
found in only one area.
C. A fossil must be found in large numbers in rock layers in order to be an
index fossil.
D. Trilobites are an example of a good index fossil.
E. An organism must have lived in many locations on Earth to become an
index fossil.
F. An index fossil must be nearly identical to many other fossils to be
useful.

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11. Alluvial fans and deltas are sedimentary landforms deposited by flowing water. Deltas are
formed by continuous flowing water, while alluvial fans are often found where intermittent
streams flow. Although deltas and alluvial fans are deposited in different environments,
they are similar in shape and process of formation. The steps below describe a process that
eventually results in the formation of a landform.

Number the steps in order from 1 to 4 to show how a landform form could develop,

with 1 as the first step and 4 as the last step.

________ decrease in the energy of water

______ widening of the channel
______ thickening of deposits
______ sedimentation

[Link] list shows steps in the process of ocean water becoming salty. Number the
statements from 1 to 5 to describe this process from the start to finish.
______ Streams and rivers carry minerals to the ocean.
______ Water dissolves salt and other minerals in rocks.
______ Water containing minerals flows into streams and rivers.
______ Over time, the salt concentration of ocean water increases.
______ Precipitation flows over the surfaces and in cracks of rocks.

[Link] the following reservoirs from 1 to 5, with 1 being those that supply
the most amount of water on Earth, and 5 being those that supply the
least amount of water on Earth.
_____ rivers
_____ lakes
_____ oceans
_____ groundwater
_____ icecaps and glaciers
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16. Earth’s global climate changes for various reasons. Each phenomenon makes an impact on
climate over a different time period, which can be a few days to millions of years. Number the
climate change causes to show the correct timescale from 1 to 4, with 1 being the fastest and 4
being the slowest time period.
_____ plate tectonics, forming or eroding geological features
____ volcanic eruptions emitting ash and gases into the upper atmosphere
____ orbital motion changes, making changes in solar energy received by Earth
_____ human activities emitting greenhouse gases and sun-blocking particles over a city

Question from unit test 9 that you do it last week

12. The diagram illustrates the formation of winds. DOK2

Write one letter in each blank to describe the illustration.

Location 1 shows where 1. …………. air falls. Location 2 shows where 2. ………….
air rises. Location 3 shows where air flows from areas of 3. . …………. pressure. At
location 4, the rising air 4. . …………. and the air pressure 5. . …………….. …

1. and 2. 3. 4. 5.
A. cool C. high to low E. contracts G. decreases
B. warm D. low to high F. expands H. increases

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18. The table describes two volcanoes. DOK 3

a-Compare the factors that affect the appearances of the volcanoes.

Describe differences in the silica content, water content, and viscosity of the magma of the volcanoes.
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b-Explain how the differences in magma account for differences in the type and frequency of eruptions of the
volcanoes.
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c-Explain how the differences in type of eruptions affect the appearance of the volcanoes.
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19. Willie made a model to show the relationship of convection currents and Earth surface features.

HS-ESS2-3 . DOK 3

a-Identify the error on the model.

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b-Explain how convection currents in the mantle determined the surface features at
locations 1 and 2.
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C-Location 3 is currently on the ocean floor. The crust at this location is thin. Predict how
the surface of location 3 will change.
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25. Explain the process of sea-floor spreading, including the following information. Read each
statement. Write your answer on the lines. DOK 3

a-Describe the name of the feature found where sea-floor spreading begins and how the
landmass forms.
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b-Describe at least two forces that cause sea-floor spreading and how they act.
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14. The diagram shows models of two coastal mountain ranges. DOK 3

Write the letter of each statement in the correct column to explain differences in the ranges.
Model 1 Model 2

A. Its slope suggests that it is older.

B. Its shape suggests that it is younger.
[Link] form has been more affected by erosion.
[Link] soil is probably shallower and less developed.
E. A nearby continental margin is most likely passive.
F. More deposition has probably built up on the shoreline near it.
G. It is more likely to be close to a convergent plate boundary.

20.A geologist determines that a mountain range was formed by tectonic

processes over millions of years.
a-Identify two tectonic processes that might have played a major role
in the formation of the mountains.
DOK 3

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b-For one of the processes in part one, explain its role in the formation of
mountains. Be sure to include in your explanation the source of energy for these
processes.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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. The diagram is a close-up view showing part of the meandering path of
California’s Sacramento River. Read each statement. Write your answer on the
lines. DOK 3

a-Explain how water’s ability to transport sediment can change the shape of the river. In your answer, describe how
sediment size affects this process.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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b-Identify the labeled points in the diagram where weathering and erosion are the major factors in the formation of
meanders, and explain the role of weathering and erosion in this process.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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C-Identify the labeled points in the diagram where deposition is the major factor in the formation of meanders, and
explain the role of deposition in this process.
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25. The diagram shows a group of barrier islands off the coast of Mississippi and Alabama. DOK 3

Write your answer on the lines.

a- Explain how the islands affect the nearby shore and how the nearby shore affects the
islands.

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b- Explain how the islands most likely formed.

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C-Describe how the islands change over time and what causes these changes.

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 19- Explain how one type of water reservoir is supplied with water from precipitation.
DOK3
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a-Describe several ways that a long-term decrease in precipitation in an area can

affect an ecosystem.
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b-Explain how heavy rains in a farming region can harm ecosystems.

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20. Look at the diagram. It shows an unlabeled model of the water cycle. DOK3

a-Explain the water cycle.

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b-Describe how the model can be used to describe the water cycle.
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c-Explain how this model could be improved to better explain the water cycle.
• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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 Describe three different factors that Eloise needs to include when developing her model.
DOK3
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Explain one interaction between the water cycle and watershed system that Eloise’s model
can be used to simulate.
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8- The diagram shows part of a model scientists have developed to describe atmospheric convection cells on Earth.
These cells form due to absorption of solar radiation. DOK3

Which statement describes one way that these convection cells affect surface winds?
A. Convection cells closest to the equator draw warm surface air toward the equator, producing winds that are
deflected eastward.
B. Convection cells closest to the equator draw cool surface air toward the equator, producing winds that are
deflected westward.
C. Convection cells in the middle latitudes draw warm surface air away from the equator, producing winds that are
deflected eastward.
D. Convection cells in the middle latitudes draw cool surface air away from the equator, producing winds that are
deflected westward.

17. Each part of the diagram shows choices people can make for a daily activity. Draw a circle around the image in each
part that shows the

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choice that can best reduce human impact on the climate. DOK3

19. A meteorologist is forecasting the seven-day weather outlook. Using a computer model, she realizes that two of the
days will be windy. DOK 3
a-Explain how the meteorologist made this prediction.
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b-Describe why the meteorologist should later incorporate an unexpected cloudy day when updating her prediction.
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c-Design one way to incorporate predicted changes in temperature for future forecast models.
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20. The weather map shows conditions across the United States. DOK 3

a-Explain the type of weather that Miami and nearby areas are experiencing.
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b-Predict the weather changes that might occur in Minneapolis within the next 48 hours
and your reasoning for the prediction.
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25. Changes in the temperature of the atmosphere can produce positive feedback between the
atmosphere, the geosphere, and the hydrosphere.
Write your answer on the lines. DOK 3
a-Explain a positive feedback that occurs when an increase in temperature affects the interaction
between polar snow and ice and the atmosphere.
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b-Explain the positive feedback that occurs when an increase in temperature in the polar regions results in an
increase in atmospheric methane.
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c-Explain the positive feedback that occurs when an increase in ocean temperature results in changes in
atmospheric carbon dioxide.
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