Question

Question

1
Question
2
A)
What term describes physical weathering due to collisions between sand and sediment carriedin moving water and the rock surface over which the water flows?
(1 point)
dissolving
wedging
abrasion
erosion
A)
Which process is an important part of chemical weathering through oxidation?
(1 point)
oxygen giving up protons to other elements
oxygen capturing electrons from other elements
oxygen capturing protons from other elements
oxygen giving up electrons to other elements
Question
3
Question
4
A)
The Rocky Mountains began forming in the western United States about 60 million years ago.The Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains were similar in height when they firstformed. Which statements about the Rocky Mountains are true? Select the two correct answers.
(1 point)
They are shorter than the Appalachian Mountains.
They are younger than the Appalachian Mountains.
They are taller than the Appalachian Mountains.
They are older than the Appalachian Mountains.
A)
Which describes the Grand Canyon as it will be one million years from today? Select the twocorrect answers.
(1 point)
It will become shallower, as the Colorado River deposits sediment in the canyon.
It will become deeper, as the Colorado River continues to carve into the rock.
It will become narrower, as weathered rock collects at the canyon’s edges.
It will become wider, as the edges of the canyon are weathered and eroded.
Question
5
Question
6
A)
Which of these facts could you determine by reading the geologic time scale? Select the twocorrect answers.
(1 point)
the number of eras in Earth's history
the events that ended major divisions of geologic time
the life forms that lived in each era
how old Earth is
A)
What provides evidence of an increase in animal species at the same time that atmosphericoxygen concentrations increased?
(1 point)
rust deposits
stromatolites
fossil record
anaerobic organisms
Question
7
Question
8
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
A)
Drag each item to the correct location in order to place the events in the development of plantsinto the correct order.
(2 points)
A)
In a small bay that contains a coral reef, the water temperature has remained the same fordecades. Recently, scientists discovered that the water temperature in the bay has increased by1°C. Which is most likely to happen?
(1 point)
The coral in the reef will gain more zooxanthellae.
The coral reef will experience a bleaching event.
The coral reef will undergo a period of intense growth.
The corals in the reef will immediately die.
Cyanobacteria become the chloroplast of plants. 
Bryophytes become the first land plants. 
Plants evolve to have vascular tissue to transport water. 
Cyanobacteria begin to photosynthesize. 
Question
9
Question
10
A)
What is an example of a physical weathering?
(1 point)
bits being blown off a rock by heavy winds
a rock wearing down due to acid rain
microscopic organisms producing compounds that break down rock
a metal tool left outside beginning to rust
A)
What evidence is there that oxygen levels in the sea increased due to photosynthetic bacteria?
(1 point)
global cooling
rust deposits in the ancient ocean
decreases in anaerobic organisms
rust deposits in today’s ocean
Question
11
Question
12
A)
Why do scientists know very little about life in the Precambrian eon?
(1 point)
There was no life on Earth during that eon.
There are few fossils from that time.
All of these forms of life are now extinct.
The eon started with a mass extinction.
A)
Which describes the physical weathering of rock by water?
(1 point)
Any break down of a rock is the same as physical weathering of rock by water.
Water carries away pieces of rock.
Water breaks down a rock into smaller pieces with the same composition as the larger rock.
Water dissolves rock into a solution.
Question
13
Question
14
A)
Which is true about radiometric dating?
(1 point)
It is used to determine what type of organism is represented by a fossil.
It helps scientists determine the relative age of samples.
It is used to determine what type of rock is found underground.
It helps scientists determine the exact age of a sample.
A)
Which is a reason fossil formation is a rare occurrence?
(1 point)
Remains of organisms that could become fossils are often disturbed by harsh weather, extreme
temperatures, or other animals before they can be buried.
The remains of an organism must be completely uncovered for a fossil to form.
All of the organism’s soft remains must remain intact for a fossil to form.
The fossil must be created as a part of the formation of igneous rocks.
Question
15
Question
16
A)
In an aerial photograph, a row of brown objects is shown. These objects have shadows thatcould lead one to conclude they represent elevated objects. What surface feature is described?
(1 point)
Lakes
Mountains
Rivers
Valleys
A)
How did the production of oxygen by photosynthesis impact the development of thegeosphere?
(1 point)
It reacted with iron in rocks to produce iron oxide.
It caused water to become habitable for organisms that need oxygen.
It increased the level of oxygen in the air.
It caused the evolution of prokaryotes into eukaryotes.
Question
17
Question
18
A)
How does faunal succession help show what was different about the environment in the past?
(1 point)
Faunal succession states that older fossils do not exist from any time before the Mesozoic era. This
information indicates that the environment has not changed.
Faunal succession states that older fossils are found in upper geological layers. This information
aids in absolute dating of plant and animal life.
Faunal succession states that older fossils are found in volcanic rocks only. This information aids in
the dating of tectonic plate movements.
Faunal succession states that older fossils are found in deeper geological layers. This information
aids in relative dating of plant and animal life.
A)
How do the different theories of abiogenesis explain how life formed on Earth?
(1 point)
Each of the theories explains how inorganic and organic materials were created at the time Earth
formed.
Each of the theories suggests how the energy needed to create new molecules was formed.
Each of the theories describes how inorganic molecules formed that were needed to create organic
molecules.
Each of the theories proposes conditions for how life could have formed from nonliving materials.
Question
19
A)
Which of the following characterizes a mass extinction event?
(1 point)
A large number of organisms died.
Most species on Earth die over a short period.
The cause of the mass extinction must be identified.
Extinctions prevent new species from evolving.
Question
20
A)
A series of coral reefs is located near a coastline. In 3–5 sentences, construct an argumentabout how people can help prevent erosion to the coastline by protecting coral reefs.
(4 points)
    
Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
PointsAwarded
Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.
The answer is fully supported by details.
There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere withmeaning.
3
The answer is mostly clear.
The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.
There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere withmeaning.
2
The answer is somewhat clear.
Details are weak or not related.
There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
1
The answer is not clear.
There are few or no supporting details.
There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
0
The question is not answered.
Question
21
A)
Water plays an important role in the chemical weathering of rock. In 3–5 sentences, identifyand explain two agents of chemical weathering to support that statement.
(4 points)
    
Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
PointsAwarded
Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.
The answer is fully supported by details.
There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere withmeaning.
3
The answer is mostly clear.
The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.
There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere withmeaning.
2
The answer is somewhat clear.
Details are weak or not related.
There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
1
The answer is not clear.
There are few or no supporting details.
There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
0
The question is not answered.
Question
22
A)
Explain how the texture of a rock surface affects how fast it physically weathers by water.
(4 points)
    
Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
PointsAwarded
Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.
The answer is fully supported by details.
There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere withmeaning.
3
The answer is mostly clear.
The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.
There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere withmeaning.
2
The answer is somewhat clear.
Details are weak or not related.
There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
1
The answer is not clear.
There are few or no supporting details.
There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
0
The question is not answered.

Answer 1

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What term describes physical weathering due to collisions between sand and sediment carried in moving water and the rock surface over which the water flows?

   • Answer: abrasion

2. Which process is an important part of chemical weathering through oxidation?

   • Answer: oxygen giving up electrons to other elements

3. Which statements about the Rocky Mountains are true? Select the two correct answers.

   • Answers:
     • They are younger than the Appalachian Mountains.
     • They are taller than the Appalachian Mountains.

4. Which describes the Grand Canyon as it will be one million years from today? Select the two correct answers.

   • Answers:
     • It will become deeper, as the Colorado River continues to carve into the rock.
     • It will become wider, as the edges of the canyon are weathered and eroded.

5. Which of these facts could you determine by reading the geologic time scale? Select the two correct answers.

   • Answers:
     • the number of eras in Earth's history
     • the events that ended major divisions of geologic time

6. What provides evidence of an increase in animal species at the same time that atmospheric oxygen concentrations increased?

   • Answer: fossil record

7. Drag each item to the correct location in order to place the events in the development of plants into the correct order.

   • Answers:
     1. Cyanobacteria begin to photosynthesize.
     2. Cyanobacteria become the chloroplast of plants.
     3. Bryophytes become the first land plants.
     4. Plants evolve to have vascular tissue to transport water.

8. In a small bay that contains a coral reef, the water temperature has remained the same for decades. Recently, scientists discovered that the water temperature in the bay has increased by 1°C. Which is most likely to happen?

   • Answer: The coral reef will experience a bleaching event.

9. What is an example of a physical weathering?

   • Answer: bits being blown off a rock by heavy winds

10. What evidence is there that oxygen levels in the sea increased due to photosynthetic bacteria?

    • Answer: rust deposits in the ancient ocean

11. Why do scientists know very little about life in the Precambrian eon?

    • Answer: There are few fossils from that time.

12. Which describes the physical weathering of rock by water?

    • Answer: Water breaks down a rock into smaller pieces with the same composition as the larger rock.

13. Which is true about radiometric dating?

    • Answer: It helps scientists determine the exact age of a sample.

14. Which is a reason fossil formation is a rare occurrence?

    • Answer: Remains of organisms that could become fossils are often disturbed by harsh weather, extreme temperatures, or other animals before they can be buried.

15. In an aerial photograph, a row of brown objects is shown. These objects have shadows that could lead one to conclude they represent elevated objects. What surface feature is described?

    • Answer: Mountains

16. How did the production of oxygen by photosynthesis impact the development of the geosphere?

    • Answer: It reacted with iron in rocks to produce iron oxide.

17. How does faunal succession help show what was different about the environment in the past?

    • Answer: Faunal succession states that older fossils are found in deeper geological layers. This information aids in relative dating of plant and animal life.

18. How do the different theories of abiogenesis explain how life formed on Earth?

    • Answer: Each of the theories proposes conditions for how life could have formed from nonliving materials.

19. Which of the following characterizes a mass extinction event?

    • Answer: Most species on Earth die over a short period.

Short Answer Questions

20. Construct an argument about how people can help prevent erosion to the coastline by protecting coral reefs. (3–5 sentences)

    • Coral reefs act as natural barriers that protect coastlines from erosion caused by waves and storms. By conserving and restoring coral reefs, we can maintain their role in absorbing wave energy. Furthermore, implementing sustainable fishing practices and reducing pollution can strengthen coral health, promoting biodiversity and resilience. Educating communities about the importance of coral reefs can foster support for conservation efforts, ultimately benefiting both marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

21. Identify and explain two agents of chemical weathering to support the statement that water plays an important role. (3–5 sentences)

    • Water facilitates chemical weathering through hydrolysis, where it reacts with minerals to form new minerals and soluble salts. For example, feldspar in granite can be transformed into clay minerals through this process. Additionally, dissolved carbon dioxide in rainwater creates carbonic acid, which can react with limestone, leading to its dissolution. Together, these processes illustrate that water is crucial in altering rock composition and facilitating chemical weathering.

22. Explain how the texture of a rock surface affects how fast it physically weathers by water. (3–5 sentences)

    • The texture of a rock surface greatly impacts its susceptibility to physical weathering by water. Rough and porous surfaces can trap water and facilitate the infiltration process, leading to more rapid disintegration and breakdown. In contrast, smooth and dense surfaces tend to repel water, limiting its ability to penetrate and weather the rock efficiently. Consequently, rocks with rough textures are more likely to experience accelerated weathering as water can more effectively exploit their features.