Name
KEY
Date
Period
Introduction to Earth Science Unit Test Study Guide
Format:
34 Total Question
Topics:
Observation vs. Inference
18 Multiple Choice
15 Free Response/ Diagram
Interpretation
1
Graphing
*MC and Free Response are
mixed throughout the test
Earth Spheres
Fields of Sciences
Pos. /Neg. Feedback
Longitude/ Latitude
Geography (general
descriptions and locations;
from project)
Topography
Graphing
1. Describe what each field of science study.
a. Geology: the study of the physical earth (rocks,
minerals, etc.), the process of Earth, and Earth’s
history.
b. Meteorology: the study of Earth’s atmosphere,
weather and climate
c. Oceanography: the study of Earth’s ocean
d. Astronomy: the study of the Universe (planets, stars,
galaxies, etc.)
2. Define each sphere.
a. Biosphere: all of Earth’s living organisms (plants,
animals, bacteria, etc.)
b. Geosphere: the physical solid earth
c. Hydrosphere: all of Earth’s water (water cycle,
oceans, lakes, rivers, etc)
d. Atmosphere: all the gasses surrounding the solid
Earth
e. Cryosphere: Earth’s Ice (Polar Ice Caps, icebergs,
glaciers)
3. Give an examples of the spheres connect to each other.
a. Biosphere- Geosphere: animals burrow into the soil
to hibernate to for shelter
b. Hydrosphere- Atmosphere: Ocean evaporate into
water vapor into the atmosphere
c. Geosphere- Atmosphere: Wind can erode soil away
d. Hydrosphere- Geosphere: Rivers carve out canyons
4. Explain Positive Feedback and give one example. Positive
feedback is when a system is always moving away from
the equilibrium. Example: Cotton Candy machine,
formation of a hurricane
5. Explain Negative Feedback and give one example.
Negative feedback is when a system always goes back to
the equilibrium (back to Normal). Example: Photosynthesis
of plants and respiration of animals.
6. What type of feedback loop is the picture depicting?
Explain why.
This is a positive feedback loop because as when
there is a large population, more babies will be born which then
adds more to the population. The population size never goes
back to the beginning (equilibrium).
7. What type of feedback loop is the picture depicting?
Explain why.
This is a negative feedback loop because as the
temperature of the body increases the body releases
sweat which will bring the body’s temperature down to
equilibrium. (Back to Normal).
8. Label the following graphs Positive Feedback or Negative
Feedback.
9.
Positive Feedback
Negative Feedback
A. Which direction do latitude lines run? Sideways
B. Which direction do longitude lines run? Up and
down
C. Imaginary line that divides the Northern
Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere: Equator
D. Imaginary line that is 0⁰ longitude: Prime Meridian
10.
Explain why Australisia is the correct term for the
continent.
Australisia is the correct term to describe the continents
because then New Zealand and New Guinea and the other
surrounding Pacific Islands around Australia are included.
11. Use the map below to answer the following questions.
a. What is the contour interval? 50
elevation between each contour line)
(The amount of
b. What is the elevation of
point D? 200
12. Draw the elevation profile
below of the diagram above (from question 11).
13. How would you determine the direction of a river’s flow
based on a topographical map? The river always flows from
higher elevation to lower elevation.
14. How do you determine the steepness of elevation on a
topographical map? Steepness is based on how close or far
apart the contour lines are to each other. The closer the lines
are to each other the steeper the slope is.
15. Name the one major river running through each continent.
a. Europe: Danube
b. North America: Mississippi or Colorado
C. Asia: Yangtze
E. South America: Amazon
16. Identify the continent/ region each Sea is located in.
a. Gulf of Mexico: North America
b. Arabian Sea: between Asia (India) and Africa
C. Coral Sea: Australia
D. Japan Sea: Asia (between China and Japan)
17. Write 2 observations about the classroom. The desks are
grouped together.
18. Make 2 inferences based on your observations. The class
will work on an assignment in small groups.