Answer Key for Sample Test Questions for Environmental, Earth and Space Science
Part 1: Short Answer
1. A farmer purchased 30 acres of farmland. The farmer calculated that the average topsoil thickness on the
farmland is about 20 centimeters.
The farmer wants to maintain the thickness of the soil on this farmland by reducing erosion. The farmer plans
to test the effectiveness of two different farming methods for reducing soil erosion
Method 1: No-till (planting crops without plowing the soil)
Method 2: Winter cover crop (growing plants during the winter that are plowed into the soil in spring)
The farmer hypothesizes that using either method will reduce erosion compared to using traditional farming
methods (plowing and no cover crop).
Design a controlled experiment that the farmer can use to test this hypothesis. Include descriptions of data
collection and how the farmer will determine whether his hypothesis is correct.
Type your response in the box. This task may require approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Question 1: Sample 3-point response
The farmer would have to set up 3 experiments. The first would be a years worth of traditional farming
methods (plowing and now cover crop) on a 5 x 5 acres of land. He would have to measure the top soil
every month throughout the year and record it in a data table. For the second experiment the farmer
would have to farm a plot of land 5 x 5 acres using a no-till plan. He would have to measure the top soil
every month for a year and record it in a data table. Finally the farmer would farm a 5 x 5 acres of land
with winter crop cover and measure the top soil every month and record it in a lab table. At the end of
the year the farmer would have to compare the 2 methos against the traditiona methid and determine
ifhe is correct.
3-point response contains:
1. a well-formulated, complete controlled experimental design,
2. a well-formulated data collection method, and
3. a well-formulated, complete explanation of the criteria for evaluating the hypothesis
2. Barrier islands are low and narrow sandy islands that form a rim offshore from a coastline. These islands
protect inland shores from the surf, especially during storms. These islands are becoming increasingly
developed because people want to live by the open ocean, yet the islands themselves are not permanent.
Why aren’t the islands permanent?
Type your response in the box.
September 1, 2013, Page 1
Answer Key for Sample Test Questions for Environmental, Earth and Space Science
Part 2: Multiple Choice. Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the
question.
3. The map shows Earth’s continents, the outlines of the
plates that make up Earth’s outer shell, and the locations
of volcanoes. Which conclusion can be reached from the
information on the map?
a. Volcanoes are scattered randomly across Earth.
b. Volcanoes are only located along edges of
continents.
c. Volcanoes are mostly located along boundaries
between plates.
d. Volcanoes are distributed equally in the Northern
and Southern Hemispheres.
4. What type of scientist studies the solid Earth?
a. geologist
b. oceanographer
c. astronomer
d. meterologist
5. The rating system that estimates the total energy released by an earthquake is called the
a. Richter scale.
c. mechanical seisomograph scale.
b. moment magnitude scale.
d. Mercalli scale.
6. A tide with the LEAST difference between low and high tide is called a
a. spring tide.
c. rip tide.
b. neap tide.
d. monthly tide.
7. Tides are caused mainly by
a. Earth's rotation on its axis, causing water to move.
b. differences in how much the sun pulls on different parts of Earth.
c. strong winds blowing water onto coasts.
d. differences in how much the moon pulls on different parts of Earth.
8. A tidal power plant produces energy using the movement of water
a. in surface waves.
c. due to earthquakes.
b. between high tide and low tide.
d. between neap tide and spring tide.
9. The risk of earthquakes is high along the Pacific coast of the United States because
a. there have been no earthquakes there lately.
b. serious earthquakes are rare east of the Rockies.
c. satellites have detected increasing elevation of the ground surface.
d. that's where the Pacific and North American plates meet.
10. Release of CFCs and similar compounds are a possible cause of
a. destruction of ozone in the upper atmosphere.
b. increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.
c. acid rain in the northeast U.S.
d. all of the above.
11. The force that tends to pull together the matter in stars is
a. gravity.
b. nuclear fusion.
c. expansion.
d. nuclear fission.
12. Nearly half of the pollution caused by humans comes from
a. factories.
b. powerplants.
c. home furnaces.
d. motor vehicles.
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Answer Key for Sample Test Questions for Environmental, Earth and Space Science
13. Seismic waves generated by an earthquake
at point R are recorded at locations W and
X. Which pair of seismographs is more
accurate?
a.
c.
b.
d.
14. The atmosphere is
a. the layer in which weather occurs.
b. the layer that contains the ozone layer.
c. the layer of water in the oceans.
d. the layer of gases that surrounds Earth.
15. Which of these will cause the greatest high tides?
a.
c.
b.
d.
16. A major problem with depending on fossil fuels as primary energy sources is that they are
a. overabundant.
c. deep underground.
b. nonrenewable.
d. nonpolluting.
17. The two most abundant gases in the atmosphere are
a. carbon dioxide and oxygen.
b. carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
c. nitrogen and oxygen.
d. nitrogen and hydrogen.
18. Most pollution in the atmosphere comes from
a. pollen.
c. volcanic eruptions.
b. forest fires.
d. burning fossil fuels.
Question 20
19. The sun's rays are least direct
a. near the poles.
b. near the equator.
Layer 1
___________
Layer 2
c. at high altitudes.
d. far from the ocean.
20. The layer in the soil profile that has the most humus is
a. Layer 1
c. Layer 3
b. Layer 2
d. Layer 4
___________
________
Layer 3
Layer 4
____________
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Answer Key for Sample Test Questions for Environmental, Earth and Space Science
21. Scientists use the rock cycle to describe the process by which
a. one type of rock can be changed into another type of rock.
b. all different types of fossils were transformed into rock.
c. mineral crystals and compositions are identified.
d. tectonic plates shift around the Earth’s surface.
22. The burning of wood, coal, and natural gas produces
a. oxygen.
b. nitrogen.
c. carbon dioxide.
d. methane.
23. Earth has seasons because
a. Earth rotates on its axis.
b. the distance between Earth and the sun changes.
c. Earth's axis is tilted as it moves around the sun.
d. the temperature of the sun changes.
24. Which kind of rock is formed by the processes shown in the diagram?
a. Metamorphic
c. Basaltic
b. Sedimentary
d. Igneious
25. Increased carbon dioxide may cause global warming by
a. allowing more sunlight into the atmosphere.
b. reflecting sunlight from Earth's surface.
c. reducing the amount of oxygen in the air.
d. trapping more heat in the atmosphere.
26. Ozone molecules protect Earth from the harmful effects of the Sun by
a. absorbing ultraviolet radiation.
c. condensing water particles in clouds.
b. regulating the heat from the sun.
d. insulating the temperature at the poles.
27. The chart shows different sources of energy. Which conclusion can be made
based on this chart?
a. Coal is the main source of energy.
b. Use of nuclear power is increasing
c. Fossil fuels make up over three-quarters of our energy consumption.
d. Renewable energy sources are predominantly used.
28. How large is the moon compared to Earth?
a. about the same diameter as Earth
b. about one half the diameter of Earth
c. about one fourth the diameter of Earth
d. about one eighth the diameter of Earth
29. Scientists think the moon was formed when
a. a large object struck Earth, and material from both bodies combined.
b. gravitational forces attracted materials from outer space.
c. meteoroids collected and solidified within the
pull of Earth's gravity.
d. gases from Earth escaped from the atmosphere
and condensed.
30. Based on the table, which planet has the shortest day?
a. Mercury
b. Saturn
c. Jupiter
d. Venus
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