Ohio Graduation Test for Science – March 2006
Annotated Item 39
Standard and Benchmark Assessed:
Standard:
Benchmark:
Earth and Space Sciences
E. Explain the processes that move and shape Earth’s surface.
Multiple Choice Question:
39.
What evidence has been used to support the theory of plate tectonics?
A.
The Grand Canyon runs in the same direction as the mid-Atlantic ridge.
B.
There are deserts in the western parts of North and South America.
C. The same fossil species are found in South America and Africa.
D. Glacial till covers parts of the northern United States and Asia.
Commentary:
This multiple choice question asks students to accurately identify one piece of evidence that
supports the theory of plate tectonics. Students must apply their knowledge of the theory of
plate tectonics including the development of historical evidence to support the theory. Students
must also demonstrate an understanding of the foundational principles of the theory including
that Earth’s outermost layer (crust) is composed of fragmented plates and that the movement of
these plates over time has caused their positions to change relative to one another. Students
may recall some of the following major pieces of evidence that support the theory:
 Continental shapes that fit together like puzzle pieces;
 Fossils of the same species found on non-contiguous continents;
 Relative age of oceanic crust and continental crust;
 Magnetic striping and polar reversals;
 Sea-floor spreading, oceanic trenches, and ridges;
 Patterns of seismic and geothermal (earthquake and volcanic) activity; and
 Glacial deposits far from polar regions.
Answer C is correct because finding the same fossil species on non-contiguous continents
(South America and Africa) provides evidence that these continents were once joined or closely
associated so that the species could easily travel from one location to another. Answer choice
A is incorrect because while ridges are evidence of plate movement, the Grand Canyon is not
the same type of geological structure as the mid-Atlantic ridge. The Grand Canyon has no
relationship to plate movement and was created by surface geological processes. Answer
choice B is incorrect because deserts in western North and South America are related to the
climatic zones that exist today in these locations and not to plate movement throughout history.
Answer choice D is incorrect because glacial till covering northern parts of the United States
and Asia are related to the climatic zones that exist today not to plate movement throughout
history. Glacial till can provide evidence of plate movement if found in areas such as India or
Africa where one would not expect to find it.
The question is classified as Recalling / Identifying Accurate Science because this task requires
students to recall previously learned facts about the development of and evidence for the theory
of plate tectonics. Students must use a conceptual understanding of the processes that operate
below Earth’s crust to correctly identify an accurate description of the underlying scientific
phenomena.
Source: Ohio Department of Education
July 05
Ohio Graduation Test for Science – March 2006
Annotated Item 39
Performance Data:
The percent of public school students selecting answer choice C for question 39 on the March
2006 Ohio Graduation Test was 63%.
Keywords:
plate tectonics, crust, fossil
Source: Ohio Department of Education
July 05