Brief-Constructed Response
Earth’s Physical Characteristics
Teacher Guide
Earth’s Physical Characteristics
Objectives assessed: The student will be able to demonstrate understanding that:
• Identify the physical characteristics of Earth.
Students will need about 15–20 minutes to complete this brief constructed response.
Part A
Look at the diagram of Earth. Identify and label each physical characteristic as atmosphere,
lithosphere, asthenosphere, outer core, and inner core. Then, write a sentence to describe each of
the physical characteristics of each.
Sample correct response:
[show diagram as above, but now with atmosphere, lithosphere, asthenosphere, outer core,
and inner core correctly labeled]
Earth’s atmosphere is a layer of gases that are trapped near the Earth’s surface. The
lithosphere is the first physical layer of Earth that includes the crust. The lithosphere is the
layer of Earth that makes up the tectonic plates, and it is the thinnest of Earth’s layers. The
Brief-Constructed Response: Earth’s Physical Characteristics
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Brief-Constructed Response
Earth’s Physical Characteristics
Teacher Guide
asthenosphere is the layer beneath the lithosphere that is very hot molten rock. The Earth’s
outer core is molten iron. The Earth’s inner core is solid iron and nickel.
Part B
1. What physical characteristics support living organisms on Earth? Explain how these
characteristics support life on Earth.
2. How does Earth’s gravity compare to the moon’s gravity?
Sample correct response:
1. Earth’s temperature, atmosphere, and water are physical characteristics that support
living things on Earth. Earth’s atmosphere keeps gases, such as oxygen, close to
Earth, and most living things on Earth need to breathe. Water on Earth’s surface is
also needed by most living things to survive and reproduce. Earth’s temperature
supports living things because it is not too hot or too cold.
2. Earth’s gravity is greater than the moon’s gravity.
Brief-Constructed Response: Earth’s Physical Characteristics
© Discovery Communications, LLC
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Brief-Constructed Response
Earth’s Physical Characteristics
Teacher Guide
Part A response scoring tool:
Score Content
3
Response correctly identifies Earth’s atmosphere and layers that
are shown in the diagram. Response correctly describes Earth’s
atmosphere and layers in at least one sentence each.
2
Response correctly identifies Earth’s atmosphere and at least
three of the layers. Response correctly describes Earth’s
atmosphere and at least three of the layers in one sentence each.
1
Response correctly identifies at least two of the physical
characteristics in the diagram. Response correctly describes at
least two of the physical characteristics in one sentence each.
0
No response or response not appropriate to the question.
Part B response scoring tool:
Score Content
3
Response correctly relates Earth’s physical characteristics to life
on Earth, including its atmosphere, temperature, and water.
Response states that Earth’s gravity is greater than the moon’s
gravity.
2
Response correctly relates some of Earth’s physical
characteristics such as its atmosphere, temperature, and water to
life on Earth. Response states that Earth’s gravity is greater than
the moon’s gravity.
1
Response correctly relates one of Earth’s physical characteristics
to life on Earth, or includes that Earth’s gravity is greater than the
moon’s.
0
No response or response not appropriate to the question.
Brief-Constructed Response: Earth’s Physical Characteristics
© Discovery Communications, LLC
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