STUDENT NAME:
STUDENT NUMBER:_____________
VERSION 1
December 2015
Final Examination
Faculty of Science
Earth and Planetary Sciences EPSC 201
Understanding Planet Earth
Autumn 2015
Examiner: Professor Olivia Jensen
Associate Examiner: Professor Jeanne Paquette
Date: December 22, 2015
Time: 09h00
Instructions: The examination comprises two Parts and 14 pages including this cover
page.
Part I: The 60 multiple choice and true-false questions of Part I of this exam must be
answered on the computer coding sheet in rows 1 to 60. Make sure that your student ID# is
correctly entered into the bubbles on the upper left corner of your sheet. There are 4 versions
of this examination. Make sure that the version number appropriate to this exam is correctly
entered in the column designated “VERSION” on your computer answer sheet. This may
have been done for you.
Part II: The 16 short-answer questions must be answered within the boxes provided. Be sure
to place your name on the front page of this exam and at the top of the pages of Parts II so
that we can securely identify your work. You need only answer 10 of these questions; if you
answer more than 10, your 10 best graded questions will be counted.
No explanation of any question asked on this exam can be given during the exam because of the
very large number of students taking the exam. If you have reason to question the clarity of
any question asked, note your concern briefly in the margin and note the question number at
the bottom of this cover page; we may consider your objection during grading of the
question.
The value contribution towards the final grade for each question in this examination is noted
in square brackets after the question header. The exam total mark is 60. If you have chosen
not to do some of the term work (i.e., missed the field trips or midterm), this examination will
be appropriately scaled to complete the full 100% for your final grade.
You are not permitted to use calculators that have text-memory capabilities .
Please ensure that your name and student registration number are inscribed properly on your
computer grading sheet, on the front page of this exam and (at least) at the top of the pages of
Part II.
The Examination Security Monitor Program detects pairs of students with unusually similar
answer patterns on multiple-choice exams. Data generated by this program can be used as
admissible evidence, either to initiate or corroborate an investigation or a charge of cheating
under Section 16 of the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures.
In accord with McGill University’s Charter of Students’ Rights, students in this course have the
right to submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded.
Understanding Planet Earth
EPSC 201 Autumn 2015
Student Name:___________________________
Final Examination
Student Number:________________________
Part I This section comprises 60 multiple-choice questions. Each question is worth 1/2 mark.
Indicate your answer by filling in the appropriate “○” open circle on the computer grading
(Scantron) sheet. You should use pencil so that you can erase your reconsidered answers. Make
sure that you have properly filled in your student ID# and the version number of this exam on the
grading sheet. [30 marks]
This is Version 1
1. What is our current best estimate of the age of the formation of Earth?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
13.798 billion years
13.798 million years
4.567 billion years
4.567 million years
4004 BCE
EPSC 201 Insert your name and student ID# on the top of the front page and pages of Part II.
Version 1
Page 2
Understanding Planet Earth
EPSC 201 Autumn 2015
Student Name:___________________________
Part II
Final Examination
Student Number:________________________
Short answer questions
Please keep your response to each of the following eight questions within the space provided by the
box. These questions are graded on a schedule of 0 marks (complete miss), 1 mark (addresses some of
the question), 2 marks (well addresses the question), 3 marks (excellent and complete answer). You are
only expected to do 10 of the following 16 questions. If you do more, your best 10 will count for
grade. [ 30 marks ]
16. We now are beginning to recognize the Earth System comprising the physical and geological
materials of the Earth and its place in the Solar System as well as the biology of planet, all working
together producing a nearly stable environment and condition. In 1972, James Lovelock proposed the
Gaia hypothesis which argued that life and biology is importantly involved in regulating the planet's
surface environment. How does life contribute to the stability of the environment?
EPSC 201 Insert your name and student ID# on the top of the front page and pages of Part II.
Version 1
Page 3