45. Use the information below to answer question # 45.
MASS OF SHPERES AND HEIGHTS FROM WHICH THEY WERE DROPPED
Sphere
A
B
C
D
Weight (N)
20
10
5
15
Height from which the sphere was dropped (m)
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
A scientist drops four different spheres from four different heights. Using the
information provided in the table above, answer the following question. Which
sphere had the greatest potential energy before it was dropped?
A.
sphere A * 20 Kg x .5 m = 10
C.
sphere C * 5 Kg x 1.5 m = 12.5
B.
sphere B * 10 Kg x 1 m = 10
D.
sphere D *15 Kg x 2 m = 30
Refer to the table below to answer questions 46 and 47.
*This information table will NOT be provided on the actual PSSA Test.
SIMPLE MACHIES AND HOW THEY MAKE WORK EASIER
Visit this site to learn more:
http://www.cosi.org/files/Flash/simpMach/sm1.html
Name
Inclined
Plane
Photograph
How the simple machine makes work easier.
Incline planes make work easier by reducing the amount
of force you need to apply to an object to move it.
Pulley
Pulleys make work easier by changing the direction of a
force or distance over which it is applied.
Wheel and
Axle
The wheel and axle changes a small force exerted over a
large distance into a larger force exerted over a smaller
distance.
Screw
A screw is a modified inclined plane. Screws make work
easier by changing the direction of an applied force.
Lever
Levers make work easier by changing the direction of a
force or by changing the distance over which the force is
applied.
Wedge
A wedge makes work easier by changing the direction of a
force.
46. A scientist uses a wheel and axle in an experiment. What is the most likely
reason the scientist used the wheel and axle?
A. to increase the force applied to the object
B. to change the weight of a device in a system
C. to decrease the amount of energy in the system
D. to change the direction of a force applied to an object
47. A stock person at a supermarket needs to lift a heavy box onto the back of a
truck. He can either push the box up a ramp or lift it straight up from the
ground. If he uses the ramp, he will have to move the box over a longer
distance. What then is the benefit of using a ramp to lift the box?
A. It reduces the force of gravity acting on the box.
B. It lowers the mechanical advantage of the box.
C. It allows the man to use less force.
D. It decreases the amount of work the man has to do.
48. There are granitic rocks in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Based on this, what
is the best conclusion a geologist can draw about that region?
A. An ocean once covered that region.
B. There was once reverse faulting in that area.
C. Dinosaurs once inhabited that region.
D. There was once molten rock below the ground in that region.
* Granitic igneous rocks form from molten material that cools beneath the Earth’s surface.
49. Which of the following best describes the formation of metamorphic rock?
A. Layers of sand and mud are buried and compressed.
B. Melted rock cools and hardens below the Earth’s surface.
C. Igneous rock is broken into smaller pieces by weathering.
D. Sedimentary rock is buried and exposed to high heat and pressure.
*Metamorphic rocks form as the result of changes caused by extreme heat and pressure associated with deep burial.
50. Fossils are evidence that organisms existed in the distant past. Most of what
scientists know about how life has changed is based on studying fossils of
organisms that lived long ago. A fossil is an impression, or imprint of an
organism or part of an organism. The best fossils form when the dead
organism is buried quickly leaving very little time for the organism to
decay. Fossils can form from the entire body of the organism, or parts of it
such as shells, bones, or teeth.
A geologist is examining fossils in rocks from Pennsylvania. What is the
geologist least likely trying to learn?
A. what the climate in Pennsylvania was like in the past
B. how large the bugs were that lived in the Pennsylvania in the past
C. the color of the leaves on the trees in Pennsylvania in the past
* The colors of plants and animals can not be determined from the fossils they produce. Climates, and differences
in organisms and their sizes can be determined by the fossils they produce.
D. how different the animals of Pennsylvania were in the past
51. A geologist wants to learn how flowering plants have changed over the past
50 million years. Which of the following would be the most helpful?
A. observing a plant grow
B. studying the plant fossil record
* Information concerning changes in plants over the past 50 million years can only be gained through the study of
fossil evidence. Observation of current flowering plants may help, but fossil evidence is essential.
C. comparing plants during different parts of their lifecycles
D. comparing living species of plants on different continents
Read the following passage and answer questions # 52 - # 54.
*This informational summary will not be provided on the actual PSSA test.
Many organisms rely on soil for water, nutrients, shelter, or support. Soil is the loose material
that covers the ground in most places. Most soil is made up of a combination of sediment,
water, air, and the decayed remains of organisms. However, soils are not all the same. They can
have different compositions and can form in different ways. A soil profile is broken down into
horizons. The thicknesses of these horizons can vary from place to place.
The horizon just below the Earth’s surface is called the topsoil. The topsoil is usually a fairly
thick layer of dark, fine-grained, soft soil. Topsoil contains plant roots and many living
organisms. The topsoil also contains a component of soft, spongy, dark-colored material called
humus. Humus is the decayed remains of organisms. Humus contains most of the nutrients in
the topsoil. It also helps the topsoil hold water. This is the most fertile layer of the soil. A
fertile soil contains the nutrients which help plants grow.
The horizon below the topsoil is called the subsoil. Subsoil layers are very thick and are
composed of coarser-grains. These layers are described as nutrient-poor and can be a light
brown, gray, or reddish color. Very few organisms live in these layers.
If you were to dig down below the subsoil, you would find partially weathered bedrock and
eventually solid bedrock. This bedrock is the parent material from which the soil forms.
The texture of a soil is the relative amounts of gravel, sand, silt, and clay. Different soils
have different ratios of these sediment types. Some soils contain mostly clay. Others contain
mostly sand. A soil that contains about equal amounts of clay, silt, and sand is called a loam.
The texture of a soil determines its porosity and permeability. The porosity of a soil is a measure
of the amount of space between the solid particles in the soil. The permeability of a soil is a
measure of how easily and quickly water moves through it. Soils made up mostly of clay have a
high porosity and low permeability. Therefore, these soils hold a lot of water. Soils made up
mostly of sand have a low porosity and hold very little water. In other words, gravely and sandy
soils drain better than soils that contain a lot of clay.
Soil Horizons
Porosity and Permeability
52. The sediment in a particular soil sample is mainly clay. What is most likely true
about the soil?
A. The soil will have a low permeability. * Soils composed of mainly clay have low permeability.
B. The soil will drain well. *Will drain poorly / will have low permeability.
C. The soil was eroded by glaciers. *Glaciers provide a wide variety of sediment sizes besides clay.
D. The soil will have a low porosity. *Will have a high porosity.
53. Use the table below to answer question # 53.
PERCENTAGES OF SAND, SILT, AND CLAY IN FOUR SOILS
Soil
Percentage of Sand Percentage of Silt
Percentage of Clay
1
10%
50%
40%
2
25%
25%
50%
3
35%
32%
33%
4
50%
15%
35%
Which of these statements about the soils in the table is correct?
A. Soil # 2 has the coarsest texture. * Number 4 is coarsest, number 2 is the finest grained.
B. Soil # 1 has a coarser texture than soil # 4.* # 1 = 10% sand, # 4 = 50% sand. # 4 is coarser.
C. Soil # 4 has a finer texture than soil # 1. * Number 4 is coarser , 50% sand vs. 10% sand.
D. Soil # 3 has a loamy texture. * Loamy soils contain equal amounts of clay, silt, and sand.
54. Use the table below to answer question # 54.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL
Location
Texture
Color
House
Very fine-grained, clayey
Light gray and light brown
Play Ground Equal mix of grain sizes, loamy
Dark brown to black
Thickness
Thin
Thick
A student compared the soil near his house to the soil in a nearby play ground.
The table shows the data from his notes. Based on his information, which of the
following statements about the soils is most likely true?
A. The soil at the play ground has a higher porosity than the soil at his house.
* The soil at the play ground has a lower porosity.
B. More flowers will grow in the soil at his house than in the soil at the play ground.
* Flowers will grow better in the soil at the play ground because the soil contains more humus.
C. The soil at the play ground has a higher permeability than the soil at his house.
* Loamy soils are much more permeable to water than soils whose textures are fine-grained and clayey.
D. There is more humus in the soil at his house than in the soil at the play ground.
* There is less humus in the soil at his house.
Use the table below to answer questions # 55 - # 58.
*This information table will NOT be provided for the actual PSSA Test.
Soil Type
Soil Formation and Characteristics
Temperate forests tend to have fairly thick, fertile soil because the trees
and other organisms produce a great deal of humus.
*IDEAL FOR AGRICULTURE
Temperate Grasslands
Temperate grasslands tend to have very thick, fertile soils because the
Biome
grasses and organisms produce a great deal of humus.
{Example: Midwestern U.S.}
*IDEAL FOR AGRICULTURE
Desert biomes tend to have thin, sandy, less fertile soil. Because
deserts are so hot and dry, few organisms live there and it is difficult for
Desert Biome
plants to grow. For these reasons, little humus forms in desert soils
making them less fertile.
*NOT SUITABLE FOR AGRICULTURE
Tundra biomes tend to have relatively thin soils. Because the tundra is
so cold, most of the soil remains frozen most of the year. In the tundra,
Tundra Biome
rocks weather very slowly, so little humus accumulates. For these
reasons, tundra soils are fairly thin, rocky and infertile.
*NOT SUITABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL
Soils in taiga biomes are more fertile than tundra soils because the taiga
has a warmer climate. However, most of the plants that live in the taiga
Taiga Biome
are evergreen trees. The needles of these trees form much of the humus
in taiga soils. These needles are very acidic, so the soils in the taiga
also tend to be acidic.
*NOT SUITABLE FOR AGRICULTURE
Some of the thickest soils are found in tropical rain forests. Because it
is so warm and wet there, rocks weather very rapidly, and soils can be
several meters thick. Large numbers of plants and animals live in these
forests as well, so a great deal of humus forms. However, because so
Tropical Rain Forest Biome many plants grow in the rain forest, most of the nutrients in the humus
are used up as soon as they become available. In addition, large
amounts of rainfall wash many nutrients out of the soil. Therefore,
soils in tropical rain forests tend to be very thick but not very fertile.
*SOMEWHAT SUITABLE FOR AGRICULTURE
Wind can carry and deposit large amounts of fine-grained sediment in
Soils Containing Loess
certain areas. These windblown sediments are called loess. In some
places, loess is the main sediment that forms soil. These soils can be
very thick and fertile.
*IDEAL FOR AGRICULTURE
55. A scientist is studying the soil in an area. She notices that the soil is very thick,
but is not very nutrient rich. From which biome did the soil most likely come?
A. desert *Thin, sandy, and less fertile.
B. tropical rain forest * Tropical rain forest soils tend to be very thick, but not very nutrient rich because the
Temperate Forest Biome
{Example: Pennsylvania}
large amounts of rainfall wash the nutrients out of the soil.
C. tundra *Fairly thin, rocky, and infertile.
D. temperate grassland * Thick and fertile
56. A soil sample is mainly loess. What is most likely true about
the soil?
A. It was deposited by water.
B. It is several meters thick.
C. It was deposited by wind. *Loess describes fine-grained sediments that are transported by wind.
D. It is coarse grained.
57. Which of these descriptions did a scientist most likely write about the soil in a
Pennsylvania field?
A. thin, sandy, very little humus * desert biome
B. thick, nutrient poor, many plant roots * tropical rainforest biome
C. thick, nutrient rich, mix of particle sizes * Pennsylvania soils {Temperate Forest Biome} tend to be
thick, rich in nutrients, and contain a variety of grain sizes.
D. thin, rocky, frozen layer near the surface * tundra soil biome
58. In a certain location, a scientists notices that the soil’s parent material is
different that from its bedrock. What two processes are most likely responsible
for this?
A. erosion and deposition
* The soil particles were eroded and transported from somewhere
B. deposition and freezing
else prior to being deposited.
C. weathering and freezing
D. condensation and precipitation
Use the diagram below to answer questions # 59 and # 60.
*This informational diagram will NOT be provided for the actual PSSA Test.
59. Which of these is an example of condensation?
A. water vapor floating in the air *This choice does not describe a phase change.
B. snow falling * sublimation
C. rain collecting in a lake * runoff of liquid precipitation
D. a cloud forming * Water vapor condenses around solid particles to produce liquid water droplets.
60. Which of the following best describes the process of transpiration?
A. precipitation soaking into the ground * percolation
B. evaporation of water by plants, crops, and trees
C. the freezing of liquid water to ice * freezing
D. the formation of hail * freezing
Use the diagram below to answer questions # 61 and # 62.
*This informational diagram and summary will NOT be provided for the actual PSSA Test.
A watershed is an area of land that drains rainfall and snowmelt into a particular body of
water. The terrain of the land around the body of water helps define the watershed. A watershed
can include many creeks, streams, and rivers. In Pennsylvania, many creeks form as runoff
moves down the Appalachian Mountains. Creeks and streams can combine to form rivers. Some
rivers eventually flow into lakes. Most rivers eventually flow into bays or oceans. When this
happens, the freshwater from the rivers mixes with the salt water of the bay or ocean. A large part
of Pennsylvania lies within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay watershed
covers about 64,000 square miles of land.
Pollution anywhere in a watershed can lead to pollution in a larger body of water. When
runoff (from precipitation) moves over the land, it washes soil, fertilizers, litter, toxic chemicals,
and other pollutants into creeks and streams.
Agricultural runoff from farms in Pennsylvania can be carried by a system of creeks and
rivers into the Chesapeake Bay. These nutrients can cause an overgrowth of algae in larger
bodies of water. An overgrowth of algae in a body of water is called an algal bloom.
Most bodies of water in a watershed are freshwater bodies. Freshwater bodies include
creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes containing little or no salt. Lakes are examples of lentic
systems, because the water remains almost still. Creeks, streams, and rivers are examples of lotic
systems because the water moves over the land from areas of higher elevation to areas of lower
elevation.
Stream ecosystems can have varying levels of biodiversity depending on the conditions in a
particular stream. Biodiversity refers to the variety of organisms that live in an area. Changes
in the flow rate, temperature, and water quality (pollutants) of a stream can diminish the
biodiversity. Pollutants can choke or poison organisms.
Many wetlands are freshwater bodies. Wetlands are areas of land that are under water for
all or part of the year. Wetlands include marshes, swamps, and bogs. Wetlands filter pollutants,
excess nutrients, and sediments out of the water that flows through them, so wetlands improve
water quality. Wetlands also soak up excess water, so they can help prevent flooding.
Freshwater bodies are important natural resources. People need water for drinking,
cooking, bathing, and irrigating crops. Rivers are also used to transport products, produce
electricity, and for recreational purposes.
61. Suppose that water flows through a marsh to a stream. Which of these
describes the most likely result of this flow of water?
A. Biodiversity will decrease because toxins will decrease.
* Biodiversity will remain constant because toxins would decrease.
B. Biodiversity will remain constant because water pollution will increase.
* Biodiversity would remain constant because water pollution would decrease.
C. Biodiversity will decrease because sedimentation will increase.
* Biodiversity will remain constant because excess sediments will be filtered out.
D. Biodiversity will remain constant because excess nutrients will decrease.
62. Which of these best describes the relationship between a river and its
watershed?
A. A watershed removes pollution from a river.*Watersheds carry water to rivers, marshes filter it.
B. A river filters out sediments from a watershed. *Rivers carry sediments from their watersheds.
C. A river collects water that flows from its watershed.
D. A watershed drains water from the rivers around it. *Rivers carry water drained from their
watersheds.
Most of the water on the Earth is found in oceans and contains dissolved salts such as sodium
chloride. Saltwater can be found in wetlands that form along ocean coasts. Salt marshes are
areas of land that are flooded during high tide. Bays and estuaries are bodies of water that
connect to oceans. Salt water and fresh water have different properties. The salinity of salt water
is higher than freshwater. Salinity is the dissolved salt content in a body of water, usually
measured in parts per million (ppm). Look over the chart on the next page which outlines the
differences in the properties of fresh and salt water, and then answer questions # 63 and # 64.
PROPERTY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FRESH AND SALT WATER
*This informational table will not be included on the actual PSSA test.
DENSITY
FREEZING POINT
CONDUCTIVITY
NATURAL
RESOURCES
IMPORTANCE TO
WATER CYCLE
USE FOR DRINKING
OR WATERING
CROPS
Salt water is denser than fresh water because
of all of the dissolved salts it contains.
Because salt water is denser than fresh water,
objects float more easily in salt water than
fresh water.
The dissolved salts in salt water cause the
freezing point of salt water to be lower than
the freezing point of fresh water.
When sodium chloride dissolves in water, it
forms charged particles called ions. The ions
in salt water make it a good conductor of
electricity.
People get seafood from the oceans and use
oceans for transportation and recreation.
When seawater evaporates, it leaves behind
salts and other particles dissolved in it.
Through evaporation, fresh water returns to
the atmosphere where it can form clouds and
fall back to the Earth as precipitation.
Unlike fresh water, salt water can not be used
to drink or to water crops. Because most of
the water on Earth is not drinkable, people
must keep fresh water clean and us it wisely.
63. In the Delaware Bay, river water from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware
meets water from the Atlantic Ocean. In general, the river water floats on top
of the ocean water in the estuary. Which statement best explains why this
happens?
A. The river water is colder than the ocean water.
* Colder water is denser than warm water, so the river water would be on the bottom if the statement was true.
B. The ocean water is saltier than the river water.
* Because ocean water is saltier than freshwater, it is denser, so it is on the bottom.
C. The ocean water has more sediment in it than the river water does.
* River water typically has more sediment in it than ocean water.
D. The river water contains fewer organisms than the ocean water does.
* The organisms inhabiting each body of water have no bearing on the water’s density.
64. Which of these best describes a difference between fresh water and salt water?
A. Objects float in fresh water more easily than in salt water.
* Salt water is denser than freshwater, so objects float better in salt water.
B. Fresh water freezes at a higher temperature than salt water.
* Salt water needs colder temperatures to freeze it. Salt water has a lower freezing point than fresh water.
C. There is more ppm of chloride in fresh water than salt water.
* There is more ppm of chloride in salt water than fresh water.
D. Fresh water conducts electricity better than salt water.
* Salt water has more dissolved salts / ions that fresh water, so it conducts electricity better than fresh water.
Prospecting is the process of determining where natural resources are in the Earth before
building a mine. Mining involves the removal of nonliving natural resources from the
Earth. Most materials that are mined are ores. Ores are rocks or minerals that contain a
high concentration of a useful substance. Coal is a nonrenewable resource that is
commonly mined in Pennsylvania. Once mined, coal is transport by railway to power
plants that burn coal to produce energy. There are some environmental consequences to
burning coal. Burning coal increases the concentration of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere
which leads to the Greenhouse Effect. Mining also changes the land where the mine is
created. Removing coal destroys the habitats of plants and animals. Coal mines can also
cause water pollution by making surface (creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes) and ground
water acidic. This harms ecosystems. Some streams and rivers in Pennsylvania have
long stretches in which no living things remain due to pollution from mines. After
mining is completed, many mining companies try to return the land to its original state.
This process is called reclamation.
65. A coal mining company wants to build a mine in the watershed of a river that
provides water for a nearby town. Which of these will most likely be an effect
of building the mine in that location?
A. The air will become cleaner. * The air would become more polluted if it is changed at all.
B. More fish will live in the river. * Less fish will be able to survive if the river becomes polluted.
C. The river will become polluted. * The river will become polluted from acid mine runoff.
D. More coal will form near the mine. * The coal being mined finished forming long ago.
66. Which of these is most likely part of the process of producing a bracelet made
of gold?
A. creating gold from other metals * Gold is not created from other metals.
B. refining minute amounts of metal from rocks * Too expensive and difficult to do.
C. increasing the supply of gold on Earth * Nonrenewable. Does not increase the supply of gold.
D. transporting mined minerals to factories * Transportation is a necessary part of production.
67. Which of the following best describes why reclamation of coal mines is
important?
A. It helps slow the rate of coal depletion. * Reclamation happens after the coal veins are depleted.
B. It prevents pollution during coal extraction. * Happens after all of the coal has been extracted.
C. It replaces habitats for a variety of organisms.
D. It reduces the amount of land needed for future mines.
* Reclamation returns the land to its original state, which as nothing to do with future coal mining sites.
68. Which of these products was most likely made from raw materials that
required prospecting?
A. silk tie * Silk is made from the fibers of cocoons , which are not mined.
B. silver ring * Silver is mined.
C. wheat bread * Wheat is harvested from wheat crops, which is not mined.
D. wool socks * Wool is a fiber from the fur of animals. It is not mined.
Agriculture is the starting process for nearly all the foods we eat. Each
step in the production of foods consumes natural resources and affects the
environment. Use the table below describing the production of corn flakes
cereal to answer question # 69.
*This informational table will not be included on the actual PSSA test.
Agricultural
Process
1
Description
Consequence to Environment
Corn requires space to grow so land
must be cleared.
Clearing land to grow crops destroys habitats and
reduces biodiversity. Clearing the land also
increases erosion.
Irrigation can harm ecosystems by using up fresh
water that other living organisms need.
4
During droughts, farmers must water the
corn crops by using irrigation systems.
Many farmers add fertilizers to soil to
keep it fertile. They also spray
pesticides on corn crops to combat
insects and other pests.
Farmers use machines to plant and
harvest the corn they grow.
5
Once the corn crop is harvested, it must
be transported to factories for
manufacturing into cereal.
2
3
These chemicals run off the land, pollute bodies
of water, and harm aquatic ecosystems.
Burning fossil fuels to power farm machinery
releases heat-trapping gases and other harmful
substances into the atmosphere.
Burning fossil fuels to power these transport
vehicles manufacturing machines releases heattrapping gases and other harmful substances into
the atmosphere.
69. Using tractors and other machines has made farming more efficient and has
increased farmers’ crop yields. Which of these is another affect of using
machines on farms?
A.
B.
C.
D.
decreased soil erosion * Clearing land for farming increases erosion.
increased oil depletion * Tractors and other machines run by burning fossil fuels made from oil.
decreased air pollution * Burning fossil fuels to power machines increases air pollution.
increased pest damage * Fossil fuels are often burned to power machines that help reduce pest damage.
*This informational summary and table will not be included on the actual PSSA test.
Manufacturing is the process of making products from raw materials. Mining and
agriculture are the main sources of these raw materials. Manufacturing typically
involves factories that can produce large quantities of a product. Manufacturing and
the products that result also have an impact on the environment. Most products are
packaged in some kind of bag, box, or container. Once products are used, people must
dispose of the packaging. Disposing of these wastes can negatively affect the
environment. Wastes build up in landfills which take up land and can contribute to
pollution. Recycling waste materials helps alleviate this problem. Although the process
of recycling uses energy, it is more efficient than obtaining and processing new
materials to make the same products. Use the table below describing the manufacturing
of corn flakes cereal to answer questions # 70 and # 71.
Manufacturing
Process
Description
1
Harvested corn is transported from
farms to factories for milling.
2
The mill removes the corn kernels
from the cobs and grinds them into
smaller pieces called grits.
3
The grits are then transported to
another factory for processing into
cereal.
4
5
The grits are cooked, dried, rolled into
flakes, toasted, and packaged. These
packing materials are produced at
other factories and transported to
where the cereal is made.
The packaged cereal is transported to
grocery stores and other locations to
be sold.
Consequence to Environment
Burning fossil fuels to produce electricity to power these
machines releases heat-trapping gases and other harmful
substances into the atmosphere at the same time as depleting the
supply of a nonrenewable resource. Because manufacturing,
agriculture, and mining rely on one another, transportation
is an important link between these systems.
Most machines at mills and food manufacturing factories require
electricity to run. Burning fossil fuels to produce electricity to
power these machines releases heat-trapping gases and other
harmful substances into the atmosphere at the same time as
depleting the supply of a nonrenewable resource.
Burning fossil fuels to power these transport vehicles releases
heat-trapping gases and other harmful substances into the
atmosphere at the same time as depleting the supply of a
nonrenewable resource.
Most machines at mills and food manufacturing factories require
electricity to run. Burning fossil fuels to produce electricity to
power these machines releases heat-trapping gases and other
harmful substances into the atmosphere at the same time as
depleting the supply of a nonrenewable resource.
Burning fossil fuels to power these transport vehicles releases
heat-trapping gases and other harmful substances into the
atmosphere at the same time as depleting the supply of a
nonrenewable resource.
70. Which of these is most likely a consequence of creating farmland to grow
potatoes for potato chip manufacturing?
A. decrease in animal habitats *Clearing land for farming decreases land for animals to inhabit.
B. increase in fossil fuel supply * Manufacturing potato chips decreases our fossil fuel supply.
C. decrease in soil pollution * Clearing land to grow potatoes increases soil erosion / pollution.
D. increase in fresh water * Fresh water is often depleted to irrigate crops.
71. Which step in the process of producing frozen pizzas for sale in a supermarket
will most likely lead to depletion of a nonrenewable resource?
A. converting forest to agricultural land * Transportation is ongoing and depletes more fossil fuels.
B. growing tomatoes for the pizza sauce * Fossil fuels depleted in farming are less than transportation.
C. transporting the pizzas to stores by truck * Transportation depletes nonrenewable fossil fuels.
D. pumping groundwater to provide for dairy cows * Less fossil fuel depletion than transportation.
72. A meteorologist predicts that it will be overcast and rainy tomorrow. What
type of clouds will most likely be in the sky tomorrow?
A. cirrus *Fair weather clouds
C. nimbostratus * number 1 precipitation producers
B. cumulus * In small numbers, fair weather clouds D. cirrocumulus *fair weather clouds
Use the map below to answer Question # 73.
o
73. San Jose, Costa Rica, is at 9 N latitude. What kind of climate does San Jose
most likely have?
A. hot and dry * hot but not dry. {Dry=Air Sinking}
C. cold and dry * Not cold or dry.
B. hot and wet * tropical, air rises at equator
D. cold and wet * Wet but not cold.
Use the map below to answer Question # 74.
74. Based on the map, which of these is most likely true?
A. Myrtle Beach has cooler winters than Tabor City North Carolina. * Warmer
B. Tabor City North Carolina has a cooler climate than Myrtle Beach. * Hotter
C. Tabor City North Carolina has warmer summers than Myrtle Beach.
D. Myrtle Beach has more extreme temperatures than Tabor City North Carolina.
* Maritime climates have more moderately changing temperatures than areas more inland.
o
75. At 30 N latitude, dry air sinks and starts to travel back toward the equator.
Which of the following ecosystems would you expect to find at this latitude?
A. deserts * The air sinks (high pressure) at the Horse Latitudes. C. arctic tundra * Arctic ecosystems
are closer to poles.
B. grasslands * Sinking air does not produce suffiecient
precipitation for grasslands.
D. tropical rain forests * Air rises in
the tropics.
76. Which of these processes occurs when clouds form at a warm front?
A. condensation * Condensation forms clouds regardless C. evaporation * opposite of condensation
of the type of weather front.
B. sublimation * gas to a solid
D. precipitation * falls after clouds form
and produce precipitation
77. What type of cloud are you likely to see in the sky when a cold front is passing
through?
A. cirrostratus * fair weather clouds
C. cirrus * fair weather clouds
B. cumulonimbus * severe weather clouds
D. stratus * produced by warm fronts and
produce only drizzle
78. Cold fronts often move from west to east across Pennsylvania, bringing cold
weather and storms. Which of these global wind systems is most likely
responsible for the movement of these cold fronts?
A. doldrums * low pressure system along the equator
C. polar easterlies * blow from east to west
B. trade winds *blow from east to west / 0 to 30 degrees
D. westerlies *Westerly winds blow from the
west towards the east.
79. Most tornadoes in the United States form when warm, moist air masses from
the Gulf of Mexico collide with a cold, dry air masses from Canada. The
resulting cold front can provide violent storms. Which of these best explains
why tornadoes are more common in Texas than they are in northern Maine?
A. Texas has flatter land than northern Maine.
* Texas is flatter, but Maine’s air is not usually warm, and unstable enough to produce tornadoes.
B. Northern Main has fewer rivers than Texas does. * Rivers don’t cause tornadoes.
C. The Atlantic Ocean is larger than the Gulf of Mexico. * Both are land next to sea.
D. The Gulf of Mexico is warmer than the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Warmer air has the capability to hold more water vapor which is necessary for severe weather.
Use the map below illustrating the air masses of North America to answer question # 80.
*This illustration will not be provided on the actual PSSA test.
80. Based on the information on the map, which of these statements is
most likely true?
A. Winds from the east are associated with warm, dry weather in most of the central
United States. * Winds from the east are associated with wet (moist) air masses.
B. Winds from the north are associated with warm, wet weather in most of the
northern United States. * Winds from the north are associated with cool / cold air masses.
C. Winds from the northwest are associated with cool, wet weather in the
northeastern United States. *Winds from the northwest are associated with cool, wet weather in the
northwestern United States, not the northeastern United States.
D. Winds from the northeast are associated with cool, wet weather in the
northeastern United States.
* Winds from the northeast are associated with cool, moist weather in the northeastern U.S.
Read the following paragraph and answer questions # 81 and # 82.
*This informational summary and illustration will not be included on the actual PSSA test.
Our solar system is just one of billions in a larger network of other solar systems in the
Milky Way galaxy. At the middle of our solar system is the sun. The sun is a star. Stars
are huge spheres of gas. Nuclear reactions within stars give off enormous amounts of
energy. Light from the sun heats the Earth and provides daylight. Every object in our
solar system revolves around, or orbits, the sun. The farther away an orbiting object is
from the object that it orbits, the longer it takes to revolve or orbit around it. As each
object orbits the sun, it also rotates, or spins, on its axis. An axis is an imaginary line
through an object. The force of gravity keeps the planets in orbit around the sun, and
moons in orbit around planets.
Our solar system contains eight planets, nine if you include Pluto. A planet is a large,
spherical body made of rock, ice, or gas. Scientists divide planets into two groups based
on their composition: the inner planets {Mercury-Venus-Earth-Mars} and the outer
planets {Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus-Neptune}. The inner planets are separated from the
outer planets by the asteroid belt.
The inner planets are small and rocky. They are also closer to the sun so they receive
the most light and are warmer. Earth and Mars are the only two inner planets that have
moons. A moon is a rocky body that revolves around a planet. The outer planets are
larger than the inner planets and are made mostly of gases. For these reasons, they are
also referred to as The Gas Giants.
81. Jupiter has more than 60 moons. What keeps Jupiter’s moons in orbit?
A. heat
C. gravity *gravity holds Jupiter’s moon’s in orbit.
B. light
D. friction * friction in a vacuum is minimal.
82. Which of the following best describes the Earth’s motion on its axis?
A. rotation *Describes spinning on an axis
C. mutation
B. translocation
D. revolution * Revolution is the movement of one
celestial object around another celestial
object in space.
Use the informational table below to answer questions # 83 and # 84.
*This informational table will NOT be provided for the actual PSSA Test.
Descriptions of Different Celestial Objects
Celestial
Object Name
Description
Meteor
An asteroid is an irregularly shaped celestial object made up of rock or
metal. They are smaller than planets and have irregular shapes rather
than spherical shapes.
A comet is a celestial object made up of ice, rock, and dust that has a
very long orbit around the sun. As they move closer to the sun, they
develop tails. Sunlight reflects off the tail making it visible.
A meteoroid is a very small, rocky celestial object. Meteoroids are
smaller than asteroids. They are pieces of asteroids, moons, planets, or
debris from comets.
A meteor is a flash of light in the sky that occurs as a meteoroid burns
up in the atmosphere. Meteors are also known as shooting stars.
Meteorite
A meteorite is a small piece of rock from space that lands on Earth.
Meteorites are meteoroids that do not burn up completely.
Asteroid
Comet
Meteoroid
83. A scientist is studying a comet. He records in a list the comet’s characteristics.
Which group of characteristics is most likely on his list?
A. large, gaseous body with 12 moons * a gas giant/ Jovian planet
B. irregular tail-shaped body made of dust, ice, and rock
C. a very small, rocky celestial object * a meteoroid
D. rocky, spherical body that orbits a planet * a moon
84. Use the table below to answer the question that follows.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME CELESTIAL BODIES
Celestial Body
1
2
3
Shape
Diameter
Composition
spherical
12,000 km
Rock, dust, and ice
irregular
1 km
Rock and metal
spherical
1 million km
Glowing gas
A scientist is studying three celestial bodies. She uses a telescope and other tools
to learn about their shapes, sizes, and compositions. The table above shows her
observations. Celestial body # 2 is most likely which of the following?
A. the sun * made of gases
B. an asteroid *small, irregular shape and made of rock and metal
C. a comet * made of rock, ice, and dust
D. a planet * large spherical object made of rock, ice, or gas
Use the informational summary below to answer questions # 85.
*This informational summary will NOT be provided for the actual PSSA Test.
http://esminfo.prenhall.com/science/geoanimations/animations/01_EarthSun_E2.html
The motions of the Earth and moon are responsible for many recognizable patterns in
nature, such as tides, the phases of the moon, and the seasons. Earth’s rotation causes
day and night. As the Earth spins, some regions are exposed to the light of the sun, and
other regions are in darkness. One rotation takes one day, or 24 hours. As the Earth
rotates on its axis, it also revolves around the sun. One revolution takes 365 days or one
year.
Because the Earth is a sphere, the sunlight hitting some parts of the Earth is more
concentrated than the sunlight hitting other parts of the Earth. Throughout the year,
sunlight hits the equator {Vertical Rays} almost directly, so the light is concentrated in a
small area. Sunlight that hits the Earth near the poles {Oblique Rays} is spread out over
a larger area. The concentration of the light in any one spot is therefore lower in the
poles. Thus, the poles are generally cooler than the tropics.
The Earth’s axis is tiled 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital path. As the earth
revolves around the sun, this tilt causes one hemisphere to receive more sunlight than the
other hemisphere. When the northern hemisphere, which includes Pennsylvania, is tilted
toward the sun, it experiences summer. At the same time, the southern hemisphere is
tilted away from the sun, and it experiences winter. This is why the Earth has seasons.
85. Australia is located in the southern hemisphere. What are probably the coldest
months in Australia?
A. March, April, and May
B. June, July, and August * opposite of the season currently occurring in the northern hemisphere
C. September, October, and November
D. December, January, and February
Use the informational summary and illustrations below to answer question # 86.
*This informational summary and illustrations will NOT be provided for the actual PSSA Test.
http://ioncmaste.ca/homepage/resources/web_resources/CSA_Astro9/files/multimedia/un
it3/phases_moon/phases_moon.html
On clear nights, you can see the moon. If you look at the moon every night, it would
appear to change shape in a predictable pattern. The different shapes of the moon are
called lunar phases. About every 29.5 days, the moon cycles through all of the lunar
phases. This is known as the lunar cycle.
The moon doesn’t create its own light. Instead, it reflects light from the sun. The half of
the moon facing the sun is always lit. The other half is dark. As the moon revolves
around the Earth, we see different parts of the lit half of the moon. Therefore, the moon
seems to have different shapes. In this way, the movements of the Earth and moon
produce lunar phases. During a new moon, the lit side of the moon faces away from
Earth, and the moon appears dark in the sky. As the moon moves around the Earth, we
begin to see more and more of the lit side of the moon. During this time as the moon
becomes increasingly more illuminated, the moon is said to be waxing. When we see a
full moon, the lit half of the moon is facing the Earth. As the moon continues to revolve
around the Earth, we see less and less of the moon’s lit side. During this time as the
moon becomes less and less illuminated, the moon is said to be waning.
86. Over the course of fourteen days, a student notices that the moon appears to be
getting smaller and smaller in the sky. Which lunar phase will the student
most likely observe on the fifteenth day?
A. full moon * The days prior to a full moon it gets bigger in the sky. C. first quarter * happens in the
first week of
the lunar cycle.
B. waxing gibbous * waxing gibbous happens in the 2nd week of
the lunar cycle.
D. new moon * started watching
just after a full
moon.
Use the informational summary and illustrations below to answer question # 87.
*This informational illustrations will NOT be provided for the actual PSSA Test.
http://www.ioncmaste.ca/homepage/resources/web_resources/CSA_Astro9/files/html/mo
dule3/lessons/lesson6/eclipses.html#
Sometimes the moon, the sun, and the Earth line up perfectly. When this happens, the moon or
the sun may seem to disappear. This event is called an eclipse. Eclipses occur when one celestial
body moves into the shadow of another. On Earth, we see two kinds of eclipses: solar eclipses
and lunar eclipses.
During a solar eclipse, the moon blocks the light from the sun, casting a shadow on the
Earth called an umbra. From the Earth, it looks like the moon is covering the sun. Solar
eclipses can happen only during the new moon phase. During a lunar eclipse, the Earth casts a
shadow on the moon. This makes the moon look dark in the sky. Lunar eclipses can happen
only during a full moon phase.
POSITIONS OF THE SUN, THE MOON, AND THE EARTH DURING LUNAR AND SOLAR ECLIPSES
Type
of
Eclipse
Positions of the Sun, Moon, and the Earth
Lunar
Eclipse
Solar
Eclipse
87. On August 28, 2007, a full lunar eclipse was visible over most of Pennsylvania.
What phase was the moon most likely in on the 21st of 2007?
A. new moon
C. last-quarter
B. first-quarter
D. full moon *The Earth must be between the
sun and the moon so that the
full moon can move into the
shadow cast by the Earth.
The moon is also responsible for the pattern of rising and falling water levels in bodies of
water such as an ocean. The changing levels are known as tides. The moon’s gravitational
force pulls water toward it. As a result, water on the Earth bulges out on both sides of the Earth.
The areas under the bulges experience high tides. The areas not under the bulges experience low
tides. As the Earth rotates, different parts of the oceans bulge, causing daily high and low tides.
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/tides/welcome.html