NSW HIGH SCHOOL
2022
TRIAL HSC EXAMINATION
EARTH and ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
NAME :
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General Instructions:
Reading time – 5 minutes
Working time – 3 hours
Write using black pen
Draw diagrams using pencil
NESA approved calculators may be used
A Geological Time Scale is provided at the
back of this paper
Section I – 20 marks
● Attempt Questions 1–20
● Allow about 35 minutes for this section
Section II – 80 marks
● Attempt Questions 21–34
● Allow about 2 hours and 25 minutes for this
section
Total marks:
100
Section I
/20
Section II
/80
TOTAL
/100
–1–
Section I
20 marks
Attempt Questions 1–20
Allow about 35 minutes for this section
Use the multiple-choice answer sheet for Questions 1–20.
1. The principle of uniformitarianism states that geological processes acted
A. in an unexplained manner in the past.
B. randomly in the past as they do in the present.
C. in the same manner and with the same intensity in the past as they do at present.
D. in a different manner and with a different intensity in the past as they do at present.
2. The synoptic chart shows a weather system affecting NSW.
© Bureau of Meteorology
Which natural disaster would this weather system be most likely to cause?
A.
Drought
B.
Inland flooding
–2–
C.
Coastal bushfires
D.
Severe coastal storms
3. Which of the following contributes most to the enhanced greenhouse effect?
A.
Carbon
B.
Methane
C.
Nitrogen
D.
Oxygen
4. The diagram shows a model of solar energy transformations occurring in the atmosphere,
producing the natural greenhouse effect.
Sun
Earth
X
KEY
W
Solar radiation
enters the
atmosphere
X
Majority of
solar radiation
is absorbed by
Earth’s surface and
then re-emitted as
infrared radiation
Y
Some infrared
radiation escapes
but most is trapped
by the atmosphere
Z
Reabsorption of
trapped infrared
radiation by
Earth’s surface
Which statement correctly explains the ‘enhanced’ greenhouse effect?
A.
Increased melting of ice caps increased the reflection of solar radiation from the
surface at X.
B.
Increased ozone levels led to greater absorbance of solar radiation by Earth’s
surface at X.
C.
A hole in the ozone layer decreased the solar radiation being reflected by the
atmosphere at W.
D.
Increased carbon dioxide levels have increased the trapping of infrared radiation in
the atmosphere at Y.
–3–
5 and 6 Refer to the following graph to answer Questions 5 and 6.
The graph shows the changes in Earth’s global temperature from 1900−2008 followed
by threedifferent climate change projections to the year 2100.
The projections are derived from different greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
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A.
B.
C.
D.
6
A.
B.
C.
D.
Earth’s average global temperature between 1900 and 2008 was approximately
15°C.If the world follows a lower emissions scenario (X ), what would the average
global temperature in 2100 be closest to?
2°C
4°C
16°C
17°C
Which aspect of the graph shows the scientific uncertainty associated with each
projection?
The shading around each line
The time scale shown in 25-year intervals
Showing both observations and a trend line
Many data points shown on the same graph
–4–
7. Which diagram correctly represents the distribution and depth of earthquake foci at the
subduction zone (dash line)?
Oceanic Continental
plate
Oceanic Continental
plate
plate
A
plate
Oceanic Continental
plate
B
plate
Oceanic Continental
plate
C
plate
D
Depth of earthquake focus
0–100 km
101–300 km
301–500 km
501+ km
8. Which process increased the level of oxygen in Earth’s early atmosphere?
A.
Volcanic eruptions
B.
Lightning striking Earth
C.
Decaying primitive plants and animals
D.
Photosynthesis in organisms living in water
9. Which of the following is an effect of the evolution of photosynthesising bacteria?
A.
The hydrosphere became more acidified.
B.
Banded iron formations were formed in the geosphere.
C.
The gaseous composition of the hydrosphere and atmosphere changed due to
the presence of oxygen gas but the geosphere was unaffected.
D.
The atmosphere’s gaseous composition changed as carbon dioxide decreased
and oxygen increased but the hydrosphere and geosphere were unaffected.
–5–
10. The most effective strategy for NSW to help reduce rising global temperatures would
be to
A.
replace hydro power with solar.
B.
buy electricity from another state.
C.
replace coal-fired power stations with gas.
D.
replace coal-fired power stations with wind power.
11. Approximately 75% of the world’s energy needs are produced by the combustion of
fossil fuels.
Which equation summarises the combustion of fossil fuels?
A.
Methane + oxygen
carbon monoxide + water + energy
B.
water + carbon dioxide
C.
Hydrocarbons + oxygen
D.
Methane + hydrocarbons + oxygen
oxygen + glucose
carbon dioxide + water + energy
carbon dioxide + water + energy
–6–
12. A recent theory for the origin of life on Earth suggests that the simple
organic precursor molecules for amino acids and proteins were formed at
black smokers.
Which diagram best represents this theory?
13. Hard-bodied animals are most likely to have evolved in response to
A. changes in the Earth’s climate.
B. the evolution of vertebrate fauna.
C. the need for protection from predation.
D. the deposition of banded iron formations.
–7–
14. Which of the following is an example of a geological hazard?
A. A cyclone approaching the Australian coastline
B. An active volcano that poses a threat to life and property
C. An earthquake that has affected thousands of people and caused enormous
damage
D. A tsunami that wipes out coastal communities causing damage and loss of
human life
15. Which
Plate boundary
Volcanic feature
Ocean–continent divergent
Shield volcano
Ocean–ocean convergent
Stratovolcano
Ocean–continent convergent
Stratovolcano
Continent–continent divergent
Continental rift volcano
combination of plate boundary and volcanic feature would result in both
effusive volcanic eruptions and shallow focus earthquakes?
A.
B.
C.
D.
–8–
16. The graphic identifies trends in the composition and physical characteristics of magma.
In which direction should the Explosivity arrow point and why?
A. Right, as high viscosity magma can hold more gas
B. Right because silica content decreases to the right
C. Left, as hotter magma is more explosive than cooler magma
D. Left, as mobile magma is more explosive than less mobile magma
17. In June 1991, Mt Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted, producing ash-rich
volcanic plumes that reached a height of more than 40 km.
Which of the following decreased as a result of the eruption?
A. Rainfall on Mt Pinatubo
B. Aerosols in the stratosphere
–9–
C. Carbon dioxide levels in the ocean
D. Solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface
18. Technologies available for the prediction of volcanic eruptions are more
effective than those available for predicting earthquakes, because they
A. are able to analyse complex data.
B. consistently produce accurate warnings.
C. often provide sufficient warning to prepare for the disaster.
D. can identify the location, magnitude and timing of an eruption.
19. The graph below compares the accuracy of several weather broadcasting services.
A. When the observed frequency of rainfall is low, local TV meteorologists are themost
accurate.
B. The National Weather Service is the least accurate predictor of rainfall.
C. Weather forecasters tend to predict a higher probability of rain than is observed.
– 10 –
D. National Weather Service have the most accurate predictions of rainfall.
20. Which chemicals react with each other to form a greenhouse gas?
A.
Iron and water
B.
Nitrous oxides and water
C.
Sulfur trioxide and water
D.
Hydrocarbons and oxygen
– 11 –
Section II Answer Booklet
80 marks
Attempt Questions 21–34
Allow about 2 hours and 25 minutes for this section
Question 21 (6 marks)
a. Using examples, explain why models are useful for studying the development of
Earth.
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b. Outline two features of the plate tectonic supercycle which affect the climate.
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Question 22 (5 marks)
The table gives information on the depth and location of five earthquakes near the
Tonga Trench in the south-west Pacific Ocean.
(a)
Focus depth (km)
Longitude (°W)
270
176.2
590
178.8
350
177.0
650
179.2
460
177.8
The positions of five additional earthquakes have been plotted on the
graph.
Complete the graph by plotting the positions of the earthquakes given in the
table.
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b. Using the information from part (a), construct a detailed labelled cross-section
to illustrate the tectonic process occurring at the Tonga Trench.
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Question 23 (3 marks)
Explain TWO factors which allowed animals to move from an aquatic
environment onto land.
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Question 24 (3 marks)
Explain how TWO conditions present at ‘Black Smokers’ may have resulted
in the origin of organic molecules.
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Question 25 (7 marks)
(a)
Using examples, describe human activities that have negatively affected
the sustainability of Australian resources.
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(b)
Explain why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples can be
described as sustainable resource managers.
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Question 26 (3 marks)
Describe the use of index fossils in the development of a Geological Time Scale.
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Question 27 (4 marks)
How does scientific evidence contribute to our understanding of ancient variations in
global temperature? Support your answer using TWO specific examples.
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Question 28 (4 marks)
The graph shows the short-term and long-term averages of the ᵹ18O isotope over time.
With reference to the graph, explain how the isotope levels reflect past temperatures.
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Question 29 (9 marks)
Answer this question with reference to the case study that you carried out to investigate
one volcanic eruption that had a significant effect on the biosphere and atmosphere.
Name of volcanic eruption .............................................................................
eruption:
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Contrast the short-term impact and longer-term impact of the volcanic eruption on
the biosphere and atmosphere.
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Question 30 (7 marks)
Analyse the effects of BOTH natural processes and anthropogenic activities on the
Australian environment.
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Question 31 (6 marks)
Analyse the use of TWO strategies in mitigating global temperature increases.
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Question 32 (6 marks)
Contrast the effectiveness of TWO technologies to predict and prevent damage due to
natural disasters.
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Question 33 (7 marks)
Evaluate technologies used in meteorology to predict extreme weather events.
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Question 34 (10 marks)
Analyse the use of models and scientific investigations to analyse the changes in the
geosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere that resulted from the biosphere and the plate
tectonic supercycle.
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Extra Working
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– 27 –
Section I
Total Marks 20
Attempt questions 1-20
NAME:
Select the alternative A, B, C or D that best answers the question and indicate your choice
with a cross (X) in the appropriate space on the grid below.
A
B
C
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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D