6th Grade Science Sample Assessment Items
S6E4b.
Nearly 100 years ago, a large volcano erupted in the South Pacific. The following year, some
northeastern cities in the United States recorded measurable snowfall every month of the
year. Most of the Northern Hemisphere experienced a cold summer. Which explains how
these events were related?
A. The eruption temporarily intensified the greenhouse effect.
B. Thermal energy released during the eruption caused a decrease in Earth's total heat
energy.
C. The eruption damaged the ozone layer, causing a decrease in the amount of solar energy
reaching Earth.
D. Atmospheric dust from the eruption caused a decrease in the amount of solar energy
reaching Earth.*
An air mass gets its temperature and humidity from _____.
A. the latitude at which it forms
B. the air masses that surround it
C. changes in the upper atmosphere
D. the land or water over which it forms*
The jet stream has a great impact on changing weather conditions in an area because it ___.
A. does not change with the seasons
B. is a determinant of major air movements*
C. keeps the atmosphere supplied with moisture
D. speeds up evaporation following precipitation
Cold air is more dense than warm air. When a cold air mass moves into a warm air mass,
causing a cold front, the warm air mass is ______.
A. squeezed downward, causing clouds and rain
B. wedged upward, where its water vapor condenses*
C. forced backward, as the approaching cold air replaces it
D. compressed into a smaller mass, as it becomes even warmer
Which of these BEST explains the reason that thunderstorms are likely to form on a hot day?
A. Warm, humid air rises quickly and then cools.*
B. As air slowly rises it loses humidity and causes rain.
C. The air is usually calm and allows the clouds to form.
D. The air rises quickly and forms low-level cloud layers.
6th Grade Science Sample Assessment Items
S6E4b.
Warm air rising at the equator and cold air sinking at the poles is one reason for which event?
A. hurricanes
B. Coriolis force
C. earth's rotation
D. convection currents*
Warm air from a large body of water rapidly moves into a land area of cold air. Which weather
event is MOST LIKELY to occur were the two air masses meet?
A. a clear sky
B. gentle wind
C. low humidity
D. a thunderstorm*
Jennifer measured the temperature difference between two areas located next to each other.
She did this at four locations. Which location is MOST LIKELY to have the strongest winds?
A. lake and river
B. forest and field
C. pond and stream
D. ocean and beach*
Jordan researched the hourly temperatures of an ocean and a land mass near each other.
Each morning Jordan discovered the ocean and land had a similar temperature. For the rest
of the day the sun continues to warm the ocean and land. During the day, which direction will
the wind MOST LIKELY blow?
A. toward the land*
B. toward the ocean
C. the air will remain still
D. Jordan does not have enough data to tell.
6th Grade Science Sample Assessment Items
S6E4b.
The map below represents the center of a high-pressure system (H) and the center of a lowpressure system (L) over part of the United States. A warm front and a cold front associated
with the low-pressure system are shown. Two zones on the map are labeled A and B.
(1) Explain why the air mass centered over zone A is colder and drier than the air mass
centered over zone B.
(2) In which compass direction will the center of the low-pressure system most likely move
during the next 24 hours?
(3) Describe one weather condition that would most likely occur along both fronts.
Possible Answers:
(1) The air mass centered over zone A formed over Canada; The air mass over zone B
originated in the Gulf of Mexico; Zone A is behind the cold front; Zone A is near a highpressure center; Zone B is behind a warm front.
(2) east/E; to the northeast/NE; west to east/W to E
(3) precipitation; rain; snow; cloudiness; storms; unstable conditions; increased humidity;
winds
6th Grade Science Sample Assessment Items
S6E4b.
The map below shows the center of a low-pressure system (L) over the United States and the
fronts associated with the low-pressure system.
Identify one weather condition likely to occur along the fronts of this low-pressure system.
Possible Responses:
— precipitation
— clouds/fog
— unstable/stormy weather
— windy conditions
— high humidity
— thunderstorms
— changes in air pressure
Describe the weather most associated with a high-pressure system and a low-pressure
system.
Winds are blowing into the Southeastern U.S. from the Gulf of Mexico. A large air mass is
moving quickly down from Canada. Predict what weather might occur in the Southeast.
6th Grade Science Sample Assessment Items
S6E4b.
Describe three factors that impact the development of a storm when two air masses meet.
Identify the main factor that impacts the development of wind.
What is the underlying reason for major systems such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and
thunderstorms?
Explain how a warm ocean current flowing near land can influence the weather of that land.
Identify the type of weather front shown
in the diagram to the right. What type of weather
can be expected? Explain
Identify the type of weather
front shown in the diagram to the
right. Explain