Content Benchmark E.8.C.4
Students know the very slow movement of large crustal plates result in geological events. E/S
Sample Test Questions
1st Item Specification: Know earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building are caused by
heat from convection currents in the upper mantle powering the movement of plates in a
continuous process.
Depth Of Knowledge Level 1
1. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
Cross-Section of Earth
(From http://dn.redwoods.edu/coursenotes/renner/geo_images/plate_tectonics/mantle_convection.jpg)
The primary method of heat transfer occurring within the Asthenosphere and Lower Mantle
driving plate movement is called
A. conduction.
B. convection.
C. radiation.
D. insolation.
2. A large belt of mountain ranges and volcanoes surrounds the Pacific Ocean and is often
referred to as the Ring of Fire. What events are most closely associated with these mountains and
volcanoes?
A. Earthquakes
B. Hurricanes
C. Tornadoes
D. Blizzards
3. The diagram below shows the heating of water.
The primary method of heat transfer occurring within the water is called
A. insolation.
B. radiation.
C. conduction.
D. convection.
Depth Of Knowledge Level 2
4. Many scientists think that convection currents in the mantle between South America and
Africa caused the separation of the two continents and the formation of the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge.
1)
3)
2)
4)
Which diagram best represents the currents described in this theory?
A. Diagram 1
B. Diagram 2
C. Diagram 3
D. Diagram 4
5. Use the diagrams to answer the question.
Diagrams I and II show the same region of the Earth’s surface at two different times in the
geologic past. Diagram I was 250 million years ago and Diagram II was the same region 150
million years ago. Which statement best explains the basic cause of the changes that occurred in
this region?
A. Temperature changes caused melting of polar ice caps.
B. Meteor impact on the crust caused widening of the valley.
C. Mantle convection currents caused crustal movement.
D. Weathering and erosion caused widening of the valley.
2nd Item Specification: Identify geologic events that result from movements of crustal
plates.
Depth Of Knowledge Level 1
6. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
World Map of Major Earthquake Epicenters
(From http://www.iris.edu/edu/onepagers/Hi-Res/OnePager2.pdf)
Major earthquakes occur
A. in specific belts within the crust.
B. along the mantle-core boundary.
C. in the centers of the continents.
D. randomly over the Earth’s surface.
7. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
(From http://www.iris.edu/edu/onepagers/Hi-Res/OnePager2.pdf)
Each dot on the map represents an Earth scientist’s data. These dots represent zones of frequent
A. fossil correlations.
B. crustal activity.
C. hurricane paths.
D. meteor impacts.
8. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
(From http://www.iris.edu/edu/onepagers/Hi-Res/OnePager2.pdf)
The dots represent the locations of
A. fossil locations of ichthyosaur and trilobites.
B. previous magnetic poles.
C. gold, platinum, and silver deposits.
D. plate boundaries, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
9. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
(From http://encarta.msn.com/media_461530095/folded_rocks.html)
Deformed rock structure like this is most often caused by
A. extrusion of magma.
B. deposition of sediments.
C. crustal plate collisions.
D. glacial movement.
Depth Of Knowledge Level 2
10. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
World Map of Major Earthquake Epicenters
(From http://www.iris.edu/edu/onepagers/Hi-Res/OnePager2.pdf)
How would a map showing the location of active volcanoes compare to the map showing the
location of earthquake epicenters?
A. Only a small percentage of volcanoes would be in the same regions as the epicenters.
B. A large percentage of volcano locations would be in the same regions as the epicenters.
C. There would be no match between the locations of the volcanoes and epicenters.
D. The location of the volcanoes and epicenters would only match in the ocean regions.
11. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
(From http://www.harpercollege.edu/mhealy/geogres/maps/physgif/india.gif)
What type of plate boundary is established between India and the Eurasian Plate?
A. Ocean-Ocean convergence resulting in the formation of a trench.
B. Ocean-Ocean convergence resulting in the formation of an underwater mountain range.
C. Continent-Continent convergence resulting in the formation of a trench.
D. Continent-Continent convergence resulting in the formation of a mountain range.
Constructed Response E.8.C.4
1. Use the diagrams below to answer the questions.
Earthquakes Plotted on World Map (Left) and Volcanoes Plotted on World Map (Right)
(From http://www.geophysics.rice.edu/plateboundary/DPB_map_gifs/quakes.50percent.gif)
(From http://www.geophysics.rice.edu/plateboundary/volcano.72.gif)
A. Which type of heat transfer within the upper mantle is most responsible for plate movement?
B. Describe the relationship between the occurrence of earthquakes and volcanoes on these two
maps.
C. Using the relationship you established in part B, justify why this association exists.
Content Benchmark E.8.C.4
Students know the very slow movement of large crustal plates result in geological events. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. B, DOK level 1
2. A, DOK level 1
3. D, DOK level 1
4. A, DOK level 2
5. C, DOK level 2
6. A, DOK level 1
7. B, DOK level 1
8. D, DOK level 1
9. C, DOK level 1
10. B, DOK level 2
11. D, DOK level 2
Constructed Response E.8.C.4 Score Rubric:
Response addresses all parts of the question clearly and correctly.
A. Convection is most responsible for plate movement.
3 points
2 points
B. Volcanoes and earthquakes are found in similar regions or zones
around Earth. There is a large concentration of these two events along
the west coast of North and South America extending around the
Pacific Ocean – Ring of Fire. Geologic events such as earthquakes
and volcanoes are most often found near the edges of lithospheric
plate boundaries, as here is where plate motion strains/stresses the
rocks.
C. Plate boundaries are crustal zones of weakness providing an easier
path for magma from the mantle to head toward Earth’s surface. The
center of lithospheric plates are more stable, and less likely to have
crustal activity.
Response addresses all parts of the question and includes only minor
errors.
Response does not address all parts of the question.
1 point
Response is totally incorrect or no response provided.
0 points