Earth Science Final Exam Study Guide Semester II (3rd & 4th Quarters)
This is a comprehensive exam that covers ALL of the materials covered in the Science
Notebook and it includes questions from Labs, Projects, Reading Assignments, and
Weekly Assignments. Only students with a “Perfect Notebook” are exempt from the
exam.
Answers must use the correct science terminology in clear, complete, and well written
answers. The test includes essay questions, drawing, labeling and explaining diagrams,
charts and graphs.
**A colored coded class 5X7 note card will be provided and may be made IN Class
Only, for use on the final Exam.
Section 1: Washington Geology - Study your puzzle and the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) Web site Link on the class SharePoint
A. Know the Names and Ages of all the major geologic units and events in the
State, a. (Example – The Columbia River Basalts are approximately 120
individual layers of rock that make up a Lava Plateau ranging in age from 17
million years old to 6 million years old).
B. Know the Names of all of the specific rock types (example – The Columbia
River Basalts are a mafic extrusive igneous rock)
C. Tell how it was formed (example – It is believed that a hotspot melted through
the existing ocean crust of basaltic rock and lava flowed out of feeder dikes
and fissures in the area where the Oregon, Washington and Idaho borders
meet.
Section 2: Models of the Earth – Finding Locations and Types of Maps
Chapter 3 Sections 1&3 –Study your Text book (pages 53-56 and 63-68)
A. Distinguish between latitude and longitude.
B. Explain how latitude and longitude can be used to locate places on the Earths
surface.
C. Explain how a compass can be used to find directions on Earth’s surface.
D. Explain how elevation and topography are shown on a map.
E. Describe 3 types of information shown in geologic maps.
F. Identify two uses of soil maps.
Section 3: The Rock Record – Determining Relative Age and the Rock Record
Chapter 8 Sections 1 & 3 – Textbook (pages-185-190 and 197-200)
A. State the principal of Uniformitarianism.
B. Explain how the law of superposition can be used to determine the relative age
of rocks.
C. Compare the three types of unconformities.
D. Apply the law of crosscutting relationships to determine the relative age of
rocks.
E. Describe four ways in which entire organisms can be preserved as fossils.
F. List five examples of fossilized traces of organisms.
G. Describe how index fossils can be used to determine the age of rocks.
Section 4: Geologic Time
Chapter 9 section 1 (pages 211 – 214)
A. Summarize how scientists worked together to develop the geologic column.
B. Be able to give ALL the names of ALL the Geologic Eras, Periods and epochs.
Section 5: Earthquakes –
Chapter 12 Sections 1, 2, &3. Where & When EQ’s Happen, Studying Earthquakes
and Earthquakes and Society (pages 295-308)
A. Describe elastic rebound.
B. Compare body waves to surface waves.
C. Explain how the structure of the Earth’s interior affects seismic waves.
D. Explain why earthquakes generally occur at plate boundaries.
E. Describe the instrument used to measure and record earthquakes.
F. Summarize the method scientists use to locate an epicenter.
G. Describe the scales used to measure the magnitude and intensity of
Earthquakes.
H. Discuss the relationship between tsunamis and earthquakes.
I. Describe two possible effects of a major earthquake on buildings.
J. List three safety techniques to prevent injury caused by an earthquake.
K. Identify four methods scientists use to forecast earthquake risk.
Section 6: Volcanoes
Chapter 13 Section 1 Volcanic Eruptions (Pages 319 – 324)
A. Describe the three conditions under which magma can form.
B. Explain what volcanism is.
C. Describe how magma can form plutons.
D. Be able to 1) draw, 2) label and show the direction of movement, 3) then
describe the types of geologic processes, features and events that occur at
each of the 5 types of tectonic plate boundaries.
Section 7: “On Shaky Ground”
Any of the major geologic events, related people and places discussed may be used
for questions on the exam. Any scientific discoveries, scientists or governmental
agencies may be used as exam questions.
Expect questions related to the evolution of the science of seismology
(earthquakes), the hypotheses’, the theories, and the physical evidence as
discovered/described about the Pacific Northwest Region tectonics.
Science Test Code Word Meanings
Define or summarize – write a brief answer stating the most important points.
Compare – Tell how two things are alike.
Contrast – Tell how two things are different.
Analyze – Go into deep detail and explain how things are related.
Explain – Give the reasons for something.
Describe – Give the main idea and the details.
Discuss – Write about all the angles of a topic.
Name or List – Do exactly that – no details required