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VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING
Spring 2005 Released Test
END OF COURSE
EARTH SCIENCE
CORE 1
Property of the Virginia Department of Education
䉷 2006 by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted by law, this material may not be reproduced or used in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage retrieval system,
without written permission from the copyright owner. Commonwealth of Virginia public school educators may
reproduce any portion of these released tests for noncommercial educational purposes without requesting permission.
All others should direct their written requests to the Virginia Department of Education, Division of Assessment and
Reporting at the above address or by e-mail to darfax@doe.virginia.gov.
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Earth Science
3
DIRECTIONS
Read each question carefully and choose the best
answer. Then mark the space on the answer
sheet for the answer you have chosen.
Most modern geologists have argued
that a global catastrophe may have
caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
According to these scientists, what was
this catastrophe?
2049939
An asteroid impact with the Earth 墍
B Melting of the polar ice caps
C A shift in the tilt of the Earth
D Earthquakes and volcanoes
A
SAMPLE
Which of these can be used to measure
atmospheric pressure?
An anemometer
B A barometer 墍
C A thermometer
D A seismometer
EY04A305
墍
C
A
4
What is the approximate percentage of
the Earth that is illuminated by the
2085065
sun at any given time?
EY14A739
10%
G 25%
H 50% 墍
J 90%
F
1
2050304
A major problem with depending on
fossil fuels as primary energy sources
is that they are —
墍
C
EY07B505
墌
C
overabundant
B nonpolluting
C nonrenewable 墍
D deep underground
A
5
Compared to the Rocky Mountains, the
Appalachian Mountains are much —
2050700
older 墍
B less eroded
C higher
D thicker
A
2
1.
2.
3.
4.
2049790
EY01E601
墌
Propose an outcome
State the problem
Make a Conclusion
Gather Data
C
Which of the following puts the steps
of a scientific experiment in the correct
order?
2,
G 4,
H 2,
J 2,
F
1,
2,
1,
3,
3,
3,
4,
1,
4
1
3墍
4
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
2
EY10D403
墍
C
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6
W
7
X
2184089
A volcanic eruption can affect the
atmosphere by —
2050902
EY12E606
reducing the amount of water vapor in 墍
C
the atmosphere
L
B adding large quantities of several gases,
such as sulfur dioxide, to the
atmosphere 墍
C clearing away nearby clouds, increasing
the amount of sunshine
D increasing the amount of oxygen due to
escaping gases
A
EY01B701
墌
C
ArtCodes
EY01B701.AR1
R
Seismic waves generated by an
earthquake at point R are recorded at
locations W and X. Which pair of
seismographs is more accurate?
8
Location W
Which of these will cause the greatest
high tides?
F
ArtCodes
2050708
EY11A105
墍
C
L
Location X
EY01B701.AR2
EY01B701.AR3
EY01B701.AR4
EY01B701.AR5
F
Time
Sun
Earth
Moon
墍
ArtCodes
EY11A105.AR1
EY11A105.AR2
EY11A105.AR3
EY11A105.AR4
Location W
G
Location X
G
Earth
Sun
Moon
Time
Location W
Moon
墍
H
H
Sun
Earth
Location X
Time
Earth
J
Location W
Sun
Moon
J
Location X
Time
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
3
Rocky
1mi
2500
EY08CR02
B
00
Byrds Nest
Shelter No.1
(No camping)
C
0
墍
100
C
200
5
300
.
400
w
llo
Ho
Fi
re
Old Rag
Ro
Shelter
ad
(No camping)
500
Rd
rs )
ike
y
to h ndar
d
u
e
o
s
o
B
l
(C Park
at
ArtCodes
EY02E602.AR1
600
700
0
Fire
d
Roa
rry
Ba
ag
Trail
Sa
d
D
R
Old
2049836
3268
dle
A
Locations of Earthquake Origins
Depth (km)
C
L
10
MOUNTAIN
00
墌
RAG
30
EY03D601
Weakley
2049928
OLD
20
Robertson
MountainTrail
Hollow
9
Weakley
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Each dot on the above diagram marks
the origin of an earthquake. The area
with the highest concentration of
earthquake origins marks —
Which profile best represents the
contour map along the line AB?
ArtCodes
EY03D601.AR1
a line of Earth’s magnetic field
G a seam of soft rock, such as limestone
H the path of the subducting tectonic
plate 墍
J the location of a developing igneous
intrusion
F
A
ArtCodes
EY03D601.AR2
EY03D601.AR3
EY03D601.AR4
EY03D601.AR5
B
墍
11
C
Which of these is the best indication of
the relative age of a rock layer?
2050685
The thickness of the layer
EY10C401
墍
B The chemical makeup of the layer
C
C The position of the layer compared to
other layers 墍
D The distance the layer extends over the
Earth
A
D
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
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12
14
Which mineral is easily identified by
smell?
Measuring Density
2050077
EY05A208
墌
C
3102623
Galena
G Pyrite
H Quartz
J Sulfur 墍
F
EY01A802
墍
200 mL
C
150 mL
ArtCodes
100 mL
50 mL
3102623.AR1
70.0 g
0 mL
13
2050404
Sphere in 100 mL
of water
Which of these pieces of basalt rock
has probably been in a river the
longest?
In the first picture, the sphere is in a
beaker with 100 mL of water. In the
second picture, the dry sphere is being
massed. Which of the values listed is
closest to the density of the black
sphere?
EY08B122
墌
C
L
A
ArtCodes
EY08B122.AR1
EY08B122.AR2
EY08B122.AR3
EY08B122.AR4
0.5
G 0.7
H 1.4
J 2.1
F
B
C
Sphere on balance
墍
15
g/mL
g/mL
g/mL 墍
g/mL
Scientists use the rock cycle to
describe the processes by which —
3081141
all different types of fossils were
transformed into rock
B one type of rock can be changed into
another type of rock 墍
C tectonic plates shift around the earth’s
surface
D mineral crystals and compositions are
identified
A
D
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
5
EY06C805
墍
C
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16
18
Mohs Hardness Scale
Mineral
Talc
Gypsum
Calcite
Fluorite
Apatite
Orthoclase
Quartz
Topaz
Corundum
Diamond
2050115
EY05A613
墌
C
ArtCodes
EY05A613.AR1
Scale Numbers
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Chromosphere
Photosphere
Core
Corona
Key :
Fingernail
Penny
Common nail
Glass plate
Steel file
= 2.5
= 3.5
= 4.5
= 5.5
= 6.5
Which layer of the sun is seen during a
total solar eclipse?
2051018
Chromosphere
G Photosphere
H Core
J Corona 墍
F
According to Mohs Hardness Scale,
which of these groups of minerals can
scratch fluorite?
Talc, gypsum, and calcite
G Calcite, quartz, and topaz
H Apatite, orthoclase, and corundum 墍
J Diamond, gypsum, and quartz
EY14A120
墍
C
ArtCodes
EY14A120.AR1
F
17
2050057
EY04D606
墌
C
19
The Earth’s mantle is made up of very
hot material that rises to the top of the
mantle, cools, then sinks, reheats, and
rises again, constantly repeating the
cycle. This action, which causes the
Earth’s crust to move, is known as —
People develop the islands and remove
sand during housing construction.
B Offshore earthquakes cause the islands
to sink below sea level.
C The wind and the waves are constantly
redistributing the sand. 墍
D Development companies mine the sand
for use in inland construction projects.
A
convection currents 墍
B magnetic fields
C hot spots
D advection forces
A
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
Barrier islands are low and narrow
sandy islands that form a rim offshore
from a coastline. These islands protect
2050765
inland shores from the surf, especially
EY11C310
during storms. These islands are
墍
becoming increasingly developed
C
because people want to live by the
open ocean, yet the islands themselves
are not permanent. Why aren’t the
islands permanent?
6
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20
EY09C604
墌
2050631
Igneous intrusive
G Igneous extrusive
H Sedimentary 墍
J Metamorphic
F
= Impermeable layer
C
EY09C604.AR1
In which type of rock are fossils most
likely to be found?
= Zone of saturation
2050580
ArtCodes
22
= Zone of aeration
1
2
..
EY10A509
墍
C
L
3
4
.
23
2050534
.
EY09A505
墍
C
L
1
ArtCodes
EY09A505.AR1
According to the above diagram, the
water supply will be most consistent in
well —
2
3
1
G 2
H 3 墍
J 4
F
4
The layer in the above soil profile that
has the most humus is —
1墍
B 2
C 3
D 4
A
21
2184167
EY08B700
墌
C
ArtCodes
The diagram shown illustrates which
geological process?
EY08B700.AR1
Faulting 墍
B Folding
C Weathering
D Metamorphism
A
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
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24
26
Ocean Dimensions
2049692
Planet
Area
Average
Ocean (million sq km) Depth (km)
EY01A407
墌
Pacific
165
4.3
Atlantic
82
3.9
C
The table shows the area and average
depth of the Pacific and Atlantic
Oceans. Approximately how many
times greater is the volume of water in
the Pacific Ocean than in the Atlantic
Ocean?
Period
Relative
Period
Diameter
of
Mass
of
(kilometers)
Rotation
(Earth = 1) Revolution
Mercury
59
days
4,878
0.056
88
days
Venus
243
days
12,104
0.820
224.70
days
Jupiter
9 hours
48 minutes
143,884
317.869
11.86
years
Saturn
10 hours
15 minutes
120,536
95.143
29.46
years
2051042
Which planet has the shortest day?
Mercury
G Venus
H Jupiter 墍
J Saturn
F
2 times 墍
G 20 times
H 2,000 times
J 2,000,000 times
F
EY14A314
墍
C
ArtCodes
EY14A314.AR1
27
25
Floating
Ice Shelf
2050369
EY08A603
墌
Grounded
Ice Sheet
Ocean
C
Bedrock
3
ArtCodes
1
EY08A603.AR1
2
2049983
4
Why is the ice shelf floating?
墍
C
The ice is melting faster than it can
sink.
ArtCodes
EY04B203.AR1
B The ice is less dense than the ocean
water. 墍
C The ice is warmer than the ocean water.
D The ocean water is filled with vegetation
that keeps the ice from sinking.
A
Which region of Virginia is classified
as the Piedmont?
1
B 2
C 3 墍
D 4
A
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
EY04B203
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28
2084956
31
Which of the following natural
resources makes the largest
contribution to Virginia’s economy?
Wind Speed
(in knots)
Calm
EY07C700
墌
C
Plutonium
G Aluminum
H Coal 墍
J Feldspar
1-2
3-7
8 - 12 13 - 17 18 - 22 23 - 27
F
3338311
Based on the above symbols, which of EY13A912
the following represents a wind speed 墍
C
of 30 knots?
ArtCodes
29
2050171
EY06A602
墌
C
L
While on vacation, a student visits the
area around a volcano that has
recently erupted. The student can
expect to find samples of —
A
clastic sedimentary rock
B nonfoliated metamorphic rock
C chemically formed sedimentary rock
D extrusive igneous rock 墍
B
墍
EY13A912.AR1
ArtCodes
A
EY13A912.AR2
EY13A912.AR3
EY13A912.AR4
EY13A912.AR5
C
30
D
2049894
EY03B512
墌
C
ArtCodes
EY03B512.AR1
32
Gas and dust in interstellar nebulae
can form —
2184107
stars 墍
G comets
H meteors
J asteroids
F
The picture shows an infrared
composite of the Earth as seen by a
weather satellite system. What does the
dark shaded area on this map
represent?
The moon’s shadow
G Thick cloud cover
H Nighttime 墍
J Ocean currents
F
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
9
EY14B614
墍
C
L
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33
3103050
Which of the following best describes
Earth’s orbital position in our solar
system?
35
Kilometers
0
EY04C801
墌
C
100
200
300
400
500
Outside of three smaller planets
B Outside of the gas giants
C An outer planet
D An inner planet 墍
A
The mountain shown is composed of
deformed sedimentary layers. They are
located near a tectonic plate boundary
2184111
and are still increasing in elevation
due to —
EY08C700
34
2050695
colliding tectonic plates 墍
B seafloor spreading of tectonic plates
C subduction of a tectonic plate
D transform faulting of a tectonic plate
A
VIRGINIA
EY10D101
墌
C
L
ArtCodes
墍
C
ArtCodes
EY08C700.AR1
EY10D101.AR1
Deel Bristol
Harrisonburg Charlottesville Norfolk
The map shows the ages of the exposed
bedrock in Virginia. Which city sits on
exposed bedrock that is the same age
as the rock in Bristol?
36
Release of CFCs and similar
compounds are a possible cause of —
3182603
destruction of ozone in the upper
atmosphere 墍
G acid rain in the northeast U.S.
H greenhouse gas build-up in the lower
atmosphere
J increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide
concentration
F
Deel
G Harrisonburg 墍
H Charlottesville
J Norfolk
F
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
10
EY12E803
墍
C
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38
Velocity of
Galaxies vs. Distance
2051129
2050010
2,000
EY14B405
墌
EY04C309
墍
ArtCodes
EY14B405.AR1
C
Velocity (km/s)
C
1,500
ArtCodes
EY04C309.AR1
1,000
Sun
500
Q
0
3
6
Venus
Distance
(millions of light-years)
Earth
In the late 1920s, Edwin Hubble and
Milton Humason determined the
distance to a number of galaxies and
the velocity of those galaxies relative
to the Earth. The graph shows the
early results that were obtained. What
approximate ratio did the scientists
calculate between velocity and
distance based on these early findings?
150 kilometers per second
million light years 墍
B 300 kilometers per second
million light years
C 450 kilometers per second
million light years
D 600 kilometers per second
million light years
A
Based on the drawing above, what is
the main reason that Venus would
appear brighter at point Q rather than
at point R as seen from the Earth?
The planet is closer to the Earth at
point Q than at point R.
G More of the visible side of the planet is
illuminated at point Q than at point R. 墍
H The planet appears overhead against a
dark sky when it is at point Q but not
at point R.
J Light from the planet at point Q is less
affected by the sun’s gravity than at
point R.
F
per one
per one
per one
per one
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
R
11
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39
3147830
Wind power is not typically used to
generate all of the electricity needed
for large cities because the —
41
EY07B812
墌
C
energy source is inconsistent 墍
B waste products are unsafe
C fuel expenses are too great
D energy produced is not in a usable form
A
People have tried many methods
to artificially produce rain. One
3103897
method, called cloud seeding, involves
airplanes dropping particles of silver EY13C801
墍
iodide onto clouds to help the clouds C
produce rain droplets. These silver
iodide particles act as —
hailstones
B dew points
C electrical charges
D condensation nuclei 墍
A
40
2184267
EY06B615
墌
Mountain range
42
C
Weathering
ArtCodes
Path of
EY06B615.AR1
F ir e
Erosion
1 Kilometer
Deposition
The picture shows the path of a forest
fire that started at 5:30 A.M. It travels at
2049730
1 km/h. About how long will it be
EY01C115
before the fire reaches the ranger
墍
station?
Ocean
Which kind of rock is formed by the
processes shown?
30 minutes 墍
G 1 hour
H 2 hours
J 5 hours
F
Basaltic
G Sedimentary 墍
H Igneous
J Metamorphic
F
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
12
C
L
ArtCodes
EY01C115.AR1
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43
Which of the following most likely
results in the formation of a fossil?
45
What is the greatest environmental
cost of hydroelectric power?
3138745
EY10A811
墌
C
2050336
A Mesozoic clam lies exposed on the
surface of the sea floor.
B A Mesozoic clam is washed up onto the
beach.
C A Mesozoic clam is eaten by a large
predatory fish.
D A Mesozoic clam is buried by a
mudslide. 墍
Increased flooding downstream
B Fish kills due to the turbines
C Decreased species diversity in the new
lake
D Destruction of free-running rivers and
their ecosystems 墍
A
A
46
EY07E401
墍
C
L
Which of these mineral properties
cannot be used to identify a mineral?
2050111
44
Luster
G Hardness
H Mass 墍
J Streak
Oil 35%
F
2050282
Coal 27%
EY07A506
墌
Solar, wind,
hydroelectric 18%
C
L
ArtCodes
EY07A506.AR1
Gas 17%
Nuclear power 3%
The chart above shows different
sources of energy. Which conclusion
can be made based on this chart?
Coal is the main source of energy.
G Use of nuclear power is increasing.
H Fossil fuels make up over three-quarters
of our energy consumption. 墍
J Renewable energy sources are
predominantly used.
F
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
13
EY05A606
墍
C
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47
2050395
EY08B106
墌
The pictures show different stages in
the development of a river valley.
Which picture shows the first stage of
development?
48
Simplified Map of Virginia River Basins
2049876
PotomacShenandoah
River
Basin
C
L
A
EY03A601
墍
墍
C
L
Rappahannock
River Basin ArtCodes
James River
Basin
Big Sandy River
Basin
ArtCodes
EY03A601.AR1
EY08B106.AR1
EY08B106.AR2
EY08B106.AR3
EY08B106.AR4
York
River
Basin
Tennessee
River
Basin
New
River
Basin
Roanoke
River
Basin
Chowan
River
Basin
B
According to the above map, the
largest river basin in Virginia is
drained by the —
Potomac-Shenandoah Rivers
G York River
H James River 墍
J Roanoke River
F
C
D
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
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49
Ozone molecules protect Earth from
the harmful effects of the sun by —
50
Which image below best represents our
galaxy?
2184161
EY12D704
墌
C
2051139
insulating the temperature at the poles
B condensing water particles in clouds
C regulating the heat from the sun
D absorbing ultraviolet radiation 墍
A
EY14B513
墍
C
L
F
墍
ArtCodes
EY14B513.AR1
EY14B513.AR2
EY14B513.AR3
EY14B513.AR4
G
H
J
2006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education
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Answer Key
Test
Sequence
Correct
Answer
Reporting
Category
1
C
002
Geology
2
H
001
Scientific Investigation
Reporting Category Description
3
A
002
Geology
4
H
004
Astronomy and Space Science
5
A
002
Geology
6
H
001
Scientific Investigation
7
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
8
F
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
9
B
001
Scientific Investigation
10
H
002
Geology
11
C
002
Geology
12
J
002
Geology
13
C
002
Geology
14
H
001
Scientific Investigation
15
B
002
Geology
16
H
002
Geology
17
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
18
J
004
Astronomy and Space Science
19
C
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
20
H
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
21
A
002
Geology
22
H
002
Geology
23
A
002
Geology
24
F
001
Scientific Investigation
25
C
002
Geology
26
H
004
Astronomy and Space Science
27
B
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
28
H
002
Geology
29
D
002
Geology
30
H
001
Scientific Investigation
31
A
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
32
F
004
Astronomy and Space Science
33
D
004
Astronomy and Space Science
34
G
002
Geology
35
A
002
Geology
36
F
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
37
A
004
Astronomy and Space Science
38
G
004
Astronomy and Space Science
39
A
002
Geology
40
G
002
Geology
41
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
42
F
001
Scientific Investigation
43
D
002
Geology
44
H
002
Geology
45
D
002
Geology
46
H
002
Geology
47
A
002
Geology
48
H
001
Scientific Investigation
49
D
003
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
50
F
004
Astronomy and Space Science