b e n c h m a r k t e s t : e a r t h a n d s p a c e s c i e n c e Multiple Choice 1. Geologists obtain indirect evidence about Earth s interior by A measuring pressure differences at Earth s surface. B estimating the temperature inside Earth. C directly looking under the many layers. D recording and studying seismic waves. 2. Convection causes huge slabs of rock to rise and sink slowly through Earth s mantle. The main heat source for this movement is A Earth s mantle and core. B radiation from the sun. C friction produced by plate motions. D magma in Earth s crust. 3. Where does most metamorphic rock form? A at Earth s surface B in volcanoes C in ocean waters D deep underground 4. Magma that cools deep underground produces A glassy textures. B large crystals. C pahoehoe. D geothermal energy. Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 5. 5. According to the diagram, metamorphic rock can form from A igneous rock only. B magma. C igneous rock or sedimentary rock. D sedimentary rock only. 6. The sedimentary rock formed when water deposits tiny particles of clay in very thin, flat layers is called A gypsum. B shale. C limestone. D calcite. 50
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 7. 7. The relative ages of each of the exposed rock layers of this river valley can be relatively determined using mainly which kind of evidence? A volcanic evidence B fossil evidence C evidence of human impact D evidence of erosion and deposition 8. Which part of an organism is most likely to become a fossil? A bones B skin C sense organs D internal organs 9. Where are earthquakes most likely to occur? A where Earth s tectonic plates are moving together B where magma cools slowly beneath Earth s surface C where Earth s lithosphere is in constant, slow motion D where Earth s seafloor is spreading into deep ocean trenches 10. The volcanoes along converging oceanic plate boundaries may form A a hot spot. B a part of the mid-ocean ridge. C an island arc. D a subducting plate. 51
Directions: Use the map below to answer question 11. 11. Scientists once thought that the continents had formed in their current locations. Alfred Wegener first published his theory of continental drift in 1915. Which of the following provides evidence for continental drift? A Movement of the Australian continent was observed. B Africa and South America have the same type of climate. C Plants and animals found in Africa differ from those found in Australia. D Africa, North America, and South America almost fit together like puzzle pieces. 12. A volcano that is erupting or has shown signs of erupting in the near future is called A an active volcano. B an extinct volcano. C a dormant volcano. D an explosive volcano. 13. When lava flows out of several long cracks in an area, the layers of lava can build up over time, forming a A lava plateau. B tall mountain. C volcanic neck. D dome mountain. 14. The movement of Earth s plates exerts forces on Earth s crust. These forces are examples of stress. Which kind of stress pulls on the crust, stretching rock so that it becomes thinner in the middle? A tension B shearing C squeezing D compression 52
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 15. 15. The diagram above shows two types of movements of Earth s crust. What feature of the ocean floor develops in the region labeled A? A abyssal plain B continental shelf C mid-ocean ridge D sandbar 16. Fertile soil is an important resource for humans because A it is necessary for mining minerals. B most food plants need soil to grow. C it supports paved roads better than infertile soil. D it can never be reclaimed if it is lost. 17. One benefit of the ozone layer in the stratosphere is that ozone absorbs energy from the sun, which warms our atmosphere. Which of the following is another benefit of the ozone layer? A It reflects radio signals back to Earth. B It burns up meteoroids before they strike land. C It shields Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. D It relays telephone and television communications. 53
18. Earthquakes create vibrations called seismic waves. What is a characteristic of S waves? A They cause large waves on the ocean. B They cause the ground to roll like ocean waves. C They cannot move through liquids. D They move the ground only up and down. 19. A watershed is A a ridge of land that separates river systems. B the land area that supplies water to a river system. C an area where fresh water mixes with ocean water. D the layer of rocks and soil above the water table. 20. Fertilizers and pesticides are examples of which source of water pollution? A agricultural wastes B industrial wastes C road runoff D human wastes 21. Which of the following is a reason wetlands are important to people? A They provide food and shelter for people. B They filter out wastes from water. C They make transportation easy and cheap. D They decrease temperatures during winter. 54
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 22. 22. Fossils have been found in layers A, B, and C. What is the relative age of the fossil in layer B? A The fossil in B is older than the fossil in A. B The fossil in B is older than the fossil in C. C The fossil in A is older than the fossils in B or C. D The fossil in C is younger than the fossils in A or B. 23. The transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid is called A convection. B thermal transfer. C conduction. D radiation. 24. An element s half-life is a measure of its A absolute age. B rate of chemical weathering. C rate of radioactive decay. D relative age. 25. Radioactive dating enables geologists to determine A the age of the atoms in a rock. B the half-life of a fossil organism. C the relative ages of rocks. D the absolute ages of rocks. 26. What does a seismograph record? A the Mercalli scale rating for an earthquake B the speed of seismic waves C the ground movements caused by seismic waves D the location of the epicenter 55
27. At a tectonic plate boundary where the plates are moving together, what is least likely to occur? A earthquakes B volcanoes C sea-floor spreading D mountain building 28. Geologists have learned that Earth s interior is composed of layers by studying A the presence of fossils in Earth s crust. B the size of volcanoes. C the speed and paths of seismic waves as they travel through Earth. D the pattern of earthquakes that occur on Earth s surface. 29. The geologic time scale is a record of A the thickness of sedimentary rock layers. B the rate of fossil formation. C the life forms and geologic events in Earth s history. D the time since the evolution of dinosaurs. 30. Sea-floor spreading occurs on A the outer rim of the Ring of Fire. B both sides of a mid-ocean ridge. C the continental side of a deep-ocean trench. D the leading edge of a tsunami. Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 31. 31. Convection currents inside the Earth occur within which of the following layers? A the mantle B the inner core C the lithosphere D the magnetic field 32. The foliated metamorphic rock slate is used for floors and outdoor walkways because slate A splits easily into flat pieces. B can easily be carved into many shapes. C readily absorbs water. D is made up of large crystals. 56
Short Response Write an answer for each of the following. 33. How is the moment magnitude scale used to describe earthquakes? Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 34. 34. Point G in the diagram is the entrance to a bay. Explain how pollutants that enter the river at point B in the diagram affect ocean pollution. 35. Explain how the ozone layer reduces the amount of ultraviolet radiation that reaches Earth s surface. 36. What is a plateau and how can one form? 57
B e n c h m a r k t e s t R e p o r t : e a r t h a n d s p a c e S c i e n c e pages 50-57 Florida Standards Test Items Number Correct Proficient? Yes or No Chapter Number Comp. Science Earth & Space, Physical, Life BIG IDEA 6: Earth Structures Over geologic time, internal and external sources of energy have continuously altered the features of Earth by means of both constructive and destructive forces. All life, including human civilization, is dependent on Earth s internal and external energy and material resources. SC.7.E.6.1: Describe the layers of the solid Earth, including the lithosphere, the hot convecting mantle, and the dense metallic liquid and solid cores. 1, 14, 28 CS2.3 ES7 SC.7.E.6.2: Identify the patterns within the rock cycle and relate them to surface events (weathering and erosion) and sub-surface events (plate tectonics and mountain building). 3, 4, 5, 6, 32 CS2.3 ES7 SC.7.E.6.3: Identify current methods for measuring the age of Earth and its parts, including the law of superposition and radioactive dating. 22, 24, 25 CS2.4 ES8 SC.7.E.6.4: Explain and give examples of how physical evidence supports scientific theories that Earth has evolved over geologic time due to natural processes. 7, 8, 29 CS2.4 ES8 SC.7.E.6.5: Explore the scientific theory of plate tectonics by describing how the movement of Earth s crustal plates causes both slow and rapid changes in Earth s surface, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and mountain building. 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 26, 30, 33, 36 CS2.5, CS2.6, CS2.7 ES9, ES10, ES11 SC.7.E.6.6: Identify the impact that humans have had on Earth, such as deforestation, urbanization, desertification, erosion, air and water quality, changing the flow of water. 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 34, 35 CS2.8 ES12 SC.7.E.6.7: Recognize that heat flow and movement of material within Earth causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and creates mountains and ocean basins. 2, 9, 23, 27, 31 CS2.8 ES12 Comments: 58