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Practice Test 11 - Middle School Earth and Space Science

20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.

  1. Two paired before/after representations are shown: Set 1 (surface): Before: a boulder with sharp edges ↓ (labeled: weathering) After: smaller, more rounded pieces next to the boulder Set 2 (river): Before: the same rounded pieces on a riverbank ↓ (labeled: erosion) After: the pieces are shown farther downstream Which comparison is supported by the representations?
  2. A simplified geologic time framework is divided into Early (longest), Middle (medium), and Recent (shortest). The framework's purpose is to organize events by order and relative duration, and the segment lengths are not equal. A student says: "Because the timeline is divided into three segments, each segment must represent the same amount of time." Which evaluation is most accurate?
  3. A simplified model of oxygen and carbon dioxide in a pond shows: - Matter movement (gases): CO2_2 in water/air --> Algae (photosynthesis) --> O2_2 in water/air; and O2_2 --> Fish (respiration) --> CO2_2 - Energy flow: Sunlight --> Algae The model shows matter cycling between forms and locations, while energy flows into the system and enables change. Which claim is NOT supported by the model?
  4. Scientists study a glacier using two representations: - Representation 1: A time-lapse camera looking at the glacier front for 10 days shows the ice edge moves forward slightly on several cold nights. - Representation 2: A satellite record of the same glacier for 30 years shows the glacier's total length has decreased. Which statement best explains how scale affects the interpretation of whether the glacier is "advancing" or "retreating"?
  5. A map shows the same fossil type (Fossil L) found at one site on Continent P and many sites on Continent Q. The continents are currently separated by an ocean, and the fossil locations represent past conditions. Which conclusion is best supported by this distribution?
  6. A local forecast discussion shows this evidence for the next 8 hours: - Satellite image: a thick cloud band approaching from the west (arrows point east). - Surface data at City Q: pressure falling slowly; wind increasing; temperature steady. - Radar: light precipitation within the cloud band, but gaps in coverage. Which conclusion is too certain or not supported by the evidence?
  7. In the simplified orbit model, a moon has a forward-motion arrow and a gravity arrow pointing toward its planet. The moon follows a curved path. Statement: The orbit results from gravity plus motion, not a single cause. Which set of 2 statements is supported by the model?
  8. A dataset lists global average temperature anomaly for selected years: 1910: −0.4°C, 1940: +0.1°C, 1970: −0.1°C, 2000: +0.4°C, 2020: +1.0°C. The numbers show observed temperature change over time but do not, by themselves, explain why it changed. Which statement about temperature change is supported by the data?
  9. A student says: "The Moon's phases happen because Earth's shadow falls on the Moon." Use the space-view eclipse models (not to scale) to decide which statement best corrects the student. Model for lunar eclipse (rare): Sun →→→ Earth ____shadow____/ Moon Model for most months: Sun →→→ (light hits half the Moon) Moon orbits Earth, but usually not in Earth's shadow Which statement is the best correction?
  10. A line graph compares two long-term records from 1950 to 2020: global average temperature anomaly rises from about −0.1°C to about +1.0°C, and a separate global sea-surface temperature anomaly record rises from about −0.05°C to about +0.7°C. Both lines wiggle up and down in some years. This evidence shows observed change, not the cause. What common trend do both records share?
  11. Two sequences are shown. Both are relative (older below/left, younger above/right). Which comparison is supported? Key: ✿ = leaf fossil, ● = fish fossil, ▲ = ash layer.
  12. A simplified carbon cycle model includes these labeled arrows: - Arrow 1: CO2_2 in air → plants (photosynthesis) - Arrow 2: plants → animals (eating) - Arrow 3: plants and animals → CO2_2 in air (respiration/decay) - Arrow 4: sunlight → plants The model notes: "Carbon matter cycles among air, living things, and back to air. Energy flows from the Sun into the system and is used to power changes; matter is conserved." Which statement correctly identifies matter movement and energy flow in this model?
  13. A class examines records from 1880–2020. Human-activity evidence: global fossil-fuel CO2_2 emissions increase strongly after about 1950. Climate indicators: global average temperature anomaly rises overall, and global mean sea level increases over the same time period. The biggest long-term increases in all three records occur after about 1950. Which explanation best fits all of this evidence while staying within what the data can support?
  14. A scale model uses physical diameter. The stated scale is: 1 cm on the model = 5,000 km in real diameter. Use the scale (not how "big" it looks in a picture). Note: only models with a stated scale should be treated as to-scale. If Earth's diameter is about 12,700 km, about how wide (diameter) should Earth be on this model?​
  15. A class uses a simplified geologic time framework to organize Earth's long-term history by order and relative duration (it does not explain causes). The timeline below is divided into three segments, and the segment lengths are not equal. Segments: Early Earth History (longest) → Middle Earth History (medium) → Recent Earth History (shortest) Events placed on the framework: • Oldest rocks form (Early) • First life appears (Early) • Dinosaurs live (Middle) • Humans appear (Recent) Which statement is supported by this time framework?
  16. Sunlight reaches Earth in 8 min and Jupiter in 43 min. How much later is a solar flare seen at Jupiter than at Earth?
  17. Use the Earth-view sequence below (not to scale). White = lit portion visible from Earth. Observed order over time: New Moon → Waxing crescent (right lit) → First quarter (right half lit) → Waxing gibbous (mostly right lit) What phase comes next if the pattern continues smoothly?
  18. A city is planning drills for two hazards. Hazard 1 (tsunami from a nearby undersea earthquake): The earthquake happens suddenly. A tsunami siren could sound 5–10 minutes later if sensors detect a wave. Hazard 2 (hurricane): Meteorologists can track the storm's path for several days, but the exact landfall location can still shift. How does predictability differ between these hazards based on the warning time described?
  19. Model: Two moons (Moon X and Moon Y) move past the same planet. Moon X is drawn closer to the planet than Moon Y. Each moon has an arrow showing its motion to the right. Each moon also has an arrow showing gravity (force) pointing toward the planet. The gravity arrow on Moon X is drawn longer than the gravity arrow on Moon Y. Both paths curve toward the planet, but Moon X curves more. Which statement is supported by the model?
  20. Comparison of two pressure maps (no Coriolis effect; focus only on pressure-driven flow). Air moves due to pressure differences, from high to low. Map A: Center = H, Edges = L Map B: Center = L, Edges = H Which statement is supported by these models?

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