Practice Test 2 - Middle School Earth and Space Science

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

A student argues: "Minerals can't be limited because Earth is huge." However, a mining report says the local deposit took a very long time to form, and the mine is removing it much faster than any new deposit could form. Which claim is incorrect based on the evidence about formation time and extraction rate?
A school cafeteria wants to reduce landfill waste (pollution) from single-use items. Evidence: a one-day audit found 6 full bags of trash and only 1 small bin of recycling; most trash was plastic forks and wrapped straws. Constraints: the cafeteria cannot buy new dishwashers this year, has $300 for changes, and must keep lunch lines moving. Students will still eat lunch, so trade-offs are required. Which claim ignores the limits (constraints) in this situation?
A student looks at a model of a spiral galaxy: stars are densest near the center, and arrows show stars circling the center in the same direction. The student makes four claims. Which claim is incorrect because it denies gravity's role at large scales?
A student is trying to improve a past reconstruction model of Continents K and L. They already have two evidence types: - Coastline shapes: K has a pointed peninsula that fits a bay on L. - Fossils: the same plant fossil is found on K's southeast edge and L's northwest edge. However, the student says, "We still can't tell if the continents were truly connected or if the match is coincidence." Which additional evidence would most improve the reconstruction using a different evidence type than the two already used?
A student looks at global average temperature anomaly data (relative to a long-term average) from 1998–2012 and notices some years are cooler than the year before. How does short-term variation compare to the long-term trend shown by the full 1980–2020 record (and what the data can show, without giving a cause)?
A student looked at the line graph of temperature (°C) measured at the same location each hour. Which statement is supported by the data about how temperature changed over time? (This is an observation of weather, not a certain prediction.)
A student claims: "The Moon's phases happen because Earth's shadow covers different parts of the Moon each night." Using the space-view model (not to scale) with sunlight arrows and Moon positions, which statement is best supported by the model?
A local weather station recorded these observations from noon to 6 p.m.: clouds increased from few to overcast, wind shifted from south to southwest, and the barometer fell steadily. A map shows a cold front approaching from the west with arrows indicating eastward movement. Which prediction is best supported for the next several hours, based on evidence and patterns (probabilistically)?
Prediction: A wet shirt is hanging outside. At first it dries slowly on a cool, cloudy day. Then the Sun comes out and the air warms. Which state change will increase, and why? (This is a physical change.)
A student claims: "Galaxies are shaped mostly by random placements of stars. Gravity only affects falling objects on planets, so it cannot explain the organized motion in galaxies." Based on models that show mass concentrated toward galactic centers and stars orbiting those centers over long times, which part of the claim should be rejected?
A county emergency team is comparing likelihood (how often a hazard happens) and impact (how much damage or how many people could be affected). Use the table of past floods and exposure to choose the best risk estimate. Remember: risk combines likelihood and impact; it is not certainty. Data table (last 10 years): - Riverbend: 7 flood events; about 18,000 people in the floodplain; typical flood depth = Moderate - Hillview: 2 flood events; about 41,000 people in the floodplain; typical flood depth = Moderate - Lakeside: 4 flood events; about 9,000 people in the floodplain; typical flood depth = High Which location has the highest overall flood risk based on the evidence?
A model shows energy driving movement inside Earth: Model (arrows show energy transfer): Earth's internal heat → warms rock in the mantle → hot, softer rock rises while cooler rock sinks → slow convection moves tectonic plates. Which energy source drives the plate movement shown in the model?
The stratigraphic diagram shows four rock layers. Fossils were deposited when the layer formed. A new fossil (a tooth-shaped fossil) is discovered and scientists determine it is younger than the fish fossil but older than the leaf fossil. In which layer would the tooth-shaped fossil most likely be found?
A student is checking a simplified global wind map that is supposed to show consistent prevailing wind directions within each latitude band (average pattern, not daily weather). On the map, most arrows in the mid-latitude band (30°–60°) point west → east, but one arrow in that same band points east → west. What is the best conclusion about that one arrow?
Two nearby valleys were studied for 6 years. Valley A (mining): A new open-pit mine started in Year 2. Valley B (agriculture): Forest was cleared and replaced with row crops in Year 2. Evidence: - Valley A stream pH: 7.2 (Year 1) → 5.8 (Year 6) - Valley B stream pH: 7.1 (Year 1) → 7.0 (Year 6) - Valley A dissolved metals (iron): 0.2 mg/L → 1.6 mg/L - Valley B nitrate: 0.4 mg/L → 2.1 mg/L Which statement is supported by the evidence about how the two different human activities affected Earth systems? (Impacts can be positive or negative depending on context.)
A region has been clearing forest to expand housing. Claim: Land clearing has contributed to increased local flooding after heavy rain. Evidence (two time periods): - 10 years ago: 80% forest cover; average peak stream level after major storms = 1.2 m. - This year: 55% forest cover; average peak stream level after major storms = 1.8 m. - Rainfall totals for the storms used in the averages were similar (within 5%). Which claim is best supported by the evidence (remember: conclusions depend on evidence strength)?
Choose ONE claim that is supported by this water-cycle situation: On a cold morning, liquid water droplets form on the outside of a metal water bottle that was filled with ice. The air next to the bottle is cooled. Which claim is supported? (State changes are physical, not chemical.)
A claim is made about a landscape model that shows sediment being carried downstream by a river arrow over many years: Claim: "The sediment got to the river mouth because weathering transported it there." Which evaluation is best supported by Earth process definitions and the model?
A teacher shows a simplified world wind-belt map (an average pattern, not daily weather). It has three latitude bands in each hemisphere with arrows: - 0°–30°: east → west - 30°–60°: west → east - 60°–90°: east → west Which claim is not supported by this model?
Two maps show the same volcanic area before and after an eruption. In the later map, a dark new surface covers part of the older ground and blocks a small stream. Which process best explains the change shown over time? (More than one process can change Earth's surface over time.)

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