Test Information Guide

Field 74: Earth and Space Science
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions

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Earth's Place in the Universe

Objective 0001
Analyze the structure of the universe.

1. Which of the following classroom activities would best measure a student's understanding of a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram?

  1. measuring the effect of a star's solar wind on planets
  2. calculating a star's proximity to nearby planets
  3. estimating a star's motion through space
  4. determining a star's approximate age
Answer
Correct Response: D.
Objective 0002
Demonstrate knowledge of the solar system and the interactions of Earth, the Moon, and the Sun.

2. Use the table below to answer the question that follows.

Exoplanet Distance to Star (AU)
W 0.36
X 0.58
Y 1.07
Z 3.2

A scientist recently discovered a multiplanetary system that contains a star similar to our Sun. Assuming that all of the exoplanets are approximately Earth-sized, which of the following exoplanets in this system would have the highest probability of containing liquid water, a prerequisite for life?

  1. W
  2. X
  3. Y
  4. Z
Answer
Correct Response: C.

Earth's Systems: Geosphere

Objective 0003
Apply knowledge of the geologic history of Earth.

3. The downcutting that formed the present-day Connecticut River Valley was due primarily to which of the following events?

  1. the uplift of highlands to the west and east that channeled streams to the flat land in between
  2. the draining of Lake Hitchcock after the breaking of an ice and sediment dam at the end of the last Ice Age
  3. the heavy outflow of meltwater from a rapidly melting glacial front located in central New Hampshire and Vermont
  4. the tectonic activity that pulled apart two contiguous plates, resulting in the faulting and dropping of the rock in between
Answer
Correct Response: B.
Objective 0004
Analyze plate tectonics.

4. When an oceanic lithosphere collides with a continental lithosphere, the oceanic lithosphere is subducted beneath the continental lithosphere rather than being compressed against it or riding over it. Which of the following statements best explains why this phenomenon occurs?

  1. Convection currents push harder on continental lithospheres because they extend deeper into the mantle than oceanic lithosphere.
  2. Composition of the oceanic lithosphere is denser than the continental lithosphere.
  3. Land formation at the edge of continents pushes the oceanic lithosphere downward.
  4. Mountains that form the edge of the continental lithosphere act as a barrier.
Answer
Correct Response: B.
Objective 0005
Apply knowledge of Earth materials.

5. Which of the following statements best explains how coastal dunes form inland from beaches?

  1. Falling sea levels expose offshore barrier islands and leave them as dunes located behind newly formed beaches.
  2. Large hurricanes and winter storms cause massive beach erosion and deposit the sand as dunes at the high-water mark.
  3. Rising sea levels deposit sand mounds at the high-tide mark, which are isolated as dunes when sea levels later fall.
  4. Onshore winds pick up sand from beaches and drop it when they slow as they encounter obstacles, such as vegetation.
Answer
Correct Response: D.

Earth's Systems: Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate

Objective 0006
Demonstrate knowledge of the hydrologic cycle and water systems.

6. Ocean waves increase in height as they approach the shore because, as the waves approach the shore:

  1. a reduction in the volume of the wave causes the period to decrease while the wave speed and the distance between the waves increase.
  2. the friction with the seafloor decreases wave speed and the distance between the waves while the wave period remains constant.
  3. water molecules within the wave speed up as they move vertically over the increasingly shorter distance to the seafloor.
  4. winds driving the formation of waves slacken when the area over which they blow decreases.
Answer
Correct Response: B.
Objective 0007
Analyze the atmosphere and atmospheric processes.

7. The midlatitude westerlies in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere originate in the high-pressure "horse latitudes" between latitudes 30 degrees and 35 degrees in both hemispheres. These westerly prevailing winds are strongest during which of the following conditions?

  1. when air pressures over the polar regions are lowest
  2. when insolation over the Americas is highest
  3. when temperatures in the equatorial region are highest
  4. when the velocities of the trade winds are lowest
Answer
Correct Response: A.
Objective 0008
Demonstrate knowledge of weather and climate, including regional phenomena.

8. An anemometer is used for measuring which of the following variables?

  1. humidity
  2. air pressure
  3. wind speed
  4. dew point
Answer
Correct Response: C.

Earth and Human Activity

Objective 0009
Apply knowledge of geochemical cycles, natural resources, and sources of energy.

9. Which of the following actions is an example of recycling?

  1. using a plastic grocery bag to collect yard waste
  2. making soap from used cooking oil
  3. planting trees to replace harvested trees
  4. donating old clothes for others to use
Answer
Correct Response: B.
Objective 0010
Analyze the types of natural and human-influenced hazards and their impacts on human populations.

10. A scientist is attempting to model the height of waves that would strike a particular stretch of coast during a tsunami caused by an underwater earthquake. The scientist identifies the magnitude of the earthquake, the depth of the earthquake, the amount of water displaced, and the distance from and orientation of the coastline relative to the location of the earthquake as key variables. Which of the following variables should the scientist also consider in order to increase the model's ability to predict wave height?

  1. the depth of sediments at the epicenter of the earthquake
  2. the velocity and direction of winds at the time of the earthquake
  3. the size and strength of longshore currents parallel to the coast
  4. the depth of the water at multiple points approaching the coast
Answer
Correct Response: D.