END OF COURSE EARTH SCIENCE - SolPass

VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING

Spring 2005 Released Test

END OF COURSEEARTH SCIENCE

CORE 1

Property of the Virginia Department of Education� 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 anymeans, 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 mayreproduce 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 andReporting at the above address or by e-mail to [email protected].

SESSION: 45 PAGE: 1 3/20/06 12:26 LOGIN IS-joer PATH: @sunultra1/raid/CLS_tpc/GRP_va_sprg06/JOB_06-ribsg11/DIV_g11esci-1

DIRECTIONSRead each question carefully and choose the bestanswer. Then mark the space on the answersheet for the answer you have chosen.

SAMPLE

Which of these can be used to measureatmospheric pressure?

A An anemometerB A barometer �

C A thermometerD A seismometer

2050304

1 A major problem with depending onfossil fuels as primary energy sourcesis that they are —

A overabundantB nonpollutingC nonrenewable �

D deep underground

2049790

2 1. Propose an outcome2. State the problem3. Make a Conclusion4. Gather Data

Which of the following puts the stepsof a scientific experiment in the correctorder?

F 2, 1, 3, 4G 4, 2, 3, 1H 2, 1, 4, 3 �

J 2, 3, 1, 4

2049939

3 Most modern geologists have arguedthat a global catastrophe may havecaused the extinction of the dinosaurs.According to these scientists, what wasthis catastrophe?

A An asteroid impact with the Earth �

B Melting of the polar ice capsC A shift in the tilt of the EarthD Earthquakes and volcanoes

2085065

4 What is the approximate percentage ofthe Earth that is illuminated by thesun at any given time?

F 10%G 25%H 50% �

J 90%

2050700

5 Compared to the Rocky Mountains, theAppalachian Mountains are much —

A older �

B less erodedC higherD thicker

SESSION: 44 PAGE: 2 1/13/06 6:43 LOGIN IS-garyo PATH: @sunultra1/raid/CLS_tpc/GRP_va_sprg06/JOB_06-ribsg11/DIV_g11esci-1

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22006 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education

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6

Seismic waves generated by anearthquake at point R are recorded atlocations W and X. Which pair ofseismographs is more accurate?

20509027 A volcanic eruption can affect the

atmosphere by —

A reducing the amount of water vapor inthe atmosphere

B adding large quantities of several gases,such as sulfur dioxide, to theatmosphere �

C clearing away nearby clouds, increasingthe amount of sunshine

D increasing the amount of oxygen due toescaping gases

20507088 Which of these will cause the greatesthigh tides?

R

W X

Location W

Location X

Time

Location W

Location X

Time

Location W

Location X

Time

Location W

Location X

Time

F

G

H

J

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2049928

9

Which profile best represents thecontour map along the line AB?

2049836

10

Each dot on the above diagram marksthe origin of an earthquake. The areawith the highest concentration ofearthquake origins marks —

F a line of Earth’s magnetic fieldG a seam of soft rock, such as limestoneH the path of the subducting tectonic

plate �

J the location of a developing igneousintrusion

2050685

11 Which of these is the best indication ofthe relative age of a rock layer?

A The thickness of the layerB The chemical makeup of the layerC The position of the layer compared to

other layers �

D The distance the layer extends over theEarth

1

C

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2050077

12 Which mineral is easily identified bysmell?

F GalenaG PyriteH QuartzJ Sulfur �

2050404

13 Which of these pieces of basalt rockhas probably been in a river thelongest?

3102623

14

In the first picture, the sphere is in abeaker with 100 mL of water. In thesecond picture, the dry sphere is beingmassed. Which of the values listed isclosest to the density of the blacksphere?

F 0.5 g/mLG 0.7 g/mLH 1.4 g/mL �

J 2.1 g/mL

3081141

15 Scientists use the rock cycle todescribe the processes by which —

A all different types of fossils weretransformed into rock

B one type of rock can be changed intoanother type of rock �

C tectonic plates shift around the earth’ssurface

D mineral crystals and compositions areidentified

A

B

C

D

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16

According to Mohs Hardness Scale,which of these groups of minerals canscratch fluorite?

F Talc, gypsum, and calciteG Calcite, quartz, and topazH Apatite, orthoclase, and corundum �

J Diamond, gypsum, and quartz

2050057

17 The Earth’s mantle is made up of veryhot material that rises to the top of themantle, cools, then sinks, reheats, andrises again, constantly repeating thecycle. This action, which causes theEarth’s crust to move, is known as —

A convection currents �

B magnetic fieldsC hot spotsD advection forces

2051018

18

Which layer of the sun is seen during atotal solar eclipse?

F ChromosphereG PhotosphereH CoreJ Corona �

2050765

19 Barrier islands are low and narrowsandy islands that form a rim offshorefrom a coastline. These islands protectinland shores from the surf, especiallyduring storms. These islands arebecoming increasingly developedbecause people want to live by theopen ocean, yet the islands themselvesare not permanent. Why aren’t theislands permanent?

A People develop the islands and removesand during housing construction.

B Offshore earthquakes cause the islandsto sink below sea level.

C The wind and the waves are constantlyredistributing the sand. �

D Development companies mine the sandfor use in inland construction projects.

Mohs Hardness Scale

Mineral Scale NumbersTalc 1Gypsum 2Calcite 3Fluorite 4Apatite 5Orthoclase 6Quartz 7Topaz 8Corundum 9Diamond 10

Key :

FingernailPennyCommon nailGlass plateSteel file

= 2.5= 3.5= 4.5= 5.5= 6.5

Photosphere

Chromosphere

Corona

Core


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2050580

20

According to the above diagram, thewater supply will be most consistent inwell —

F 1G 2H 3 �

J 4

2184167

21

The diagram shown illustrates whichgeological process?

A Faulting �

B FoldingC WeatheringD Metamorphism

2050631

22 In which type of rock are fossils mostlikely to be found?

F Igneous intrusiveG Igneous extrusiveH Sedimentary �

J Metamorphic

2050534

23

The layer in the above soil profile thathas the most humus is —

A 1 �

B 2C 3D 4

. ..

.

12

3

4

= Zone of aeration

= Zone of saturation

= Impermeable layer

1

2

3

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2049692

24 Ocean Dimensions

OceanArea

(million sq km)Average

Depth (km)

Pacific 165 4.3

Atlantic 82 3.9

The table shows the area and averagedepth of the Pacific and AtlanticOceans. Approximately how manytimes greater is the volume of water inthe Pacific Ocean than in the AtlanticOcean?

F 2 times �

G 20 timesH 2,000 timesJ 2,000,000 times

2050369

25

Which region of Virginia is classifiedas the Piedmont?

A 1B 2C 3 �

D 4

2051042

26

Which planet has the shortest day?

F MercuryG VenusH Jupiter �

J Saturn

2049983

27

Why is the ice shelf floating?

A The ice is melting faster than it cansink.

B The ice is less dense than the oceanwater. �

C The ice is warmer than the ocean water.D The ocean water is filled with vegetation

that keeps the ice from sinking.

12

34

PlanetPeriod

ofRotation

Diameter(kilometers)

RelativeMass

(Earth = 1)

Periodof

Revolution

Mercury 59days 4,878 0.056 88

days

Venus 243days 12,104 0.820 224.70

days

Jupiter 9 hours48 minutes 143,884 317.869 11.86

years

Saturn 10 hours15 minutes 120,536 95.143 29.46

years

FloatingIce Shelf Grounded

Ice Sheet

BedrockOcean


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2084956

28 Which of the following naturalresources makes the largestcontribution to Virginia’s economy?

F PlutoniumG AluminumH Coal �

J Feldspar

2050171

29 While on vacation, a student visits thearea around a volcano that hasrecently erupted. The student canexpect to find samples of —

A clastic sedimentary rockB nonfoliated metamorphic rockC chemically formed sedimentary rockD extrusive igneous rock �

2049894

30

The picture shows an infraredcomposite of the Earth as seen by aweather satellite system. What does thedark shaded area on this maprepresent?

F The moon’s shadowG Thick cloud coverH Nighttime �

J Ocean currents

3338311

31

Based on the above symbols, which ofthe following represents a wind speedof 30 knots?

2184107

32 Gas and dust in interstellar nebulaecan form —

F stars �

G cometsH meteorsJ asteroids

Calm 1 - 2 3 - 7 8 - 12

Wind Speed(in knots)

13 - 17 18 - 22 23 - 27

A

B

C

D

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3103050

33 Which of the following best describesEarth’s orbital position in our solarsystem?

A Outside of three smaller planetsB Outside of the gas giantsC An outer planetD An inner planet �

2050695

34

The map shows the ages of the exposedbedrock in Virginia. Which city sits onexposed bedrock that is the same ageas the rock in Bristol?

F DeelG Harrisonburg �

H CharlottesvilleJ Norfolk

2184111

35

The mountain shown is composed ofdeformed sedimentary layers. They arelocated near a tectonic plate boundaryand are still increasing in elevationdue to —

A colliding tectonic plates �

B seafloor spreading of tectonic platesC subduction of a tectonic plateD transform faulting of a tectonic plate

3182603

36 Release of CFCs and similarcompounds are a possible cause of —

F destruction of ozone in the upperatmosphere �

G acid rain in the northeast U.S.H greenhouse gas build-up in the lower

atmosphereJ increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide

concentration

Deel Bristol Harrisonburg Charlottesville Norfolk

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2051129

37

In the late 1920s, Edwin Hubble andMilton Humason determined thedistance to a number of galaxies andthe velocity of those galaxies relativeto the Earth. The graph shows theearly results that were obtained. Whatapproximate ratio did the scientistscalculate between velocity anddistance based on these early findings?

A 150 kilometers per second per onemillion light years �

B 300 kilometers per second per onemillion light years

C 450 kilometers per second per onemillion light years

D 600 kilometers per second per onemillion light years

2050010

38

Based on the drawing above, what isthe main reason that Venus wouldappear brighter at point Q rather thanat point R as seen from the Earth?

F The planet is closer to the Earth atpoint Q than at point R.

G More of the visible side of the planet isilluminated at point Q than at point R. �

H The planet appears overhead against adark sky when it is at point Q but notat point R.

J Light from the planet at point Q is lessaffected by the sun’s gravity than atpoint R.

Distance(millions of light-years)

Vel

ocity

(km

/s)

0 3 6

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

Velocity ofGalaxies vs. Distance

Sun

Earth

Venus

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3147830

39 Wind power is not typically used togenerate all of the electricity neededfor large cities because the —

A energy source is inconsistent �

B waste products are unsafeC fuel expenses are too greatD energy produced is not in a usable form

2184267

40

Which kind of rock is formed by theprocesses shown?

F BasalticG Sedimentary �

H IgneousJ Metamorphic

3103897

41 People have tried many methodsto artificially produce rain. Onemethod, called cloud seeding, involvesairplanes dropping particles of silveriodide onto clouds to help the cloudsproduce rain droplets. These silveriodide particles act as —

A hailstonesB dew pointsC electrical chargesD condensation nuclei �

2049730

42

The picture shows the path of a forestfire that started at 5:30 A.M. It travels at1 km/h. About how long will it bebefore the fire reaches the rangerstation?

F 30 minutes �

G 1 hourH 2 hoursJ 5 hours

ErosionErosion

Mountain rangeMountain range

Ocean

Deposition

WeatheringWeathering

1 Kilometer

Path of FirePath of Fire


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43 Which of the following most likelyresults in the formation of a fossil?

A A Mesozoic clam lies exposed on thesurface of the sea floor.

B A Mesozoic clam is washed up onto thebeach.

C A Mesozoic clam is eaten by a largepredatory fish.

D A Mesozoic clam is buried by amudslide. �

2050282

44

The chart above shows differentsources of energy. Which conclusioncan be made based on this chart?

F 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. �

J Renewable energy sources arepredominantly used.

2050336

45 What is the greatest environmentalcost of hydroelectric power?

A Increased flooding downstreamB Fish kills due to the turbinesC Decreased species diversity in the new

lakeD Destruction of free-running rivers and

their ecosystems �

2050111

46 Which of these mineral propertiescannot be used to identify a mineral?

F LusterG HardnessH Mass �

J Streak

Oil 35%

Coal 27%

Solar, wind,hydroelectric 18%

Gas 17%

Nuclear power 3%


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2050395

47 The pictures show different stages inthe development of a river valley.Which picture shows the first stage ofdevelopment?

2049876

48

According to the above map, thelargest river basin in Virginia isdrained by the —

F Potomac-Shenandoah RiversG York RiverH James River �

J Roanoke River

A

B

C

D

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Simplified Map of Virginia River Basins

James RiverBasin

TennesseeRiverBasin

NewRiverBasin

RoanokeRiverBasin

ChowanRiverBasin

Big Sandy RiverBasin

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RiverBasin

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2184161

49 Ozone molecules protect Earth fromthe harmful effects of the sun by —

A insulating the temperature at the polesB condensing water particles in cloudsC regulating the heat from the sunD absorbing ultraviolet radiation �

2051139

50 Which image below best represents ourgalaxy?

F

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Answer KeyTest

SequenceCorrectAnswer

ReportingCategory Reporting Category Description

1 C 002 Geology

2 H 001 Scientific Investigation

3 A 002 Geology

4 H 004 Astronomy and Space Science

5 A 002 Geology


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


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


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


49 D 003 Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater

50 F 004 Astronomy and Space Science


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END OF COURSE EARTH SCIENCE - SolPass