Question 1

The_________ refers to the sum total of all life on Earth.

Accepted Answer

A)  geosphere 
B)  hydrosphere 
C)  atmosphere 
D)  biosphere 
A)  geosphere 
B)  hydrosphere 
C)  atmosphere 
D)  biosphere

Question 2

Sedimentary rocks with marine fossils are exposed at the top of Mt. Everest. Which scientists would make most use of this observation in their study?

Accepted Answer

A)  astronomers, because they can study how life came from outer space to Earth 
B)  geologists, because their elevation is related to physical geology and fossils are related to Earth history 
C)  oceanographers, because the fossils can tell us about periods when Earth was covered with water to the height of Mt. Everest 
D)  meteorologists, because they could use the fossils as a guide to ancient climates 
A)  astronomers, because they can study how life came from outer space to Earth 
B)  geologists, because their elevation is related to physical geology and fossils are related to Earth history 
C)  oceanographers, because the fossils can tell us about periods when Earth was covered with water to the height of Mt. Everest 
D)  meteorologists, because they could use the fossils as a guide to ancient climates

Question 3

The most prominent features on the ocean floor are the __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  lava plateaus 
B)  deep- ocean trenches 
C)  seamounts 
D)  oceanic ridges 
A)  lava plateaus 
B)  deep- ocean trenches 
C)  seamounts 
D)  oceanic ridges

Question 4

Continental shields and platforms represent _____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  areas in the interior of continents that have not experienced mountain building for billions of years 
B)  sedimentary basins with inland seas shaped like a shield, like Hudson's bay 
C)  names given to Paleozoic mountain belts 
D)  sites where continents collide, analogous to warriors clashing shields 
A)  areas in the interior of continents that have not experienced mountain building for billions of years 
B)  sedimentary basins with inland seas shaped like a shield, like Hudson's bay 
C)  names given to Paleozoic mountain belts 
D)  sites where continents collide, analogous to warriors clashing shields

Question 5

Which of the following layers in Earth has the highest density?

Accepted Answer

A)  lower mantle 
B)  lithosphere 
C)  asthenosphere 
D)  outer Core 
A)  lower mantle 
B)  lithosphere 
C)  asthenosphere 
D)  outer Core

Question 6

An_______________system is one in which energy moves freely in and out, but no matter enters or leaves the system.

Accepted Answer

A)  open 
B)  feedback 
C)  equilibrated 
D)  closed 
A)  open 
B)  feedback 
C)  equilibrated 
D)  closed

Question 7

Climate change is a well- known human created problem but there remains resistance to addressing the issue despite widespread scientific agreement on the issue. Although most scientists are familiar with the issues, if you were a congressman and wanted an informed analysis of the problem, which of the following would be most likely to give you the most complete analysis?

Accepted Answer

A)  a geologist with knowledge of astronomy 
B)  a physicist 
C)  an astronomer 
D)  a meteorologist with knowledge of oceanography 
A)  a geologist with knowledge of astronomy 
B)  a physicist 
C)  an astronomer 
D)  a meteorologist with knowledge of oceanography

Question 8

Earth's physical environment is traditionally divided in the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and the solid Earth. Remembering the scientific method, why do you think that scientists tend to categorize and classify various features, phenomena, and characteristics of the natural world into groups or subdivisions? Also, are there potential pitfalls or problems if we only consider the natural world as individual groups or categories rather than as a whole?

Accepted Answer

Categorizing and classifying is a way of

Question 9

Ocean floor averages about___________ km depth below sea level.

Accepted Answer

A)  2 
B)  6 
C)  4 
D)  8 
A)  2 
B)  6 
C)  4 
D)  8

Question 10

Shield areas in continental interiors are characterized by____________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  linear chains of mountains less than 100 million years old 
B)  ancient coastal regions that have become abandoned and eroded 
C)  flat river valleys that cut through older mountain ranges 
D)  flat areas that include rocks older than 1 billion years old 
A)  linear chains of mountains less than 100 million years old 
B)  ancient coastal regions that have become abandoned and eroded 
C)  flat river valleys that cut through older mountain ranges 
D)  flat areas that include rocks older than 1 billion years old

Question 11

Major mountain belts on Earth are _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  made of granite because it is low density and allows for maximum growth 
B)  over 10 km high 
C)  older than smaller mountain belts because they have had enough time to grow large 
D)  located around the Pacific Ocean 
A)  made of granite because it is low density and allows for maximum growth 
B)  over 10 km high 
C)  older than smaller mountain belts because they have had enough time to grow large 
D)  located around the Pacific Ocean

Question 12

The Oort cloud is_____________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  the asteroid belt 
B)  another name for the inner solar system, just before the Sun became hot enough for nuclear fusion 
C)  the outer solar system where planetesimals, rocky debris and comets orbit outside beyond the outer planets but cross into the inner solar system at times 
D)  an unusual type of cloud formed when meteorites strike Earth 
A)  the asteroid belt 
B)  another name for the inner solar system, just before the Sun became hot enough for nuclear fusion 
C)  the outer solar system where planetesimals, rocky debris and comets orbit outside beyond the outer planets but cross into the inner solar system at times 
D)  an unusual type of cloud formed when meteorites strike Earth

Question 13

Science is based on the assumption that nature behaves in a_____________ and manner.

Accepted Answer

A)  consistent; unpredictable 
B)  consistent; predictable 
C)  inconsistent; predictable 
D)  inconsistent; unpredictable 
A)  consistent; unpredictable 
B)  consistent; predictable 
C)  inconsistent; predictable 
D)  inconsistent; unpredictable

Question 14

Shields and stable platforms are typically found in the ________regions of a continent.

Accepted Answer

A)  subsurface 
B)  exterior 
C)  atmospheric 
D)  interior 
A)  subsurface 
B)  exterior 
C)  atmospheric 
D)  interior

Question 15

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Accepted Answer

A)  abyssal plain 
B)  continental crust 
C)  seamount 
D)  oceanic ridge 
A)  abyssal plain 
B)  continental crust 
C)  seamount 
D)  oceanic ridge

Question 16

The Andes Mountains in South America are formed as a result of __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  subduction 
B)  sea floor spreading 
C)  continental collision 
D)  back- arc contraction 
A)  subduction 
B)  sea floor spreading 
C)  continental collision 
D)  back- arc contraction

Question 17

Earthquakes are natural disasters. Which branch of the Earth sciences studies the impact of this phenomenon on coastal environments?

Accepted Answer

A)  meteorology 
B)  geology 
C)  oceanography 
D)  astronomy 
A)  meteorology 
B)  geology 
C)  oceanography 
D)  astronomy

Question 18

A mineralogist studies minerals and their origins. A mineralogist studying the Earth system would__________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  study how minerals form rocks 
B)  study how minerals influence organisms living on them, how they react with water to produce soil forming minerals, or study how wind transports minerals as dust and influences climate 
C)  do the same thing, studying minerals and their origins, as any other mineralogist 
D)  Minerals can never be used to study the Earth system. 
A)  study how minerals form rocks 
B)  study how minerals influence organisms living on them, how they react with water to produce soil forming minerals, or study how wind transports minerals as dust and influences climate 
C)  do the same thing, studying minerals and their origins, as any other mineralogist 
D)  Minerals can never be used to study the Earth system.

Question 19

Hurricanes and tornados are natural disasters. What branch of the Earth sciences studies the origin of these phenomena?

Accepted Answer

A)  meteorology 
B)  geology 
C)  oceanography 
D)  astronomy 
A)  meteorology 
B)  geology 
C)  oceanography 
D)  astronomy

Question 20

Oceanography is the study of the oceans and geology is the study of Earth, so what is meteorology?

Accepted Answer

A)  the study of meteors 
B)  the study of the Sun's impact on the upper atmosphere 
C)  the study of how to be a TV newscaster 
D)  the study of the atmosphere 
A)  the study of meteors 
B)  the study of the Sun's impact on the upper atmosphere 
C)  the study of how to be a TV newscaster 
D)  the study of the atmosphere

Exam 1: Introduction to Earth Science

The_________ refers to the sum total of all life on Earth.

Sedimentary rocks with marine fossils are exposed at the top of Mt. Everest. Which scientists would make most use of this observation in their study?

The most prominent features on the ocean floor are the __________.

Continental shields and platforms represent _____________.

Which of the following layers in Earth has the highest density?

An_______________system is one in which energy moves freely in and out, but no matter enters or leaves the system.

Ocean floor averages about___________ km depth below sea level.

Shield areas in continental interiors are characterized by____________ .

Major mountain belts on Earth are _________________.

The Oort cloud is_____________ .

Science is based on the assumption that nature behaves in a_____________ and manner.

Shields and stable platforms are typically found in the ________regions of a continent.

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

The Andes Mountains in South America are formed as a result of __________.

Earthquakes are natural disasters. Which branch of the Earth sciences studies the impact of this phenomenon on coastal environments?

A mineralogist studies minerals and their origins. A mineralogist studying the Earth system would__________ .

Hurricanes and tornados are natural disasters. What branch of the Earth sciences studies the origin of these phenomena?

Oceanography is the study of the oceans and geology is the study of Earth, so what is meteorology?

Matter and Minerals

Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth

Plate Tectonics: a Scientific Revolution Unfolds

Earthquakes and Earths Interior

Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity

Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building

Weathering, Soil, and Mass Movement

Running Water and Groundwater

Glaciers, Deserts, and Wind

Geologic Time

Earths Evolution Through Geologic Time

The Ocean Floor

Ocean Water and Ocean Life

The Dynamic Ocean

The Atmosphere: Composition, Structure, and Temperature

Moisture, Clouds, and Precipitation

Air Pressure and Wind

Weather Patterns and Severe Storms

World Climates and Global Climate Change

Origins of Modern Astronomy

Touring Our Solar System

Light, Telescopes, and the Sun

Beyond Our Solar System

Filters