Praxis II Science 5005
An air mass that originates over a large body of water near the equator is most likely to be described as: a. cold and humid. b. warm and humid. c. cold and dry. d. warm and dry.
B
A local farmer cuts down a population of trees next to a river so that he can plant a field of crops. Which of the following will be the most likely result because of the loss of trees next to the river? a. an increase of soil erosion into the river b. an increase in wildlife population along the river c. an increase of natural waste into the river d. a decrease in the amount of water in the river
a
Our solar system contains many components. Which object is at the center of the solar system? a. sun b. Jupiter c. Earth d. asteroid belt
a
Pieces of broken rock often become cemented together to form a new rock. This rock is referred to as: a. a sedimentary rock. b. an igneous rock. c. an oceanic rock. d. a fossilized rock.
a
What is the correct sequence of the four layers of the Earth's atmosphere starting with the layer farthest from the Earth moving closer to the surface? a. thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere b. mesosphere, thermosphere, stratosphere, troposphere c. thermosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere d. troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
a
What period of time can be measured by one rotation of the Earth on its axis? a. one day b. one year c. one month d. one decade
a
When a meteorologist says: "The humidity is very high in Houston, Texas, today," what is he referring to? a. amount of moisture in the air b. amount of precipitation expected for the day c. barometric pressure d. wind strength
a
Which celestial body has the biggest effect on Earth's tides? a. the moon b. Neptune c. Mercury d. the sun
a
Which natural phenomenon is caused by the gravitational pull of the moon toward Earth? a. ocean tides b. global winds c. earthquakes d. tsunamis
a
Which of the following best describes the conditions of a full moon? a. A full moon occurs when the Earth is between the sun and the moon. b. A full moon occurs once every two lunar cycles. c. A full moon occurs when the moon is between the sun and the Earth. d. A full moon occurs when half the moon is illuminated by the sun.
a
Which of the following causes the Coriolis Effect? a. the rotation of the Earth b. the magnitude of a star c. the gravitational pull of the Earth d. the asteroid belt
a
Which of the following is a major difference between the Earth and the sun? a. size b. shape c. rotation on an axis d. internal temperature higher than surface temperature
a
Which of the following is true about the carbon cycle? a. Carbon may become part of sedimentary rock and enter the rock cycle. b. Carbon may be released into the atmosphere through photosynthesis. c. Bacteria remove carbon from the atmosphere while decaying organisms. d. Carbon may become compressed under the weight of many layers of the Earth, rendering it useless to humans.
a
Which of the following naturally occurs on Earth in its solid state? a. water b. nitrogen c. helium d. oxygen
a
Which of the following statements correctly compares a gallon of water in a bucket to the water vapor after the water in the bucket evaporates? a. The water in the bucket and the water vapor have the same amount of mass because only the state of the water changed. b. The water in the bucket has less mass because it takes up less space than the water vapor. c. The water vapor has a greater mass because it is farther away from the center of the Earth than the water in the bucket. d. The water in the bucket has a greater mass than the water vapor because the water vapor is a gas.
a
A year on Earth is approximately 365 days, while a year on Venus takes about 224 Earth days, and a year on Mars takes about 687 Earth days. What causes the number of days in a year on each of these planets to differ from one another? a. different compositions b. different distances c. different shapes d. different climates
b
As the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate bump past one another, energy is built and stored as potential energy. When that energy is released, what event is most likely to occur? a. trench formation b. an earthquake c. mountain formation d. volcanic eruption
b
Kevin enjoys watching an eclipse. What caused the lunar eclipse he observed tonight? a. The moon had revolved around the sun to the opposite side from the Earth. b. The Earth moved directly in between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun's light from fully hitting the moon. c. The moon had revolved around the Earth to the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. d. The moon lined up directly between the Earth and the sun.
b
Ms. Kubis takes her science class on a nature walk. On their walk, they see clouds which cause a halo effect around the sun. Ms. Kubis tells her students to prepare for rain or snow. Which type of cloud have they seen? a. altocumulus b. cirrostratus c. cumulus d. stratus
b
Of the following, which describes an abyssal plain? a. a submarine ridge composed of coral or rocks b. a flat region or plain on the ocean floor c. a large inlet of the ocean d. a fan-shaped deposit of sediment at the mouth or opening of a canyon or river
b
Of the following, which is thought to be the biggest contributor to the warming of the Earth's atmosphere since the 19th century? a. the increase of solar radiation and solar flares b. increasing carbon emissions into the atmosphere c. changing ocean currents d. decreasing atmospheric pressure
b
Schist is a layered substance. It contains layers visible to the naked eye. The layers are made of various minerals and substances such as muscovite. What type of substance is schist? a. gas b. rock c. element d. mineral
b
The uneven heating of the Earth results in which of the following? a. The melting of polar ice caps. b. Deserts commonly found near the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. c. Large ice sheets found between 66.5 degrees north latitude and 66.5 degrees south latitude. d. Deserts commonly found near the equator.
b
Three seismometers are spread around the Earth. After an earthquake, what might scientists use these to locate? a. the fault b. the epicenter c. the focus d. the seismic waves
b
What device is used to measure the magnitude of an Earthquake? a. Richter scale b. seismometer c. seismogram d. focus locator
b
What period of time can be measured by one revolution of the Earth around the sun? a. one decade b. one year c. one day d. one month
b
What period of time can be measured by roughly one revolution of the moon around the Earth? a. one decade b. one month c. one year d. one day
b
Which celestial body has the biggest effect on Earth's tides? a. Mercury b. the moon c. Neptune d. the sun
b
Which list has the layers of the Earth in the correct order, from center outward? a. crust, mantle, outer core, inner core b. inner core, outer core, mantle, crust c outer core, inner core, mantle, crust d. core, mantle, crust, outer crust
b
Which of the following bodies of water is used for the passage of boats from one large body of water to another? a. bay b. canal c. gulf d. strait
b
Which of the following is a list of planets? a. Titan, Phobos, and Deimos b. Mars, Venus, and Saturn c. Sirius, Rigel, and Betelgeuse d. Andromeda, Whirlpool, and Triangulum
b
Which of the following is a stationary body of water? a. glacier b. lake c. stream d. river
b
Which of the following is almost always composed of freshwater? a. bay b. reservoir c. sea d. gulf
b
Which of the following is primarily a result of the Earth's tilt on its axis? a. the length of a year b. seasons c. Earth's distance from the Sun d. day and night
b
Which of the following lists Earth's eons in the correct order from most ancient to most recent? a. Hadean, Archean, Phanerozoic, Proterozoic b. Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Phanerozoic c. Phanerozoic, Proterozoic, Archean, Hadean d. Proterozoic, Phanerozoic, Archean, Hadean
b
Which of the following rocks are formed from molten material? a. metamorphic b. igneous c. sedimentary d. shale
b
Which of the following types of stars is a large, relatively cool star with a small core that fuses helium into carbon? a. pulsar b. red giant c. blue giant d. neutron star
b
Which of the following would be the most appropriate occasion for a scientist to use carbon dating? a. to determine the age of a piece of brick b. to determine the age of a newly-discovered fossil c. to determine the lifespan of a marine organism d. to determine the age of a sample of copper
b
All bodies of water must be: a. liquid. b. landlocked. c. composed of either saltwater or freshwater. d. flowing.
c
Global weather patterns or short-term climatic changes can be impacted by which of the following? a. changes in local winds and air pressure b. changes in riverbanks and small landforms c. changes in global winds and ocean currents d. changes in star patterns and constellations
c
Which of the following statements is true regarding the Earth's materials and the different states of matter? a. The Earth's materials are all in a gaseous state. b. The Earth's materials are all in a solid state. c. The Earth's materials are all in a liquid state. d. The Earth's materials can be in any one of the three states of matter.
d
About how long does each of the four main phases of the lunar cycle last? a. one day b. one quarter c. one month d. one week
d
Climate is different than weather because weather: a. depends on the angle of the sun's rays. b. is the measurement of air movement. c. is the average weather conditions for an extended period of time. d. changes on a daily basis.
d
In which layer of the atmosphere does weather occur? a. stratosphere b. thermosphere c. mesosphere d. troposphere
d
Janeth is at the lake with her friends on a beautiful day. By evening, she and her friends are hurrying towards shelter from an oncoming thunderstorm. What is the most likely cause of this sudden thunderstorm? a. An occluded front has moved into the area and brought rain with it. b. The thunderheads were brought north from the equator due to the Coriolis Effect. c. A surface current in the lake has carried cold water to the shore. This water has evaporated and re-condensed into thunderheads. d. A cold air front has met a warm air front and forced the warm air up. The moisture in the air condensed into thunderheads.
d
Jonathan compared the length of daylight in the United States during the months of December, February, and June. The amount of daylight increased with each observation, with December having the fewest hours of daylight and June having the most. Which of the following statements is an accurate explanation for the results of this observation? a. In December, the Earth is turned away from the sun, causing fewer hours in its rotation. b. The atmospheric gases are denser in the winter, causing the sun's light to be blocked most of the day. c. During the summer, the Earth is closer to the sun, making the light seem brighter. d. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun in the summer months.
d
Mr. Crane, a geologist, studies glacial movement. These slow-moving sheets of ice provide needed resources for many organisms. What could be an immediate environmental impact if the temperatures of the glaciers were increased to 5° Celsius? a. weathering of the ice b. continental drift causing Earthquakes c. global warming d. flooding of ecosystems
d
The tilt of the Earth causes a. gravitational attraction. b. the tides. c. magnetic fields. d. the seasons.
d
What powers the ocean's surface currents? a. temperature variations in the ocean, plastics pollution, and the movement of the tides b. atmospheric pressure, geothermal vents, and the gravitational pull of the moon c. the path of watercraft, the migration patterns of marine organisms, and wind currents d. wind currents, the uneven heating of Earth's surface, and the shape of landforms on Earth
d
Which natural phenomenon is caused by the gravitational pull of the moon toward Earth? a. earthquakes b. tsunamis c. global winds d. ocean tides
d
Which of the following activities can contribute to an increase in the carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere? I. the burning of fossil fuels II. volcanic activity III. condensation a. I and III b. I, II, and III c. II and III d. I and II
d
Which of the following causes the lunar cycle as observed from Earth? a. the orbit of the sun around the moon b. the reflection of Earth's light onto the moon c. the orbit of Earth around the sun d. the orbit of the moon around the Earth
d
Which of the following is a primary way carbon dioxide is naturally taken out of the atmosphere? a. dissolution b. cellular respiration c. subduction d. photosynthesis
d
Which of the following is a transitory phase of the lunar cycle? a. new moon b. full moon c. third quarter d. waxing crescent
d
Which of the following is not considered a greenhouse gas? a. carbon dioxide b. methane c. water d. oxygen
d
Which of the following statements is NOT likely to happen to precipitation once it reaches the Earth? a. Precipitation can soak into the ground and collect as groundwater. b. Precipitation can be frozen in the form of a glacier. c. Precipitation can move across the surface and flow toward bodies of water as run-off. d. Precipitation can create air currents.
d
Comets are composed of: a. gas, dust, and ice. b. only dust. c. only ice. d. only gas.
a
As humans burn more and more fossil fuels on Earth, the amount of carbon dioxide trapped in the atmosphere increases, causing the average temperature of the Earth to: a. decrease only during the winter. b. increase. c. increase only during the winter. d. decrease.
b
Ms. Kubis takes her science class on a nature walk. On their walk, they spot cirrus clouds. What does this type of cloud indicate? a. A jet plane has flown by recently. b. The students can expect a snow day the next day. c. A thunderstorm is incoming. d. There is an impending change in the weather
d
Of the following, which describes a sound? a. a submarine ridge composed of coral or rocks b. a flat region or plain on the ocean floor c. a fan-shaped deposit of sediment at the mouth or opening of a canyon or river d. a large inlet of the ocean
d
Pam and Vanessa looked through a telescope at two stars next to one another. The stars were equally as bright, but one was red and one was orange. Which of the following is the best explanation for the difference in the color of the stars? a. the stars are different distances away b. the stars have different atmospheric gases c. the stars are in different galaxies d. the stars have different surface temperatures
d
The three major climatic zones of the Earth include: a. tropical, temperate, and polar. b. a psychrometer, and anemometer, and a barometer. c. the position of cold fronts, any areas of high pressure, and the wind speed. d. rain, snow, and sleet.
A
Which of the following are examples of physical weathering? Select all answers that apply. a. Surface materials are removed from a rock by erosion and the pressure on the rock decreases. The rock expands and fractures. b. Hydrolysis of feldspar when it combines with water to form clay. c. Rocks are moved from one location to another by water flowing downhill. d. Rocks lifted by swift water fall down and strike other rocks, breaking off tiny pieces.
a, d
The water cycle includes: Select all answers that apply. a. evaporation. b. conduction. c. condensation. d. transpiration.
a,c,d,
A school's PTA volunteered to make outside improvements to the school. A pile of sand and river rock was delivered to the school for the repair of the playground. After a week of rain, the river rock was still piled high, but the sand was no longer in a pile. What could have happened to the sand? a. erosion b. weathering c. evaporation d. sedimentation
a.
Of the following, which is a sedimentary rock? a. shale b. schist c. basalt d. obsidian
a.
Of the following, which is most likely the result of plate tectonics? a. an earthquake b. seasonal flooding of the Ganges River c. a hurricane d. a tornado
a.
On average, the majority of soil is made up of: a. rocks and minerals. b. water. c. dead organisms. d. living organisms.
a.
Scientists believe that Earth formed through the collision and gradual accumulation of smaller particles into larger bodies. What is this process called? a. accretion b. deposition c. compilation d. collection
a.
The Earth is divided into four layers: the crust, the mantle, the outer core, and the: a. inner core. b. outer-inner core. c. middle core. d. crustal core.
a.
The atmosphere surrounding Earth is composed of approximately 78% nitrogen. How do multicellular organisms obtain this atmospheric nitrogen? a. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria release it into the soil. b. Surface water is absorbed into the ground, releasing nitrogen. c. Plants absorb atmospheric nitrogen from the air. d. Condensation of nitrogen drops from the clouds.
a.
The outer layers of the Earth are broken into pieces that shift and move. What are these pieces of crust called? a. plates b. mantle c. core d. faults
a.
With which of the following substances could radiometric carbon dating be used? a. a leather sandal thought to be from 45,000 BCE b. an arrowhead thought to be from 1,200 BCE c. a ceramic vase thought to be from 1,000 BCE d. a piece of petrified wood thought to be from 80,000 BCE
a.
Michelle enjoys watching an eclipse. What caused the solar eclipse she observed today? a. The moon had revolved around the sun to the opposite side from the Earth. b. The Earth lined up directly between the moon and the sun. c. The moon moved directly in between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun's light from fully hitting the Earth. d. The moon had revolved around the Earth to the opposite side of the Earth from the sun.
c
Ms. Kubis takes her science class on a nature walk. On their walk, they spot a cumulonimbus cloud in the distance. What does this type of cloud indicate? a. Nothing; these clouds are made from the exhaust of jet planes. b. There is a mountain nearby causing the cloud's interesting shape. c. Severe weather is on the way. d. Fair weather can be expected for the rest of the afternoon.
c
Sometimes, rocks are drawn into the Earth and experience a great deal of heat and pressure and turned into a different kind of rock. Rocks can also be subjected to chemicals which change the rock's composition. What type of rock has undergone one of these changes? a. composite b. igneous c. metamorphic d. sedimentary
c
Symbols on a meteorologist's weather map are best used to show: a. rotation of the Earth. b. location of the asteroid belt. c. wind movement. d. composition of comets.
c
The Earth's atmosphere is mainly composed of oxygen and which of the following elements? a. carbon dioxide b. helium c. nitrogen d. hydrogen
c
The Earth's outer layer is divided into sections called plates. These plates essentially float around on the mantle of the Earth. If two continent boundaries collide with one another, Earth's crust is pushed together. Which of the following best describes the result of the collision? a. a reservoir b. a magnetic field c. mountains d. rift valleys
c
The climate in a specific location is affected the most by: a. atmospheric pressure, amount of vegetation, and roughness of terrain. b. rock type, water type, and carbon dioxide concentration. c. latitude, elevation, and ocean currents. d. wind speed, landforms, and water salt content.
c
The volcanic eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 deposited a large amount of ash in the local atmosphere. Which of the following changes to the Earth's system was reflected in the aftermath of the explosion? a. decreased solar reflection that resulted in lower temperatures in the affected areas b. decreased solar reflection that resulted in higher temperatures in the affected areas c. increased solar reflection that resulted in lower temperatures in the affected areas d. increased solar reflection that resulted in higher temperatures in the affected areas
c
What is the correct sequence of the four layers of the Earth's atmosphere starting with the layer closest to the Earth moving outward into outer space? a. mesosphere, thermosphere, stratosphere, troposphere b. thermosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere c. troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere d. thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere
c
When the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, it can either partially or totally block the sun's light, keeping it from reaching the Earth's surface. Which of the following options best describes this phenomenon? a. structural interference b. a lunar eclipse c. a solar eclipse d. atmospheric interference
c
Where is the majority of nitrogen on Earth? a. rocks b. trees c. the atmosphere d. animal waste
c
Which of the following best describes nimbostratus clouds? a. large, towering clouds which indicate thunderstorms and severe weather b. layered, patchy clouds which indicate fair weather c. dark, misty clouds which cover the whole sky and indicate rain or snow d. clouds with a fluffy, cotton-like appearance which indicate fair weather
c
Which of the following geological processes is most likely to move rock from below the surface of the Earth to the surface? a. tectonic shifting b. weathering c. volcanic activity d. the water cycle
c
Which of the following human activities is least likely to alter the environment? a. dumping waste into the rivers and streams b. spilling oil in the ocean c. overwatering the lawn d. emitting pollution into the atmosphere
c
Which of the following impacts from bodies of water would be considered a constructive process? a. acid rain forming a "gnarled rock" from limestone b. erosion of soil in Yellowstone National Park c. sediment deposition at the mouth of a river d. the formation of the Grand Canyon by the Colorado River
c
Which of the following is an inner planet? a. Uranus b. Jupiter c. Mercury d. Neptune
c
Which of the following is not a type of galaxy? a. spiral b. elliptical c. regular d. irregular
c
Which of the following is not used by scientists to determine the history of life on Earth? a. comparative anatomy b. carbon dating c. hydrolysis of water d. similarities in DNA
c
Which of the following is one way carbon is returned to the atmosphere? a. subduction b. photosynthesis c. cellular respiration d. deposition
c
Which of the following is primarily a result of the Earth's rotation around its axis? a. Earth's distance from the Sun b. seasons c. day and night d. the length of a year
c
Which of the following is the Coriolis Effect most likely to influence? a. the amount of radiation from the sun reaching the surface of the Earth b. the duration of a tsunami c. the circulation pattern of global winds d. the humidity of a European air mass
c
Which of the following is the most important rationale for the scientific study of Mars? a. gaining access to rare or exotic resources b. investigating the existence of intelligent life c. understanding the evolution of the solar system d. establishing a colony for humans
c
Which of the following refers to the amount of light emitted by a star? a. differentiation b. composition c. absolute magnitude d. temperature
c
Which of the following statements regarding weather and climate is true? a. Weather and climate are more or less the same. b. Weather happens over a long period of time (many years), and climate happens today. c. Weather happens today, and climate happens over a long period of time. d. Weather is the average climatic conditions.
c
Which of the following takes place at a transform plate boundary? a. Adjacent plates move toward one another. b. Adjacent plates move away from one another. c. Adjacent plates move sideways relative to one another. d. One plate moves over another nearby plate.
c
A weatherman on the local news is describing a cold front reaching and pushing up warm air later in the day. Which of the following is the weatherman most likely explaining? Select all answers that apply. a. the development of clear, calm skies b. an increase in air pressure c. the development of thunderstorm clouds d. the likelihood of rain
c, d
The Earth's outer layer is divided into sections called plates. These plates essentially float around on the mantle of the Earth, which is a rock layer underneath the crust. As these plates move around, constructive forces can cause the boundaries between the plates to pull apart. Which of the following best describes the result of this constructive force? Select all answers that apply. a. deltas b. weathering c. rift valleys d. ridges
c,d
Of the following scenarios, which would be appropriate for use of the Mohs scale? a. An astronomer needs to classify a newly-discovered star. b. A geologist needs to record the magnitude of an earthquake. c. A field scientist needs to identify an unknown mineral. d. A meteorologist needs to categorize a tornado.
c.
The five components of soil are mineral components, organic material, water, gases, and: a. fossil fuels b. dead grass c. living organisms d. large chunks of rock
c.
Which of the following statements regarding meteorites is true? a. Meteorites are comets that have fallen out of their orbit. b. Meteorites are mainly composed of gas. c. Meteorites are the center of the universe. d. Meteorites are meteors that actually strike the Earth.
d
Which of the following would be the most effective strategy to reduce greenhouse gases? a. increasing the number of smokestacks to reduce emission per stack b. adding lime to lakes that are highly acidic c. developing greater irrigation for crops d. reducing the use of fossil fuels
d
There are three different types of rocks: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Over time, each of these rock types can be transformed into one of the other rock types. For example, if limestone which is a type of sedimentary rock is exposed to high heat, it can be transformed into marble, which is a metamorphic rock. This process of rocks changing from one form into another form is typically referred to as: a. the rock process. b. the rock cementation. c. the rock transformation. d. the rock cycle.
d.
Which of the following is not true regarding global warming and climate change? a. Global warming is a result of the greenhouse effect. b. Climate change can cause the polar ice caps to melt. c. Global warming is the same as global climate change. d. Temperatures around the world are universally increasing.
d.
