1. Understands the layers and surface features (landforms) of Earth and uses topographic maps and satellite imaging to analyze constructive and destructive processes that produce geologic change.
2. Understands the form and function of surface and subsurface water (e.g., watershed, aquifer).
3. Applies knowledge of the composition and structure of the atmosphere and its properties, including characteristics that allow life to exist.
4. Demonstrates an understanding of the interactions that occur among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.
5. Applies knowledge of how human activity and natural processes, both gradual and catastrophic, can alter earth and ocean systems.
6. Identifies the sources of energy (e.g., solar, geothermal, wind, hydroelectric, biofuels) in earth systems and describes mechanisms of energy transfer (e.g., conduction, convection, radiation).

1. Understands the rock cycle and how rocks, minerals, fossil fuels and soils are formed.
2. Understands the water cycle and its relationship to weather processes; how the sun and the ocean interact in the water cycle.
3. Understands the nutrient (e.g., carbon, nitrogen) cycle and its relationship to earth systems.
4. Applies knowledge of how human and natural processes affect earth systems.
5. Understands the dynamic interactions that occur among the various cycles in the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

1. Understands the elements of weather (e.g., humidity, wind speed, pressure, temperature) and how they are measured.
2. Compares and contrasts weather and climate.
3. Analyzes weather charts and data to make weather predictions based on local and global patterns.
4. Applies knowledge of how transfers of energy among earth systems affect weather and climate.
5. Analyzes how Earth's position, orientation and surface features affect weather and climate.

1. Understands the properties and characteristics of celestial objects.
2. Applies knowledge of the earth-moon-sun system and the interactions among them (e.g., seasons, lunar phases, eclipses).
3. Identifies properties of the components of the solar system, including systems that allow life to exist.
4. Recognizes characteristics of stars, nebulae and galaxies and their distribution in the universe.
5. Demonstrates an understanding of scientific theories of the origin of the universe.

1. Understands the scope of the geologic time scale and its relationship to geologic processes.
2. Demonstrates an understanding of theories about the earth's origin and geologic history.
3. Demonstrates an understanding of how tectonic forces have shaped landforms over time.
4. Understands the formation of fossils and the importance of the fossil record in explaining the earth's history.

1. Mountain ranges
2. Barrier islands
3. Fjords
4. Atolls

1. Hydrogen
2. Helium
3. Carbon dioxide
4. Water vapor

1. Slate
2. Granite
3. Shale
4. Limestone

1. Fujita
2. Mohs
3. Saffir-Simpson
4. Richter

1. dew point.
2. triple point.
3. relative humidity.
4. heat index.

1. cumulus clouds.
2. cumulonimbus clouds.
3. nimbostratus clouds.
4. cirrus clouds.

1. The Sun is one of the largest known stars in the universe.
2. Neptune is farther from the Sun than any of the other planets.
3. Although Jupiter has the largest diameter of the planets, it has a smaller mass than Earth, since it is composed largely of hydrogen and helium.
4. Since Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, all of its surface is always at an extremely high temperature.

1. A large asteroid that is almost the size of a planet
2. A small comet as it approaches the Sun
3. A late stage in the life cycle of a low-mass star
4. The precursor to a black hole

1. Since the half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years, radiocarbon dating methods are limited to about 60,000 years.
2. Radiometric dating is a relative dating method that infers the age of a fossil by noting the relative position of the rock layer in which it is found.
3. Radiometric dating is based on measuring current solar output and comparing it to the amount of carbon in plant fossils that was produced by photosynthesis in the past.
4. Radiometric dating is dangerous, since the researcher is exposed to high doses of radiation.

F Star formation begins in a nebula.

G White dwarfs become main-sequence stars when they gain mass.

H Supergiants are stars that can absorb black holes.

J Main-sequence stars are formed by comets.

Why does autumn start in different months of the year in North America and South America?

A Earth’s orbit around the sun is not a perfect circle.

B North America has a larger landmass than South America.

C The moon has a greater pull on South America than on North America.

D Earth’s axis has a 23.5° tilt.

F They are along a transform plate boundary that is no longer active, so erosion is creating deep valleys.

G They are along a transform plate boundary in which plates are currently moving side by side, causing earthquakes and faults.

H They are along a plate boundary in which plates are currently converging, causing uplift and steep slopes.

J They are along a plate boundary in which plates diverged in the distant past, allowing new rock to build up.

F Barnard’s Star

G Wolf 359

H Sirius A

J Ross 248

A Full, waning gibbous, third quarter

B Full, waning gibbous, first quarter, waning crescent

C Full, new, waning gibbous

D Full, waxing gibbous, new, waning crescent

F Offshore oil drilling, because water in dead zones is toxic

G Commercial fishing, because fish cannot survive without oxygen

H Commercial shipping, because dead zones change the course of ocean currents J Sand mining, because oxygen is not available to form the sands on ocean beaches

A Area M

B Area X

C Area P

D Area Z

B Gravity

C Inertia

D Potential energy

F condensation of water vapor

G surface runoff of precipitation

H conservation of water

J pollution of groundwater

F Waxing crescent moon

G Waxing gibbous moon

H Waning crescent moon

J Waning gibbous moon

A Barnard’s Star is less bright than the sun, has a surface temperature below 3,800 K, and is red.

B Barnard’s Star is less bright than the sun, has a surface temperature above 3,800 K, and is red.

C Barnard’s Star is brighter than the sun, has a surface temperature below 5,300 K, and is yellow.

D Barnard’s Star is brighter than the sun, has a surface temperature above 5,300 K, and is yellow.

A no longer tilted on its axis

B stopped rotating on its axis

C took an additional month to orbit the sun

D revolved around the sun in the opposite direction

A The sun is much larger than the other stars.

B The sun is much hotter than the other stars.

C The sun is much more dense than the other stars.

D The sun is much closer than the other stars.

F Electromagnetic attraction between the sun and Venus

G Gravitational attraction between the sun and Venus

H Electromagnetic attraction between Mercury and Venus

J Gravitational attraction between Mercury and Venus

F Main-sequence stars

G Giants

H White dwarfs

J Supergiants

This discovery provides evidence of —

F coastal erosion

G plate tectonics

H ocean currents

J glacial melting

Sand is sometimes removed from the ship channel through a process called dredging to make it easier for ships to travel through. Recently sand from the bottom of the channel was moved to area beaches. Without this transfer of sand, what would most likely occur in this area in the future?

A The ship channel would become deeper, and the island would move west toward the mainland.

B The ship channel would become shallower, and the beach would become narrower.

C The ship channel would become narrower, and the island would become completely covered with water.

D The ship channel would become wider, and the island would sink into the Gulf of Mexico.

Which of these best compares the conditions at Location X and Location Y?

F It is day at Location X and night at Location Y.

G It is winter at Location X and summer at Location Y.

H There are more hours of daylight at Location X than at Location Y.

J The moon is brighter when viewed from Location X than when viewed from Location Y.

Based on these data, what part of the lunar cycle occurred between January 5 and January 7?

F Waxing crescent moon

G Waning crescent moon

H Full moon

J New moon

The rising magma that can result from this type of plate movement may produce —

F fossil layers

G volcanic islands

H deep-sea sediment

J seafloor spreading

The Northern Hemisphere experiences the beginning of spring when Earth is in —

F Position 1

G Position 2

H Position 3

J Position 4

What was the change in elevation, to the nearest ten meters, for the family that took the steepest path to Point X?

Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the correct place value.

Which moon phase most likely occurs at the time in the cycle represented by an X on the graph?

Based on the map, which area probably produced the most violent storm systems?

A Area 1

B Area 2

C Area 3

D Area 4

Which student described these two celestial bodies correctly? F Student 1

G Student 2

H Student 3

J Student 4

Four students were asked to identify the geologic process that caused this mountain range to form. Their responses are shown below.

Which student correctly identified the geologic process that formed the Himalayan mountains?

F Student 1

G Student 2

H Student 3

J Student 4

Which pair of diagrams shows the moon’s phase immediately before and immediately after this phase?

Why are there significantly more thunderstorms in Florida than in California?

A The state of Florida is smaller than the state of California.

B The air in Florida is more stable than the air in California.

C The air above Florida holds less moisture than the air above California.

D The ocean currents near Florida are warmer than the ocean currents near California.

What plate boundary feature is also shown?

F A ridge formed by an inactive convergent boundary

G A valley forming at an active divergent boundary

H A fault forming at an active transform boundary

J A volcano formed by an active transform boundary

Based on this diagram, how do the characteristics of Star 1 and Star 2 compare? F Star 1 is cooler and less bright than Star 2. G Star 1 is hotter and brighter than Star 2.

H Star 1 is cooler and brighter than Star 2.

J Star 1 is hotter and less bright than Star 2.

Which area of the coastline has most likely experienced the greatest effect of erosion from waves over hundreds of years?

F Area N

G Area P

H Area S

J Area T

What lunar phase occurred on July 4, 1776? F Waning gibbous

G Waxing gibbous

H Waning crescent

J Waxing crescent

What do these volcanoes indicate about plate tectonics in the region?

F The volcanoes form an island arc, indicating a converging plate boundary.

G The volcanoes form a line, indicating a diverging plate boundary.

H Two plates are moving past each other, causing faulting and magma formation.

J Two plates are moving apart, creating new seafloor.

What height in meters must the student climb in order to reach the top of the hill? Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the correct place value.

A Denver, because it is raining there

B Minneapolis, because a cold front is approaching

C Atlanta, because a warm front is approaching

D Houston, because it is in a high-pressure area

G A planet has less mass than a galaxy and more mass than the star it orbits.

H A galaxy has less mass than a moon and more mass than a planet.

J A star has less mass than a galaxy and more mass than a planet.

F The sun is a different color than the runaway star.

G The sun is older than the runaway star.

H The sun is closer to Earth than the runaway star.

J The sun is made of different elements than the runaway star.

Which map best predicts the likely movement of land along the fault line over thousands of years?

A The length of the seasons would be shorter.

B The length of the seasons would be longer.

C The length of a day would be shorter.

D The length of a day would be longer.

A the composition of a planet’s atmosphere B the gravitational attraction that exists between all bodies

C the attraction of opposite poles of a magnet to each other

D the formation of comets

A star that is several thousand times brighter than the sun with a temperature lower than 4,000 K would be classified as —

A a main-sequence star in spectral class B

B a supergiant in spectral class K

C a main-sequence star in spectral class K or M

D a white dwarf in spectral class B

A February 5, March 7, April 5, May 4

B February 15, March 17, April 15, May 14

C February 25, March 27, April 25, May 24

D February 29, March 31, April 29, May 28

Which diagram shows the objects arranged so that a new moon would be visible from Earth?

F Planets, stars, galaxies, nebulae

G Nebulae, stars, planets, galaxies

H Galaxies, stars, planets, nebulae

J Planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies

Which statement best describes the relative motions of the Pacific and Nazca plates?

F The Pacific and Nazca plates are both moving to the east.

G The Pacific and Nazca plates are both moving to the west.

H The Pacific plate is moving to the west, and the Nazca plate is moving to the east.

J The Pacific plate is moving to the east, and the Nazca plate is moving to the west.

If Star X is 50 times as far from the sun as Wolf 359 is, how far is Star X from the sun, to the nearest light-year?

Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the correct place value.

How do the industrial, agricultural, and residential activities of humans most likely affect the groundwater in the area?

F The activities prevent most of the water from evaporating into the atmosphere.

G Pollutants from the activities percolate through the soil and enter the water table.

H The activities replace the groundwater used.

J All of the above

Which of these is closest to the difference in elevation between the locations of the ranger and the injured hiker?

F 2,050 m

G 450 m

H 910 m

J 3,650 m

In which position is it winter in North America?

F Position 1, because North America receives the most direct sun

G Position 2, because North America is tilted toward the sun

H Position 3, because North America is parallel to the sun

J Position 4, because North America is tilted away from the sun

A Rift valleys form where a continental plate moves under an oceanic plate.

B Rift valleys form where a plate slides horizontally past another plate.

C Rift valleys form where two plates move away from each other.

D Rift valleys form where an oceanic plate moves under another oceanic plate.

A The sun appears yellow, which is more visible than other colors.

B The sun is much closer to Earth than other stars are.

C Other stars are made up of different gases than the sun is.

D As light from other stars travels through space, it gets reflected.

Which of the following diagrams shows the next four moon phases in the correct order?

What type of object were astronomers most likely observing?

F A comet

G An asteroid

H A meteor

J A nebula

A satellite picture of this same area taken weeks before shows that the shape and location of some sand dunes have changed.

Which of these most likely caused the changes in the dunes?

F Ocean waves

G Flowing rivers

H Blowing wind

J Crustal uplift

Which statement best describes conditions for Earth at Position 1 in the diagram?

F There are an equal number of hours of daylight and nighttime in the Northern Hemisphere, and the North Pole is tilted away from the sun.

G The Northern Hemisphere has the fewest hours of daylight, and Earth’s axis does not tilt at this position.

H There are an equal number of hours of daylight and nighttime in the Northern Hemisphere because Earth’s axis is not tilted in this position.

J The Northern Hemisphere has the fewest hours of daylight, and the North Pole is tilted away from the sun.

Based on the map, volcanic activity would most likely be found at —

F Location W

G Location X

H Location Y

J Location Z

If there is a third-quarter moon on July 2, what is the approximate date of the next full moon?

A July 9

B July 16

C July 23

D July 30

If Typhoon Nesat had continued along the same path, which development would most likely have reduced its strength before it hit Hanoi?

A The formation of a low-pressure area south of Bangkok

B The formation of a high-pressure area south of Bangkok

C Cool water moving into the sea east of Hanoi

D Warm water moving into the sea east of Hanoi

Based on the diagram, what spectral class does Barnard’s Star belong to?

A Spectral class O

B Spectral class B

C Spectral class A

D Spectral class M

The student explains that this path is the result of —

F the magnetic attraction between Earth and the sun

G potential energy stored in Earth that originated in the sun

H the gravitational attraction between the sun and Earth

J electromagnetic energy from the sun pulling on Earth

Based on the information, which star is most like the sun?

F Star 1

G Star 2

H Star 3

J Star 4

Which event can the students best demonstrate with their model?

A An earthquake

B A volcanic eruption

C Formation of a rift valley

D Building up of a mountain

Which set of conditions best describes the weather at the area of lowest air pressure?

A Bright sun with no wind

B Partly cloudy with no wind

C Mostly sunny with light winds

D Overcast skies with strong winds

Which numbered diagram represents the student modeling a full moon?

A Diagram 1

B Diagram 2

C Diagram 3

D Diagram 4

Which statement about the proposed law is supported by the model?

A The proposed law will protect the lake because plant roots between the wetland and the lake will stop pollution from entering the lake.

B The proposed law will not protect the lake because animals that live in or near the lake will add pollution to the lake.

C The proposed law will not protect the lake because groundwater will carry pollution from the wetland directly into the lake.

D The proposed law will protect the lake because the high elevation of the water table will block pollution from entering the lake.

Which two riverbanks are the steepest?

A W and X

B Y and Z

C X and Y

D W and Z

A A cloud of gas that is the birthplace of stars

B A system of billions of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity

C A ball of plasma that experiences nuclear fusion in its core

D A mass of dust and ice that orbits a star in an elliptical pattern

Which statement is true when Earth is in the position shown?

F It is August in the Northern Hemisphere. It is April in the Southern Hemisphere.

G It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It is winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

H The number of hours of daylight is greater in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere.

J Spring begins earlier in the year in the Southern Hemisphere than it does in the Northern Hemisphere.

Based on the topographic map, if a park ranger hiked due west from the radio tower, the ranger’s path would —

A cross a canyon with a river running through it

B cross another peak in the park

C be flat and then go up a steep slope

D go down a steep slope and then become flatter

Ocean currents affect weather patterns by —

F regulating when tides occur in coastal areas

G trapping heat at the equator to regulate the global climate

H distributing heat from the uneven absorption of solar energy

J increasing the rate of evaporation to transport water to areas experiencing droughts

On which date will they most likely be able to observe a new moon?

F May 13

G May 18

H May 25

J May 31

The moon remains in orbit around Earth because of the force of —

F Earth’s rotation

G the moon’s rotation

H Earth’s gravity

J the sun’s gravity

Which section of the diagram includes the coolest, brightest stars?

A Section 1

B Section 2

C Section 3

D Section 4

During which lunar phase is the tide highest? A Phase 1

B Phase 2

C Phase 3

D Phase 4

Glacial striations in the bedrock of South Africa indicate that glaciers once moved across the African continent. The presence of glaciers on the surface of Africa is evidence that —

F the tectonic plate under Africa was closer to the South Pole at one time

G the equator was not always where it is currently located

H volcanoes did not exist until after faults occurred in Earth’s crust

J the location of the North Pole and the South Pole changed

Which answer choice best explains the change from daytime to nighttime on Earth? F The sun stops sending light to Earth at night.

G Earth moves farther away from the sun at night.

H The tilt of Earth causes less light to reach Earth at night.

J Earth rotates and causes different parts of Earth to experience night.

As the glacier melts, water travels toward the ocean along the geological feature labeled X. When water erodes soil along this feature, the feature will most likely become —

F straight

G dry

H shorter

J wider

Which location around Green Peak is likely to experience the most erosion over time? A Location W, because location W has the gentlest slope

B Location X, because location X is near the bottom of a slope

C Location Y, because location Y has the steepest slope

D Location Z, because location Z is the flattest slope

A star that has a luminosity of 10-2 and a temperature of 20,000 K is most likely a —

F Main sequence

G White dwarf

H Blue giant

J Red giant

Which answer choice best describes the weather at location X on Day 1 and Day 2?

A Day 1: warm and rainy

Day 2: cool with more rain

B Day 1: warm and windy

Day 2: cloudy and cold

C Day 1: clear and cool

Day 2: warm and rainy

D Day 1: cold and rainy

Day 2: clear and sunny

A The moon moves between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow of the moon on Earth.

B The sun moves between the moon and Earth, casting a shadow of the sun on Earth. C Earth moves between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow of Earth on the moon.

D Earth moves between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow of the moon on the sun.

F Sunlight reaches Earth’s atmosphere at an angle that causes the sun’s light rays to intensify.

G Unique chemical reactions in the sun’s core produce a high-energy wavelength of light.

H The sun burns at a higher temperature than any other star.

J The sun is closer to Earth than any other star.

Which statement correctly explains which position of Earth represents summer in the United States?

A Position 1, because the Western Hemisphere is facing the sun

B Position 2, because the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun

C Position 3, because Earth is at its closest point to the sun in its orbit

D Position 4, because Earth is traveling at its fastest rate in its orbit

Which diagram shows the correct relative positions of the sun, the moon, and Earth when the moon was in the observed phase?

Researchers predict that in the future, the land area of point X will be reduced by erosion. Which event will cause the most weathering and erosion to the land area at point X?

A Increasing salinity of seawater near the land

B Intense rays from the sun striking the land

C Solids floating in seawater depositing on the land

D Strong storm winds blowing across the land

Which type of boundary results in the spreading of the oceanic ridge?

A Convergent boundary

B Subduction boundary

C Transform boundary

D Divergent boundary

B comets

C planets

D stars

A Wind speed are slower in August than in January.

B Wave heights are greater in August than in January.

C Rainfall amounts are lower in August than in January.

D Ocean temperatures are higher in August than in January.

What statement correctly explains where more eroded soil will collect?

A More soil collects at area W because that area is a steep slope.

B More soil collects at area X because that area is nearly level.

C More soil collects at area Y because that area is at the lowest level.

D More soil collects at area Z because that area is a depression.

Hot, Bright Cool, bright

Hot, dim Cool, dim