Regents Earth Science Test Preparation Practice Changing Length Of A Shadow Based On The Motion Of The Sun

Which star type has a surface temperature of4000 K and a luminosity 1000 times greater than

the Sun?*

(1) dwarf

(2) main sequence

(3) giant

(4) supergiant

How many days during one year is the Sun directly overhead at noon in New York City?*

(1) one

(2) two

(3) three

(4) zero

Which atmospheric conditions occur when the dry-bulb temperature is 30°C and the difference between the dry-bulb temperature and wet-bulb temperature is 1°C?*

(1) warm and humid

(2) warm and dry

(3) cool and humid

(4) cool and dry

The graph below shows the relationship between the distance that wind blows over a body of water and the height of the waves that are generated.

A west wind blowing with the same velocity would generate the highest waves along the shoreline at*

(1) Jamestown

(2) Oswego

(3) Plattsburgh

(4) Riverhead

Which surface ocean current cools the climate of the western coastline of South America?*

(1) Brazil Current

(2) Peru Current

(3) Falkland Current

(4) California Current

When equal masses of ice and liquid water receive the same amount of energy, without a change in state, the ice changes temperature faster than the liquid water does because the*

(1) specific heat of ice is less than the specific heat of liquid water

(2) specific heat of ice is greater than the specific heat of liquid water

(3) density of ice is less than the density of liquid water

(4) density of ice is greater than the density of liquid water

Which conclusion can be drawn from the pattern of fossils found in Earth’s rock record?*

(1) Humans have existed for a longer period of time than dinosaurs.

(2) Complex land organisms have been replaced by simpler marine forms.

(3) Many species have existed in the past, and most have become extinct.

(4) Few life forms existed before the late Cretaceous period.

Approximately how many million years ago (mya) was the amount of Earth’s total landmass located south of the equator the greatest?*

(1) 119 mya

(2) 232 mya

(3) 359 mya

(4) 458 mya

Which layer of Earth’s interior is inferred to be composed of solid iron and nickel?*

(1) asthenosphere

(2) stiffer mantle

(3) outer core

(4) inner core

The first S-wave reaches a seismic station22 minutes after an earthquake occurred. How

long did it take the first P-wave to reach the same seismic station?*

(1) 8 minutes 50 seconds

(2) 10 minutes 00 seconds

(3) 12 minutes 00 seconds

(4) 12 minutes 50 seconds

Base your answers to questions 11 on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth science.

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon is located on the west side of the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Waimea Canyon has been referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” But unlike the Grand Canyon, which was carved through horizontal layers of sedimentary rocks, Waimea Canyon was cut through basalt. The formation of this igneous rock began about 4 million years ago. Numerous lava flows followed as magma rose from deep within Earth. The canyon then was formed over time by erosional agents, causing deep, V-shaped valleys that exposed the basalt layers along the canyon walls.

Over time, the composition of the basalt, where it was exposed at the surface, was changed due to oxidation (rusting) of iron-bearing minerals, such as pyroxene and olivine. The result is a canyon with red rocks and soils.

Identify the epoch during which the first basalt lava flows occurred on Kauai. [1]

Epoch*

Base your answers to questions 12 on the map in image provided, on the table below, and on your knowledge of Earth science. The map shows a portion of the Nazca Plate under the southeastern Pacific Ocean. Plate A represents another tectonic plate. The table shows some data for islands and seamounts (undersea volcanoes that do not rise above the ocean surface) that originally formed at the Easter Island Hot Spot.

dynamic-earth, earth-surface-features, landscapes, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, eccentricity-rate-gradient-standard-error, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci-v202-exam_g44.png

Identify the name of tectonic plate A. [1]

Plate*

Base your answers to questions 13 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the water cycle. Letters A through C identify water cycle processes. Arrows represent movement of water or water vapor. The level of the water table is indicated.

dynamic-earth, earth-energy-density-and-movement-of-plates, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, changing-length-of-a-shadow-based-on-the-motion-of-the-sun, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci-v202-exam_g45.png

Water vapor forms a cloud of liquid droplets at location A. State the number of joules per gram of heat energy that is released into the atmosphere during this process. [1]

J/g*

Base your answers to questions 14 on the weather map below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The map shows the location of a low-pressure system over New York State during late summer. Isobar values are recorded in millibars. Shading indicates regions receiving precipitation. The air masses are labeled. Eight locations in New York State are indicated.

meteorology, weather-variables, meteorology, weather-basics-and-observable-patterns, meteorology, weather-variables, standard-6-interconnectedness, systems-thinking, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci-v202-exam_g46.png

Convert the air pressure at Plattsburgh, New York, from millibars to inches of mercury. [1]

in of Hg*

Base your answers to questions 15 on the topographic map in image provided and on your knowledge of Earth science. Partially drawn contour lines are shown on the southern portion of the map. Points of elevation are recorded in meters. Points A, B, C, and D represent locations on Earth’s surface. Line AB and dashed line CD are reference lines.

Calculate the gradient, in meters per kilometer, from point C to point D. [1]

m/km*