Regents Earth Science Test Preparation Practice Regents Test, Full Exam Practice Online: earth science January 2014

1

At a location in the Northern Hemisphere, a camera was placed outside at night with the lens pointing straight up. The shutter was left open for four hours, resulting in the star trails shown below.

seasons-and-astronomy, earth-rotation, maps-and-measurement, latitude-and-longitude, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12014-examw_g4.png

At which latitude were these star trails observed?*

(1) 1° N

(2) 30° N

(3) 60° N

(4) 90° N

2

Why are some constellations visible to New York State observers at midnight during April, but not visible at midnight during October?*

(1) Constellations move within our galaxy.

(2) Constellations have elliptical orbits.

(3) Earth revolves around the Sun.

(4) Earth rotates on its axis.

3

A red shift in the light from very distant galaxies suggests that the universe is*

(1) fixed and stationary

(2) moving randomly

(3) contracting

(4) expanding

4

Which motion causes the Coriolis effect on Earth?*

(1) revolution of Earth around the Sun

(2) revolution of the Moon around Earth

(3) rotation of Earth on its axis

(4) rotation of the Moon on its axis

5

When water vapor condenses, how much heat energy will be released into the atmosphere?*

(1) 2260 joules/gram

(2) 334 joules/gram

(3) 4.18 joules/gram

(4) 2.11 joules/gram

6

Liquid water sometimes turns into ice when it comes in contact with Earth’s surface. Which present weather symbol on a station model represents this type of precipitation?

reference-tables, key-to-weather-map-symbols, meteorology, presentation-of-weather-data, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, geocentric-model-heliocentric-model fig: esci12014-examw_g3.png *

(1) 1

(2) 2

(3) 3

(4) 4

7

A weather station model is shown below.

reference-tables, key-to-weather-map-symbols, meteorology, presentation-of-weather-data, meteorology, measuring-weather-variables, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12014-examw_g2.png

Which information shown on the station model is most closely associated with measurements from an anemometer?

reference-tables, key-to-weather-map-symbols, meteorology, presentation-of-weather-data, meteorology, measuring-weather-variables, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12014-examw_g1.png *

(1) 1

(2) 2

(3) 3

(4) 4

8

A dry-bulb temperature of 30°C and a wet-bulb temperature of 29°C were recorded at a weather station. What are the relative humidity and the most likely weather conditions?*

(1) Relative humidity is 29% with clear skies.

(2) Relative humidity is 29% with a good chance of snow.

(3) Relative humidity is 93% with clear skies.

(4) Relative humidity is 93% with a good chance of rain.

9

The arrows on the map below show the prevailing winds at a midlatitude coastal city.

climate, climate-of-a-location, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12014-examw_g5.png

This city most likely has a climate that is*

(1) arid, with a small difference between the highest and lowest yearly temperatures

(2) arid, with a large difference between the highest and lowest yearly temperatures

(3) humid, with a small difference between the highest and lowest yearly temperatures

(4) humid, with a large difference between the highest and lowest yearly temperatures

10

During an El Niño event, the South Equatorial Current reverses direction and flows over the top of northern portions of the Peru Current, causing*

(1) warmer surface ocean waters along the northeast coast of South America

(2) warmer surface ocean waters along the northwest coast of South America

(3) cooler surface ocean waters along the northeast coast of South America

(4) cooler surface ocean waters along the northwest coast of South America

11

An air mass entering Alaska from the northern Pacific Ocean would most likely be labeled on a weather map as*

(1) cP

(2) cT

(3) mP

(4) mT

12

Most tornadoes in the Northern Hemisphere are best described as violently rotating columns of air surrounded by*

(1) clockwise surface winds moving toward the columns

(2) clockwise surface winds moving away from the columns

(3) counterclockwise surface winds moving toward the columns

(4) counterclockwise surface winds moving away from the columns

13

The major source of oxygen in Earth’s Early Proterozoic atmosphere is inferred to have been produced by*

(1) oceanic cyanobacteria

(2) outgassing from volcanic eruptions

(3) radioactive decay in Earth’s inner core

(4) evaporation of ocean water

14

Earth has sedimentary bedrock of marine origin that is four billion years old. Which inference can be made from this information?*

(1) Earth had oceans four billion years ago.

(2) Sedimentary rocks formed from magma when Earth cooled four billion years ago.

(3) Most sedimentary rocks are at least four billion years old.

(4) Life existed on Earth four billion years ago.

15

Valcouroceras is a New York State index fossil. Which mountain-building event occurred in New York State during the time when Valcouroceras was living in oceans covering parts of New York State?*

(1) Alleghenian orogeny

(2) Acadian orogeny

(3) Taconian orogeny

(4) Grenville orogeny