Regents Earth Science Test Preparation Practice Regents Test, Full Exam Practice Online: earth science January 2018

1

The deflection of Earth’s planetary winds is an example of*

(1) the Coriolis effect

(2) the Doppler effect

(3) convection

(4) gravitational pull

2

The universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old. Compared to the age of the solar system, the age of the universe is approximately*

(1) the same age as the solar system

(2) two times older than the solar system

(3) three times older than the solar system

(4) four times older than the solar system

3

Planets that are closest to the Sun are identified as*

(1) low-density Jovian

(2) low-density terrestrial

(3) high-density Jovian

(4) high-density terrestrial

4

Which process of the water cycle occurs when water absorbs 2260 Joules of heat energy per gram?*

(1) melting of ice

(2) condensation of water vapor

(3) evaporation of water

(4) freezing of water

5

In which temperature zone of Earth’s atmosphere is the polar jet stream located?*

(1) lower thermosphere

(2) lower mesosphere

(3) upper stratosphere

(4) upper troposphere

6

Arrows in the diagram below show three methods of energy transfer labeled A, B, and C.

meteorology, transfer-of-heat-energy, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12018-examw_g1.png

Which list correctly identifies the energy transfer processes A, B, and C?*

(1) A–conduction

(2) A–convection

(3) A–convection B–convection B–radiation C–radiation C–conduction

(4) A–conduction B–conduction B–radiation C–radiation C–convection

7

What is the relative humidity of the air when the dry-bulb temperature is 4°C and the dewpoint is −4°C?*

(1) 42%

(2) 46%

(3) 51%

(4) 56%

8

The diagram below represents the light spectra given off by the same element as observed under two different conditions. Spectrum A was observed when that element was heated in a laboratory. Spectrum B shows the same element as seen in the light from a distant star.

seasons-and-astronomy, big-bang, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, geocentric-model-heliocentric-model, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, changing-length-of-a-shadow-based-on-the-motion-of-the-sun, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci12018-examw_g2.png

seasons-and-astronomy, big-bang, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, geocentric-model-heliocentric-model, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, changing-length-of-a-shadow-based-on-the-motion-of-the-sun, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci12018-examw_g3.png

The light spectrum observed from this distant star shows a*

(1) red shift, which indicates that the star is moving away from Earth

(2) red shift, which indicates that the star is moving toward Earth

(3) blue shift, which indicates that the star is moving away from Earth

(4) blue shift, which indicates that the star is moving toward Earth

9

The diagrams below represent the constellations seen by an observer in New York State while looking toward the southern horizon at midnight on July 9 and January 8.

seasons-and-astronomy, earth-revolution, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci12018-examw_g4.png

Which motion is mainly responsible for the difference in the constellations visible at midnight on these two dates?*

(1) The Sun orbits Earth.

(2) Earth orbits the Sun.

(3) The stars in the constellations orbit Earth.

(4) Earth orbits the stars in the constellations.

10

Which graph best shows the general relationship between air pressure and altitude?*

(1)

reference-tables, equations, meteorology, weather-variables, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, velocity-slope-sediment-size-channel-shape-stream-valume-distance-from-the-sun-gravitational-force-period-of-revolution-speed-of-revolution, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, changing-length-of-a-shadow-based-on-the-motion-of-the-sun, standard-6-interconnectedness, systems-thinking fig: esci12018-examw_g5.png

(2)

(3)

(4)

11

Most clouds form in the atmosphere when moist air*

(1) rises, expands, and cools to the dewpoint

(2) rises, expands, and warms to the dewpoint

(3) sinks, compresses, and cools to the dewpoint

(4) sinks, compresses, and warms to the dewpoint

12

Equal areas of which surface would absorb the greatest amount of insolation on a sunny day?*

(1) light-colored, smooth surface

(2) light-colored, rough surface

(3) dark-colored, smooth surface

(4) dark-colored, rough surface

13

Which natural event periodically weakens western surface ocean currents in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, resulting in a change in air temperature and precipitation patterns in the United States?*

(1) El Nin˜ o

(2) transpiration

(3) ocean tides

(4) volcanic eruptions

14

Ocean gyres in the Northern Hemisphere consist of a number of surface ocean currents that, together, generally flow clockwise in a roughly circular pattern. Which list contains three warm surface ocean currents that make up most of the North Atlantic Ocean gyre?*

(1) Kuroshio Current, North Pacific Current, and California Current

(2) Canary Current, North Equatorial Current, and Equatorial Countercurrent

(3) Labrador Current, North Atlantic Current, and East Greenland Current

(4) North Equatorial Current, Gulf Stream Current, and North Atlantic Current

15

Most of the oceanic oxygen that began to enter Earth’s atmosphere in the early Proterozoic Era was probably produced by*

(1) formation of silicate rocks

(2) photosynthesis by cyanobacteria

(3) impact events on Earth’s surface

(4) outgassing from volcanoes