Regents Earth Science Test Preparation Practice Optimization

Base your answers to questions 1 on the passage and map below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The map shows the location of the Marcellus shale formation in New York State.

The Marcellus shale is a black shale formation that was formed during the Middle Devonian Period. The shale extends from New York State as far south as Alabama. The Marcellus shale is exposed at the surface in the northern Finger Lakes region, and is buried 2.1 kilometers below the surface along the New York-Pennsylvania border.

Geologists estimate that the Marcellus shale contains hundreds of trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. Most of the Marcellus shale does not allow fluids (gases and liquids) to flow through the rock. In order to obtain the natural gas trapped in the rock, the shale is fractured. This hydraulic fracturing consists of drilling a well, then pumping in large amounts of water containing chemicals and sand under high pressure to create cracks in the gas-bearing rock. Although this process can allow the trapped gas to be removed from the shale, opponents of hydraulic fracturing argue that the chemicals used in the process may lead to groundwater contamination.

Why might people living near Elmira, New York, be opposed to energy companies using the hydraulic fracturing process?*

(1) It could lower their energy costs.

(2) The injected water could cause flooding in the area.

(3) There is the potential for the pollution of groundwater.

(4) There is an increased risk of volcanic activity.

Which event is inferred by most scientists to be responsible for a climate change that has recently led to a decrease in the size of most glaciers?*

(1) a decrease in the rate of divergence of lithospheric plates along a mid-ocean ridge

(2) a decrease in the amount of insolation reaching Earth’s surface

(3) an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere

(4) an increase in the amount of vegetative cover in the tropics

Which gas is a greenhouse gas that has increased in Earth’s atmosphere partly as a result of deforestation over the last 100 years?*

(1) ozone

(2) oxygen

(3) nitrogen

(4) carbon dioxide

The north polar view maps below show the average area covered by Arctic Sea ice in September of 1980, 2000, and 2011.

dynamic-earth, earth-energy-density-and-movement-of-plates, dynamic-earth, earth-energy-density-and-movement-of-plates, meteorology, transfer-of-heat-energy, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, optimization fig: esci62018-examw_g43.png

The maps best support the inference that Earth’s climate is*

(1) cooling, because the average area covered by Arctic Sea ice is decreasing

(2) cooling, because the average area covered by Arctic Sea ice is increasing

(3) warming, because the average area covered by Arctic Sea ice is decreasing

(4) warming, because the average area covered by Arctic Sea ice is increasing

Which list contains three major greenhouse gases found in Earth’s atmosphere?*

(1) carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor

(2) carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen

(3) hydrogen, oxygen, and methane

(4) hydrogen, water vapor, and nitrogen

Base your answers to questions 6 on the topographic map in image provided and on your knowledge of Earth science. Dashed lines separate the map into sections I, II, III, and IV. Letters A through E represent locations on Earth’s surface. The points in section I represent elevations in feet.

On the grid in the image provided, construct a topographic profile along line CD by plotting the elevation of each contour line that crosses line CD. Connect all the plots with a line to complete the profile. [1]

maps-and-measurement, topographic-maps, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, optimization fig: esci12014-ansbk_abkq6.png

Base your answers to questions 7 on the passage and diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents a house located in New York State.

Solar collectors in solar heating systems harness the power of the Sun to provide thermal energy for heating hot water and house interiors. There are several types of solar heating systems. The best system will depend on the geographic location and the intensity of the Sun. A solar heating system saves energy, reduces utility costs, and produces clean energy. The efficiency and reliability of solar heating systems have increased dramatically in recent years.

State one advantage of using solar energy instead of burning fossil fuels to produce thermal energy for your home. [1]*

Base your answers to questions 8 on the data table below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The table shows the area, in million square kilometers, of the Arctic Ocean covered by ice from June through November. The average area covered by ice from 1979 to 2000 from June to November is compared to the area covered by ice in 2005 for the same time period.