2024 TEST: Changes in the Earth's Surface

Discover how Earth's surface changes! Learn about forces, landforms & more.

1) Which of the following surface features is pictured above? sea arch canyon sand dune delta 2) Which of the following best explains how the surface feature above was created? It was created by a constructive process: the wind carried particles of sand to new locations until they formed the surface feature. It was created by a destructive process: a river cut into the ground over time to create the new surface feature. It was created by a constructive process: the tectonic plates of the earth shifted and separated to create the new surface feature. It was created by a destructive process: the tectonic plates of the earth shifted and separated to create the new surface feature. 3) The picture shows a process of a sand dune being formed.A student claims that a sand dune is created by both a constructive and destructive force. Which argument BEST explains why the student’s claim is correct or incorrect. The student is correct; the destructive force of wind erosion is carrying the sand. The sand dunes are formed by the constructive force of plate tectonics pushing together when the dune grows taller. The student’s claim is correct; the destructive force of wind erosion is carrying the sand. The sand dunes are formed by the constructive force of deposition when the sand piles up. The student’s claim is incorrect; It is only destructive because the wind is breaking apart the land and then carrying it somewhere else. The student’s claim isincorrect; the wind causes the plate tectonics to push together causing the sand dune to grow taller. 4) The picture shows a volcano erupting.Which explanation below illustrates how a volcano can be constructive? The top of the volcano exploded, causing rocks to break apart. The lava damages the surrounding land so that plants can no longer grow. The flowing lava cools and creates a layer of volcanic rock. The lava pushes the soil down to the base of the volcano. 5) The landform below is a sea arch.How are sea arches formed? Waves are destructive forces that over time can wear away at the earth’s coast and change its shape. Earthquakes are destructive forces that cause breakage of rock formations near the oceans. Waves are constructive forces that deposit sand and sediments on the coast slowly. Earthquakes are constructive forces that build landforms on the coast quickly. 6) The Appalachian Mountains stretch from Mississippi up to Newfoundland, Canada.What is the best explanation for how this mountain range formed? Wind has pushed rocks and soil into valleys that have built up over time. Volcanoes erupted for long periods of time and slowly built up the mountains Rivers and streams flowing down from Canada deposited soil in large amounts until the mountains formed. Part of the Earth’s crust slowly converged until one part was on top of the other and pushed upward. 7) Use the image below to answer the following question.A student claims that the surface feature in the image above was created by constructive processes. Which of the following arguments best supports that claim? The image is of a sea arch, which is created when sediment is deposited at the base of a river until an arch forms. The image is of a river delta, which is created when sediment is deposited at the mouth of the river where it meets a larger body of water. The image is of a river delta which is created when a river carves its way through land on its way to a larger body of water. The image is of a sea arch, which is created when tides and waves repeatedly weather away at the side of a cliff face until an arch is formed. 8) The image below is a gorge. A gorge is narrower and smaller than a canyon, but they are formed in similar ways. Tallulah Gorge is an example in Georgia.Which of the following best explains how the gorge was created? Tallulah Gorge was created by constructive forces. Over time, soil was deposited on the edges of the river to build up the surrounding land. Tallulah Gorge was created by destructive forces. The river slowly weathered the surrounding area and eroded its sediment down the river. Tallulah Gorge was created by constructive forces. Tectonic plates push together creating the gorge and the river. Tallulah Gorge was created by destructive forces. Ancient glaciers melted and left behind a gorge and river. 9) Students were drawing models to show how changes in surface features indicate constructive processes. Which student models correctly illustrate constructive processes? Student models A and B Student models A and C Student models A, B, and C Student models B and C 10) A student has built a model of a hill using sugar cubes as a base and clay on top of it. The student began to pour hot water on the model. Soon, small holes began to appear and the hot water was able to reach the sugar cubes.The student claims that this model is an example of a force that shapes the surface of the Earth. Which argument makes the best scientific sense? This model represents how caves and sinkholes are formed by destructive forces. The hot water will break apart the sugar cubes allowing for the clay to cave into the empty spaces. The water erosion would cause the cave-ins. This model represents how mountains are created by constructive forces. The water pushes the sediment and rock down to build up the mountain. The sugar and clay represent the mountain and sediments. This model represents how a volcano builds up the earth through constructive forces. The water is the lava that melts through the clay to reach the magma that is the sugar cubes. This model represents how an earthquake can shape the land using constructive forces. The breaking of the sugar is like the movement of the plates that changes the surface of the earth. 11) A student developed a model to show the progression of a sea arch and the ocean waves using playdoh. Dates labeled below the image show a time lapse. 1800 1900 2000Which of the following explains how a sea arch is formed? A sea arch is formed by a destructive force. Evidence from the model shows that waves carved out the land over a long period of time. A sea arch is formed by a constructive force. Evidence from the model shows that waves build up land in another area over a long period of time. A sea arch is formed by a destructive force. Evidence from the model shows that an earthquake caused the arch to fall down in a short period of time. A sea arch is formed by a constructive force. Evidence from the model exhibits deposition when the waves build up the land in a short period of time. 12) This picture shows a sea arch.As erosion from ocean waves continues, what will most likely happen to the hole in this landform? It will become larger. It will fill with sediment. It wil remain the same size. It will be covered with water. 13) Match the definition with the correct vocabulary term. Movement of the continents over the last 150 million years Continental Drift The process of dropping sediment in a new location Deposition The pieces of Earth's crust that move around on the surface Plates Molten (liquid) hot rock when it is ABOVE the Earth's surface Lava Molten (liquid) hot rock when it is UNDER the Earth's surface Magma The process of moving sediment from one location to another Erosion The process of breaking down Earth's Crust Weathering 14) What process formed this landform? waves wind erosion fault earthquakes 15) Volcanoes can be both constructive and destructive. True False 16) All of the processes listed below cause changes in the Earth's surface. Which of the following is the slowest to change Earth's surface? earthquakes deposition erosion weathering 17) In which of these ways can volcanoes help build up new land? by adding water to the Earth's surface by adding gases to the atmosphere by adding lava to the Earth's surface by adding water vapor to the atmosphere 18)A student is in charge of creating a model to collect data to show how sand dunes are created. The student took a large box and put sand inside. The student uses a straw to represent wind that moves the sand to create a sand dune. The student collected the following data.Trial NumberHeight (in cm)15 cm210 cm315 cmWhich of the following explanations could the student conclude based upon their data? Sand dunes are created through a constructive force. The sand dunes height increased each trial, which shows how tectonic plates push together. Sand dunes are created through a destructive force. The sand dunes height decreased each trial, which shows erosion from when the wind blew. Sand dunes are created through a constructive force. The sand dunes height increased each trial, which shows how sand is deposited. Sand dunes are created through a destructive force. The sand dunes height decreased each trial, which shows how sand is deposited.