7th Grade Earth Space Science Quarterly Assessment

Question 1 What causes the streak of light observed when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere? A. sunlight reflected from the meteoroid surface B. energy released from radioactive materials in the meteoroid C. lightning produced between the meteoroid and the upper atmosphere D. visible light produced from the interaction between the meteoroid and the upper atmosphere

Question 2 Which explains the relationship between hours of sunlight and seasons A. the rotation of Earth on its axis B. the tilt of Earth’s axis relative to the sun C. the location of Earth’s orbit in the solar system D. the motion of the moon as it travels around Earth

Question 3 What change would occur if Earth’s rate of rotation significantly increased? A. The year would be shorter. B. The year would be longer. C. The day would be shorter. D. The day would be longer.

Question 4 Which phenomena occur as a result of the gravitational attraction between the moon and Earth? A. eclipses B. ocean tides C. seasonal changes D. phases of the moon

Question 5 Which diagram shows the relative positions of Earth (E), the sun (S), and the moon (M) during a full moon?  [Note: Diagrams are not drawn to scale.]. A. B. C. D.

The moon orbits the Earth about every A. 28 days B. 31 days C. 24 days Question 6 The moon orbits the Earth about every A. 28 days B. 31 days C. 24 days D. 60 days

Question 7 A student observing the sky notices that the cirrostratus clouds she saw in the morning have been replaced by cumulonimbus clouds in the afternoon. What weather conditions can she expect for the afternoon and evening? A. low clouds and fog with little temperature change B. fair skies continuing with scattered puffy clouds C. light rain, then an increase in temperature and clearing skies D. heavy wind and rain followed by a drop in temperature and clearing skies

A meteorologist collects data on the weather conditions at an airport A meteorologist collects data on the weather conditions at an airport. The diagram shows a weather station model of the data that he collected.

Question 8 At the time these data were collected, flights at the airport were delayed. According to this information, which weather condition caused the delay? A. thick fog B. heavy snow C. freezing rain D. strong winds

Use the water cycle diagram to answer questions 9-12

Question 9 What evidence suggests that water goes through a physical change when it evaporates in the water cycle? A. The density of the water remains the same. B. The volume of the water remains the same. C. The physical properties of the water remain the same. D. The chemical properties of the water remain the same.

Question 10 The diagram includes an ocean in the water cycle. How does salt water from the ocean end up as fresh water in precipitation? A. Runoff leaves salt in the soil. B. Precipitation leaves salt in the clouds. C. Evaporation leaves salt in the ocean. D. Condensation leaves salt in the water vapor.

Question 11 What is the primary energy source that drives Earth’s water cycle between the atmosphere, oceans and land? A. wind B. sunlight C. ocean currents D. rotation of Earth

Question 12 Water gains energy during evaporation. During what process in the water cycle is this energy released? A. percolation through soil B. transpiration from plants C. runoff into the lake and ocean D. condensation that forms clouds

Question 13

Question 14 In which environment is white fur color an advantage for survival? A. desert B. grassland C. arctic tundra D. temperate forest

Question 15 The diagram models Earth and the moon in two positions of its orbit. The arrows indicate the direction of light from the sun. Identify what phase of the moon will be seen from Earth when the moon is in position X Describe or draw what that phase looks like from Earth. Indicate in your description or drawing what portion of the moon is lit or is not lit. Then, identify what phase of the moon will be seen from Earth when the moon is in position Z. Describe or draw what that phase looks like from Earth. Indicate in your description or drawing what portion of the moon is lit or is not lit.

Question 16 Students observe that the length of the shadow of a flagpole varies throughout the year. They measure and diagram the flagpole’s shadow in spring, summer and fall at mid-afternoon. The students’ diagrams are shown. In your answer, describe or draw what the flagpole’s shadow will look like at mid-afternoon in the winter, December 21. Then, explain why the flagpole’s shadow length changes throughout the year. (2 points)