Grade 8 Category 3 Earth and Space

1. Which of the following is the most reasonable topographic map of the area shown in the picture?

2. Which of the following best explains why City 3 experiences the smallest change in day length between summer and winter out of the four cities shown in the diagram above? A City 3 is closest to the sun during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter. B Earth completes one revolution of the sun about every 365 days. C Earth rotates on its axis about once every 24 hours. D City 3 is located closest to the equator.

3. The diagram shows the orbit of the moon around Earth. Between 3 The diagram shows the orbit of the moon around Earth. Between which two points will the moon appear to change from a new moon to a quarter moon? A Q and R B R and S C S and T D T and Q

4. According to the graph below, which stars are MOST likely to increase in brightness as they increase in temperature? A. main sequence stars and red giants B. red giants and super giants C. super giants and white dwarfs D. white dwarfs and main sequence stars

5. In spring 2003 a natural rock outcropping in New Hampshire. called 5 In spring 2003 a natural rock outcropping in New Hampshire called the Old Man of the Mountain collapsed. Which of the following most likely loosened the rock and caused it to fall? F Heat turning sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock G Water freezing and thawing inside cracks in the rock H Volcanic activity producing pressure at the rock’s base J Oxygen reacting with iron on the surface of the rock

6. In the picture above, the rocks at the bases of the trees were 6 In the picture above, the rocks at the bases of the trees were separated from the cliff face by water freezing and thawing. Which process best describes the breaking of the rock? F Soil erosion G Mountain building H Chemical weathering J Physical weathering

7. Which of these best explains why the oceans have a great impact on the weather over the continents? A Ocean waves move more easily than continental rock. B The oceans contain a wider variety of organisms than the continents. C The oceans store and transfer more heat than the continents. D Ocean water contains more salt than most continental lake water.

8. The map above shows the western coast of South America. Which process caused the upward movement that formed the Andes Mountains? A Seafloor spreading B Deposition of sediment C Tectonic plate collision D Erosion of rock layers

9 The Northern Hemisphere experiences seasons at different times than the Southern Hemisphere does because — A the Coriolis effect produces winds B Earth tilts on its axis C the Van Allen belt absorbs energy D the equator receives direct sunlight

10. Many weather systems form over oceans. The energy needed to 10 Many weather systems form over oceans. The energy needed to form these weather systems originates from — A water currents B prevailing winds C the sun D the moon’s gravity

11. The photographs above show how a change in climate is affecting 11 The photographs above show how a change in climate is affecting the size of Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park. Which of the following best explains the change in the glacier between 1910 and 1997? F Higher average temperatures G Higher frequency of earthquakes H Higher total precipitation J Higher rates of wind erosion

12 The lunar cycle is completed in about a month because — A the moon rotates once on its axis B Earth revolves once around the sun C the sun makes one full orbit D the moon revolves once around Earth

13. All of these will probably result when atmospheric carbon dioxide 13 All of these will probably result when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels increase EXCEPT — F increased plant growth G elevated animal reproductive rates H greater atmospheric pressures J higher average annual temperatures

14 Nitrogen fertilizer is often added to soil to increase the growth of crops. Which of these nearby ecosystems would most likely be harmed by the use of nitrogen fertilizer? A Forest B Pond C Park D Meadow

15 Earth’s land areas, oceans, and atmosphere maintain fairly constant average temperatures. What is the best explanation for these constant average temperatures? A Earth’s Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere have opposite seasons. B Earth is tilted and rotates daily on its axis. C The continuous motion of air and water distributes the sun’s energy. D Global weather systems generally move from west to east.

16. The lunar module weighed more on Earth than it did on the moon 16 The lunar module weighed more on Earth than it did on the moon because Earth has a greater — F gravitational force G atmosphere H electromagnetic field J density

17. The picture shows sand used to make a model of a galaxy. In the 17 The picture shows sand used to make a model of a galaxy. In the model, each grain of sand best represents — F a comet G a black hole H an asteroid J a star

18. Which of these processes contributes to the growth of the Hawaiian 18 Which of these processes contributes to the growth of the Hawaiian island chain? A Erosion B Glaciation C Sedimentation D Volcanism

19. Which of the following was most likely caused by tectonic plates 19 Which of the following was most likely caused by tectonic plates colliding? A C Cavern River B D Lake Mountain

20. Which diagram best represents the type of plate movement that 20 Which diagram best represents the type of plate movement that results in mountain building? A C B D

21. If a star is 3.3 light years away from Earth, how long has its light been traveling so we can see it? A 3.3 days B Only an instant C 3.3 months D 3.3 years

22. Look at the various diagrams of the Earth, Moon, and Sun system found below. Which model would produce the greatest high tide? A Earth, Moon, and Sun system A only B Earth, Moon, and Sun system B only C Earth, Moon, and Sun system C only D Earth, Moon, and Sun system A and C

A Choice A B Choice B C Choice C D Choice D 23 Use the choices of Moon views in Moon Diagram 1 to answer the following question. Which moon phase is a waxing gibbous?

Forest Ecosystem 24 A direct result of removing trees from the area above is most likely— A a higher rate of erosion B a lower amount of carbon dioxide in the air C a rapid increase in herbivore populations D a slowdown of the nitrogen cycle

25 At the quarry, soil was removed to get to the rock layers underneath. Which part of the environment was probably least affected by this soil being removed? A Air B Groundwater C Runoff water D Plants