1. The block diagram shows a landscape region.
Which stream drainage pattern would most likely develop at the surface of this region?

2. 100 centimeter per second are
The sediments that CANNOT be eroded by a stream traveling at a velocity of
100 centimeter per second are
boulders only
(2) pebbles, sand, silt, and clay
(3) pebbles and sand only
(4) boulders and cobbles only

3. The stream carries clay, pebbles, sand, and silt. List
P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’10
The stream carries clay, pebbles, sand, and silt. List
these sediments in the most likely order of deposition from point C to point D.
Why is the depth of water 20 feet from point A different from the depth of water 20 feet from point B?

4. The letters A through D in the cross section represent four of the processes that are part of the water cycle.
Which table correctly matches each letter with the process that it represents?

5. Which two layers of sediments were probably
The cross section shows layers of sediments deposited in a region of Wisconsin that has experienced several periods of glaciation.
Descriptions of the sediments in layers A through F are included.
Which two layers of sediments were probably
deposited directly by glaciers?
(1) A and D (3) C and E
(2) B and F (4) D and E

6. Which characteristic would most likely remain constant when a limestone cobble is subjected to extensive abrasion?
(1) shape (3) volume
(2) mass (4) composition

7. Which graph best represents the relationship between the slope of a river and the particle size that can be transported by that river?

8. Which cross section best shows the pattern of sediments deposited by a stream as
it enters an ocean?

9. The diagram represents 3 identical beakers filled to the same level with spherical beads.
If the packing of the beads within each beaker is the same, which graph best represents the porosity within each beaker?

10. The diagram represents four identical columns filled with sediments of uniform shape and packing. They are placed over empty glass beakers.
If water is poured into each column, which column is the least permeable to infiltration?
1) A ) B ) C ) D

11. The diagram represents four identical columns filled with sediments of uniform shape and packing. They are placed over empty glass beakers.
If water is poured into each column, which will exhibit the least retention of water?
1) A ) B ) C ) D

12. Which agent of erosion was primarily responsible for forming the long, narrow, U-shaped valleys in the Finger Lakes region of New York State?
Wind
(2) Landslides
(3) meandering streams
(4) continental glaciers

13. Which factor will increase the amount of chemical weathering in an environment?
air temperature decreases and precipitation decreases
(2) air temperature decreases and precipitation increases
(3) air temperature increases and precipitation decreases
(4) air temperature increases and precipitation increases

14. eroded by running water in the ancient past?
RIVER!
What evidence shown at location A suggests that the channel in the bedrock was
eroded by running water in the ancient past?

15. Which landscape surface resulted primarily from erosion by glaciers?

16. The map shows a meandering stream
The map shows a meandering stream. Points A, B, C, and D represent locations along the stream bottom.
At which location is the greatest amount of sediment most likely being deposited?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

17. The map shows a meandering stream
The map shows a meandering stream. Points A, B, C, and D represent locations along the stream bottom.
At which location is the greatest amount of sediment most likely being eroded?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

18. The diagram represents four identical columns filled with sediments of uniform shape and packing. They are placed over empty glass beakers.
If water drains from each column, which will require the most time for drainage?
1) A ) B ) C ) D

19. The diagram represents four identical columns filled with sediments of uniform shape and packing. They are placed over empty glass beakers.
If each beaker is filled with water, which column will display the greatest capillarity?
1) A ) B ) C ) D

20. (2) a decrease in rainfall (3) an increase in biologic activity
The cross section shows soil layer X, which was formed from underlying bedrock.
Which change would most likely cause soil layer X to increase in thickness?
(1) a decrease in slope
(2) a decrease in rainfall
(3) an increase in biologic activity
(4) an increase in air pressure

21. A stream flowing at a velocity of 200 cm/sec is transporting sediment particles ranging in size from clay to cobbles. Which particles will be deposited by the stream if its velocity decreases to 100 cm/sec?
cobbles, only
(2) cobbles and some
pebbles, only
(3) cobbles, pebbles, and
some sand, only
(4) cobbles, pebbles,
sand, silt, and clay

22. Old Forge and Watertown, located at nearly the
same latitude in New York State, have very
different landscapes. Which factor is primarily
responsible for these landscape differences?
(1) average annual temperature
(2) average annual precipitation
(3) bedrock structure
(4) soil characteristics

23. Sediments found in glacial moraines are best described as
(1) sorted and layered
(2) sorted and not layered
(3) unsorted and layered
(4) unsorted and not layered

24. WHY?
The data table at left shows the diameters of three particles made of the same uniform material. These particles were carried by a stream into a lake.
Indicate the expected pattern of deposition of the three particles by placing the letters A, B, and C in the appropriate boxes along the lake bottom. B A C

25. The table shows the density of four mineral samples.
If the shape and size of the four mineral samples are the same, which mineral will settle most slowly in water?
(1) cinnabar (3) quartz
(2) magnetite (4) siderite

26. Which characteristic would most likely remain constant when a limestone cobble is subjected to extensive abrasion?
(1) shape (3) volume
(2) mass (4) composition

27. 100 centimeter per second are
The sediments that CANNOT be eroded by a stream traveling at a velocity of
100 centimeter per second are
boulders only
(2) pebbles, sand, silt, and clay
(3) pebbles and sand only
(4) boulders and cobbles only

28. The map below shows a meandering stream
The map below shows a meandering stream. Points A, B, C, and D represent locations along
the stream bottom.
At which location is the greatest amount of sediment most likely being eroded?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

29. The block diagrams below show two landscape regions labeled A and B.
What is the most probable cause of the difference in surface features between A and B?
A is the result of a humid climate, while B is the result of a dry climate.
(2) A is at a high elevation, while B is located at sea level.
(3) A is a plateau region, while B is a mountainous region.
(4) A is composed of igneous bedrock, while B is composed of
sedimentary bedrock.
landscapes

30. Which process was primarily responsible for the
The map below shows the large delta that formed as the Mississippi River emptied into the Gulf of Mexico.
Which process was primarily responsible for the
formation of the delta?
(1) glacial erosion
(2) cementation of sediment
(3) deposition of sediment
(4) mass movement

31. 48 Which agent of erosion transported the
Base your answers to questions 48 through 50 on the map of Long Island, New York. AB, CD, EF, and GH are reference lines on the map.
48 Which agent of erosion transported the
sediments that formed the moraines shown
on the map?
(1) water (3) ice
(2) wind (4) mass movement

32. 49 The cross
section below
represents the
sediments
beneath the
land surface
along one of
the reference lines shown on the map.
Along which reference line was the cross section taken?
(1) AB (2) CD (3) EF (4) GH

33. 50 A major
difference
between
sediments in
the outwash
and sediments
in the moraines
is that the sediments deposited in the outwash are
(1) larger (3) more angular
(2) sorted (4) older

34. (1) melting and solidification (2) weathering and biologic activity
The cross section shows layers of soil. Which two processes produced the layer of dark brown to black soil?
(1) melting and solidification
(2) weathering and biologic activity
(3) erosion and uplifting
(4) compaction and cementation

35. How fast must a river move to erode an average sized piece of sand?
Approx. 2 cm/s

36. How fast must a river move to erode a 0.07 cm piece of sand?
Approx. 4 cm/s

37. The map below shows a meandering stream
The map below shows a meandering stream. Points A, B, C, and D represent locations along
the stream bottom.
At which location is the greatest amount of sediment most likely being deposited?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

38. The photograph below shows farm buildings partially buried in silt.
Which erosional agent most likely piled the silt against these buildings?
(1) glacial ice (3) wind
(2) ocean waves (4) mass movement

39. The sedimentary rocks conglomerate and breccia are shown below
ABRASION!
They are the same in most respects, except for the fact that one was formed in water and the other was not. Which formed in water and how can you tell?
(1) Breccia, because it has angular fragments
(2) Conglomerate, because it has angular fragments
(3) Breccia, because it has rounded fragments
(4) Conglomerate, because it has rounded fragments

40. Each of the rock particles below has the same density and volume
Each of the rock particles below has the same density and volume. Which particle will most likely settle at the fastest rate in moving water?

41. The landscape diagram below shows a fan-shaped
pattern of sediment deposits.
The fan-shaped pattern of these sediments is most likely the result of deposition by
(1) glacial ice (3) running water
(2) ocean waves (4) prevailing winds

42. 1 centimeter per second are
The sediments that can be eroded by a stream traveling at a velocity of
1 centimeter per second are
boulders only
(2) pebbles, sand, silt, and clay
(3) sand and silt only
(4) sand, silt and clay

43. A student classified the
rock as sedimentary.
Which observation about the rock best supports
this classification?
(1) The rock is composed of several minerals.
(2) The rock has a vesicular texture.
(3) The rock contains fragments of other rocks.
(4) The rock shows distorted and stretched pebbles.

44. What is the name of the feature forming at location X?
The diagram shows a laboratory stream table. A mixture of sediment was placed on the stream table. A short time after the faucet was turned on, a deposit of sediment began forming at location X at the lower end of the stream table.
What is the name of the feature forming at location X?
(1) V-shaped valley
(2) meander (4) floodplain
(3) delta

45. The diagrams below represent four different examples of one process that transports sediments.
Which process is shown in these diagrams?
chemical weathering (3) faulting
(2) uplifting (4) erosion
“mass wasting”

46. The amount of chemical weathering will increase if
Which type of weathering is most common where the average yearly temperature is
20°C and the average yearly precipitation is 45 cm?
The amount of chemical weathering will increase if
moderate chemical weathering
(2) very slight weathering
(3) moderate chemical weathering with frost action
(4) slight frost action
air temperature decreases and precipitation decreases
(2) air temperature decreases and precipitation increases
(3) air temperature increases and precipitation decreases
(4) air temperature increases and precipitation increases

47. Outside! The map below shows a meandering river. Points
A and B are locations on the banks of the river.
What are the dominant processes occurring at
locations A and B?
(1) deposition at location A; erosion at location B
(2) erosion at location A; deposition at location B
(3) deposition at both locations A and B
Outside!
(4) erosion at both locations A and B

48. How did the arch most likely form?
The photograph here shows an arch of rock located in the western United States.
How did the arch most likely form?
1) The bedrock in the arch was more resistant to weathering and erosion
than the surrounding bedrock that was removed.
2) An earthquake forced bedrock upward into the shape of an arch.
3) Sand and gravel were deposited and compacted in the shape of an
arch.
4) An underground glacier tunneled through the bedrock.

49. The demonstration shown in the diagram indicates that powdered limestone reacts faster than a single large piece of limestone of equal mass when both are placed in acid.
The most likely reason powdered limestone reacts faster is that it has
1) less total volume 3) more total surface area
2) more chemical bonds 4) lower density
The “inside” got more exposed

51. 100 centimeters per second are
The largest sediment particles that can be transported by a stream traveling at a velocity of
100 centimeters per second are
boulders
(2) cobbles
(3) pebbles
(4) sand

52. A stream flowing at a velocity of 200 cm/sec is transporting sediment particles ranging in size from clay to cobbles. Which particles will be deposited by the stream if its velocity decreases to 100 cm/sec?
cobbles, only
(2) cobbles and some
pebbles, only
(3) cobbles, pebbles, and
some sand, only
(4) cobbles, pebbles,
sand, silt, and clay

53. Which graph best represents the relationship between the slope of a river and the particle size that can be transported by that river?
meanders

54. The table shows the density of four mineral samples.
If the shape and size of the four mineral samples are the same, which mineral will settle most slowly in water?
(1) cinnabar (3) quartz
(2) magnetite (4) siderite
hydro

55. The diagrams below represent three containers, A, B, and C, which were filled with equal volumes of uniformly sorted plastic beads. Water was poured into each container to determine porosity and infiltration time.
Which data table best represents the porosity and infiltration time of the beads in the three containers?

56. Which agent of erosion created the U-shaped valley and the striations found in the flat rock on its floor?
(1) Running water (3) Glacial ice
(2) Mass wasting (4) Wind

57. Which Earth process is being modeled in this experiment?
The weathering of four different rock samples with different masses was studied and recorded.
Each rock sample was placed in a beaker containing a dilute acid for 10 minutes. Bubbling was observed in some of the beakers.
Which Earth process is being modeled in this experiment?
(1) physical weathering in the hydrosphere
(2) chemical weathering in the hydrosphere
(3) physical weathering in the mesosphere
(4) chemical weathering in the mesosphere

58. Which property of the gneiss sample prevented it from weathering?
The weathering of four different rock samples with different masses was studied and recorded.
Each rock sample was placed in a beaker containing a dilute acid for 10 minutes. Bubbling was observed in some of the beakers.
Which property of the gneiss sample prevented it from weathering?
(1) texture (3) density
(2) mineral composition (4) shape

59. A cross section of Niagara Falls is shown.
Which two rock units appear to be most resistant to weathering and erosion?
(1) Lockport dolostone and Whirlpool sandstone
(2) Rochester shale and Albion sandstone and shale
(3) Clinton limestone and shale and Queenston shale
(4) Thorold sandstone and Queenston shale

60. The diagram shows a coastal region in which the land slopes toward the ocean. Point X is near the top of the hill, point Y is at the base of the hill, and point Z is a location at sea level. This stream is not shown in the diagram.
Which diagram best shows the most probable path of the stream flowing from point X to point Z?

61. Results with different size particles lead to the conclusion that
The diagram shows a laboratory setup. The rubber band holds filter paper across the base of the open tube to hold the soil sample. The tube was placed in the water as shown. The upward movement of water is represented by arrows.
Results with different size particles lead to the conclusion that
capillarity is greater in soils
with larger particles
(2) capillarity is greater in soils
with smaller particles
(3) permeability is greater in
soils with larger particles
(4) permeability is greater in
soils with smaller particles

62. Which beaker has the largest sized pores?
Which beaker has the greatest porosity?
NONE, they are all equal!
(more small pores = less big pores)

63. Which beaker can hold the most water?
NONE, they are all equal!
(more small pores = less big pores)

64. Into which beaker will water infiltrate at the greatest rate?
Which beaker will water require the most time to leave?

65. Which container has the greatest porosity?
The diagrams represent three containers filled with equal volumes of uniformly sorted plastic beads.
Water was poured into each container to determine porosity, permeability, retention and infiltration.
Which container has the greatest porosity?
(1) A
(2) C (4) A & B are equal
(3) All are equal

66. Which container is most permeable to water?
The diagrams represent three containers filled with equal volumes of uniformly sorted plastic beads.
Water was poured into each container to determine porosity, permeability, retention and infiltration.
Which container is most permeable to water?
(1) A
(4) A & B are equal
(3) All are equal
(2) C

67. Which container has the greatest retention rate (water drains slowest)?
(2) B (4) A & C are equal
(1) A

68. Which container has the greatest infiltration rate (water enters fastest)?
(2) B (4) A & C are equal
(3) C

69. Which data table best represents the porosity and infiltration time of the beads in the three containers?