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Earth Science - New York Regents August 2016 Exam

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1.
Part A
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (1 - 35): For each statement or question, choose the word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Record your answers on your separate answer sheet.
1 Compared to the Sun, the star Betelgeuse is
  (1) less luminous and warmer
  (2) less luminous and cooler
  (3) more luminous and warmer
  (4) more luminous and cooler
Answer:

2.
2 Which evidence best supports scientists’ infer-
  ences about the origin and age of the universe?
  (1) the existence of planets
  (2) cosmic background radiation
  (3) formation of star constellations
  (4) similar composition of Earth and the Moon
Answer:

3.
3 Earth’s planetary winds curve to the right in the
  Northern Hemisphere due to
  (1) the Coriolis effect
  (2) the Doppler effect
  (3) the tilt of Earth’s axis
  (4) Earth’s gravity
Answer:


4.
4 Which process releases 334 Joules (J) of energy
  for each gram of water?
  (1) melting             (3) vaporization
  (2) freezing            (4) condensation
Answer:

5.
5 After a heavy rainstorm, vegetation on a hillslope
  was completely removed. How will this removal
  of vegetation affect the relative amounts of
  infiltration and runoff that occur during the next
  heavy rainstorm?
  (1) Infiltration and runoff will both be less.
  (2) Infiltration and runoff will both be greater.
  (3) Infiltration will be less and runoff will be
       greater.
  (4) Infiltration will be greater and runoff will be
       less.
Answer:

6.
6 Hurricane season in the North Atlantic Ocean
  officially begins in June and ends in November.
  Which ocean surface conditions are responsible
  for the development of hurricanes?
  (1) warm water temperatures and low
      evaporation rates
  (2) warm water temperatures and high
      evaporation rates
  (3) cool water temperatures and low
      evaporation rates
  (4) cool water temperatures and high
      evaporation rates
Answer:

7.
7 The seasonal shifts of Earth’s planetary wind and
  moisture belts are due to changes in the
  (1) distance between Earth and the Sun
  (2) amount of energy given off by the Sun
  (3) latitude that receives the Sun’s vertical rays
  (4) rate of Earth’s rotation on its axis
Answer:

8.
8 Which condition will most likely result in the
  formation of a cloud?
  (1) wind speed decreasing
  (2) air pressure increasing
  (3) cool, moist air sinking
  (4) warm, moist air rising
Answer:

9.
9 Which climate condition generally results from
  both an increase in distance from the equator
  and an increase in elevation above sea level?
  (1) cooler temperatures
  (2) warmer prevailing winds
  (3) increased precipitation
  (4) increased air pressure
Answer:

10.
10 Most of which type of electromagnetic radiation
   is given off by Earth’s surface at night?
   (1) gamma rays              (3) visible light
   (2) ultraviolet light       (4) infrared rays
Answer:

11.
11 Large volcanic eruptions sometimes send
   dust and ash into the stratosphere. After these
   eruptions, global air temperatures are often
   (1) cooler than normal because the atmosphere
       is less transparent
   (2) cooler than normal because the atmosphere
       is more transparent
   (3) warmer than normal because the atmosphere
       is less transparent
   (4) warmer than normal because the atmosphere
       is more transparent
Answer:

12.
12 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
Answer:

13.
13 During which geologic epoch does the New York
   State rock record consist of weakly consolidated
   to unconsolidated sediments?
   (1) Early Permian         (3) Late Cretaceous
   (2) Early Jurassic        (4) Pliocene
Answer:

14.
14 The New York State index fossil Valcouroceras is
   classified as a
   (1) coral               (3) eurypterid
   (2) crinoid             (4) nautiloid
Answer:

15.
15 The convection currents responsible for moving
   tectonic plates occur in which Earth layer?
   (1) crust                 (3) stiffer mantle
   (2) rigid mantle          (4) asthenosphere
Answer:


16.
16 The map below shows the inferred shape of
   the North American landmass in the past. The
   location of Florida is labeled.
Which event was occurring on Earth when
Florida was located at the equator?
(1) The dome-like uplift of the Adirondack
    region began.
(2) The earliest dinosaurs appeared on Earth.
(3) Oceanic oxygen began to enter the atmosphere.
(4) Earth’s first coral reefs were forming.
Answer:

17.
17 Which geologic feature is composed of the
   youngest crustal bedrock?
   (1) Peru-Chile Trench
   (2) Mid-Atlantic Ridge
   (3) Adirondack Mountains
   (4) San Andreas Fault
Answer:

18.
18 If a seismic station is 3200 km from an earthquake
   epicenter, what is the time needed for an S-wave to
   travel from the epicenter to the seismic station?
   (1) 4 min 40 sec             (3) 10 min 40 sec
   (2) 6 min 0 sec              (4) 11 min 10 sec
Answer:

19.
19 The photograph below shows a steep-sided rock
   formation that is over 100 meters high. This land-
   scape feature is located in an arid region.
What would happen to this landscape feature   if
the climate became more humid?
(1) less weathering and erosion, producing    a
    more rounded landscape feature
(2) less weathering and erosion, producing    a
    more angular landscape feature
(3) more weathering and erosion, producing    a
    more rounded landscape feature
(4) more weathering and erosion, producing    a
    more angular landscape feature
Answer:

20.
20 The photograph below shows an igneous rock
   with mineral crystals ranging in size from 2 to
   6 millimeters. The rock is composed of 58%
   plagioclase feldspar, 26% amphibole, and 16%
   biotite.
What is the name of this rock?
(1) diorite               (3) andesite
(2) gabbro                (4) pumice
Answer:

21.
21 The contour map below shows a lake and river
   system. The Birch and Elk Rivers carry an equal
   volume of water.
Compared to the Elk River, the Birch River can
best be described as flowing
(1) faster, and in the same general compass
    direction
(2) faster, and in the opposite general compass
    direction
(3) slower, and in the same general compass
    direction
(4) slower, and in the opposite general compass
    direction
Answer:

22.
22 Which rock would be the best source of the
   mineral garnet?
   (1) basalt           (3) schist
   (2) limestone        (4) slate
Answer:

23.
23 The topographic map below shows three drum-
   lins located in New York State.
What was the direction of the advancing ice
movement that created these drumlins, and what
is the most likely arrangement of sediments in
the drumlins?
(1) north to south ice movement, and unsorted
    sediments
(2) north to south ice movement, and sorted
    sediments
(3) south to north ice movement, and unsorted
    sediments
(4) south to north ice movement, and sorted
    sediments
Answer:

24.
24 The diagram below represents Earth as viewed
   from space. Letter A represents the approximate
   angle of tilt between Earth’s rotational axis and
   a line (XY) perpendicular to the plane of Earth’s
   orbit.
What is the value of the angle represented by
letter A?
(1) 15.0°               (3) 24.5°
(2) 23.5°               (4) 30.0°
Answer:

25.
25 What are the rock name and map symbol used to
   represent the sedimentary rock that has a grain
   size of 0.006 to 0.2 centimeters?

Answer:

26.
26 The graph below shows ocean tide height in feet (ft) over a 44-hour period for a coastal location in the
   northeastern United States. The dots represent either high or low tides.
If the pattern shown continued, the next low tide occurred on Day 3 at approximately
(1) 12 midnight                                    (3) 1:00 p.m.
(2) 1:30 a.m.                                      (4) 6:00 p.m.
Answer:

27.
27 The cross sections below represent three bedrock outcrops found several kilometers apart.
Which statement best explains why the volcanic ash layers are useful for correlating the relative ages of the
bedrock in the three outcrops?
(1) The ash was deposited over a large area when a volcano erupted.
(2) There are no fossils found within the volcanic ash.
(3) The volcanic eruptions that produced the ash layer occurred over a long period of geologic time.
(4) The volcanic ash is found between many different layers of bedrock.
Answer:

28.
28 The diagram below represents the interiors of three planets in our solar system.
Which inference best describes the interiors of the planets in our solar system?
(1) Both terrestrial and Jovian planets have layered interiors, with density decreasing toward the center.
(2) Both terrestrial and Jovian planets have layered interiors, with density increasing toward the center.
(3) Only terrestrial planets have layered interiors, with density decreasing toward the center.
(4) Only Jovian planets have layered interiors, with density increasing toward the center.
Answer:

29.
29 Which device provides evidence that Earth rotates on its axis?

Answer:

30.
30 Which weather map symbol is used to represent violently rotating winds that have the appearance of a
   funnel-shaped cloud?

Answer:

31.
31 The cross sections below represent three geologic columns, I, II, and III, exposed at three different
   locations. The rock layers have not been overturned. Letters A through E represent different fossils.
Which rock layer is the youngest?
(1) green shale containing fossil B in column I
(2) glacial soil containing fossil E in column III
(3) brown sandstone containing fossil C in column II
(4) gray limestone containing fossil D in column I
Answer:

32.
32 The topographic map below has a contour interval of 20 feet. Points A and B represent locations on Earth’s
   surface.
Which profile best represents the topographic cross section along the line from A to B?

Answer:

33.
    Base your answers to questions 33 and 34 on the block diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The block diagram represents a landscape that was produced by a meandering stream. One landscape
feature is labeled X. Letters A, B, C, and D represent locations on the stream banks.
33 The landscape feature labeled X is best described as
   (1) a flood plain                                  (3) a delta
   (2) a sand bar                                     (4) an escarpment
Answer:

34.
34 Erosion is most likely greatest at locations
   (1) A and B                                    (3) C and D
   (2) B and C                                    (4) D and A
Answer:

35.
35 Which chart best describes the landscape category and the general bedrock structure, type, and composition
   of New York State’s Catskills?

Answer:


36.
Part B - 1
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (36 - 50): For each statement or question, choose the word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question.
 Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Record your answers on your separate answer sheet.
    Base your answers to questions 36 through 38 on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth
science.
                                              Comets and Asteroids
                  Since comets and asteroids orbit the Sun, both are part of our solar system. Asteroids
              are rocky objects that vary greatly in size. Most asteroids follow orbits between 300 and
              600 million kilometers from the Sun, but several have been pulled from this region by
              the gravitational attraction of nearby planets. Many of these dislodged asteroids have
              struck both Earth and the Moon, causing the large impact craters that are visible on the
              surfaces of both bodies.
                  Comets have often been described as “dirty snowballs” and occupy highly eccentric
              orbits, traveling from near the Sun to far beyond the orbits of the outer planets. As they
              move through space, comets leave a debris trail of mostly dust-sized particles. When
              Earth passes through this debris, a meteor shower occurs, often filling the night sky
              with “shooting star” trails as they burn up in the atmosphere 50 to 80 kilometers above
              Earth’s surface.
 36 Between which two planets are most asteroids located?
    (1) Earth and Mars                               (3) Jupiter and Saturn
    (2) Mars and Jupiter                             (4) Saturn and Uranus
Answer:

37.
37 In which temperature zone of Earth’s atmosphere will most meteors burn up?
   (1) troposphere                                 (3) mesosphere
   (2) stratosphere                                (4) thermosphere
Answer:

38.
38 The extinction of which group of animals 65.5 million years ago is thought to have been due to an impact
   event and global climate change?
   (1) ammonoids                                     (3) trilobites
   (2) brachiopods                                   (4) placoderm fish
Answer:

39.
   Base your answers to questions 39 through 41 on the map below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The map shows the locations of major watersheds in New York State. Letters A through K represent individual
watersheds.
39 In which major watershed is the Susquehanna River located?
   (1) F                                           (3) I
   (2) H                                           (4) J
Answer:

40.
40 The Genesee River in watershed A generally flows in which direction?
   (1) north                                        (3) east
   (2) south                                        (4) west
Answer:

41.
41 Over which two landscape regions do the streams in watershed D flow?
   (1) Tug Hill Plateau and the Catskills
   (2) Tug Hill Plateau and Erie-Ontario Lowlands
   (3) Adirondack Mountains and Champlain Lowlands
   (4) Adirondack Mountains and St. Lawrence Lowlands
Answer:

42.
    Base your answers to questions 42 through 44 on the mineral chart below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The mineral chart lists some properties of five minerals that are the major sources of the same metallic
element that is used by many industries.
42 Which two minerals have compositions that are most similar to calcite?
   (1) brucite and carnallite                      (3) dolomite and magnesite
   (2) carnallite and dolomite                     (4) magnesite and olivine
Answer:

43.
43 Which mineral might scratch the mineral fluorite, but would not scratch the mineral amphibole?
   (1) brucite                                        (3) carnallite
   (2) magnesite                                      (4) olivine
Answer:

44.
44 Which mineral has a different common color from its color in powdered form?
   (1) brucite                                     (3) magnesite
   (2) carnallite                                  (4) olivine
Answer:

45.
    Base your answers to questions 45 through 47 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The diagram represents Earth in its orbit around the Sun. Locations A through D represent four
positions of Earth in its orbit. Earth is closest to the Sun (perihelion) at position A, and farthest from the Sun
(aphelion) at position C.
45 At which position is the gravitational attraction between the Sun and Earth the greatest?
   (1) A                                                (3) C
   (2) B                                                (4) D
Answer:

46.
46 Which change in seasons occurs in the Northern Hemisphere at position D?
   (1) Winter is ending and spring is beginning.
   (2) Spring is ending and summer is beginning.
   (3) Summer is ending and fall is beginning.
   (4) Fall is ending and winter is beginning.
Answer:

47.
47 At all four positions, the northern end of Earth’s axis points toward
   (1) the Sun                                           (3) Betelgeuse
   (2) the Moon                                          (4) Polaris
Answer:

48.
    Base your answers to questions 48 through 50 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The diagram represents the apparent path of the Sun as observed at four locations, A through D,
on Earth’s surface on the same date. The present positions of the Sun represent the same time of day at each
location. The zenith (the position directly overhead) is shown for an observer at each location. [Diagrams are not
drawn to scale.]
48 What is the approximate time of day represented at each location?
   (1) 6:00 a.m.                                     (3) 3:00 p.m.
   (2) 9:00 a.m.                                     (4) 6:00 p.m.
Answer:

49.
49 During the course of the day, which location had the greatest intensity of insolation at solar noon?
   (1) A                                              (3) C
   (2) B                                              (4) D
Answer:

50.
50 Based on the Sun’s apparent path, where is location D?
   (1) equator                                        (3) Tropic of Capricorn
   (2) Tropic of Cancer                               (4) North Pole
Answer:


51.
Part B - 2
Answer all questions in this part. Directions (51 - 65): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Base your answers to questions 51 through 54 on the cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth science. On the cross section, numbers 1 through 7 represent rock units in which overturning has not occurred. Line XY represents a fault and line WZ represents the location of an unconformity.
51 The three index fossils below are found within rock units 1, 2, and 3. Since the rock units were deposited
   during different geologic time periods, each fossil is found in a different rock unit.
Write the name of each of these index fossils next to the rock unit where the fossil is most likely found. [1]

Answer:

52.
52 Name one sedimentary rock that was most likely metamorphosed to form rock unit 6. [1]
Answer:

53.
53 Write the chemical formula that shows the composition for the most common mineral found in rock unit 3. [1]
Answer:

54.
54 Identify two processes that formed the unconformity at WZ. [1]
Answer:

55.
   Base your answers to questions 55 through 58 on the map below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The map shows the four time zones and some latitude and longitude lines across the continental United States.
Some cities are labeled on the map.
55 State the number of degrees of longitude that separates New York City from Reno, Nevada, and the time
   difference, in hours, between these two cities. [1]
Answer:

56.
56 Identify two cities on the map where measurements of the altitude of Polaris are within one degree of each
   other. [1]
Answer:

57.
57 Identify the city labeled on the map where sunrise occurs first each day. [1]
Answer:

58.
58 Identify the Earth motion that provides the basis for our system of local time and time zones. [1]
Answer:

59.
    Base your answers to questions 59 through 62 on the passage and map below and on your knowledge of
Earth science. The passage describes the March 11, 2011, earthquake that occurred off the coast of Japan and
the tsunami that it generated. The map shows the location of the earthquake epicenter and the tsunami travel
times across the Pacific Ocean.
                               Earthquake and Tsunami Rattle the Pacific
                  At 2:46 p.m., in Japan, on Friday, March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake
              occurred below the ocean floor, at a depth of 18.6 miles under the ocean surface.
              The epicenter was located approximately 80 miles off Japan’s eastern coast at the
              approximate coordinates of 38° N 142° E. The earthquake shook buildings across Japan
              and generated a 7-meter-high tsunami that killed thousands of people as it engulfed
              towns on the northern coast of Japan. The tsunami also occurred along the coasts
              of other countries and islands in the Pacific Ocean. The tsunami first arrived at the
              Hawaiian island of Maui seven hours after the earthquake occurred.
59 Identify the type of plate boundary where the earthquake occurred. [1]
Answer:

60.
60 The diagram in your answer booklet represents an observer standing near the side of a building. Using the
   scale shown, place an X on the side of the building to show the maximum height of the tsunami that killed
   thousands of people as it engulfed towns on the northern coast of Japan. [1]

Answer:

61.
61 Identify the type of seismic wave traveling through Earth’s crust that was the first to arrive at earthquake
   recording stations located in Japan. [1]
Answer:

62.
62 Identify one safety precaution that residents of Maui could have undertaken in response to the tsunami
   warning. [1]
Answer:

63.
    Base your answers to questions 63 through 65 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The diagram represents a weather balloon as it rises from Earth’s surface to 1000 meters (m). The air temperature
and wet-bulb temperature values in degrees Celsius (°C) and the air pressure values in millibars (mb) are given
for three altitudes.
63 Identify the names of the instruments carried by the weather balloon that recorded the air pressure and air
   temperature. [1]
Answer:

64.
64 Determine the dewpoint and the relative humidity of the air at Earth’s surface. [1]
Answer:

65.
65 A cloud is forming at 1000 meters. Identify the phase change that is occurring at 1000 meters to produce the
   cloud. [1]
Answer:


66.
Part C
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (66 - 85): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Base your answers to questions 66 through 68 on the data table below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The data table shows five galaxies, A through E, their distances from Earth, and their recession velocities, the velocities at which they are moving away from Earth.
66 State the general relationship between the galaxies’ distances from Earth and their recession velocities. [1]
Answer:

67.
67 Another galaxy has a recession velocity of 30,000 kilometers per second. What is this galaxy’s approximate
   distance from Earth in million light years if it follows the same pattern shown on the data table? [1]
Answer:

68.
68 Identify the nuclear process that produces the energy released by stars within these galaxies. [1]
Answer:

69.
    Base your answers to questions 69 through 71 on the information below and on your knowledge of Earth
science.
                  A scientist found the bone of a mastodont. In the lab, the scientist found that 12.5%
              of the original radioactive C-14 still remained in the bone.
 69 Identify the element formed when carbon-14 (14C) undergoes radioactive decay. [1]
Answer:

70.
70 Explain why 14C was used to date the mastodont bone. [1]
Answer:

71.
71 Identify one important geologic event that occurred in New York State when mastodonts existed. [1]
Answer:

72.
    Base your answers to questions 72 through 75 on the diagram in your answer booklet and on your knowledge
of Earth science. The diagram represents the Moon at four positions, A through D, in its orbit around Earth as
viewed from above the North Pole (NP). The shaded parts of the Moon and Earth represent darkness.
 72 The Moon phase shown below was seen by an observer in New York State.
On the diagram in your answer booklet, place an X on the Moon’s orbit to indicate the Moon’s position when
this phase was observed. [1]

Answer:

73.
73 Calculate the number of days from the Moon phase at position C to the Moon phase at position A as seen
   from Earth. [1]
Answer:

74.
74 Describe the effect on the heights of Earth’s high and low tides when the Moon moves from position D to
   position A. [1]
Answer:

75.
75 Identify the celestial object in our solar system that has a period of rotation that is most similar to the period
   of rotation of Earth’s Moon. [1]
Answer:

76.
    Base your answers to questions 76 through 78 on the map in your answer booklet and on your knowledge
of Earth science. The map shows surface air temperatures for some locations in the United States on a day in
November. The 20°F, 30°F, 40°F, and 70°F isotherms are shown. Points A, W, X, Y, and Z represent locations on
Earth’s surface. The air temperature at location A is shown.
 76 On the map in your answer booklet, draw both the 50°F and 60°F isotherms. Extend each isotherm to the
    edge of the map. [1]

Answer:

77.
77 Identify the air temperature at Watertown, New York. [1]
Answer:

78.
78 Describe the evidence shown on the map that indicates that the temperature gradient between locations W
   and X is greater than the temperature gradient between locations Y and Z. [1]
Answer:

79. Base your answers to questions 79 through 82 on the passage, two diagrams, and table below and on your
knowledge of Earth science. The passage describes a method used to mine gold and the diagrams represent two
different views of a sluice box, which is used to separate gold from other sediments. The table shows the mineral
characteristics of gold.
                                                    Gold Mining
                     A sluice box is used to remove gold pieces from other sediments in a stream.
                The box is placed in the stream to channel some of the water flow. Gold-bearing sediment
                is placed at the upper end of the box. The riffles in the bottom of the box are designed
                and positioned to create disruptions in the water flow. These disruptions cause dead
                zones in the current that allow the more dense gold to drop out of suspension and be
                deposited behind the riffles. Lighter material flows out of the box as tailings. Typically,
                particles of the mineral pyrite, which shares characteristics with gold, are deposited
                with gold particles in the sluice box. Since miners were fooled into thinking the nuggets
                of pyrite were gold, the name “fool’s gold” is often applied to pyrite.

79 Identify the characteristic of gold shown in the table that allows gold to be deposited behind the riffles, while
   other material flows out of the sluice box as tailings. [1]

Answer:

80.
80 The velocity of the water leaving the sluice box was 90 centimeters per second (cm/s). State the diameter of
   the largest particle that could be found in the tailings. [1]
Answer:

81.
81 The angle of the sluice box is changed so that the box has a steeper slope. Describe the most likely change
   in water velocity and the amount of sediment passing through the sluice box as tailings. [1]
Answer:

82.
82 A gold nugget with a volume of 0.8 cubic centimeter (cm3) was found in the sluice box. Calculate the mass
   of this gold nugget. [1]
Answer:

83.
    Base your answers to questions 83 through 85 on the data table below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The data table shows the average percentage of insolation from 2006 to 2012 that was reflected during
the summer months by the ice sheet that covers a large portion of Greenland.
83 On the grid in your answer booklet, construct a line graph by plotting the average insolation reflected during
   the summer by the Greenland ice sheet from 2006 to 2012. Connect all seven plots with a line. [1]

Answer:

84.
84 Describe the general trend for the average insolation reflected by the Greenland ice sheet from 2006 to
   2012 and state what can be inferred about the change in size of the Greenland ice sheet during this time
   period. [1]
Answer:

85.
85 Describe one characteristic of the ice sheet that makes it a good reflector of insolation. [1]
Answer:

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