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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: 4 2. 2 Which evidence best supports scientistsâ 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: 2 3. 3 Earthâs planetary winds curve to the right in the
Northern Hemisphere due to
(1) the Coriolis effect
(2) the Doppler effect
(3) the tilt of Earthâs axis
(4) Earthâs gravity Answer: 1
4. 4 Which process releases 334 Joules (J) of energy
for each gram of water?
(1) melting (3) vaporization
(2) freezing (4) condensation Answer: 2 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: 3 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: 2 7. 7 The seasonal shifts of Earthâs 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 Sunâs vertical rays
(4) rate of Earthâs rotation on its axis Answer: 3 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: 4 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: 1 10. 10 Most of which type of electromagnetic radiation
is given off by Earthâs surface at night?
(1) gamma rays (3) visible light
(2) ultraviolet light (4) infrared rays Answer: 4 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: 1 12. 12 Which list contains three major greenhouse gases
found in Earthâs 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: 1 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: 3 14. 14 The New York State index fossil Valcouroceras is
classified as a
(1) coral (3) eurypterid
(2) crinoid (4) nautiloid Answer: 4 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: 4
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) Earthâs first coral reefs were forming. Answer: 2 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: 2 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: 3 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: 3 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: 1 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: 1 22. 22 Which rock would be the best source of the
mineral garnet?
(1) basalt (3) schist
(2) limestone (4) slate Answer: 3 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: 1 24. 24 The diagram below represents Earth as viewed
from space. Letter A represents the approximate
angle of tilt between Earthâs rotational axis and
a line (XY) perpendicular to the plane of Earthâs
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: 2 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: 4 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: 2 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: 1 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: 2 29. 29 Which device provides evidence that Earth rotates on its axis?
Answer: 3 30. 30 Which weather map symbol is used to represent violently rotating winds that have the appearance of a
funnel-shaped cloud?
Answer: 3 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: 2 32. 32 The topographic map below has a contour interval of 20 feet. Points A and B represent locations on Earthâs
surface.
Which profile best represents the topographic cross section along the line from A to B?
Answer: 4 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: 1 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: 4 35. 35 Which chart best describes the landscape category and the general bedrock structure, type, and composition
of New York Stateâs Catskills?
Answer: 1
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 âdirty snowballsâ 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 âshooting starâ trails as they burn up in the atmosphere 50 to 80 kilometers above
Earthâs 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: 2 37. 37 In which temperature zone of Earthâs atmosphere will most meteors burn up?
(1) troposphere (3) mesosphere
(2) stratosphere (4) thermosphere Answer: 3 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: 1 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: 2 40. 40 The Genesee River in watershed A generally flows in which direction?
(1) north (3) east
(2) south (4) west Answer: 1 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: 4 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: 3 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: 2 44. 44 Which mineral has a different common color from its color in powdered form?
(1) brucite (3) magnesite
(2) carnallite (4) olivine Answer: 4 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: 1 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: 3 47. 47 At all four positions, the northern end of Earthâs axis points toward
(1) the Sun (3) Betelgeuse
(2) the Moon (4) Polaris Answer: 4 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 Earthâs 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: 3 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: 3 50. 50 Based on the Sunâs apparent path, where is location D?
(1) equator (3) Tropic of Capricorn
(2) Tropic of Cancer (4) North Pole Answer: 4
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if each of the three fossil names is in its correct row.
Note: Allow credit if students list the correct sequence of letters corresponding to these fossils as
shown on page 8 of the Earth Science Reference Tables: (1) F, (2) E, (3) B.
52. 52 Name one sedimentary rock that was most likely metamorphosed to form rock unit 6. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit for limestone or dolostone.
53. 53 Write the chemical formula that shows the composition for the most common mineral found in rock unit 3. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW 54. 54 Identify two processes that formed the unconformity at WZ. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if both processes are correct. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- uplift/emergence
- weathering
- erosion
- subsidence/submergence
- deposition/precipitation
- burial
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if both the longitude difference and time difference are correct.
- Longitude difference: any value from 45° to 47°
- Time difference: 3 h
56. 56 Identify two cities on the map where measurements of the altitude of Polaris are within one degree of each
other. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit if both cities are correct. Acceptable responses include:
- Denver and Reno
- New York City and Omaha
- Milwaukee and Buffalo
57. 57 Identify the city labeled on the map where sunrise occurs first each day. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for New York City or New York or NYC.
58. 58 Identify the Earth motion that provides the basis for our system of local time and time zones. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- rotation
- Earth rotates on its axis.
- a spinning Earth
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 Japanâs 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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- convergent plate boundary
- subduction zone
- colliding plates
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if the center of the X is within or touches the edge of the box below.
Note: Allow credit if a symbol other than an X is used.
It is recommended that an overlay of the same scale as the student answer sheet be used to
ensure reliability in rating.
61. 61 Identify the type of seismic wave traveling through Earthâs crust that was the first to arrive at earthquake
recording stations located in Japan. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- P-wave
- primary wave/P
- compressional wave
62. 62 Identify one safety precaution that residents of Maui could have undertaken in response to the tsunami
warning. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- Evacuate to higher elevations/evacuate.
- Move to higher floors of buildings.
- Move inland, away from the coast.
- Move boats to deeper water.
- Seek out emergency shelters.
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 Earthâs 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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit if both responses are correct.
Air pressure: barometer
Air temperature: thermometer
64. 64 Determine the dewpoint and the relative humidity of the air at Earthâs surface. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit if both dewpoint and relative humidity are correct.
Dewpoint: 8°C
Relative humidity: 40%
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- condensation
- water vapor changing to liquid water
- gas to liquid
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 galaxiesâ distances from Earth and their recession velocities. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- As the Earth-to-galaxy distance increases, the recession velocity increases.
- Galaxies closer to Earth are moving more slowly.
- direct relationship/positive relationship
67. 67 Another galaxy has a recession velocity of 30,000 kilometers per second. What is this galaxyâs approximate
distance from Earth in million light years if it follows the same pattern shown on the data table? [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for any value from 1800 to 2200 million light years.
68. 68 Identify the nuclear process that produces the energy released by stars within these galaxies. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- fusion/nuclear fusion
- Light elements combine to form heavier elements.
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
70. 70 Explain why 14C was used to date the mastodont bone. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- C-14 is used to date recent organic remains.
- The mastodont bone is less than 50,000 years old.
- Carbon-14 has a short half-life.
- Carbon-14 decays at a predictable rate.
71. 71 Identify one important geologic event that occurred in New York State when mastodonts existed. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- advance and retreat of last continental ice
- last ice age
- glaciation
- formation of Long Island
- formation of New York State Finger Lakes
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 Moonâs orbit to indicate the Moonâs position when
this phase was observed. [1]
Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if the center of the X is located within or touches the bracket below.
Note: Allow credit if a symbol other than an X is used.
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for any value from 14.0 to 15.0 days.
74. 74 Describe the effect on the heights of Earthâs high and low tides when the Moon moves from position D to
position A. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for both a correct effect on high-tide height and a correct effect on low-tide height.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
Height of high tide:
- High tides will be higher.
- higher
- increase
Height of low tide:
- Low tides will be lower.
- lower
- decrease
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 Earthâs Moon. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for the Sun.
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
Earthâs 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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if both the 50°F and 60°F isotherms are correctly drawn. If additional isotherms are
drawn, all isotherms must be correct to receive credit.
Note: Allow credit if the isotherms extend only to the edge of the land area.
Do not allow credit if student-drawn isotherms do not pass through or touch the 50 and 60
data points.
Example of a 1-credit response:
77. 77 Identify the air temperature at Watertown, New York. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for any value from 39°F to 41°F.
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- The isotherms are closer together between locations W and X than they are between
locations Y and Z.
- Temperatures between W and X show the same change over a shorter distance.
- The isotherms are farther apart between Y and Z.
- The isolines are closer together.
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 âfoolâs goldâ 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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW 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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for a value from 1.5 to 2.5 cm.
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit if both responses are acceptable. Acceptable responses include, but are not
limited to:
Water velocity:
- increases
- speeds up
- gets greater
- flows faster
Amount of sediment:
- increases
- becomes greater
- more sediment
- Less sediment is left behind in the sluice box.
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for 15.44 g or 15.4 g or 15 g.
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if the centers of all seven plots are within or touch the circles shown and are
correctly connected with a line that passes within or touches each circle.
Note: Allow credit if the student line does not pass through the student plots but is still within or
touches the circles.
It is recommended that an overlay of the same scale as the student answer sheet be used to
ensure reliability in rating.
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: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit if both the insolation-reflected trend and the inferred change in size are correct.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
Insolation-reflected trend:
- From 2006 to 2012, the ice sheet reflectivity generally decreased.
- became less
- lower
Inferred size change:
- The ice sheet became smaller.
- less
- shrunk or melted
- decreased
85. 85 Describe one characteristic of the ice sheet that makes it a good reflector of insolation. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- light in color
- smooth
- Ice and snow are white.
- shiny/glassy
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