EARTH SCIENCE PRACTICE OGT QUESTIONS

By studying folds and faults in rocks, scientists can determine the… A. Absolute age of the rocks B. Order of past geologic events C. Depth of the ocean when the rocks formed D. Life forms that lived when the rocks formed Question 1

The geologic timetable is divided into three large time units called eras. What factor were these time divisions based upon? A. Volcanic and earthquake activity B. Locations were rocks are found C. Equal units of geologic time D. Major changes in life forms Question 2

What type of rock are most fossils found in? A. Igneous rock B. Sedimentary rock C. Metamorphic rock D. Volcanic rock Question 3

What is the name of the theory that states Earth’s crust is broken up into large pieces that move and interact? A. Natural selection B. Mountain building C. The rock cycle D. Plate tectonics Question 4

Examine the diagram of the sun. Which part of the sun has the greatest thickness? A. The core B. Chromosphere C. Corona D. Photosphere Question 5

What is the main process taking place inside of a star in order for the star to produce and release energy? A. Radioactive implosion B. Nuclear fusion C. Nuclear fission D. Combustion Question 6

Stars are born, go through a life cycle, and then eventually die. Where are the stars formed? A. From the planets in a solar system B. In comets C. In asteroids D. In nebulae Question 7

Our solar system belongs to the Milky Way galaxy. Which of the following terms describes the Milky Way’s classification? A. Irregular galaxy B. Spiral galaxy C. Elliptical galaxy D. Spherical galaxy Question 8

What is the big bang theory? A. A theory that states that particles in the universe are constantly imploding B. A theory that states that the universe has no beginning and no end C. A theory that states the universe began with a tremendous explosion D. A theory that states the universe is currently nothing more than a small ball of matter Question 9

Prokaryotes were the first organisms known to have appeared on Earth. Around 1.5 billion years ago, another form of life, known as eukaryotes evolved. Which of the following kingdoms did the first eukaryotes most likely belong? A. Fungi B. Archaebacteria C. Protista D. Eubacteria Question 10

Which of the following types of radiometric dating is most useful for dating an object that is around 20,000 years old? A. Potassium – Argon method B. Uranium – Lead method C. There is no radiometric dating method available for an object that age D. Carbon – 14 method Question 11

The outermost layer of the earth is called the… A. Surface B. Mantle C. Crust D. Ocean Question 12

A fracture in the earth’s crust is called a __________ A. Crack B. Canyon C. Plate D. Fault Question 13

Which of the following occurs when the Earth’s crust shifts? A. Eclipse B. Earthquake C. Volcano D. Ocean tides Question 14

Why do volcanoes often form along the edge of tectonic plates? A. Magma is formed when the pressure of a plate’s edge increases as it is pushed upward B. Materials from Earth’s core are able to escape through faults around a plate’s edge C. Magma is formed when the temperature of a plate’s edge increases as it is pushed downward D. Materials that are denser rise up at the plate’s edge and turn into magma Question 15

Which of the following is an example of erosion? A. Cold temperatures freeze the surface of a pond B. In fall, leaves change colors from green to orange C. During a drought, a pond dries up and all the fish die D. The wind is blowing the topsoil form a freshly plowed piece of land Question 16

_______ is the driving force behind erosion A. Gravity B. Deposition C. Human activity D. Earthquake activity Question 17

Which of the following shoreline processes is an example of deposition? A. Breakdown of gravel into sand B. Carving of sea cliffs by waves C. Wave removal of sand from beaches D. Accumulation of mud in bays Question 18

Stars appear to have life spans of billions of years. During that time they… A. Never change in size B. Constantly become larger C. Constantly become smaller D. Change in size and temperature Question 19

Major mountain ranges are formed when crustal plates… A. Push into each other B. Slide past each other C. Move away from each other D. Break into smaller plates Question 20

If the Earth’s axis were NOT tilted, the amount of daylight in Ohio would probably be… A. About 12 hours every day B. About 24 hours every day C. Shorter in the winter D. Longer in the summer Question 21

The movement of large plates on Earth’s surface is responsible for producing… A. Rivers and lakes B. Glaciers and deserts C. Hurricanes and tornadoes D. Trenches and mountains Question 22

If two climates were very similar, you would expect them to have similar… A. Geography B. Temperature ranges C. Populations D. Latitudes Question 23

Convection cells in earth’s mantle are caused by heat being released fro the decay of radioactive materials deep in the ground. The slow- flowing movement of the mantle causes A. The continents to drift B. Rotation of the earth C. Wind belts in the atmosphere D. Expansion of the earth’s surface Question 24

Which of the following is the largest? A. The sun B. A galaxy C. The solar system D. Our planet Question 25