1.
Which of these activities helps keep the air cleaner?
Correct Answer
D. Riding Your Bike Somewhere
Explanation
Riding your bike somewhere helps keep the air cleaner because it does not emit any harmful pollutants or greenhouse gases like cars do. Cars contribute to air pollution through their exhaust emissions, which include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. In contrast, riding a bike is a clean and environmentally friendly mode of transportation that does not contribute to air pollution. By choosing to ride a bike instead of driving a car, individuals can help reduce air pollution and improve air quality.
2.
Which of these words refers to harmful things that are added to the water, air or land?
Correct Answer
D. Pollution
Explanation
Pollution refers to harmful things that are added to the water, air, or land. It is the introduction of contaminants into the environment that can cause adverse effects on living organisms, ecosystems, and the overall environment. These contaminants can come from various sources such as industrial activities, vehicle emissions, improper waste disposal, and agricultural practices. Pollution can have detrimental effects on human health, wildlife, and the natural balance of ecosystems.
3.
What sort of storm is shaped like a funnel and is very destructive when it touches down?
Correct Answer
C. Tornado
Explanation
A tornado is a storm that is shaped like a funnel and is very destructive when it touches down. It is a violent, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud. Tornadoes are known for their high winds, which can reach speeds of over 300 miles per hour, and their ability to cause significant damage to structures and the environment. They are often accompanied by heavy rain, lightning, and hail, but the defining characteristic of a tornado is its funnel shape and destructive power.
4.
Which of these is the first step in the making of a fossil?
Correct Answer
D. The Creature Dies
Explanation
The first step in the making of a fossil is the death of the creature. Fossils are formed when the remains of plants or animals are buried under layers of sediment, which protects them from decay. Over time, the organic material in the remains is replaced by minerals, creating a fossil. Therefore, the death of the creature is the initial event that sets the stage for the formation of a fossil.
5.
What is the imaginary line that runs around the Earth halfway between the poles called?
Correct Answer
D. Equator
Explanation
The imaginary line that runs around the Earth halfway between the poles is called the equator. It divides the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. The equator is an important reference line for navigation, climate, and geography. It is also the line where the Sun's rays are most direct, resulting in a warmer climate near the equator.
6.
What event happened when water droplets were on a spider's web but it hadn't rained?
Correct Answer
B. Condensation
Explanation
Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air transforms into liquid water. When water droplets appear on a spider's web without rain, it suggests that the surrounding air is saturated with moisture. As the air cools down, it loses its capacity to hold water vapor, causing the vapor to condense into liquid water droplets on surfaces such as the spider's web. Therefore, condensation is the most likely event that occurred in this scenario.
7.
What evidence tells scientists that some dinosaurs may have lived together in groups?
Correct Answer
B. Fossilized Footprints
Explanation
Fossilized footprints provide evidence that some dinosaurs may have lived together in groups. These footprints show multiple tracks in close proximity, suggesting that dinosaurs moved and lived in herds or social groups. The presence of different sizes and shapes of footprints can also indicate the presence of different dinosaur species living together. This evidence helps scientists understand the social behavior and group dynamics of dinosaurs.
8.
What kind of waves does an earthquake produce?
Correct Answer
C. Seismic Waves
Explanation
An earthquake produces seismic waves. Seismic waves are the waves of energy that are generated by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust during an earthquake. These waves travel through the Earth and can be detected and measured by seismographs. Sound waves, light waves, and earth waves are not specifically associated with earthquakes and do not accurately describe the type of waves produced during an earthquake.
9.
What does Earth do to cause night and day?
Correct Answer
B. Rotates
Explanation
The Earth rotates on its axis, causing night and day. As it rotates, different parts of the Earth are either facing towards or away from the Sun, resulting in the alternation between day and night. When a particular region is facing the Sun, it experiences daylight, while the opposite side experiences darkness, creating night. This rotation takes approximately 24 hours, leading to the cycle of day and night that we observe on Earth.
10.
In what direction does the sun set for people on Earth?
Correct Answer
A. West
Explanation
The sun sets in the west for people on Earth because the Earth rotates from west to east. This rotation causes the sun to appear to move across the sky from east to west throughout the day. As the sun reaches the western horizon, it appears to set, marking the end of the day.
11.
How many days does it take for the Earth to revolve around the sun?
Correct Answer
B. 365
Explanation
The correct answer is 365 because it takes approximately 365 days for the Earth to complete one revolution around the sun. This is known as a "sidereal year" and is the basis for our calendar system. The Earth's orbit around the sun is not a perfect circle, so the actual time it takes for a full revolution is about 365.25 days. However, to account for this extra quarter of a day, we have a leap year every four years with an extra day in February.
12.
What is a reason for the Earth's seasons?
Correct Answer
B. Earth's Tilted Axis
Explanation
The reason for the Earth's seasons is its tilted axis. The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the sun. This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, resulting in the changing seasons. When a hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it experiences summer, while the hemisphere tilted away from the sun experiences winter. As the Earth orbits the sun, the tilt remains constant, causing the seasons to occur in a predictable pattern.
13.
Which of the following items is a tool used to tell time by the sun's movement in the sky?
Correct Answer
C. Sundial
Explanation
A sundial is a tool that uses the sun's movement in the sky to tell time. It consists of a flat plate with a rod or pointer that casts a shadow onto markings or numbers indicating the hours. As the sun moves across the sky, the shadow changes position, allowing people to determine the time based on the shadow's location. Unlike a watch or a clock, which rely on mechanical or electronic mechanisms, a sundial relies solely on the position of the sun, making it a simple and ancient tool for timekeeping.
14.
What did ancient farmers probably use to tell the passing of seasons?
Correct Answer
A. Constellations
Explanation
Ancient farmers most likely used constellations to tell the passing of seasons. Constellations are patterns of stars in the night sky that can be used as a celestial calendar. By observing the position of specific constellations throughout the year, farmers could track the changing seasons and determine the best times for planting, harvesting, and other agricultural activities. This knowledge would have been crucial for their survival and success in farming. Watches, consolations, and computers would not have been available or suitable for this purpose in ancient times.
15.
Which of these landforms is an area of land lying between hills or mountains?
Correct Answer
C. Valley
Explanation
A valley is an area of land that is surrounded by hills or mountains. It is a low-lying landform that is typically formed by the erosion of water or glaciers over time. Valleys are often characterized by a river or stream running through them, and they can vary in size and shape. Unlike a plain, which is a flat and level area of land, a valley is defined by its surrounding hills or mountains. Therefore, a valley is the correct answer for an area of land lying between hills or mountains.