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Earth/Space Science 6 to 12

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Earth/Space Science 6 to 12 subject area test consists of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions. You will have two and one-half hours to complete the test.

Each question will contain four response options, and you will indicate your answer by selecting A, B, C, or D.

The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.

Table of Question Formats

Type of Question Sample Question
Scenario
Examine a situation, problem, or case study. Then answer a question, make a diagnosis, or recommend a course of action by selecting the best response option. 		Question 4
Sentence Completion
Select the response option that best completes the sentence. 		Question 8
Graphics
Examine a drawing or a diagram and select the response option that best answers the question. 		Question 14
Command
Select the best response option. 		Question 17
Direct Question
Choose the response option that best answers the question. 		Question 26

Sample Questions

The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.

Question 1

Competency 1—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In scientific investigations, which of the following steps is most likely to occur first?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 2

Competency 1—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A class of 7th-grade science students conducting an experiment involving tomato plants collected both quantitative and qualitative data. Which data were qualitative?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 3

Competency 1—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Evidence that supported Harry Hess's theory of seafloor spreading led scientists to review which scientist's hypothesis of continental drift?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 4

Competency 1—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A scientist collects and tests the pH of water from six local ponds following major rainstorms to determine whether rainfall increases the acidity of pond water. The most significant flaw in the scientist's experimental design is that it is lacking

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 5

Competency 1—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An anemometer would be used in determining

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 6

Competency 2—Knowledge of the composition, characteristics, and structure of Earth

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The continental crust is thickest beneath

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 7

Competency 2—Knowledge of the composition, characteristics, and structure of Earth

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following types of rock is formed by the cooling and hardening of magma or lava?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 8

Competency 2—Knowledge of the composition, characteristics, and structure of Earth

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Crystals ranging in size from 2 cm to 5 cm are found embedded in rock being excavated from a mine. The size of the crystals being excavated suggests that the rock being excavated is a(an)

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 9

Competency 3—Knowledge of plate tectonics and related processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Paleomagnetic surveys of the Atlantic Ocean indicate that the oceanic crust is

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 10

Competency 4—Knowledge of Earth's surface processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

One major difference between mechanical weathering and chemical weathering is that mechanical weathering

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 11

Competency 4—Knowledge of Earth's surface processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In graded bedding of sedimentary rocks, the largest grains of sediment are found

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 12

Competency 4—Knowledge of Earth's surface processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The process of sublimation would most likely be a part of the hydrologic cycle in which of the following environments?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 13

Competency 4—Knowledge of Earth's surface processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which region in Florida would most likely have deep peat soils?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 14

Competency 5—Knowledge of mapping and remote sensing

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which geologic feature is shown to be forming in the map sequence?

The item consists of 3 maps showing the formation of a geologic feature. The maps represent an 8 km by 2.2 km area. In all of the three maps the mainland is to the north and the water is to the south. Map 1 represents the coastline in 1900. In this map a roughly triangular section of coastline is shown surrounded by water along its southern perimeter. The triangle-shaped section of mainland fills much of the map and is centrally located on the map. A small landmass is separate from the mainland and off to the west of the mainland.
Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 15

Competency 5—Knowledge of mapping and remote sensing

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Radiosondes carried by balloons into the upper atmosphere allow meteorologists to obtain which of the following measurements?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 16

Competency 6—Knowledge of the scope and measurement of geologic time

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The presence of rich deposits of phosphate indicate what geologic events in Florida's history?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 17

Competency 7—Knowledge of the characteristics and management of Earth's resources

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Identify a proven source of renewable energy.

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 18

Competency 7—Knowledge of the characteristics and management of Earth's resources

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Methane production, incomplete decomposition, and release of leachates are problems associated with

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 19

Competency 8—Knowledge of oceans and coastal processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Phytoplankton play an important role in balancing Earth's climate by taking in

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 20

Competency 8—Knowledge of oceans and coastal processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Surface currents in the Northern Hemisphere curve toward the right because of the

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 21

Competency 8—Knowledge of oceans and coastal processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Scientists can best preserve the Everglades and save its endangered wildlife by

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 22

Competency 9—Knowledge of factors that influence atmospheric conditions and weather

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is a major factor in the suppression of hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 23

Competency 9—Knowledge of factors that influence atmospheric conditions and weather

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The temperature at which frost will form is most heavily influenced by

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 24

Competency 9—Knowledge of factors that influence atmospheric conditions and weather

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

As a very cold, dry air mass moves over the Great Lakes during early December, which of the following weather events can be expected?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 25

Competency 9—Knowledge of factors that influence atmospheric conditions and weather

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Maritime tropical air masses that settle across the state of Florida in the summer typically produce

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 26

Competency 11—Knowledge of astronomical objects and processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following planets could float on water due to its low density?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 27

Competency 11—Knowledge of astronomical objects and processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

During which phases of the Moon do spring tides occur?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 28

Competency 12—Knowledge of space exploration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The average distance between Earth and the Sun is how many astronomical units?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 29

Competency 12—Knowledge of space exploration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

One advantage of a radio telescope over an optical telescope is that a radio telescope

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 30

Competency 12—Knowledge of space exploration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Scientists can identify the composition of an excited gas from its emission spectrum. This process measures the

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.