Question 1

What is the Big Bang Theory?&#10;A) A single explosion that will destroy the universe&#10;B) The point at which the universe began to expand&#10;C) An asteroid that smashed the Earth to create the Moon&#10;D) Climate change that occurs during volcanic winter

Accepted Answer

The Big Bang Theory is the scientific explanation for the beginning of the universe, where it is believed that the entire universe was condensed into a single point and then began to rapidly expand, leading to the formation of all matter and energy in the universe.

Question 2

What is the most accurate description of our Solar System?&#10;A) Our solar system is situated in the exact center of the Milky Way Galaxy.&#10;B) Each of the planets in our system is composed of rock and water.&#10;C) Our solar system is composed of eight planets orbiting around our Sun.&#10;D) Each of the planets in our system receive the same amount of Sun's energy.

Accepted Answer

Our solar system is composed of eight planets that orbit around our Sun. This is the most accurate and widely accepted description of our solar system. Choice A is incorrect as our solar system is located in the outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy, not in the center. Choice B is also incorrect as not all planets in our system are composed of rock and water - for example, gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. Choice D is also incorrect as each planet receives a different amount of energy from the Sun based on their distance from it.

Question 3

What aspect of the Earth's orbit is responsible for the seasons experienced on Earth each year?&#10;A) Rotation&#10;B) Revolution&#10;C) Tilt&#10;D) Elliptical shape

Accepted Answer

The tilt of the Earth's axis at 23.5 degrees is responsible for the seasons experienced on Earth each year. This tilt causes different amounts of sunlight to reach different parts of the Earth at different times of the year, resulting in the four seasons.

Question 4

What aspect of the Earth's orbit does NOT influence long-term climate changes?&#10;A) rotation&#10;B) Revolution&#10;C) Tilt&#10;D) Elliptical shape

Accepted Answer

Rotation refers to the Earth's spin on its axis, which affects daily and seasonal variations in temperature and weather patterns, but it does not have a significant impact on long-term climate changes. The other three options - revolution, tilt, and elliptical shape - all play important roles in determining the Earth's climate over periods of thousands to millions of years.

Question 5

Where on the Earth's surface would you see the greatest difference in seasonal change between summer and winter?&#10;A) Polar Greenland&#10;B) Temperate China&#10;C) Subtropical Egypt&#10;D) Equatorial Brazil

Accepted Answer

Regions near the poles experience the most significant seasonal changes because the angle of incidence of sunlight changes drastically throughout the year. In summer, the poles are tilted towards the sun, resulting in long daylight hours and continuous sunshine for several months, leading to significant melting of ice and snow. In contrast, in winter, the poles are tilted away from the sun, resulting in darkness for several months, leading to a buildup of ice and snow. Polar Greenland, being one of the closest locations to the North Pole, experiences the most significant difference in seasonal change between summer and winter.

Question 6

What is responsible for the formation of the moon?&#10;A) The Big Bang&#10;B) Gravitational compression&#10;C) Asteroid impact&#10;D) Meteor caught in orbit

Accepted Answer

The most widely accepted theory for the formation of the moon is the giant impact hypothesis, which suggests that a Mars-sized body collided with Earth about 4.5 billion years ago, ejecting debris into space that eventually coalesced to form the moon. This theory is supported by similarities in isotopic ratios between Earth and the moon and the moon's lack of a significant iron core.

Question 7

What phenomenon on Earth is a result of the Moon's gravitational effect?&#10;A) Aurora borealis&#10;B) Shooting stars&#10;C) Tsunamis&#10;D) Tides

Accepted Answer

Tides are a result of the Moon's gravitational effect on Earth. The Moon's gravitational force pulls on the Earth's waters, causing the ocean tides to rise and fall.

Question 8

What is the most accurate statement about Seasonal Affective Disorder?&#10;A) The effects are quite pronounced during the Summer.&#10;B) Its incidence does not vary by latitude in either hemisphere.&#10;C) Mood changes occur during transition seasons, like Spring and Fall.&#10;D) The associated winter blues are more common in northern latitudes.

Accepted Answer

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is characterized by symptoms of depression that occur during the winter months, when there is less daylight. It is more common in northern latitudes, where there are fewer daylight hours during the winter. Option A is incorrect because SAD is more commonly associated with the winter months. Option B is also incorrect because SAD is more prevalent in regions farther from the equator. Option C may be true for some individuals, but it is not a characteristic of SAD.

Question 9

What is the driver of plate tectonics?&#10;A) Movement of subterranean mantle currents&#10;B) Fission energy generated from the Earth's inner core&#10;C) Centrifugal spinning of the Earth's lithosphere&#10;D) Mechanical force of the oceans on the crust

Accepted Answer

Plate tectonics are driven by the movement and interaction of subterranean mantle currents, which create the forces that move and shape the Earth's lithosphere. The other options do not accurately describe the driving force behind plate tectonics.

Question 10

Where do earthquakes and volcanoes primarily occur?&#10;A) Plate interiors&#10;B) Base of mountains&#10;C) Plate boundaries&#10;D) Middle of oceans

Accepted Answer

Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur at plate boundaries where the movement and interaction of tectonic plates create intense geological activity. This includes divergent boundaries (where plates move apart), convergent boundaries (where plates collide), and transform boundaries (where plates slide past each other).

Question 11

What is NOT one of the aftereffects of a volcanic eruption that has significant impacts for all life on Earth?&#10;A) Tsunami&#10;B) Volcanic winter&#10;C) Climate change&#10;D) Extinctions

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is NOT one of the aftereffects...

Question 12

What is the most accurate statement about the evolution of life on Earth?&#10;A) Life on Earth began when the planet was formed in the solar system.&#10;B) As soon as life emerged, it successfully proliferated and evolved diversity.&#10;C) Life on Earth began when the first land animals appeared 418 million years ago.&#10;D) As soon as life emerged, it soon after suffered the first of many mass extinctions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the most accurate statement about...

Question 13

What is NOT one of the causes of mass extinction in Earth's history of life?&#10;A) Early human colonization&#10;B) Volcanic eruption&#10;C) Climate change&#10;D) Magnetic field shift

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is NOT one of the causes...

Question 14

What is the basis for the Out of Africa Theory?&#10;A) Local peoples' high genetic diversity&#10;B) African landmass' central situation&#10;C) Local peoples' low genetic diversity&#10;D) African environment's ideal site

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the basis for the Out...

Question 15

What was Wallace's Line?&#10;A) the boundary between the mantle and the asthenosphere&#10;B) the tectonic boundary between the Eurasian and Australian plates&#10;C) the biogeographical boundary line separating biotic realms&#10;D) the route early human groups took across the land bridge

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

What is the most accurate statement illustrating the distance-decay effect?&#10;A) Genetic and language variation decline with increasing distance from Africa.&#10;B) Genetic and language variation increase with increasing distance from Africa.&#10;C) Genetic variation declines but language variation increases away from Africa.&#10;D) There is no change to genetic or language variation with distance from Africa.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the most accurate statement illustrating...

Question 17

What is NOT true regarding human diffusion during the Pleistocene era? LO 1.5&#10;A) Massive glacial cover restricted movement northward.&#10;B) The ice age reduced sea level and exposed a land bridge between Asia and America.&#10;C) Early human migrations traveled up rivers, along the coasts, but never across the sea.&#10;D) Early routes only traversed deserts and over mountains after easier paths explored.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is NOT true regarding human diffusion...

Question 18

What climate event in the past 1,000 years would have coincided with a reduction in sea level? LO 1.5&#10;A) Medieval Warm Period&#10;B) Little Ice Age&#10;C) Past 100 years warming&#10;D) Future 100 years warming

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

What is the arctic amplitude? LO 1.5&#10;A) Increased power of the Earth's magnetic field in the Arctic&#10;B) The interaction of solar energy with the Earth's Arctic atmosphere&#10;C) Greater near-surface warming in the Arctic than at other latitudes&#10;D) Concentration of greenhouse gases in the ozone hole over the Arctic

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the arctic amplitude? LO 1.5&#10;A)...

Question 20

What is the best example of human adaptations to climate change? LO 1.5&#10;A) Building a storm barrier to handle increased flooding&#10;B) Removing grass lawns and replacing with low-water plants&#10;C) Changing transportation preferences to reduce emissions&#10;D) Home insurance no longer covering low-lying coastal towns

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the best example of human...

Deck 1: The Home Planet