Name Date Class d i a g n o s t i c t e s t 3 G g r a d e 6 Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 1. 1. What might be the most serious effect of having a farm in the location shown in the diagram? A Chemicals from the farm could seep into the groundwater. B Groundwater could seep into the landfill. C Pollution from the farm could damage the factory. D Garbage from the houses could fill up the landfill. 2. Which of the following best shows the atmosphere acting as a system? A its layered structure B its effect on global wind patterns C its composition D its effect on deep ocean currents 3. Why does air have pressure? A Because the stratosphere is thick. B Because air has mass. C Because wind moves the air. D Because temperature warms the air. 4. An instrument that measures changes in air pressure is a(n) A anemometer. B thermometer. C psychrometer. D barometer. Directions: Use the table below to answer question 5. Gas Gases in Dry Air Percentage by Volume Nitrogen 78 Oxygen 21 Argon 0.93 Carbon dioxide 0.036 Neon 0.0018 Helium 0.00052 Methane 0.00015 Krypton 0.00011 Hydrogen 0.00005 5. Which gas is present in the largest quantity in our atmosphere? A argon B oxygen C nitrogen D hydrogen 43
Name Date Class Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 6. 6. As Earth rotates, the paths of winds and currents curve, as shown in the diagram above. What is this called? A doldrums B El Niño C La Niña effect D the Coriolis effect Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 9. 7. As you climb up a tall mountain, the A density of air decreases. B air pressure increases. C number of oxygen molecules in each cubic meter of air increases. D percentage of oxygen in the air drops below 15 percent. 8. Sue wants to measure the average energy of motion of the air molecules outside. Which instrument should she use? A scale B pan balance C thermometer D graduated cylinder 9. Weather occurs in which layer of the atmosphere? A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4 44
Name Date Class Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 10. Condensation Water vapor Precipitation Evaporation Surface runoff From lakes and river soil From plants and From the ocean Ocean Groundwater 10. In which step of the water cycle does water move from Earth s surface into the atmosphere? A condensation B evaporation C precipitation D surface runoff 11. What causes a cloud to form? A air cooling to its dew point B cool air holding more water vapor C air pressure rising above normal D air pressure falling below normal 12. Raindrops that freeze into small, solid particles of ice as they fall are called A snow. B hail. C freezing rain. D sleet. 13. A swirling center of low air pressure is called a(n) A cold front. B warm front. C cyclone. D anticyclone. 14. In which state are tornadoes most likely to occur? A Maine B Wisconsin C Oklahoma D Oregon 15. Which is the major source of energy for most of Earth s weather patterns? A earthquakes along fault zones B radiation received from the Sun C convection currents in Earth s mantle D radioactive decay within Earth s interior 45
Name Date Class Directions: Use the line graph below to answer question 16. Temperature ( F) 110 105 100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 12:00 A.M. Daytime Temperatures, June 28 28 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00 10:00 12:00 P.M. Time 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00 10:00 16. The graph above represents the temperatures for a day somewhere in Florida. How would the graph line for June 28 in Alaska be different? A It would be the reverse of its current shape. B It would be located higher on the graph grid. C It would be located lower on the graph grid. D It would be the same shape. 17. How can you remain safe if you are caught outside during a thunderstorm? A Seek shelter under a tall tree. B Stay close to telephone poles. C Find a low area and crouch down. D Stay close to bodies of water. 18. Which of the following is the science that studies and predicts weather conditions? A ecology B meteorology C cartography D oceanography 19. On a weather map, what is an isobar? A a line showing a front approaching B a line showing a stationary front C a line joining places that have the same air pressure D a line joining places that have the same temperature 20. What is the name for the average, yearafter-year conditions of temperature, precipitation, wind, and clouds in an area? A climate B weather C global warming D seasons 46
Name Date Class Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 21. 21. The diagram shows an exposed hillside. What role did the river most likely play in shaping the hillside? A It caused a rift valley to form. B It eroded the hills. C It caused earthquakes that formed the hillside. D It caused volcanic activity that formed the hillside. 22. Which is a natural cause of major climate change in Earth s past? A anticyclones B the rapid movement of the continents C the thinning of the ozone layer due to the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) D variations in Earth s distance from the sun and the angle at which Earth s axis tilts 23. What do scientists think is the major cause of global warming? A rising sea levels B increased solar energy C natural variations in climate D increased levels of carbon dioxide 24. Uniformitarianism is best described as a principle that states that A geologic processes that operate today also operated in the past. B all rocks from the same area will erode in the same way. C different weathering processes cause rocks to weather in different ways. D all forms of mechanical weathering have the same impact on rocks. 25. Which of the following causes of weathering is classified as chemical? A abrasion B acid rain C freezing and thawing D release of pressure 47
Name Date Class Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 26. 26. What can you infer about the geologic history of the area illustrated by the diagram? A Several asteroids hit the area in the distant past. B The area has experienced volcanic activity. C The area was under an ocean millions of years ago. D Glaciers that have long ago retreated shaped the area. 27. Which prediction best describes how a long and severe drought might affect the fish living in a small farm pond? A The fish will have more food and more living space from the higher water level of the pond. B The fish will be crowded into less space with less food and oxygen as the pond dries up. C More chemicals from fertilizer runoff will enter the pond and injure or kill the fish. D The water in the pond will protect the fish, and they will not be affected by the drought. 28. Which of the following is a human activity that has helped to improve the health of ecosystems? A population growth B using private cars instead of public transportation C reducing the amount of smoke released from factories D preventing the formation of fog in cities 29. Forests and fisheries are examples of A abiotic factors. B energy resources. C renewable resources. D nonrenewable resources. 30. How can people help reduce the emissions that contribute to smog and the greenhouse effect? A by purchasing products that contain CFCs B by never pouring chemicals down the drain C by taking public transportation or walking instead of driving a car D by finding substitutes for garden chemicals 48
Name Date Class D I A G N O S T I C T E S T 3 R E P O R T pages 43 48 Virginia Science Standards of Learning Test Items Number Correct Proficient? Yes or No Strand: Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic 6.1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning, logic, and the nature of science by planning and conducting investigations in which 6.1g: data are collected, recorded, analyzed, and reported using metric measurements and tools; 6.1h: data are analyzed and communicated through graphical representation; 6.1j: current applications are used to reinforce science concepts. 4, 5, 8, 16, 28, 30 4, 8 5, 16 28, 30 Strand: Force, Motion, and Energy 6.2: The student will investigate and understand basic sources of energy, their origins, transformations, and uses. Key concepts include 8 6.2a: potential and kinetic energy. 8 6.3: The student will investigate and understand the role of solar energy in driving most natural processes within the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and on Earth s surface. Key concepts include 6.3b: the role of radiation and convection in the distribution of energy; 2, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 27 15, 20 6.3c: the motion of the atmosphere and the oceans; 2, 6 6.3d: cloud formation; and 11 6.3e: the role of thermal energy in weather-related phenomena including thunderstorms and hurricanes. Strand: Matter 6.4: The student will investigate and understand that all matter is made up of atoms. Key concepts include 6.4g: a limited number of elements comprise the largest portion of the solid Earth, living matter, the oceans, and the atmosphere. 12, 13, 14, 17, 27 5 5 (continued) 49
Name Date Class D I A G N O S T I C T E S T 3 R E P O R T pages 43 48 Virginia Science Standards of Learning Test Items Number Correct Proficient? Yes or No 6.5: The student will investigate and understand the unique properties and characteristics of water and its roles in the natural and human-made environment. Key concepts include 1, 10, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26 6.5c: the action of water in physical and chemical weathering; 6.5d: the ability of large bodies of water to store thermal energy and moderate climate; 6.5f: the importance of protecting and maintaining water resources. 6.6: The student will investigate and understand the properties of air and the structure and dynamics of Earth s atmosphere. Key concepts include 6.6a: air as a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds; 21, 24, 25, 26 20 1 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 30 6.6b: pressure, temperature, and humidity; 3, 4, 7, 16 6.6c: atmospheric changes with altitude; 7, 9 6.6d: natural and human-caused changes to the atmosphere and the importance of protecting and maintaining air quality; 6.6e: the relationship of atmospheric measures and weather conditions; and 6.6f: basic information from weather maps, including fronts, systems, and basic measurements. Strand: Earth Resources 6.9: The student will investigate and understand public policy decisions relating to the environment. Key concepts include 6.9a: management of renewable resources; 29 6.9c: the mitigation of land-use and environmental hazards through preventive measures. *Bold numbers correspond to content strand. Comments: 5 22, 23, 30 12, 13, 18, 27 19 28, 29, 30 30 50