Earth Systems Science
Pre-Test Questions
Course Introduction
Earth Systems Science explores the complex interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere that together form the dynamic planet we inhabit. The course examines how physical, chemical, and biological processes shape Earth's environment over time, emphasizing the integrated nature of climate, landforms, life, and tectonics. Students will gain an understanding of Earth's cycles such as the carbon, water, and energy cycles and how human activities impact and are influenced by these interconnected systems. Through lectures, case studies, and hands-on activities, the course fosters a systems-thinking approach crucial for addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
Recommended Textbook Essentials of Oceanography 10th Edition by Alan P. Trujillo
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1029 Verified Questions
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Planet Earth
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Sample Questions
Q1) Significant oceanographic knowledge was acquired during the Middle Ages.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q2) The <b>nebular hypothesis</b> suggests that:
A) all bodies in the solar system formed from an enormous gas cloud.
B) Earth's moon is an asteroid captured by the Earth's gravity.
C) galaxies such as the Milky Way form independent of one another.
D) the Earth was formed by a cosmic explosion, a "big bang".
E) the moon is derived from a protoplanet.
Answer: A
Q3) The Ming Dynasty ships used magnetic compasses similar to those used today.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q4) Differentiate between a <b>hypothesis </b>and a <b>theory</b>.
Answer: A hypothesis is a stated relationship between observed phenomena that can be tested. A theory is a relationship between observed phenomena (variables) that has withstood repeated independent testing over time.
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Chapter 2: Plate Tectonics and the Ocean Floor
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Sample Questions
Q1) Continental drift was <b>confirmed</b> through the use of the:
A) age of rocks on distant continents.
B) location of ancient coral reefs.
C) location of deep sea trenches.
D) location of magnetic poles through geologic time.
E) the shape of the continental margins.
Answer: D
Q2) Deep ocean trenches are associated with:
A) rift valleys.
B) subduction zones.
C) submarine canyons.
D) transform faults.
E) turbidity currents.
Answer: B
Q3) The magnetic field of the Earth reverses itself each time that magma erupts at a mid-ocean ridge.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
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Page 4
Chapter 3: Marine Provinces
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Sample Questions
Q1) Subduction zones appear to remain nearly stationary over long periods of time.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q2) The method that is most frequently used to investigate sediment and rock layers of the sea floor is:
A) direct observation.
B) drilling.
C) light waves.
D) satellite observation.
E) sound waves.
Answer: E
Q3) Black smokers are hydrothermal vents that discharge superheated water with high concentrations of metal sulfides.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Marine Sediments
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Sample Questions
Q1) All of the following statements are true of ocean sediments <b>except</b>:
A) ocean sediments are thickest in pelagic waters overlying the abyssal plain.
B) ocean sediments can include the fossilized remains of ancient marine life.
C) ocean sediments form from the remains of living organisms falling to the ocean floor.
D) ocean sediments include the remains of ancient rocks of cosmic origin.
E) ocean sediments may be composed of chemical precipitates such as calcium carbonate or manganese.
Q2) Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.
A)glaciers
B)rivers
C)shell fragments
D)turbidity currents
E)volcanic ash
Q3) Radiolarian oozes form near the equator.
A)True
B)False
Q4) How does the analysis of marine sediments provide information about the climate of the ancient Earth?
Q5) List and describe the four types of marine sediments.
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Chapter 5: Water and Seawater
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Sample Questions
Q1) Water is the only naturally occurring substance that exists in all three states of matter simultaneously (ice, water, and water vapor).
A)True
B)False
Q2) Processes that decrease seawater salinity include evaporation and sea ice formation.
A)True
B)False
Q3) The surface tension of water:
A) increases as density decreases.
B) is related to salinity.
C) is relatively high.
D) is relatively low.
E) is very similar to similar liquids.
Q4) In comparison to most other liquids, the heat capacity of water is:
A) a function of salinity.
B) about the same as other liquids.
C) higher than other liquids.
D) lower than other liquids.
E) related to solvent concentration.
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Chapter 6: Air-Sea Interface
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Sample Questions
Q1) An iceberg is a variety of sea ice.
A)True
B)False
Q2) The wind belt that corresponds to the doldrums is labeled:
A) 1.
B) 2.
C) 3.
D) 5.
E) 6.
Q3) A maritime tropical air mass is likely to be:
A) dry and cold.
B) dry and warm.
C) wet and cold.
D) wet and the same temperature.
E) wet and warm.
Q4) A hurricane contains more energy than has been generated in the U.S. over the last twenty years.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Distinguish between<b> weather</b> and <b>climate</b>.
Page 8
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Chapter 7: Ocean Circulation
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Sample Questions
Q1) All are <b>true</b> of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current <b>except</b>:
A) the Antarctic Circumpolar Current contributes to the development of Antarctic bottom water in the Weddell Sea.
B) the Antarctic Circumpolar Current contributes to upwelling off the Antarctic coast producing an area of high primary productivity in Antarctic summer.
C) the Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows in a counterclockwise direction around the southern hemisphere at 60º S latitude.
D) the Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows in the opposite direction to the East Wind Drift, a current the flows close to the Antarctic continent.
E) the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is created by the prevailing winds at that latitude.
Q2) During winter months, monsoon winds over the Indian Ocean:
A) flow from land to sea and are dry.
B) flow from land to sea and are wet.
C) flow from sea to land and are dry.
D) flow from sea to land and are wet.
E) the direction of airflow is unchanged but precipitation increases.
Q3) Describe the circulation of deep ocean water.
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Page 9
Chapter 8: Waves and Water Dynamics
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Sample Questions
Q1) The speed of a shallow-water wave is proportional to:
A) water depth.
B) wave frequency.
C) wave height.
D) wave period.
E) wavelength.
Q2) Waves that are moving faster than local wind and are sorted out be wavelength are called:
A) capillary waves.
B) constructive waves.
C) surf.
D) swell.
E) wind waves.
Q3) The circular motion of water molecules extends to a depth that is equal to:
A) wave height/wavelength.
B) wave height/wave period.
C) wavelength/wave height.
D) wavelength/2.
E) wavelength/20.
Q4) Describe the formation of water waves from a still ocean surface.
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Chapter 9: Tides
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Sample Questions
Q1) Discuss the influence of the relative masses and distance between the two objects on tide generating forces.
Q2) Water flowing out of an enclosed basin due to the tides is called:
A) ebb current.
B) flood current.
C) neap tide
D) spring tide.
E) tidal bore.
Q3) How do centripetal forces and gravitation forces interact to produce tides?
Q4) A full tidal cycle is:
A) 12 hours in duration.
B) 12 hours 25 minutes in duration.
C) 24 hours in duration.
D) 24 hours and 50 minutes in duration.
E) 48 hours in duration.
Q5) Discuss the relationship between the Earth's rotation and the location of tidal bulges.
Q6) Distinguish between <b>spring tides</b> and <b>neap tides</b>.
Q7) Describe tides in an open ocean basin.
Q8) Compare <b>diurnal, semidiurnal</b>, and </b>mixed tidal patterns.
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Chapter 10: The Coast: Beaches and Shoreline Processes
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following landforms shows the least amount of erosion along U.S. coasts?
A) coralline structures of the Florida Keys
B) crystalline rocks of New England
C) mud flats
D) sandy beaches
E) sedimentary rocks of Pacific Northwest
Q2) The section of the coast that is exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide is called the:
A) backshore.
B) foreshore.
C) nearshore.
D) offshore.
E) shoreline.
Q3) Large deposits of sediment at the mouths of rivers are called:
A) barrier flats.
B) barrier islands.
C) bay-mouth bar.
D) deltas.
E) tombolos.
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Chapter 11: The Coastal Oceans
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Sample Questions
Q1) The deep water dumping site for sewage sludge off the U.S. East Coast initially seemed to be a good choice because:
A) a well-developed pycnocline should isolate the sewage.
B) internal waves would decrease water mixing.
C) it had been a well-studies method of sewage disposal.
D) thermal mixing occurred between the surface and deep water.
E) tsunamis are uncommon in this area.
Q2) Reasons for loss of coastal wetlands include all of the following <b>except</b>: A) agriculture.
B) coastal housing.
C) harvesting of mangroves for wood.
D) industrial development.
E) storm damage.
Q3) Primary sewage treatment involves the removal of inorganic nutrients from the liquid effluent.
A)True B)False
Q4) Mediterranean Sea water has little impact on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A)True B)False
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Chapter 12: Marine Life and the Marine Environment
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Sample Questions
Q1) The color pattern in which marine organisms are light on the bottom and dark on the top of their bodies camouflaging them against the water-air interface is:
A) countershading.
B) cryptic coloration.
C) defensive coloration.
D) disruptive coloration.
E) warning coloration.
Q2) The sublittoral (subtidal) zone is the area:
A) above the highest tide.
B) below the intertidal zone on the continental shelf.
C) between the highest high tide and the lowest low tide.
D) beyond the continental shelf.
E) where demersal and pelagic organisms are found.
Q3) Organisms of the mesopelagic zone are characterized by:
A) bioluminescence.
B) large, sensitive eyes.
C) no eyes.
D) A and B are correct.
E) A and C are correct.
Q4) Distinguish between plankton, nekton, and benthos and give an example of each.
Page 14
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Chapter 13: Biological Productivity and Energy Transfer
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Sample Questions
Q1) The group of marine algae with the highest abundance and greatest geographic distribution belong to the Division Rhodophyta.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Diatoms are classified as members of the Division Chlorophyta.
A)True
B)False
Q3) The by-products of photosynthesis are carbon dioxide (CO ) and water (H O).
A)True
B)False
Q4) If 10,000 KCAL of energy were contained in the primary producers, on average how many KCAL of energy would you expect to be transferred to third-order consumers?
A) 10,000 KCAL
B) 1000 KCAL
C) 100 KCAL
D) 10 KCAL
E) 1 KCAL
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Chapter 14: Animals of the Pelagic Environment
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Sample Questions
Q1) The California gray whale is unusual because it stirs up bottom sediment in order to feed.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Sharks have lunate caudal fins.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Distinguish between <b>poikilotherms</b> and <b>homeotherms </b>and give an example of each.
Q4) Cruisers often have relatively high body temperature because:
A) it assists them in predator avoidance.
B) it helps them blend more easily with their environment.
C) it increases the power output of muscle tissue.
D) they are cold blooded.
E) they only need to move periodically.
Q5) Krill, cnidarians, and crustacean larvae are macroscopic zooplankton.
A)True
B)False
Q6) Draw and label the most common tail fin modifications and discuss the swimming styles associated with each fin modification.
Page 16
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Chapter 15: Animals of the Benthic Environment
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Sample Questions
Q1) Compare and contrast the environmental conditions that favor the growth of kelp forests and corals.
Q2) Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.
A)fragmentation
B)inking
C)mimicry
D)stinging cells
E)withdrawal into shell
Q3) Which of the following is a threat to coral reef survival?
A) boat collisions
B) fishing
C) scuba and snorkeling
D) suspended sediment
E) All of the above might contribute to the decline of a coral community.
Q4) Fiddler crabs are commonly found inhabitants of tide pools.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Coral reefs contain more algal biomass than animal biomass.
A)True
B)False
17
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Chapter 16: The Oceans and Climate Change
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Sample Questions
Q1) The atmospheric component that contributes to the majority of greenhouse warming on Earth is:
A) carbon dioxide.
B) methane.
C) nitrous oxide.
D) ozone.
E) water vapor.
Q2) List the observed changes in the world's oceans as a function of increased mean atmospheric temperature.
Q3) Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.
A)changes in deep water circulation
B)decreased hurricane activity
C)increased ocean acidity
D)polar ice melting
E)sea level rise
Q4) Changes in the Earth's orbit can impact climate by increasing or decreasing solar input.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Describe the role of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Page 18
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