ICAS Earth and Environmental Science 3

Question 1

What is the term for the boundary where two tectonic plates move apart from each other?

Accepted Answer

Divergent boundary

Answer

Convergent boundary

Answer

Transform boundary

Answer

Subduction zone

Question 2

Which part of the water cycle involves water vapor cooling and turning into liquid water droplets to form clouds?

Accepted Answer

Condensation

Answer

Evaporation

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Precipitation

Question 3

A soil sample has a pH of 4. What does this tell you about the soil?

Accepted Answer

It is strongly acidic

Answer

It is strongly alkaline

Answer

It is neutral

Answer

It has high nutrient content

Question 4

What is the primary cause of seasonal changes in temperature experienced in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbit

Answer

Earth's changing distance from the Sun

Answer

Changes in the Sun's energy output

Answer

Cloud cover patterns throughout the year

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of biomagnification?

Accepted Answer

Pesticides accumulating in higher concentrations in predators than in prey

Answer

Plants absorbing sunlight more efficiently in summer

Answer

Bacteria breaking down organic material in soil

Answer

Water filtering through rock layers to become groundwater

Question 6

What kind of fault occurs when rocks on one side are pushed up and over rocks on the other side due to compressional forces?

Accepted Answer

Reverse (thrust) fault

Answer

Normal fault

Answer

Strike-slip fault

Answer

Lateral fault

Question 7

Which ocean zone receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis to occur?

Accepted Answer

Photic zone

Answer

Abyssal zone

Answer

Hadal zone

Answer

Bathypelagic zone