ICAS Earth and Environmental Science 4

Question 1

Which factor most directly determines whether a tropical storm becomes a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean?

Accepted Answer

Wind speeds reaching at least 74 mph (119 km/h)

Answer

The storm forming over land

Answer

Rainfall exceeding 10 inches per day

Answer

The storm lasting more than 48 hours

Question 2

What is the main difference between weather and climate?

Accepted Answer

Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions; climate describes long-term patterns

Answer

Weather involves temperature; climate involves precipitation

Answer

Weather occurs in summer; climate occurs year-round

Answer

Weather affects cities; climate affects rural areas

Question 3

Which process forms metamorphic rocks?

Accepted Answer

Heat and pressure transforming existing rocks

Answer

Cooling of lava at Earth's surface

Answer

Deposition of sediment layers under water

Answer

Volcanic ash compacting over time

Question 4

What is an aquifer?

Accepted Answer

A layer of permeable rock that holds and transmits groundwater

Answer

A river that flows underground

Answer

A type of cloud that holds large amounts of water vapor

Answer

A tidal pool found along coastlines

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why deforestation contributes to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Trees release stored carbon when burned or decomposed, and fewer trees remain to absorb CO₂

Answer

Forest fires produce water vapor that traps more heat

Answer

Deforested land absorbs more solar radiation

Answer

Tree roots release methane into the soil when removed

Question 6

What do geologists use to determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils?

Accepted Answer

Radioactive isotope dating (radiometric dating)

Answer

Fossil index comparison

Answer

Stratigraphy layer analysis

Answer

Rock hardness (Mohs scale)

Question 7

Which type of biome is characterized by the highest biodiversity on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforest

Answer

Temperate deciduous forest

Answer

Arctic tundra

Answer

Grassland savanna