, Chapter 01 Test bank: Introduction to Earth Science
Student: _______________________________________________________________________________________
1. In the context of science, how would you classify the following statement? Iridium is present
in relatively high concentrations in 65 million year old rock layers in several different locations
on Earth.
A. theory
B. hypothesis
C. observation
2. Suppose you measure the flow of water from a drinking fountain 10 times and all your
measurements agree very closely to one another, but differ significantly from the accepted flow
value. Which of the following statements best describes your empirical data?
A. they are accurate but not precise
B. they are precise but not accurate
C. they are not accurate nor precise
3. During orientation you learn that all classrooms on campus are air conditioned. You decide to
bring a sweatshirt to class even on the hottest days. What type of reasoning did you use?
A. inductive
B. deductive
C. neither inductive nor deductive – the decision did not involve science
4. Which statement best describes science?
A. Science is a large body of factual knowledge.
B. Science is the process of discovery.
C. Science is the quest for ultimate truth.
5. Which of the following is not a characteristic of scientific explanations?
A. they are tentative
,B. they are able to answer all questions
C. they are limited by technology
D. they are based on empirical observations
6. Which method of science reasoning uses specific observations to draw general conclusions?
A. inductive
B. deductive
C. logical
7. Which process of a scientifically enlightened citizen deals with being aware that other's
actions on Earth affect us and we affect others?
A. know
B. care
C. act
8. Which role of earth scientists most directly relates to forecasting hurricane paths?
A. finding and sustaining earth resources
B. protecting the health of the environment
C. ensuring the future of human life
D. protecting against natural hazards
9. Scientific results are unpredictable and are mainly determined by the personal views of the
scientists.
True False
10. Once a scientific explanation has been established it never needs to be changed.
True False
11. Which of the following statements does not describe some aspect of scientific investigation?
A. Observing that much of the water along the beach is no longer where it should be.
B. Reasoning that fair weather conditions do not normally result in rapid drops in ocean levels so
something extraordinary is occurring.
, C. Hypothesizing that the water would likely come back in as fast as it went out.
D. Concluding that this rising water process had to do with sinking land levels rather than rising
water levels.
E. All of these choices are correct.
12. Consider the following statement and choose which response best applies to it.
"Over the last two centuries, there has been a marked decrease in the number of pirates in the
world at the same time that global temperatures are rising. Therefore, the lack of pirates must be
linked to global warming."
A. This is an example of attacking the scientists doing the research, rather than the science.
B. This is an example of flawed cause and effect reasoning.
C. This is an example of poor statistics, as the population size covers only 200 years of data.
D. This is an example of arguing a point on the basis of authority.
E. All of these choices are correct.
13. If you were asked to describe some of the useful things that earth scientists might be involved
in, which of the following would not be applicable?
A. Helping the public understand which areas and populations might be susceptible to
earthquakes.
B. Trying to understand what causes flooding so it can be prevented.
C. Trying to predict when natural hazards might occur by using secret methods.
D. Trying to predict the weather so farmers might know when to plant crops.
E. All of these choices are correct.
14. In the context of science, how would you classify the following statement? Dinosaurs
became extinct because a large asteroid collided with Earth.
A. Theory
B. Hypothesis
C. Observation
Pluto was discovered in 1930, becoming the 9th planet in the solar system. As telescopes
improved, other Sun-orbiting objects were discovered. Some of those were even larger than
Pluto. By 2005, it was becoming apparent that many more objects would soon be discovered and
that the number of planets in the Solar System could swell to as many as 50. After much debate,
scientists in the International Astronomical Union (IAU) concluded that Pluto and the other
similar celestial bodies orbiting the Sun should be classified as "dwarf" planets. Since a "planet"
must clear the space surrounding its orbit, our Solar system now has 8 planets.
15. Why weren't the other Pluto-like objects discovered earlier?
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