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Earth Science - New York Regents August 2023 Exam

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1.
Part A
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (1 - 35): For each statement or question, choose the word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Record your answers on your separate answer sheet.
1 Which two factors caused Earth and the other
  planets to become layered during the formation
  of our solar system?
  (1) gravity and densities of materials making up
      the planet
  (2) gravity and percent of water in the planet's
      composition
  (3) distance from the Moon and densities of
      materials making up the planet
  (4) distance from the Moon and percent of water
      in the planet's composition
Answer:

2.
2 The photograph below shows an object, labeled
  A, that was observed in the night sky for several
  weeks.
What is the celestial object labeled A?
(1) a meteor               (3) a galaxy
(2) an asteroid            (4) a comet
Answer:

3.
3 The latitudes of the Tropic of Cancer and the
  Tropic of Capricorn are determined by Earth's
  (1) rotation
  (2) axial tilt
  (3) surface ocean currents
  (4) average surface air temperature
Answer:


4.
4 The Coriolis effect can best be used to explain
  the
  (1) cyclic time pattern of ocean tides
  (2) direction of convection currents in the
      asthenosphere
  (3) deflection of winds to the right in the Northern
      Hemisphere
  (4) movement of air in a straight path from low
      pressure to high pressure
Answer:

5.
5 What is Earth's approximate rate of revolution?
  (1) 1°/hour              (3) 15°/hour
  (2) 1°/day               (4) 15°/day
Answer:

6.
6 At a location in the Northern Hemisphere, a
  camera was placed outside at night with the lens
  pointing at a group of stars. The shutter was left
  open for a few hours, resulting in the image of
  star trails shown below.
The star at the center of the image did not leave
a trail because the star is
(1) too far away to observe its movement
(2) too massive to move in space
(3) not luminous enough to leave a trail
(4) centered over Earth's axis
Answer:

7.
7 Which table best lists the differences between a terrestrial planet and a Jovian planet in our solar system?

Answer:

8.
8 The names and appearances of four Moon phases viewed by an observer in New York State in June are
  shown below.
Which diagram best represents the Moon's appearance on June 3?

Answer:

9.
9 Which graph most accurately represents the approximate percentage of Earth's surface covered by the
  hydrosphere?

Answer:

10.
10 Which diagram shows the correct position of Polaris in the night sky as seen by an observer at Watertown, NY?

Answer:

11.
11 Which process transports groundwater upward through the soil to the surface, where it quickly evaporates
   during a dry season?
   (1) capillarity                                (3) infiltration
   (2) convection                                 (4) saturation
Answer:

12.
12 The diagram below represents four cylinders of particles, labeled 1 through 4. Cylinders 1 through 3 each
   contain equal volumes of round particles of uniform size. Cylinder 4 contains round mixed-size particles.
   Sizes of particles are indicated for each cylinder.
Which cylinder contains the particles with the lowest porosity?
(1) 1                                              (3) 3
(2) 2                                              (4) 4
Answer:

13.
13 Which factor is responsible for the circulation of convection currents occurring in the hydrosphere,
   troposphere, and mantle?
   (1) radioactive decay                           (3) density differences
   (2) solar radiation                             (4) planetary winds
Answer:

14.
14 The arrows on the two maps below show how the monsoon winds blow over India during the summer and
   winter seasons.
Compared to the amount of rainfall that India receives during the summer monsoon season, the amount of
rainfall that India receives during the winter monsoon season is
(1) less because winds blow from the water to the land
(2) less because winds blow from the land to the water
(3) more because winds blow from the water to the land
(4) more because winds blow from the land to the water
Answer:

15.
    Base your answers to questions 15 and 16 on the map below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The
map shows the location of the polar front jet stream during winter. This winter weather pattern brings extremely
cold air from the far north into the United States.
15 Which map shows the type of air mass and the direction of polar front jet stream flow associated with this
   winter weather pattern?

Answer:


16.
16 In which atmospheric temperature zone is the polar front jet stream located?
   (1) thermosphere                                 (3) stratosphere
   (2) mesosphere                                   (4) troposphere
Answer:

17.
17 Which diagram correctly matches the weather front symbol with its atmospheric cross section?

Answer:

18.
18 If the Tug Hill Plateau region of New York State
   is experiencing lake-effect snow, winds are most
   likely blowing in which direction?
   (1) north to south        (3) east to west
   (2) south to north        (4) west to east
Answer:

19.
19 Which set of psychrometer measurements was
   recorded when the dewpoint was 4°C?
   (1) dry bulb, 4°C; wet bulb, 1°C
   (2) dry bulb, 14°C; wet bulb, 9°C
   (3) dry bulb, 20°C; wet bulb, 16°C
   (4) dry bulb, 28°C; wet bulb, 13°C
Answer:

20.
20 Compared to the summer and winter
   temperatures at low elevations, higher elevations
   at the same latitude have
   (1) warmer summers and warmer winters
   (2) warmer summers and cooler winters
   (3) cooler summers and cooler winters
   (4) cooler summers and warmer winters
Answer:

21.
21 During which geologic period did humans first
   appear on Earth?
   (1) Quaternary         (3) Triassic
   (2) Paleogene          (4) Permian
Answer:

22.
22 The graph below shows the radioactive decay of
   potassium-40.
Approximately what percentage of potassium-40
remains in the 1.0 billion-year-old bedrock of
the Hudson Highlands landscape region of New
York State?
(1) 10%                  (3) 60%
(2) 25%                  (4) 75%
Answer:

23.
23 The surface bedrock at Old Forge, New York, is
   mostly
   (1) flat-lying, sedimentary rock formed during
       the Grenville Orogeny
   (2) flat-lying, sedimentary rock formed during
       the Acadian Orogeny
   (3) intensely metamorphosed rock formed
       during the Grenville Orogeny
   (4) intensely metamorphosed rock formed
       during the Acadian Orogeny
Answer:

24.
24 Which agent of erosion produced many of the
   large parallel grooves and scratches seen in
   surface bedrock across New York State?
   (1) mass movement        (3) running water
   (2) wind                 (4) glaciers
Answer:

25.
25 The diagram below represents rock A changing
   into rock B.
Which process causes rock A to change into rock B?
(1) melting               (3) precipitation
(2) solidification        (4) metamorphism
Answer:

26.
26 Which mineral is usually present in pegmatite,
   phyllite, and siltstone?
   (1) quartz               (3) olivine
   (2) garnet               (4) pyroxene
Answer:

27.
27 The table below shows the hardness of some
   common items.
Which mineral could be scratched by an iron
nail, but not by a penny coin?
(1) quartz                (3) dolomite
(2) halite                (4) amphibole
Answer:

28.
28 Which graph shows the general relationship between an increase in urbanization in an area and the average
   annual air temperature for that area?

Answer:

29.
29 The cross section below represents sedimentary rock layers A, B, and C. An igneous intrusion is labeled D.
   Line E represents a fault. Overturning has not occurred.
Which events occurred after the formation of rock layer A?
(1) igneous intrusion D and faulting at E
(2) deposition of sediments in rock layers B and C
(3) faulting at E and deposition of sediments in rock layer C
(4) formation of sedimentary rock layer B and igneous intrusion D
Answer:

30.
30 The diagram below represents magnetic patterns of normal and reversed polarity of ocean crust on the west
   side of a mid-ocean ridge. Letters A, B, C, D, and E represent locations on the seafloor on the east side of
   the mid-ocean ridge.
Which two locations on the east side of the mid-ocean ridge represent areas of reversed magnetic polarity?
(1) A and B                                        (3) C and D
(2) B and D                                        (4) E and A
Answer:

31.
31 Letters A through D on the block diagram below represent four features resulting from glaciers.
Which feature will later form a kettle lake?
(1) A                                          (3) C
(2) B                                          (4) D
Answer:

32.
32 A seismic station is located 2000 kilometers from the epicenter of an earthquake. Which seismogram
   indicates the correct time difference between the arrival of the first P-wave and the first S-wave at this station?

Answer:

33.
33 The topographic map below shows the path of a river. Points A through E are locations in the river.
Between which two points is the river flowing the fastest?
(1) A and B                                        (3) C and D
(2) B and C                                        (4) D and E
Answer:

34.
34 The diagrams below represent landscapes in regions A and B.
Which chart best summarizes the landscape type and climate of regions A and B?

Answer:

35.
35 The map below shows a coastal landscape feature, labeled X, that resulted from wave action and offshore
   currents parallel to the coastline.
Which landscape feature is represented by X?
(1) moraines                                   (3) barrier islands
(2) drumlins                                   (4) sand dunes
Answer:


36.
Part B - 1
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (36 - 50): For each statement or question, choose the word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question.
 Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Record your answers on your separate answer sheet.
   Base your answers to questions 36 and 37 on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
                                             Hurricane Sandy
              Hurricane Sandy was one of the most severe hurricanes to affect the northeastern
          United States in many years. On October 29, 2012, this storm made landfall in New Jersey.
          It produced a 14-foot storm surge, which is a rise in the level of ocean water along a coast
          caused by strong winds and low air pressure. The Moon also enhanced the effects of this
          storm surge, since the Moon was in full phase at the time Hurricane Sandy made landfall.
          During a full Moon, above-normal high tides occur on Earth.
36 What was the surface wind circulation pattern around the center of Hurricane Sandy?
   (1) counterclockwise and outward                  (3) clockwise and outward
   (2) counterclockwise and inward                   (4) clockwise and inward
Answer:

37.
37 Which air temperature and moisture characteristics are associated with the source region over
   which Hurricane Sandy formed?
   (1) cool and dry                                  (3) warm and dry
   (2) cool and moist                                (4) warm and moist
Answer:

38.
   Base your answers to questions 38 and 39 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The diagram represents a model of a portion of our solar system.
38 In our solar system, the orbits of the planets are best described as
   (1) elliptical with the Sun at one focus             (3) circular with the Sun at one focus
   (2) elliptical with Earth at one focus               (4) circular with Earth at one focus
Answer:

39.
39 Which planet takes approximately twice as long as Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun?
   (1) Venus                                         (3) Jupiter
   (2) Mars                                          (4) Saturn
Answer:

40.
    Base your answers to questions 40 and 41 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The
diagram of Earth shows the longitude lines that are used to determine time zones.
40 Which longitude line passes through New York State?
   (1) 45° W                                        (3) 75° W
   (2) 45° E                                        (4) 75° E
Answer:

41.
41 What is the time at 30° W when it is 7:00 a.m. at 30° E?
   (1) 1:00 p.m.                                       (3) 3:00 a.m.
   (2) 7:00 p.m.                                       (4) 11:00 a.m.
Answer:

42.
    Base your answers to questions 42 through 45 on the cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. Letters A through E represent rock units. Letter F represents a geologic feature. Some layers contain
index fossils.
42 Which geologic principle could be used to support the inference that rock layers A through D experienced
   crustal movement?
   (1) original horizontality                        (3) superposition
   (2) crosscutting relationships                    (4) contact metamorphism
Answer:

43.
43 During the Ordovician Period when layer C was forming, most of the United States was inferred to be
   located
   (1) slightly north of the equator             (3) at the North Pole
   (2) slightly south of the equator             (4) at the South Pole
Answer:

44.
44 The geologic feature represented by letter F is most likely a
   (1) buried erosional surface                       (3) meteoritic debris layer
   (2) contact metamorphic surface                    (4) volcanic ash layer
Answer:

45.
45 Carbon-14 was not used to date the trilobite fossils represented in the cross section because these trilobites
   (1) were never living organisms                      (3) lived too long ago
   (2) were buried too deep                             (4) became extinct
Answer:

46.
    Base your answers to questions 46 and 47 on the block diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The diagram represents the water cycle. Letters A through F represent water cycle processes. The water table
has been labeled.
46 Which water cycle process releases 2260 joules of heat energy per gram of water?
   (1) A                                              (3) F
   (2) E                                              (4) D
Answer:

47.
47 Which diagram would most likely represent the height of the water table if processes E and F increased?

Answer:

48.
   Base your answers to questions 48 through 50 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The diagram represents insolation received on four Earth land surfaces at locations A, B, C, and D.
48 Which location is receiving direct rays from the Sun?
   (1) A                                              (3) C
   (2) B                                              (4) D
Answer:

49.
49 Equal areas of which type of land surface usually absorb the most insolation and reflect the least insolation?
   (1) light-colored and smooth                        (3) dark-colored and smooth
   (2) light-colored and rough                         (4) dark-colored and rough
Answer:

50.
50 Most of the energy radiated by these land surfaces into space is in the form of
   (1) gamma rays                                     (3) ultraviolet
   (2) infrared                                       (4) visible light
Answer:


51.
Part B - 2
Answer all questions in this part. Directions (51 - 65): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Base your answers to questions 51 through 53 on the passage and the data table below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The data table shows the percentage of quarries in New York State that mine specific types of bedrock to produce crushed stone. A quarry is an area where rock material is removed. Crushed Stone in New York State Crushed stone is any bedrock that has been broken into smaller, irregularly shaped fragments. The fragment sizes can range from silt to boulders. The smallest sizes could be used to make concrete and cement while the largest could be used to line a river bank to prevent stream erosion. Although some crushed stone is used in agriculture, most is used in the building and construction industry. Shale, a common rock found in New York State, is rarely mined because it tends to weather too easily to be used as a construction material.
51 Explain why shale is rarely used in the building and construction industry. [1]
Answer:

52.
52 In the building and construction industry, rock sold as granite might actually be gneiss. Identify one
   observable property of gneiss that could be used to distinguish it from granite. [1]
Answer:

53.
53 Identify one mineral found in crushed sandstone that is used to make glass in the building and construction
   industry. [1]
Answer:

54.
    Base your answers to questions 54 through 58 on the graph below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The graph shows the predicted distance of five nearby stars in our galaxy in relation to our Sun over the next
60,000 years (y). Distance is represented in light-years (ly) from the Sun. One light-year is the distance light
travels in one year.
54 Determine the approximate present-day distance, in light-years, from the Sun to Lalande 21185. [1]
Answer:

55.
55 Identify the star that will show a redshift in its wavelengths of light as viewed from Earth 15,000 years from
   the present. [1]
Answer:

56.
56 At present, Proxima Centauri is the closest star to our Sun. However, Alpha Centauri is more easily visible
   in the night sky. In your answer booklet, circle the relative luminosity and relative mass of Alpha Centauri
   compared with the luminosity and mass of Proxima Centauri. [1]
Relative luminosity of Alpha Centauri (circle one):   lower luminosity
                                                      greater luminosity
                                                      same luminosity
Relative mass of Alpha Centauri (circle one):         lower mass
                                                      greater mass
                                                      same mass
Answer:

57.
57 State the name of the galaxy in which all of these stars are located. [1]
Answer:

58.
58 Identify the nuclear process that produces most of the energy released from all of these stars. [1]
Answer:

59.
   Base your answers to questions 59 and 60 on the station model below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The station model indicates weather conditions at Albany, New York.
59 In the table in your answer booklet, identify the numerical value of the data on the station model measured
   by each weather instrument given. Include units with your answer. [1]

Answer:

60.
60 Based on data from the station model, explain how a scientist could infer that there was a high relative
   humidity in Albany. [1]
Answer:

61.
     Base your answers to questions 61 through 65 on the passage and the map of Alaska below, on the partial
isoline map in your answer booklet, and on your knowledge of Earth science. The map of Alaska shows the
region from where the isoline map is taken. The isoline map shows the uplift (increase in elevation), in millimeters
per year (mm/y), that has occurred for an area in southeastern Alaska. Some isolines have been drawn on the
map. Letter A represents a surface location.
                                               Alaskan Rebound
                The fastest measured rates of uplift on Earth today are in southeast Alaska. Scientists
           first hypothesized that the cause of this uplift may have been due to tectonic forces, since
           this region of Alaska is located on a plate boundary where mountain building occurred.
           Scientists now hypothesize there is another factor causing the uplift of this region. They
           determined that, during the last ice age, the weight of mountain glaciers caused Earth's
           lithosphere to sink lower into the plastic mantle. As atmospheric greenhouse gases
           increased, the climate changed, causing these glaciers to melt. The lost weight of glacial
           ice on the lithosphere allowed the crust to rebound and float higher on the plastic mantle
           below, thus increasing land surface elevations. This phenomenon is called glacial rebound
           and accounts for the continued uplift rates seen on the rebound map on your answer sheet.
61 On the map in your answer booklet, draw the 8 mm/y and the 12 mm/y isolines. Extend the isolines to the
   edge of the map or the edge of the land area. [1]

Answer:

62.
62 The greatest rate of uplift occurred around location A. State one possible value, in millimeters/year (mm/y),
   for location A. [1]
Answer:

63.
63 Identify the name of the plastic mantle layer into which the lithosphere sank due to the weight of the
   mountain glaciers. [1]
Answer:

64.
64 Identify the names of the two tectonic plates that are on either side of the two plate boundaries that are
   located within the area shown on the Alaska map. [1]
Answer:

65.
65 Identify two major greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and the melting of these Alaskan
   glaciers. [1]
Answer:


66.
Part C
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (66 - 85): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Base your answers to questions 66 through 69 on the diagram in your answer booklet and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents three apparent paths of the Sun, labeled A, B, and C, on the first day of each season, as seen by an observer at Binghamton, New York. The Sun's position on path B indicates a specific time of day. Compass directions are indicated along the horizon. 66 On the diagram in your answer booklet, draw the path of the Sun for November 5. The line representing the Sun's path must begin and end on the horizon. [1]
Answer:

67.
67 Describe how the length of the observer's shadow changes from sunrise to sunset as the Sun appears to
   travel along path A. [1]
Answer:

68.
68 Identify the time of day indicated by the Sun's position on path B. Indicate a.m. or p.m. in your response. [1]
Answer:

69.
69 In your answer booklet, circle the relative intensity of insolation and the relative duration of insolation of the
   Sun for path C compared to the intensity and duration of insolation of the Sun for path B. [1]
Relative intensity of insolation for C (circle one):   less intensity
                                                       greater intensity
                                                       same intensity
Relative duration of insolation for C (circle one):    shorter duration
                                                       longer duration
                                                       same duration
Answer:

70.
    Base your answers to questions 70 through 72 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The diagram represents a specific New York State index fossil that is a member of a group of extinct
marine animals called eurypterids.
70 Identify the geologic period of the bedrock in which this specific New York State index fossil can be found.
   [1]
Answer:

71.
71 Describe one characteristic necessary for this fossil to be classified as an index fossil. [1]
Answer:

72.
72 Infer the past environment that existed at a New York State location where eurypterid fossils have been
   discovered in the bedrock. [1]
Answer:

73.
  Base your answers to questions 73 through 75 on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
                                    A Geologist's Tour of New York City
              When taking a tour of New York City, one can find many geologic points of interest at
          locations such as Federal Plaza, Wall Street, Foley Square, and Central Park.
              Federal Plaza: These buildings contain granite from Avalon, a small continent that was
          once attached to our east coast when Africa, Europe, and North America pulled apart.
              Wall Street: Some buildings contain stone that comes from Morocco in North Africa
          and contains coral fossils. The same 370-million-year-old coral fossils are also found in
          some New York State surface bedrock.
              Foley Square: A building here is made of limestone that came from Indiana, a region
          that was a sea floor during the Pennsylvanian Period.
              Central Park: The exposed bedrock is schist, and is what remains of an ancient
          mountain that stood 15,000 feet high. This mountain formed from ocean-bottom mud
          that was heated, squeezed, and folded upward under pressure.
73 In your answer booklet, circle either felsic or mafic to indicate the composition of the rock at Federal Plaza
   and list two minerals likely to be found in this rock. [1]
3 Composition:   felsic    mafic
  Minerals:      (1) _______
                 (2) _______
Answer:

74.
74 Identify the New York State landscape region where the surface bedrock most likely contains the same coral
   fossils as the ones found in Morocco. [1]
Answer:

75.
75 Explain how the 15,000-foot-high ancient mountain was reduced to small hills in today's Central Park. [1]
Answer:

76.
    Base your answers to questions 76 through 79 on the map below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The map shows a portion of Earth's Tectonic Plates map from the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical
Setting/Earth Science. The arrows represent relative crustal plate movement. Letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H
represent locations on Earth's surface.
76 Identify the two letters that indicate locations on transform plate boundaries. [1]
Answer:

77.
77 Explain why earthquakes are more likely to occur near location H than near location A. [1]
Answer:

78.
78 Scientists infer that the magma that formed the hot spot at location E originates at the boundary between
   the stiffer mantle and the outer core. Determine the depth, in kilometers, below Earth's surface where the
   boundary between the stiffer mantle and the outer core is located. [1]
Answer:

79.
79 State the name and the density of the igneous rock found at the surface of the Pacific Ocean crust. [1]
Rock name: _______
Rock density: _______ g/cm3
Answer:

80.
    Base your answers to questions 80 through 82 on the map in your answer booklet and on your knowledge of
Earth science. The map shows a stream and its tributary. Letters A and B are locations in the stream. The arrows
indicate the direction of streamflow.
 80 On the map in your answer booklet, draw an X along the streambank where erosion is most likely greater
    than deposition. [1]

Answer:

81.
81 The velocity of the stream was determined to be greater at location B than at location A. State one possible
   reason why the stream velocity was greater at location B. [1]
Answer:

82.
82 Describe one change that would occur to an angular pebble as it is transported by this stream for a longer
   period of time. [1]
Answer:

83.
    Base your answers to questions 83 through 85 on the map below, the data table on the next page, and on your
knowledge of Earth science. The map shows the location of the Atacama and Patagonia deserts in relation to the
Andes Mountains in South America. The cities of Antofagasta, Chile, and La Junta, Argentina, are shown. The
data table shows the average monthly high air temperatures for Antofagasta and La Junta.
83 On the graph in your answer booklet, construct a line graph by plotting the average monthly high air
   temperature for La Junta, Argentina, for each month listed on the data table. Connect the plots with a line.
   The average monthly high air temperatures for Antofagasta, Chile, have already been plotted on the graph. [1]

Answer:

84.
84 State one reason Antofagasta, Chile, has a smaller yearly temperature range than La Junta, Argentina. [1]
Answer:

85.
85 Explain why both Antofagasta and La Junta have their coolest air temperatures for the year in June, July, and
   August, and their warmest air temperatures for the year in December, January, and February. [1]
Answer:

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