Questions and Answers

 1.
The earth is a closed system.
o A.

True

o B.

False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement "The earth is a closed system" is true. A closed system refers to a
system that does not exchange matter with its surroundings, but it can exchange
energy. In the case of the earth, it is considered a closed system because although
it receives energy from the sun in the form of sunlight, it does not exchange
matter with outer space. The earth's atmosphere acts as a barrier, preventing the
exchange of matter with the rest of the universe. However, energy in the form of
heat and light can still enter and leave the earth's system.
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 2.
Oxygen is the most abundant element present in the atmosphere.
o A.

True

o B.

False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Oxygen is not the most abundant element present in the atmosphere. The most
abundant element in the atmosphere is nitrogen, which makes up about 78% of
 the Earth's atmosphere. Oxygen is the second most abundant element, making up
about 21% of the atmosphere.
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 3.
The geosphere refers to all life forms and organic matter.
o A.

True

o B.

False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The geosphere refers to the solid Earth, including the rocks, minerals, and
landforms. It does not include life forms or organic matter, which are part of the
biosphere. Therefore, the given statement is false.
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 4.
About 30% of the Earth is covered with liquid water.
o A.

True

o B.

False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The given statement is false because about 71% of the Earth's surface is covered
with liquid water, not 30%. This includes oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and other
bodies of water. The remaining percentage consists of landmasses and polar ice
caps.
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 5.
Biogeochemical cycles such as hydrologic and carbon cycles exhibit
how Earth's four subsystems interact.
o A.

True

o B.

False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Biogeochemical cycles, including the hydrologic and carbon cycles, demonstrate
the interconnectedness and interaction of Earth's four subsystems: the
atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. These cycles involve the
movement and transformation of elements and compounds, such as water and
carbon, through different Earth compartments. The hydrologic cycle involves the
continuous circulation of water between the atmosphere, land, and oceans, while
the carbon cycle involves the exchange of carbon dioxide between the
atmosphere, plants, animals, and the ocean. These cycles are essential for
maintaining the balance of nutrients and energy on Earth, highlighting the
interdependence of Earth's subsystems.
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 6.
Oceans act as sinks of carbon dioxide.
o A.

True

o B.

False
Correct Answer
A. True
 Explanation
Oceans act as sinks of carbon dioxide because they have the ability to absorb and
store large amounts of this greenhouse gas. When carbon dioxide is released into
the atmosphere through human activities such as burning fossil fuels, a portion of
it is absorbed by the oceans. This process helps to regulate the levels of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Additionally, the absorbed carbon dioxide can react with seawater to form
carbonic acid, leading to ocean acidification, which has detrimental effects on
marine life.
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 7.
A closed system allows the exchange of matter and energy.
o A.

True

o B.

False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
A closed system does not allow the exchange of matter and energy. In a closed
system, neither matter nor energy can enter or leave the system. This means that
the total amount of matter and energy within the system remains constant.
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 8.
Carbon is stored in geosphere as coal and oil deposits.
o A.

True

o B.

False
 Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Carbon is stored in the geosphere as coal and oil deposits. Coal and oil are
formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that have been buried and
subjected to high pressure and temperature over millions of years. This process,
known as fossilization, converts the organic matter into carbon-rich substances.
These coal and oil deposits are found deep within the Earth's crust and can be
extracted for various purposes. Therefore, the statement that carbon is stored in
the geosphere as coal and oil deposits is true.
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 9.
Which of the following subsystems is/are affected after Mt. Pinatubo
erupted in 1991?
o A.

Atmosphere

o B.

Hydrosphere

o C.

Geosphere

o D.

Biosphere
Correct Answer(s)
A. Atmosphere
B. Hydrosphere
C. Geosphere
D. Biosphere
Explanation
After the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, all four subsystems - Atmosphere,
Hydrosphere, Geosphere, and Biosphere - were affected. The eruption released a
large amount of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere, causing a temporary
 cooling effect on the climate. The ash also affected the hydrosphere by polluting
rivers and lakes, and the gases dissolved in rainwater caused acid rain. The
geosphere was directly impacted by the eruption, with the deposition of ash and
the formation of new volcanic landforms. Finally, the biosphere was affected as
the ash and gases disrupted ecosystems, causing damage to plants and animals.

1. What is Earth science primarily concerned with?

a) The study of outer space

b) The study of Earth's weather

c) The study of Earth and its processes

d) The study of human society

2. Which layer of the Earth is composed of solid rock and includes the continents and ocean floors?

a) Mantle

b) Crust

c) Core

d) Atmosphere

3. Which Earth subsystem deals with the study of Earth's water, including oceans, lakes, and glaciers?

a) Geosphere

b) Hydrosphere

c) Atmosphere

d) Biosphere

4. What is the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller particles due to weathering, erosion,
and chemical reactions?

a) Plate tectonics

b) Volcanism

c) Rock cycle
 d) Weathering

5. Which gas makes up the majority of Earth's atmosphere?

a) Oxygen

b) Nitrogen

c) Carbon dioxide

d) Hydrogen

6. What is the primary source of energy that drives Earth's weather and climate systems?

a) Geothermal heat

b) Nuclear fusion

c) Solar radiation

d) Tidal forces

7. Which Earth subsystem includes all living organisms and their interactions with each other and their
environment?

a) Hydrosphere

b) Atmosphere

c) Biosphere

d) Geosphere

8. What is the name for the theory that explains how Earth's lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates
that move and interact with each other?

a) Big Bang Theory

b) Plate Tectonics Theory

c) Heliocentric Theory

d) Quantum Theory

9. Which Earth subsystem refers to the collection of all water on Earth, including water vapor in the
atmosphere?
 a) Geosphere

b) Hydrosphere

c) Biosphere

d) Lithosphere

10. What term describes the layer of gases that surrounds Earth and provides the air we breathe?

a) Hydrosphere

b) Troposphere

c) Thermosphere

d) Exosphere

11. Which of the following is an example of an Earth scientist?

a) Astronomer

b) Biologist

c) Meteorologist

d) All of the above

12. Which Earth subsystem is responsible for the study of Earth's rocky structure, including the
composition and structure of rocks and minerals?

a) Atmosphere

b) Hydrosphere

c) Geosphere

d) Biosphere

13. The movement of tectonic plates can lead to the formation of which geological features?

a) Mountains

b) Volcanoes

c) Earthquakes

d) All of the above

a) Wind energy

b) Solar energy

c) Geothermal energy

d) Nuclear energy

15. Which layer of the Earth is believed to be responsible for generating the planet's magnetic field?

a) Crust

b) Mantle

c) Outer core

d) Inner core

16. The study of fossils and Earth's history is a part of which Earth science field?

a) Paleontology

b) Climatology

c) Oceanography

d) Seismology

17. What is the name of the process by which water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into tiny water
droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds?

a) Precipitation

b) Evaporation

c) Condensation

d) Sublimation

18. Which Earth subsystem deals with the study of Earth's climate, weather patterns, and the
atmosphere?

a) Geosphere
 b) Hydrosphere

c) Atmosphere

d) Biosphere

19. The theory of plate tectonics is supported by evidence from the study of:

a) Fossils

b) Volcanoes

c) Earthquakes

d) All of the above

20. What is the study of Earth's oceans, including their physical properties, marine life, and ocean
currents called?

a) Meteorology

b) Oceanography

c) Geology

d) Hydrology

Answers:

1. c) The study of Earth and its processes

2. b) Crust

3. b) Hydrosphere

4. d) Weathering

5. b) Nitrogen

6. c) Solar radiation

7. c) Biosphere

8. b) Plate Tectonics Theory

10. b) Troposphere

11. d) All of the above

12. c) Geosphere

13. d) All of the above

14. b) Solar energy

15. d inner core

16. a) Paleontology

17. c) Condensation

18. c) Atmosphere

19. d) All of the above

20. b) Oceanography