Earth Science Literacy Test

THIS TEST IS NOT PART OF YOUR GRADE. WE DO NOT WANT YOUR NAME.


This test is for the instructors’ information, to help us learn what people know about earth science coming into class, and thus how we can improve the class in future years. We won’t even look at the test until the end of the semester.

  1. Draw a sketch of the relation between the Sun, earth, and moon. How do they move and on what timescale?
  2. About when did dinosaurs become extinct?
  3. Sketch a diagram of the interior of the earth. How do we know this information?
  4. What causes earthquakes? Where in the U.S. do they occur and why?
  5. Why is there an underwater mountain chain in the middle of the Atlantic ocean?
  6. If you drop a bowling ball and billiard ball from a tall building, in what order do they hit the ground? (pick one answer)
    • The bowling ball hits first
    • The billiard ball hits first
    • The balls hit at about the same time
    • Can’t tell
  7. How does the sun generate its energy? How does it warm the earth?
  8. What are heat and temperature? How are they related?
  9. How does a compass work?
  10. What causes volcanoes? Where in the U.S. do they occur and why?
  11. What are the major differences between planets Earth and Jupiter? What causes them?
  12. About when did life start?
  13. Why does salting streets in the winter melt the ice?
  14. What do trees need to live? What do squirrels need to live?
  15. What causes the seasons?
  16. What is “global warming”? What causes it?
  17. Why do objects seem distorted in a swimming pool?
  18. About how old is the earth?

To help us assess the value of prerequisites, please fill in:
YEAR_________
MAJOR__________
LAST GEOLOGY CLASS__________ (High School/College)
LAST MATH CLASS__________ (High School/College)
LAST PHYSICS CLASS__________ (High School/College)
LAST CHEMISTRY CLASS_________ (High School/College)

 


This test was designed by John DeLaughter and Seth Stein Update: 10 Feb 1998