MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

Why is it theoretically possible to fly through the upper layers of Jupiter and Saturn?

a. they aren’t solid

b. they have no gravity

c. they are fusing inside

d. internal pressures are very low

e. they receive a lot of solar energy

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

The Earth, the moon, Venus and Mars are all made of similar elements. What factors contribute to the existence of life on Earth while the other neighbor planets and moons are lifeless?

a. The tilt of the axis is different from that of the Earth on other planets and moons.

b. Liquid water and a protective atmosphere are found on Earth and not on the others.

c. Earth has active tectonic plates that continue to create and destroy mountains and basins.

d. The laws governing the behavior of atoms and molecules is different here than elsewhere.

Correct Answer: b

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

Mars, Earth and Venus all receive about the same amount of solar radiation. Why does only Earth support life?

a. Earth’s atmosphere shields the surface from harmful UV radiation and liquid water is present.

b. Earth has a hot interior of both liquid and solid parts and plates that move on the surface.

c. Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees on its axis and has four seasons away from the equator.

d. Earth has frozen water at its poles and a hole in its ozone layer.

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

	Mercury	Venus	Earth	Mars	Jupiter
Distance from Sun (millions of km)	57.9	108.2	149.6	227.9	778.3
Year	88 days	224.7 days	365.2 days	687 days	11.86 yrs
Day	59 days	243 days retrograde	23 hr 56 min 4 sec	24 hr 37 min	9 hr 55 min 30 sec
Diameter (km)	4,880	12,100	12,756	6,794	142,800
Atmosphere (main components)	Virtually none	Carbon dioxide	Nitrogen Oxygen	Carbon dioxide	Hydrogen Helium
Satellites	0	0	1	2	16
Rings	0	0	0	0	3

From the above data table, which planet has an atmosphere containing the most oxygen?

a. Mercury

b. Venus

c. Earth

d. Mars

Correct Answer: c

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

Even though Mercury is closer to the sun than Venus, why isn't it hotter?

a. Mercury's clouds reflect heat

b. Mercury is too small to catch heat

c. Mercury is in Venus' shadow

d. Mercury has no atmosphere

e. Mercury has thick icecaps

Correct Answer: d

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

The Earth’s early atmosphere was much different than it is today. Which important gas was not present?

a. nitrogen

b. oxygen

c. carbon dioxide

d. ozone

Correct Answer: b

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

On January 6^th, NASA launched the $63 million Lunar Prospector. It discovered enough frozen water to fill a moderately sized lake. How might this discovery affect the future of space exploration? The water could be used to provide:

a. water for a colony on the moon

b. water for the earth’s orbiting space station

c. water for the space shuttle

d. oxygen for the people on the earth

e. an atmosphere for the moon

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

What is it about the Earth, as compared to other planets in our solar system, which makes it conducive to life?

a. It is at the only distance from the sun that would support life in the solar system.

b. It is the only planet with an atmosphere.

c. It is the only planet with a 24-hour day.

d. It has liquid water.

Correct Answer: d

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

From the following data table what evidence suggests that there is life on planet C?

	Planet A	Planet B	Planet C	Planet D	Planet E	Planet F
Atmosphere	H, He, N	H, N	N, O	H, N	none	none
Diameter (km)	8752	9685	9521	15,024	1232	3214
Distance from Sun (millions of km)	300	258	326	1389	28,556	34
Day Length	1	89	42	15	.5	1
Moons	0	1	0	2	0	0

a. There is oxygen in the atmosphere.

b. The diameter is in the 9000 km range.

c. It is about 325 million km from the sun.

d. Its day length is 42 days.

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

A newly discovered planet, in another solar system, is about the same distance from its sun as Earth is from our sun. This planet is also about the same size as Earth. This planet has an atmosphere similar to Earth’s but it lacks oxygen. Does this data suggest there is life similar to that on Earth on the newly discovered planet? Why or why not?

a. Yes, the distance from the sun is the most important thing for life.

b. Yes, the size of the planet is the same as Earth so it will have life.

c. No, the atmosphere lacks oxygen, a waste product of life.

d. No, the tilt of its axis may be different than that of Earth.

Correct Answer: c

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 02
Objective: 01. Describe the unique physical features of Earth’s environment that make life on Earth possible.
ILO:

Should the next world that Man colonized be the Moon or Mars? Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.

Scoring Guide :

Content = 80%

4: Student shows exceptional thought and insight. At least three advantages and disadvantages are described.

3: Student shows good thought and insight. Two advantages and disadvantages are described.

2: Student shows fair thought and insight. An advantage and disadvantage is described.

1: Student shows poor thought and insight. No advantages or disadvantages are described.

Writing = 20%

4: Spelling, punctuation, word usage are above grade level.

3. Spelling, punctuation, word usage are at grade level.

2: Spelling, punctuation, word usage are slightly below grade level.

1: Spelling, punctuation, word usage are significantly below grade level.