3rd Grade Science - Earth System Questions

3rd Grade Science - Earth System Questions Part 1

A student holds a model of Earth that can rotate on a stick. Another student shines a flashlight on the model as it turns. This model is MOST likely used to show —
(2008 test question)
1. high and low tides
2. seasons changing
3. day and night
4. phases of the Moon
Which of the following describes the motion of Earth shown in this picture?
(2007 test question)
1. Vibrating
2. Rotating
3. Revolving
4. Falling
Which of these causes the MOST evaporation of water from a lake?
(2007 test question)
1. Freezing of the lake
2. Heat from the Sun
3. Melting snow forming streams
4. Volcanic activity near the lake
Which of these warms most of the air, water, and land on Earth?
(2007 test question)
1. Coal
2. Electricity
3. Sunlight
4. Wind
From what source does almost all heat energy on Earth come?
(2009 test question)
1. Wind
2. Water
3. The Sun
4. The Moon
Where will a sidewalk feel hottest on a warm, clear day?
(2008 test question)
1. Under a picnic table
2. In direct sunlight
3. Under a puddle
4. In the shade
The BEST way to make a shadow on a living room wall is to —
(2009 test question)
1. hold a lamp near the floor
2. turn off the lights in the room
3. sit close to the wall near a window
4. stand between a light and the wall
Which of these can make a shadow on the ground during the day?
(2010 test question)
1. River
2. Air
3. Thunder
4. Cloud
Students used thermometers to compare temperatures around their school. Which of these is MOST likely the reason it was cooler under a tree than on the playground?
(2010 test question)
1. The tree blocked the cold wind.
2. A student blocked the wind.
3. Tree leaves blocked some of the sunlight.
4. A cloud blocked the Sun.
A summer day begins with a clear, sunny sky. Then, dark clouds form in the afternoon. What type of weather will MOST likely happen next?
(2007 test question)
1. Sleet and snow
2. Rain and thunder
3. Wind and snow
4. Fog and wind
Having dry, hot weather for a long time can cause a —
(2010 test question)
1. drought
2. thunderstorm
3. tornado
4. flood
Which of these is the BEST reason to study weather?
(2008 test question)
1. To be prepared for storms
2. To learn how fossils are formed
3. To see changing phases of the Moon
4. To find ways for animals to live longer
What does a weather vane show?
(2010 test question)
1. Wind direction
2. Air temperature
3. Cloud cover
4. Air pressure
Which of these shows the day when this thermometer was left outside?
(2007 test question)
Both hurricanes and tornadoes always —
(2009 test question)
1. cause flooding
2. are hundreds of miles wide
3. have high winds
4. produce light snow
Which of these BEST describes this leaf?
(2010 test question)
1. Long
2. Square-shaped
3. Round
4. Star-shaped
A company plants trees on a bare hillside. Which of these is the BEST reason for planting the trees?
(2010 test question)
1. The trees provide oxygen for the soil.
2. The trees prevent soil from washing away.
3. The trees make shade for animals living there.
4. The trees cause animals to move to other places.
Which thing near this house will wash away the MOST during a heavy rain?
(2008 test question)
1. Gravel driveway
2. Dirt pile
3. Stepping stones
4. Soil under grass
If water gets into the crack of a rock and then freezes, the rock will MOST likely —
(2007 test question)
1. break apart
2. be able to float
3. become larger
4. change colors
Which of these may have caused the boulders to break away from the cliff?
(2010 test question)
1. Weathering
2. Evaporating
3. Depositing
4. Grinding
A sand dune is shown. Which of these causes sand dunes to form?
(2009 test question)
1. Winds blowing
2. Plants growing
3. Animals digging
4. Temperatures rising