Jan 2008

PS/EARTH SCIENCE

The University of the State of New York

REGENTS HIGH SCHOOL EXAMINATION

PHYSICAL SETTING

EARTH SCIENCE

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 — 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., only

This is a test of your knowledge of Earth science. Use that knowledge to answer

all questions in this examination. Some questions may require the use of the Earth

Science Reference Tables. The Earth Science Reference Tables are supplied separately.

Be certain you have a copy of the 2001 Edition (Revised November 2006) of these

reference tables before you begin the examination.

Your answer sheet for Part A and Part B–1 is the last page of this examination

booklet. Turn to the last page and fold it along the perforations. Then, slowly and

carefully, tear off your answer sheet and fill in the heading.

The answers to the questions in Part B–2 and Part C are to be written in your

separate answer booklet. Be sure to fill in the heading on the front of your answer

booklet.

You are to answer all questions in all parts of this examination according to the

directions provided in the examination booklet. Record your answers to the Part A

and Part B–1 multiple-choice questions on your separate answer sheet. Write your

answers to the Part B–2 and Part C questions in your answer booklet. All work should

be written in pen, except for graphs and drawings, which should be done in pencil.

You may use scrap paper to work out the answers to the questions, but be sure to

record all your answers on your separate answer sheet and in your answer booklet.

When you have completed the examination, you must sign the statement printed

at the end of your separate answer sheet, indicating that you had no unlawful

knowledge of the questions or answers prior to the examination and that you have

neither given nor received assistance in answering any of the questions during the

examination. Your answer sheet and answer booklet cannot be accepted if you fail to

sign this declaration.

Notice. . .

A four-function or scientific calculator and a copy of the 2001 Earth Science Reference Tables

(Revised November 2006) must be available for you to use while taking this examination.

The use of any communications device is strictly prohibited when taking this

examination. If you use any communications device, no matter how briefly, your

examination will be invalidated and no score will be calculated for you.

DO NOT OPEN THIS EXAMINATION BOOKLET UNTIL THE SIGNAL IS GIVEN.

E C N E I C S H T R A E / S P

Part A

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (1–35): For each statement or question, write on your separate answer sheet the number of the

word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions

may require the use of the Earth Science Reference Tables .

1 One factor responsible for the strength of

6 What causes the Coriolis effect?

gravitational attraction between a planet and the

(1) Earth’s tilt on its axis

Sun is the

(2) the spin of Earth on its axis

(1) degree of tilt of the planet’s axis

(3) the orbital motion of the Moon around Earth

(2) distance between the planet and the Sun

(4) the orbital motion of Earth around the Sun

(3) planet’s period of rotation

(4) amount of insolation given off by the Sun

7 What is the relative humidity when the dry-bulb

temperature is 16°C and the wet-bulb tempera-

2 Which planet is located approximately ten times

ture is 14°C?

farther from the Sun than Earth is from the Sun?

(1) 90%

(3) 14%

(1) Mars

(3) Saturn

(2) 80%

(4) 13%

(2) Jupiter

(4) Uranus

8 Which weather instrument is used to measure

3 Large craters found on Earth support the

wind speed?

hypothesis that impact events have caused

(1) anemometer

(3) psychrometer

(1) a decrease in the number of earthquakes and

(2) wind vane

(4) thermometer

an increase in sea level

(2) an increase in solar radiation and a decrease

in Earth radiation

9 A weather station model is shown below.

(3) the red shift of light from distant stars and the

blue shift of light from nearby stars

029

(4) mass extinctions of life-forms and global

climate changes

4 What is the inferred age of our solar system, in

What is the barometric pressure indicated by this

millions of years?

station model?

(1) 544

(3) 4600

(1) 0.029 mb

(3) 1002.9 mb

(2) 1300

(4) 10,000

(2) 902.9 mb

(4) 1029.0 mb

5 The water table usually rises when there is

10 The upward movement of air in the atmosphere

generally causes the temperature of that air to

(1) a decrease in the amount of infiltration

(2) a decrease in the amount of surface area

(1) decrease and become closer to the dewpoint

covered by vegetation

(2) decrease and become farther from the

(3) an increase in the amount of precipitation

dewpoint

(4) an increase in the slope of the land

(3) increase and become closer to the dewpoint

(4) increase and become farther from the dewpoint

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[2]

11 Which bar graph correctly shows the orbital eccentricity of the planets in our solar system?

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

0.050

Planets

( 1 )

( 3 )

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

0.050

Planets

( 2 )

( 4 )

12 The diagram below shows Earth in its orbit around the Sun. Positions A, B, C, and D represent Earth at

the beginning of each season.

Position D

Position A

Sun

Position C

Position B

(Not drawn to scale)

At which lettered position of Earth does New York State experience the first day

of summer?

(1) A

(3) C

(2) B

(4) D

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[3]

[OVER]

13 The cross section below shows a house on the

17 Which ocean current transports warm water away

shore of Lake Ontario in August.

from Earth’s equatorial region?

(1) Brazil Current

(3) Falkland Current

(2) Guinea Current

(4) California Current

18 The data table below shows the density of four

Wind

different mineral samples.

Data Table

Lake Ontario

Mineral

Density

(g/cm 3 )

(Not drawn to scale)

corundum

4.0

galena

7.6

Under which conditions would the wind shown in

hematite

5.3

the cross section most likely occur?

quartz

2.7

(1) at 2 a.m., when the air over land is 70°F and

the air over the lake is 80°F

(2) at 6 a.m., when the air over land is 70°F and

A student accurately measured the mass of a

the air over the lake is 70°F

sample of one of the four minerals to be

(3) at 2 p.m., when the air over land is 80°F and

294.4 grams and its volume to be 73.6 cm 3 .

the air over the lake is 70°F

Which mineral sample did the student measure?

(4) at 10 p.m., when the air over land is 70°F and

(1) corundum

(3) hematite

the air over the lake is 72°F

(2) galena

(4) quartz

14 Which type of surface absorbs the greatest

19 Which mineral has a metallic luster, a black

amount of electromagnetic energy from the Sun?

streak, and is an ore of iron?

(1) smooth, shiny, and light colored

(1) galena

(3) pyroxene

(2) smooth, shiny, and dark colored

(2) magnetite

(4) graphite

(3) rough, dull, and light colored

(4) rough, dull, and dark colored

20 The edges of most lithospheric plates are

characterized by

15 Which New York State location is most likely to

experience the heaviest winter snowfall when the

(1) reversed magnetic orientation

surface winds are blowing from the west or north-

(2) unusually rapid radioactive decay

west?

(3) frequent volcanic activity

(4) low P -wave and high S -wave velocity

(1) New York City

(3) Oswego

(2) Binghamton

(4) Plattsburgh

21 Compared to Earth’s continental crust, Earth’s

oceanic crust is

16 The largest particles that a stream deposits as it

enters a pond are 8 centimeters in diameter. The

(1) thinner and more dense

minimum velocity of the stream is approximately

(2) thinner and less dense

(3) thicker and more dense

(1) 100 cm/sec

(3) 300 cm/sec

(4) thicker and less dense

(2) 200 cm/sec

(4) 400 cm/sec

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[4]

22 In which set are the rock drawings labeled with their correct rock types?

Igneous

Sedimentary Metamorphic

Igneous

Sedimentary Metamorphic

( 1 )

( 3 )

Igneous

Sedimentary Metamorphic

Igneous

Sedimentary Metamorphic

( 2 )

( 4 )

23 The topographic map below shows a lake and two rivers.

Sapphire River

Gem

Garnet River

Lake

In which direction does each of the rivers flow?

(1) The Sapphire River and the Garnet River both flow east.

(2) The Sapphire River and the Garnet River both flow west.

(3) The Sapphire River flows east and the Garnet River flows west.

(4) The Sapphire River flows west and the Garnet River flows east.

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[5]

[OVER]

24 The map below shows the northern section of the

27 Which statement correctly compares seismic

boundary between the Arabian Plate and the

P -waves with seismic S -waves?

African Plate. Arrows show the relative direction

(1) P -waves travel faster than S -waves and pass

of plate motion.

through Earth’s liquid zones.

(2) P -waves travel faster than S -waves and do not

pass through Earth’s liquid zones.

(3) P -waves travel slower than S -waves and pass

through Earth’s liquid zones.

(4) P -waves travel slower than S -waves and do

not pass through Earth’s liquid zones.

Jordan

28 What is the geologic age sequence of the surface

Fault

Arabian

bedrock from Ithaca, New York, to Watertown,

Plate

New York?

(1) Ordovician, Taconic, Cambrian

(2) Ordovician, Tertiary, Pleistocene

(3) Devonian, Silurian, Cambrian

(4) Devonian, Silurian, Ordovician

African Plate

29 A whalebone that originally contained 200 grams

radioactive

carbon-14

now

contains

25 grams of carbon-14. How many carbon-14

half-lives have passed since this whale was alive?

(1) 1

(3) 3

(2) 2

(4) 4

Which type of plate boundary is located at the

30 Which geologic event occurred during the same

Jordan Fault?

geologic period as the first appearance of modern

(1) divergent

(3) convergent

corals in Earth’s oceans?

(2) subduction

(4) transform

(1) Grenville Orogeny

(2) Acadian Orogeny

25 A seismograph station recorded the arrival of

(3) intrusion of the Palisades Sill

the first P -wave at 7:32 p.m. from an earthquake

(4) formation of the Catskill Delta

that occurred 4000 kilometers away. What time

was it at the station when the earthquake

31 The presence of eurypterid fossils in New York

occurred?

State bedrock indicates that

(1) 7:20 p.m.

(3) 7:32 p.m.

(1) eurypterids lived in land environments

(2) 7:25 p.m.

(4) 7:39 p.m.

(2) eurypterids first appeared on Earth during

the Devonian Period

26 Which temperature is inferred to exist in Earth’s

(3) most of New York State was once a moun-

plastic mantle?

tainous region

(1) 2000°C

(3) 5000°C

(4) areas of New York State were once covered

(2) 3000°C

(4) 6000°C

with shallow seas

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[6]

32 Which sequence of New York State index fossils shows the order in which the organisms appeared on Earth?

Oldest

Youngest

Time

( 1 )

Oldest

Youngest

Time

( 2 )

Oldest

Youngest

Time

( 3 )

Oldest

Youngest

Time

( 4 )

33 The generalized landscape regions of New York State are classified according to

(1) bedrock structure and elevation

(3) latitude and longitude

(2) bedrock type and index fossils

(4) climate and topography

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[7]

[OVER]

34 Point X is a location on the topographic map below. Elevations are measured in meters.

What is a possible elevation, in meters, of point X ?

(1) 55

(3) 68

(2) 57

(4) 70

35 The topographic map below shows two hills labeled A and B . The tributary streams labeled X and Y have

the same volume of water.

Stream

Which statement is best supported by the map?

(1) Hill A is higher than hill B .

(3) Stream X flows faster than stream Y .

(2) Hill B is higher than hill A .

(4) Stream Y flows faster than stream X.

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[8]

Part B–1

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (36–50): For each statement or question, write on your separate answer sheet the number of the

word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions

may require the use of the Earth Science Reference Tables .

Base your answers to questions 36 and 37 on the map below, which represents an imaginary continent.

Locations A and B are on opposite sides of a mountain range on a planet similar to Earth. Location C is on the

planet’s equator.

36 Compared to the climate at location A , the climate at location B would most likely be

(1) warmer and more humid

(3) cooler and more humid

(2) warmer and less humid

(4) cooler and less humid

37 Location C most likely experiences

(1) low air pressure and low precipitation

(2) low air pressure and high precipitation

(3) high air pressure and low precipitation

(4) high air pressure and high precipitation

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[9]

[OVER]

Base your answers to questions 38 through 40 on the flowchart below, which shows a general overview of

the processes and substances involved in the weathering of rocks at Earth’s surface. Letter X represents an

important substance involved in both major types of weathering, labeled A and B on the flowchart. Some

weathering processes are defined below the flowchart.

Weathering

one major type is

involves

caused by

Substance

Impacts with

Expansion

other minerals

combines with

Atmospheric

Substance

gases

causing

Rock

causing

Hydrolysis

Carbonation

Abrasion

Frost action

Exfoliation

Definitions

Frost action – the breakup of rocks caused by the expansion of substance X

Abrasion – the wearing down of rocks or particles as they rub or bounce against other rocks

Exfoliation – the peeling away of large sheets of loosened material at the surface of a rock

Hydrolysis – the change in a material caused by contact with substance X

Carbonation – the change in a material caused by contact with carbonic acid

38 Which term best identifies the type of weathering represented by A ?

(1) physical

(3) chemical

(2) biological

(4) glacial

39 Which substance is represented by X on both sides of the flowchart?

(1) potassium feldspar

(3) hydrochloric acid

(2) air

(4) water

40 Which weathering process is most common in a hot, dry environment?

(1) abrasion

(3) frost action

(2) carbonation

(4) hydrolysis

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[10]

Base your answers to questions 41 through 44 on the map below, which shows areas where certain

minerals were mined in significant amounts during 1989.

Mineral Resources of New York State

Key

limestone or dolostone

clay (shale)

salt (halite)

gypsum

talc

garnet

Wo wollastonite

41 In which New York State landscape region was most of the garnet mined?

(1) Catskills

(3) Tug Hill Plateau

(2) Adirondack Mountains

(4) Erie-Ontario Lowlands

42 What is a common use for the mineral that is mined at the southern end of the two

largest Finger Lakes?

(1) making talcum powder

(3) polishing jewelry

(2) vulcanizing rubber

(4) melting ice

43 The gypsum deposits in New York State were formed

(1) as a result of volcanic eruptions

(3) in a shallow ocean

(2) as a result of metamorphism

(4) in a glacial outwash plain

44 The mineral wollastonite has a hardness of 4.5 to 5. Which New York State mineral

could easily scratch wollastonite?

(1) garnet

(3) talc

(2) halite

(4) gypsum

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[11]

[OVER]

Base your answers to questions 45 and 46 on the cross section below, which shows an underwater

mountain range in the Atlantic Ocean. The oceanic bedrock is composed mainly of basalt. Points X and Y are

locations in the bedrock that have been diverging at the same rate. The movement of the North American Plate

and Eurasian Plate is shown by the two arrows.

Atlantic Ocean

P l a t e

E u r a s i a n P l a t e

N o r t h A m e r i c a n

( Not drawn to scale)

45 Which statements best describe the age and magnetic orientation of the basalts found

at locations X and Y ?

(1) The basalt at location X is younger than the basalt at location Y . Both

locations have the same magnetic orientation.

(2) The basalts at locations X and Y are the same age. Both locations have the

same magnetic orientation.

(3) The basalts at locations X and Y are the same age. Location X has normal

magnetic orientation and location Y has reversed magnetic orientation.

(4) The basalt at location X is older than the basalt at location Y . Location X has

reversed magnetic orientation and location Y ha s normal magnetic orientation.

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[12]

46 Which cross section best represents the relative locations of Earth’s asthenosphere,

rigid mantle, and stiffer mantle? (The cross sections are not drawn to scale.)

Atlantic Ocean

P l a t e

E u r a s i a n P l a t e

P l a t e

E u r a s i a n P l a t e

N o r t h A m e r i c a n

R i g i d m a n t l e

A s t h e nos p h e r e

R i g i d m a n t l e

S t i f f e r m a n t l e

( 1 )

( 3 )

Atlantic Ocean

P l a t e

E u r a s i a n P l at e

P l a t e

E u r a s i a n P l at e

N o r t h A m e r i c a n

S t i f f e r m a n t l e

R i g i d m a n t l e

A s t h e nos p h e r e

S t i f f e r m a n t l e

R i g i d m a n t l e

A s t h e nos p h e r e

( 2 )

( 4 )

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[13]

[OVER]

Base your answers to questions 47 through 50 on the diagram below, which represents the Sun’s apparent

paths and the solar noon positions for an observer at 42° N latitude on December 21, September 23, and

June 21.

Solar noon

Sun’s

June

apparent

path

Solar noon

September

December

Observer

47 In which direction will sunrise occur on June 21?

(1) north of due west

(3) south of due west

(2) north of due east

(4) south of due east

48 How many hours occurred between sunrise and solar noon on September 23?

(1) 6

(3) 12

(2) 8

(4) 24

49 Which diagram best shows the location of Polaris relative to the observer?

Polaris

Observer

( 1 1 ) )

( ( 3 3 ) )

Polaris

Observer

( 2 2 ) )

( ( 4 4 ) )

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[14]

50 Which graph best shows the altitude of the Sun, as measured by the observer located

at 42° N, at various times on December 21?

12 a.m.

6 a.m.

noon

6 p.m.

midnight

12 a.m.

6 a.m.

noon

6 p.m.

midnight

Time on December 21

( 1 )

( 3 )

12 a.m.

6 a.m.

noon

6 p.m.

midnight

12 a.m.

6 a.m.

noon

6 p.m.

midnight

Time on December 21

( 2 )

( 4 )

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[15]

[OVER]

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 Earth Science Reference Tables.

Base your answers to questions 51 through 53 on the block diagram below, which shows the landscape

features of an area of Earth’s crust. Two sedimentary rock layers, A and B , are labeled in the diagram. The rock

symbol for layer B has been omitted.

Layer A

Layer B

Cavern

51 Identify the most abundant mineral in rock layer A . [1]

52 Describe how the caverns formed in rock layer A . [1]

53 The graph below shows the particle sizes that compose the clastic sedimentary rock

in layer B .

0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10

Particle Diameter (cm)

In the box in your answer booklet, draw the map symbol from the Earth Science

Reference Tables that represents rock layer B . [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[16]

Base your answers to questions 54 through 56 on the table below, which lists the location of some

earthquakes, their Richter magnitude, and their year of occurrence.

Data Table

Location

Richter Magnitude

Year

San Francisco, United States

7.8

1906

Messina, Italy

7.5

1908

Tokyo, Japan

8.3

1923

San Francisco, United States

7.1

1989

54 What data do scientists use to determine the magnitude of earthquakes without

visiting the actual sites? [1]

55 The locations of the earthquakes listed in the table are shown on the map below.

80°

60°

40°

Messina

40°

San Francisco

Tokyo

20°

160°

120°

80°

40°

0°

40°

80°

120°

160°

0°

20°

40°

60°

80°

Explain how the locations of these earthquakes are related to tectonic plates. [1]

56 Identify the process in Earth’s asthenosphere that is inferred to be the cause of

tectonic plate motion. [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[17]

[OVER]

Base your answers to questions 57 through 60 on the diagram below, which shows Earth as viewed from

above the North Pole. The nighttime side of Earth has been shaded. The Moon is shown at eight positions in

its orbit around Earth. The name of each Moon phase is indicated at each Moon position. The dark portion of

each Moon position has not been shaded.

Last

quarter

Old

crescent

gibbous

Sun’s

rays

New

North

Full

Moon

Pole

Moon

New

crescent

gibbous

First

quarter

(Not drawn to scale)

57 On the diagram in your answer booklet, shade the portion of the Moon that is in

darkness to show the last quarter phase as viewed from New York State. [1]

58 Explain what causes the Moon’s phases when viewed from Earth. [1]

59 Which Moon phase occurs approximately one week after the New Moon phase? [1]

60 Explain why the same side of the Moon always faces Earth. [1]

61 Complete the table in your answer booklet by identifying the color and classification

of the star Procyon B. The data for the Sun have been completed as an example. [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[18]

Base your answers to questions 62 through 65 on the cross section in your answer booklet which shows a

portion of Earth’s crust. Letters A through J represent rock units or geologic structures. The rock units have

not been overturned.

62 On the cross section in your answer booklet, draw a circle around the letter of the

oldest rock unit shown. [1]

63 On the same cross section, place an X to indicate a location where the rock, marble,

was formed. [1]

64 Describe one piece of evidence shown in the cross section that suggests rock unit D

is younger than rock unit F . [1]

65 Explain why rock unit H is not one continuous layer. [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[19]

[OVER]

Part C

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (66–84): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions

may require the use of the Earth Science Reference Tables.

Base your answers to questions 66 through 70 on the weather map in your answer booklet. The isobars show

air pressures, in millibars. Points A and B indicate locations on the map.

66 On the weather map in your answer booklet, place an X centered on the geographic

region that was most likely the source of the mT air mass. [1]

67 Calculate the pressure gradient along a straight line between point A and point B on

the map. Label your answer with the correct units. [2]

68 Describe the evidence shown on the map that indicates strong winds were blowing

between Miles City and Pierre. [1]

69 In the table in your answer booklet, write the names of the cities listed below in

sequence from lowest relative humidity to highest relative humidity. [1]

Albuquerque

Chicago

New York City

70 Describe the pattern of the surface winds around the center of the low-pressure

system ( L ). [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[20]

Base your answers to questions 71 and 72 on the passage and time zones map shown below.

Time Zones

In 1883, Earth was divided into 24 time zones. The United States (excluding Alaska

and Hawaii) has four time zones, which are indicated by different shadings on the map.

Each zone is roughly centered on lines of longitude that are 15° apart. These lines are

shown as dashed lines on the map. Most locations within a time zone have the same time.

This time is called standard time. As you move to the west, the time in each zone is one

hour earlier than the previous time zone.

120° W

105° W

90° W

75° W

Pacific

Mountain

Central

Eastern

time zone

Buffalo

New York

City

San Francisco

Denver

Dallas

71 When it is 1 a.m. in New York City, what time is it in Denver? [1]

72 Explain, in terms of Earth’s rotation, why the time zones are 15° of longitude apart. [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[21]

[OVER]

Base your answers to questions 73 and 74 on the data table below, which shows the average

number of days with thunderstorms that occur over land areas at different latitudes each year.

Data Table

Average Number of

Latitude

Days a Thunderstorm

Occurs Over Land

60° N

45° N

30° N

15° N

0° (equator)

15° S

30° S

45° S

60° S

73 On the grid in your answer booklet, plot, with an X , the average number of days per

year a thunderstorm occurs over a land area for each latitude shown on the data table.

Connect the centers of the X s with a line. [1]

74 State the relationship between latitude and the average number of days each year that

thunderstorms occur over a land area. [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[22]

Base your answers to questions 75 through 79 on the cross section below, which shows the general pattern

of water movement in the water cycle. Letter X represents a water-cycle process.

Winds carry

Condensation and

vapor over land

cloud formation

Water table

Lake

Ocean

Impermeable bedrock

75 What process of the water cycle is represented by X ? [1]

76 Describe the process of condensation. [1]

77 Describe one surface condition that would allow runoff to occur. [1]

78 Explain one role of plants in the water cycle. [1]

79 As the lake surface freezes in the winter, how many calories of heat are released by

each gram of water? [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[23]

[OVER]

Base your answers to questions 80 through 84 on the passage and map below. The map shows a portion of

the continent of Antarctica.

Antarctica’s Ice Sheet

The size and shape of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet depends on many factors, includ-

ing melting and freezing beneath the glacier, the amount of snowfall, snow removal by

wind, iceberg formation, and the rate of ice flow. Glacial moraines are found in the

Executive Committee Mountains shown on the map. Moraines are located up to 100

meters in elevation above the present ice sheet surface, which indicates that a thicker ice

sheet existed 20,000 years ago.

The world’s oceans and climate are influenced by Antarctica’s ice. Even a small

increase in sea level from melting glaciers would be a disaster for the nearly two

billion people who live near coastal areas.

Ice

90° W

Divide

South Pole

Whitmore

Glacier

Mountains

Island

East

West

Antarctica

Pine

Antarctica

Glacier

Thwaites

T r a

Byrd

n s

a n

105°

Station

t a

r c

t i c

Amundsen

i n

Sea

Ross

Executive

Ice Shelf

Committee Mountains

80°

Roosevelt

120°

Island

70°

McMurdo

Station

Ross Sea

135°

80 Identify one piece of evidence found on the sides of some Antarctic mountains that

indicates that an ice sheet, hundreds of meters thicker than the current ice sheet,

existed in the past. [1]

81 What is the duration of insolation on December 21 at McMurdo Station? [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[24]

82 State the latitude and longitude of Byrd Station. Your answer must include both the

units and the compass directions. [1]

83 Describe the arrangement of sediment found in a glacial moraine. [1]

84 Identify one change that would cause a decrease in the size of the West Antarctic Ice

Sheet. [1]

P.S./E. Sci.–Jan. ’08

[25]

The University of the State of New York

R EGENTS H IGH S CHOOL E XAMINATION

PHYSICAL SETTING

EARTH SCIENCE

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 — 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., only

ANSWER SHEET

Student . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sex:

I Male I Female Grade . . . . . . . . . . . .

Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Record your answers to Part A and Part B–1 on this answer sheet.

Part A

Part B–1

1 . . . . . . . . . . . .

13 . . . . . . . . . . . .

25 . . . . . . . . . . .

36 . . . . . . . . . . . .

44 . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 . . . . . . . . . . . .

14 . . . . . . . . . . . .

26 . . . . . . . . . . .

37 . . . . . . . . . . . .

45 . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 . . . . . . . . . . . .

15 . . . . . . . . . . . .

27 . . . . . . . . . . .

38 . . . . . . . . . . . .

46 . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 . . . . . . . . . . . .

16 . . . . . . . . . . . .

28 . . . . . . . . . . .

39 . . . . . . . . . . . .

47 . . . . . . . . . . . .

5 . . . . . . . . . . . .

17 . . . . . . . . . . . .

29 . . . . . . . . . . .

40 . . . . . . . . . . . .

48 . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 . . . . . . . . . . . .

18 . . . . . . . . . . . .

30 . . . . . . . . . . .

41 . . . . . . . . . . . .

49 . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 . . . . . . . . . . . .

19 . . . . . . . . . . . .

31 . . . . . . . . . . .

42 . . . . . . . . . . . .

50 . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part B–1 Score

8 . . . . . . . . . . . .

20 . . . . . . . . . . . .

32 . . . . . . . . . . .

43 . . . . . . . . . . . .

9 . . . . . . . . . . . .

21 . . . . . . . . . . . .

33 . . . . . . . . . . .

10 . . . . . . . . . . . .

22 . . . . . . . . . . . .

34 . . . . . . . . . . .

11 . . . . . . . . . . . .

23 . . . . . . . . . . . .

35 . . . . . . . . . . .

Part A Score

12 . . . . . . . . . . . .

24 . . . . . . . . . . . .

Write your answers to Part B–2 and Part C in your answer booklet.

The declaration below should be signed when you have completed the examination.

I do hereby affirm, at the close of this examination, that I had no unlawful knowledge of the questions or answers prior to

the examination and that I have neither given nor received assistance in answering any of the questions during the examination.

Signature

PS/EARTH SCIENCE

E C N E I C S H T R A E / S P