2nd Grade Science : Earth and Space Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 2nd Grade Science

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Use Sources To Show That Some Earth Events Occur Slowly

California had two significant events that took place today that shook residents up. The first was a sudden wildfire that struck the forested area outside of Los Angeles and terrified residents! It didn't rage for very long before firefighters put it out. A flick of a match is all it takes to start a massive fire. There were no injuries or deaths, luckily. The other event was a slippery mess. Northern California had been experiencing heavy rains for days, and because of years of erosion to cliffsides and roads, a terrible mudslide began. It is still ongoing, and there is no real way to stop it, it has to run its course. Unfortunately, when land is broken down over time, it becomes more dangerous in the case of prolonged rainstorms.

What are the keywords/phrases in this text that allude to an event that happens slowly?

Possible Answers:

"terrible mudslide"

"slippery mess" and "mudslide"

"sudden" and "heavy"

"years of erosion" and "over time"

Correct answer:

"years of erosion" and "over time"

Explanation:

In the passage given, the event that happened slowly was the mudslide. Events on Earth can happen at different speeds. The wildfire is described as "sudden," "didn't rage for long," and "a flick of a match" can start them. This is all language that shows how quickly the fire started. The mudslide, on the other hand, is described as happening after "heavy rain for days," and that "years of erosion" led to the right conditions. The text also states that the mudslide is "still ongoing" and that "when land is broken down over time," conditions become more dangerous. This demonstrates an event that takes a long time or happens slowly.

 

Example Question #1 : Use Sources To Show That Some Earth Events Occur Slowly

Why is this photo an example of an event on Earth that happens slowly?

Cyprus, Coast, Cliff, Cavo Greko

Possible Answers:

Cliffsides never change or are created.

Cliffsides can take millions of years to form.

Cliffsides can take days to form.

Cliffsides can take weeks to form.

Correct answer:

Cliffsides can take millions of years to form.

Explanation:

Cliffsides are formed over thousands, if not millions of years of weathering and erosion. Waves, wind, rain, and possible vegetation and ice wear away the rock and break it over the years. Water and wind carry the broken pieces away to new places. This is a very slow-moving process.

Example Question #3 : Use Sources To Show That Some Earth Events Occur Slowly

Tsunamis are severe oceanic storms that cause extreme devastation. They are a series of waves that can be miles long, up to 100 feet high, and can travel at 400 miles per hour. They are caused by significant and sudden disturbances of the sea’s surface. Volcanic eruptions, landslides, earthquakes can trigger a tsunami. A massive wall of water will wash ashore, and there is very little time or warning for those who live in the communities nearby. The series of waves can last for hours, and massive flooding adds to the problem. If you find yourself in a tsunami, get to high ground, keep calm, do not drive, and follow instructions from local officials.
 
What words/phrases let readers know these are events that do NOT happen slowly?
Possible Answers:

"series of waves" and "warning"

"massive flooding" and "disturbances"

"extreme devastation"

"sudden" and "very little time or warning"

Correct answer:

"sudden" and "very little time or warning"

Explanation:

Volcanic eruptions, landslides, earthquakes, and tsunamis are all events that happen quickly. Events that occur slowly are weathering and erosion, creating new landforms. The keywords that let readers know this event does NOT occur slowly are "sudden" and "very little time or warning."

Example Question #1 : Use Sources To Show That Some Earth Events Occur Slowly

Erosion happens very slowly over time. It is the movement of broken rocks, dirt, and sediment caused by weathering. Which answer choice gives an example of erosion?

Possible Answers:

Ice freezing in a rock crevice

Plant roots growing into a hillside

Wind breaking a cliffside

A river carrying broken rocks downstream

Correct answer:

A river carrying broken rocks downstream

Explanation:

Erosion is the movement of broken materials, and only once answer choice mentions moving the pieces, "A river carrying broken rocks downstream." This example shows that water in the form of a river is moving the broken parts of the material. The other examples are weathering, which is the process of breaking the materials.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors