4th Grade Science : Earth and Space Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 4th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #7 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

There are 169 potentially active volcanoes in the United States. This map indicates the location of these volcanoes using multi-colored triangles. The different colors indicate levels of concern based on data from scientists observing them.

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Based on this map, which state is most likely to experience volcanic activity?

Source: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/index.html

Possible Answers:

Oregon

Idaho

Montana

Wyoming

Correct answer:

Oregon

Explanation:

This map provides a visual representation of locations with volcanoes in the United States. When reviewing the map, a pattern emerges, Oregon is a state with a high concentration of volcanoes. Based on the four states provided in the answer choices, it is most likely that Oregon would experience volcanic activity due to the high number of active volcanoes.

Example Question #8 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

The two maps below display important information used to keep people safe. The first map is of the United States and its volcanic activity. Each triangle represents an active volcano being monitored by scientists.

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Source: https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards

The second map highlights what is known as the "Ring of Fire." The areas highlighted in red are zones of frequent earthquakes. The blue lines represent deep oceanic trenches.

Screen shot 2020 08 28 at 10.54.17 am

Source: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/ring-fire

What pattern can be identified using both graphs?

Possible Answers:

The area highlighted on the "Ring of Fire" map is the opposite to where most of the United States' volcanoes are located.

There is no recognizable pattern between the two graphs that were presented.

The same area highlighted on the "Ring of Fire" map is where a majority of the United States' volcanoes are located.

The area on the "Ring of Fire" map highlighted in red represents a high number of hurricanes, as does each triangle on the other map.

Correct answer:

The same area highlighted on the "Ring of Fire" map is where a majority of the United States' volcanoes are located.

Explanation:

These two maps can be compared to find patterns in Earth's features. The areas highlighted in red on the "Ring of Fire" map represent high concentrations of earthquake activity. When looking at the map of volcanic locations in the United States, one may notice that the fall along the same line or path as the "Ring of Fire." This indicates a pattern in the area. Places located within the "Ring of Fire" are more likely to receive earthquakes and have volcanic activity.

Example Question #9 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

Below are maps of Dauphin Island which is off the coast of Alabama. The maps are models to show what would happen if the island faces less frequent and less intense tropical storms, moderate frequency and moderate-intensity storms, and more frequent and more intense storms. After analyzing the three maps, which frequency and intensity of storms would lead to the LEAST amount of erosion and destruction?

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Possible Answers:

There is no pattern, so a prediction cannot be made.

Moderate frequency and moderate-intensity storms

Less frequent and less intense tropical storms

More frequent and more intense storms

Correct answer:

Less frequent and less intense tropical storms

Explanation:

These maps are a great visual representation of what storms do to our barrier islands. Dauphin Island is slowly being eroded daily by wind and waves, but intense tropical storms accelerate that damage. From the first map to the third map, a pattern can be identified. The island is eroded when faced with tropical storms. As the storms become more frequent and intense erosion is accelerated, and large pieces of the island are gone. The overall depth of the landform is also reduced due to severe, frequent storms. 

Therefore, less frequent and less intense tropical storms would lead the LEAST amount of erosion and destruction to the islands.

 

Example Question #10 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

A map of the tectonic plates of the Earth showing the different boundary types in different colors. In red are the areas where the tectonic plates collide. These areas are known as convergent boundaries. In yellow are the divergent boundaries, or places where the plates are spreading. If the plates slide past one another they are highlighted in orange.

Screen shot 2020 08 28 at 11.43.09 am

Source: The National Park Service

What pattern can be determined from this map?

Possible Answers:

In Africa is where most earthquake activity is focused.

Along the coast of Australia is where most earthquake activity is focused.

Along the convergent boundaries is where the most earthquake activity is focused.

Along the divergent boundaries is where the least earthquake activity is focused.

Correct answer:

Along the convergent boundaries is where the most earthquake activity is focused.

Explanation:

This map provides a lot of information in a small space. Breaking apart the visual and determining what patterns are present can help readers understand what is happening in different parts of the world. This map shows an overlap between yellow dots (earthquake activity) and the convergent boundaries. Putting this information together, we can determine that along the convergent boundaries is where most earthquake activity is focused.

Example Question #1 : Describe Patterns Of Earth's Features

This is a topographical map of the United States. There are many landforms visible on the map and are either color-coded or textured. River, lakes, and oceans can be seen in blue. Green represents forests and wooded areas. Where the map looks rippled or almost three-dimensional are mountain ranges and elevation.

Which answer choice describes patterns of Earth's features that can be identified with this map?

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Possible Answers:

The midwest is devoid of elevation and/or large forested areas.

The western US is devoid of elevation and/or large forested areas.

The southern US is devoid of elevation and/or large forested areas.

The eastern US is devoid of elevation and/or large forested areas.

Correct answer:

The midwest is devoid of elevation and/or large forested areas.

Explanation:

This map is an excellent choice for viewing all of the different features and landforms that the United States has to offer. Some parts of the country are mountainous, others have large bodies of water, and an ocean surrounds some. One pattern that can be observed from reviewing this map is that the midwest is devoid of forested areas and elevation. The center of America is primarily white, with some rivers crossing through. It is an area that is not mountainous and does not have vast forests. The Eastern and Western US both feature elevation and mountains.

Example Question #2 : Describe Patterns Of Earth's Features

This is a topographical map of the United States that shows the earthquake fault lines. The red, orange, and purple lines represent areas at risk for earthquakes. Based on this map what patterns can you describe regarding the United States' earthquake fault lines?

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Possible Answers:

A majority of the earthquakes that take place in the United States are on the East Coast (North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, etc.)

A majority of the earthquakes that take place in the United States are in the Northeast (New York, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, etc.).

A majority of the earthquakes that take place in the United States are in the Midwest (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, etc.).

A majority of the earthquakes that take place in the United States are on the West Coast (California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, etc.).

Correct answer:

A majority of the earthquakes that take place in the United States are on the West Coast (California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, etc.).

Explanation:

This topographical map allows the readers to see patterns in the Earth's landforms. The earthquake faults are red, orange, and purple and they can be seen focused on the Western side of the United States.  There are some earthquake faults off the coast of Mexico, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, but they are primarily located on the West Coast. Using maps like these are beneficial for identifying patterns and finding details to describe them.

Example Question #3 : Describe Patterns Of Earth's Features

This is a topographical map that identifies where there are active wildfires. Anywhere there is a red, black, purple, or blue dot there is a burning fire. How could the locations of the fires be described?

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Possible Answers:

There are no fires on the West Coast, in the Midwest, and the Southwest United States.

The fires are focused on the East Coast, in the Midwest, and the Southeast United States.

The fires are focused on the West Coast, in the Midwest, and the Southwest United States.

There are no fires in the United States.

Correct answer:

The fires are focused on the West Coast, in the Midwest, and the Southwest United States.

Explanation:

This topographical map shows the active fires that are taking place in the United States. A circle on the map represents each fire. When looking at the map, there are no fires on the East Coast or in the South. The fires are focused on the West Coast, in the Midwest, and the Southwest United States. There are patterns to the locations of the fires. Where they are grouped may represent something happening in that part of the world, a change in the environment, or the type of landscape found in that area. These patterns can be explored to find connections and make predictions.

Example Question #1 : Describe Patterns Of Earth's Features

These maps show the before and after of a wildfire. The dark green represents dense forest, red areas are burnt, and the white areas are active fires. Based on the provided maps, how can you describe the fires?

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Possible Answers:

The fires were focused on the right side of the forest and are now burning in the Southern part of the woods.

The fires were focused on the right side of the forest and are now burning in the Northern part of the woods.

The fires were focused on the left side of the forest and are now burning in the Southern part of the woods.

The fires were focused on the left side of the forest and are now burning in the Northern part of the woods.

Correct answer:

The fires were focused on the right side of the forest and are now burning in the Northern part of the woods.

Explanation:

These maps provide a shocking visual of how an area can change so quickly. These pictures were only taken about two weeks apart, but there is such a difference. The fires were burning on the Eastern or right side of the first and are continuing to burn on the Northern or upper area of the forest. If there are other forests in the area or this fire reoccurs, the maps can be studied for patterns and connections.

Example Question #5 : Describe Patterns Of Earth's Features

Patterns can be used as evidence to support an explanation.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

This statement is true. An example of using patterns as evidence to support an explanation is looking at maps and finding connections or repetitive data. If a researcher looks at an ariel map of an island over 100 years and it is consistently eroding, predictions can be made about the future erosion of the island. If a city planner is requesting funding for the island to be restored the patterns of erosion would support the explanation and request.

Example Question #6 : Describe Patterns Of Earth's Features

This is a topographical map of the United States. There are many landforms visible on the map and are either color-coded or textured. River, lakes, and oceans can be seen in blue. Green represents forests and wooded areas. Where the map looks rippled or almost three-dimensional are mountain ranges and elevation.

Which answer choice describes patterns of Earth's features that can be identified with this map?

Screen shot 2020 09 01 at 11.55.06 am

Possible Answers:

The western US has many areas of elevation and large forested areas.

None of the answer choices are correct.

All of the answer choices are correct.

The midwest US has many areas of elevation and large forested areas.

The southern US has many areas of elevation and large forested areas.

Correct answer:

The western US has many areas of elevation and large forested areas.

Explanation:

This map is an excellent choice for viewing all of the different features and landforms that the United States has to offer. Some parts of the country are mountainous, others have large bodies of water, and an ocean surrounds some. One pattern that can be observed from reviewing this map is that the western US has many areas of elevation and large forested areas.  The midwest portion of America is primarily white, with some rivers crossing through. It is an area that is not mountainous and does not have vast forests. The southern US has many forested areas but is lacking elevation.

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