Praxis Elementary Education Science Subtest
Questions with Accurate Solutions
Layers of the Earth
1. Lithosphere (crust and upper most mantle)
2. Mantle (upper most mantle and asthenosphere)
3. Core (outer and inner core)
Plate Tectonics
The theory that Earth's lithosphere is broken into pieces (plates) that move over the
asthenosphere; boundaries between plates are where most earthquakes and volcanoes occur
and where lithosphere is created and recycled.
Types of Rocks
1. Igneous - formed from melted rock that has cooled and solidified (Ex: Obsidian (volcanic
glass), granite, basalt)
2. Sedimentary - formed at the surface of the Earth, either in water or on land; they are layered
accumulations of sediments-fragments of rocks, minerals, or animal or plant material (Ex:
Shale)
3. Metamorphic -sedimentary and igneous rocks that have been subjected to pressures so
intense or heat so high that they are completely changed (Ex: Slate)
Soil
Loose covering of weathered rock and decaed organic matter overlying Earth's bedrock that is
characterized by texture, fertility, and color and whose compisition is determined by it's parent
rock and environmental conditions
Minerals
naturally occurring substance that is solid and inorganic representable by a chemical formula,
Fossils
,preserved trace, imprint, or remains of a plant or animal that have become mineralized by the
replacement of organic with inorganic materials; Found only in sedimentary rocks
Hydrosphere
the combined mass of water found on, under, and over the surface of the Earth; includes water
in liquid and frozen forms in groundwaters, glaciers, oceans, lakes and streams; Salt water
accounts for 97.5%
Atmosphere
The layer of gases surrounding the planet of Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity; protects
life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat
retention (greenhouse effect), and reducing temperature extremes between day and night (the
diurnal temperature variation); made up of gases, approx. 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.93%
argon, 0.04% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases
Layers of the Atmosphere
1. Troposphere - closest to Earth's surface; where most weather occurs; where jets fly
2. Stratosphere - contains the ozone layer
3. Mesosphere - coldest layer; where meteors burn up
4. Thermosphere - hottest layer due to solar heating; the Space Shuttle and ISS orbits here;
Aurora Borealis occurs here (although can extend beyond)
5. Exosphere - transitions to outer space; many satellites orbit here
Aurora Borealis
A colorful, glowing display in the sky caused when particles from the sun strike oxygen and
nitrogen atoms in the ionosphere; also called the Northern Lights; occurs primarily in the
Thermosphere
Air Pressure
The measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface; affected by elevation,
temperature, and moisture
, Weathering
A process in which rocks are physically and chemically broken down by water, air, and living
things
Erosion
Processes by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away (i.e. weathering,
glaciation)
Volcanoes
An opening in the Earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and gases are ejected
Earthquakes
the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves
Currents
Mass movements of surface water produced by prevailing winds blowing over the oceans.
Waves
Moving ridges of water on the surface of the ocean caused by wind (affect by wind
speed/direction/duration, seafloor, water depth; NOT affected by water temp)
Tides
the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted
by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth.
Syzygy
When the Moon, Earth, and Sun fall in a straight line; at this time, the greatest difference
between high and low tide water levels is noticed
Water Cycle
Questions with Accurate Solutions
Layers of the Earth
1. Lithosphere (crust and upper most mantle)
2. Mantle (upper most mantle and asthenosphere)
3. Core (outer and inner core)
Plate Tectonics
The theory that Earth's lithosphere is broken into pieces (plates) that move over the
asthenosphere; boundaries between plates are where most earthquakes and volcanoes occur
and where lithosphere is created and recycled.
Types of Rocks
1. Igneous - formed from melted rock that has cooled and solidified (Ex: Obsidian (volcanic
glass), granite, basalt)
2. Sedimentary - formed at the surface of the Earth, either in water or on land; they are layered
accumulations of sediments-fragments of rocks, minerals, or animal or plant material (Ex:
Shale)
3. Metamorphic -sedimentary and igneous rocks that have been subjected to pressures so
intense or heat so high that they are completely changed (Ex: Slate)
Soil
Loose covering of weathered rock and decaed organic matter overlying Earth's bedrock that is
characterized by texture, fertility, and color and whose compisition is determined by it's parent
rock and environmental conditions
Minerals
naturally occurring substance that is solid and inorganic representable by a chemical formula,
Fossils
,preserved trace, imprint, or remains of a plant or animal that have become mineralized by the
replacement of organic with inorganic materials; Found only in sedimentary rocks
Hydrosphere
the combined mass of water found on, under, and over the surface of the Earth; includes water
in liquid and frozen forms in groundwaters, glaciers, oceans, lakes and streams; Salt water
accounts for 97.5%
Atmosphere
The layer of gases surrounding the planet of Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity; protects
life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat
retention (greenhouse effect), and reducing temperature extremes between day and night (the
diurnal temperature variation); made up of gases, approx. 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.93%
argon, 0.04% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases
Layers of the Atmosphere
1. Troposphere - closest to Earth's surface; where most weather occurs; where jets fly
2. Stratosphere - contains the ozone layer
3. Mesosphere - coldest layer; where meteors burn up
4. Thermosphere - hottest layer due to solar heating; the Space Shuttle and ISS orbits here;
Aurora Borealis occurs here (although can extend beyond)
5. Exosphere - transitions to outer space; many satellites orbit here
Aurora Borealis
A colorful, glowing display in the sky caused when particles from the sun strike oxygen and
nitrogen atoms in the ionosphere; also called the Northern Lights; occurs primarily in the
Thermosphere
Air Pressure
The measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface; affected by elevation,
temperature, and moisture
, Weathering
A process in which rocks are physically and chemically broken down by water, air, and living
things
Erosion
Processes by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away (i.e. weathering,
glaciation)
Volcanoes
An opening in the Earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and gases are ejected
Earthquakes
the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves
Currents
Mass movements of surface water produced by prevailing winds blowing over the oceans.
Waves
Moving ridges of water on the surface of the ocean caused by wind (affect by wind
speed/direction/duration, seafloor, water depth; NOT affected by water temp)
Tides
the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted
by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth.
Syzygy
When the Moon, Earth, and Sun fall in a straight line; at this time, the greatest difference
between high and low tide water levels is noticed
Water Cycle
