THIS TEST WILL NOT BE USED FOR EVALUATION. WE DO NOT WANT YOUR NAME.

This test is for the instructors' information, to help us learn what people know about earth science coming into class, and thus how we can improve the class in future years.

1. Draw a sketch of the relation between the Sun, earth, and moon. How do they move and on what time scale?

2. About when did dinosaurs become extinct?

3. Sketch a diagram of the interior of the earth. How do we know this information?

4. What causes earthquakes? Where in the U.S. do they occur and why?

5. Why is there an underwater mountain chain in the middle of the Atlantic ocean?

6. If you drop a bowling ball and billiard ball from a tall building, in what order do they hit the ground? (pick one answer)

• The bowling ball hits first
• The billiard ball hits first
• The balls hit at about the same time
• Can't tell

7. How does the sun generate its energy? How does it warm the earth?

8. What are heat and temperature? How are they related?

9. How does a compass work?

10. What causes volcanoes? Where in the U.S. do they occur and why?

11. What are the major differences between planets Earth and Jupiter? What causes them?

12. About when did life start?

13. Why does salting streets in the winter melt the ice?

14. What causes the seasons?

15. About how old is the earth?

16. What is "global warming"? What causes it?

17. Why do objects seem distorted in a swimming pool?

To help us assess the value of prerequisites, please fill in:

YEAR

MAJOR

LAST GEOLOGY CLASS (High School/College)

LAST MATH CLASS (High School/College)

LAST PHYSICS CLASS (High School/College)

LAST CHEMISTRY CLASS (High School/College)