The first hour test will have three short answer questions and one longer essay.

Samples of short answer questions:

What determines the physical properties of minerals?

What is the energy that powers Earth's systems?

Draw and label the various parts of the planet Earth. Show dimensions.

List the sources of the heat inside Earth.

Samples of essay questions:

What makes wind?

What is a mineral? How are minerals used to infer conditions in the interior of the earth?

Do other planets have the same make-up as Earth? How do they differ?

What can we learn from other planets that we might not learn from study of the earth?

According to current theories of earth development has the material that comprises the mantle ever been entirely molten? Explain.

How can we ascertain whether two features at different parts of the earth's surface formed at the same time?

What is the best way to date a sedimentary rock? Why?

What processes that alter the earth's surface would have been much more active in the early history of the earth than now? What is the evidence for this?