The diagrams below represent the atmosphere and inferred interior structure of the planet Uranus.

Which two factors caused the inferred layered structure of this planet in our solar system?

The photograph below shows a dust-covered, icy object that has a highly elliptical orbit in our solar system.

This celestial object is most likely a

The photograph below shows a one-mile diameter feature on Earth’s surface.

What is this feature, and how was it formed?

The time-lapse photograph below shows stars as they appear to move around the central star Polaris.

Polaris does not appear to move in the nighttime sky because Polaris is located

The map below shows five locations, labeled A, B, C, D, and X, on Earth’s surface. Solar noon is occurring at location X.

At which location is the time 2:00 p.m.?

The graph below shows predicted air temperatures and dewpoints for a New York State location during a two-day period.

What is the day and time when precipitation will most likely occur at this location?

The photograph below shows a portion of the Grand Teton Mountains on a mid-July day. The inset map of the United States shows the location of the Grand Tetons.

Which factor is responsible for the snow seen on these mountains in July?

The letter X on the map below shows the location of the present state of Florida on the early continent of North America.

The region that is now Florida is inferred to have been positioned on the equator approximately

The block diagram below shows a portion of a meandering stream. Points A, B, C, and D are locations on the streambed. The arrows show the direction of stream flow.

At which location is the greatest amount of deposition most likely occurring?

The block diagram below represents a landscape with two valleys.

The two valleys most likely formed because the shale and limestone bedrock

The photograph below shows rocks found in England.

Which process most likely caused these rocks to become smooth and round over time?

The photograph below shows a volcanic mountain.

Which map best shows the most likely complete stream drainage pattern near the summit (top) of this mountain at the time of this photograph?

The aerial photograph below shows a landscape feature.

This landscape feature is a

The cross section below represents an igneous intrusion into sedimentary bedrock layers. Letters A, B, and C identify different rocks within the shaded zone of contact metamorphism.

Which metamorphic rocks are most likely formed in zones A, B, and C?

The diagram represents the predicted collision between the Milky Way and its sister galaxy, Andromeda. The collision is predicted to begin in about four billion years. It will take an additional two billion years to completely merge these two galaxies into one galaxy. 

The gravitational force pulling the galaxies together is influenced by the

The Andromeda Galaxy has a shape that is similar to the Milky Way Galaxy. The shape of the Andromeda Galaxy is best described as

The diagram represents the water cycle. Letters A through C identify some processes. Arrows represent the movement of water.

Which process is represented by letter A?

Which process and heat-energy exchange are represented by letter B?

Which conditions would cause runoff at location C to decrease?

Lines AB and CD are reference lines on the map. Elevations are shown in feet. Letter X represents a location on Earth’s surface.

Which profile represents the most likely shape of the land between locations A and B?

What is the approximate gradient, in feet per mile (ft/mi), from point C to point D on the map?

Letter X is located on which landscape feature?

The arrows on which map best represent the direction of stream fl ow relative to the pond?

The cross sections represent three plate boundaries labeled A, B, and C.

Compared to the density and thickness of the continental crust in diagram A, the oceanic crust is

Which diagram best represents the relative motion of the oceanic crust at plate boundary B?

Which geologic surface feature is created at plate boundary C?

Petoskey Stones

Petoskey stones are famous rock specimens found on beaches all around Lake Michigan, but especially on beaches near the city of Petoskey, Michigan. The stones are actually well-eroded pieces of coral reefs that were alive between 375 and 400 million years ago. At the time the coral animals were living and forming the reefs, the area was underwater and the coral, along with many other reef animals, thrived. Eventually, the ocean disappeared and the fossil reefs were uncovered. Advancing and retreating glaciers broke pieces off the fossil reefs, smoothed their edges, and distributed them throughout the area. Lake Michigan, along with the other Great Lakes, formed at the end of the Ice Age. Today, lake waves continue to distribute a seemingly endless supply of Petoskey stones, with their unique coral fossils, to the beaches around Lake Michigan.

The coral that eventually became Petoskey stones were alive during which geologic time period?

Petoskey Stones

Petoskey stones are famous rock specimens found on beaches all around Lake Michigan, but especially on beaches near the city of Petoskey, Michigan. The stones are actually well-eroded pieces of coral reefs that were alive between 375 and 400 million years ago. At the time the coral animals were living and forming the reefs, the area was underwater and the coral, along with many other reef animals, thrived. Eventually, the ocean disappeared and the fossil reefs were uncovered. Advancing and retreating glaciers broke pieces off the fossil reefs, smoothed their edges, and distributed them throughout the area. Lake Michigan, along with the other Great Lakes, formed at the end of the Ice Age. Today, lake waves continue to distribute a seemingly endless supply of Petoskey stones, with their unique coral fossils, to the beaches around Lake Michigan.

Which New York State index fossil is in the same group of organisms as the Petoskey stone coral?

Petoskey Stones

Petoskey stones are famous rock specimens found on beaches all around Lake Michigan, but especially on beaches near the city of Petoskey, Michigan. The stones are actually well-eroded pieces of coral reefs that were alive between 375 and 400 million years ago. At the time the coral animals were living and forming the reefs, the area was underwater and the coral, along with many other reef animals, thrived. Eventually, the ocean disappeared and the fossil reefs were uncovered. Advancing and retreating glaciers broke pieces off the fossil reefs, smoothed their edges, and distributed them throughout the area. Lake Michigan, along with the other Great Lakes, formed at the end of the Ice Age. Today, lake waves continue to distribute a seemingly endless supply of Petoskey stones, with their unique coral fossils, to the beaches around Lake Michigan.

The Petoskey stone shown in the photograph is classified as a