Name________________________________________ Date________________ Class_________________
d i a g n o s t i c t e s t 3 G r a d e 6
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 1.
1. What might be the most serious effect of
4. An instrument that measures changes in
having a farm in the location shown in
the diagram?
A Chemicals from the farm could seep
into the groundwater.
B Groundwater could seep into the
landfill.
C Pollution from the farm could
damage the factory.
D Garbage from the houses could fill up
the landfill.
air pressure is a(n)
A anemometer.
B thermometer.
C psychrometer.
D barometer.
Directions: Use the table below to answer
question 5.
Gases in Dry Air
2. Which of the following best shows the
atmosphere acting as a system?
A its layered structure
B its effect on global wind patterns
C its composition
D its effect on deep ocean currents
3. Why does air have pressure?
A Because the stratosphere is thick.
B Because air has mass.
C Because wind moves the air.
D Because temperature warms the air.
Gas
Percentage by
Volume
Nitrogen
78
Oxygen
21
Argon
0.93
Carbon dioxide
0.036
Neon
0.0018
Helium
0.00052
Methane
0.00015
Krypton
0.00011
Hydrogen
0.00005
5. Which gas is present in the largest
quantity in our atmosphere?
A argon
B oxygen
C nitrogen
D hydrogen
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diagnostic test 3 (continued)
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 6.
6. As Earth rotates, the paths of winds and
currents curve, as shown in the diagram
above. What is this called?
A doldrums
B El Niño
C La Niña effect
D the Coriolis effect
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer
question 9.
7. As you climb up a tall mountain, the
A density of air decreases.
B air pressure increases.
C number of oxygen molecules in each
cubic meter of air increases.
D percentage of oxygen in the air drops
below 15 percent.
8. Sue wants to measure the average energy
of motion of the air molecules outside.
Which instrument should she use?
A scale
B pan balance
C thermometer
D graduated cylinder
9. Weather occurs in which layer of the
atmosphere?
A 1
B 2
C 3
D 4
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diagnostic test 3 (continued)
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 10.
Water
vapor
Conden
sation
Evaporation
r iv
o il
er
Precipitation
n
ts
an
ds
nd
ce a
an
eo
om
m
Fr
th
m
Fro
ru
no
ff
sa
pl
a
rf
Su
ce
e
lak
Fr
o
Ocean
Groundwater
10. In which step of the water cycle does
water move from Earth’s surface into the
atmosphere?
A condensation
B evaporation
C precipitation
D surface runoff
13. A swirling center of low air pressure is
called a(n)
A cold front.
B warm front.
C cyclone.
D anticyclone.
A air cooling to its dew point
B cool air holding more water vapor
C air pressure rising above normal
D air pressure falling below normal
SX99ctbH1C001
14. In which state are tornadoes most likely
to occur?
A Maine
B Wisconsin
C Oklahoma
D Oregon
12. Raindrops that freeze into small, solid
15. Which is the major source of energy for
11. What causes a cloud to form?
particles of ice as they fall are called
A snow.
B hail.
C freezing rain.
D sleet.
most of Earth’s weather patterns?
A earthquakes along fault zones
B radiation received from the Sun
C convection currents in Earth’s mantle
D radioactive decay within Earth’s
interior
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diagnostic test 3 (continued)
Directions: Use the line graph below to answer question 16.
Daytime Temperatures,
Temperatures,June
June28
28
Daytime
110
Temperature (°F)
105
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
12:00 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00 10:00 12:00 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00 10:00
A.M.
P.M.
Time
16. The graph above represents the
temperatures for a day somewhere in
Florida. How would the graph line for
June 28 in Alaska be different?
A It would be the reverse of its current
shape.
B It would be located higher on the
graph grid.
C It would be located lower on the
graph grid.
D It would be the same shape.
18. Which of the following is the science that
studies and predicts weather conditions?
A ecology
B meteorology
C cartography
D oceanography
19. On a weather map, what is an isobar?
A a line showing a front approaching
B a line showing a stationary front
C a line joining places that have the
same air pressure
D a line joining places that have the
same temperature
17. How can you remain safe if you are
caught outside during a thunderstorm?
A Seek shelter under a tall tree.
B Stay close to telephone poles.
C Find a low area and crouch down.
D Stay close to bodies of water.
20. What is the name for the average, yearafter-year conditions of temperature,
precipitation, wind, and clouds in an
area?
A climate
B weather
C global warming
D seasons
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diagnostic test 3 (continued)
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 21.
21. The diagram shows an exposed hillside.
23. What do scientists think is the major
What role did the river most likely play
in shaping the hillside?
A It caused a rift valley to form.
B It eroded the hills.
C It caused earthquakes that formed the
hillside.
D It caused volcanic activity that
formed the hillside.
cause of global warming?
A rising sea levels
B increased solar energy
C natural variations in climate
D increased levels of carbon dioxide
24. Uniformitarianism is best described as a
principle that states that
A geologic processes that operate today
also operated in the past.
B all rocks from the same area will
erode in the same way.
C different weathering processes cause
rocks to weather in different ways.
D all forms of mechanical weathering
have the same impact on rocks.
22. Which is a natural cause of major climate
change in Earth’s past?
A anticyclones
B the rapid movement of the continents
C the thinning of the ozone layer due to
the release of chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs)
D variations in Earth’s distance from the
sun and the angle at which Earth’s
axis tilts
25. Which of the following causes of
weathering is classified as chemical?
A abrasion
B acid rain
C freezing and thawing
D release of pressure
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diagnostic test 3 (continued)
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 26.
26. What can you infer about the geologic
history of the area illustrated by the
diagram?
A Several asteroids hit the area in the
distant past.
B The area has experienced volcanic
activity.
C The area was under an ocean millions
of years ago.
D Glaciers that have long ago retreated
shaped the area.
27. Which prediction best describes how a
long and severe drought might affect the
fish living in a small farm pond?
A The fish will have more food and
more living space from the higher
water level of the pond.
B The fish will be crowded into less
space with less food and oxygen as
the pond dries up.
C More chemicals from fertilizer runoff
will enter the pond and injure or kill
the fish.
D The water in the pond will protect
the fish, and they will not be affected
by the drought.
28. Which of the following is a human
activity that has helped to improve the
health of ecosystems?
A population growth
B using private cars instead of public
transportation
C reducing the amount of smoke
released from factories
D preventing the formation of fog in
cities
29. Forests and fisheries are examples of
A abiotic factors.
B energy resources.
C renewable resources.
D nonrenewable resources.
30. How can people help reduce the
emissions that contribute to smog and
the greenhouse effect?
A by purchasing products that contain
CFCs
B by never pouring chemicals down the
drain
C by taking public transportation or
walking instead of driving a car
D by finding substitutes for garden
chemicals
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DIAGNOSTIC TEST 3 R E P O R T Virginia Science Standards
of Learning
Test Items
pages 43–48
Number
Correct
Proficient?
Yes or No
Strand: Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic
6.1: The student will demonstrate an understanding 4, 5, 8, 16,
of scientific reasoning, logic, and the nature of
28, 30
science by planning and conducting investigations
in which
6.1g: data are collected, recorded, analyzed, and
reported using metric measurements and tools;
4, 8
6.1h: data are analyzed and communicated through
graphical representation;
5, 16
6.1j: current applications are used to reinforce science 28, 30
concepts.
Strand: Force, Motion, and Energy
6.2: The student will investigate and understand
basic sources of energy, their origins,
transformations, and uses. Key concepts include
8
6.2a: potential and kinetic energy.
8
6.3: The student will investigate and understand
the role of solar energy in driving most natural
processes within the atmosphere, the hydrosphere,
and on Earth’s surface. Key concepts include
2, 6, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15,
17, 20, 27
6.3b: the role of radiation and convection in the
distribution of energy;
15, 20
6.3c: the motion of the atmosphere and the oceans;
2, 6
6.3d: cloud formation; and
11
6.3e: the role of thermal energy in weather-related
12, 13, 14,
phenomena including thunderstorms and hurricanes. 17, 27
Strand: Matter
6.4: The student will investigate and understand
that all matter is made up of atoms. Key concepts
include
5
6.4g: a limited number of elements comprise the
largest portion of the solid Earth, living matter, the
oceans, and the atmosphere.
5
(continued)
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DIAGNOSTIC TEST 3 R E P O R T
Virginia Science Standards
of Learning
Test Items
6.5: The student will investigate and understand
the unique properties and characteristics of water
and its roles in the natural and human-made
environment. Key concepts include
1, 10, 20, 21,
24, 25, 26
6.5c: the action of water in physical and chemical
weathering;
21, 24, 25,
26
6.5d: the ability of large bodies of water to store
thermal energy and moderate climate;
20
6.5f: the importance of protecting and maintaining
water resources.
1
pages 43–48
Number
Correct
6.6: The student will investigate and understand the 2, 3, 4, 5, 7,
properties of air and the structure and dynamics of 9, 10, 12, 13,
Earth’s atmosphere. Key concepts include
18, 19, 22,
23, 24, 30
6.6a: air as a mixture of gaseous elements and
compounds;
5
6.6b: pressure, temperature, and humidity;
3, 4, 7, 16
6.6c: atmospheric changes with altitude;
7, 9
6.6d: natural and human-caused changes to the
atmosphere and the importance of protecting and
maintaining air quality;
22, 23, 30
6.6e: the relationship of atmospheric measures and
weather conditions; and
12, 13, 18,
27
6.6f: basic information from weather maps, including 19
fronts, systems, and basic measurements.
Strand: Earth Resources
6.9: The student will investigate and understand
28, 29, 30
public policy decisions relating to the environment.
Key concepts include
6.9a: management of renewable resources;
29
6.9c: the mitigation of land-use and environmental
hazards through preventive measures.
30
*Bold numbers correspond to content strand.
Comments:
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Proficient?
Yes or No