Term
Which of the following are part of earth’s plates?
- Continents but not ocean basins
- Ocean basins but not continents
- Both ocean basins and continents
- Neither ocean basins nor continents
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Definition
Which of the following are part of earth’s plates?
- Continents but not ocean basins
- Ocean basins but not continents
- Both ocean basins and continents
- Neither ocean basins nor continents
Explanation: Oceanic plates refer to the "land" under the water and continental plates refer to land that is not covered by water.
Word alert: basin - a wide container with sloping or curving sides for holding liquids.
hmmm - sounds like oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, sinks, buckets etc,... |
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Term
What is TRUE about the size of earth’s plates?
A. Some are as big as an ocean.
B. Some are as big as the entire earth.
C. No plate is bigger than a football field.
D. No plate is bigger than a mountain range.
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Definition
What is TRUE about the size of earth’s plates?
- Some are as big as an ocean.
- Some are as big as the entire earth.
- No plate is bigger than a football field.
- No plate is bigger than a mountain range.
Explanation: There are 12 to 15 plates that make up the entire surface of the Earth. This means that each is probably bigger than a football field and a mountain range. If any of the plates was as big as the entire earth then there would be ONLY one plate.
Test strategies: The word "No" in responses C and D is a "trigger" word. Be cautious of words like: no, none, all, never, always...
Try some research: The Juan de Fuca Plate is the smallest plate. Is it bigger than a football field?
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Term
Which of the following is TRUE about earth’s plates?
- They are separated by oceans.
- They are piled on top of one another within the earth.
- They fit closely together with each plate touching all the plates that are next to it.
- They are surrounded by melted rock and do not touch each other.
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Definition
Which of the following is TRUE about earth’s plates?
- They are separated by oceans.
- They are piled on top of one another within the earth.
- They fit closely together with each plate touching all the plates that are next to it.
- They are surrounded by melted rock and do not touch each other.
Explanation: The rock layer beneath the surface of the earth is divided into massive sections of solid rock, called “plates.” The plates fit closely together such that all of the edges of a plate touch the plate next to it.
Word alert: boundary - something that shows a limit or end; dividing line.
Test Strategy: Response A cannot be correct because the oceans (water) lie on top of the oceanic plates. Responses B and D cannot be correct because when a portion of a plate is subducted (pulled within the earth) it enters the mantle and is transformed to "liquid" due to high temperatures. Melted rock is inside the mantle underneath the plates not surrounding the plates.
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Term
Which of the following is TRUE about the boundaries between earth’s plates?
- Boundaries can be anywhere in an ocean basin or a continent
- Boundaries are always where ocean basins meet continents.
- Boundaries are always in the middle of ocean basins.
- Boundaries are not found in continents.
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Definition
Which of the following is TRUE about the boundaries between earth’s plates?
- Boundaries can be anywhere in an ocean basin or a continent
- Boundaries are always where ocean basins meet continents.
- Boundaries are always in the middle of ocean basins.
- Boundaries are not found in continents.
Explanation: Plate boundaries meet in various places. One theory is that plates boundaries are formed where the convection currents in the mantle beneath are more volatile . Another theory, is that there are areas of each plate, which is made of rock, that are thinner and thus more likely to react to the heat from the mantle below.
Word alert: volatile - likely to change or move suddenly or quickly
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Term
Which best describes the composition of earth’s plates?
- The plates are made of solid rock that can never be seen because the plates are always deep within the earth.
- The plates are made of solid rock that can be seen where the plates are not covered by soil, loose rocks, or water.
- The plates are made of melted rock that can be seen where the plates are not covered by soil, loose rocks, or water.
- The plates are made of melted rock that can never be seen because the plates are always deep within the earth.
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Definition
Which best describes the composition of earth’s plates?
- The plates are made of solid rock that can never be seen because the plates are always deep within the earth.
- The plates are made of solid rock that can be seen where the plates are not covered by soil, loose rocks, or water.
- The plates are made of melted rock that can be seen where the plates are not covered by soil, loose rocks, or water.
- The plates are made of melted rock that can never be seen because the plates are always deep within the earth.
Explanation:
The rock layer beneath the surface of the earth is divided into massive sections of solid rock, called “plates.” The plates fit closely together such that all of the edges of a plate touch the plate next to it.
There are about 12-15 very large plates, each of which encompasses large areas of the earth’s outer layer. Together these very large plates make up most of the entire outer layer of the earth. The rest of the outer layer is made up some additional smaller plates.
The exposed solid rock of mountains is an example of plate material that is visible when it is not covered by water, soil, or loose rock such as sand.
Word alert: composition - the parts that make up something; components.
Test strategy: Responses A and B are the only responses that refer to plates as "solid". Plates cannot be melted so, responses C and D can be eliminated. Response A refers to solid rock that is "deep within" the earth. Rock melts when it enters the mantle deep within the earth. |
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