Grade 8 Earth Science Intro

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Quick Check — Multiple Choice & Matching

1. Which list shows the four main Earth system spheres?

Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Magnetosphere, Hydrosphere

Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere

Biosphere, Ionosphere, Stratosphere, Mantle

Crust, Core, Mantle, Tectosphere

2. Plate tectonics is the theory that explains:

How continents move and interact at plate boundaries

The daily changes in local weather

How the atmosphere causes seasons

Why water evaporates at 100 °C

3. Check all that apply: Which are examples of evidence used to study past climate change?

Tree rings

Ice cores

Coral growth layers

Moon crater counts

4. Match the geological feature (left) with the process that formed it (right). Draw lines between columns.

A. Mid-ocean ridge

B. Folded mountains

C. Rift valley

D. Volcano

1. Divergent plate boundary

2. Convergent collision and folding

3. Subduction and melting

4. Crust stretching and sinking

5. The strength (magnitude) of an earthquake is commonly reported using the:

Celsius scale

Richter scale (or moment magnitude scale)

Beaufort scale

Kilometre scale

✏️ Part 2: Short Answers & Application (ACARA V9 links)

6. In one sentence, define "weathering".

7. Explain the difference between weather and climate (2–3 sentences).

8. Draw a simple cross-section of the Earth and label the crust, mantle and core.

9. Extension (for ACARA V9 extended students): Describe two ways understanding Earth's systems helps Australian communities prepare for natural hazards. Give one short example for each way.

Curriculum link: ACARA V9 — Year 8 Earth and space sciences: interactions and changes in the Earth system (investigation and application tasks suitable for extended students).