Interpret an Earth-system interaction
Interpret an Earth-system interaction using supplied evidence and a solved model.
About 18 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- All measurements and observations below are supplied classroom examples. They are not data from actual learners or a claim about a particular real site.
- Paper, drawing space or a browser document.
- Reference card A: water changes or moves rock material. Reference card B: air processes move or exchange water.
- Assessment case 1: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: River moves sediment.
- Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Water vapor condenses in air.
- Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Root absorbs water.
- Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Root widens a rock crack.
- Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Rain weathers exposed rock.
- Assessment case 6: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Leaf releases water vapor.
Learn the idea
Name both systems and the direction of the interaction. One arrow can simplify a process involving many factors. Supplied fictional records do not establish every effect in a real place.
Water-rock means water changes or moves rock material. Air-water means air processes move or exchange water. Life-water means organism takes up or releases water. Life-rock means organism affects soil or rock.
For water-rock, look for the clue “water changes or moves rock material.” For air-water, look for “air processes move or exchange water.” More than one process can happen in a real situation. Answer about the one described in this question.
- Read or listen to the four science words and what each means. Say how the first two differ.
- Choose two of the short cases. Point to the clue that helps you choose a science word for each one. You may draw or say your answer.
- Answer each practice question. Say which clue helped you, then check the explanation.
- Use the extra task to make two examples that show different science words. Draw or say what makes each one fit.
See the method in action
Worked reference-card problem: a card states “water changes or moves rock material”; a second states “air processes move or exchange water.” The first fits water-rock and the second fits air-water. The reason is the described function or change, not the order of the cards or a favorite name. If their descriptions exchange places, their category labels exchange too. Keep the supplied descriptions attached to the correct case.
Check your reasoning
Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.
Helpful tips
- Use the feature “water changes or moves rock material” to justify water-rock; do not sort by the name alone.
- Distinguish air-water (air processes move or exchange water) from a different process occurring in the same situation.
See the answer and explanation
water-rock
The answer is water-rock. In the notes, it means “water changes or moves rock material.” Name both systems and the direction of the interaction. One arrow can simplify a process involving many factors. Supplied fictional records do not establish every effect in a real place.
Take it further
Create one new case showing water-rock and one showing air-water. Expected: the first explicitly shows “water changes or moves rock material”; the second explicitly shows “air processes move or exchange water.” Explain the distinction by drawing, speaking or writing. A label without a matching feature is incomplete.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.
More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.
Check the subject sources
These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.