ConcepTest Examples
This material was originally created for
Starting Point:Introductory Geology and is replicated here as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service.
David Steer and David McConnell at the University of Akron are creating and reviewing ConcepTests for introductory geoscience courses. If anyone would like to test existing questions or submit additional questions, please contact them.
This collection was created with funding from the National Science Foundation, (DUE-0087894).
Introductory geoscience students may attempt to deal with the material by trying to simply memorize it. McConnell et al. (2003) suggest that geoscience ConcepTests should be additionally restricted to the level of comprehension or application in Bloom's taxonomy.
Earth System Topics
- Atmosphere 15 matches
- Biosphere 13 matches
- Climate 14 matches
- Earth's Cycles 15 matches rock cycle, hydrologic cycle, carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle
- Human Dimensions 10 matches
- Hydrology 44 matches
- Oceans 41 matches
- Solar System and Astronomy 10 matches
- Solid Earth 198 matches
- Surface Processes 17 matches
- Time/Earth History 67 matches
Results 1 - 10 of 327 matches
Laura Rademacher: Environmental Science for Informed Citizens at University of the Pacific part of Integrate:Teaching for Sustainability:How the Community is Using InTeGrate Materials:Instructor Stories
My course is an introductory environmental science course. Over time, I've incorporated more opportunities for active learning in the classroom and students respond favorably to spending additional time on the topics they find most compelling. The incorporation of integrate modules has provided new opportunities for active learning in the classroom. Most of the modules lead students through case studies, many of which are focused on regions outside of California and those could broaden my students' perspectives on these issues.
ConcepTest: What percentage of parent isotopes remain? part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
The half-life of a radioactive isotope is 1,000 million years. Scientists testing a rock sample discover that the ratio of parent and daughter isotopes indicates that the rock is 3,000 million years old. What ...
ConcepTest: Best Index Fossil part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
Four outcrops of rock are examined in different locations of a state. The rock types and the fossils they contain are illustrated in the adjacent diagram. Which fossil would be the best choice to use as an index ...
ConcepTest: Temperature and Depth of Rock Formation #4 part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
The diagram below illustrates five potential combinations of temperature and depth that are characteristic of different rock types. Answer the question that follows using the diagram. Which letter is the best ...
ConcepTest: Relative Time Diagram #2 part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
Match the features in the relative time diagram below with the events described in the short sentences. Assume all rocks are sedimentary unless otherwise indicated. Which unit was formed before A but after E? a. C ...
ConcepTest: Relative Time Diagram #1 part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
Match the features in the relative time diagram below with the events described in the short sentence. Assume all rocks are sedimentary unless otherwise indicated. Which is the oldest rock unit? a. A b. B c. C d. D ...
ConcepTest: Isotopic Dating with Parent to Daughter Ratios part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
The half-life of a radioactive isotope is 500 million years. Scientists testing a rock sample discover that the sample contains three times as many daughter isotopes as parent isotopes. What is the age of the rock? ...
ConcepTest: Cooling History of Magma #1 part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
The lines shown on the idealized graph below illustrate the cooling histories for the four magmas listed below, i.e., the lines illustrate how magma temperature decreased with time. What rock is best represented by ...
ConcepTest: Cooling History of Magma #4 part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
The lines shown on the idealized graph below illustrate the cooling histories for the four magmas listed below, i.e., the lines illustrate how magma temperature decreased with time. What rock is best represented by ...
ConcepTest: Rock Cycle Temperature Profile #4 part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
The graph below illustrates how the temperature changed with time for part of the rock cycle. Which of the following is best represented by the graph? a. magma forms a plutonic igneous rock that is then uplifted b. ...