ConcepTest: Determining Numbers of Plates

ConcepTest questions by David McConnell, David Steer , Walter Borowski, Jeffrey Dick, Annabelle Foos, Jeffrey Knott, Alvin Konigsberg, Michelle Malone, Heidi McGrew, Kathie Owens, and Stephen Van Horn

This material was originally created for Starting Point:Introductory Geology
and is replicated here as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service.

Question:

Examine the map and answer the question that follows. X, Y, and Z represent continental lithosphere, the blank areas represent oceanic lithosphere. How many plates are present?

a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 6

Student Responses:

The correct response is C. Percentage of students choosing this answer. (% Before Discussion/% After Discussion):

a. 3 (26%/0%)
b. 4 (19%/18%)
c. 5 (44%/75%)
d. 6 (11%/7%)

in a small (< 60 students) environmental geology class.

If you would like to help acquire more Before and After statistics for this example, please contact the authors (see link at top of page).