Quiz for 8 Reasons for Complex Life on Earth

David McConnell, North Carolina State University
Initial Publication Date: May 14, 2020

Summary

This is a pdf of a quiz composed of multiple choice and True/False questions about the content of the 8 reasons for complex life on Earth video.

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Context

Audience

This material is appropriate for an introductory course such as Physical Geology, Earth Science or Environmental Geology.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

The quiz and related video are best used as instructors discuss the unique conditions that support life on Earth.

How the activity is situated in the course

Students respond to quiz questions presented in our classroom management system after viewing the related video and before attending class. (That is, while we provide the questions here as a pdf document, that is not how we present them to students in our course.)

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

The quiz and related video address one learning objective:

  • Students will be able to explain how
    • Earth's position in space;
    • Its internal heat; and
    • the character of its atmosphere make it the only known planet that supports complex life.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

N/A

Other skills goals for this activity

N/A

Description and Teaching Materials

After watching the associated video, students complete the quiz to ensure that they have a working knowledge of some basic content related to the conditions that support life on Earth. This provides the instructor with more time in the subsequent class to incorporate active learning exercises that include application of higher order thinking skills.

Teaching Notes and Tips

We include the video and quiz in a pre-class exercise offered in our course management system.


Assessment

Compare student responses to answer key (included - see bottom of PDF).