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.

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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: Ocean Element Profiles - 1 part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
Which element could have a depth profile in the ocean that looks like this? A. Oxygen, an element produced during photosynthesis B. Barium, an element required in trace amounts for micro-organisms C. Nitrogen, a ...

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: Isotope Mass and Atomic Number part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
The isotope of element X has 15 protons, 17 neutrons, and 15 electrons. The element has an atomic number of ____ and a mass number of ____. a. 15; 32 b. 17; 15 c. 17; 47 d. 15; 30

ConcepTest: World Oceans #10 part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
Examine the map of the world's oceans and use it to answer the following question. A shipment of rubber elephants falls overboard in the southern Pacific Ocean at location H on the map. Ocean currents will ...

ConcepTest: Change in Porportion of Parent Isotopes Over Time part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
Which graph below best represents the change in the proportion of unstable (parent) radioactive isotopes with time? a. A b. B c. C d. D

ConcepTest: Hot/Cold Water Circulation part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
A fish tank is filled almost to the brim with room temperature water. Two containers of cold and hot water are prepared. Red coloring is added to the hot water, blue coloring is added to the cold water. The cold ...

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: Radioactive Decay part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:ConcepTests:Examples
If radioactive decay began with 400,000 parent atoms, how many would be left after 3 half lives? a. 200,000 b. 100,000 c. 50,000 d. 25,000

ConcepTest: Temperature and Depth of Rock Formation #1 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 ...