Use the scenario to answer the question.

Arbor Day is a holiday dedicated to celebrating trees. Students at a local middle school celebrated the day by participating in at least one of the following activities:

• pruning trees in local parks so they grow tall, straight, and full

• planting ten trees in the local forest that will grow well in the climate

• raising funds to replace trees that were destroyed by a natural hazard

Which statement best illustrates the positive effects the students’ actions had on all of Earth’s spheres?

(1 point)
Responses

Trees use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and release oxygen into the air.
Trees use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and release oxygen into the air.

Trees serve as a home for some small animals and provide shade from the sun’s rays.
Trees serve as a home for some small animals and provide shade from the sun’s rays.

Trees absorb and transfer moisture through their roots and release water through their leaves.
Trees absorb and transfer moisture through their roots and release water through their leaves.

Trees provide oxygen, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, and support wildlife.

Meteors burn up in this layer to create shooting stars.

Trees provide oxygen, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, and support wildlife.

Why is it harder to breathe when climbing up a high mountain?(1 point)

Responses

The air compresses the lungs.
The air compresses the lungs.

The air is thinner.
The air is thinner.

The air pressure increases.
The air pressure increases.

The air has more moisture

The air is thinner.

Which statement correctly describes the mesosphere?(1 point)

Responses

Atmospheric changes in this layer cause weather at Earth’s surface.
Atmospheric changes in this layer cause weather at Earth’s surface.

Meteors burn up in this layer to create shooting stars.
Meteors burn up in this layer to create shooting stars.

The Northern Lights are visible in this layer.
The Northern Lights are visible in this layer.

Commercial airplanes fly through this layer

Which question can best be answered by studying a diagram of the carbon cycle?(1 point)

Responses

How does the process of transpiration cause plants to release water through their leaves?
How does the process of transpiration cause plants to release water through their leaves?

How are fossil fuels processed and used to power industries?
How are fossil fuels processed and used to power industries?

How is surface water, underground water, and moisture in the atmosphere recycled?
How is surface water, underground water, and moisture in the atmosphere recycled?

How are fossil fuels formed from the decay of dead plants and animals in the biosphere?

How is surface water, underground water, and moisture in the atmosphere recycled?