UST Middle School Science Challenge
Week 8 — Earth Systems & Weather
Grades 6–8 • Focus: Atmosphere, water cycle, weather, climate and Earth systems
Weekly Format
Atmosphere, water cycle, weather, climate and Earth systems
Part A — 15 Multiple Choice
Part B — 15 Fill in the Blank
Part C — 15 Scientific Reasoning / Open Response
Part D — 5 Challenge Problems
Answers and How to Solve are separated at the end.
Part A — Multiple Choice
Questions 1–5
1. Most weather occurs in the? A) troposphere B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
2. Water changing from liquid to gas is? A) evaporation B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
3. Air pressure generally decreases with? A) altitude B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
4. Climate describes? A) long-term weather patterns B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
5. A weather front forms where? A) air masses meet B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
Part A — Multiple Choice
Questions 6–10
6. Most weather occurs in the? A) troposphere B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
7. Water changing from liquid to gas is? A) evaporation B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
8. Air pressure generally decreases with? A) altitude B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
9. Climate describes? A) long-term weather patterns B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
10. A weather front forms where? A) air masses meet B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
Part A — Multiple Choice
Questions 11–15
11. Most weather occurs in the? A) troposphere B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
12. Water changing from liquid to gas is? A) evaporation B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
13. Air pressure generally decreases with? A) altitude B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
14. Climate describes? A) long-term weather patterns B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
15. A weather front forms where? A) air masses meet B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
Part B — Fill in the Blank
Questions 16–20
16. Complete the statement: Air pressure generally decreases with ______.
17. Complete the statement: Climate describes ______.
18. Complete the statement: A weather front forms where ______.
19. Complete the statement: Most weather occurs in the ______.
20. Complete the statement: Water changing from liquid to gas is ______.
Part B — Fill in the Blank
Questions 21–25
21. Complete the statement: Air pressure generally decreases with ______.
22. Complete the statement: Climate describes ______.
23. Complete the statement: A weather front forms where ______.
24. Complete the statement: Most weather occurs in the ______.
25. Complete the statement: Water changing from liquid to gas is ______.
Part B — Fill in the Blank
Questions 26–30
26. Complete the statement: Air pressure generally decreases with ______.
27. Complete the statement: Climate describes ______.
28. Complete the statement: A weather front forms where ______.
29. Complete the statement: Most weather occurs in the ______.
30. Complete the statement: Water changing from liquid to gas is ______.
Part C — Scientific Reasoning
Questions 31–35
31. A student compares two conditions and records results over five trials. Explain how the idea “evaporation” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
32. A class observes a model and explains how its parts work together. Explain how the idea “altitude” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
33. Students examine a data table and notice a consistent pattern. Explain how the idea “long-term weather patterns” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
34. A team changes one factor and measures the response. Explain how the idea “air masses meet” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
35. A scientist compares evidence from two possible explanations. Explain how the idea “troposphere” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
Part C — Scientific Reasoning
Questions 36–40
36. A student compares two conditions and records results over five trials. Explain how the idea “evaporation” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
37. A class observes a model and explains how its parts work together. Explain how the idea “altitude” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
38. Students examine a data table and notice a consistent pattern. Explain how the idea “long-term weather patterns” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
39. A team changes one factor and measures the response. Explain how the idea “air masses meet” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
40. A scientist compares evidence from two possible explanations. Explain how the idea “troposphere” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
Part C — Scientific Reasoning
Questions 41–45
41. A student compares two conditions and records results over five trials. Explain how the idea “evaporation” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
42. A class observes a model and explains how its parts work together. Explain how the idea “altitude” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
43. Students examine a data table and notice a consistent pattern. Explain how the idea “long-term weather patterns” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
44. A team changes one factor and measures the response. Explain how the idea “air masses meet” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
45. A scientist compares evidence from two possible explanations. Explain how the idea “troposphere” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
Part D — Challenge
Questions 46–50
46. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “troposphere.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
47. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “evaporation.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
48. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “altitude.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
49. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “long-term weather patterns.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
50. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “air masses meet.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
Answer Key — Questions 1–5
Answer + How to Solve
1. Answer: A
How to solve: The lowest atmospheric layer contains most weather.
2. Answer: A
How to solve: Evaporation moves liquid water into vapor.
3. Answer: A
How to solve: There is less overlying air at greater altitude.
4. Answer: A
How to solve: Climate is based on patterns over many years.
5. Answer: A
How to solve: Fronts are boundaries between different air masses.
Answer Key — Questions 6–10
Answer + How to Solve
6. Answer: A
How to solve: The lowest atmospheric layer contains most weather.
7. Answer: A
How to solve: Evaporation moves liquid water into vapor.
8. Answer: A
How to solve: There is less overlying air at greater altitude.
9. Answer: A
How to solve: Climate is based on patterns over many years.
10. Answer: A
How to solve: Fronts are boundaries between different air masses.
Answer Key — Questions 11–15
Answer + How to Solve
11. Answer: A
How to solve: The lowest atmospheric layer contains most weather.
12. Answer: A
How to solve: Evaporation moves liquid water into vapor.
13. Answer: A
How to solve: There is less overlying air at greater altitude.
14. Answer: A
How to solve: Climate is based on patterns over many years.
15. Answer: A
How to solve: Fronts are boundaries between different air masses.
Answer Key — Questions 16–20
Answer + How to Solve
16. Answer: altitude
How to solve: There is less overlying air at greater altitude.
17. Answer: long-term weather patterns
How to solve: Climate is based on patterns over many years.
18. Answer: air masses meet
How to solve: Fronts are boundaries between different air masses.
19. Answer: troposphere
How to solve: The lowest atmospheric layer contains most weather.
20. Answer: evaporation
How to solve: Evaporation moves liquid water into vapor.
Answer Key — Questions 21–25
Answer + How to Solve
21. Answer: altitude
How to solve: There is less overlying air at greater altitude.
22. Answer: long-term weather patterns
How to solve: Climate is based on patterns over many years.
23. Answer: air masses meet
How to solve: Fronts are boundaries between different air masses.
24. Answer: troposphere
How to solve: The lowest atmospheric layer contains most weather.
25. Answer: evaporation
How to solve: Evaporation moves liquid water into vapor.
Answer Key — Questions 26–30
Answer + How to Solve
26. Answer: altitude
How to solve: There is less overlying air at greater altitude.
27. Answer: long-term weather patterns
How to solve: Climate is based on patterns over many years.
28. Answer: air masses meet
How to solve: Fronts are boundaries between different air masses.
29. Answer: troposphere
How to solve: The lowest atmospheric layer contains most weather.
30. Answer: evaporation
How to solve: Evaporation moves liquid water into vapor.
Answer Key — Questions 31–35
Answer + How to Solve
31. Answer: Response should correctly apply: evaporation.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Evaporation moves liquid water into vapor.
32. Answer: Response should correctly apply: altitude.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. There is less overlying air at greater altitude.
33. Answer: Response should correctly apply: long-term weather patterns.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Climate is based on patterns over many years.
34. Answer: Response should correctly apply: air masses meet.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Fronts are boundaries between different air masses.
35. Answer: Response should correctly apply: troposphere.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. The lowest atmospheric layer contains most weather.
Answer Key — Questions 36–40
Answer + How to Solve
36. Answer: Response should correctly apply: evaporation.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Evaporation moves liquid water into vapor.
37. Answer: Response should correctly apply: altitude.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. There is less overlying air at greater altitude.
38. Answer: Response should correctly apply: long-term weather patterns.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Climate is based on patterns over many years.
39. Answer: Response should correctly apply: air masses meet.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Fronts are boundaries between different air masses.
40. Answer: Response should correctly apply: troposphere.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. The lowest atmospheric layer contains most weather.
Answer Key — Questions 41–45
Answer + How to Solve
41. Answer: Response should correctly apply: evaporation.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Evaporation moves liquid water into vapor.
42. Answer: Response should correctly apply: altitude.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. There is less overlying air at greater altitude.
43. Answer: Response should correctly apply: long-term weather patterns.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Climate is based on patterns over many years.
44. Answer: Response should correctly apply: air masses meet.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Fronts are boundaries between different air masses.
45. Answer: Response should correctly apply: troposphere.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. The lowest atmospheric layer contains most weather.
Answer Key — Questions 46–50
Answer + How to Solve
46. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate troposphere.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.
47. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate evaporation.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.
48. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate altitude.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.
49. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate long-term weather patterns.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.
50. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate air masses meet.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.