World Book Online Reference Center
Thank you for taking these challenges!
Answers to challenge #6
World Book Online Reference Center
Thank you for taking these challenges!
Answers to challenge #6
The earth is one tiny planet in the vastness of space.
Even so, we know so much about how it began and what its processes are today. Learn more about the earth on the World Book Web and then find the answers to the following questions!
1. Why are the earth and other large planets round? [The earth and other large planets are round because of gravity, which pulls matter to the center of objects.]
2. What two elements make up silica in the earth’s crust? [Silicone and oxygen]
3. What is the difference between granite and basalt? [Basalt is composed of volcanic rocks that are iron-rich and silica-poor. Granite is composed of volcanic rocks that are silica-rich and iron-poor.]
4. Give two examples of biogenic sedimentary rocks. [Coal and limestone]
5. What direction do gyres flow? [Gyres flow clockwise north of the equator and counterclockwise south of the equator.]
6. How do scientists learn about the inner layers of the earth without being able to view it directly? [Scientists study meteorites called chondrites to help estimate the chemical composition of the earth and use seismographs to study vibrations during earthquakes. The changes in vibrations help scientists understand the chemical composition of the materials they are traveling through.]
7. Why doesn’t the rock at the center of the earth liquefy when it is at such a high temperature? [The pressure of the surrounding layers of the earth cause the center of the earth to remain solid.]
8. What is orogeny? [Orogeny is the series of events that occur when two continental plates collide and mountains are formed. The events include the elevation of mountains, folding and crumpling of rocks, volcanic activity, and the formation of plutonic and metamorphic rocks.]
9. What are two supercontinents that have existed in the earth's history? [Rodinia and Pangaea]
10. How old do scientists think the earth is? [4.6 billion years old]
Did You Know?
♦ In the 1700’s and 1800’s, two opposing theories developed about the history of the earth. The Plutonists believed rock was formed by the cooling of igneous rock after volcanic eruptions. The Neptunists thought the entire earth had been covered by oceans at one time and had since evaporated, leaving dry land in some places.
♦ In 2005, scientists of the American Geophysical Union reported that the earth’s north magnetic pole had been moving rapidly towards Siberia. Scientists believe that the magnetic poles are created by the flow of iron in the earth’s core, but do not know why the poles move.
♦ Researchers have used a technique called magnetotellurics to determine that the Australian continent was actually 3 separate continents 1.6 billion years ago.
Answers to challenge #5
The Constitution is the founding document of the United States government. Even though it is over 200 years old, it still plays a central role in the function of this country. Learn more about the Constitution on the World Book Web and then find the answers to the following questions!
1. Who actually wrote the Constitution? [Gouverneur Morris]
2. In case of a conflict between the national and state governments, who has the final authority? [The national government]
3. Which state refused to attend the Constitutional Convention and why? [Rhode Island refused to attend the Constitutional Convention because it did not want a national government to interfere with its affairs.]
4. What past experiences could the Constitutional Convention delegates rely on to help them craft this new document? [Many of the delegates had written constitutions for their own states. They also drew upon other constitutions in history like the Magna Carta and the Jamestown representative assembly.]
5. Why did North Carolina and Rhode Island refuse to approve the Constitution and take part in the new government at first? [They both refused to participate until a Bill of Rights had been included in the Constitution.]
6. How does the Constitution protect the rights of those with the minority opinion? [Those in the minority are protected by the separation and balance of the powers of government.]
7. What does the Constitution mean, in Section 2, when it speaks of “three-fifths of all other persons”? [Here, the Constitution is referring to black slaves.]
8. What is a pocket veto? [A pocket veto is when a president retains a bill, expecting that the Congress will adjourn within 10 days, so that it will not become law. It is used when the president does not want to sign a bill, but does not want veto it openly.]
9. Are political parties outlined in the Constitution? [No. The Constitution only provides for a general method of electing a president.]
10. Who has the final authority in interpreting the meaning of the Constitution? [The Supreme Court]
Answers to challenge #4
The word democracy means “rule by the people” and it is a philosophy that has shaped the governments of many countries around the world, including the United States. Learn more about democracy on the World Book Web and then find the answers to the following questions:
1. What is the difference between a direct democracy and an indirect democracy? [In a direct democracy, the people all meet together to make rules for the community. In an indirect democracy, citizens elect people representatives to make decisions for them.]
2. What rights to democracies guarantee cannot be taken away from their citizens? [Freedoms of press, speech, assembly, and religious worship]
3. What is the purpose of a bill of rights in a democracy? [A bill of rights outlines the basic liberties of the people and forbids the government to violate those liberties.]
4. Why is education so important to a democracy? [A citizenry that is well-educated is able to make good decisions for their democracy.]
5. What is one way democracy in Athens was different than democracy today? [Every male citizen was required to be part of the assembly, there was no division between the legislative and executive branches, and slaves and women were not allowed to vote.]
6. What influence did the Magna Carta have on the development of democracy? [The Magna Carta restricted royal power and insisted that even the king had to obey the law.]
7. Which philosopher is considered the father of the English Revolution? [John Locke]
8. What ideas did the French Revolution contribute to democracy? [The French ideas of liberty and equality were large contributions to the development of democracy.]
9. What are some countries that had difficulties creating democracies in the twentieth century? [Germany, Russia, Italy, Spain]
10. What challenges does globalization present to democratic governments? [Decisions that are good for international business and trade can sometimes be at odds with what is best for the citizens of the democracy. Additionally, some international organizations are not part of any country, and are thereby free from any authority of the people.]
Answers to challenge #3
1. What are the three branches of the United States government? [Executive, Legislative and Judicial (The President, the Congress and the Supreme Court)]
2. What animal is on the Seal of the President of the United States? [The eagle]
3. What are two duties of the President of the United States? [The President suggests laws, works to get those laws passed, heads the armed forces, and decides how the United States will deal with other nations.]
4. How often does the United States hold presidential elections? [Every 4 years]
5. What happens if a president dies or is unable to perform his or her duties? [The vice-president takes the president’s place while he or she is unable to fulfill his or her duties, and becomes president if the president dies or is removed from office.]
6. Who was the sixth president of the United States? [John Quincy Adams]
7. There are three requirements in order to be president. Can you name them? [The person must be at least 35 years
old, have lived in the United States for at least 14 years and be a natural-born citizen.]
Answers to challenge #2
1. If you were going to take a bus in an unfamiliar town, what kind of map would you use to plan your route? [A transit map]
2. What is a map key? [A map key is a box on a map that tells what each symbol used on the map stands for.]
3. Why are flat maps not as exact as globes? [Because the earth is actually round, like a globe, it must be stretched out in some places and made smaller in others in order to fit it onto flat paper.]
4. Who created the first atlas? [Historians believe that Ptolemy created the first atlas in Egypt 1900 years ago.]
5. What are lines of longitude and latitude? [Lines of latitude and longitude are imaginary lines that divide the earth into gridded sections.]
6. What is the Greenwich Meridian? [The Greenwich Meridian is a special north-south line on the globe that is the starting point for the lines of longitude.]
Answers to challenge #1
1. How did American Indians get to North America from Asia thousands of years ago? [At that time, a narrow strip of land connected the two continents.]
2. Name two mountain ranges in North America. [Rocky Mountains, Sierra Madre Oriental]
3. What continent does more manufacturing than North America? [Europe]
4. How many people live in Canada? [32 million people]
5. How many countries are in Central America? [7 countries]
6. What two countries have more people in them than the United States? [China and India]
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