Fourth Grade GPS Benchmark Assessment

Earth Science - Weather

1.  Which weather instrument tells the direction the wind is blowing?

  1. barometer
  2. rain gauge
  3. thermometer
  4. weather vane

2.  Dew forming on the ground is an example of

  1. evaporation
  2. condensation
  3. precipitation
  4. transpiration

3.  What does a barometer measure?

  1. temperature
  2. wind speed
  3. air pressure
  4. humidity

4.  What causes the grass to get wet on a cool summer night when there is no rain?

  1. Water comes up from the ground.
  2. Water from the air forms droplets on the grass.
  3. Frost on the grass melts.
  4. Clouds during the night make the grass wet.

5.  Which instrument is used to measure wind speed?

  1. thermometer
  2. barometer
  3. anemometer
  4. hygrometer

6.  A WET sponge was put into an empty plastic bucket. A few hours later, the sponge was dry. What probably happened to the water in the sponge?

A.  The water in the sponge went into the air.

B.  The water was still in the sponge but it could not be seen or felt.

C.  The water was soaked up by the plastic bucket.

D.  Someone squeezed all the water out of the sponge.

7.  In the United States, cool weather usually comes from the

A.  west

B.  east

C.  north

D.  south

8.  Which group of instruments would be MOST helpful to a scientist who studies weather?

  1. computer, barometer, thermometer
  2. thermometer, microscope, telescope
  3. telescope, seismograph, barometer
  4. computer, speedometer, satellite

Use the diagram below to answer question 9.

9.  PRECIPITATION occurs at the step marked

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D


Use the map below to answer question 10.

10.  Carl and his parents are planning to be in Atlanta on October 5. What special things should they pack?

A.  heavy wool sweaters

B.  raincoats and umbrellas

C.  lightweight shorts and tee shirts

D.  skis and snowsuits

Use the bar graph below to answer this question.

11.  The bar graph shows the amount of rainfall for each month from April through August. In which two months was the rainfall the same?

  1. April and June
  2. May and August
  3. June and July
  4. April and August

Use the incomplete chart of the Beaufort scale below to answer question 12.

12. The Beaufort scale is used to classify the strength of the wind. In the scale above, some of the wind’s effects are missing. Which of the following could be used to describe the effect of a GENTLE BREEZE?

A.  Chimney smoke moves straight upward

B.  Buildings are damaged

C.  Flags wave slightly on a flagpole

D.  Tree branches snap off

13. A cat’s dish of water is placed outside on a winter day. Describe what will happen to the water over several hours if the outside temperature is 25°F (–11°C).

14. In the water cycle, condensation is the process of

  1. water vapor cooling down to become a liquid
  2. ice warming up and turning into a liquid
  3. liquid cooling down and turning into ice
  4. liquid warming up and turning into water vapor

15. How do dewdrops form on a leaf?

  1. They are formed from melted frost.
  2. They are formed from water vapor in the air.
  3. They fall as melted snow and are caught on the leaf.
  4. They fall like a light rain and are caught on the leaf.

16. The solid form of precipitation made of ice crystals is called

  1. fog
  2. rain
  3. drizzle
  4. snow

Use the diagram below to answer question 18.

17. EVAPORATION occurs at the step marked

A.  A

B.  B

C.  C

D.  D

18. Identify two processes that take place in the water cycle.

Use the weather map below to answer question 19.

19. Using the weather map, make a forecast for the weather in Georgia for the NEXT DAY. Explain why you made that forecast.


GPS Correlation

Question # / GPS / Answer
1 / S4E3a / D
2 / S4E3d / B
3 / S4E4a / C
4 / S4E3d / B
5 / S4E4a / C
6 / S4E3a / A
7 / S4E4b / C
8 / S4E4a / A
9 / S4E3d / D
10 / S4E4b / B
11 / S4CS5c; S4E4c / B
12 / S4E4a / C
13 / S4E3b / Short Answer
14 / S4E3d / A
15 / S4E3d / B
16 / S4E3e / D
17 / S4E3b / B
18 / S4E3b / Short Answer
19 / S4E4b,c / Short Answer

4th – Earth Science-Weather GPS - - 4 -