Evidence for continental drift and plate tectonics
Science · Year 8
Name: ______________________Date: ____________
Plate tectonic theory developed from multiple independent evidence lines: matching continental shapes, fossils and rock belts, past-climate indicators, seafloor spreading, magnetic stripes and measured plate motion. No single clue carries the whole explanation.
Example
Matching magnetic stripes on both sides of mid-ocean ridges show new seafloor forming and moving outward in opposite directions.
Key terms
Continental drift:
The idea that continents change position over geological time.
Seafloor spreading:
Formation and outward movement of ocean crust at mid-ocean ridges.
Converging evidence:
Independent evidence lines that support the same explanation.
Questions
1. Which statement best captures evidence for continental drift and plate tectonics?
Plate tectonic theory is strong because several independent evidence lines support moving plates.
Continents move by floating rapidly across a liquid ocean floor.
The pattern can only be explained by guessing.
The topic has no observable evidence.
2. Which term means "The idea that continents change position over geological time."?
Continental drift
Seafloor spreading
Converging evidence
Variable
3. Which term means "Formation and outward movement of ocean crust at mid-ocean ridges."?
Seafloor spreading
Continental drift
Converging evidence
Conclusion
4. Which term means "Independent evidence lines that support the same explanation."?
Converging evidence
Continental drift
Seafloor spreading
Prediction
5. Which observation task is most relevant to this topic?
Match fossil, rock and glacial evidence across a reconstruction of southern continents.
Copy the topic title without looking at an example.
Choose a result before making observations.
Ignore details that do not match a first guess.
6. Which model would best represent the key process or relationship?
Build a timeline showing how continental-drift ideas changed as new seafloor evidence became available.
A decorative drawing with no labels or connection to evidence.
A list of unrelated facts.
A model that deliberately contradicts every observation.
7. Which investigation is focused most directly on the scientific idea?
Compare two possible plate explanations against a table of fossil, magnetic and GPS evidence.
Change many uncontrolled factors and record nothing.
Ask only for opinions and treat them as measurements.
Repeat a memorised answer without testing it.
8. Which evidence best supports the lesson explanation?
GPS measurements now directly detect plate motion in directions consistent with geological patterns.
Continents move by floating rapidly across a liquid ocean floor.
One preferred answer with no observation.
A claim that cannot be checked in any way.
9. Which task applies the science in a new context?
Explain why a scientific theory can become stronger while remaining open to refinement.
Write the heading again without explaining it.
Ignore the system and choose randomly.
Assume the same answer fits every situation.
10. Which response best corrects the misconception in this topic?
Plate tectonic theory is strong because several independent evidence lines support moving plates.
Continents move by floating rapidly across a liquid ocean floor.
Both statements must be equally correct.
Evidence cannot help decide between explanations.
11. What makes a scientific observation useful?
It records relevant details without changing them to fit an expectation.
It includes only details that support a preferred answer.
It replaces measurements with guesses.
It hides the conditions under which it was made.
12. Why should a scientific model include its limitations?
Models simplify reality, so users need to know what the representation leaves out.
A limitation proves the model has no value.
Models are exact copies and never omit anything.
Limitations should be hidden so a model looks certain.
13. What makes a comparative investigation fair?
Change or compare the intended factor while keeping other relevant conditions consistent.
Change every condition at the same time.
Measure only the result that looks best.
Decide the conclusion before collecting data.
14. Why repeat measurements or use several samples?
To reveal variation and reduce the influence of chance or one unusual result.
To guarantee a preferred conclusion.
To make units unnecessary.
To remove the need for a clear method.
15. What is the best response to an anomalous result?
Record it, check the method and investigate whether it is error or meaningful variation.
Delete it automatically.
Delete all other results instead.
Assume it proves the whole topic wrong.
16. Which conclusion is scientifically responsible?
One that answers the question, uses the evidence and states important limits.
One that claims more than the data show.
One that ignores conflicting evidence.
One based only on the expected answer.
17. What would make the claim about evidence for continental drift and plate tectonics stronger?
Several relevant, repeatable evidence lines that agree with the explanation.
A larger heading and no new evidence.
Removing results that are inconvenient.
Relying on a single uncheckable opinion.
18. What should happen if reliable new evidence conflicts with a model?
The model should be reviewed and revised or replaced if needed.
The evidence should always be hidden.
The original model must never change.
Scientists should stop asking questions.
19. How should safety and ethics shape an investigation?
Risks, people, living things and environments should be considered before the method is used.
Safety matters only after data collection.
Any method is acceptable if it is fast.
Ethics has no place in science.
20. What makes science communication trustworthy?
Clear methods, accurate terms, relevant evidence and acknowledgement of uncertainty.
Certainty without evidence.
Leaving out how results were obtained.
Using dramatic language instead of data.
21. What is the strongest overall outcome from studying evidence for continental drift and plate tectonics?
Use observations, models, investigations and evidence to explain and apply this idea.
Memorise the title without using it.
Avoid testing explanations.
Treat every first idea as permanently correct.
Answer key (parent copy)
1. Plate tectonic theory is strong because several independent evidence lines support moving plates.
2. Continental drift
3. Seafloor spreading
4. Converging evidence
5. Match fossil, rock and glacial evidence across a reconstruction of southern continents.
6. Build a timeline showing how continental-drift ideas changed as new seafloor evidence became available.
7. Compare two possible plate explanations against a table of fossil, magnetic and GPS evidence.
8. GPS measurements now directly detect plate motion in directions consistent with geological patterns.
9. Explain why a scientific theory can become stronger while remaining open to refinement.
10. Plate tectonic theory is strong because several independent evidence lines support moving plates.
11. It records relevant details without changing them to fit an expectation.
12. Models simplify reality, so users need to know what the representation leaves out.
13. Change or compare the intended factor while keeping other relevant conditions consistent.
14. To reveal variation and reduce the influence of chance or one unusual result.
15. Record it, check the method and investigate whether it is error or meaningful variation.
16. One that answers the question, uses the evidence and states important limits.
17. Several relevant, repeatable evidence lines that agree with the explanation.
18. The model should be reviewed and revised or replaced if needed.
19. Risks, people, living things and environments should be considered before the method is used.
20. Clear methods, accurate terms, relevant evidence and acknowledgement of uncertainty.
21. Use observations, models, investigations and evidence to explain and apply this idea.