Original Project
Plate Tectonics
The earth's plates sit on a hot, slightly softened layer of the earth.
Item PT017001: The layer beneath earth's plates slowly moves in different directions in different places around the earth.
Which of the following describes the layer directly beneath earth’s plates?
- It moves very rapidly, and it moves in different directions in different places.
- It moves very slowly, and it moves in different directions in different places.
- It moves very slowly, and it moves in one direction around the earth.
- It does not move.
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1558 | 3174 | 49% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 959 | 2051 | 47% |
| 9–12 | 592 | 1110 | 53% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 717 | 1507 | 48% |
| Female | 825 | 1626 | 51% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 1445 | 2892 | 50% |
| Other | 80 | 215 | 37% |
- Notes
- The speed and direction of plate motion is not specified in NGSS.