Free Printable WorksheetScienceGrade 9Science CurriculumNGSS HS-ESS2-1, HS-ESS2-3

9.105 Divergent Boundaries and Rift Zones Worksheet

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Worksheet Overview & Skills Covered

Core academic competencies and curriculum alignment

This Physical Science with Earth and Science Science worksheet provides structured practice on 9.105 Divergent Boundaries and Rift Zones. Students are guided through targeted exercises that build foundational understanding, computational accuracy, and critical thinking skills.

Divergent Boundaries and Rift Zones: MCQ focus: explain seafloor spreading, rift valleys, new crust formation, shallow earthquakes, and volcanism at divergent boundaries. Aligned to NGSS high school Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Design; NRC/DCI; SEP/CCC; CCSS math/literacy connections; selected CA NGSS, NYSSLS, Florida CPALMS, and Texas TEKS references NGSS HS-ESS2-1, HS-ESS2-3 - NGSS-aligned Divergent Boundaries and Rift Zones: NGSS: HS-ESS2-1; HS-ESS2-3; NRC/DCI: ESS2.A-B; SEP/CCC: Models / Energy and matter; Common: RST.9-10.7; State refs: CA/NYSSLS same HS-ESS PE family; FL SC.912.E.6; TX Earth Systems 112.49.

Whether you are an educator preparing classroom handouts, a tutor reinforcing weekly topics, or a parent supporting homeschool learning, this printable resource gives students the deliberate practice required to achieve subject fluency and master state standards.

Grade

Physical Science with Earth and Science

Subject

Science

Domain

Science Curriculum

Formats

PDF & DOCX

Sample Practice Problems

Preview the types of problems and questions covered in this worksheet

Below are sample questions representative of the exercises included on this worksheet and related 9.105 Divergent Boundaries and Rift Zones skill assessments:

Problem 1Difficulty: Mastery

Use the four-panel boundary diagram. Which panel shows a divergent rift zone?

APanel II, where arrows point away from a central down-dropped valley.

BPanel III, where arrows slide horizontally past a straight fault.

CPanel IV, where two continents collide and fold upward.

DPanel I, where arrows point toward a trench and one plate sinks.

Solution & Explanation:A divergent rift zone is identified by plates moving apart and a central valley or rift forming between them.

Problem 2Difficulty: Mastery

Which critique best responds to the claim 'volcanoes only form where plates collide'?

AThe claim is correct because all volcanoes require deep subduction slabs.

BThe claim is unrelated because plate boundaries cannot affect volcanism.

CDivergent boundaries also have volcanoes because upwelling mantle can melt as pressure drops.

DThe claim is correct because ridges never produce magma.

Solution & Explanation:Volcanism is not limited to collisions. At divergent boundaries, decompression melting of upwelling mantle can produce magma and eruptions.

Problem 3Difficulty: Mastery

Which pattern would suggest that a continental rift is transitioning toward oceanic spreading?

ANew basaltic oceanic crust begins forming between separated continental blocks.

BOnly river erosion deepens the valley while crust stays unchanged.

CAll normal faults stop and no magma is produced anywhere.

DCompression folds the rift valley into a continent-continent collision belt.

Solution & Explanation:The development of new oceanic crust between continental margins is evidence that rifting has progressed toward seafloor spreading.

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QWhat grade level and standards does this worksheet align with?

This worksheet is designed specifically for Physical Science with Earth and Science Science students. It aligns with educational standard NGSS HS-ESS2-1, HS-ESS2-3 (NGSS: HS-ESS2-1; HS-ESS2-3; NRC/DCI: ESS2.A-B; SEP/CCC: Models / Energy and matter; Common: RST.9-10.7; State refs: CA/NYSSLS same HS-ESS PE family; FL SC.912.E.6; TX Earth Systems 112.49.).