Common Misunderstood Vocabulary for the
Earth Science Regents Exam

Abundance

deplete

Interpret

random

Abundant

Deposit

Interpretation

Rarely

Abundant

Descending

Intruded

Rate

accurate

Determine

Inverse

Regional (when referring to metamorphism)

Affect

deviation

Landscape

relate

Altitude

Direct (result)

Marine

Relative

Apparent

Diverge

maximum

resistant

appear

diverging

Meandering

Resource

Ascending

Dominant

minimum

Sequence

ascending

Duration

Molten

shallow (as in ‘close to the surface’)

Atmospheric

Effect

Not to scale

severity

Axis

Equatorial

Observer

Slope

basis

Exceeds

Occurrence

Solidification

Cementation

Expansion

Organic

Sorted

Compaction

factor

orientation

source

Comparison

frequency

Origin

Spherical

Compass direction

gradient

Origin

Subdivision

component

Gradient

Overturning

Subjected

Composed

Horizon

Parallel

Terrestrial

Composition

Horizontal

Pendulum

Texture
(multiple uses)

Compression

Indication

Phenomena

Topography

Concentration

indicator

Potential

True scale drawing

Converge

Indirect

predict

Undergone

converging

Inferred

Predictable

uniform

Coordinate

Inorganic

Prevailing

Vapor

Cosmic

Intensity

probability

Vaporization

Cross section

Interface

Profile

Variation

Cyclic

Internal arrangement

Interpret

Velocity