Book excerpt: Homework Helpers: Earth Science covers all of the topics typically included in a high school or undergraduate course, including: How to understand "the language of rocks." The events that we see in the sky and how they affect us. Earthquakes and what they can tell us about the inside workings of our world. How to understand the weather and what the weatherman is saying. Homework Helpers: Earth Science is loaded with practical examples using everyday experiences. Every topic includes a number of simple tricks to make even the toughest ideas understandable and memorable. Each chapter ends with practice questions and explanations of answers. As a reference tool Homework Helpers: Earth Science can be used as a preview of tomorrow--s class or a reinforcement of today--s. It will leave students with a firm grasp of the material and the confidence that will inspire a deeper understanding.