Download Sample

Introduction to Geography, 5e (Dahlman/Renwick/Bergman)
Chapter 2 Weather and Climate
1) The fuel driving the atmosphere is
A) gravity.
B) inertia of motion.
C) solar energy.
D) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 38
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
2) The amount of solar energy received at a particular place on Earth depends on
A) the angle of the sun.
B) the season of year.
C) the length of day.
D) all of the above
Answer: D
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 39
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
3) The amount of solar energy intercepted at a particular area is
A) insolation.
B) angle of incidence.
C) convection.
D) sensible heat.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 39
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
4) On a daily basis, the sun is most intense at
A) 6:00 AM.
B) 12 Noon.
C) 3:00 PM.
D) 6:00 PM.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 39
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
1
5) At which angle (of incidence) will the intensity of energy striking Earth be greatest?
A) 90°
B) 60°
C) 30°
D) 0°
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 39
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
6) Which area receives the most seasonal variation in incoming radiation?
A) equator
B) high latitudes
C) low latitudes
D) tropics
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 41
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
7) In which zone would temperature vary more in a single day than between months?
A) low latitudes
B) mid-latitudes
C) polar areas
D) highlands
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 41
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
8) During the vernal equinox, which location receives the greatest amount of insolation?
A) poles
B) Tropic of Cancer
C) Tropic of Capricorn
D) equator
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 39
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
2
9) The axis of rotation of the Earth is inclined how many degrees away from being perpendicular
to the sun's rays?
A) 23.5°
B) 66.5°
C) 45°
D) 90°
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 39
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
10) At the Tropic of Cancer the sun is directly overhead at noon on the
A) vernal equinox.
B) summer solstice.
C) autumnal equinox.
D) winter solstice.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 39
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
11) In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is lowest in the sky with less radiation in the
A) winter.
B) spring.
C) summer.
D) fall.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 40
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
12) From September to March the Southern Hemisphere receives
A) less radiation than the Northern Hemisphere.
B) more radiation than the Northern Hemisphere.
C) exactly 12 hours of daylight and darkness.
D) 24 hours of daylight.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 40
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
3
13) At what date will 50°N receive the largest amount of daylight?
A) March 21
B) June 21
C) September 22
D) December 21
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 40
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
14) Areas near oceans have ________ than areas in the interior of continents because of the great
storage capacity of water.
A) cooler winters, warmer summers
B) warmer winters, cooler summers
C) warmer winters, warmer summers
D) cooler winters, cooler summers
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 42
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
15) Latent heat is
A) heat in storage in water and water vapor.
B) detectable by sense of touch.
C) heat reflected into the atmosphere.
D) all of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 42
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
16) The energy with wavelengths between 0.4 to 0.7 microns is commonly known as
A) infrared.
B) radio waves.
C) X-rays.
D) visible light.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 43
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
4
17) Movement of a fluid when part of it is heated is
A) convection.
B) advection.
C) sublimation.
D) conduction.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 46
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
18) What best explains the movement of heat from tropical areas toward the poles?
A) advection
B) orographic fronts
C) polar fronts
D) specific heat
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 46
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
19) Urban heat islands are a result of
A) pavement and buildings storing heat during the day and releasing it at night.
B) increased evapotranspiration in the city.
C) greater insolation.
D) all of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 46
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
20) Water vapor in the air condenses in response to ________ temperatures.
A) warming
B) cooling
C) constant
D) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 47
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
5
21) The maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold is
A) relative humidity.
B) saturation vapor pressure.
C) latent heat.
D) supersaturated.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 47
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
22) Summer thunderstorms are typically a product of
A) convection.
B) orographic uplift.
C) frontal uplift.
D) all of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 48
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
23) In the tropics rainfall is most likely to occur in the
A) morning.
B) afternoon.
C) late evening.
D) night.
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 48
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
24) Rain shadows in mountainous areas are a result of
A) convection.
B) orographic uplift.
C) frontal uplift.
D) all of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 48-49
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
6
25) Regions on the rain-shadow (downwind) side of mountains (such as the Rockies and Andes)
are generally
A) humid continental.
B) tundra.
C) semi-arid.
D) Mediterranean.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 49
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
26) Continental polar air masses tend to be
A) cool and wet.
B) cool and dry.
C) warm and dry.
D) warm and wet.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 49
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
27) If you were at a location that just experienced a thunderstorm with heavy downpours, what
could you predict about a location 25 miles to the southwest?
A) It received approximately the same rainfall.
B) It received more rainfall.
C) It received less rainfall.
D) It is not predictable.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 51
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Analysis
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
28) Winds are deflected by ________, caused by the rotation of Earth.
A) the Coriolis effect
B) the greenhouse effect
C) the Milankovitch cycles
D) gyres
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 52
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
7
29) Which climate is influenced by the ITCZ most of the year?
A) humid tropical
B) desert
C) polar
D) marine west-coast
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 54
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
30) Most of the world's deserts occur in what zone?
A) Intertropical Convergence Zone
B) Subtropical High Pressure Zone
C) Mid-latitude Low Pressure Zone
D) Polar High Pressure Zones
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 54
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
31) The seasonal reversal of pressure and wind over a large continent, known monsoon
circulation, is characterized by
A) wind blowing toward the continental interior in the summer and toward the ocean in the
winter.
B) wind blowing toward the poles.
C) wind blowing toward the ocean in the winter and toward the continental interior in the winter.
D) wind blowing toward the equator.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 55
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
32) If cold ocean currents hit the coast of a continent, it is likely that the coastal area will
A) have extensive precipitation.
B) be relatively arid.
C) have higher levels of evaporation than with warm currents.
D) both A and C
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 57
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
8
33) How could the fact that England has a milder climate than Labrador best be explained, even
though they are at similar latitudes?
A) subtropical high-pressure zones
B) jet stream
C) Gulf Stream
D) El Ni o southern oscillation
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 57
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Analysis
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
34) Off the coast of South America, as a result of a circulation change called El Ni o,
A) the normal warm-water flow is often replaced by cool waters.
B) the normal cool-water flow is replaced by warm waters.
C) the fisheries off the coast increase in productivity.
D) no effect has been observed.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 57
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
35) La Niña
A) always lasts for the same period of time as the previous El Niño.
B) only affects the Northern Hemisphere.
C) can lead to drought in the southern United States.
D) has nothing to do with ocean temperatures and circulation.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 57
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
36) When climbing a mountain, what would you predict about temperatures?
A) The temperature will drop about 3°F for every 1000 feet climbed.
B) The temperature will drop about 5°F for every 1000 feet climbed.
C) The temperature will be the same as the temperature at the base of the mountain.
D) The temperature will begin to drop above 5000 feet.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 61
Topic: Climate
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
9
37) Where would higher levels of evapotranspiration occur on an average?
A) tropics
B) mid-latitudes
C) polar regions
D) continental interiors
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 64
Topic: Climate
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
38) Which of the following are considered in climate mapping?
A) weather patterns over several years
B) vegetation
C) terrain
D) all of the above
Answer: D
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 64
Topic: Classifying Climate
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
39) What climate region is designated as humid and tropical?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 66
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
40) In the low latitudes the temperature is not likely to go below ________°C.
A) 20
B) 35
C) 50
D) 65
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 68
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Analysis
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
10
41) On the islands of the Tropical Pacific (e.g., Philippines) which climate would you expect to
find?
A) humid continental
B) humid tropical
C) tundra
D) semiarid
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 67
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Analysis
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
42) Most of the world's tropical rainforests lie within
A) 10°N and 10°S.
B) 30°N and 60°N.
C) 30°S and 60°S.
D) 60°S and 80°S.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 66
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
43) Potential evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation in
A) dry lands.
B) the tropics.
C) continental climates.
D) all of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 69
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
44) If you are told you are in a BWh climate, in which of the following locations might you be?
A) Poland
B) Sahara Desert
C) Florida
D) Iceland
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 69
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
11
45) Which side of China, South America, the United States, and Australia, has the driest climate?
A) North
B) South
C) East
D) West
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 69
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
46) Humid subtropical climates cluster on the ________ side of continents between 25° and 40°.
A) north
B) south
C) east
D) west
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 71
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
47) In the Southeastern United States, which climate is dominant?
A) AW
B) BS
C) Cfa
D) Dwc
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 71
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
48) Marine west-coast climates
A) have mild climates with a small annual temperature range.
B) have plentiful moisture year round.
C) can be found in places like Kodiak, Alaska.
D) all of the above
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 72
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
12
49) Which of the following climates would you expect to find in coastal southern California?
A) humid tropical
B) desert
C) humid continental
D) Mediterranean
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 73
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
50) Boreal forest climates are associated with
A) subarctic climates.
B) Mediterranean climates.
C) tundras.
D) all of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 75
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
51) Permafrost occurs in what kind of climates?
A) Dfa
B) Csa
C) ET
D) Aw
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 76
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
52) Climate over the past 3 million years has
A) stayed the same.
B) become progressively cooler.
C) become progressively warmer.
D) shifted between warm and cool periods.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 78
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
13
53) Which gas, contributed in part by burning fossil fuels, is used by scientists as an indicator of
future global warming?
A) CO2
B) nitrogen
C) oxygen
D) hydrogen
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 80
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
54) During the twentieth century, the Earth's atmospheric temperature increased by about
________ degrees Celsius.
A) .3
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 80
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
55) As distance from the equator increases, the difference between winter and summer amounts
of solar radiation increases.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 39
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
56) On a sunny day water heats up more quickly than land, and at night the water cools down
more quickly than land.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 42
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
14
57) Water vapor plays a significant role in the greenhouse effect.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 44
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
58) When water vapor condenses in the atmosphere, sensible heat is absorbed and converted to
latent heat.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 44
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
59) Precipitation occurs because air is warmed adiabatically as it rises.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 47
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
60) The Intertropical Convergence Zone is a low-pressure zone generally located near the
equator.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 54
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
61) El Ni o is a shift in the circulation in the Pacific Ocean that occurs every year in December.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 57
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
62) A front is a boundary between two different types of air, such as warm air and cold air.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 49
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
15
63) When warm air advances into cooler air, a warm front is formed.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 49
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
64) Precipitation associated with cold fronts is usually more intense and localized than
precipitation from warm fronts.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 51
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
65) La Ni a usually causes a drought in Southeast Asia.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 57
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
66) Hurricanes are weakest over oceans during the winter.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 57
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
67) Temperature is usually measured 20 meters above the ground in a sealed container.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 61
Topic: Climate
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
68) Most of the rainfall in seasonally-humid tropical climate comes from passing cold fronts.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 68
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
16
69) Desert climates do not occur in coastal areas.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 69
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
70) Mediterranean climates are generally found on the west coasts of continents.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 73
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
71) Mediterranean climates have the least rainfall in the season when potential
evapotranspiration (POTET) is the highest.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 73
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
72) Climatic variations during the Quaternary Period had very little effect on Earth's
environments outside the areas covered with glacial ice.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 78
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
73) Periods of increasing glacier mass would likely be accompanied by decreasing ocean levels.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 79
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
74) Volcanic eruptions are a cause of global warming.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 80
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
17
75) Unusual weather events seem to have increased in frequency over the last few decades.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 82
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
76) Extreme weather should be less frequent and less intense over the next century.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 82
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
77) Scientists who study climate change are about evenly divided on whether or not the Earth's
atmosphere is getting warmer.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 82
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
78) Global warming will likely lead to less intense hurricanes.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 82
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
79) Global warming will result in a worldwide decrease in precipitation.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 82
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
80) Define "climate."
Answer: Weather, especially temperature and precipitation, averaged over a period of years.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 38
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
18
81) Indicate the approximate date or dates at which the noonday sun is seen directly overhead at
the following latitudes:
23.5°S ___________________________
0°
___________________________
23°N ___________________________
Answer: Dec. 21; Mar 21 and Sept. 22; June 21.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 39
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
82) Describe the greenhouse effect in terms of radiant energy exchanges.
Answer: Shortwave energy from the sun passes through the atmosphere, is absorbed by Earth's
surface, and is re-radiated as longwave energy, which is absorbed by the atmosphere, thus
warming it.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 43
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
83) On an average annual basis the tropics receive more radiation from the sun than they send
back as longwave radiation, and high-latitude areas send out more longwave radiation than they
receive as shortwave radiation from the sun. How is this possible?
Answer: Excess heat absorbed in the tropics is advected in the atmosphere and ocean currents to
high latitudes where it is radiated to space.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 43
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Analysis
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
84) What causes the precipitation shifts of seasonally humid tropical climates?
Answer: When the ITCZ moves from one hemisphere to the next it brings maximum
precipitation with it.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 68
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
19
85) Draw a diagram of a mid-latitude cyclone, showing the warm front, cold front, center of low
pressure, and major areas of precipitation.
Answer:
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 51
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
86) Why do hurricanes develop mostly over ocean areas, and usually in late summer and early
autumn?
Answer: They develop over ocean areas because they depend on latent heat as a major source of
energy; latent heat is most plentiful in late summer and early autumn when the ocean is warmest.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 57-58
Topic: Circulation Patterns
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
87) Explain how precipitation is usually measured.
Answer: It usually measured by collecting rain or snow in a cylindrical container that is marked
in millimeters or hundredths of an inch.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 63
Topic: Climate
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
88) In climate classification and mapping, what is the advantage of defining climate types based
on vegetation?
Answer: Vegetation is influenced by climate, so differences in vegetation can be used as
indicators of climate type where weather data are lacking.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 64
Topic: Classifying Climate
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
89) During what months of the year does the rainy season occur in a seasonally humid tropical
climate in the Southern Hemisphere?
Answer: During the high-sun period: December-February.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 68
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
20
90) In the Köppen climate classification, humid climates are grouped according to temperature,
but dry climates are identified by a combination of temperature and precipitation information.
Why are both types of data needed to identify dry climates?
Answer: Because dry climates are define in terms of the amount of moisture needed to support
vegetation, which is higher in warm climates than in cool climates.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 69
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Synthesis
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
91) Consider a Mediterranean climate in the Northern Hemisphere. In what months does the
rainy season occur? Why does rainfall occur mostly at this time of year and not at other times?
Answer: The rainy season is in the winter (December-February) because during this season the
mid-latitude low dominates, while in the summer the subtropical high dominates this climate.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 73
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Analysis
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
92) D climates occur exclusively in the ________ Hemisphere.
Answer: Northern
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 74
Topic: Earth's Climate Regions
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
93) Identify two different geologic processes that may cause climatic change.
Answer: Plate tectonics changes the distribution of land and water, influencing circulation.
Volcanic eruptions eject dust and sulfur oxides into the atmosphere, causing temporary cooling.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 79-80
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
94) Discuss the role of latent heat exchange in energy movements at the global scale.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 44
Topic: Energy and Weather
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
95) Describe the mechanisms that cause precipitation.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 47-52
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
21
96) Describe the climate where you live, including seasonal patterns of temperature and
precipitation. Interpret these patterns in terms of solar radiation inputs and atmospheric
circulation.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 64
Topic: Classifying Climate
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
97) Describe the weather you would experience with the passage of a mid-latitude cyclone.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 51
Topic: Precipitation
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Analysis
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
98) Describe the major features of the Köppen Climate Classification.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 64-65
Topic: Classifying Climate
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
99) If you were to classify Earth's climates in terms of their suitability for human habitation,
what characteristics of climate do you think would be most important? How would such a
climate map differ from the Köppen map?
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 64-65
Topic: Classifying Climate
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Synthesis
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
100) Explain global warming, its causes, and its consequences.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 80-81
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
101) Describe the major hypotheses regarding astronomic, geologic, and human causes of
climate change. Which ones do you favor, and why?
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 80
Topic: Climate Change
Skill: Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluation
Objective: U.S. Geography Standards: 7, Physical Systems
22