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Goal 2.5-2.6 - Atmosphere and ClimateStudent

Class

Date

1. Why is the ozone content of the stratosphere important to living organisms?

A. Ozone absorbs infrared radiation from the Sun.

B. Ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

C. Ozone is necessary to create oxygen for living things.

D. Ozone in the atmosphere prevents radiation of heat from Earth.

2. Most ultraviolet (UV) rays are deflected or absorbed by the atmosphere, but some of these rays pass easily through the atmosphere and penetrate Earth’s surface.

Which substance in the atmosphere absorbs most of the ultraviolet rays?

A. chlorofluorocarbon

B. ozone

C. nitrogen

D. water

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3. A greenhouse is used as a model of the atmosphere. Which of the following cannot be demonstrated by the model?

A. energy used to evaporate water

B. changes in greenhouse gases

C. light energy trapped as heat energy

D. energy that builds up in the greenhouse air

4. Which gas accounts for the largest percentage of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

A. carbon monoxide

B. carbon dioxide

C. nitrous oxide

D. water vapor

5. Helium departed from the atmosphere early in Earth’s history. Which mechanism caused this departure?

A. Helium was attracted by gas giants that were much closer to Earth’s orbit at the time.

B. Solar heating allowed the helium to escape Earth’s gravity and move into space.

C. Biological reactions stored most of the helium in Earth’s early life-forms.

D. Chemical reactions trapped most of the helium in Earth’s crust.

6. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat near Earth’s surface. Which of these is a greenhouse gas?

A. nitrogen

B. argon

C. water vapor

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D. oxygen

7. Volcanic eruptions early in Earth’s history are believed to be responsible for a large proportion of the matter now found in which Earth structure?

A. mantle

B. asthenosphere

C. hydrosphere

D. ozone layer

8. Use the table below to answer the question.

Studies of Venus indicate what can happen if the atmosphere of a planet contains a high percentage of carbon dioxide. The development of photosynthetic life removed much of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere of Earth. This process released oxygen, which then bonded with iron on the surface to form redbeds. Compared to current conditions, what can be inferred about what Earth was like before the formation of the redbeds?

A. Earth was warmer.

B. Earth was cooler.

C. Earth was more dense.

D. Earth was less dense.

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9. Scientists study the current conditions of many solar system objects to gain insight into conditions early in the history of Earth. Which phenomenon most closely models current theories of early Earth?

A. liquid forming valleys on Mars

B. hundreds of active volcanoes on Io

C. rock and ice forming the core of Neptune

D. ice covering the entire surface of Europa

10. The stratosphere contains ozone which interacts with the ultraviolet radiation that reaches Earth from the Sun. How does the action of ozone in the stratosphere affect Earth?

A. Ozone is essential for living organisms to breathe.

B. Ozone maintains the magnetic field around Earth.

C. Ozone stores heat to be transferred to the surface of Earth.

D. Ozone removes electromagnetic radiation that is harmful to living things.

11. As a warm moist air mass moving northward collides with a strong cold air mass moving southward, what observations will most likely be made?

A. Thick fog develops.

B. Temperatures increase.

C. Clouds begin to form.

D. Winds die down.

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12. What would a warm air mass over the ocean most likely cause?

A. earthquake

B. snowfall

C. tsunami

D. rainfall

13. The Earth’s equator receives more direct sunlight than the regions to its north and south. This distribution of sunlight accounts directly for which phenomenon?

A. The westward deflection of equatorial winds.

B. The movement of rising air currents away from the equator.

C. The rotation of storm systems.

D. The formation of calm “eyes” in the centers of cyclones.

14. A stationary air mass over the Gulf of Mexico would typically be

A. warm and dry.

B. warm and humid.

C. cool and dry.

D. cool and humid.

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15. A high pressure system (H) is moving to the southeast as shown on the weather map. Cold air is usually found north and west of a high pressure system. Warm air is to the south and east of the front.

Based on this information, what is the best prediction for weather on the day after the system passes the point marked X?

A. wet air with cooler temperatures

B. drier air with cooler temperatures

C. wet air with warmer temperatures

D. drier air with warmer temperatures

16. What happens to a moist air mass as it moves upward in the atmosphere?

A. It becomes warmer and forms clouds.

B. It becomes cooler and forms clouds.

C. Its temperature remains the same.

D. Its temperature varies greatly.

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17. The arrow on the map below shows the location of an air mass over the Gulf of Mexico.

An air mass that moves from the equator over the Gulf of Mexico would be

A. cool and dry.

B. cool and humid.

C. warm and humid.

D. warm and dry.

18. Winds blowing inland from oceans tend to have greater moisture than winds blowing over land. How does the high moisture content affect the coastal area climate?

A. There is less condensation.

B. There are fewer hurricanes.

C. There is greater precipitation.

D. There are more smog-filled areas.

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19. The arrows on the map represent the movement of air masses across North America.

Air mass 1 would most likely bring which weather conditions to a region?

A. cool and dry

B. warm and dry

C. cool and humid

D. warm and humid

20. Clay is watching the weather to prepare for a trip to the beach tomorrow. The forecast predicts that a low-pressure system will move in overnight. Which type of weather can Clay most likely expect in the morning?

A. foggy

B. sunny

C. clear and colder

D. cloudy and rainy

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21. Which statement best explains why the force of a hurricane diminishes as the hurricane moves over land?

A. A high pressure area develops.

B. The sea level rises on the coast.

C. The winds start to spin clockwise.

D. The supply of warm, moist air decreases.

22. Tornadoes can occur throughout the United States. One area where most of the tornadoes occur is known as Tornado Alley.

Which environmental factors most likely impact the formation of tornadoes in this area?

A. high pressure systems colliding with other high pressure systems

B. cold dry air and warm dry air moving towards each other

C. low evaporation rates and windy conditions

D. cool dry air colliding with warm moist air

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23. Hurricanes typically form during predictable times of year and in certain locations on Earth. Which factor best enables climatologists to forecast the time and location of hurricane formation?

A. water current and temperature

B. distance of area from the Sun

C. jet stream altitude and speed

D. angle of sunlight on Earth

24. A city is experiencing heavy smog formed by motor vehicle exhaust. Which of these weather conditions contributes most to the formation of smog?

A. dry line

B. cold front

C. tropical cyclone

D. temperature inversion

25. Which of these has been controlled in an attempt to reduce the depletion of ozone in Earth’s atmosphere?

A. methods of filtering gasoline

B. use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

C. methods of radioactive waste storage

D. use of mercury (Hg) compounds

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26. Secondary pollutants are produced in the environment by chemical reactions involving primary or emitted chemicals. Which of the following is a secondary pollutant?

A. carbon monoxide (CO)

B. nitrogen oxide (NO)

C. methane

D. ozone

27. When stratospheric ozone levels are reduced, the amount of ultraviolet radiation hitting Earth increases. Ozone depletion is most often caused

A. by the reversal of the magnetic field of Earth.

B. when fluorocarbons are released into the atmosphere.

C. when electromagnetic waves from the Sun increase.

D. by abrupt changes in weather and climate patterns.

28. Which of these statements best describes a difference in climate?

A. Las Vegas had clear skies and Carson City had cloudy skies last week.

B. Yesterday Carson City had lower barometric pressure than Las Vegas.

C. Last July Las Vegas had a higher average temperature than Carson City.

D. Carson City averages over twice as much rain yearly as Las Vegas.

29. Which statement best describes the climate of an area?

A. At 3:00 a.m. a winter storm warning was issued for Lake Tahoe.

B. At 4:00 p.m. the relative humidity in southern Nevada was 10%.

C. The average yearly rainfall in Nevada is approximately 23 cm.

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30. A student reads the following description of a region: “It has warm summers, moderate winters, and frequent rainfall.” What information does this description best provide?

A. current weather

B. weather forecast

C. general climate

D. climate changes

31. An area is described as having mild temperatures in the summer and being cool and rainy in the winter. On a day in May, the area experienced snow. Which best describes this day in terms of weather and climate?

A. The weather was different from the normal climate for the area.

B. The climate was different from the normal weather for the area.

C. Weather and climate were different from the normal properties for the area.

D. Climate and weather were changing into a new set of normal properties for the area.

32. A student writes the following statement in a journal: “It was 84°F at 3 p.m. on Tuesday in the schoolyard.” This statement best describes which system?

A. local weather

B. local climate

C. regional weather

D. regional climate

33. Which form of water, when present in the atmosphere, is most likely to contribute to global warming?

A. cloud

B. rain

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C. vapor

34. Eruption of a large volcano on a tropical island releases ash and gases into the atmosphere. After the eruption, the air temperatures on the island cool temporarily before returning to normal. Which is the most likely reason for the temporary cooling of the island?

A. Water vapor condenses and causes precipitation.

B. Large particles of ash blanket the ground surface.

C. Fine particles of atmospheric dust block sunlight.

D. Carbon dioxide levels increase in the atmosphere.

35. El Niño and La Niña are sea-surface temperature changes that occur periodically. This graph shows the probabilities of major Atlantic coast hurricane landfalls during the time in which El Niño and La Niña events occur. It also shows the probabilities for when neither weather event occurs.

Which effect of El Niño and La Niña is best illustrated by the graph?

A. destruction of excess solar energy

B. removal of ozone from the atmosphere

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C. regulation of rainfall over the Atlantic coast

D. alteration of land and ocean temperature patterns

36. Which difference between land and water contributes most directly to global climate change resulting from tectonic movement?

A. mean material densities

B. magnetic material content

C. heat absorption and retention properties

D. rate of radioactivity-related heat release

37. When compared to current average conditions, which term would best describe conditions in Earth’s lower atmosphere if greenhouse gases were absent?

A. denser

B. cooler

C. wetter

D. cloudier

38. Raising livestock, such as sheep and cattle, results in the production of large amounts of methane gas Methane has the same effect in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide As more livestock are raised to provide food for humans, what is the most likely effect of the increase in methane?

A. acid rain

B. ozone thinning

C. water pollution

D. global warming

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39. Temperature affects the development of sea-turtle eggs. Eggs that are incubated at warmer temperatures are more likely to become females. Eggs incubated at cooler temperatures are more likely to become males. How would higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations most likely affect sea turtle populations?

A. Earth’s climate would be warmer, so the percentage of female turtles would increase.

B. Earth’s climate would be cooler, so the percentage of female turtles would increase.

C. Earth’s climate would be warmer, so the percentage of female turtles would decrease.

D. Earth’s climate would be cooler, so the percentage of female turtles would decrease.

40. Weather stations built in urban areas can be influenced by the human-made structures that surround these stations. Some of these weather stations used to determine mean temperatures in the United States have had the validity of the data questioned. Which human-produced effect could these urban weather stations be measuring?

A. heat island

B. rain shadow

C. land breeze

D. cold front

41. The greenhouse effect is a process by which atmospheric gases, including help warm the atmosphere and surface of Earth. Some scientists think the greenhouse effect is increasing due to human activities. Which of these human activities has caused the greatest increase in concentrations of atmospheric

A. replanting forests

B. air pollution in cities

C. burning fossil fuels

D. increased use of nuclear energy

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42. Certain lakes in the northeastern part of the United States have had decreases in pH levels, causing the deaths of many fish. What is the most likely reason for this change in pH levels?

A. nuclear power plants

B. hydroelectric power plants

C. coal-burning factories

D. noncommercial farms

43. Scientists use ice cores to identify and explain previous climatic trends. By correlating climatic conditions recorded in the ice, with solid, nonsnow particles also found in the ice, scientists can help to predict the climatic impact of which phenomenas?

 A. atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration changes

B. radioactive decay rate changes in the outer core

C. volcanic eruptions

D. magnetic pole reversals

44. Scientists use ice cores to help predict the impact of future atmospheric changes on climate. Which property of ice cores do these scientists use?

 A. the composition of ancient materials trapped in air bubbles

B. the stable products of completely decayed radioactive isotopes

C. the chemically inactive gases that are present at very cold temperatures

D. the ratio by molecular mass of greenhouse compounds found in ancient waters

45. Which is a possible consequence of global warming?

 A. an increase in the amount of coral reefs

B. a decrease in temperature, causing earlier frosts

C. an increase in the number of heat waves, causing droughts

 D. a decrease in temperature, causing shorter growing seasons

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46. What effect would a long-term rise in the average surface temperature have on the oceans?

A. Oceans would absorb the heat and hold temperatures lower.

B. Evaporation would decrease and produce clouds blocking the Sun.

C. Polar ice would melt and result in the levels of the ocean rising.

D. More plant life would grow and help reduce the greenhouse effect.

47. The graph below shows global carbon dioxide emissions and how temperatures have varied from the mean temperature.

Which conclusion is scientifically valid and supported by the empirical evidence reported in the graph?

A. The increase in mean temperature directly resulted in an increase of carbon dioxide emissions.

B. The increase in mean temperature directly resulted in a decrease of carbon dioxide emissions.

C. The increase in carbon dioxide emissions directly resulted in an increase of mean temperature.

D. The increase in carbon dioxide emissions directly resulted in a decrease of mean temperature.

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48. A student learning about how carbon exists in various forms as it moves to different parts of the carbon cycle reads the following sentence.

Atmospheric carbon is the most important threat to the health of the biosphere.

In which way is carbon a threat to the biosphere?

A. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere serves as a carrier for diseases.

B. Carbon atoms bond with water vapor to create acidic precipitation.

C. Carbon dioxide gas can effectively trap heat in the atmosphere.

D. Carbon compounds can cause genetic damage when burned for fuel.

49. Historical data from many sources can be used to computer-model the variability of past climates and predict future climate changes. Which of these data can best be used for this type of climatic modeling?

A. the difference in gas content of mafic magma as compared to felsic magma

B. the volume of iridium found in sediments that marks the end of a geological era

C. the mean distance of separation between linked exposures of Glossopteris fossils

D. the ratio of magnesium ions that compares to calcium ions in estuarine Loxoconcha fossils

50. The average global ocean temperature in 1912 was 15.8°C, and in 2011 this temperature was 16.5°C. Corals are sensitive to the temperature of ocean water. The health of corals is a concern if the ocean temperature continues to rise. Which of these is a likely prediction based on the current trend in ocean temperature data?

A. speciation of coral reefs

B. bleaching of coral reefs

C. accelerated growth of coral reefs

D. enhanced fish predation on coral reefs