Multiple Choice
Identify the
choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
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1.
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Climate in a region is
a. | the long-term, prevailing atmospheric conditions. | b. | determined only by
seasonal daylight hours. | c. | the atmospheric conditions on a given
day. | d. | never affected by ocean currents. |
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2.
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Rain frequently results whenever
a. | cold, moist air rises. | c. | warm, dry air sinks. | b. | warm, moist air rises. | d. | cold, dry air
sinks. |
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3.
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Which of the following correctly states an observation that helps to explain
circulation patterns in the atmosphere?
a. | Cold air rises and warms as it rises. | b. | Warm air rises and cools as it
rises. | c. | Cold air can hold more water vapor than warm air. | d. | All of the
above |
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4.
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Which of the following locations would you expect to have a climate with mild
temperatures and frequent rain?
a. | an inland region near the equator | c. | a coastal region at about 30° latitude | b. | an inland region at about 30° latitude | d. | a coastal region at about 90°
latitude |
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5.
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Which of the following best describes measurements of CO2 levels in
the atmosphere since 1958?
a. | Levels of CO2 were steady until the mid-1970s, when they began to increase
rapidly. | b. | Measurements of CO2 have shown a steady increase since accurate
measurements began. | c. | CO2 levels are higher in winter and
lower in summer, but the winter “highs” have increased each year and the summer
“lows” have not fallen as far. | d. | CO2 levels are higher in winter and
lower in summer, but the winter “highs” are higher each year and the summer
“lows” are lower each year. |
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6.
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Which of the following best describes the effect of a mountain range on the
climate of a region?
a. | The coastal side of the range usually has high levels of rain. | b. | A desert is often
found on the inland side of the range. | c. | Average temperatures are lower at high
elevations than at the base of the mountains. | d. | All of the
above |
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7.
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Latitude strongly influences climate because _____ solar energy falls on areas
that are closer to the equator than to the poles.
a. | less | c. | more | b. | the same amount of | d. | sometimes less |
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8.
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The thinning of the ozone layer
a. | occurs over both polar regions. | c. | will take many years to
reverse. | b. | is related to seasonal changes. | d. | All of the
above |
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9.
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How long will it take for chlorofluorocarbons released from Earth’s
surface today to reach the stratosphere?
a. | about six months | c. | three to five years | b. | one to two years | d. | 10 to 20 years |
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10.
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An important property of air circulation is
a. | warm air is denser than cold air. | b. | cold air and warm air have the same
density. | c. | cold air is denser than warm air. | d. | air has no
mass. |
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11.
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Which of the following gases is most responsible for the greenhouse
effect?
a. | nitrous oxide | c. | oxygen | b. | methane | d. | water vapor |
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12.
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A true statement concerning the physical properties of air is that
a. | warm air sinks toward Earth’s surface. | b. | warm air can hold
more water vapor than an equal amount of cold air. | c. | as air warms, the water vapor it holds
condenses. | d. | cold air rises in the atmosphere. |
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13.
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Which of the following does not address how oceans affect climatic
conditions on land?
a. | Water cools Earth because it reflects the most sunlight. | b. | Oceans are the
source of most water that falls as precipitation. | c. | Coastal areas have more moderate climates than
inland areas. | d. | Ocean currents redistribute warm and cold masses of
water. |
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14.
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Which of the following would occur if Earth were not tilted relative to
the plane of its orbit?
a. | Temperatures at the equator would become too hot to sustain life. | b. | Temperate regions
would no longer have seasonal changes in climate. | c. | All parts of Earth would receive sunlight of
equal concentration. | d. | Polar ice caps would melt due to a rapid
increase in global warming. |
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15.
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A true statement about greenhouse gases is that they
a. | convert sunlight into energy in the form of heat that warms
Earth. | b. | are concentrated in the stratosphere. | c. | reradiate infrared radiation back to
Earth. | d. | are not affected by human activity. |
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16.
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Which of the following statements related to global warming is not
accurate?
a. | Carbon dioxide levels have risen over the last 30 years. | b. | Only fossil fuels,
not living plants, release carbon dioxide when burned. | c. | Global temperature and carbon dioxide
concentration are related. | d. | By itself, reforestation is not sufficient to
slow global warming. |
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17.
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The difference between global warming and climate changes is that
a. | climate change only occurs along the equator. | b. | previous changes in
climate were dramatic but very short-lived. | c. | human-made chemicals such as CFCs do not
influence global warming. | d. | global warming is a consequence of climate
changes. |
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18.
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Chlorofluorocarbon molecules are environmentally significant because
a. | their chlorine atoms can destroy many stratospheric ozone
molecules. | b. | they are poisonous, flammable, and corrosive to metals. | c. | their absorption of
lethal solar energy protects Earth. | d. | they readily break down ozone molecules
produced as pollution. |
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19.
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Ultraviolet radiation is particularly dangerous because
a. | it can damage genetic material in cells. | b. | little has been done
to save the ozone layer. | c. | it always leads to the rapid death of
organisms. | d. | All of the above |
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20.
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Ozone holes appear in polar regions during springtime when
ozone-depleting
a. | chlorine atoms are released from polar stratospheric clouds. | b. | chlorine atoms are
captured by polar stratospheric clouds. | c. | CFCs are synthesized on polar stratospheric
clouds. | d. | CFCs magnify ultraviolet light. |
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21.
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La Niña is the _____ phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation
(ENSO) cycle.
a. | warm | c. | neutral | b. | cold | d. | mixing |
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22.
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The average global temperature has _____ during the 20th century.
a. | remained the same | b. | increased every year | c. | risen some years and
fallen others, but has increased overall | d. | risen some years and fallen others, but has
decreased overall |
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23.
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Which of the following would not be a consequence of a rise in global
temperature?
a. | rising sea level | b. | increased polar ice mass | c. | increased frequency
of major storms | d. | increased frequency of major droughts |
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24.
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During summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the Northern Hemisphere
experiences
a. | a tilt toward the sun. | c. | summer. | b. | winter. | d. | excess
rainfall. |
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25.
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As the amount of ozone in the stratosphere decreases,
a. | more ultraviolet light is able to reach Earth’s surface. | b. | less solar energy is
able to reach Earth’s surface. | c. | the amount of methane in the atmosphere
increases. | d. | the amount of phytoplankton in the ocean increases. |
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