 |
| 1 | |
The dew point is the: |
| | A) | critical temperature required for condensation to take place |
| | B) | development of cirrus clouds during the winter season |
| | C) | elevation of the earth's surface when the lapse rate reaches 0°C |
| | D) | relative humidity in mid-latitude climates |
|
|
|
| 2 | |
Air pressure is greater: |
| | A) | at the earth's surface |
| | B) | in the upper atmosphere |
| | C) | when a column of mercury can be balanced at a height of 76 centimeters |
| | D) | when the air is warmer |
|
|
|
| 3 | |
What term refers to energy being absorbed by the earth then returned to the atmosphere? |
| | A) | reflection |
| | B) | temperature inversion |
| | C) | insolation |
| | D) | reradiation |
|
|
|
| 4 | |
Which of the following descriptions of air temperature from the ground up best depicts the existence of an inversion layer? |
| | A) | cool, cooler, cold |
| | B) | cool, warm, cool |
| | C) | warm, cool, cooler |
| | D) | warm, cool, warm |
|
|
|
| 5 | |
Which of the following statements concerning a cyclonic storm is not correct? |
| | A) | It can be of either weak or strong intensity. |
| | B) | It is a large system of air circulation centered on a region of low atmospheric pressure. |
| | C) | The probability of cyclonic storms increases with increases in contrast of temperature and humidity between two air masses. |
| | D) | In the Northern Hemisphere the winds move in a clockwise direction around the area of low pressure. |
|
|
|
| 6 | |
Jet streams are: |
| | A) | cold surface ocean currents |
| | B) | more pronounced in the summer than in the winter |
| | C) | responsible for the North Atlantic Drift |
| | D) | upper air wind systems of rapidly moving air |
|
|
|
| 7 | |
According to the normal lapse rate, the difference in temperature between a location at 500 meters at 10°C and an elevation of 3000 meters would be: |
| | A) | 7.0°C |
| | B) | 10.5°C |
| | C) | 16.0°C |
| | D) | 22.0°C |
|
|
|
| 8 | |
Most of the world's wettest areas are associated with the: |
| | A) | equatorial trough of low pressure |
| | B) | mid-latitude westerlies |
| | C) | polar easterlies |
| | D) | subtropical highs |
|
|
|
| 9 | |
Surface ocean currents are set in motion by: |
| | A) | density of the water |
| | B) | global wind direction patterns |
| | C) | topography of the ocean bottom |
| | D) | depth of the ocean |
|
|
|
| 10 | |
Which of the following soil horizons is also known as topsoil? |
| | A) | O horizon |
| | B) | A horizon |
| | C) | E horizon |
| | D) | R horizon |
|
|
|
| 11 | |
The two most fundamental factors concerning solar insolation are: |
| | A) | angle of the sun's rays and degree of cloud cover |
| | B) | angle of the sun's rays and number of daylight hours |
| | C) | elevation above sea level and number of daylight hours |
| | D) | elevation above sea level and degree of cloud cover |
|
|
|
| 12 | |
On June 21, the sun is vertically overhead at: |
| | A) | the equator |
| | B) | the poles |
| | C) | 23.5° North |
| | D) | 23.5° South |
|
|
|
| 13 | |
In order to equalize air pressure imbalances, air moves from: |
| | A) | high pressure to high pressure |
| | B) | high pressure to low pressure |
| | C) | low pressure to low pressure |
| | D) | low pressure to high pressure |
|
|
|
| 14 | |
Which continent does not have a humid continental climate region? |
| | A) | North America |
| | B) | Europe |
| | C) | Australia |
| | D) | Asia |
|
|
|
| 15 | |
The wind system which most strongly affects the climate of that portion of the earth's surface between the equator and 23.5° North latitude is the: |
| | A) | northeast trades |
| | B) | polar easterlies |
| | C) | prevailing westerlies |
| | D) | southeast trades |
|
|
|
| 16 | |
When the distance between areas of high and low pressure are short, then: |
| | A) | orographic precipitation occurs |
| | B) | solar radiation receipt is diminished |
| | C) | temperature inversions occur |
| | D) | wind velocities are great |
|
|
|
| 17 | |
Mountain and valley breezes are caused by: |
| | A) | forest fires |
| | B) | differential heating and cooling |
| | C) | high temperatures ranges |
| | D) | temperature inversions |
|
|
|
| 18 | |
Wind movements in the Northern Hemisphere tend to be deflected in what direction? |
| | A) | north |
| | B) | south |
| | C) | left |
| | D) | right |
|
|
|
| 19 | |
The two most important elements that differentiate weather conditions are: |
| | A) | air pressure and precipitation |
| | B) | air pressure and temperature |
| | C) | precipitation and seasonal changes |
| | D) | temperature and precipitation |
|
|
|
| 20 | |
The vegetation native to Mediterranean climates is characterized by: |
| | A) | deciduous trees such as maple, elm, and sycamore |
| | B) | shrubs and small deciduous trees like the scrub oak |
| | C) | cacti |
| | D) | tundra |
|
|
|
| 21 | |
In plant succession, the first species to occupy an area is called the: |
| | A) | climax community |
| | B) | undergrowth |
| | C) | pioneer community |
| | D) | old growth |
|
|
|
| 22 | |
On a clear, cloudless night the reradiation process causes: |
| | A) | rainfall, and perhaps a severe thunderstorm |
| | B) | the earth to store more energy |
| | C) | humidity to increase |
| | D) | temperatures to decrease |
|
|
|
| 23 | |
Solar energy is more effectively stored in: |
| | A) | large continental land masses |
| | B) | large bodies of water |
| | C) | mountainous regions |
| | D) | desert climates |
|
|
|
| 24 | |
Coastal deserts are usually the result of: |
| | A) | warm ocean currents |
| | B) | orographic precipitation |
| | C) | cold ocean currents |
| | D) | subtropical high pressure |
|
|
|
| 25 | |
Which statement is not true about global warming? |
| | A) | The 20th century was the warmest century of the past 600 years. |
| | B) | Glaciers on every continent are retreating at an accelerated rate. |
| | C) | Scientists now have the tools to predict the local and regional consequences of global warming. |
| | D) | Global warming will alter temperature and precipitation patterns. |
|
|
|
| 26 | |
Which statement about air pressure is correct? |
| | A) | The greater the differences in air pressure between places, the greater the wind. |
| | B) | Air pressure is lowest closer to the earth's surface. |
| | C) | High temperatures are associated with high air pressure. |
| | D) | If distances between high- and low-pressure zones are short, wind velocities diminish. |
|
|
|
| 27 | |
Which statement is true about land and sea breezes? |
| | A) | During the day, warm air over the land replaces cooler air over the sea. |
| | B) | During the day, cool air over the water replaces warm air over the land. |
| | C) | During the night, cool air over the water replaces warm air over the land. |
| | D) | During the night, warm air over the land replaces cool air over the water. |
|
|
|
| 28 | |
In what region of the world are tropical cyclones called typhoons? |
| | A) | Caribbean Sea |
| | B) | Atlantic Ocean |
| | C) | Indian Ocean |
| | D) | western Pacific Ocean |
|
|
|
| 29 | |
Rather than flowing in a straight line from the polar region to the equator, winds are deflected due to the: |
| | A) | Coriolis effect |
| | B) | earth's topography |
| | C) | frictional effect |
| | D) | gravity |
|
|
|
| 30 | |
Which statement is not true about continental environments? |
| | A) | Continental environments are areas not affected by nearby water. |
| | B) | Continental environments are more likely to experience a more moderate range of temperatures than marine environments. |
| | C) | Continental environments are more likely to have warmer summers than marine environments. |
| | D) | Continental environments are a result of land heating and cooling more rapidly than water. |
|
|
|
| 31 | |
Which of the following is not considered a natural factor in short-term climatic change? |
| | A) | volcanic eruptions |
| | B) | sunspot activity |
| | C) | earth's orbital shape |
| | D) | oceanic circulation |
|
|
|
| 32 | |
Most of our weather occurs: |
| | A) | in the upper atmosphere |
| | B) | in the stratosphere |
| | C) | in the troposphere |
| | D) | one mile (1.6 km) above the earth's surface |
|
|
|
| 33 | |
What type of precipitation results in a rainshadow region of dry conditions? |
| | A) | orographic |
| | B) | convectional |
| | C) | cyclonic |
| | D) | frontal |
|
|
|
| 34 | |
Which statement is not true about the greenhouse effect? |
| | A) | The greenhouse effect began with the Industrial Revolution. |
| | B) | Carbon dioxoide is the primary greenhouse gas. |
| | C) | The greenhouse effect slows down reradiation back into space. |
| | D) | Deforestation adds to the greenhouse effect. |
|
|
|
| 35 | |
The correct order of soil layers from the surface downward is: |
| | A) | R, C, B, O, A, E |
| | B) | O, A, E, B, C, R |
| | C) | O, B, A, E, R, C |
| | D) | R, A, E, B, C, O |
|
|
.