Environmental Science, 11th Edition (Cunningham)

Chapter 15: Air, Weather, and Climate

Practice Quiz

1
The layer of atmosphere immediately above the earth where weather events occur is called the
A)troposphere.
B)ionosphere.
C)stratosphere.
D)mesosphere.
2
The pattern of absorbance of solar energy by the atmosphere includes
A)heavy absorbance of visible light by carbon dioxide.
B)absorbance of infrared radiation by carbon dioxide and water vapor.
C)a remarkable uniformity in the proportion of different kinds of wavelengths absorbed by ozone.
D)all of the above.
3
Convection currents
A)move energy within the atmosphere.
B)are the main cause of evaporation of water.
C)are particularly strong ocean currents having substantial effects on coastal weather.
D)are characterized by all of the above.
4
The movement of energy from the tropics toward the pole is accomplished principally by all of the following EXCEPT
A)the movement of water vapor toward the poles.
B)ocean currents.
C)the movement of air masses toward the poles.
D)seasonal changes.
5
A monsoon is characterized by all of the following EXCEPT
A)oceans heat up at different rates than continents.
B)oceans cool at the same rates as continents.
C)prevailing wind directions seasonally reverse.
D)large bodies of water are a central ingredient.
6
Historical evidence suggests that substantive climate change
A)nearly always has occurred over several million years.
B)is very new, limited in appearance to the last few centuries.
C)can happen in as short a period as a few years or decades.
D)nearly always occurs only during pronounced movement of tectonic plates.
7
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is
A)a group of U.S. government scientists.
B)an ad hoc group of government environmentalists.
C)a United Nations working group of 2400 scientists around the world.
D)a group of European meteorologists and earth scientists.
8
The most recent major international study of anthropogenic influence on global climate concluded
A)temperature changes of less than 5 degrees Celsius would not produce discernable changes in climate.
B)the current warmup is most likely within the normal range of natural climatic fluctuations.
C)a human influence on global climate is discernable.
D)all of the above.
9
Evidence that global temperatures are increasing include
A)temperature increases at many diverse locations around the world.
B)erratic weather events occurring around the world.
C)changes in geographical distributions of a great variety of life.
D)all of the above.
10
Of the 12 hottest years ever recorded, _______ of them occurred in the last 12 years.
A)11
B)7
C)5
D)2
11
Carbon dioxide is a major factor in the global warming story since it
A)creates its own heat through a poorly understood reaction.
B)releases energy as a result of molecular decay.
C)absorbs more ultraviolet radiation than it emits
D)is present in the atmosphere in incredibly large quantity.
12
The idea of breaking down the solution to the larger problem of climate change into smaller more managable pieces or goals is known as
A)the Coriolis effect
B)wedge analysis
C)regression analysis
D)none of the above
13
Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are similar phenomena that occur in different parts of the world.
A)TRUE
B)FALSE
14
Increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide resulting from human activities appear to be producing climatic warming.
A)TRUE
B)FALSE
15
Surfaces that reflect energy have a high albedo.
A)TRUE
B)FALSE
16
Which developed nation has not signed the Kyoto Protocol?
A)France
B)Japan
C)USA
D)None of the above
17
Nitrogen is the most abundant component of the air we breathe.
A)TRUE
B)FALSE
18
The greenhouse effect refers to _____.
A)The gradual warming of the earth due to anthropogenic causes
B)a natural phenomenon that keeps the earth’s atmosphere warm
C)environmental change
D)More than one of the above are correct
19
Carbon dioxide ______.
A)Is the most important cause of climate change
B)Is released by burning fossil fuels
C)Is released by burning forests and grasslands
D)1 and 2 are correct
E)All of the above are correct
20
Organisms are currently responding to climate change by extending their range into new territories.
A)TRUE
B)FALSE
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