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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 |
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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 |
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3 | |
The average annual range in temperature is lowest: |
| | A) | at the equator |
| | B) | at the south pole |
| | C) | over the mid-latitude deserts |
| | D) | over the northern hemisphere continents |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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10 | |
Which of the following soil horizons is also known as topsoil? |
| | A) | O horizon |
| | B) | A horizon |
| | C) | E horizon |
| | D) | R horizon |
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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 |
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12 | |
On June 21, the sun is vertically overhead at: |
| | A) | the equator |
| | B) | the poles |
| | C) | 23.5° North |
| | D) | 23.5° South |
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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 |
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14 | |
Which continent does not have a humid continental climatic region? |
| | A) | North America |
| | B) | Europe |
| | C) | Australia |
| | D) | Asia |
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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 |
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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 |
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17 | |
Mountain and valley breezes are caused by: |
| | A) | forest fires |
| | B) | differential heating and cooling |
| | C) | high temperatures ranges |
| | D) | temperature inversions |
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18 | |
Wind movements in the Northern Hemisphere tend to be deflected in what direction? |
| | A) | north |
| | B) | south |
| | C) | left |
| | D) | right |
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19 | |
Climates are differentiated by variation in: |
| | A) | air pressure and precipitation |
| | B) | air pressure and temperature |
| | C) | precipitation and seasonal changes |
| | D) | temperature and precipitation |
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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 |
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21 | |
In plant succession, the first species to occupy an area is called |
| | A) | climax community |
| | B) | undergrowth |
| | C) | pioneer community |
| | D) | old growth |
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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 continually increase |
| | D) | temperatures to continually decrease |
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23 | |
Solar energy is most efficiently stored in: |
| | A) | large continental land masses |
| | B) | mountainous regions |
| | C) | large water bodies |
| | D) | tropical rainforest climates |
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24 | |
Savanna vegetation occurs when: |
| | A) | tropical rainfall is seasonal |
| | B) | soils are leaching high amounts of nutrients |
| | C) | rainfall is heavy |
| | D) | solar insolation is at its maximum |
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25 | |
One possible effect of global warming would be: |
| | A) | an increase in the amount of fresh water throughout the earth |
| | B) | coastal wetlands would be submerged |
| | C) | an increase in volcanic activity |
| | D) | the continental interiors at midlatitudes would receive greater precipitation |
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26 | |
Tropical rain forests are classified as a B climate. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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27 | |
The Tropic of Cancer is in the Northern Hemisphere. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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28 | |
Blizzards are a form of orographic precipitation. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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29 | |
The earth absorbs about 50% of incoming solar insolation. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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30 | |
Because of the Coriolis effect, winds veer to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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31 | |
The 20th century was the warmest century for the past 600 years. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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32 | |
A convectional wind system occurs when cold air descends from the atmosphere due to the scattering of solar insolation. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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33 | |
Leeward sides of mountains often see a rain shadow effect. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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34 | |
Hurricanes are classified on a scale from one to ten. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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35 | |
The correct order, from the surface down, of soil layers, is O, A, E, B, C, R. |
| | A) | True. |
| | B) | False. |
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