GE 101 - CH 4 Weather and Climate - Multiple Choice
83. According to the normal lapse rate, the difference in temperature between a location at 1000 meters at 10°C and an elevation of 3000 meters would be __________. (4.1) a) 7.0°C c) 16.0°C b) 10.5°C d) 22.0°C
a) 7.0°C
102. Rather than flowing in a straight line from the polar region to the equator, winds are deflected due to the __________. (4.2) a) Coriolis effect c) frictional effect b) Earth's topography d) gravity
a) Coriolis effect
42. Which statement about El Niño is NOT true? (4.4) a) It involves the buildup of warm water along the east coast of South America. b) The word itself is Spanish for "little child" and refers to the infant Jesus because it typically occurs near Christmastime. c) It is associated with dramatic changes to rainfall patterns in the United States. d) It is a 3-4 year cycle of change in the water temperature in the Pacific.
a) It involves the buildup of warm water along the east coast of South America.
71. Which of the following climatic phenomena is responsible for keeping northern Europe and the northwest coast of Russia warmer than it would otherwise be? (4.3) a) North Atlantic Drift c) La Nina b) El Nino d) monsoon
a) North Atlantic Drift
122. Deflected in a northeasterly direction by the shape of the North American coast, the __________ brings warm water to northern Europe. (4.3) a) North Atlantic drift c) Labrador current b) West wind drift d) North equatorial current
a) North Atlantic drift
99. Which statement about air pressure is correct? (4.2) 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.
a) The greater the differences in air pressure between places, the greater the wind.
107. Which statement is NOT true about the greenhouse effect? (4.6) a) The greenhouse effect began with the Industrial Revolution. b) Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas. c) The greenhouse effect slows down reradiation back into space. d) Deforestation adds to the greenhouse effect.
a) The greenhouse effect began with the Industrial Revolution.
108. On the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere, the sun is directly above the __________. (4.1) a) Tropic of Cancer c) Arctic Circle b) Tropic of Capricorn. d) Antarctic Circle
a) Tropic of Cancer
78. Air pressure is greater __________ (4.2) 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
a) at the earth's surface
65. What type of precipitation is caused by air being heated at the surface of the earth? (4.4) a) convectional c) orographic b) conductional d) cyclonic
a) convectional
77. The dew point is the __________. (4.4) 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
a) critical temperature required for condensation to take place
38. Warm air rises and tends to move away from the __________. (4.2) a) equatorial low-pressure belt c) northeast trades b) subtropical high-pressure belt d) westerlies
a) equatorial low-pressure belt
53. The angle of the sun's rays at a given time and date is most influenced by a location's __________. (4.1) a) latitude c) distribution of land and water b) longitude d) cloud cover
a) latitude
111. The seasonal wind that reverses direction during the year leading to dry and rainy seasons is __________. (4.2) a) monsoon c) trade b) neap d) westerlies
a) monsoon
106. What type of precipitation results in a rain shadow region of dry conditions? (4.3) a) orographic c) cyclonic b) convectional d) frontal
a) orographic
26. Energy from the sun is transformed into heat __________. (4.1) a) primarily at the earth's surface and secondarily in the atmosphere b) by way of solar radiation, or insolation c) through the collection of solar energy d) by means of the circumpolar vortex
a) primarily at the earth's surface and secondarily in the atmosphere
67. The Fujita scale is used to measure the strength of __________. (4.4) a) tornadoes c) blizzards b) hurricanes d) tsunami
a) tornadoes
47. The type of climate found within the equatorial low pressure zone and characterized by warm temperatures and regular convective rainfall throughout the year is the __________. (4.5) a) tropical rain forest c) Mediterranean b) Savanna d) marine west coast
a) tropical rain forest
35. Under average circumstances at sea level, the weight of a column of air 1 inch by 1 inch by about 6 miles into the atmosphere weighs about __________ (4.2) a) 29.92 ounces c) 3.5 degrees b) 14.7 pounds d) 23.5 kilograms
b) 14.7 pounds
33. If sea level temperature is 100°F (37°C), what is the temperature at an altitude of 10,000 feet (610m)? (Use the lapse rate.) (4.2) a) 90°F (32.2°C) c) 50°F (10.0°C) b) 65°F (18.3°C) d) 0°F (-17.8°C)
b) 65°F (18.3°C)
103. Which statement is NOT true about continental environments? (4.5) 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.
b) Continental environments are more likely to experience a more moderate range of temperatures than marine environment
80. Which of the following descriptions of air temperature from the ground up best depicts the existence of an inversion layer? (4.1) a) Cool, cooler, cold c) Warm, cool, cooler b) Cool, warm, cool d) Warm, cool, warm
b) Cool, warm, cool
100. Which statement is true about land and sea breezes? (4.2) 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.
b) During the day, cool air over the water replaces warm air over the land.
52. Which statement is NOT true of a sea breeze? (4.2) a) It is caused by differences in the heating of land and water. b) It blows from land towards the sea. c) It is a convectional circulation. d) It makes living by the seashore more comfortable in warm climates.
b) It blows from land towards the sea.
70. Which of the following statements about carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is NOT true? (4.6) a) It is the primary greenhouse gas. b) It is not naturally occurring. c) Its levels have increased due to burning coal, petroleum, and natural gas. d) Its levels have increased due to deforestation.
b) It is not naturally occurring.
116. The best known climate classification scheme, based on natural vegetation in addition to temperature and precipitation criteria, is the __________. (4.5) a) climatic categorization c) Ritter catalog b) Köppen Classification d) atmosphere taxonomy
b) Köppen Classification
84. Most of the United States lies within which belt of wind that usually moves across the country from southwest to northeast? (4.2) a) Equatorial trough of low pressure c) Northeast trades b) Mid-latitude westerlies d) Subtropical highs
b) Mid-latitude westerlies
75. Tropical climates (A) of the Köppen system do NOT include __________. (4.5) a) Tropical rain forest c) Savanna b) Monsoon d) Hot Deserts
b) Monsoon
46. The boundary between two different air masses is called __________. (4.4) a) the southern oscillation c) the windward side b) a front d) a pressure gradient
b) a front
86. The two most fundamental factors concerning solar insolation are __________. (4.1) 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
b) angle of the sun's rays and number of daylight hours
60. In the Northern Hemisphere, the trade winds blow __________. (4.2) a) from the southeast b) between the subtropical high and equatorial low c) from low to high pressure regions d) from a general westerly direction
b) between the subtropical high and equatorial low
124. The chart used to show average monthly temperatures and precipitation for a particular weather station is known as a(n) __________. (4.5) a) atmosketch c) enviroplan b) climagraph d) weather map
b) climagraph
120. The circulatory motion of descending cool air and ascending warm air is known as __________. (4.2) a) pressure c) friction b) convection d) drifting
b) convection
72. Typical summer storms or showers in tropical and continental climates are a type of ___________ precipitation. (4.4) a) orographic c) cyclonic b) convectional d) frontal
b) convectional
66. Rainfall is caused by __________. (4.4) a) increasing air temperature c) decreasing relative humidity b) cooling of saturated air d) location along a rain shadow
b) cooling of saturated air
43. The particles around which condensation nuclei are formed are __________. (4.2) a) dust, water crystals, and salt crystals c) water crystals, salt crystals, and ozone b) dust, pollen, and smoke d) ozone, oxygen, and radon
b) dust, pollen, and smoke
85. Surface ocean currents are set in motion by __________. (4.3) a) density of the water c) topography of the ocean bottom b) global wind direction patterns d) depth of the ocean
b) global wind direction patterns
110. High pressure air masses are __________. (4.2) a) heavy and warm c) light and warm b) heavy and cold d) light and cold
b) heavy and cold
58. A pressure gradient force causes winds to flow from __________. (4.2) a) low pressure areas to high pressure areas b) high pressure areas to low pressure areas c) areas having equal pressure d) areas lacking pressure differences
b) high pressure areas to low pressure areas
88. In order to equalize air pressure imbalances, air moves from __________. (4.2) a) high pressure to high pressure c) low pressure to low pressure b) high pressure to low pressure d) low pressure to high pressure
b) high pressure to low pressure
96. Of the following responses, solar energy is most effectively stored in __________. (4.1) a) large continental land masses c) mountainous regions b) large bodies of water d) desert climates
b) large bodies of water
91. Mountain breezes usually occur during the _____ and valley breezes usually occur during the _____. (4.2) a) night; night c) day; night b) night; day d) day; day
b) night; day
45. The type of precipitation that is associated with hills and mountains is called __________. (4.4) a) convectional c) frontal b) orographic d) cyclonic
b) orographic
24. The three most important elements that make up weather are __________. (4.1) a) temperature, precipitation, and vegetation c) temperature, wind, and solar energy b) precipitation, wind, and temperature d) climate, moisture, and solar energy
b) precipitation, wind, and temperature
36. If distances between high-and low-pressure zones are short, __________ are steep and __________ are great. (4.2) a) slopes; wind velocities c) lapse rates; convectional flows b) pressure gradients; wind velocities d) slopes; mountain and valley breezes
b) pressure gradients; wind velocities
55. The earth's atmosphere is heated primarily by the process of __________. (4.1) a) direct solar radiation c) absorption from the earth b) reradiation from the earth d) latent heat of condensation
b) reradiation from the earth
48. The type of climate that is characterized by warm temperatures throughout the year, rainy summers and dry winters is the __________. (4.5) a) tropical rain forest c) Mediterranean b) savanna d) marine west coast
b) savanna
94. The vegetation native to Mediterranean climates is characterized by __________. (4.5) a) deciduous trees such as maple, elm, and sycamore b) shrubs and small deciduous trees like the scrub oak c) cacti d) tundra
b) shrubs and small deciduous trees like the scrub oak
117. On a climagraph, a u-shaped temperature line (one that dips in the middle) indicates that the location of the climagraph station is __________. (4.5) a) north of the equator c) east of the prime meridian b) south of the equator d) west of the prime meridian
b) south of the equator
112. Air that contains so much water vapor that the vapor condenses (changes from a gas to a liquid) is said to be __________. (4.4) a) fluvial c) waterlogged b) supersaturated d) humidified
b) supersaturated
27. The amount of incoming solar radiation available at various places on the earth depends mainly on __________. (4.1) a) longitude b) the angle at which the sun's rays strike the earth and the number of daylight hours c) the earth's rotation d) the absorbance of the earth surface material
b) the angle at which the sun's rays strike the earth and the number of daylight hours
30. When neither the Northern nor the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, the noon sun's vertical rays are felt at __________. (4.1) a) 23.5° north and south latitude c) 67.5° north and south latitude b) the equator d) the summer solstice
b) the equator
51. The name given to the nearly treeless zone to the north of the forested subarctic region of the Northern Hemisphere is __________. (4.5) a) humid continental climate c) the savanna b) the tundra d) the steppe
b) the tundra
25. The layer of the earth's atmosphere that contains virtually all air, clouds, and precipitation is called the __________. (4.1) a) asthenosphere c) solstice b) troposphere d) equinox
b) troposphere
87. On June 21, the sun is vertically overhead at __________. (4.1) a) the equator c) 23.5° North b) the poles d) 23.5° South
c) 23.5° North
89. Which continent does not have a humid continental climate region? (4.5) a) North America c) Australia b) Europe d) Asia
c) Australia
32. Which statement is most accurate regarding temperatures at a given latitude in marine environments versus continental environments? (4.5) a) Compared to marine environments, continental environments are warmer in both winter and summer. b) Compared to continental environments, marine environments are warmer in both winter and summer. c) Compared to marine environments, continental environments are colder in winter and warmer in summer. d) Compared to marine environments, continental environments are warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
c) Compared to marine environments, continental environments are colder in winter and warmer in summer.
104. Which of the following is not considered a natural factor in short-term climatic change? (4.6) a) Volcanic eruptions c) Earth's orbital shape b) Sunspot activity d) Oceanic circulation
c) Earth's orbital shape
123. Which of the following is NOT one of the three types of precipitation that may take place when large masses of air rise? (4.4) a) Convectional c) Köppen b) Orographic d) Cyclonic/frontal
c) Köppen
74. Spring and autumn equinoxes occur on approximately __________, respectively. (4.1) a) April 31 and June 21 c) March 21 and September 21 b) June 21 and December 21 d) April 21 and June 21
c) March 21 and September 21
98. Which statement is NOT true about global warming? (4.6) a) The 20th century was the warmest century since the medieval warm period of 800-1,200 A.D. b) The rate of glacial melt has accelerated in the past few decades. 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.
c) Scientists now have the tools to predict the local and regional consequences of global warming.
119. Which of the following has NOT been suggested by scientists as an explanation of long-term climatic change? (4.6) a) The changing shape of the earth's orbit around the sun b) The varying tilt of the earth's axis relative to the sun c) The changing direction of the earth in its revolution around the sun d) The gyration of the earth's rotation axis
c) The changing direction of the earth in its revolution around the sun
34. A temperature inversion occurs when __________. (4.1) a) there is a sudden drop in temperature b) the normal diurnal cycle of cool mornings and warm afternoons is reversed c) air at lower altitudes is cooler than air aloft d) smog increases to dangerous levels
c) air at lower altitudes is cooler than air aloft
97. Coastal deserts are usually the result of __________. (4.3) a) warm ocean currents c) cold ocean currents b) orographic precipitation d) subtropical high pressure
c) cold ocean currents
113. The anvil-head cloud that often accompanies heavy rain is what type of cloud? (4.4) a) altostratus c) cumulonimbus b) cirrocumulus d) nimbostratus
c) cumulonimbus
62. Waves in the jet streams correspond to changes in the __________. (4.2) a) vertical rays of the sun b) ocean tides in the mid-latitudes c) flow of warm and cold air masses into the mid-latitudes d) pull of gravity, causing earthquakes
c) flow of warm and cold air masses into the mid-latitudes
69. What type of climate is characterized by hot summers, mild or moderate winters, and plentiful rainfall distributed throughout the year? (4.5) a) marine west coast c) humid subtropical b) Mediterranean d) humid continental
c) humid subtropical
37. The Coriolis effect means that wind appears to deflect toward the __________. (4.2) a) right in the Southern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Northern Hemisphere b) right in both Southern and Northern Hemispheres c) left in the Southern Hemisphere and toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere d) left in the Southern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Northern Hemisphere
c) left in the Southern Hemisphere and toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere
68. Hurricanes are classified into categories based on all of the following EXCEPT __________. (4.4) a) barometric pressure c) lifespan b) wind speed d) potential damage
c) lifespan
40. The world's major ocean currents are set into motion by __________. (4.3) a) condensation nuclei c) major wind patterns b) differences in water density d) hurricanes
c) major wind patterns
59. Orographic precipitation occurs __________. (4.4) a) mostly in the tropical rainforest climate zone b) mostly in cumulonimbus clouds c) on the coastal, windward slopes of mountain ranges d) on the interior, leeward slopes of mountain ranges
c) on the coastal, windward slopes of mountain ranges
114. The percentage measure of the moisture content of the air compared to saturation is expressed by the __________. (4.4) a) pH balance c) relative humidity b) proportional dew point d) atmosphere taxonomy
c) relative humidity
54. The seasons are the result of the earth's __________. (4.1) a) rotation on its axis and its revolution around the sun b) varying distance from the sun c) revolution around the sun and the inclination of its axis d) varying distance from the planets of the solar system
c) revolution around the sun and the inclination of its axis
73. Which is NOT a likely consequence of global warming? (4.6) a) rising sea levels c) shorter growing seasons b) melting glaciers d) changes in precipitation patterns
c) shorter growing seasons
105. The lowest layer of the earth's atmosphere, which contains virtually all of the air, clouds, and precipitation of the earth is the __________. (4.1) a) mesosphere c) troposphere b) stratosphere d) exosphere
c) troposphere
29. The earth's axis is tilted about __________ away from the perpendicular. (4.1) a) 67.5° c) 7.5° b) 45° d) 23.5°
d) 23.5°
109. On December 21, when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn, the sun never sets at latitudes south of the __________. (4.1) a) Tropic of Cancer c) Arctic Circle b) Tropic of Capricorn d) Antarctic Circle
d) Antarctic Circle
81. Which of the following statements concerning a cyclonic storm is not correct? (4.2) 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.
d) In the Northern Hemisphere the winds move in a clockwise direction around the area of low pressure.
76. Which of the following are NOT air mass source regions? (4.4) a) Continental polar and continental tropic b) Maritime polar and marine west coast c) Continental tropical and maritime tropical d) Maritime polar and maritime tropical
d) Maritime polar and maritime tropical
92. Wind movements in the Northern Hemisphere tend to be deflected in what direction? (4.2) a) North c) Left b) South d) Right
d) Right
63. Monsoon circulations occur most noticeably in __________. (4.5) a) the Mediterranean Sea lands of southern Europe and northwestern Africa b) Canada and Russia c) the Amazon Valley in South America and Congo Basin in Africa d) South and Southeast Asia
d) South and Southeast Asia
41. Which statement is NOT true of the world's hot deserts? (4.4) a) They have desert shrub vegetation. b) They are located along the subtropical high pressure belt. c) They are located on the pole ward side of savannas. d) They are dry primarily because of the rain shadow effect.
d) They are dry primarily because of the rain shadow effect.
101. In what region of the world are tropical cyclones called typhoons? (4.4) a) Caribbean Sea c) Indian Ocean b) Atlantic Ocean d) Western Pacific Ocean
d) Western Pacific Ocean
50. Characteristic features of the marine west coast climate are __________. (4.5) a) cool year round temperatures, wet summers, and dry winters b) wet year round, warm summers, and cold winters c) wet year round, cool summers, and cool winters d) cool year round, dry summers, and wet winters
d) cool year round, dry summers, and wet winters
64. The circulation of winds in the Northern Hemisphere is __________. (4.2) a) clockwise around lows and highs b) counterclockwise around lows and highs c) clockwise around lows, counterclockwise around highs d) counterclockwise around lows, clockwise around highs
d) counterclockwise around lows, clockwise around highs
44. The type of cloud from which heavy rain falls is a __________. (4.4) a) cirrus c) stratus b) cirrostratus d) cumulonimbus
d) cumulonimbus
49. Characteristic vegetation of the steppe climate is __________. (4.5) a) tundra c) coniferous forest b) deciduous forest d) grass and desert shrubs
d) grass and desert shrubs
31. Proceeding from the equator toward the North Pole in the Northern Hemisphere summer, the __________. (4.1) a) hours of darkness increase c) hours of daylight become fewer b) the number of hours in a day increases d) hours of daylight become greater
d) hours of daylight become greater
28. The pattern of average July temperatures at a particular location is influenced most strongly by __________. (4.5) a) latitude alone c) presence of water or land b) patterns of cloud cover d) latitude and presence of water and land
d) latitude and presence of water and land
56. Geographically, a hurricane is most likely to develop __________. (4.4) a) along an air mass boundary c) in a cool, wet air mass b) in a hot, dry air mass d) over warm ocean waters
d) over warm ocean waters
79. What term refers to energy being absorbed by the earth then returned to the atmosphere? (4.1) a) reflection c) insolation b) temperature inversion d) reradiation
d) reradiation
61. The planetary wind and pressure belts __________. (4.2) a) keep their same position throughout the year b) shift northward during our winter and southward during summer c) shift eastward during our winter and westward during summer d) shift southward during our winter and northward during summer
d) shift southward during our winter and northward during summer
57. A temperature inversion is of concern in Los Angeles because __________. (4.1) a) it causes a sudden drop in temperature b) the normal diurnal cycle of cool mornings and warm afternoons is reversed c) it leads to record breaking high temperatures and wildfires d) smog can increase to dangerous levels in the stagnant air
d) smog can increase to dangerous levels in the stagnant air
93. The two most important elements that differentiate weather conditions are __________. (4.5) a) air pressure and precipitation c) precipitation and seasonal changes b) air pressure and temperature d) temperature and precipitation
d) temperature and precipitation
95. On a clear, cloudless night the reradiation process causes __________. (4.1) a) rainfall, and perhaps a severe thunderstorm b) the earth to store more energy c) humidity to increase d) temperatures to decrease
d) temperatures to decrease
39. Which of the following move(s) in the Northern Hemisphere in a west-to-east direction around the earth in an undulating pattern? (4.2) a) the westerlies c) El Niño b) the Coriolis effect d) the jet stream
d) the jet stream
115. The smallest and most violent of all storms is the __________. (4.4) a) blizzard c) cyclone b) typhoon d) tornado
d) tornado
121. The transition zone between the troposphere and the stratosphere which marks the level at which temperature ceases to fall with altitude is known as the __________. (4.1) a) mesosphere c) thermopause b) exosphere d) tropopause
d) tropopause
118. What term is used to describe the northern boundary zone beyond the treed subarctic regions? (4.5) a) savanna c) semidesert b) steppe d) tundra
d) tundra
82. Jet streams are __________. (4.2) 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
d) upper air wind systems of rapidly moving air
90. When the distance between areas of high and low pressure are short, then __________. (4.2) a) orographic precipitation occurs c) temperature inversions occur b) solar radiation receipt is diminished d) wind velocities are great
d) wind velocities are great
