Reading Assessment: Chapter 12

What is important about amounts of carbon-14 in living samples? A.It is a greenhouse gas. B.It is a direct indicator of amounts of carbon-12. C.It can indicate sunspot activity. D.It gives a direct measure of paleo-ocean temperature. E.It is an indicator of sea level rise.

C.It can indicate sunspot activity.

Which of the following is NOT a Paleo-proxy data source? A.Tree rings B.Ice core samples C.Magma samples D.Pollen samples E.Carbon-14 data

C.Magma samples

Most of the Earth's atmosphere is comprised of oxygen.

False

Most of the increase in global temperatures over the past century or so can be attributed to natural changes in the Earth's tilt, orbit and wobble.

False

Most scientists think that it is too late to stop global warming and that we should just deal with the effects as they come.

False

No one really knows how the concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide have changed in the distant past, because we have only been directly measuring it since 1955

False

Once glaciers retreat and melt away, they can never come back.

False

Shrinking of the ice caps is not really a problem for people, just for arctic animals.

False

The depletion of the ozone layer is caused by the greenhouse effect.

False

The greenhouse effect is the cause of global warming and must be stopped completely.

False

The warming we see now and have seen in the past can be explained by changes in solar energy.

False

There is much disagreement among scientists about whether or not the Earth is warming.

False

The greenhouse effect is completely natural and necessary for human life to exist on Earth.

True

What two factors are often used for basic classification of global climate zones? A.Average monthly temperature and precipitation B.Average monthly temperature and latitude C.Average rainfall and atmospheric pressure D.atmospheric pressure and average monthly temperature E.Average cloud cover and proximity to ocean

A.Average monthly temperature and precipitation

Which gas accounts for the majority (more than half) of the anthropogenic greenhouse effect? A.Carbon dioxide B.Oxygen C.Methane D.Water vapor E.Chlorofluorocarbons

A.Carbon dioxide

Which of the following statements about climate change is FALSE? A.Climatologists now have complete historical temperature data for the past 100,000 years of the Earth's history. B.Emerging temperature data indicate that warming in the past few decades exceeds that of the past 400 years. C.There have been numerous times over the past million years when it was warmer than it is today. D.Glaciers made a minor advance around 1400 A.D. during a cold period known as the Little Ice Age.

A.Climatologists now have complete historical temperature data for the past 100,000 years of the Earth's history.

What best describes how carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere have changed in the last 500 years? A.Concentrations were mostly steady until ~1850 when they began to increase. B.Concentrations increased until ~1850 when they began to decrease. C.Concentrations decreased until ~1850 when they began to increase. D.Concentrations varied wildly until ~1850 when they became more constant. E.Concentrations have remained constant throughout history.

A.Concentrations were mostly steady until ~1850 when they began to increase.

How is the Earth's climate changing? A.It is warming probably due to increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. B.It is warming probably due to increased volcanic activity. C.It is cooling probably due to human interaction. D.It is cooling probably due to increased volcanic activity. E.Scientists have not come to a consensus on what the Earth's climate is doing.

A.It is warming probably due to increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

What is the difference between a variable and permanent gas? A.Variable gases have less effect on weather and climate than permanent gases. B.Abundance of variable gases in the atmosphere change and abundance of permanent gases do not. C.Variable gases comprise more of the atmosphere than permanent gases. D.Variable gases are heavier than permanent gases. E.Permanent gases are at a higher temperature than variable gases.

B.Abundance of variable gases in the atmosphere change and abundance of permanent gases do not.

What is the difference between a glacial and interglacial period? A.Glacial periods are longer than interglacial periods. B.Glacial periods are colder than interglacial periods. C.Glacial periods are shorter than interglacial periods. D.Glacial periods are more recent than interglacial periods. E.Glacial periods are more frequent than interglacial periods.

B.Glacial periods are colder than interglacial periods.

Your great-great grandmother may have written on her wedding photos about the weather on the day of her wedding. What type of data would this be? A.Instrumental record B.Historical record C.Paleo-proxy record D.Paleontological record

B.Historical record

Which of the following is NOT expected to be caused by global warming? A.Rising sea level B.Increased earthquake activity C.Shrinking permafrost D.Shifts in the range of plants and animals E.Desertification

B.Increased earthquake activity

Which of the following is NOT a source of data used to understand climate? A.Direct measurements of temperature in the ocean B.Liquefaction zones from earthquakes stored in the geologic record C.Historical records D.Pollen E.Tree ring data F.Ice core samples

B.Liquefaction zones from earthquakes stored in the geologic record

What is the cryosphere? A.The Earth's water B.The Earth's ice and snow C.The Earth's animal and plant species D.The Earth's crust E.The Earth's blanket of gases

B.The Earth's ice and snow

Which of the following is NOT a way in which hazards are related to climate? A.Flooding is related to amount and timing of rainfall. B.Volcanic eruptions are related to warmer climates. C.Wildfires are linked to drier climates. D.Landslides are linked to wet climates. E.Land subsidence is linked to climates with permafrost.

B.Volcanic eruptions are related to warmer climates.

Which of the following does NOT play an important role in glaciation? A.Changing position of the continents B.Abundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere C.Abundance of oxygen in the atmosphere D.Global-scale circulation of ocean waters E.Explosive volcanic eruptions

C.Abundance of oxygen in the atmosphere

Which of the following is NOT a piece of evidence that the Earth is warming? A.Ocean temperatures are increasing. B.Glaciers are melting. C.Earthquake activity is increasing. D.Sea levels are rising. E.Permafrost is melting.

C.Earthquake activity is increasing.

How do scientists measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for dates prior to the 1955? A.Direct measurements at Mauna Loa B.Written records C.From air bubbles in glacial ice from cores D.From air bubbles in volcanic rocks E.From measurements of carbon dioxide trapped in sediment from the ocean floor

C.From air bubbles in glacial ice from cores

Why do scientists think that the current global warming situation is NOT caused by natural forces? A.Models of the Sun show that radiation hasn't varied throughout human history. B.Volcanoes have not been known to cause global climate change, only local changes. C.Mathematical models show that possible natural forces aren't significant enough. D.Humans are the only sources capable of changing the climate. E.They don't know. They just assume that humans are the cause.

C.Mathematical models show that possible natural forces aren't significant enough.

When the Earth warms, won't the areas that we lose to agriculture (like the U.S. Midwest) just be replaced by new areas that are now too cold for farming (like Northern Canada)? A.No. The areas that will warm will still be too cold to farm. B.Yes. There really won't be any problems for agriculture once the Earth warms. C.Maybe. There is more to farming than just climate and more needs to be known about the soil characteristics in those areas. D.No. There aren't enough people in those areas to farm the land. E.Yes. The amount of land that we gain will exactly replace the amount that we lose.

C.Maybe. There is more to farming than just climate and more needs to be known about the soil characteristics in those areas.

If we cut down the tree in your great-great grandmother's backyard and analyzed the tree rings, what type of data would this be? A.Instrumental record B.Historical record C.Paleo-proxy record D.Pollen record

C.Paleo-proxy record

Which of the following is a statement involving climate rather than weather? A.Today it is cloudy and raining. B.Rainfall amounts were above average this month. C.The winters here are dry and warm. D.The temperature will rise during the next week. E.It is 56 degrees F and sunny.

C.The winters here are dry and warm.

Which of the following is NOT a source of carbon dioxide for our atmosphere? A.Volcanoes B.Decay of organic materials C.Burning of fossil fuels D.Plant respiration E.Plant photosynthesis

E.Plant photosynthesis

What are aerosols and why are they important? A.Aerosols are gases from cans and they deplete the ozone layer. B.Aerosols are gases from cans and they warm the Earth. C.Aerosols are particles that are flammable in the atmosphere. D.Aerosols are very small liquid or solid particles that reflect sunlight. E.Aerosols are gases that interact with greenhouse gases.

D.Aerosols are very small liquid or solid particles that reflect sunlight.

Which of the following is NOT a way to reduce emissions from greenhouse gases? A.Improve efficiency of power plants B.Change over to energy sources that emit less greenhouse gases C.Reduce our use of fossil fuels D.Capture greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and release them in the upper atmosphere E.Capture greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and store them in the rocks below the Earth's surface

D.Capture greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and release them in the upper atmosphere

Which of the following is considered a variable gas? A.Nitrogen B.Oxygen C.Argon D.Carbon dioxide

D.Carbon dioxide

Which of the following is a reason why sea level will rise as a response to global warming? A.Increased temperatures will cause the Earth's tectonic plates to swell, pushing the ocean floor upwards. B.Increased temperatures will cause ocean life to die and the ocean will swell due to massive decomposition of organic matter. C.Increased temperatures will cause an increase in ocean life and the ocean will swell as a result. D.Increased temperatures will cause the ocean water to expand. E.Global warming is not expected to cause the sea level to rise.

D.Increased temperatures will cause the ocean water to expand.

Which gas comprises most of the atmosphere? A.Oxygen B.Carbon dioxide C.Methane D.Nitrogen E.Argon

D.Nitrogen

What is the greenhouse effect? A.The transmission of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun B.The reflection of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun C.The absorption of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun D.The absorption of infrared radiation by the atmosphere E.The destruction of the ozone layer by absorption of ultraviolet radiation

D.The absorption of infrared radiation by the atmosphere

How have global temperatures changed over the last 800,000 years? A.They have been constant. B.They have been increasing. C.They have been decreasing. D.They have increased and decreased many times. E.There is no way to know how global temperatures have changed with our current knowledge.

D.They have increased and decreased many times.

Which of the following is FALSE about glaciers? A.Some glaciers flow downhill. B.Glaciers flow from high areas to low areas due to gravity acting on the weight of this accumulated ice. C.Glaciers advance when snowfall is greater than ice that is lost by melting, evaporation, and blocks breaking off the front. D.Today, we live in a glacial interval due to the large continental glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland.

D.Today, we live in a glacial interval due to the large continental glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland.

Which of the following does NOT contribute to climate change? A.Human activities B.Volcanic eruptions C.Changes in solar energy D.Asteroid impact E.Earthquake activity

E.Earthquake activity

Which of the following is NOT a typical hazard involved with glaciers? A.People can fall into the crevasses in the glaciers. B.Glaciers can block rivers causing floods. C.Glacier ice can cause avalanches. D.Glaciers can break of pieces into the ocean creating icebergs that disrupt shipping. E.Glaciers can trigger volcanic eruptions.

E.Glaciers can trigger volcanic eruptions.

Which of the following is FALSE about the paleo-proxy record? A.It is not a direct measurement of temperature. B.It includes analysis of gas bubbles in glacial ice from cores. C.It uses various natural phenomena that are correlated with temperature. D.It is a good measure of temperature, but has some flaws. E.It includes people's written recollections from many centuries ago.

E.It includes people's written recollections from many centuries ago.

Which of the following is NOT a reason why sea level rise is a problem for humans? A.It increases shoreline erosion. B.It makes structures on the shoreline more vulnerable to storms. C.It causes estuaries to move landward towards human structures. D.It will cause the disappearance of some islands. E.It will deplete fish populations.

E.It will deplete fish populations.

Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with ice sheets melting? A.Melting ice sheets adds water to the ocean, raising the sea level. B.Melting ice sheets adds fresh water to the ocean, changing global ocean currents. C.Some places rely on water from the ice sheets to replenish their water supply. D.Melting ice sheets changes the habitat for polar bears, walruses and some sea birds. E.Melting glacial ice on the Arctic Ocean will contribute most to rising sea level due to its melting directly into the ocean.

E.Melting glacial ice on the Arctic Ocean will contribute most to rising sea level due to its melting directly into the ocean.

Which of the following is FALSE about the ocean conveyor belt? A.It is capable of causing rapid changes in climate. B.In the Atlantic, it is responsible for keeping Europe warmer than it would be. C.In the Atlantic, it is driven by cooling of the water near Greenland. D.Climate change could cause the ocean conveyor belt near Greenland to slow, cooling areas in Europe. E.Movement of water in the ocean conveyor belt is speeding up due to human activities.

E.Movement of water in the ocean conveyor belt is speeding up due to human activities.

Which of the following is NOT an important part of how the atmosphere is warmed through the greenhouse effect? A.Radiation from the Sun is absorbed by the Earth's surface. B.Infrared radiation is emitted from the Earth's surface. C.Infrared radiation is absorbed by carbon dioxide. D.Infrared radiation is re-emitted by carbon dioxide. E.Radiation from the sun is reflected by the Earth's surface.

E.Radiation from the sun is reflected by the Earth's surface.

Which of the following episodes of climate change was believed to be caused by human interaction? A.Medieval warming period from 1000-1300 B.Little Ice Age from 1400-1800 C.Cooling in North America and Europe just after Mount Tambora eruption in 1815 D.Global cooling just after Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991 E.Warming over past 150 years or so

E.Warming over past 150 years or so

Can humans just adapt to climate change? A.No. The effects will be too great for us to handle. B.No. Humans are not adaptable creatures. C.Maybe, if the temperature change is 1 C or less. D.Yes. The climate isn't expected to change enough to affect humans. E.Yes, but it depends on the rate of temperature change as well as intensity.

E.Yes, but it depends on the rate of temperature change as well as intensity.

A significant portion of the observed global warming over the past 100 years is from natural forces.

False

Aerosols are harmful gases emitted from spray canisters.

False

Because glaciers move so slowly, they do not pose any sort of threat to society.

False

Because of the burning of fossil fuels, the Earth is warmer today than in any other period in the last 800,000 years.

False

Climate and weather are essentially the same things, just different names.

False

Currently, the Earth's climate is cooling.

False

Glaciers have always covered the continents and it is only in our current time that the glaciers have been confined to polar climates.

False

In general, gases such as carbon dioxide make up such a small amount of the atmosphere that they aren't really important to climate and weather.

False

As the climate warms, it is likely that agricultural patterns will also change.

True

Climate refers to the average weather in a given location over a long period of time.

True

Global temperatures have fluctuated many times in the last 800,000 years causing glacial and interglacial events.

True

Global warming is expected to increase the amount of precipitation in some areas and decrease it in others.

True

In addition to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, scientists are working on plans to store the gases instead of releasing them into the atmosphere.

True

Infrared radiation emitted from the Earth is absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

True

Scientific consensus states that the Earth is warming right now and this effect can be attributed in part to human influences.

True

The gases that comprise most of the atmosphere have little impact on the weather.

True