Climate Topic Test

Which of the following continents was not covered by ice during the Pleistocene ice age?

Australia

How does climate change lead to an increase in algal blooms?

B

Scientists observed severe ocean acidification.

B

Why did scientists think the world was experiencing global cooling between the 1940's and 1970's.

Pollution was blocking sunlight.

Some scientists believe that global warming will lead to an increase in disease and starvation.

T

Succession occurs after ecosystems experience some type of disruptive event.

T

Explain how glaciers can change the landscape and physical characteristics of continents.

The advancing front of a glacier acts like a bulldozer, scraping across the landscape and carving out new features. This can carve out new courses for rivers and lakes and flatten out landscapes.

Which of the following is the most likely global climate change? a. a decrease in the overall temperature of the Earth b. an increase in the overall temperature of the Earth c. an increase in the number of cold climates d. no change to global climate

b. an increase in the overall temperature of the Earth

At which time of day is the heat flow entering Earth's atmosphere H(in) highest?

b. midday

Steady surface temperature increases were noted between the 1970's and 90's.

c.

Which of the following is not true concerning the Pleistocene ice age. a. Earth began warming out of the ice age 18,000 years ago. b. Glaciers stopped advancing 15,000 years ago. c. Sea levels during the ice age were higher than today. d. Forests and grasslands became more common after the ice age.

c. Sea levels during the ice age were higher than today.

How could climate change affect the ecosystems of the island nation of Samoa?

c. a and b

Environmental factors can cause various changes in ecosystems. Which of the following would most likely have the greatest lasting effect on an ecosystem?

c. change to the landscape from construction

Air pollution only became a concern in the 1980's.

d.

Human activities _.

a. exacerbate the natural greenhouse effect

Changes to the global climate could include _.

D

How does an increase in the annual melt season in Antarctica have a global effect?

C

Which of the following does not lead to an increase in phytoplankton reproduction?

C

Which of the following is not a current theory regarding global climate change?

C

Which of the following is not a theory supporting global warming?

Carbon dioxide is an insignificant greenhouse gas.

Explain why entering an interglacial period resulted in an increase in biodiversity on Earth.

During an ice age the conditions on Earth favor glaciers and cold deserts over more hospitable environments. Therefore, when the ice age ended and glaciers retreated the more hospitable grasslands and forests that developed hosted greater biodiversity.

Some scientists believe that global warming will bring about extreme weather.

T

Which of the following continents was covered by glaciers during the Pleistocene ice age?

Europe

Explain why scientists are concerned about human activities that cause global warming if global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect and the greenhouse effect is a natural part of Earth's climate.

Even if global warming is a natural part of Earth's climate, human activities are accelerating it. Global temperatures are expected to rise much faster than they would have naturally, which may result in severe environmental and climate changes across the globe. These predicted impacts of global warming could have severe, negative impacts to humans.

Between 1940 and 1970 most scientists were already concerned about global warming.

F

Ecosystems have trouble adjusting to short-term changes.

F

Which of the following best explains why air pollution that was once blamed for global cooling is now considered responsible for global warming?

Scientists mistakenly thought pollution reflected sunlight and heat rather than absorbed it.

Why was the concern over global cooling replaced with a concern over global warming?

Steady surface temperature increases were noted between the 1970's and 90's.

Explain why the greenhouse effect is not entirely a man-made phenomenon.

While many human activities produce greenhouse gases, the greenhouse effect is actually a natural process. Many atmospheric gases help trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, including natural gases like carbon dioxide. So while human activities exacerbate the natural greenhouse effect, it is not solely due to them.

What is the likely long-term consequence of an increase in the relative percent of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere?

a. Earth's average temperature will increase.

Which of the following statements about current theories on global warming is true?

a. Scientists generally agree that global warming is taking place.

Which of the following is the most likely cause of succession in ecosystems?

a. arrival of new species

Which of the following is not a manmade cause of global warming?

respiration

During ices ages our planet supports more glaciers and deserts than forests. T or F

t

Global warming is a theory accepted by a majority of scientists. T or F

t

Which of the following best describes the impact of glaciers upon the surface of the earth?

Glaciers scraped across the surface and altered landscapes and the course of rivers.

Which of the following is not a way in which humans directly impact algal bloom production?

D

It is not possible for global warming to have any positive side effects.

F

Local environmental changes have no effect on the global climate.

F

Secondary succession occurs in ecosystems without soil.

F

The early arrival of spring in New Hampshire has no effect on wildlife.

F

The increased ranges of plant and insect species resulting from climate change has only negative consequences.

F

Explain why some groups doubt the occurrence of global warming and global climate change. T or F

Some groups point out that water is a more significant contributor to warming in the atmosphere. Therefore, they argue that carbon dioxide is not a significant greenhouse gas so any observed warming is not the result of human activity. To many of these groups any discussion of global warming or climate change is a form of media alarmism.

All scientists agree that global climate change will happen rapidly.

T

During ices ages our planet supports more glaciers and deserts than forests.

T

Global warming is a theory accepted by a majority of scientists.

T

Greenhouse gases are essential to support life on earth.

T

Habitat change occurs more frequently through natural causes than human activity.

T

Human impact on ecosystems would most likely lead to secondary succession over primary succession.

T

Which of the following is predicted to be an impact of global warming?

all of the above

The science community needed a cause to frighten the general population.

b.

Why are there different theories about the effects of global warming?

b. Global climate is complex, so changes in global climate are hard to predict.

Why was the concern over global cooling replaced with a concern over global warming? a. The science community needed a cause to frighten the general population. b. Steady surface temperature increases were noted between the 1970's and 90's. c. Air pollution only became a concern in the 1980's. d. Scientists observed severe ocean acidification.

b. Steady surface temperature increases were noted between the 1970's and 90's.

In which major weather events of the 20th century did climate play a significant role?

c. Dust Bowl

When the levels of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere increase, which statement is true?

c. Earth's temperature increases because H(out) decreases.

Without the greenhouse effect the Earth would be _______ than it is today. a. warmer b. drier c. colder d. wetter

c. colder

Which of the following is a negative effect of algal blooms on the environment?

c. consumption of water's oxygen

"In a 2009 study, presented by the National Academy of Science, 97% of climate scientists agree that human activity is causing global warming." Which of the following statements is best supported by this study? a. Most climate scientists dispute the theory of human influence on global warming. b. Global warming is most likely alarmist propaganda based on false data. c. Global warming is definitely not caused by human influence on nature. d. Most climate scientists believe that there is evidence that explains global warming.

d. Most climate scientists believe that there is evidence that explains global warming.

In a 2009 study, presented by the National Academy of Science, 97% of climate scientists agree that human activity is causing global warming. Which of the following statements is best supported by this study?

d. Most climate scientists believe that there is evidence that explains global warming.

Ecosystems change when _.

d. all of the above

Fish populations and other aquatic resources are likely to be affected by changes in what aquatic factors?

d. all of the above

What is a possible consequence of climate change to species that have a narrow temperature tolerance range?

d. all of the above

What is known about climate history over the last 10,000 years?

d. all of the above

Which of the following could cause a habitat change?

d. all of the above

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a climax community? a. high levels of biodiversity b. presence of complex organisms c. conditions suitable for all organisms d. experiences no change

d. experiences no change

Africa was covered by glaciers during the Pleistocene ice age.

false

Greenhouse gases are best described as _.

gases that trap energy from the sun in Earth's atmosphere