GEOG Exam 3 Review Questions

Based on Figure 6.18, the surface ocean current that moves heat toward Europe is the A Gulf Stream. B Labrador Current. C North Equatorial Current. D South Equatorial Current.

(a) Gulf Stream

Most warm air masses affecting North America A are moist. B are continental. C originate over Mexico. D only provide warm air to the southern United States.

(a) are moist

Summer afternoon thundershowers in the southeastern United States are more than likely a result of A convection lifting. B orographic lifting. C frontal lifting. D subtropical high pressure disturbance.

(a) convection lifting

Which of the following is true of the Mediterranean climate? A Dry summers and wet winters B Year-round drought C Year-round rainfall D High sun season is rainy season

(a) dry summers and wet winters

Which of the following is a causal element of polar and highland climates? A extremes of day-length between summer and winter B high precipitation, primarily in the form of snow C low surface albedo due to ground cover D high sun altitude during the summer months E small differences of day length between winter and summer

(a) extremes of day-length between summer and winter

Wave cyclones are most common A in the mid-latitudes. B in the tropics. C near the Equator. D near the North Pole. E near the South Pole.

(a) in the mid-latitudes

In dendrochrology, the scientist wants to choose a tree that: A is growing in an area that relies on precipitation for existence B is growing by a stream C is growing by a lake D there is no preferred location of a tree for the dendrochronologist to sample

(a) is growing in an area that relies on precipitation for existence

An air mass that forms over the southernmost portions of the Pacific ocean (near Antarctica) would be a ​[?] air mass: A mP (maritime Polar) B cP (continental Polar) C cA (continental Arctic) D mT (maritime Tropical)

(a) mP (maritime Polar)

Which Milankovitch parameter is on a 41,000 year cycle? A Obliquity B Precession of the equinoxes C Eccentricity D None of the above

(a) obliquity

The precipitation in form of liquid water droplets that forms by condensation or by melting ice crystals as they pass through a warm layer of the atmosphere is A rain B snow. C sleet. D frost. E hail.

(a) rain

Factors that influence dry climates include all the following except A seasonal influence of the ITCZ. B dry, subsiding air associated with subtropical high pressure systems. C location in the rain shadow of mountains. D cool, stabilizing ocean currents along the western margins of continents. E location in continental interiors.

(a) seasonal influence of the ITCZ

Which of the following is not a characteristic of tropical climates? A short, relatively mild, winters B consistent day lengths C unstable air masses D warm ocean temperatures E influence of the ITCZ

(a) short, relatively mild, winters

A climograph A shows the monthly precipitation and temperature for a location. B indicates the soil types found at a location. C usually shows hourly temperature variability. D is a table showing the intensity of severe weather affecting a location.

(a) shows the monthly precipitation and temperature for a location

Which climate is characterized by the largest change in monthly average temperatures; i.e., the greatest change in temperatures from one month to the next? A subarctic cold-winter B tundra C marine west coast D dry-midlatitude E Mediterranean

(a) subarctic cold-winter

Air rising and cooling at the dry adiabatic lapse rate will cool faster than air rising at the same speed, but cooling at the moist adiabatic lapse rate. A True B False

(a) true

An air parcel will cool at the dry adiabatic lapse if it is lifted, remains unsaturated, and does not exchange energy or mass with its environment during lifting. A True B False

(a) true

In the atmosphere, a rising air parcel will expand. A True B False

(a) true

The environmental lapse rate varies in time, but the dry adiabatic lapse rate does not A True B False

(a) true

The moist adiabatic lapse rate normally has a smaller value than the dry adiabatic lapse rate A True B False

(a) true

If Earth had less axial tilt, what would the affect be on our seasons? A Seasons would have greater variability B Seasons would have lesser variability C There would be no change because seasons are not caused by axial tilt

(b) Seasons would have lesser variability.

Which of these climate controls would most likely have the fastest impact on climate change? A Movement of continents due to plate tectonics B Urban Heat Islands C Change of the Earth's tilt D Earth's rotation slowing down with days getting longer E All of the above would cause the climate to respond in an equal time frame

(b) Urban Heat Islands

Currently, Polaris is our "North Star". According to Milankovitch theory, which star will be our "North Star" in the future? A Alpha Centauri B Vega C Proxima Centauri D Polaris will ALWAYS be the "North Star"

(b) Vega

Dry climates are divided into two types according to moisture. These are____ and___ A deserts and steppe. B deserts and tundra. C steppe and chaparral. D chaparral and tundra. E chaparral and selva.

(b) deserts and tundra

____ climates occupy the most extensive area of land on Earth. A Polar B Dry C Mesothermal D Tropical E Microthermal

(b) dry

The scale that correlates wind speed and structural damage in a tornado is the A Mercator scale. B enhanced Fujita scale. C Saffir-Simpson scale. D Mercali scale.

(b) enhanced Fujita scale

Air will rise at the moist adiabatic lapse rate if its relative humidity is between 50 and 75 percent. A True B False

(b) false

An air parcel is stable if its temperature exceeds the temperature of its surrounding environment. A True B False

(b) false

An air parcel is stable if, for a small displacement, it accelerates away from its original position A True B False

(b) false

The dry adiabatic lapse rate is about 6°C/km near the surface, but larger in the middle and upper troposphere. A True B False

(b) false

Oxygen isotope analysis is most commonly performed on which type of proxy data? A Varves B Ice cores C Tree rings (dendrochronology) D Palynology E All of the above

(b) ice cores

In terms of Obliquity, what characteristic is favorable to ice age formation? A Greater tilt B Lesser tilt C Obliquity is NOT a factor in the development of ice ages

(b) lesser tilt

A cold air mass originating over an ocean is designated A cP. B mP. C mT. D cT.

(b) mP

Dry climates are most common A on west coasts in the mid-latitudes. B near areas of sub-tropical high pressure. C near the ITCZ. D in mid-latitude coastal areas.

(b) near areas of sub-tropical high pressure

Globally, average rainfall is highest A near the geographic poles. B near the equator. C in the mid-latitudes. D in the sub-polar latitudes.

(b) near the equator

A rainshadow is most often associated with which atmospheric lifting mechanism? A Frontal B Orographic C Convectional D Convergence

(b) orographic

Which Milankovitch parameter is a non-factor when our earth is near-circular in form? A Obliquity B Precession of the equinoxes C Eccentricity D None of the above

(b) precession of the equinoxes

If an air parcel is displaced vertically in a stable environment, what will the parcel do? A remain in its new position B return to its original position C turn east due to the pressure change D accelerate away from its original position

(b) return to its original position

Which of the following is NOT a factor in the development of Urban Heat Islands? A Sky view factor. B Setting aside of "open space" C Point and mobile sources of heat and pollution D Increasing population and construction E Paving of land for city streets

(b) setting aside of "open space"

The two principal climate components are A temperature and pressure. B temperature and precipitation. C precipitation and pressure. D pressure and wind speed. E wind speed and precipitation

(b) temperature and precipitation

The dry season in the tropical monsoon climate occurs when? A the Hadley cells reverse. B the ITCZ has moves away from the region. C a continental polar air mass influences the region. D cold ocean currents shift into the region. E the northeast trade winds reverse direction during late winter.

(b) the ITCZ has moved away from the region

Which best describes an air parcel? A a cloud B a large area of rain C a volume of air that moves around in the atmosphere intact D the bubble of air sometimes seen on the top of thunderstorms

(c) a volume of air that moves around in the atmosphere intact

Tundra climates A never have temperatures above 0 °F. B are comprised of a combination of tall trees, shrubs, and grasslands. C are found at both high latitudes and high altitudes. D are not currently affected by global warming.

(c) are found at both high latitudes and high altitudes

The tropical rain forest climate receives most of its rainfall as a result of? A frontal uplift, only. B orographic uplift, only. C convectional uplift, only D both convection and frontal uplift E both orographic and frontal uplift.

(c) convectional uplift, only

Tropical rainforest climates are produced by A sub-tropical high pressure. B sub-polar high pressure. C converging air near the equator. D cold ocean currents.

(c) converging air near the equator

Which Milankovitch parameter seems to be a factor evidenced in the Vostok ice core? A Obliquity B Precession of the equinoxes C Eccentricity D None of the above

(c) eccentricity

The wet adiabatic lapse rate is _________ than the dry adiabatic lapse rate because _________. A greater; condensation heats the air B greater; condensation cools the air C less; condensation heats the air D less; condensation cools the air

(c) less; condensation heats the air

"Cold and dry" temperature and precipitation patterns are characteristics of A subtropical latitudes. B humid continental climates that have mild summers. C polar climates. D subarctic cool-summer climates.

(c) polar climates

Palynology involves: A the study of ice cores B the study of tree rings C the study of pollen D the study of varves E the study of still existing geomorphic features

(c) the study of pollen

Tropical cyclones do not form exactly on the Equator because A the surface water temperatures are too warm. B there is not enough ocean to provide moisture for the storm. C there is no Coriolis force at the Equator. D there is not enough cold air at the Equator.

(c) there is no Coriolis force at the Equator

Which of the following is not a causal element of microthermal climates? A increasing seasonality B latitudinal; effects on temperature C very limited continentality D cyclonic activity E large diurnal and annual temperature ranges

(c) very limited continentality

The highest frequency of tornadoes in the United States occurs in A Nebraska B South Dakota. C Florida D Oklahoma

(d) Oklahoma

An area defined by characteristic, long-term weather patterns is called A a biome. B an average weather place. C an ecosystem. D a climatic region E a Humboldt Zone.

(d) a climatic region

Orographic lifting is A air rising due to convergence at the surface. B air rising due to heating of the surface. C air forced to rise along a front between air masses. D air forced to rise over a barrier, such as a mountain range.

(d) air forced to rise over a barrier, such as a mountain range

Which of the following is an example of an anthropogenic (human-caused) climate control? A Urban heat islands B Changes in natural vegetation C Air pollution D All of the above E None of the above

(d) all of the above

Dust in the Vostok ice core seems to increase in association with: A Colder temperatures and ice ages B Warmer temperatures and interglacial (non Ice age) periods C Due to a stronger Polar Front jet stream D Both A and C E Both B and C

(d) both A and C

Which of the following is an example of a(n) macro-scale climate control? A Urban heat islands B Existence of a mountain range or large water body C Changes in natural vegetation D Distribution of oceans and continents

(d) distribution of oceans and continents

Sea smoke refers to A smoke plume caused by undersea volcanoes B air pollution over oceans caused by ships. C fog that moves from a bay inland. D evaporation fog at sea. E upslope fog on coasts of mountain islands.

(d) evaporation fog at sea

The temperature curve on the climograph of a tropical rainforest climate will typically A vary substantially throughout the year. B show a rapid downward trend in winter. C show a rapid downward trend in summer. D fluctuate only slightly around 80 °F during the year.

(d) fluctuate only slightly around 80 degrees during the year

The wet season of the tropical monsoon climate of SE Asia occurs during the season of ________ Sun due to the presence of the ________ over the continent. (low Sun = "winter" and high Sun = "summer") A low; subtropical high B low; ITCZ C high; subtropical high D high; ITCZ E low; Hadley cells

(d) high; ITCZ

Locations with the greatest average annual temperature variability are usually A in the tropics. B near the geographic poles. C along the coasts in the mid-latitudes. D in the interior of continents in the mid-latitudes. E along coasts in the sub-tropics.

(d) in the interior of continents in the mid-latitudes

In the United States, mid-latitude cyclone development is usually the result of A hurricanes becoming extra-tropical cyclones. B heavy rainfall in the southern Pacific Ocean. C orographic lifting. D the interaction of cP and mT air masses.

(d) the interaction of cP and mT air masses

Which of the following is false regarding the tropical monsoon climate? A It is located along coastal areas. B The transition from wet to dry conditions is the result of the shifting of the ITCZ C The wind direction shifts from one time of the year to the next. D The summer (high Sun season) is the driest time of the year. E It occurs in areas with seasonal variations in precipitation.

(d) the summer (high Sun season) is the driest time of the year

Tropical monsoon climates A have a dry season that persists for at least one month. B have high average annual rainfall. C are produced by the movement of the ITCZ. D are most common along tropical coasts. E All of the above.

(e) all of the above

Ratios of 16O/18O typically increase: A As one moves closer to the equator B As one moves close to the poles C As conditions grow colder D As conditions grow warmer E Both B and C F Both A and D

(e) both B and C

Which of the following is not an element of weather and climate? A insolation B temperature C atmospheric moisture D air pressure E hourly winds speed and direction

(e) hourly winds speed and direction

Which of the following would best be described as a climatic event? A Hurricane B Blizzard C Drought D Earthquake E None of the above are climatic events

(e) none of the above are climatic events

Areas within tundra climates with a strong maritime influence are called ________ climates. A maritime tundra B ice cap C highland D ice sheet E polar marine

(e) polar marine

The point at which evaporation and condensation are in balance is A evaporation flux. B condensation equilibrium. C net condensation D net evaporation. E saturation equilibrium.

(e) saturation equilibrium

From the graph in figure 2 {2}, which of the following weather events appears to be occurring with greater frequency and causing the greater damage? A Tropical cyclones B Flooding C Wildfires D Winter storms E Severe storms

(e) severe storms