Unit 4 APES Exam MCQ

The Atlantic Ocean is expanding as a result of plate tectonics. Which of the following explanations best identifies the type of plate boundary and processes occurring at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, as shown in the diagram below? a.) A divergent plate boundary exists at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where plates move away from one another, leading to seafloor spreading. b.) A transform plate boundary exists at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where two plates slide alongside one another, leading to underwater earthquakes. c.) A convergent plate boundary exists at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where one plate of oceanic crust is subducted beneath a plate made of continental crust, leading to volcanism. d.) A convergent plate boundary exists at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where two plates of continental crust meet, leading to the formation of mountain ranges.

a.) A divergent plate boundary exists at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where plates move away from one another, leading to seafloor spreading.

The diagram below represents how solar radiation strikes the surface of Earth differently, depending on location, during the June solstice. Which of the following combinations correctly identifies and explains the effects of the differences in the distribution of solar radiation on Earth as seen in the diagram above? a.) Global wind patterns are created because uneven solar radiation results in warm air at low latitudes and cool air at high latitudes, resulting in density differences between the air masses. b.) Global rain patterns are created because uneven solar radiation results in warm air at high latitudes and cool air at low latitudes, resulting in evaporation and condensation differences between the air masses. c.) Global wind patterns are created because uneven solar radiation results in warm air at high latitudes and cool air at low latitudes, resulting in density differences between the air masses. d.) Global rain patterns are created because uneven solar radiation results in warm air at low latitudes and cool air at high latitudes, resulting in air masses that do not circulate because they are of equal density.

a.) Global wind patterns are created because uneven solar radiation results in warm air at low latitudes and cool air at high latitudes, resulting in density differences between the air masses.

A group of students wanted to determine if soil texture can vary by location. Several students brought in a sample of soil from their backyards. Each student added their soil sample of equal mass to a jar with exactly the same amount of water, shook the contents so that all soil particles were suspended in the water, and left the jars covered overnight. The next morning, the soil particles had settled out into layers and students could determine the percentage of each type of particle. The results of their soil test are shown below. Which of the following describes the dependent variable in this investigation? a.) Percentage of each particle size in each soil sample b.) Soil samples taken from different locations c.) Time required for each soil sample to settle d.) Addition of water to each soil sample

a.) Percentage of each particle size in each soil sample

Students want to determine how vegetation affects soil erosion. They collect four soil samples of equal starting mass with different types of vegetative cover, as seen in the table below. Each sample is placed in a three-sided plastic dish that can drain into a beaker and is exposed to the same amount of consistent, steady rainfall for ten minutes. The water and soil runoff are collected in the beaker and separated. The average values for each sample are provided below. Which of the following is the control group for this experiment? a.) Soil with no grass b.) Soil with newly sprouted grass c.) Soil with mature grass d.) Soil with dead grass

a.) Soil with no grass

Which of the following layers of the atmosphere contains charged gas molecules that glow and produce light when hit by solar energy, leading to glowing gases such as the northern lights, found over 90 kilometers above Earth's surface? a.) Thermosphere b.) Mesosphere c.) Stratosphere d.) Troposphere

a.) Thermosphere

Based on the diagram, which of the following describes why the summer solstice in Australia occurs in December and not in June? a.) At this time of year, the Earth is closest to the Sun due to its elliptical path. b.) At this time of year, the tilt of Earth causes Australia to receive highly concentrated solar radiation. c.) At this time of year, the tilt of Earth causes Australia to be closer to the Sun. d.) At this time of year, the tilt of Earth causes solar radiation to reach Australia at a low angle of incidence.

b.) At this time of year, the tilt of Earth causes Australia to receive highly concentrated solar radiation.

The Atacama Desert lies to the west of the Andes Mountains in northern Chile. It is the oldest, most consistently arid place in the world. Based on the map above, which of the following best explains why the Atacama Desert has a consistently arid climate? a.) It is on the windward side of the Andes Mountains. b.) It is in the rain shadow of the Andes Mountains. c.) The cold Peru Current brings dry air to the west coast. d.) Compared to the east coast, it has less water available.

b.) It is in the rain shadow of the Andes Mountains.

Peru's commercial anchovy industry would most likely be harmed during an El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for the decline in anchovy during an El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event? a.) Acidic ocean waters kill off larval anchovies. b.) Less nutrient-rich water reaches surface waters, disrupting the food web. c.) Ocean currents move toxic contaminants from the sediments into the water column. d.) An increase in phosphate-based nutrients leads to an algal bloom, which would decrease available oxygen for animals like shrimp.

b.) Less nutrient-rich water reaches surface waters, disrupting the food web.

A developer wants to develop a large tract of land near a watershed, which will require the removal of several large trees. Which of the following statements best describes the impact that the development would have on the watershed? a.) Removing large trees would decrease the amount of runoff in the watershed. b.) Removing large trees would cause an increase in temperature and keep the surrounding water and soil warmer. c.) Removing large trees would decrease the rate of erosion in a watershed. d.) Removing large trees would increase the retention of water within the watershed.

b.) Removing large trees would cause an increase in temperature and keep the surrounding water and soil warmer.

A group of students wanted to determine if soil texture can vary by location. Several students brought in a sample of soil from their backyards. Each student added their soil sample of equal mass to a jar with exactly the same amount of water, shook the contents so that all soil particles were suspended in the water, and left the jars covered overnight. The next morning, the soil particles had settled out into layers and students could determine the percentage of each type of particle. The results of their soil test are shown below. Which of the following describes the independent variable in this investigation? a.) Percentage of each particle size in each soil sample b.) Soil samples taken from different locations c.) Time required for each soil sample to settle d.) Addition of water to each soil sample

b.) Soil samples taken from different locations

A model of prevailing wind patterns around the world is shown in the diagram below. Which of the following is the best explanation for the formation of Hadley cells in the tropics, as seen in the diagram, between 30°N and 30°S latitude? a.) Heat from the ocean warms the moist air at the equator and causes it to rise because of its lower density. As the air becomes cooler, it becomes less dense and sinks. b.) The Sun warms the moist air at the equator and causes it to rise because of its lower density. As the warm air moves away from the equator, it cools, becomes denser, and then sinks. c.) Air cools over the land at the equator and then rises as it moves north or south. d.) Rising air over the equator is heated by the Sun, moves north, and then moves south to create the jet stream and trade winds.

b.) The Sun warms the moist air at the equator and causes it to rise because of its lower density. As the warm air moves away from the equator, it cools, becomes denser, and then sinks.

During an El Niño event, farmers in the southwestern United Stated often benefit from which of the following climatic changes? a.) Longer and cooler summers that increase crop yield b.) Wetter and warmer weather that increases soil moisture c.) Cooler and drier conditions that help cold-weather crops d.) Warmer and drier weather that reduces soil erosion and flooding

b.) Wetter and warmer weather that increases soil moisture

The Chesapeake Bay is a watershed that is located in six states and the District of Columbia. Which of the following can cause an increase in water pollution in the watershed? a.) An increase in the number of grasses, trees, and shrubs near a watershed b.) An increase in the natural systems near a watershed c.) An increase in stormwater runoff in urban areas d.) A decrease in the number of impervious surfaces near the watershed

c.) An increase in stormwater runoff in urban areas

The Atacama Desert lies to the west of the Andes Mountains in northern Chile. It is the oldest, most consistently arid place in the world. Based on the map, which of the following best explains the area of the Andes Mountains that would have the greatest number of rivers? a.) Equal numbers of rivers would be found on both the east and west sides of the Andes Mountains because water flows downhill. b.) More rivers would be located on the west side of the Andes Mountains because it is the leeward side. c.) More rivers would be located on the east side of the Andes Mountains because the trade winds are coming from the east. d.) More rivers would be located on the south side of the Andes Mountains because it is protected from the drying sunlight.

c.) More rivers would be located on the east side of the Andes Mountains because the trade winds are coming from the east.

Students want to determine how vegetation affects soil erosion. They collect four soil samples of equal starting mass with different types of vegetative cover, as seen in the table below. Each sample is placed in a three-sided plastic dish that can drain into a beaker and is exposed to the same amount of consistent, steady rainfall for ten minutes. The water and soil runoff are collected in the beaker and separated. The average values for each sample are provided below. Which of the following is a dependent variable in the experiment? a.) The type of soil b.) Initial mass of the soil sample c.) Percent change in mass of the soil sample d.) Amount of rainfall the soil receives

c.) Percent change in mass of the soil sample

The vast majority of ozone (O3) is found in a thin layer due to a lack of circulation in which of the following atmospheric layers? a.) Thermosphere b.) Mesosphere c.) Stratosphere d.) Troposphere

c.) Stratosphere

Which of the following statements best describes the boundary between the two tectonic plates seen in the map? a.) The map illustrates a convergent boundary, where tectonic plates collide, and the North American Plate is sliding under the Pacific Plate. b.) The map illustrates a divergent boundary, where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other, creating a rift valley. c.) The map illustrates a transform boundary, where tectonic plates slide past each other as the Pacific Plate moves northwest and the North American Plate moves southeast. d.) The map illustrates a subduction zone at the boundary, leading to the formation of long chains of volcanoes.

c.) The map illustrates a transform boundary, where tectonic plates slide past each other as the Pacific Plate moves northwest and the North American Plate moves southeast.

Which statement is best illustrated in the diagram above regarding how the Sun's energy affects the Earth's surface from June through September in the Northern Hemisphere? a.) The season changes from autumn to winter, daylight hours decrease, and infrared radiation is the weakest during the June solstice. b.) The season changes from winter to spring, daylight hours increase, and infrared radiation is the weakest during the September equinox. c.) The season changes from summer to autumn, daylight hours decrease, and infrared radiation is the strongest during the June solstice. d.) The season changes from spring to summer, daylight hours increase, and infrared radiation is the strongest during the September equinox.

c.) The season changes from summer to autumn, daylight hours decrease, and infrared radiation is the strongest during the June solstice.

Based on the diagram, which of the following days in Earth's yearly orbit would have the longest period of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere? a.) March equinox b.) December solstice c.) September equinox d.) June solstice

d.) June solstice

The Mississippi watershed is the largest in North America, draining all or part of thirty-two states in the United States and two Canadian provinces. A new apartment complex is being built on a steep slope near the source of the Mississippi River outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Which of the following measures should be taken to best reduce erosion at the construction site to protect the Mississippi watershed? a.) Add a paved surface at the top of the slope. b.) Remove trees and shrubs from the slope and the riverbank. c.) Move all of the topsoil from the site to the riverbank. d.) Plant grass and shrubs on the slope.

d.) Plant grass and shrubs on the slope.

The Atacama Desert lies to the west of the Andes Mountains in northern Chile. It is the oldest, most consistently arid place in the world. Based on the map above, which of the following best identifies and explains the region of South America that would have a more moderate climate? a.) The west coast would have a more moderate climate because of the Peru Current. b.) The west coast would have a more moderate climate because of the Andes Mountains. c.) The east coast would have a more moderate climate because of its proximity to the equator. d.) The east coast would have a more moderate climate because of the Brazil Current.

d.) The east coast would have a more moderate climate because of the Brazil Current.

The map above shows the locations of known volcanoes and earthquakes. Which of the following explains what is being illustrated in the enclosed area in the northwest portion of the map? a.) The enclosed area illustrates a convergent boundary with earthquakes and possibly volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands. b.) The enclosed area illustrates a transform boundary where two plates slide past one another, resulting in earthquakes of high magnitude in the Hawaiian Islands. c.) The enclosed area illustrates a rift valley leading to seafloor expansion near the Hawaiian Islands. d.) The enclosed area shows a hot spot in the middle of the Pacific Plate in the Hawaiian Islands.

d.) The enclosed area shows a hot spot in the middle of the Pacific Plate in the Hawaiian Islands.

A group of students wanted to determine if soil texture can vary by location. Several students brought in a sample of soil from their backyards. Each student added their soil sample of equal mass to a jar with exactly the same amount of water, shook the contents so that all soil particles were suspended in the water, and left the jars covered overnight. The next morning, the soil particles had settled out into layers and students could determine the percentage of each type of particle. The results of their soil test are shown below. A student claims that soil sample BB would be classified as a loam. Which of the following best describes the method used by the student to reach this conclusion? a.) The student added water to the soil sample and determined the amount of water required to saturate the soil. b.) The student oven-dried the soil sample following separation and calculated the percent change in mass of the remaining sand and silt after the sample cooled. c.) The student calculated the amount of soil mass lost overnight in each soil sample that resulted from the evaporation of the clay and silt. d.) The student used a soil triangle to determine where the lines intersect for sand, silt, and clay for the soil sample.

d.) The student used a soil triangle to determine where the lines intersect for sand, silt, and clay for the soil sample.

Which of the following would be most helpful to determine the soil texture of a sample? a.) A pH meter and conductivity meter b.) A soil core kit and a seismograph c.) A density gradient tube and a soil triangle d.) A quadrat and a transect line

c.) A density gradient tube and a soil triangle

Which of the following abiotic factors, when graphed on the x-axis, leads to the curved line in the graph due to variation in the different layers of the atmosphere? a.) Nitrogen (N2) concentration gradients b.) Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration gradients c.) Temperature gradients d.) Ultraviolet radiation gradients

c.) Temperature gradients

During a La Niña event, what environmental changes would the tropical Pacific Ocean and its surrounding landmasses most likely experience? a.) Increased rainfall in the eastern Pacific Ocean leading to flooding and landslides off the coast of South America b.) An area of high pressure forming over landmasses and increasing the chance of typhoons c.) Cooler ocean water in the western Pacific Ocean leading to an increased chance of wildfires d.) Increased upwelling off the coast of South America resulting in increased productivity of fisheries

d.) Increased upwelling off the coast of South America resulting in increased productivity of fisheries

A model of prevailing wind patterns around the world is shown in the diagram below. Which of the following is the best explanation for the deflection of the trade winds in both hemispheres, as seen in the diagram above? a.) The wind is deflected east because of varying landmasses at the latitudes. b.) The wind is deflected east because of the waves in the ocean. c.) The wind is deflected west because of the mountains that the air encounters as the wind moves north or south. d.) The wind is deflected west because of Earth's rotation.

d.) The wind is deflected west because of Earth's rotation.