Climate
Practice Test
1.
What causes thunder?
a.
condensation of updrafts
b.
the expansion and contraction of the air heated by lightning
c.
friction between updrafts and downdrafts in a cumulonimbus cloud
d.
falling precipitation
2.
Thunderstorms that have intense, rotating updrafts are called __________.
a.
air-mass thunderstorms
b.
tornadoes
c.
supercells
d.
downbursts
3.
A forecast that relies on numerical data is called __________.
a.
a digital forecast
b.
an isopleth
c.
a station model
d.
an analog forecast
4.
The increase in temperature caused by an increase of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere is called __________.
a.
the ozone hole
b.
El Nino
c.
global warming
d.
the greenhouse effect
5.
According to the Table, which city is the closest to the Prime Meridian?
a.
Cape Town, South Africa
b.
Nome, Alaska
c.
Wellington, New Zealand
d.
Quito, Ecuador
6.
As the instability of the air __________, the strength of the thunderstorms' updrafts and downdrafts __________.
a.
increased, decrease
b.
decreases, increase
c.
decreases, decrease
d.
increases, increase
7.
What type of instrument probably was not used to provide the information in the station model pictured in the figure?
a.
anemometer
b.
thermometer
c.
barometer
d.
Doppler radar
8.
If you travel west across the International Date Line you would move your calendar __________.
a.
forward 12 h
b.
backwards 2 days
c.
backwards one day
d.
forward one day
9.
If global warming continues too far, which climates shown in the figure will be affected?
a.
tundra
b.
all of the above
c.
ice cap
d.
arid
10.
What is the wind-chill factor?
a.
the length of a cold wave
b.
the phenomenon of heat loss from human skin due to wind and temperature
c.
the point at which human skin will become frostbitten
d.
the freezing point of water
11.
Approximately how long is a sunspot cycle?
a.
10,000 years
b.
100 years
c.
14,000 years
d.
11 years
12.
What is an example of a phenomenon that occurs in a microclimate?
a.
hail
b.
lake-effect snow
c.
warm summers and cold winters
d.
temperatures that are above normal
13.
What are four- to seven-day forecasts based on?
a.
circulation patterns of the troposphere
b.
patterns and cycles
c.
current weather
d.
observation of cloud and precipitation movement
14.
What atmospheric condition increases the likeliness of a flood?
a.
weak, upper-atmospheric current that moves storms slowly
b.
stronger downbursts
c.
friction between updrafts and downdrafts
d.
condensation of updrafts
15.
These graphs compare the average temperature and precipitation of two cities. What is the most significant difference between the climates of City X and City Y?
a.
City Y has more mild weather.
b.
City X has consistent rainfall throughout the year.
c.
City Y has a higher average temperature.
d.
City X is in a very cold area.
16.
During the last Ice Age, which climates shown in this map grew the most?
a.
tropical, wet
b.
ice cap
c.
mediterranean
d.
arid
17.
What zone lies between 23.5[degrees sign] and 66.5 [degrees sign] north and south of the equator?
a.
temperate zones
b.
tropics
c.
polar zones
d.
tropic of Cancer
18.
What type of instrument is used to measure wind speed?
a.
a barometer
b.
a hygrometer
c.
an anemometer
d.
a ceilometer
19.
How is climate different than weather?
a.
Climate describes the long-term weather patterns.
b.
Climate describes only the average weather.
c.
Weather is easier to predict.
d.
Weather is more variable.
20.
What happens in the developing or cumulus stage of a thunderstorm?
a.
Updraft slows.
b.
Downdrafts occur.
c.
Air sinks with precipitation.
d.
Air rises vertically.
