The Nature of Storms
Practice Test
1.
As the instability of the air __________, the strength of the thunderstorms' updrafts and downdrafts __________.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
decreases, increase
b.
increases, increase
c.
increased, decrease
d.
decreases, decrease
2.
What type of clouds produce thunderstorms?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
cumulonimbus
b.
cirrus
c.
cumulus
d.
stratus
3.
"What atmospheric condition increases the likeliness of a flood? SC.D.1.4.1
a.
weak, upper-atmospheric current that moves storms slowly
b.
stronger downbursts
c.
friction between updrafts and downdrafts
d.
condensation of updrafts
4.
What causes the air of a tropical storm to rotate?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
the Coriolis effect
b.
supercells
c.
strong downbursts
d.
funnel clouds
5.
How are thunderstorms classified?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
by the duration of the storm
b.
by the height that the cumulonimbus clouds reach
c.
by the mechanism that caused the air to rise
d.
by the diameter of the storm
6.
What is the wind-chill factor?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
the point at which human skin will become frostbitten
b.
the freezing point of water
c.
the phenomenon of heat loss from human skin due to wind and temperature
d.
the length of a cold wave
7.
"The table shows the water level of the Green River during a thunderstorm. If the flood plain is 3.8 meters, when would this river have flooded?
SC.D.1.4.1
Time
10:00 A.M.
11:00 A.M.
NOON
1:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M.
Water Level
m
3
3.1
3.4
4.0
5.0
5.2
a.
just after noon
b.
just after 11:00 a.m.
c.
just after 1:00 p.m.
d.
just after 10:00 a.m.
8.
What sparks the development of a tornado?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
large contrast in the temperature of polar and tropical air
b.
weak upper-atmospheric currents
c.
strong downbursts
d.
condensation of updrafts
9.
What is the calm center of a hurricane called?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
funnel cloud
b.
eye
c.
downburst
d.
eyewall
10.
How hot is the air heated by lightning?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
30 000[superscript degrees] C
b.
100 000 000 [superscript degrees] C
c.
1 000[superscript degrees] C
d.
300[superscript degrees] C
11.
Large, rotating, low-pressure storms are called __________.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
tropical cyclones
b.
tornadoes
c.
hail storms
d.
storm surge
12.
What causes thunder?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
condensation of updrafts
b.
falling precipitation
c.
the expansion and contraction of the air heated by lightning
d.
friction between updrafts and downdrafts in a cumulonimbus cloud
13.
What type of thunderstorm is caused by advancing cold and warm fronts?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
sea-breeze thunderstorms
b.
cloud condensing thunderstorms
c.
air-mass thunderstorms
d.
frontal thunderstorms
14.
What is the first step of thunderstorm formation?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
Air must be lifted.
b.
an abundant source of moisture in the lower atmosphere
c.
The atmosphere where the cloud grows must be unstable.
d.
release of latent heat
15.
Where do the disturbances that cause tropical storms originate?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
near the Gulf Stream
b.
tornado alley
c.
the Pacific Ocean only
d.
the ITCZ or from tropical waves
16.
Violent downdrafts from a thunderstorm that are concentrated in a local area are called __________.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
downbursts
b.
hurricanes
c.
lightning
d.
tornadoes
17.
What causes lightning?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
the expansion and contraction of the air heated by lightning
b.
friction between updrafts and downdrafts in a cumulonimbus cloud
c.
falling precipitation
d.
condensation of updrafts
