Dangerous Planet

Complete this sentence. Weather is...

• the condition of the atmosphere around us over a short period of time.

• the pattern of weather we expect over a year, e.g. warm summers and cold winters. It is an average calculated over at least 30 year.

Complete this sentence. Climate is...

• the condition of the atmosphere around us over a short period of time.

• the pattern of weather we expect over a year, e.g. warm summers and cold winters. It is an average calculated over at least 30 year.

Which unit is used to measure precipitation?

• millilitres (ml)

• millimetres (mm)

Answer explanation

We measure the depth of precipitation (mm) rather than the volume (ml).

Care should be taken when reading a climate graph because...

• it has 2 X-axis

• there are 12 months.

• it has 2 Y-axis.

Answer explanation

Remember to check you are reading the correct Y-axis. They will be labelled as precipitation or temperature.

Match the way each set of information is shown on a climate graph.

• line graph

• Precipitation is shown as

• on the x-axis

• Temperature is shown as

• a bar graph

• Months are shown

Match the following climate regions to their weather patterns.

• Hot and dry

• Tropical rainforest

• Hot and wet

• Temperate (UK)

• Mild and wet

• Tundra

• Cold and dry

• Desert

Answer explanation

Although there is often some snow in pictures of the tundra it does not fall often, it just lasts a long time because it is so cold. So it is considered quite dry.

Why is the west of Scotland warmer than the east in the winter?

• There is a greater amount of sunshine on the west of Scotland.

• The North Atlantic Drift (a warm ocean current) keeps the west coast warmer.

• There is always lots of rain and the rain clouds keep the heat in.

Answer explanation

The North Atlantic Drift starts near the equator and brings a lot of warmth with it as it travels north.

How much does it get colder by for every 100m up a mountain you climb?

• 1°C

• 5°C

• 7°C

• 10°C

Answer explanation

The steepness of the land is also called the relief of the land.

Put these statements in the correct order to describe how rain is formed.

• As the air rises, it cools and condenses forming tall cumulonimbus clouds.

• Torrential rain and thunderstorms are caused when the air is cooled and the clouds become too heavy.

• The ground heats up the air and the air rises quickly.

• The suns rays heat the ground up very quickly.

Which of the following adaptations would help a plant survive in the tropical rain forest.

• The ability to store water for drier seasons.

• Staying very small and close to the ground for protection from the wind.

• Waxy pointed leaves to let the water run off.

• Roots that can survive in salty water.

Answer explanation

Rainforest trees have huge buttress roots above ground because the soil is too thin for deep roots.