Chapter 4 Test

If scientists measure record-high temperatures one year, is this evidence for global warming?

• Yes, days are warmer because the entire Earth is heating up.
• Yes, but only if scientists record highs in both summer and winter.
• No, global warming also includes other factors, such as melting ice caps.
• No, trends over decades or centuries, not years, are needed to show climate change.

The following is an example of one way that living organisms in the tundra have adapted to survive in their local climate.

• Trees grow deeper roots to absorb more water.
• Animals have hollow hairs to trap warmth close to their bodies.
• Plants grow large leaves to absorb sunlight for photosynthesis.
• Trees grow quickly to compete for sunlight.

The Hadley, Ferrell, and polar cells are

• convection currents in the ocean that redistribute heat from the equator toward the poles.
• convection currents of circulating air in the atmosphere.
• geographical areas with a generally warmer climate.
• not related to prevailing-wind directions on the surface.

Near the equator, warm, humid air

• rises then cools, causing the moisture to condense and form clouds which often produce rain.
• rises then warms up even more because it is closer to the Sun.
• evaporates large quantities of freshwater which creates equatorial deserts.
• stays near the surface because it is so dense.

Which factor most likely causes two cities at the same elevation and latitude to have different yearly average temperature ranges?

• rotation of Earth
• duration of sunlight
• distance from a large body of water
• the rain-shadow effect

The Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean moves north, away from the equator. The California Current in the Pacific Ocean moves south, toward the equator. How does the climate in a coastal community near the California Current usually compare to that of a coastal community at the same latitude near the Gulf Stream?

• warmer
• wetter
• cooler
• the same

Which is not a factor that determines a climate?

• longitude
• prevailing winds
• latitude
• nearby bodies of water

Imagine that you live in the Rocky Mountains close to Denver, Colorado, but 3,000 feet higher in elevation than Denver. Which of the following is most likely to happen?

• It could rain at your home at the same time that it is snowing in Denver.
• It could snow at your home at the same time that it is raining in Denver.
• Ocean currents could cause Denver’s temperature to be warmer.
• None of these are likely to happen.

Climate involves interactions between air masses that are moving across the Earth’s surface. Which factor(s) listed below influence(s) air masses?

• Oceans and continents
• Prevailing winds
• Elevation
• All of the above

Similar climates are often found:

• along the same, or very similar, longitude lines
• along the same, or very similar, latitude lines
• in the middle of all continents
• next to oceans