143
Section 1: Multiple-
Choose the best answer for questions 1–
1. In which layer of Earth’s atmosphere does most weather occur?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Lithosphere
2. Which statement best explains why polar regions are colder than tropical regions?
Polar regions have lower albedo values.
Polar regions receive less solar energy per unit of surface area.
Tropical regions receive less direct sunlight throughout the year.
Sunlight travels through more atmosphere and loses more energy in tropical regions.
Tropical regions rotate at a faster speed than polar regions.
3. Which statement about patterns of air convection is NOT correct?
The air in a Hadley cell rises where sunlight strikes Earth most directly.
The greatest amount of precipitation occurs at the intertropical convergence zone.
The air in a Hadley cell descends near 30° N and 30° S, causing the formation of deserts.
The air of a polar cell rises near 60° latitude.
Along Earth’s surface, the air of a Hadley cell moves away from the equator.
4. An increase in evaporation near the equator would most likely cause
increased precipitation at the ITCZ.
decreased precipitation at the ITCZ.
increased precipitation in Ferrell cells.
increased precipitation at 30º N and 30º S.
decreased precipitation in Ferrell cells.
5. The high heat capacity of water causes what effect when combined with ocean circulation?
The high salinity of deep polar water in the thermohaline cycle
Warm temperatures in continental coastal areas
The suppression of upwelling during an ENSO event
Increased elevation of warm tropical waters, driving surface currents
The heat transfer between the ocean and atmosphere due to evaporation along the equator
6. Which of the following processes is NOT characteristic of oceanic circulation?
Counterclockwise gyres in the Northern Hemisphere
Slow thermohaline circulation of surface and deep ocean waters
Unequal heating of tropical versus polar ocean waters
El Niño–
Coriolis effect
7. Which statement about rain shadows is correct?
They occur on the western sides of mountain ranges in the Northern Hemisphere.
Air gains water vapor as it rises.
As air rises over a mountain range, water vapor condenses into precipitation.
They occur on the eastern sides of mountain ranges in the Southern Hemisphere.
The rain shadow side of a mountain range receives the most rain.
8. Why do scientists use dominant plant growth forms to categorize terrestrial biomes?
Plants with similar growth forms are always closely related genetically.
Different plant growth forms indicate climate differences, whereas different animal forms do not.
Plants from similar climates evolve different adaptations.
Similar plant growth forms are found in climates with similar temperatures and amounts of precipitation.
Similar plant growth forms exist in both terrestrial and aquatic biomes.
9. Which information is NOT found in climate diagrams?
Average annual temperature
Seasonal changes in temperature
Average annual humidity
The months when plant growth is limited by precipitation
The length of the growing season
10.Which statement about tundras and boreal forests is correct?
Both are characterized by slow plant growth, so there is little accumulation of organic matter.
Tundras are warmer than boreal forests.
Boreal forests have shorter growing seasons than tundras.
Plant growth in both biomes is limited by precipitation.
Boreal forests have larger dominant plant growth forms than tundras.
144
11.Which of the following statements about temperate biomes is NOT correct?
Temperate biomes have average annual temperatures above 20°C.
Temperate rainforests receive the most precipitation, whereas cold deserts receive the least precipitation.
Temperate rainforests can be found in the northwestern United States.
Temperate seasonal forests are characterized by trees that lose their leaves.
Temperate shrublands are adapted to frequent fires.
12.Which statement about tropical biomes is correct?
Tropical seasonal forests are characterized by evergreen trees.
Tropical rainforests have the highest precipitation due to the proximity of the ITCZ.
Savannas are characterized by the densest forests.
Tropical rainforests have the slowest rates of decomposition due to high rainfall.
Subtropical deserts have the highest species diversity.
13.Which statement about aquatic biomes is correct?
They are characterized by dominant plant growth forms.
They can be categorized by temperature and precipitation.
Lakes contain littoral zones and intertidal zones.
Freshwater wetlands have emergent plants in their deepest areas, whereas ponds and lakes do not.
Coral reefs have the lowest diversity of species.
Section 2: Free-
Write your answer to each part clearly. Support your answers with relevant information and examples. Where calculations are required, show your work.
1. As the greenhouse effect continues to warm the planet slowly, the glaciers of Greenland are melting at a rapid rate. Scientists are concerned that this melting may dilute the salt water in that region of the ocean enough to shut down thermohaline circulation. Use what you know about climate to answer the following questions.
Explain how shutting down thermohaline circulation would affect the temperature of western Europe. (2 points)
Explain the possible consequences for agriculture in western Europe. (2 points)
Why might the populations of fish along the west coasts of most continents increase if thermohaline circulation shuts down? (3 points)
How would shutting down thermohaline circulation affect the transport of nutrients among the oceans of the world? (3 points)
2. A number of Earth’s features determine the locations of biomes around the world.
Explain why the tropical rainforests are found in regions of the world that receive the most direct sunlight. (4 points)
Describe how movement of the ITCZ over the year influences the location of seasonal forests in tropical regions. (2 points)
Identify the mechanisms by which albedo and the angle of the Sun’s rays cause colder temperatures to occur on Earth near the North and South Poles. (2 points for each mechanism)