Deck 15: World Climates

Question 1

A perusal of a world climate map shows that similar climates are located:

A)at similar longitudes.
B)at similar elevations.
C)at similar latitudes.
D)on similar continents.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which pair of elements is the most important in a climatic description?

A)wind and pressure
B)cloud cover and humidity
C)temperature and precipitation
D)precipitation and pressure
E)pressure and temperature

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Climates with an average temperature during the coldest month between -3°C and 18°C are part of the ________ climates according to the Köppen climate system.

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Other than elevation,what can we say for certain that these two locations have in common?

A)They both have dry summers.
B)They both have wet summers.
C)They are both coastal communities.
D)They are both located on inland continents.

Question 5

(A) (B)
Of the two climate diagrams shown above,the one that most likely represents a Southern Hemisphere location is:

A)Diagram A only.
B)Diagram B only.
C)both Diagram A and Diagram B
D)neither Diagram A nor Diagram B.

Question 6

The Köppen classification uses all of the following criteria to classify climates EXCEPT:

A)mean monthly temperature.
B)mean annual precipitation.
C)mean monthly humidity.
D)mean monthly precipitation.
E)All four criteria are required.

Question 7

The primary factor which determines whether a place will have a dry climate is:

A)its elevation.
B)how much evaporation occurs.
C)whether evaporation exceeds precipitation.
D)its distance to a large water body.

Question 8

The first known attempt at classifying climates was made by:

A)Galileo.
B)ancient Romans.
C)ancient Greeks.
D)Islamic scholars.
E)the Chinese.

Question 9

Which of these is closely linked to the location of the major pressure and wind systems?

A)ocean currents
B)location of mountains and highlands
C)evaporation sources
D)rainfall patterns

Question 10

Four of the five major climatic groups listed below have temperature characteristics as their basis.Which one of them does not?

A)A climates
B)B climates
C)C climates
D)D climates
E)E climates

Question 11

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding the tropical rain forest?

A)It does not have the same vegetation pattern as a jungle.
B)Plant foliage is relatively sparse on the forest floor.
C)The trees of the tropical rain forest are broadleaf evergreens.
D)It is dominated by just a few different species of trees.

Question 12

(A) (B)
Regarding the latitude of the two locations represented on the climate diagrams above,what can be said?

A)The location of Diagram A is probably at a lower latitude than the location of Diagram B.
B)The location of Diagram A is probably at a higher latitude than the location of Diagram B.
C)The two locations are probably at a similar latitude.
D)There is not enough information to speculate about the latitude of these locations.

Question 13

The most important determinant of temperature overall is:

A)latitude.
B)distribution of land and water.
C)prevailing winds.
D)position of mountains and highlands.
E)ocean currents.

Question 14

The locations of the major pressure and wind systems on the earth:

A)move as they follow the vertical rays of the Sun.
B)are fixed by the poles and equator.
C)are denoted by parallels of latitude.
D)do not change with the seasons.
E)are fixed by astronomy.

Question 15

Which one of the following statements is correct regarding classification?

A)The very first climatic classification was devised by Wladimir Köppen.
B)A major goal is order and simplicity.
C)Climatology and biology are the only disciplines that use classification.
D)Boundaries,like those on a map of world climates,should be regarded as fixed.

Question 16

In general,climate boundaries:

A)cannot be determined with adequate cloud cover data.
B)are difficult to determine.
C)do not shift from year to year.
D)are broad transition zones and not sharp lines.

Question 17

The Köppen climate classification system has boundaries defined according to:

A)vegetation patterns.
B)rainfall patterns.
C)solar radiation receipt.
D)average annual cloud cover.

Question 18

The Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle are examples of locations determined by:

A)measuring systems.
B)astronomy.
C)the Köppen classification system.
D)climate.

Question 19

The latitude of a place is important for its climate since latitude determines:

A)Sun radiation receipt.
B)elevation.
C)temperature.
D)distance from the Sun.

Question 20

Mountain ranges play an important role in determining climates because of their influence upon:

A)air density.
B)air pressure.
C)solar heating.
D)land and water contrasts.
E)rainfall distribution.

Question 21

Most places having an Aw climate experience:

A)a winter maximum of precipitation.
B)a summer maximum of precipitation.
C)precipitation distributed evenly throughout the year.
D)it is not possible to generalize about seasonal distribution of rainfall in Aw climates.

Question 22

The principal cause of desertification is:

A)inappropriate land use such as agricultural clearing and overgrazing.
B)warming global temperatures due to the burning of fossil fuels.
C)extended droughts in untouched rain forest climates.
D)air pollution as rural areas become urbanized.

Question 23

Two stations (A and

A)Station A
B)Station B
B)are classified as BSh (tropical steppe).Both stations are marginal,that is,with just a slight increase in annual rainfall,both places would be classified as humid.Station A is located poleward of a tropical desert while Station B is situated equatorward of the same desert.Which station has the highest rainfall total?
C)The available information is insufficient to make an educated judgment.
D)Both stations should receive about the same amount of rain.

Question 24

In the wet tropics:

A)the annual temperature range usually exceeds daily temperature ranges.
B)daily and annual temperature ranges are nearly identical.
C)the warmest month is always June or July.
D)daily temperature ranges usually exceed the annual temperature range.

Question 25

The vegetation associated with the Aw climate is termed:

A)jungle.
B)savanna.
C)taiga.
D)boreal.

Question 26

Deserts such as the Sahara exist because of:

A)the influence of the subtropical highs.
B)extreme continentality.
C)the rain shadow effect of mountains.
D)the desiccating influence of the trade winds.
E)sand.

Question 27

In a typical Af or Am climate,the minimal seasonal temperature variations are primarily a result of:

A)changes in solar radiation.
B)changes in evaporational cooling rates.
C)changes in vegetation cover.
D)changes in cloud cover.

Question 28

What is the most important factor controlling the seasonal distribution of precipitation in the Aw (Tropical Wet and Dry)realm?

A)proximity to maritime tropical air masses
B)movement of cyclonic storms
C)migration of the ITCZ
D)the location of mountain ranges
E)the location of ocean currents

Question 29

The climate impacts caused by the shrinking of the Aral Sea are a result of:

A)water supplies to the sea being diverted for agricultural purposes.
B)increased evaporation due to global warming.
C)extended drought in the region brought on by changes in the sunspot cycle.
D)large urban areas polluting the waters of the sea.

Question 30

The absolute maximum temperature for a given location is determined by:

A)the numerical prediction for the highest possible temperature possible at that location.
B)the highest temperature ever recorded anywhere within that climate type around the world.
C)the statistical prediction of high temperatures expected under the global warming scenario.
D)the highest temperature ever recorded at that station.

Question 31

Which of the following is a characteristic of west coast subtropical deserts?

A)Wintertime snowfall
B)Cool temperatures with low clouds and fog
C)Exceptionally sunny and cloud-free conditions
D)Some of the highest temperatures recorded anywhere in the world

Question 32

The tropical rain forest is characterized by:

A)deciduous trees.
B)a great diversity of plant species.
C)wet winters and dry summers.
D)the dominance of conifers.
E)a complete lack of sunshine.

Question 33

This climate type covers the largest amount of the earth's land.

A)humid subtropical climate
B)wet tropics
C)dry climate
D)subarctic climate
E)humid continental

Question 34

In the Aw climates of India and southeast Asia,the alternating wet and dry seasons are caused by:

A)the process of desertification.
B)the shifting location of the subpolar low pressure system.
C)seasonal changes in ocean current patterns.
D)the monsoon.

Question 35

The term laterite refers to:

A)rich tropical soils that sustain multiple types of agriculture.
B)heavily leached tropical soils that become extremely hard when dried.
C)laterally banded minerals found in tropical soils.
D)minerals left behind in soil when rainwater evaporates.

Question 36

The high temperatures and precipitation in a tropical rain forest create soils that are:

A)heavily chemically weathered and leached of most nutrients.
B)very fertile and rich in organic matter.
C)capable of supporting years of agricultural demand without irrigation.
D)highly variable in mineral content.

Question 37

Subtropical deserts have scanty,erratic precipitation because:

A)storm tracks are especially difficult to predict in this region.
B)there is no humidity to accompany the rising air at these latitudes.
C)they are too far poleward to get rain from the ITCZ and too far equatorward to get rain from cyclonic storms.
D)they are under persistent low pressure.

Question 38

Approximately what percentage of the earth's land surface is desert and steppe?

A)40 percent
B)50 percent
C)20 percent
D)30 percent
E)10 percent

Question 39

How does the average daily high temperature compare to the absolute maximum temperature at a typical subtropical desert location?

A)The average daily high is consistently well below the absolute maximum.
B)The average daily high frequently exceeds the absolute maximum.
C)The average daily high is consistently close to the absolute maximum.
D)There is no consistent relationship between the two.

Question 40

Rainfall would be most reliable (that is,the amount received each year would vary the least)in which of the following climates?

A)Af
B)BS
C)BW
D)Aw

Question 41

All of the cities described below are in North America and are classified as humid continental climates.Which city is intermediate among the three cities in terms of total annual precipitation?

A)city B,a city in the interior of the continent at 40 degrees north latitude
B)city C,a city in the interior of the continent at 50 degrees north latitude
C)city A,a leeward coastal city at 40 degrees north latitude

Question 42

The 10°C summer isotherm marks the equatorward limit of the:

A)humid subtropical climate.
B)subarctic climate.
C)ice cap climate.
D)tundra climate.
E)polar ice caps.

Question 43

On which of these continents is the marine west coast climate most extensive?

A)Europe
B)Africa
C)Australia
D)South America
E)North America

Question 44

The humid subtropical climate:

A)is,in winter,similar to the wet tropics.
B)does not affect the United States.
C)sees significant rainfall throughout the year.
D)has relatively cool summers.
E)is found along the California coast.

Question 45

The ________ is also called taiga.

A)subarctic climate
B)tundra climate
C)ice cap climate
D)humid subtropical climate
E)Siberia region

Question 46

The ________ climate has no monthly mean above freezing.

A)ice cap (EF)
B)tundra (ET)
C)subarctic (Dfd)
D)all of the above

Question 47

Places having ________ typically experience the highest annual temperature range of any climatic type.

A)ice cap climate
B)tundra climate
C)subarctic climate
D)humid subtropical climate
E)temperate climate

Question 48

Polar climates:

A)lose much solar radiation heat to reflection and ice melting.
B)are found only near the north pole.
C)produce taiga forests.
D)have a small annual temperature range.

Question 49

The ________ supports some plant life but no trees.

A)ice cap climate
B)tundra climate
C)humid subtropical climate
D)subarctic climate
E)boreal climate

Question 50

ET climates are:

A)covered entirely by coniferous trees.
B)covered entirely by deciduous trees.
C)characterized by permafrost.
D)not found in the Southern hemisphere.

Question 51

In the humid continental climate,shifts in wind directions sometimes cause rapid and large temperature changes.During what season would this be most pronounced?

A)winter
B)summer
C)This phenomenon is equally characteristic of both summer and winter.

Question 52

All of the cities described below are in North America and are classified as humid continental climates.Which city has the smallest variation in rainfall from month to month throughout the year?

A)city B,a city in the interior of the continent at 40 degrees north latitude
B)city A,a leeward coastal city at 40 degrees north latitude
C)city C,a city in the interior of the continent at 50 degrees north latitude

Question 53

All of the cities described below are in North America and are classified as humid continental climates.Which city has the highest total rainfall?

A)city C,a city in the interior of the continent at 50 degrees north latitude
B)city A,a leeward coastal city at 40 degrees north latitude
C)city B,a city in the interior of the continent at 40 degrees north latitude

Question 54

The dry-summer subtropical climate is also called the ________ climate.

A)monsoon
B)Mediterranean
C)taiga
D)savanna
E)nice

Question 55

For a continental area to experience a marine type climate,it must be located

A)at low latitude.
B)on the east side of a continent.
C)at low altitude.
D)at high latitude.
E)on a windward coast.

Question 56

What is the only humid climate that has a strong winter precipitation maximum?

A)humid subtropical climate (Cfa)
B)Mediterranean climate (Csa and Csb)
C)humid continental climate (Dfa,Dfb,Dwa,Dwb)
D)tropical wet and dry climate (Aw)
E)tundra climate (ET)

Question 57

All of the following are factors in the exceptional dryness of the Atacama Desert EXCEPT:

A)A location deep in the interior of the continent,where moisture cannot reach.
B)A location under a semi-permanent cell of high pressure.
C)The influence of the cold Peru Current,which stabilizes the air.
D)A rain shadow effect caused by the Andes Mountains.

Question 58

Middle latitude deserts (BWk)and steppes (BSk):

A)are usually located deep in the interior of a continent.
B)are more common in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere.
C)are dominated by the subtropical highs.
D)are due to ocean currents.

Question 59

All of the cities described below are in North America and are classified as humid continental climates.Which of the three cities would have the highest annual temperature range?

A)city A,a leeward coastal city at 40 degrees north latitude
B)city C,a city in the interior of the continent at 50 degrees north latitude
C)city B,a city in the interior of the continent at 40 degrees north latitude

Question 60

Although the subarctic and tundra climates generally have small precipitation totals,they are considered humid.The reason for this is:

A)these regions have great reserves of underground water that can be used for irrigation.
B)most of the precipitation falls in the winter.
C)permafrost does not let the water escape.
D)since there are no trees present,little or no water is lost because of transpiration.
E)low temperatures mean only a small loss to evaporation.

Question 61

London and Vancouver are both found in marine west coasts climates.

Question 62

Most rainfall in the tropics is frontal in origin.

Question 63

The tropical rain forest consists primarily of jungle.

Question 64

In reference to the dry (B)climates,there are usually more years when rainfall totals are above the average than below the average.

Question 65

Tropical climates are not found within the continental United States.

Question 66

Laterite soils are widely praised by farmers for their ability to grow a wide variety of crops at high yields.

Question 67

For many tropical wet and dry (Aw)stations in the Northern Hemisphere,April and May are often warmer than June and July.

Question 68

Climate zones near the equator have larger temperature changes from day to night than from month to month.

Question 69

Drought is ________ while aridity is ________.

A)persistent;seasonal
B)temporary;permanent
C)predictable;variable
D)normal;unusual

Question 70

You would expect most of the rainfall in the wet tropics (Af and Am)in midmorning.

Question 71

The primary control of solar radiation at a place is altitude.

Question 72

At the same latitude,a continental climate is usually more extreme than a marine climate.

Question 73

More of the world's land area is covered by the wet tropical (Af and Am)climates than any other climate type.

Question 74

Climatic boundaries,such as those shown on a world map of climate regions,fluctuate very little from year to year and should be regarded as fixed.

Question 75

Dry climates are always at low latitudes (within 10° of equator).

Question 76

Mountains often have rainy climates on their windward slopes and dry climates on their leeward slopes.

Question 77

A climate is classified as "dry" if it receives less than 30 centimeters of rain annually,on average.

Question 78

It is not always possible to determine whether a climate is humid or dry by knowing only the precipitation total.

Question 79

The seasonal migration of the equatorial low is not extensive enough to impact precipitation regimes.

Question 80

________ climates display a large variation over small areas.

A)Subarctic
B)Tundra
C)Highland
D)Mediterranean