Question 1

Beneath Earth's surface, where does the heat exchange occur that moves tectonic plates? Refer to the figure below.

A) Continental crust
B) Ocean trenches
C) Convection cells
D) Subducting plate
E) Mid-ocean ridge

Accepted Answer

Heat exchange that drives the movement of tectonic plates occurs within convection cells in the mantle.

Question 2

If the greenhouse effect did not exist, what would happen to earth?
A) Earth would be too cold to support life as we know it.
B) Earth would be much too hot to support life as we know it.
C) Earth would be too wet to support life as we know it.
D) Our environment would be greatly improved.
E) It would make no difference.

Accepted Answer

The greenhouse effect is what helps regulate the temperature of the Earth by trapping some of the sun's heat and keeping it within our atmosphere. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth's average temperature would be around -18 degrees Celsius, which is too cold to support most forms of life.

Question 3

Based on the map of bioregions below, what type of bioregion is most often found along the equator?

A) broadleaf or mixed broadleaf and coniferous forest
B) coniferous forest
C) tundra
D) tropical forests
E) Mediterranean woodland

Accepted Answer

Tropical forests are most often found along the equator, as this area receives abundant rainfall and high temperatures, creating optimal conditions for plant growth.

Question 4

Where is solar radiation trapped in the Greenhouse Effect? Refer to the figure below.

A) Oceans
B) Outer space
C) Lower atmosphere
D) High latitudes
E) Low latitudes

Accepted Answer

Solar radiation is trapped in the lower atmosphere as it passes through the greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. This is what causes the Greenhouse Effect.

Question 5

Among earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes, which is (are)a seismic hazard?
A) Earthquakes
B) Volcanoes
C) Hurricanes
D) Earthquakes and volcanoes
E) Earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes

Accepted Answer

Seismic hazards are related to the Earth's movements, which include earthquakes and volcanic activity, but not hurricanes.

Question 6

Where are earthquakes and volcanoes most commonly found?
A) In the higher latitudes
B) At the edges of oceans
C) Along tectonic plate boundaries
D) Around the equator
E) The location is random.

Accepted Answer

Earthquakes and volcanoes are most commonly found along tectonic plate boundaries where plates interact, causing seismic and volcanic activity.

Question 7

By what name do we know the place where two tectonic plates are forced together?
A) Continental crust
B) Ocean trenches
C) Convergent plate boundary
D) Subduction zone
E) Divergent plate boundary

Accepted Answer

A convergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates are forced together.

Question 8

If all climatic controls except latitude were held constant, which of these cities would be warmest?
A) Singapore at about 2° north latitude
B) Wasilla, Alaska at about 61° north latitude
C) Paris, France at about 49° north latitude
D) Cape Town, South Africa at about 34° south latitude
E) Punta Arenas, Chile at about 53° south latitude

Accepted Answer

The closer a location is to the equator, the more direct sunlight it receives, leading to warmer temperatures. Singapore is located closest to the equator out of the given options, at only 2° north latitude, making it the warmest.

Question 9

The trapping of solar radiation in Earth's lower atmosphere ________.
A) is entirely anthropogenic
B) is called the greenhouse effect
C) has no benefits
D) began with humans' use of fossil fuels
E) began with humans' use of fossil fuels and has no benefits

Accepted Answer

The trapping of solar radiation in Earth's lower atmosphere is called the greenhouse effect.

Question 10

The U.S. congress opposed the Kyoto Protocol primarily because ________.
A) the U.S. is and has not been a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
B) while the U.S. has contributed greatly to greenhouse gas emissions in the past, in recent years it has made substantial efforts in reducing these emissions.
C) there is no scientific evidence whatsoever supporting a correlation between greenhouse emissions and climate change.
D) atmospheric emission reductions could potentially harm the U.S. economy.
E) no other industrialized country supports the Kyoto Protocol.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. congress opposed the Kyoto Protocol primarily because they believed that the proposed atmospheric emission reductions could potentially harm the U.S. economy. This was a major concern for many politicians and stakeholders, especially those in industries that heavily rely on emissions such as coal and oil.

Question 11

Why was there greater loss of life in Haiti's 2010 magnitude 7.0 earthquake where 220,000 people died than in Chile's 2010 magnitude 8.8 earthquake, where about 800 people died?
A) Many of Haiti's citizens live in substandard housing.
B) Chile has better search and rescue operations.
C) Haiti's total population is larger than Chile's population
D) Because many Haitians live in substandard housing and because Chile has better search and rescue operations
E) Because many Haitians live in substandard housing; because Chile has better search and rescue operations; and because Haiti's total population is larger than Chile's

Accepted Answer

Haiti's greater loss of life in the earthquake is due to a combination of factors, including many citizens living in substandard housing and the lack of effective search and rescue operations. Chile, on the other hand, has better infrastructure and emergency response systems that contributed to a lower death toll. While the difference in population size may have played a role, it is not the most significant contributing factor. Therefore, Choice D, which covers both substandard housing and search and rescue operations, is the best choice.

Question 12

What geologic structure is created when one tectonic plate dives below another?
A) Continental crust
B) Ocean trenches
C) Convergent plate boundary
D) Subduction zone
E) Divergent plate boundary

Accepted Answer

When one tectonic plate dives below another, it creates a subduction zone. This occurs at convergent plate boundaries where two plates are moving towards each other. The denser plate will typically subduct, or dive, beneath the other plate, leading to the formation of ocean trenches and volcanic activity.

Question 13

An assemblage of local plants, animals, and insects covering a large area such as a tropical rainforest or a grassland is called a ________.
A) bioregion
B) bionicle
C) biosphere
D) biogeography
E) biore

Accepted Answer

A bioregion is defined as a geographical area with a specific assemblage of local plants, animals, and insects. The other options do not specifically refer to this type of assemblage covering a large area.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example the possible effects of climate change?
A) The U.S. wheat belt may receive more rainfall.
B) Grain production is likely to increase.
C) Canada and Russia may experience shorter growing seasons.
D) Sea level will rise.
E) New islands will appear as ocean levels decrease.

Accepted Answer

Climate change is causing the melting of glaciers and ice caps, resulting in a rise in sea level, which poses a threat to low-lying areas and coastal cities.

Answer: C
 As the climate warms, the growing season in Northern regions is expected to become shorter, affecting the production of crops such as wheat, corn, soybeans, and barley.

Therefore, the best choice(s) are D and C.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT one of Earth's climate controls?
A) incoming solar energy
B) anthropogenic systems
C) latitude
D) interaction between land and water
E) global pressure systems and wind patterns

Accepted Answer

Anthropogenic systems refer to human activities that affect the climate, such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and urbanization. However, they are not a natural climate control mechanism of Earth. The remaining options, including incoming solar energy, latitude, interaction between land and water, and global pressure systems and wind patterns, are all natural climate controls.

Question 16

What is the theory of plate tectonics?
A) Earth was created 6,000 years ago.
B) Earth is made up of a large number of geological plates that move slowly across its surface.
C) Human activities are changing Earth's surface.
D) The number of tectonic plates equals the number of continents on Earth.
E) Earth's continents are moving closer together.

Accepted Answer

The theory of plate tectonics is the scientific understanding that Earth is made up of a number of geological plates that move slowly across its surface. This theory explains many geological phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountains.

Question 17

What pair of countries contributes the most greenhouse emissions to the atmosphere?
A) England and Ireland
B) Germany and France
C) United States and China
D) Japan and South Korea
E) Russia and India

Accepted Answer

The United States and China are currently the top two emitters of greenhouse gases, with China surpassing the US in total emissions in recent years. Together, they account for more than 40% of global emissions.

Question 18

Anthropogenic emissions are caused by ________.
A) people.
B) animals.
C) climate.
D) rocks.
E) anthropologists.

Accepted Answer

Anthropogenic, by definition, means "caused by humans." Therefore, anthropogenic emissions are caused by people.

Question 19

What substance accounts for more than half of the human-generated greenhouse gases?
A) chlorofluorocarbons
B) carbon dioxide
C) methane
D) nitrous oxide
E) ozone

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide is responsible for more than half of the human-generated greenhouse gases, accounting for approximately 65% of total emissions. This is primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas for energy and transportation.

Question 20

What shapes the fundamental form of Earth's surface?
A) geology
B) anthropology
C) politics
D) economics
E) social development

Accepted Answer

Geology plays a major role in shaping the fundamental form of Earth's surface. This includes processes such as plate tectonics, erosion, weathering, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains and valleys. Anthropology, politics, economics, and social development may have an impact on certain aspects of the surface (such as human land use or resource extraction), but they do not shape the fundamental form of the surface itself.

Quiz 2: Changing Global Environment

Beneath Earth's surface, where does the heat exchange occur that moves tectonic plates? Refer to the figure below.

If the greenhouse effect did not exist, what would happen to earth?

Based on the map of bioregions below, what type of bioregion is most often found along the equator?

Where is solar radiation trapped in the Greenhouse Effect? Refer to the figure below.

Among earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes, which is (are) a seismic hazard?

Where are earthquakes and volcanoes most commonly found?

By what name do we know the place where two tectonic plates are forced together?

If all climatic controls except latitude were held constant, which of these cities would be warmest?

The trapping of solar radiation in Earth's lower atmosphere ________.

The U.S. congress opposed the Kyoto Protocol primarily because ________.

Why was there greater loss of life in Haiti's 2010 magnitude 7.0 earthquake where 220,000 people died than in Chile's 2010 magnitude 8.8 earthquake, where about 800 people died?

What geologic structure is created when one tectonic plate dives below another?

An assemblage of local plants, animals, and insects covering a large area such as a tropical rainforest or a grassland is called a ________.

Which of the following is an example the possible effects of climate change?

Which of the following is NOT one of Earth's climate controls?

What is the theory of plate tectonics?

What pair of countries contributes the most greenhouse emissions to the atmosphere?

Anthropogenic emissions are caused by ________.

What substance accounts for more than half of the human-generated greenhouse gases?

What shapes the fundamental form of Earth's surface?