Deck 9: Low-Latitude and Arid Climate Regions

Question 1

In tropical rainforest climates the daily range of temperature is often greater than the annual range of temperature. ​

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Tropical rainforest areas tend to have heavy cloud cover during the warmer daylight hours. ​

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Steppe soils are usually low in organic matter. ​

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Most steppe climates border desert regions, because they are transitional between air and humid climate types.

Question 5

Rainforest climates (Af)straddle the equator. ​

Question 6

During the monsoon season, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)shifts southward, offshore from India. ​

Question 7

In Af climates, ____. ​

A)only winter months receive more than 2.4 inches of precipitation
B)only summer months receive more than 2.4 inches of precipitation
C)all months receive more than 2.4 inches of precipitation
D)total annual rainfall must exceed 71.6 inches
E)rainfall is mostly limited to the wet season

Question 8

Cold ocean currents flowing parallel to a coastline____. ​

A)can increase aridity in coastal areas
B)tend to weaken atmospheric high pressure systems
C)tend to be relatively barren of marine life
D)generally flow poleward
E)tend to produce humid coastal areas

Question 9

Which of these regions would be classified as a tropical rainforest? ​

A)Atacama
B)Amazon Basin
C)Bangladesh
D)North Africa
E)Eastern United States

Question 10

Arid climates (B)are not found in the Southern Hemisphere. ​

Question 11

The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures during the day is known as the diurnal temperature range. ​

Question 12

In what way do tropical rainforests contribute to their own climate? ​

A)Trees slow winds, encouraging warmer temperatures.
B)Trees transpire large amounts of moisture into the atmosphere.
C)Trees shade the ground, making air masses more stable.
D)Trees slow winds, encouraging precipitation from moist air masses.
E)Trees absorb heat, lowering daytime temperatures and raising nighttime temperatures.

Question 13

Slash-and-burn agriculture occurs in steppe climates. ​

Question 14

B climates contain rainforests. ​

Question 15

Rainfall is more predictable in savanna regions than it is in monsoon climates. ​

Question 16

Tropical savanna climate regions are usually not well suited to agriculture. ​

Question 17

The subtropical high pressure cells of both hemispheres play a major role in the location of the world's deserts. ​

Question 18

Tropical climates have no months with temperatures below 18 ° C (˜64 ° F). ​

Question 19

The amount of precipitation actually available for use by plants and animals can be referred to as ____. ​

A)potential transpiration
B)evapotranspiration
C)potential precipitation
D)rainfall quality
E)precipitation effectiveness

Question 20

The transition from one climate region to another on Earth's surface is usually abrupt and easily recognized. ​

Question 21

Xerophytic vegetation is most likely to be found in which of the following climatic regions? ​

A)tropical rainforest
B)tropical savanna
C)steppe
D)desert
E)tropical monsoon

Question 22

Most rainforest areas are not covered by true jungle, but by ____ vegetation. ​

A)wetland
B)selva
C)savanna
D)steppe
E)xerophytic

Question 23

The band of low-latitude desert regions is directly related to ____ pressure systems. ​

A)equatorial low
B)subtropical high
C)midlatitude low
D)subpolar low
E)polar high

Question 24

Why is slash-and-burn agriculture so ecologically damaging? ​

A)Fires frequently spread to much larger areas than intended.
B)Areas are repeatedly burned before they can grow back.
C)Ash prevents new plants from growing.
D)Crops can only be grown for a few years before a new area must be burned.
E)Exposed soil soaks up rainfall, decreasing the amount available for surrounding trees.

Question 25

Which desert is located along the west coast of South America? ​

A)Namib
B)Atacama
C)Gobi
D)Sonoran
E)Taklamakan

Question 26

In a ____ climate type, precipitation is less than half the potential evapotranspiration. ​

A)desert
B)steppe
C)tropical savanna
D)tropical monsoon
E)temperate forest

Question 27

Precipitation in desert areas is ____. ​

A)caused by cyclonic activity
B)associated with the high sun season
C)irregular, unreliable, and sometimes extreme
D)caused by orographic lifting of cT air masses
E)quite predictable, but minimal

Question 28

Southwest India is an example of a ____ climate region. ​

A)Mediterranean
B)tropical monsoon
C)desert
D)steppe
E)subarctic

Question 29

An almost constant mist and fog is common in high altitude forests called ____. ​

A)foggy forests
B)mist forests
C)cloud forests
D)rain forests
E)orographic forests

Question 30

How is the Sahara Desert connected to the Amazon Rainforest? ​

A)Warm air over the Sahara pushes moist air over the Amazon.
B)Air masses first lose their moisture over the Amazon, drying out before reaching the Sahara.
C)Moisture transpired from trees in the Amazon provide all of the Sahara's precipitation.
D)Clouds seeded by Saharan dust keep the Amazon cloudy and cool.
E)Dust from the Sahara is blown to the Amazon, where it contributes nutrients to the soil.

Question 31

What type of vegetation would you find in a steppe region? ​

A)hardwood forest
B)selva
C)short grasses
D)no vegetation at all
E)jungle

Question 32

The rainfall of the tropical savanna climate is most likely to be ____. ​

A)concentrated in the low-sun period
B)unreliable over the year
C)over 100" a year
D)largely orographic in origin
E)roughly constant year-round

Question 33

The tropical monsoon climate is different from the tropical rainforest because it has ____. ​

A)a short dry season
B)its coolest month averaging above 18 ° C (64.4 ° F)
C)forest cover as natural vegetation
D)climate regions in Africa, Asia, and South America
E)much cooler temperatures

Question 34

What happens when a rainforest tree dies? ​

A)Light reaches the forest floor, triggering the start of a change in the structure of the forest.
B)Rainfall reaches the forest floor in that spot, eroding soil and preventing new growth.
C)The new opening in the canopy allows light through, allowing a new tree to grow in its place.
D)No new tree can take its place, and the forest gradually transitions into a savanna.
E)Bright sun reaching the forest floor damages the surrounding trees.

Question 35

The diurnal temperature range of low latitude deserts is ____. ​

A)nearly zero
B)much smaller than in most other climate regions
C)equal to the global average
D)the largest of any climate region
E)large in some areas, but small in others

Question 36

Which climate generally experiences the smallest annual temperature range? ​

A)tropical rainforest
B)tropical savanna
C)tropical monsoon
D)desert
E)steppe

Question 37

Most deserts not centered on the Tropics of Cancer or Capricorn are ____. ​

A)located in continental interiors
B)located on the windward side of mountain ranges
C)coastal
D)located at extremely high elevations
E)located upwind of large lakes

Question 38

Thick bark, small waxy leaves, and growing in a compact shape close to the ground are all common adaptations for plants growing in ____ climates. ​

A)tropical rainforest
B)tropical savanna
C)desert
D)tropical monsoon
E)humid microthermal

Question 39

The desert found in Pakistan and northwestern India is called the ____ Desert. ​

A)Thar
B)Sahara
C)Atacama
D)Kalahari
E)Sonoran

Question 40

Which climate supports large herds of grazing animals? ​

A)humid subtropical
B)desert
C)tropical monsoon
D)tropical rainforest
E)steppe

Question 41

Soils high in organic matter and soluble minerals have attracted farmers to _______________ climate regions, but dry cycles can cause crops to fail year after year. ​

Question 42

The _______________ Desert is found along the west coast of South America. ​

Question 43

In the immediate vicinity of the equator, a(n)_______________ climate is most common. (two words)​

Question 44

Explain why slash-and-burn farming must constantly shift to new areas, when rainforests are normally thick with vegetation. ​

Question 45

A(n)_______________ climate is transitional between tropical rainforests and steppe climates. (two words)​

Question 46

The term _______________ refers to a dense tangle of vines and small trees that develops where direct sunlight reaches the ground in a rainforest. ​

Question 47

Plants adapted to extreme drought conditions are termed _______________. ​

Question 48

In an Am climate, the m stands for _______________. ​

Question 49

How do plants adapt to live in arid climates? ​

Question 50

How is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)related to tropical monsoon climates? ​

Question 51

The tops of rainforest trees form a thick, almost continuous _______________ that blocks out much of the sun's light. ​

Question 52

Describe two factors that control the distribution of arid regions around the world. ​

Question 53

The expansion of desert-like landscapes, generally as a result of human activities in marginal lands, is called _______________. ​

Question 54

Tropical _______________ climates are home to drought-resistant trees. ​

Question 55

Most of Indonesia contains a(n)_______________ climate. ​

Question 56

Rice is successfully cultivated in _______________ climates. (two words)​

Question 57

By looking at climographs of tropical locations, how can you tell the difference between tropical monsoon and tropical rainforest? ​

Question 58

Selva is the most common vegetative growth in _______________ climates. (two words)​

Question 59

The _______________ Desert is found in northern Africa. ​

Question 60

Tall grasses with a few scattered, drought-resistant trees describes a(n)_______________ . (two words)​