Question 1

Almost ___________of Australia is desert.

Accepted Answer

Nearly 40% of Australia's landmass is classified as desert, encompassing several large deserts such as the Great Victoria, Great Sandy, and Simpson Deserts.

Question 2

You are going camping with a friend in June in the Lovelock, Nevada area. Your friend, who is wearing a t- shirt, says "my pack is pretty full. Do I really need this jacket?" What would be a fair response?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are going camping with a friend...

Question 3

In a climatological sense, dryness is a function of both annual rainfall and___________ .

Accepted Answer

In addition to annual rainfall, dryness is also influenced by the amount of evaporation, which is determined by factors such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed. High evaporation rates can lead to dry conditions even in areas with normal or above-normal annual rainfall.

Question 4

The name ___________ climate is often used as a synonym for the dry- summer subtropical climate.

Accepted Answer

The Mediterranean climate is characterized by dry summers and mild, wet winters. It is often used as a synonym for the dry-summer subtropical climate. The other options (Australian, Indian, European, African) do not specifically refer to a climate type with dry summers.

Question 5

The ___________west coast climate is situated on the western windward. side of continents from about 40 to 65 degrees latitude.

Accepted Answer

The description given matches with the characteristics of a marine climate. It is influenced by the ocean and experiences mild temperatures and high precipitation.

Question 6

The western U.S. climate is different from the western European climate because___________ .

Accepted Answer

The western U.S. has mountains near the coast, such as the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, which have a significant impact on the climate. These mountains cause the air to rise and cool, leading to precipitation on the western slopes and a rain shadow effect on the eastern slopes. Europe, on the other hand, does not have such significant coastal mountain ranges.

Question 7

The humid subtropical climate dominates the ___________United States.

Accepted Answer

The humid subtropical climate is characterized by hot and humid summers and mild winters with some occasional snowfall. This climate is found primarily in the southeastern United States, including states such as Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, making choice E the best option.

Question 8

Low latitude dry climates are found primarily ___________.

Accepted Answer

Low latitude dry climates are primarily found near the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, where descending air masses from the Hadley cell circulation create arid conditions.

Question 9

Humid middle- latitude climates with mild winters tend to have less precipitation in the summer than during the rest of the year because___________ .

Accepted Answer

Oceanic subtropical highs migrate poleward towards higher latitudes during the summer, which can lead to less precipitation over land in humid middle-latitude climates with mild winters. This migration affects the distribution of precipitation by altering the flow of moist air masses.

Question 10

Midlatitude deserts and steppes form because___________ .

Accepted Answer

Midlatitude deserts and steppes form because they are in the interiors of continents where the moisture is limited due to distance from sea and rain shadow effect of nearby mountains.

Question 11

Why are humid middle- latitude climates with severe winters not found in the Southern Hemisphere?

Accepted Answer

The Southern Hemisphere is dominated by oceans, which moderate the climate and prevent the development of humid middle-latitude climates with severe winters. This oceanic influence leads to milder winters compared to the Northern Hemisphere, where larger landmasses allow for more extreme seasonal variations.

Question 12

The___________ climates are land- controlled climates, the result of broad continents in the middle latitudes.

Accepted Answer

The D climates, also known as Continental climates, are characterized by their location in the middle latitudes and significant distance from oceans, leading to greater seasonal temperature variations and a more pronounced difference between summer and winter conditions. These climates are influenced more by the landmass than by the sea.

Question 13

The___________ climate is located on the eastern sides of continents, in the 25- to 40- degree latitude range.

Accepted Answer

The humid subtropical climate is typically found on the eastern sides of continents between 25 and 40 degrees latitude, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters.

Question 14

The two types of dry Bclimates are desert and___________ .

Accepted Answer

The two types of dry climates are desert and steppe. The taiga and tundra climates are cold climates, while the highland climate can vary in terms of moisture levels, so neither A, B, nor C are correct answers.

Question 15

The___________ sides of mountains are often wet.

Accepted Answer

The side of the mountain facing the direction from which the prevailing winds come is known as the windward side. This side of the mountain receives more precipitation and is therefore often wet.

Question 16

The subarctic climate is often referred to as ___________.

Accepted Answer

The subarctic climate is characterized by long, cold winters and short, mild summers. It is primarily found in the northern regions of North America and Eurasia, where vast areas of coniferous forests (taiga) dominate the landscape. Therefore, choice A 'the taiga climate' is the best answer. The other options are not accurate descriptions of the subarctic climate.

Question 17

The low latitude dry regions coincide with___________ .

Accepted Answer

The subtropical high pressure belts are located at around 30 degrees north and south of the equator and are associated with dry, clear weather conditions. Therefore, the low latitude dry regions coincide with the subtropical high pressure belts.

Question 18

Low latitude dry regions tend to___________ .

Accepted Answer

Low latitude dry regions, such as deserts, are characterized by very low humidity and minimal rainfall. As a result, these regions tend to be cloud free, allowing for constant direct sunlight and high temperatures.

Question 19

Coastal Alaska and Norway are in the___________ group of climates.

Accepted Answer

Coastal Alaska and Norway are characterized by humid middle-latitude climates with mild winters due to the moderating influence of the ocean, which prevents extreme cold temperatures.

Question 20

The leeward sides of mountains are typically dry enough to be referred to as ___________.

Accepted Answer

The term "rain shadow" refers to the effect that mountains have on precipitation patterns. As moist air is forced to rise over a mountain range, it cools and condenses, resulting in precipitation on the windward side (the side facing the prevailing winds). As the air descends on the leeward side, it warms and dries out, often resulting in a dry, arid climate known as a "rain shadow desert."

Quiz 20: World Climates and Global Climate Change