Question 1

An angular distance measured north or south of the equator from the center of Earth is termed
A) longitude.
B) latitude.
C) zenith.
D) Greenwich distance.

Accepted Answer

Latitude is the angular distance measured north or south of the equator from the center of Earth. Longitude is the angular distance measured east or west of the Prime Meridian. Zenith refers to the point directly above an observer's head. Greenwich distance is not a commonly used term in geography or astronomy.

Question 2

A parallel of latitude
A) is used to measure distances east and west of the equator.
B) measures longitude.
C) is called a meridian.
D) is used to measure distances north or south of the equator.
E) is a line which passes through both poles.

Accepted Answer

A parallel of latitude is a line that runs east to west and is used to measure distances north or south of the equator. This is in contrast to a meridian, which runs north to south and is used to measure longitude.

Question 3

Which of the following is true of the biosphere?
A) Life processes generally are not shaped by the abiotic spheres.
B) Life processes generally are shaped to the abiotic spheres.
C) It is not connected to the overlapping inorganic spheres.
D) It only occurs in the hydrosphere.

Accepted Answer

The biosphere, which refers to all the living organisms on Earth, is shaped by the abiotic spheres such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Life processes are affected by factors such as temperature, sunlight, and nutrient availability, which are all components of the abiotic spheres. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

Question 4

The realization that Earth was a sphere
A) did not occur in Europe until the first voyages of Columbus.
B) had to wait until the modern era (1800s).
C) was first made by Pythagoras, 580-500 B.C.
D) was made by Isaac Newton.

Accepted Answer

The realization that Earth was a sphere was first made by Greek philosopher Pythagoras in 580-500 B.C.

Question 5

As arctic temperatures rise, summer sea ice and glacial melt accelerates; lighter color surfaces are thereby replaced with darker-colored surfaces leading to more absorption and surface heating. This is an example of a(n) ________ feedback.
A) negative
B) positive
C) reverse
D) dynamic

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a positive feedback loop, where the initial change (arctic temperatures rising) leads to further change in the same direction (more absorption and surface heating) that amplifies the initial change.

Question 6

The oblateness of Earth occurs at the
A) poles.
B) equator.
C) subtropics.
D) prime meridian.

Accepted Answer

The oblateness of Earth refers to its slightly flattened shape at the poles and bulging at the equator due to its rotation.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about Earth is correct?
A) It is elongated.
B) Earth is the second largest planet in the solar system.
C) The equatorial diameter is 42 km (26 mi.) greater than the polar diameter.
D) Earth is perfectly spherical.

Accepted Answer

The equatorial diameter of Earth is indeed 42 km (26 mi.) greater than the polar diameter, making it slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. A is incorrect as Earth is flattened as mentioned in the explanation of C. B is incorrect as Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. D is incorrect as Earth is not perfectly spherical.

Question 8

The science that specifically attempts to determine Earth's shape and size by surveys and mathematical means is called
A) geography.
B) geology.
C) cartography.
D) astronomy.
E) geodesy.

Accepted Answer

Geodesy is the science that specifically deals with determining Earth's size and shape by surveys and mathematical means. Geography is a broader field that encompasses the study of Earth's physical features, human society, and the interaction between the two. Geology is the study of Earth's physical structure, history, and the processes that shape our planet. Cartography is the art and science of map-making. Astronomy is the study of celestial objects and phenomena beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Question 9

An angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian from the center of Earth is termed
A) longitude.
B) latitude.
C) zenith.
D) Greenwich distance.

Accepted Answer

Longitude is the angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian from the center of Earth. The prime meridian is a reference point for longitude measurement and passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.

Question 10

Which of the following is true of the biosphere?
A) It is never referred to as the ecosphere.
B) It exists on other planets in the solar system.
C) It is not connected to the overlapping inorganic spheres.
D) It extends from the floor of the oceans to 8 km (5 mi.) into the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

The biosphere extends from the floor of the oceans to 8 km (5 mi.) into the atmosphere. Option A is incorrect as it is sometimes referred to as the ecosphere. Option B is also incorrect as there is no evidence of the biosphere on other planets in the solar system. Option C is incorrect as the biosphere is connected to the overlapping inorganic spheres such as the atmosphere and lithosphere.

Question 11

A degree of longitude at the equator is roughly________ in length. A degree of longitude at the poles is ________ in length
A) 111 km; 111 km
B) 0 km; 111 km
C) 111 km; 0 km
D) 0 km; 56 km
E) 56 km; 0 km

Accepted Answer

At the equator, a degree of longitude is approximately 111 km in length due to the circumference of the Earth being largest at the equator. However, at the poles, the degree of longitude lines converge to a point, making the length 0 km. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 12

Who made a significant, early contribution to cartography by adding a grid and orienting the map with north at the top? He also divided the circumference of Earth into 360°, with each degree comprising 60 minutes, and each minute comprising 60 seconds.
A) Pythagoras-in the sixth century B.C.
B) Sir Isaac Newton-in the seventeenth century A.D.
C) Magellan-in the sixteenth century A.D.
D) Ptolemy-in the second century A.D.

Accepted Answer

Ptolemy, in the second century A.D., made a significant contribution to cartography by adding a grid and orienting the map with north at the top. He also divided the circumference of Earth into 360° with each degree comprising 60 minutes and each minute comprising 60 seconds.

Question 13

If increased levels of carbon dioxide lead to further increases in temperature by promoting the release of even more carbon dioxide from the oceans, this means a ________ feedback has occurred and that the planet is ________.
A) positive; in equilibrium
B) positive; out of equilibrium
C) negative; in equilibrium
D) negative; out of equilibrium

Accepted Answer

A positive feedback occurs when a change in one variable leads to further changes that amplify the original change. In this case, increased levels of carbon dioxide lead to higher temperatures, which in turn lead to further releases of carbon dioxide from the oceans, which leads to even higher temperatures. This positive feedback loop is causing the planet to be out of equilibrium, as temperatures and carbon dioxide levels continue to rise.

Question 14

Which of the following is easily determined using the position of the Sun or stars?
A) longitude
B) latitude
C) altitude
D) mean sea level

Accepted Answer

Latitude can be easily determined using the position of the Sun or stars, as it is based on the angle between the horizon and the celestial object.

Question 15

Living systems are considered
A) biotic.
B) inorganic.
C) part of the lithosphere.
D) abiotic.

Accepted Answer

Living systems are biotic, meaning they are related to or derived from living organisms.

Question 16

The diameter of Earth is largest when measured around the
A) poles.
B) equator.
C) subtropics.
D) prime meridian.

Accepted Answer

The equator is the largest circumference around the Earth and therefore has the largest diameter.

Question 17

Predator/prey relationships are an example of
A) positive feedback, because more predation leads to higher prey populations as they increase reproduction to insure survival.
B) positive feedback, as more prey discourages further predation allowing prey populations to flourish.
C) negative feedback, because prey populations tend to achieve a balance with the number of predators.
D) negative feedback, because more wolves equal fewer elk and people tend to like elks more than wolves.

Accepted Answer

Predator/prey relationships are a classic example of negative feedback in nature, as fluctuations in one population lead to changes in the other population. As predator numbers increase, prey populations decrease, causing predators to compete amongst themselves for the remaining individuals. As prey numbers decrease, predators may have trouble finding food and their numbers may decrease, allowing the prey population to recover. This type of feedback helps to keep the predator and prey populations in balance over time.

Question 18

Around the Grand Canyon the predators of deer were largely exterminated by people. The deer population grew rapidly as a result of the lack of predators until the deer exhausted their food supply. This led to a massive die-off (known as a population crash) and hundreds of deer died of starvation. The point at which the food supply no longer supported the large deer population can best be considered a
A) model.
B) metastable equilibrium condition.
C) threshold.
D) dynamic equilibrium condition.

Accepted Answer

The point at which the food supply no longer supported the large deer population can best be considered a threshold, which is the point beyond which a system undergoes a drastic and often irreversible change. In this case, the threshold was crossed when the deer population became too large for the available food supply, leading to a massive die-off. The other choices are not accurate in describing this situation. A model refers to a simplified representation of a system, while a metastable equilibrium condition refers to a state where a system is stable but can be easily disrupted. A dynamic equilibrium condition refers to a state where a system is in a balance between opposing forces, but the situation described here is not one of balance.

Question 19

Which of the following statements regarding the development of models by scientists is not true?
A) Adjusting the variables in a model simulates different conditions and allows predictions of possible system operations.
B) A model is a simplication designed to help us understand complex processes.
C) Most scientists believe that any system can eventually be modeled with 100 percent accuracy. Thus, models can be perfect representations of reality.
D) A model is only as good as the assumptions and accuracy of information upon which it is based.

Accepted Answer

Most scientists do not believe that any system can be modeled with 100 percent accuracy. Models are always simplifications and approximations of reality and are based on assumptions and incomplete information. They can never fully capture the complexity and unpredictability of natural phenomena.

Question 20

Isaac Newton reasoned that Earth was not perfectly spherical because of
A) centrifugal force created by Earth's more rapid rotation at the equator.
B) centrifugal force created by Earth's more rapid rotation at the poles.
C) gravitational force created by Earth's more rapid rotation at the equator.
D) gravitational force created by Earth's more rapid rotation at the poles.

Accepted Answer

Centrifugal force created by Earth's more rapid rotation at the equator caused the equatorial diameter of Earth to be approximately 42 kilometers (26 miles) greater than the polar diameter.

Quiz 1: Essentials of Geography

An angular distance measured north or south of the equator from the center of Earth is termed

A parallel of latitude

Which of the following is true of the biosphere?

The realization that Earth was a sphere

As arctic temperatures rise, summer sea ice and glacial melt accelerates; lighter color surfaces are thereby replaced with darker-colored surfaces leading to more absorption and surface heating. This is an example of a(n) ________ feedback.

The oblateness of Earth occurs at the

Which of the following statements about Earth is correct?

The science that specifically attempts to determine Earth's shape and size by surveys and mathematical means is called

An angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian from the center of Earth is termed

Which of the following is true of the biosphere?

A degree of longitude at the equator is roughly in length. A degree of longitude at the poles is in length

Who made a significant, early contribution to cartography by adding a grid and orienting the map with north at the top? He also divided the circumference of Earth into 360°, with each degree comprising 60 minutes, and each minute comprising 60 seconds.

If increased levels of carbon dioxide lead to further increases in temperature by promoting the release of even more carbon dioxide from the oceans, this means a feedback has occurred and that the planet is .

Which of the following is easily determined using the position of the Sun or stars?

Living systems are considered

The diameter of Earth is largest when measured around the

Predator/prey relationships are an example of

Which of the following statements regarding the development of models by scientists is not true?

Isaac Newton reasoned that Earth was not perfectly spherical because of