Question 1

At Kyoto in 1997,what did the 30 Western industrialized countries agree to do?
A) reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels
B) voluntarily limit greenhouse gas emissions
C) finance further studies to determine the cause of climate change
D) censure China for exceeding its carbon limits
E) reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by half

Accepted Answer

The 30 Western industrialized countries agreed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels at the Kyoto conference in 1997. This agreement is known as the Kyoto Protocol.

Question 2

Computer models predict that average global temperatures will increase by
A) 1°F.
B) 4°F.
C) 10°F.
D) -2°F.
E) 3°F.

Accepted Answer

Computer models predict that average global temperatures will increase by 2.5-10°F (1.4-5.8°C) by the end of the 21st century, but the most commonly cited estimate is 4°F (2.2°C).

Question 3

A maritime climate is characterized by
A) hot summers.
B) mild summers.
C) cold winters.
D) mild winters and mild summers.
E) cold winters and hot summers.

Accepted Answer

A maritime climate is influenced by the ocean and typically has mild winters and mild summers. This is because the ocean acts as a temperature regulator, keeping temperatures from getting too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. It also tends to be relatively humid and wet, with rainfall spread throughout the year.

Question 4

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 keeps the Earth's surface warm enough for life to exist. Without it, the Earth would be much colder, making it difficult or impossible for most life forms to survive.

Question 5

Pangaea was
A) a deep ocean trench created by colliding plates.
B) an area of active earthquakes and volcanoes.
C) a supercontinent centered on present-day Africa.
D) an area of colliding plates that formed the Himalaya Mountains.
E) the divergent plate that created the Rocky Mountains in North America.

Accepted Answer

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, centered on present-day Africa. It was formed by the collision of several smaller continents, and eventually broke apart into the continents we know today.

Question 6

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 explanation for the movement of Earth's continents and the formation of features such as mountains, volcanoes, and oceans. It is based on the idea that the Earth's outermost layer, or lithosphere, is divided into several large plates that move slowly across the surface of the planet. These plates collide, separate, or slide past one another, creating seismic activity and geological features. The theory is supported by evidence from seismic activity, geological formations, and the distribution of fossils and rock types across the planet.

Question 7

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 can affect climate, such as the burning of fossil fuels or deforestation. While human activities can certainly have an impact on climate, they are not a natural climate control. The other options, incoming solar energy, latitude, interaction between land and water, and global pressure systems and wind patterns are all natural factors that help to control Earth's climate.

Question 8

Beneath Earth's surface,where does the heat exchange occur that moves tectonic plates? 
A) continental crust
B) ocean trenches
C) convection cells
D) subducting plate
E) mid-ocean ridge

Accepted Answer

Heat exchange occurs in the convection cells located in the mantle, which drives the movement of tectonic plates.

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. It is not entirely anthropogenic (caused by human activity) as it occurs naturally in Earth's atmosphere. Additionally, the greenhouse effect has benefits such as keeping the Earth's temperature warm enough to support life. It did not begin solely with human use of fossil fuels, but human activities have contributed to an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations and intensified the greenhouse effect.

Question 10

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 the Earth's plates meet, move apart, slide past each other, or collide. This movement can cause earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Question 11

Haiti's 2008 earthquake resulted in over 230,000 deaths whereas Japan's 2011 earthquake resulted in 20,000 deaths.What explains the differences in loss of life?
A) effectiveness of search & rescue operations
B) strength of the earthquake
C) in Haiti there was also a tsunami that followed the earthquake
D) local building standards
E) effectiveness of search and rescue operations and local building standards

Accepted Answer

Both the effectiveness of search and rescue operations and local building standards played a significant role in the differences in loss of life. Japan has strict building codes that require buildings to be constructed in a way that can withstand earthquakes. Additionally, Japan has a highly trained and effective search and rescue operation, which helped save many lives. In contrast, in Haiti, buildings were often constructed without adequate infrastructure and building codes, making them more vulnerable to severe damage during an earthquake. Haiti also lacked the resources and coordination necessary for effective search and rescue operations.

Question 12

Anthropogenic pollution is caused by
A) people.
B) animals.
C) climate.
D) rocks.
E) sun spots.

Accepted Answer

Anthropogenic means "caused by humans," so anthropogenic pollution is pollution caused by people.

Question 13

Which of the following are created along divergent plate boundaries?
A) deep trenches
B) the world's most powerful earthquakes
C) mountain ranges and active volcanoes
D) rift valleys
E) rift valleys, mountain ranges and active volcanoes

Accepted Answer

Divergent plate boundaries are characterized by the splitting apart of tectonic plates, which can lead to the formation of rift valleys, mountain ranges, and active volcanoes as the crust thins and magma rises to the surface.

Question 14

The long-term average from daily measurements of precipitation and temperature is
A) weather.
B) climate.
C) climograph.
D) insolation.
E) global warming.

Accepted Answer

The long-term average from daily measurements of precipitation and temperature is describing the climate. Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, a climograph is a graphical representation of climate data, insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation received by a surface, and global warming refers to the ongoing increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.

Question 15

What are some potential benefits of volcanoes?
A) using geothermal activity to generate energy
B) ash enriches soil fertility
C) tourism
D) tourism, increased soil fertility and geothermal energy

Accepted Answer

Volcanoes can provide benefits such as tourism, which can boost local economies, increased soil fertility due to ash deposits, and the potential for utilizing geothermal activity to generate energy. Therefore, the best choice is D which lists all three of these potential benefits.

Question 16

The world's pressure systems are responsible for
A) a greater intensity of solar energy at the equator.
B) mild summer and winter temperatures along coast lines.
C) severe winters in interior regions.
D) moving the world's wind and storm systems.
E) mild summers/winters along coasts and severe winters in interior regions.

Accepted Answer

Pressure systems are responsible for moving wind and storm systems around the world. This includes the movement of cold fronts and warm fronts that create different weather patterns, such as severe winters in some interior regions. However, pressure systems do not directly cause solar energy intensity or mild summer and winter temperatures along coastlines.

Question 17

What geologic structure is created when one tectonic plate is pushed below another?
A) continental crust
B) ocean trenches
C) convergent plate boundary
D) subduction zone
E) divergent plate boundary

Accepted Answer

A subduction zone is a geological boundary where two tectonic plates meet, and one plate slides beneath the other, creating a deep trench and often leading to volcanic activity.

Question 18

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 accounts for over 50% of human-generated greenhouse gases, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels for energy production and transportation.

Question 19

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

Singapore is located near the equator and experiences a tropical climate year-round with high temperatures and high humidity. This makes it the warmest city among the choices given when all other factors are held constant.

Question 20

The San Andreas Fault,traversing coastal California,forms what type of plate boundary?
A) subduction zone
B) colliding plate boundary
C) divergent plate boundary
D) transform fault
E) divergent plate boundary and subduction zone

Accepted Answer

The San Andreas Fault forms a transform fault, where two plates are sliding horizontally past each other. This type of plate boundary results in frequent earthquakes.

Quiz 2: Changing Global Environment

At Kyoto in 1997,what did the 30 Western industrialized countries agree to do?

Computer models predict that average global temperatures will increase by

A maritime climate is characterized by

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

Pangaea was

What is the theory of plate tectonics?

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

Beneath Earth's surface,where does the heat exchange occur that moves tectonic plates?

The trapping of solar radiation in Earth's lower atmosphere

Where are earthquakes and volcanoes most commonly found?

Haiti's 2008 earthquake resulted in over 230,000 deaths whereas Japan's 2011 earthquake resulted in 20,000 deaths.What explains the differences in loss of life?

Anthropogenic pollution is caused by

Which of the following are created along divergent plate boundaries?

The long-term average from daily measurements of precipitation and temperature is

What are some potential benefits of volcanoes?

The world's pressure systems are responsible for

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

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

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

The San Andreas Fault,traversing coastal California,forms what type of plate boundary?