8th Grade Science FOCUS on Achievement Week 8

El Niño is a weather pattern in which the normally cool ocean currents of the tropical Pacific Ocean become warmer. How does this most likely affect weather along the West Coast of the United States?

• It doesn't affect weather in West Coast states

• It makes summers colder

• It makes winters warmer

• It makes storms more predictable

An area of high pressure will most likely result in which type of weather?

• snowy weather

• stormy weather

• cloudy weather

• clear weather

Cities along the coast tend to have warmer winters than inland cities. Which is most responsible for the moderate climate of coastal cities?

• the ocean cools more slowly than the land

• the water reflects more of the Sun's light than the land

• The dry coastal air cannot hold as much heat as inland air

• Winds from the ocean push cold weather away from the coast

Sally is looking out her window and sees a lot of thick dark grey clouds moving towards her. She realized that almost every day during the summer this happens around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Which of the following best describes the phenomenon sally is observing?

• Climate, because it covers the entire sky

• Weather, because it is only true for her area

• Weather because it happens at the same time

• Climate because it happens every day during the summer

The western United States contains some desert climate areas just east of the Sierra-Nevada Mountains. These places, on average, receive very little rain throughout the year and the air is almost completely dry. Which of the following best explain why this is a description of a climate?

• it's based on long-term, averaged observations

• it's based on short-term, day-to-day observations

• its based on the humidity of the air at specific times and dates

• its based on observations from the people who live in that area

Which of the following best describes the difference between weather and climate?

• Climate is short term and over a large area. Weather is long term and local

• Climate is long term and over a large area. Weather is short term and local.

• Climate is long term and local. Weather is short term and over a large area.

• .Climate is short term and local. Weather is long term and over a large area.

The sun evaporates ocean water which eventually turns into clouds. The clouds move over land and release the water as rain. The rain finally moves down rivers and streams back into the ocean. Which of the following interactions is NOT listed above?

• Hydrosphere to Atmosphere

• Geosphere to Hydrosphere

• Atmosphere to Geosphere

• Biosphere to Geosphere

The interaction between the cryosphere and the hydrosphere have the ability to dramatically change our global climate. Which of the following events shows an interaction between the cryosphere and the hydrosphere.

• a large iceberg melting in the ocean

• Evaporated water condensing to form clouds

• Trees releasing oxygen into the environment

• The Himalayan Mountains being pushed upward

Trees take in water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients in order to live and reproduce. Their roots help to hold soil in place and slow down erosion while their leaves can stop direct sunlight from reaching the ground. Of all these functions and uses, which shows an interaction between the geosphere and the biosphere?

• roots slowing down erosion

• leaves stopping direct sunlight

• carbon dioxide being absorbed from the air

• carbon dioxide being absorbed from the air

Ozone is a pale blue gas at standard conditions. Ozone is one of the most toxic inorganic substances known, causing flexible materials, such as lung tissue, to become extremely brittle. Even though it is dangerous at ground level, ozone is important to life on Earth. Why is ozone important to life on Earth?

• Ozone made in laboratories cools refrigerators and air conditioners.

• Ozone in the troposphere destroys excess atmospheric carbon dioxide.

• Ozone in the atmosphere absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.

• Ozone in the atmosphere absorbs energy that is reradiated by Earth.