Unit 4 MCQ

A group of students wanted to determine if soil texture can vary by location. Each student added their soil sample of equal mass to a jar with exactly the same amount of water, shook the contents so that all soil particles were suspended in the water, and left the jars covered overnight. The next morning, the soil particles had settled out into layers and students could determine the percentage of each type of particle. Which of the following describes the independent variable in this investigation?

• Percentage of each particle size in each soil sample

• Soil samples taken from different locations

• Time required for each soil sample to settle

• Addition of water to each soil sample

A group of students wanted to determine if soil texture can vary by location. Each student added their soil sample of equal mass to a jar with exactly the same amount of water, shook the contents so that all soil particles were suspended in the water, and left the jars covered overnight. The next morning, the soil particles had settled out into layers and students could determine the percentage of each type of particle. Which of the following describes the dependent variable in this investigation?

• Percentage of each particle size in each soil sample

• Soil samples taken from different locations

• Time required for each soil sample to settle

• Addition of water to each soil sample

Which of the following is the best explanation for the deflection of the trade winds in both hemispheres, as seen in the diagram above?

• The wind is deflected east because of varying landmasses at the latitudes.

• The wind is deflected east because of the waves in the ocean.

• The wind is deflected west because of the mountains that the air encounters as the wind moves north or south.

• The wind is deflected west because of Earth’s rotation.

Based on the map, which of the following best identifies and explains the region of South America that would have a more moderate climate?

• The west coast would have a more moderate climate because of the Peru Current.

• The west coast would have a more moderate climate because of the Andes Mountains.

• The east coast would have a more moderate climate because of its proximity to the equator.

• The east coast would have a more moderate climate because of the Brazil Current.

The Chesapeake Bay is a watershed that is located in six states and the District of Columbia. Which of the following can cause an increase in water pollution in the watershed?

• An increase in the number of grasses, trees, and shrubs near a watershed

• An increase in the natural systems near a watershed

• An increase in stormwater runoff in urban areas

• A decrease in the number of impervious surfaces near the watershed

The Mississippi watershed is the largest in North America, draining all or part of thirty-two states in the United States and two Canadian provinces. A new apartment complex is being built on a steep slope near the source of the Mississippi River outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Which of the following measures should be taken to best reduce erosion at the construction site to protect the Mississippi watershed?

• Add a paved surface at the top of the slope.

• Remove trees and shrubs from the slope and the riverbank.

• Move all of the topsoil from the site to the riverbank.

• Plant grass and shrubs on the slope.

Based on the map above, which of the following best explains why the Atacama Desert has a consistently arid climate?

• It is on the windward side of the Andes Mountains.

• It is in the rain shadow of the Andes Mountains.

• The cold Peru Current brings dry air to the west coast.

• Compared to the east coast, it has less water available.

A developer wants to develop a large tract of land near a watershed, which will require the removal of several large trees. Which of the following statements best describes the impact that the development would have on the watershed?

• Removing large trees would decrease the amount of runoff in the watershed.

• Removing large trees would cause an increase in temperature and keep the surrounding water and soil warmer.

• Removing large trees would decrease the rate of erosion in a watershed.

• Removing large trees would increase the retention of water within the watershed.

Based on the map, which of the following best explains the area of the Andes Mountains that would have the greatest number of rivers?

• Equal numbers of rivers would be found on both the east and west sides of the Andes Mountains because water flows downhill.

• More rivers would be located on the west side of the Andes Mountains because it is the leeward side.

• More rivers would be located on the east side of the Andes Mountains because the trade winds are coming from the east.

• More rivers would be located on the south side of the Andes Mountains because it is protected from the drying sunlight.

During a La Niña event, what environmental changes would the tropical Pacific Ocean and its surrounding landmasses most likely experience?

• Increased rainfall in the eastern Pacific Ocean leading to flooding and landslides off the coast of South America

• An area of high pressure forming over landmasses and increasing the chance of typhoons

• Cooler ocean water in the western Pacific Ocean leading to an increased chance of wildfires

• Increased upwelling off the coast of South America resulting in increased productivity of fisheries