Factors that Affect Climate

The diagram shows a weather process that occurs when a large body of water is located near a mountainous area.

This process causes the area on the side of the mountain opposite the body of water to have

• a wet climate.

• a cold climate.

• an icy climate.

• a dry climate.

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If an area has a very cold climate, it is most likely that the area

• is close to the equator.

• will support tropical plants.

• does not get much sunlight.

• is close to the ocean.

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Some coastal regions of the world have cooler summers and warmer winters than inland regions at the same latitude. What accounts for this difference in climates?

• Coastal areas receive more sunlight.

• Coastal areas are always flat.

• Prevailing winds moderate the weather.

• The ocean moderates air temperatures.

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Brandy has built a computer model of a weather system. She has included information about bodies of water, the Sun, and the atmosphere.

In her model, Brandy doubles the size of an inland sea. How will this likely affect temperatures in areas along the sea's coast?

• Temperatures will be more constant.

• Temperatures will be less constant.

• Temperatures will increase.

• Temperatures will remain the same.

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The parts of the Earth near the equator receive more sunlight than the north or south poles.

How does this impact the climate at the equator?

• It makes the climate warmer.

• It makes the climate rainy.

• It makes the climate dry.

• It makes the climate cooler.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The fact that water heats and cools more slowly than land causes many different types of weather.

What is the primary source of heat for land and water?

• energy from the Sun

• energy from electricity

• heat from friction in the air

• heat from inside the Earth

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The equator tends to contain regions with hot climates. However, the Rwenzori Mountains, which are located close to the equator, are covered in ice caps.

Why is the climate of the Rwenzori Mountains not hot?

• Regions away from the ocean are cooler.

• Clouds form a cold blanket over the mountains.

• The mountains block radiation from the Sun.

• Temperatures decrease with elevation.

In which of the following ways can mountains influence climate?

• Mountains have a higher elevation than surrounding areas. Because these areas are closer to the sun, they enjoy a warmer climate.

• Mountains have no affect on the climate of an area.

• Mountains cause air to rise. The rising air cools, resulting in condensation and precipitation.

• Mountains interfere with moving air. The air moves up the mountain, and circles back down, eventually causing tornadoes.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Brandy has built a computer model of a weather system. She has included information about bodies of water, the Sun, and the atmosphere. Brandy records the average daily temperature of a continental city that is at sea level (City A). She then records the noontime temperature of a continental city at the same latitude but at a greater elevation (City B).

If all other factors in her model are the same for both cities,

• It will always rain in City B but never in City A.

• City A will have a higher temperature overall than City B.

• City B will have a higher temperature overall than City A.

• It will always rain in City A but never in City B.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following best explains why the latitude of a region influences its climate?

• The latitude of a region determines its proximity to the ocean.

• The latitude of a region determines the land forms present in the area.

• The latitude of a region determines how much sunlight the area receives.

• The latitude of a region determines its elevation above sea level.

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