Global Systems Practice Quiz

Which of these BEST explains a system?

• A bunch of disconnected parts in in a pile.

• Connected parts that do not affect one another

• Individual parts that are connected and work together.

• Individual parts that work together at times but are mostly separate

• A way of doing things that has no organization or steps

Answer explanation

A system is a group of things that work together towards an outcome. It includes inputs, outputs, and processes.

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A tidal marsh is an ecosystem because... (Choose the best response)

• It is an ecosystem and has system in the name.

• It is many separate parts that do NOT rely on each other.

• It is a single thing that does everything.

• It is made of many separate parts that rely on and influence each other.

• It is a way of doing ecology.

Answer explanation

A system is made of many parts that work together towards an outcome. There are inputs, outputs, and processes. A tidal marsh is made of many biotic and abiotic parts that interact. Inputs include sunlight and ocean water. Processes include photosynthesis and tidal movement. Outputs include sugars (for plants) and species's survival.

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Which of the following is an abiotic factor that would strongly influence an aquatic river ecosystem?

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

A- means not. Biotic means having the characteristics of life. Abiotic factors are not and have never been alive. Of the two choices that remain, the dam is the most likely to influence because it is directly on the river, limits the flow of water, and blocks the movement of aquatic organisms.

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Which of the following describes a climate?

• It rained in the rainforest yesterday.

• The long-term average of precipitation, temperature, patterns of storm events, etc.

• Ocean currents.

• Daily weather patterns.

• It was foggy this week.

Answer explanation

Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns.

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Which of the following BEST describes the greenhouse effect?

• Gasses like CO2 reflect heat (infrared) back to Earth, which helps to keep the atmosphere warm.

• A glass house with plants in it that stays warm.

• Oxygen in the atmosphere is destroyed when in contact with gasses like methane.

• The ozone layer develops a hole that allows too many of the sun's rays through.

• The sun heats the Earth unevenly because the Earth is tiled on its axis.

Answer explanation

Greenhouse gasses act like a blanket layer or like the glass in a greenhouse: They reflect the heat (infrared) back to the surface of the Earth, which helps to retain its warmth. More greenhouse gasses mean more heat is reflected back to Earth.

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The glow of city lights can make it hard to see the stars and change the behavior of wildlife. City lights are a result of activity in which sphere? (Choose the BEST fit.)

• Geosphere

• Anthroposphere

• Atmosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Biosphere

Answer explanation

While humans ARE a part of the biosphere, the anthroposphere is the best choice. The anthroposphere describes human activity, habitat, and the influence of humans on the other spheres of Earth.

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Why is the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil a GLOBAL concern right now? (Check all that apply)

• They run cars and factories, which are things that pollute the local land.

• If we run out of fossil fuels we won't be able to power our phones.

• Fossil fuels pollute the atmosphere making it hard to breathe

• Fossil fuels are made of fossils and we will run out of evidence of past life if we burn them all.

• Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gasses like CO2, which makes the atmosphere warm up.

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Which of the following statements is true about this biome in the Northern Hemisphere? (Select all that apply)

• This biome has cold summers and hot winters.

• This biome has a steady climate year-round.

• This biome has cold winters and hot summers.

• This biome is dry.

• The biome gets a steady amount of precipitation.

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Which of the following best describes why increasing greenhouse gasses affects climate?

• Increasing greenhouse gasses increases global temperature. Temperature affects everything from evaporation to global winds, all a part of climate and weather.

• Increasing greenhouse gasses decreases global temperature.

• Increasing greenhouse gasses increases pollution and makes it harder to breath globally.

• Increasing greenhouse gasses makes some areas hotter but does not affect the everywhere across the globe.

• Greenhouse gasses are not a cause of global climate change.

Answer explanation

Temperature is a driving force for all things related to climate. It drives evaporation which causes humidity and contributes to the formation of clouds. Heat powers convection, which creates global winds and oceanic currents.

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If a scientist wanted to learn about the biodiversity of living things in the intertidal zone at Muir Beach, which. method would be most helpful?

• Mapping the region using satellites.

• Attach tracking devices to some of the shore birds.

• Walk a transect of the intertidal zone and take samples at random intervals.

• Set up an artificial intertidal zone in a museum and see what creatures show up.

• Use sensors to figure out what the snails of the intertidal zone eat.

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