SCIENCE 9

For each missing word or phrase, circle the choice that correctly completes the sentence.

The three main gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere are (carbon dioxide / oxygen / nitrogen / hydrogen), methane, and water vapor.

• carbon dioxide

• oxygen

• nitrogen

• hydrogen

For each missing word or phrase, circle the choice that correctly completes the sentence. They contribute to the (climate / ecosystem / greenhouse / biosphere) effect, which makes Earth’s temperatures warmer than they would be otherwise.

• climate

• ecosystem

• greenhouse

• biosphere

Which is a description of climate, and not the weather?

• Summer is wetter and warmer than winter.

• A hurricane is likely to reach southeast Florida this afternoon.

• The air today is more humid than it was yesterday.

• No rain is likely to fall for the next week.

An increase in the concentrations of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere would have which of these effects on temperature?

• a decrease in average temperatures on Earth’s surface

• an increase in average temperatures on Earth’s surface

• an increase in average temperature in the upper atmosphere

• a decrease in average temperature within all Earth systems

The Gulf Stream is a surface current in the Atlantic Ocean that flows northward from the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It feeds another current that reaches northern Europe. Which of these events would cause the greatest permanent changes to the path and strength of the Gulf Stream?

• a strong earthquake that occurs on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean

• an increase in the volume of river water that flows into the Gulf of Mexico

• a reversal of direction in the prevailing winds over the Atlantic Ocean

• a slight increase in the salinity of the Atlantic Ocean

The diagram shows that the upwind side of a mountain range tends to receive more precipitation than the downwind side of a mountain range.

Which statement is MOST useful for explaining this observation?

• Prevailing winds flow from west to east.

• Water vapor condenses to form droplets of liquid water.

• Evaporation allows water vapor to rise through the air.

• Cold air holds less moisture than warm air.

Stuart is studying weather data for his region. The data was gathered from 1950 to 2016. Which observation would provide the strongest evidence that the climate of his region has changed during this time?

• Average annual rainfall for 1985-2016 increased by 20 percent compared to the previous 30 years.

• Total rainfall in 2014 was 30 percent greater compared to 1950.

• The lowest recorded temperature occurred in 1954.

• The highest recorded temperature occurred in 2016

Scientists cite evidence that Earth’s climate has been changing significantly over the past 50 years. They also argue that changes to Earth’s orbital path are NOT the cause of these significant changes to climate. Which statement provides the strongest evidence in support of the scientists' argument?

• Variations in Earth’s orbital path are consistent with accepted laws of planetary motion

• Earth’s orbital path does not affect the amount of solar energy that Earth receives.

• Changes to Earth’s orbital path occur in a cycle that repeats every 100,000 years.

• Climate change cannot be demonstrated over a span of 50 years.

Which factors are used to characterize a biome, such as the desert, tropical rain forest, or temperate grasslands? Select two answers.

• biotic factors, such as plant and animal life

• abiotic factors, such as climate and soil.

• precise lines of latitude and longitude

• levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Tania is studying a variety of biomes. She finds that in a (tropical rain forest / tropical dry forest / desert / taiga), periods of rainy weather are followed by long periods of drought, and the weather is generally warm

• Tropical rain forest

• tropical dry forest

• desert

• taiga