Climate Quiz 4

What is an interglacial?

• A period of time in between ice ages.

• Chips of ice with air bubbles that tell us about climate.

• Parts of glaciers that break off into the ocean.

• A period of time when the much of Northern America was covered in ice.

Answer explanation

An interglacial is defined as a period of time between ice ages, characterized by warmer temperatures and reduced ice coverage. This distinguishes it from glacial periods, where large areas are covered in ice.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The diagram represents a core sample of a lake bottom sediment. Each layer represents 2,000 years. Which layer represents the oldest sediments?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Answer explanation

In the core sample, each layer represents 2,000 years, with the oldest sediments at the bottom. Therefore, layer E, being the lowest, represents the oldest sediments, making it the correct choice.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Using the information obtained from the lake pollen sediment, how would you characterize the climate during the time period represented by sediment layer B?

• cooler

• warmer

• moderate to cool

• moderate to warm

Answer explanation

The pollen sediment indicates a higher prevalence of species that thrive in warmer conditions, suggesting that the climate during the time period represented by sediment layer B was warmer.

Scientists use pollen cores to learn about past climates by:

• analyzing pollen types to see what plants were present during a particular time.

• determining how much sediment was deposited along with the pollen.

• identifying the isotopes in the pollen.

• analyzing the amount of CO2 in sediment layers.

Answer explanation

Scientists analyze pollen types to determine which plants thrived in a specific period, providing insights into the climate conditions of that time.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Tree rings formed during an ice age:

• would probably be thinner than average.

• would probably be thicker than average.

• would probably be lighter in color.

• would probably be darker in color.

• can only tell us how old a tree is.

Answer explanation

During an ice age, cooler temperatures and reduced growing seasons would likely lead to trees producing thinner rings due to slower growth, making 'would probably be thinner than average' the correct choice.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

One way scientists use ice cores to understand climate change is by measuring:

• the temperature of the ice.

• pollen spores found in the ice.

• fossil shells trapped in the ice.

• the amount of carbon dioxide in air bubbles.

• the density of the ice.

Answer explanation

Scientists analyze air bubbles in ice cores to measure the amount of carbon dioxide, which provides crucial data on past atmospheric conditions and climate change. This makes it the most relevant choice for understanding climate change.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

If the Earth did not tilt on its axis, which would be true?

• There would be more glaciers at high elevations.

• There would be no seasonal changes.

• Seasons would be more extreme in winter and summer.

• Northern Hemisphere summers would be hotter.

Answer explanation

If the Earth did not tilt on its axis, there would be no seasonal changes. The tilt is responsible for the variation in sunlight received at different times of the year, creating seasons.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The Northern Hemisphere summer always occurs when the:

• Earth’s rotational axis changes to 23.5°.

• south end of the Earth’s axis is pointed toward the sun.

• north end of the Earth’s axis is pointed toward the sun.

• Earth wobbles on its axis.

• northern hemisphere is closest to the sun.

Answer explanation

The Northern Hemisphere summer occurs when the north end of the Earth’s axis is pointed toward the sun, resulting in longer days and warmer temperatures in that hemisphere.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

If the tilt of the Earth’s axis were much greater than it is now, which of the following would happen?

• Winters would be colder and summers would be hotter.

• Each of the four seasons would be shorter.

• There would be no seasonal changes.

• Each of the four seasons would be longer.

• Seasons would become very unpredictable.

Answer explanation

A greater tilt of the Earth's axis would lead to more extreme seasonal variations, resulting in colder winters and hotter summers due to increased solar exposure during summer and reduced exposure during winter.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which of the following is NOT a factor to explain Earth’s long-term climate changes?

• The latitude of the Earth’s poles.

• The shape of the Earth’s orbit.

• The wobble of the Earth’s axis.

• The wobble of the Earth’s orbit.

• The tilt of the Earth’s axis.

Answer explanation

The latitude of the Earth’s poles does not influence long-term climate changes. In contrast, factors like the shape of the Earth's orbit, the wobble of its axis, and its tilt are significant in climate variations.