IR2 Unit 5 Reading II

Europe's summe heat in 2010 shows that Earth's climate is certainly warming.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Paragraph 4: "Weather is what happens in the short term...Climate exhibits itself over much longer periods.

IN 2011, New York City had more snow in a month than it normally has in a whole year.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Paragraph 2: In 2011, New York City posted its snowiest January on record, as the monthly snowfall total hit 36 inches (91.4 cm). The normal snowfall in the city for an entire year is 22.4 inches (56.9 cm).

The unusual heat and cold in 2010 and 2011 are climate phenomena, not weather.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Paragraph 3: Which conclusion was right? Actually, neither.

Weather is measured over longer time periods than climate is.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Paragraph 4

The Bermuda High is classified as a climate feature partly because it has appeared almost every year for a long time.

• True

• False

Because of climate change, North Africa is less suitable for farming now than in the days of the Roman Empire.

• True

• False

The Medieval Warm Period prevented the Vikings from reaching their colony in Greenland.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Paragraph 6: Then, in the late 1200s, northern Europe's climate changed again, becoming much cooler (not warmer)...

In about 950 CE and about 1250 CE, weather changed but climate did not.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Paragraph 6: In the northern Europe the interval from about 950 CE to 1250 CE, known as the Medieval Warm Period, altered civilizations...

Because all of the Earth's ten hottest years have been since 1998, scientists are now sure that a climate change has occured.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Paragraph 7: Nobody really knows.

Climate change is nearly impossible to recognize until after it has happened.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Paragraph 7: Climate change is clearly visible only in hindsight, after it has already happened.