Readiness Test Topic 5

Which statement correctly interprets the information in the table?

• The weather is always warmer in Texas than in Nebraska.

• The climate is warmer in Austin, TX than in Lincoln, NE.

• On a spring day, the climate is never hotter than 80°F in Austin, TX.

• Winter in Lincoln, NE, is never colder than 37°F.

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Which of the following statements explains how interactions between the sun and the ocean can affect weather?

• The sun’s energy is used by photosynthetic organisms to create atmospheric oxygen.

• The sun’s energy melts snow, which makes the oceans bigger.

• The sun’s energy heats the surface of the ocean and causes water to evaporate, which increases humidity.

• The sun’s energy heats clouds over the ocean, causing an increase in temperature and rain to fall.

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The map shows the locations of Florida and Ohio. Florida gets about 52 inches of rain per year. Ohio gets about 38 inches of rain per year. Which statement best explains why?

• A. Heat from the sun makes clouds form, which causes rain. It is cloudier in Florida, so it rains more there than in Ohio.

• B. Heat from the sun evaporates water and drives the water cycle. Ohio is inland, but Florida is near an ocean, so there is more water to go through the water cycle.

• C. Land absorbs water so the water doesn’t evaporate or go through the water cycle. Ohio is inland, so it rains less there than in Florida.

• D. Rain clouds probably form over Ohio but travel toward places on the coast, like Florida.

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How is climate different from weather?

• Climate only occurs if the weather stays the same over a long period of time. If the weather changes frequently, there cannot be climate.

• Climate changes seasonally. Weather stays about the same and does not change seasonally.

• Climate and weather are the same, but climate occurs over a large area and weather occurs over a small area.

• Climate is measured over a long period of time in a large area. Weather is measured at a specific time and place.

Sandra heats a beaker of cold water over a flame. After some time, she uses a thermometer to test the temperature of the water at the top of the beaker. She observes that the water at the surface is hot. Which statement best explains why the water at the surface got hot?

• Because of radiation. Even though the flame is at the bottom, radiation transfers energy throughout the water, so the water at the top gets hot.

• Because of conduction. The flame heats the water at the bottom of the beaker. When the water gets hot, it has more energy to go against gravity, so it rises.

• Because of convection. The water at the bottom of the beaker gets hot and expands. It is less dense, so it floats, and the cooler water sinks because it is more dense.

• Because of conduction. The flame transfers heat to the beaker, and all the water gets hot at the same time.

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Look at the diagram. Which statement correctly describes the interaction between energy and matter in this cycle?

• At Step 1 in the water cycle, water in the hydrosphere absorbs energy from the sun and evaporates.

• At Step 2 in the water cycle, air in the atmosphere absorbs energy from the sun and condenses into clouds.

• At Step 1 in the water cycle, water in the hydrosphere absorbs energy from the sun, but it can only evaporate from oceans and seas.

• At Step 3 in the water cycle, water evaporates from clouds, so rain falls.

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Aaliyah, Alexandra, Alicia, and Ameera live in North America. They are discussing the hot summer temperatures. Which statement most accurately explains the seasonal changes?

• A. Aaliyah: Right now, Earth is closer to the sun than usual, so the weather is hot and sunny.

• B. Alexandra: Earth’s Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun and has more daylight hours, so it is summer there. It is winter in the Earth’s Southern Hemisphere.

• C. Alicia: Every day, Earth goes around the sun. During the summer, it goes around the sun more slowly, so days are longer, and it gets hotter.

• D. Ameera: Sometimes the weather is hotter and sometimes it’s colder. Right now, it’s summer because it is hotter everywhere on Earth.

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Which of the following explains movement through the water cycle from Earth’s surface to the atmosphere?

• A. Ocean water is warmed by the sun and evaporates and rises into the atmosphere.

• B. Water vapor is cooled by the ocean and condenses and rises into the atmosphere.

• C. Water vapor is heated by the sun and condenses into rain in the atmosphere.

• D. Ocean water is warmed by the sun and condenses to form clouds in the atmosphere.

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Mukesh is moving to Oklahoma City and is researching the weather and climate of his future home. Which statement provides him with information about the climate in Oklahoma City?

• There are clear skies and no chance of rain for the next 3–4 days.

• There will be light drizzle throughout the day.

• The average low temperature in August is usually around 26°C.

• Thunderstorm systems can also sometimes produce tornadoes.

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Look at the climatogram of the Arctic Tundra. Which months have the highest average temperature and precipitation?

• A. July through September

• B. May through October

• C. April through October

• D. [Answer: July through August]

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