Statewide Science Assessment Weather and Climate

Which word or words describe weather?

• tropical

• rainy

• rainfall

• sunny

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which word or words describe climate?

• tropical

• rainy

• rainfall

• sunny

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What is a thermometers function?

• Measures the temperature

• Tells the wind direction

• Measures the amount of precipitation

• Measures wind speed

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

A student states the weather is the same as the climate. Which response BEST tells the student the difference between weather and climate?

• Weather is about the wind and the rain, but climate is about the clouds.

• Weather is the conditions in one day, but climate is the conditions over a long time.

• Weather is measured with tools like thermometers, but climate is measured with tools like forecasts.

• Weather is recorded on charts, but climate is recorded on world maps.

Which will most likely be the effect on cloud cover when there is a stationary front in an area?

• Low, thick clouds will remain in the area while the front remains stationary.

• Light, wispy clouds will remain in the area while the front remains stationary.

• Light, variable winds will partly clear the skies until the front begins to move.

• High winds will blow clouds away, and skies will be clear and sunny until the front begins to move.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A class observes high, feathery clouds during their data collection. Which student’s conclusion is most reasonable?

• Bob says the feathery clouds are rain clouds, and it will rain in the next few hours.

• Greta says the feathery clouds will remain stationary and bring no rain over the next few days.

• Simba says high clouds mean skies are clearing, and there will be sunny skies the next few days.

• Horatio says high clouds mean a front is coming and will bring clouds and rain in the next few days.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A meteorologist noticed an increase of wind speed caused by temperature changes in an upcoming weather pattern. Which best describes why this is happening?

• The greater the temperature difference between the air masses, the slower the wind blows in the jet stream.

• The greater the temperature difference between the air masses, the faster the wind blows in the jet stream.

• The lesser the temperature difference between the air masses, the faster the wind blows in the jet stream.

• The lesser the temperature difference between the air masses, the slower the wind blows in the jet stream.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Why do most weather systems in the United States move from west to east?

• The West Coast is at a higher elevation than the East Coast, and weather systems go downhill.

• Prevailing winds carry weather systems to the east across most of the United States.

• The West Coast is warmer, and weather systems move from warmer to colder places.

• Mountain ranges prevent the movement of weather systems from east to west.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

If there is a jet stream with a cold air mass above it and a warm moist air mass below it, what will the weather be below the jet stream?

• cold and dry

• cold and wet

• warm and dry

• warm and wet

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How does the jet stream affect weather conditions around the world?

• The strong wind current of the jet stream pushes weather systems around the world.

• The weak wind current of the jet stream redirects weather systems around the world.

• The strong wind current of the jet stream prevents weather systems from moving around the world.

• The strong wind current of the jet stream blows winds from the north to the south.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6