Earth's Environmental Cycles Quiz

What are the two basic periods that the Earth's environment cycles between?

• Summer and Winter

• Greenhouse (interglacial) and Ice Age

• Day and Night

• Wet and Dry

A Greenhouse/interglacial Period is described as:

• A time when the Earth is covered in ice

• A period with high levels of greenhouse gases and warmer temperatures

• A time when the Earth is closest to the Sun

• A period with low levels of greenhouse gases and cooler temperatures

An Icehouse/Ice Age Period is described as...

• A time when the Earth is covered in ice

• A period with high levels of greenhouse gases and warmer temperatures

• A time when the Earth is closest to the Sun

• A period with low levels of greenhouse gases and cooler temperatures

What two elements in the atmosphere create a greenhouse effect?

• Oxygen and Nitrogen

• Carbon Dioxide and Methane

• Hydrogen and Helium

• Argon and Neon

What was the "great oxygen catastrophe"?

• A period of extreme volcanic activity

• A time when oxygen levels dropped significantly

• An event where oxygen levels increased dramatically, affecting life on Earth

• A massive asteroid impact

What climate change event likely killed off all the large dinosaurs? Select all that apply.

• The Ice Age

• Several massive volcanic eruptions

• An asteroid impact

• A severe drought

Are global temperatures rising faster or slower than what we would expect with only natural events?

• Faster

• Slower

• At the same rate

• Not changing

During the summer solstice, the Earth's axis is tilted _______ the Sun.

• Away from

• Towards

• Parallel to

• Perpendicular to

During the winter solstice, the Earth's axis is tilted _______ the Sun.

• Away from

• Towards

• Parallel to

• Perpendicular to

During an equinox, the Earth's axis is tilted so that both hemispheres receive _______ amounts of sunlight.

• Equal

• Unequal

• Maximum

• Minimum