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WorksheetsChapter 10: Climate Change Quiz
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 6mins
The interdisciplinary study of the causes and consequences of changing climate for all Earth systems and the sustainability of human societies is
climate change science.
meteorology.
paleoclimatology.
climate policy.
The key elements of climate change science include which of the following?
study of past climates, only
measurement of current climatic change, only
projection of future climate scenarios, only
study of past climates, measurement of current climatic change, and projection of future climate scenarios
Scientists use ________ to study past climates, using ________ to reconstruct climates that extend back further than our present instrumentation allows.
proxy methods; climate proxies
direct measurements; historical records
indirect evidence; conjecture
computer models; algorithms
Which of the following is not an example of methods used for long-term climate reconstructions?
oxygen isotope analysis
ocean sediment core analysis
ice core analysis
tree ring analysis
Over the span of 70 million years, the Earth's climate
was much warmer 70 m.y.a. compared to the present.
was warmest approximately 10 million years ago and coolest about 56 million years ago.
has remained fairly constant, only showing a warming trend during the past 200 years.
was much cooler 70 m.y.a. compared to the present.
Which of the following is not an example of methods used for short-term climate
dendrochronology
ocean sediment core analysis
carbon isotope analysis
speleothems analysis
Since the Industrial Revolution,
human population growth rates have decreased with a subsequent decrease in the warming trend that characterized pre-Industrial Revolution times.
global temperatures rapidly increased, then steadied out over the past 25 to 30 years.
global temperatures have continued to warm at accelerating rates.
no observable warming or cooling trends have occurred, rather temperatures have oscillated between warm and cold periods.
Which of the following is not considered a mechanism of natural climate change?
changes in Earth-Sun relationships
movement of continents via plate tectonics
volcanic eruptions
the burning of fossil fuels
As air temperatures increase, evaporation increases. Warmer temperatures also increase the capacity to absorb water vapor. More water vapor in the atmosphere accelerates the greenhouse effect. This is known as the
ice-albedo feedback.
water-vapor feedback.
permafrost-carbon feedback.
wildfire-carbon feedback.
Which of the following is not a key indicator of present climate change?
increasing sea-surface temperatures
decreasing mass of glaciers and ice sheets
decreasing extent of sea ice
decreasing atmospheric water vapor
Since 1880, global land-ocean temperatures have shown
a warming trend.
a cooling trend.
a cooling trend until 1950, then a rapid warming trend.
no trend.
Which of the following is correct regarding Arctic sea ice?
Until recently, seasonal variations in sea ice extent were rare.
Summer sea ice reached its minimum extent in 2001 and has gradually increased since then.
Since 1979, summer sea ice minimum extent and winter sea ice maximum extent have declined.
In the summer, most to all sea ice melts, only to refreeze in the winter. However, less water has been refreezing over the past decade.
The primary factors contributing to present sea-level rise are
melting of land ice and thermal expansion of seawater.
melting of land ice and melting of sea ice.
melting of sea ice and thermal expansion of seawater.
thermal expansion of seawater, only.
The rate of sea-level rise
is higher than predicted by most climate models, though appears to be decreasing.
is lower than predicted by most climate models, and appears to be decreasing.
is lower than predicted by most climate models, though appear to be accelerating.
is higher than predicted by most climate models, and appears to be accelerating.
The most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere is
carbon dioxide (CO2).
methane (CH4).
nitrous oxide (N2O).
water vapor (H2O).
Which of the following gases accounts for the largest amount of radiative forcing?
carbon dioxide (CO2)
nitrous oxides (N2O)
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
methane (CH4)
The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report concludes
that while climate change is occurring, it is largely natural climate fluctuations.
much uncertainty still remains related to the warming of the climate.
scientists are 95 to 100% certain that human activities are the primary cause of present climate change.
no consensus exists on whether current climate change is natural or anthropogenic.
According to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, which of the following is virtually certain to occur?
The frequency of heavy precipitation events will decrease.
Extreme high sea-level events will decrease due to increase evaporation.
The ocean's conveyer built will strengthen.
Ocean acidification will increase as the atmosphere accumulates more CO2.
Which of the following is not an example of an action an individual can take to help mitigate against climate change?
planting trees to remove CO2
improving regional land use practices
eating locally sourced foods
driving a vehicle with high fuel economy
Which of the following is not an example of individuals and communities working to mitigate climate change?
tree planting in exchange for greenhouse gas credits
leaving the decision-making to elected officials
protecting and restoring natural habitats
using renewable energy sources
