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Worksheets

2020 WCO Test

Total questions: 35

Worksheet time: 37mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The Jet Stream is a global pattern of atmospheric movement that influences patterns in local weather. Based on the information provided in the weather map, which city shown will likely see a drop in temperature in the near future?

a)

Albany

b)

Bismarck

c)

Nashville

d)

San Diego

2.

The Jet Stream is a global pattern of atmospheric movement that influences patterns in local weather. Based on the information provided in the weather map, which city shown most recently experienced a drop in temperature?

a)

Albany

b)

Bismarck

c)

Nashville

d)

San Diego

3.

The Jet Stream is a global pattern of atmospheric movement that influences patterns in local weather. Rain and even severe thunderstorms are often associated with the passage of a cold front. Based on this information, and that provided in the weather map, which city shown will most likely experience precipitation in the next few days?

a)

Albany

b)

Bismarck

c)

Nashville

d)

San Diego

4.

The Jet Stream is a global pattern of atmospheric movement that influences patterns in local weather. In general, one can expect clear skies with a high pressure area and cloudier conditions in areas of low pressure. Based on this information, and that provided in the weather map, which city shown most likely is currently experiencing clouds but will see clearer skies in the near future?

a)

Atlanta

b)

Cleveland

c)

Omaha

d)

Los Angeles

5.

The Jet Stream is a global pattern of atmospheric movement that influences patterns in local weather. Based on the information provided in the weather map, which city shown most recently saw a rise in temperature?

a)

Boise

b)

Denver

c)

Louisville

d)

Shreveport

6.

Which two cities are most likely to experience clear, dry weather?

a)

Seattle & San Francisco

b)

Chicago & Minneapolis

c)

Chicago & Nashville

d)

Dallas & Houston

7.

Tim said that Chicago is most likely to experience rainy weather. Jennifer thinks that Dallas is most likely to experience rainy weather.

Which student is correct?

a)

Tim because Chicago is the closest to a low pressure system and it will produce precipitation.

b)

Jennifer because high pressure systems produce precipitation

c)

Both students are correct because all systems produce precipitation

d)

Neither of the students are correct because the cities are not close enough to the system.

8.

When this symbol is present on a weather map, it represents

a)

a cold air mass has taken over a warm air mass

b)

a warm air mass has taken over a cold air mass

c)

a cold air mass and warm air mass meet but neither have enough force to move each other

d)

two cold fronts have collided and a warm air mass is pushing it upwards

9.

What type of weather is generally associated with a low pressure system?

a)

fair-weather, beautiful clear skies

b)

Cloudy skies, some moist air, possible precipitation, stormy weather

c)

cloudy skies, dry air

d)

cloudy with a chance of meatballs

10.

Should the "?" be replaced with an "H" or an "L"?

a)

"L" because the fronts near this location do not create precipitation and low pressure systems bring precipitation.

b)

"L" because the fronts near the location produce precipitation and low pressure systems bring precipitation

c)

"H" because the fronts near this location create precipitation and high pressure systems bring precipitation.

d)

"H" because the fronts near this location create precipitation and high pressure systems do not bring precipitation.

11.

The three diagrams represent three frontal boundaries with the surface locations of the fronts labeled A, B, and C. Arrows indicate direction of air movement. Which table correctly matches each letter with the type of frontal boundary it represents?

a)
b)
c)
d)
12.

Most differences in air pressure are caused by _______________ heating of the atmosphere.

a)

some

b)

equal

c)

unequal

d)

great

13.

A city near the ocean experiences thunderstorms on a frequent basis. Which of these is the BEST explanation for this?

a)

The cold fronts that only form over coastal areas cause thunderstorms.

b)

The tidal variations in coastal areas causes thunderstorms.

c)

The uneven heating of land and water in coastal areas creates fronts that cause thunderstorms.

d)

The interactions of the waves with the landmass change the air pressure to cause thunderstorms.

14.

In some years there are more hurricanes than usual. This is probably because

a)

the ocean is warmer than usual.

b)

the ozone layer is very thin.

c)

there are more windy days than usual.

d)

the gravitational pull of the Moon is stronger.

15.

As a hurricane moves through warm waters, the water evaporates and the storm intensifies. What is the most likely effect as a hurricane moves inland?

a)

The hurricane gains moisture.

b)

The hurricane gains wind speed.

c)

The hurricane becomes weaker.

d)

The hurricane becomes stronger.

16.

The sun warms a large area of an ocean. This causes a large amount of water to evaporate into the air. Which weather event might occur?

a)

Tornado

b)

Hurricane

c)

Tidal Wave

d)

Freezing rain

17.
Land and water absorb and release the sun’s heat in different ways. One result of this is a sea breeze. Which statement is true of sea breezes?
a)
They originate in the day and blow toward the land.
b)
They originate in the day and blow toward the water.
c)
They originate in the evening and blow toward the land.
d)
They originate in the evening and blow toward the water.
18.
Why does warm air rise?
a)
Warm air is more dense than cooler air.
b)
Warm air has more pressure than cooler air.
c)
Warm air is less dense than cooler air.
d)
Warm air has a higher dew point than cooler air.
19.
Why do land breezes occur at night?
a)
Land cools off slower than water, so the air above water is cooler.
b)
Water cools off faster than land, so the air above land is warmer.
c)
Land heats up slower than water, so the air stays cooler during the day.
d)
Water cools off slower than land, so the air above water is warmer.
20.
Which best describes why winds at the beach change direction between day and night? **
a)
because the temperatures over land and over water change 
b)
because warm air over land sinks and stays in place over land
c)
because cool air rises and is replaced by warm air from the ocean 
d)
because cool air sinks and stays in place over land 
21.

When air particles gain energy and rise into the atmosphere, how does this affect the air pressure on the earth's surface?

a)

It causes the air pressure to rise creating high pressure.

b)

It does not affect the air pressure on the earth's surface.

c)

It causes 6th grade students to forget to do their homework.

d)

It causes the air pressure to drop creating low pressure

22.

Which statement correctly defines wind?

a)

The movement of air from areas of low pressure to areas of high pressure

b)

The movement of air to a colder area in the atmosphere.

c)

The movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

d)

The movement of air pushed around and bouncing off Earth's surface.

23.
Where does the initial source of energy come from that creates winds?
a)
the moon
b)
the sun
c)
the Earth's surface
d)
the rotation of the Earth
24.

What is the initial source for global winds and convection in the atmosphere?

a)

heat from the Earth's core

b)

the rotation of the Earth

c)

Moon's gravity

d)

unequal heating of the Earth by the sun

25.
How do differences in air pressure affect the movement of air?
a)
Air always moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
b)
Air always moves from areas of low altitudes to high altitudes.
c)
Air always moves from areas of low pressure to areas of high pressure.
d)
Air always moves from east to west.
26.
What kind of breeze is this and when would it form?
a)
Land breeze - daytime
b)
Land breeze - nighttime
c)
Sea breeze - daytime
d)
Sea breeze - nighttime
27.

A narrow belt of high speed winds that blow from west to east, between 7 km and 16 km above Earth’s surface is called

a)

a jet stream

b)

the doldrums

c)

the Coriolis effect

d)

global winds

28.
Which has the greatest effect on the movement of the jet stream? 
a)
size of clouds
b)
amount of precipitation
c)
differences in air temperatures
29.

Which best describes a characteristic of the jet stream?

a)

It forms a boundary between a cold air mass and a warm air mass.

b)

It creates the high winds around the eye of a hurricane.

c)

It forces the hot air along the equator to rise to areas in North

America.

d)

It causes high pressure air masses to rotate clockwise.

30.

Which best explains what type of weather the Gulf Stream usually brings

to North Carolina?

a)

increased wind speed

b)

increased air pressure

c)

increased temperature

d)

increased evaporation

31.

Which best describes the Gulf Stream?

a)

an ocean current which originates near the Gulf of Mexico and causes warm water to travel up the east coast of the United States

b)

an ocean current which originates near the Gulf of Mexico and causes cool water to travel up the east coast of the United States

c)

an ocean current which originates near the Gulf of Mexico and causes warm water to travel down the east coast of Mexico

d)

an ocean current which originates near the Gulf of Mexico and causes cool water to travel down the east coast of Mexico

32.

How does the Gulf Stream impact hurricane development off the coast of the southeastern United States?

a)

Colder water from the Gulf Stream increases the speed and intensity of the hurricane.

b)

Colder water from the Gulf Stream decreases the speed and intensity of the hurricane.

c)

Warmer water from the Gulf Stream increases the speed and intensity of the hurricane.

d)

Warmer water from the Gulf Stream decreases the speed and intensity of the hurricane.

33.

If you were in a plane traveling from west to east, you would get there ________ than if you travel from east to west.

a)

faster

b)

slower

c)

in the same amount of time

34.
Analyze the image. What could explain why certain parts of the ocean have warmer temperatures?
a)
the uneven heating of the Earth's surface
b)
the rising of cold air and the sinking of warm air
c)
hurricanes
35.
Analyze the map.
Why is it warmer in Charleston than it is in San Diego even though they are the same distance from the Equator?
a)
San Diego is affected by the Gulf Stream
b)
Charleston is affected by the California current
c)
Charleston is affected by the Gulf Stream