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WorksheetsScience 9 Chp. 22 Practice Test
Total questions: 156
Worksheet time: 8hrs 48mins
The coldest layer of Earth’s atmosphere is the
troposphere
mesosphere
stratosphere
thermosphere
Almost all weather occurs in the
troposphere
mesosphere
stratosphere
thermosphere
Of all the atmospheric layers, the troposphere has the
highest temperatures
highest density
lowest temperatures
lowest density
As distance from Earth’s surface increases, the temperature of the stratosphere
decreases
remains the same
increases
None of the above
In the oxygen–carbon dioxide cycle,
animals produce oxygen used by plants for photosynthesis
animals produce oxygen used by plants for respiration
animals produce carbon dioxide used by plants for photosynthesis
animals produce carbon dioxide used by plants for respiration
Ozone molecules are destroyed by
carbon dioxide molecules
deoxyribonucleic acids
chlorofluorocarbons
ultraviolet radiation
The only atmospheric layer containing measurable amounts of water is the
stratosphere
mesosphere
troposphere
thermosphere
Plants contribute large volumes of atmospheric water vapor to the air through the process of
transpiration
evaporation
condensation
respiration
A cloud type that usually produces precipitation is a(n)
cirrostratus
altocumulus
altostratus
nimbostratus
Due to the Coriolis effect, winds in the Northern Hemisphere
curve to the north
curve to the south
curve clockwise
curve counterclockwise
The region where warm and cold air masses meet is called a
front
cloud
nimbus
As the electrical energy of lightning is discharged into the air,
the air cools and condenses rapidly
the air cools and expands rapidly
the air heats and condenses rapidly
the air heats and expands rapidly
The layers of Earth’s atmosphere decrease in _____ as altitude increases.
temperature
thickness
pressure
None of the above
What causes the stratosphere to get warmer with increasing altitude?
increased pressure
temperature inversion
solar radiation
increased water vapor
The thermosphere is
very hot
below the mesosphere
part of the troposphere
within the ozone layer
Most weather occurs in the
troposphere
mesosphere
stratosphere
thermosphere
About 350 million years ago, the concentration of _____ in the atmosphere increased to 20 percent due to photosynthesis.
carbon dioxide
oxygen
ozone
nitrogen
In the oxygen–carbon dioxide cycle, _____ is a waste product of animals.
carbon monoxide
sugar
oxygen
carbon dioxide
In the water cycle _____ occurs after condensation.
evaporation
transpiration
precipitation
saturation
Transpiration occurs when plants _____ water into the air.
release
absorb
throw
condense
Which of the following statements is true about dew point?
Dew point occurs when water vapor molecules form liquid water
Dew point is reached when water vapor completely evaporates
Humidity does not affect dew point
Dew point is the same as precipitation
_____ clouds form at various altitudes, from 500 m to 12 km.
Stratus
Cumulus
Cirrus
Rain
Rising _____ indicates that an air mass is moving into an area.
barometric pressure
clouds
dew point
humidity
Clouds that are layered and sheet-like are
cirrus
cumulus
stratus
cirrostratus
The sea-level barometric pressure at zero degrees Celsius equals
760 mm of mercury
1 Pa
0 atm of pressure
None of the above
Differences in _____ cause wind.
dew points
atmospheric humidity
Earth’s rotation
air pressure
Due to the Coriolis effect, winds traveling from Florida to Maine curve
east
west
north
south
A frontal boundary is established between air masses of different
temperatures
directions
humidities
speeds
With a _____, rain or snow occurs for one or two days.
warm front
stationary front
cold front
All of the above
What causes thunder?
rotating winds
supersonic expanding air
discharge of electrical energy
frontal boundaries
Which type of weather produces the highest winds?
thunderstorm
hurricane
tropical depression
tornado
Hurricanes begin as
funnel clouds
fierce winds
tropical depressions
stable air masses
Regions near the equator have warmer climates because
day and night are equal in length on the equinox
Earth orbits the sun in an elliptical pattern
the sun is strong on summer solstice at the equator
the sun’s rays are almost perpendicular to the equator all year
The region where electrically charged ions are formed as a result of the absorption of solar energy is called the
troposphere
ionosphere
lithosphere
exosphere
Oxygen was introduced into the atmosphere as a byproduct of
respiration
dehydration
photosynthesis
osmosis
Greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere through
forest fires
radiation
photosynthesis
absorption
On Earth, water exists as
a solid
a gas
a liquid
All of the above
As temperature increases, the possible total humidity
increases
increases and then decreases
decreases
remains the same
The clouds that occur at the highest altitude are usually
cirrus
cumulus
stratus
nimbus
The direction in which the wind moves is influenced by
the pressure gradient
the time of day
the moon’s orbit
None of the above
High winds and strong thunderstorms are characteristic of an approaching strong
warm front
stationary front
cold front
occluded front
Tornadoes commonly occur in which of the following regions of the United States?
Midwest
Northeast
Northwest
Southeast
Which cloud type is typically associated with thunderstorms?
cirrostratus
cumulonimbus
altocumulus
cirrocumulus
Unlike climate, weather
changes from day to day
is the average weather of a region
is the weather conditions over many years
None of the above
The boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere is called the
thermopause
stratopause
mesopause
tropopause
The ozone layer is located in the
troposphere
mesosphere
stratosphere
thermosphere
Which of the following gases was not believed to be present on Earth at the time of its formation 4.4 billion years ago?
oxygen
water
nitrogen
methane
A waste product of respiration in animals that is used by plants to carry out photosynthesis is
carbon dioxide
calcium carbonate
carbon monoxide
sodium carbonate
In the last 100 years, which of the following have added excess carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
power plants
cars
machinery
All of the above
With the input of solar energy, water changes from a liquid to a gas during the process of
condensation
evaporation
precipitation
neutralization
Warm, moist air will have
high humidity and low dew point
high humidity and high dew point
low humidity and high dew point
low humidity and low dew point
Sheet-shaped clouds are called
cirrus
cumulus
stratus
nimbus
Air becomes wind as it flows from
low pressure to low pressure
low pressure to high pressure
high pressure to high pressure
high pressure to low pressure
The leading edge of a cold air mass that overtakes a region formerly occupied by a warm air mass is called a(n)
warm front
stationary front
cold front
occluded front
The energy that powers a hurricane is derived from
a stationary front
funnel clouds
condensation of water vapor
sublimation of water
Hurricanes rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere because of the
Doppler effect
tilt of the Earth
Coriolis effect
greenhouse effect
The climate of a region or location is affected by
latitude
season
elevation
All of the above
Historically, global climate
has always been the same
has varied greatly over time
has varied slightly over time
None of the above
Which of the following is NOT a layer of Earth's atmosphere?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Lithosphere
What are the two main gases in Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen and Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen
Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen and Hydrogen
In which layer of the atmosphere does almost all weather occur?
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
What happens to the temperature in the troposphere as altitude increases?
It increases by 6°C for every kilometer
It stays the same
It decreases by 6°C for every kilometer
It decreases by 1°C for every kilometer
What is the boundary called where the temperature stops decreasing at the top of the troposphere?
Mesopause
Stratopause
Tropopause
Thermopause
The temperature at the tropopause is:
0°C
-55°C
55°C
-6°C
A scientist is studying a layer of the atmosphere where temperature drops at a constant rate as altitude increases. Which layer is she studying, and what is the rate of temperature decrease per kilometer?
Troposphere; 6°C per kilometer
Stratosphere; 2°C per kilometer
Mesosphere; 10°C per kilometer
Thermosphere; 1°C per kilometer
Why does weather primarily occur in the troposphere and not in the other layers of the atmosphere?
Because the troposphere is closest to Earth's surface and contains most of the atmospheric water vapor.
Because the stratosphere is too cold.
Because the mesosphere is the densest layer.
Because the thermosphere has the most oxygen.
Which layer of the atmosphere keeps water vapor trapped due to its low temperature?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
What happens during a temperature inversion?
Warm air traps cooler air near Earth's surface
Cold air rises above warm air
Water vapor escapes into space
Ozone layer breaks down
Why is it unhealthy to exercise outside during a temperature inversion?
Trapped air can become thick with pollution
The ozone layer is depleted
Temperatures are extremely high
Solar radiation is intense
Which layer of the atmosphere gets warmer as altitude increases?
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Mesosphere
Ionosphere
What is the main function of the ozone layer in the stratosphere?
Shields living things from ultraviolet-radiation damage
Absorbs intense solar radiation
Traps water vapor
Forms charged ions
At approximately what altitude does the temperature in the stratosphere begin to increase until it reaches about 0°C?
25 km
10 km
50 km
80 km
Which layer of the atmosphere is the coldest, with temperatures decreasing to about -80°C?
Mesosphere
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Thermosphere
Why do temperatures in the thermosphere average about 980°C (1,796°F)?
The small amount of oxygen absorbs intense solar radiation
The ozone layer traps heat
Water vapor condenses at high altitudes
Charged ions release energy
How is the ionosphere important to radio communication?
Charged ions are formed when solar energy is absorbed
It traps water vapor
It shields Earth from ultraviolet radiation
It contains few clouds and no storms
Compare the temperature trends in the stratosphere and mesosphere as altitude increases.
Stratosphere warms, mesosphere cools
Both warm
Both cool
Stratosphere cools, mesosphere warms
What is the process of releasing gases during volcanic eruptions called?
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Outgassing
Condensation
Which of the following is NOT a result of photosynthesis in plants?
Production of oxygen as a waste product
Capturing energy from the sun
Release of carbon dioxide
Contribution of oxygen to the atmosphere
What maintains a balance of atmospheric gases on Earth?
The nitrogen cycle
The oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle
The water cycle
The carbon monoxide cycle
Which layer is often called the ionosphere?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Ionosphere
Mesosphere
What would happen if the ozone layer did not absorb much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation?
The Earth would cool down
Living cells would be damaged
Photosynthesis would stop
Oxygen would decrease
Explain how volcanic eruptions contributed to the formation of Earth’s atmosphere.
By releasing oxygen directly into the atmosphere
By releasing a variety of gases through outgassing
By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
By producing ozone
Describe the role of photosynthetic plants in changing Earth’s atmosphere.
They produce carbon dioxide as a waste product
They contribute oxygen to the atmosphere through photosynthesis
They absorb ultraviolet radiation
They form the ozone layer
Analyze the impact of human-made chemicals on the ozone layer and the consequences for living organisms.
Human-made chemicals strengthen the ozone layer, protecting living cells
Human-made chemicals deplete the ozone layer, increasing ultraviolet radiation and damaging living cells
Human-made chemicals have no effect on the ozone layer
Human-made chemicals increase oxygen production
Radio waves are reflected in which layer of the atmosphere?
Troposphere
Ionosphere
Stratosphere
Exosphere
What cycle is responsible for maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere?
Water cycle
Nitrogen cycle
Oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle
Sulfur cycle
Which chemicals are known to destroy the ozone layer but are now banned in most countries?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrogen oxides
What is the main function of the greenhouse effect on Earth?
It keeps Earth warm
It cools the Earth's surface
It increases ozone production
It reduces carbon dioxide levels
Which gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect by absorbing and reradiating infrared radiation?
Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases
Oxygen and nitrogen
Argon and neon
Helium and hydrogen
How do greenhouse gases contribute to the warming of Earth's surface?
By trapping the sun’s heat
By reflecting sunlight away
By absorbing ultraviolet radiation
By cooling the atmosphere
What could be a consequence of too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Global warming
Increased rainfall
Decreased ocean levels
More ozone production
If too much energy is absorbed by the atmosphere, what is likely to happen to global temperatures?
Temperatures will rise
Temperatures will fall
Temperatures will remain the same
Temperatures will fluctuate randomly
Which of the following is a possible problem caused by global warming?
Rising ocean levels
Decreased droughts
Increased polar icecaps
Lower energy absorption
Combustion of which fuels has added more carbon dioxide to the air?
Coal, oil, and gas
Solar and wind
Water and hydrogen
Uranium and thorium
Explain how the greenhouse effect can lead to global warming and describe one environmental impact of this process.
The greenhouse effect traps heat, raising Earth's temperature, which can melt polar icecaps and cause rising ocean levels.
The greenhouse effect cools the Earth, leading to more rainfall and lower ocean levels.
The greenhouse effect increases ozone, which protects the Earth from heat and prevents droughts.
The greenhouse effect reduces carbon dioxide, causing global cooling and more ice formation.
Given the information about greenhouse gases and global warming, propose a strategy that could help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Reduce the combustion of coal, oil, and gas by using renewable energy sources
Increase the use of CFCs to cool the atmosphere
Burn more fossil fuels to create energy
Release more water vapor into the atmosphere
What is the water cycle?
The continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, the land, and the oceans
The process by which plants absorb water from the soil
The movement of air between the continents
The formation of clouds in the sky
Which process involves plants releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves?
Transpiration
Evaporation
Precipitation
Condensation
What is precipitation?
Any form of water that falls to Earth’s surface from the clouds
The process of water vapor turning into liquid water
The movement of water between oceans and continents
The release of water vapor by plants
What happens during evaporation in the water cycle?
Solar energy heats water molecules, causing them to rise as gaseous water vapor
Water vapor condenses to form precipitation
Plants release water vapor into the air
Water falls to Earth’s surface from clouds
What is humidity?
The amount of water vapor in the air
The temperature of the air
The amount of rainfall in a region
The movement of air between continents
What does it mean when air has a relative humidity of 100%?
The air is said to be saturated
The air is very dry
The air contains no water vapor
The air is cold
Why can warm air hold more water vapor than cold air?
Because warmer temperatures evaporate more water
Because cold air is heavier
Because warm air is closer to the ground
Because cold air contains more oxygen
Explain how the water cycle moves water through the troposphere.
Water is continuously moved through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and transpiration
Water only moves through precipitation
Water moves only by evaporation
Water is stationary in the troposphere
A scientist measures the relative humidity in a room and finds it is 100%. What does this indicate about the air in the room?
The air is saturated and cannot hold any more water vapor
The air is very dry
The air is cold
The air contains no water vapor
If the temperature increases, what is likely to happen to the amount of water vapor the air can hold?
The air can hold more water vapor
The air can hold less water vapor
The air will become saturated immediately
The air will lose all water vapor
Describe how solar energy contributes to the movement of water in the water cycle.
Solar energy heats water molecules, causing evaporation and the rise of water vapor into the atmosphere
Solar energy cools water molecules, causing condensation
Solar energy causes precipitation to fall from clouds
Solar energy prevents water from moving
What is the dew point?
The temperature at which the rate of condensation equals the rate of evaporation
The temperature at which water boils
The temperature at which ice melts
The temperature at which air pressure is highest
What happens to water vapor at the dew point?
It becomes liquid
It freezes into ice
It turns into gas
It evaporates faster
Which of the following statements is true about humidity and the dew point?
The higher the humidity, the higher the dew point
The higher the humidity, the lower the dew point
Humidity does not affect the dew point
The dew point is always lower than the humidity
How do clouds form?
As warm, moist air rises and water vapor condenses into tiny droplets of liquid
As cold air sinks and water vapor evaporates
When the sun heats the ground
When air pressure decreases rapidly
Clouds are named with combinations of which three root words?
Cirrus, stratus, cumulus
Nimbus, alto, fog
Rain, snow, sleet
Layer, sheet, wisp
Which type of cloud is thin, wispy, and occurs at high altitudes?
Cirrus
Stratus
Cumulus
Cumulonimbus
What do stratus clouds look like?
Layered and look like sheets
White and fluffy with flat bottoms
Towering and produce thunderstorms
Thin and wispy
Which type of cloud is white and fluffy with somewhat flat bottoms?
Cumulus
Stratus
Cirrus
Cirrostratus
What are cirrostratus clouds?
High, layered clouds that form a thin white veil
Towering rain clouds that produce thunderstorms
White and fluffy clouds with flat bottoms
Layered clouds that look like sheets
Which clouds are stratus and cumulus clouds that occur at middle altitudes?
Altostratus and altocumulus
Cirrostratus and cirrocumulus
Cumulonimbus and nimbostratus
Stratocumulus and cirrus
What type of cloud is described as a towering rain cloud that often produces thunderstorms?
Cumulonimbus
Cirrostratus
Altocumulus
Stratus
What is another term for barometric pressure?
Atmospheric pressure
Hydrostatic pressure
Osmotic pressure
Partial pressure
At sea level, what is the barometric pressure of air at 0°C in millimeters of mercury?
760 mm of mercury
500 mm of mercury
1000 mm of mercury
200 mm of mercury
Which unit is the SI unit for pressure?
Pascal (Pa)
Bar
Atmosphere (atm)
Torr
A pascal is equal to:
1 newton per square meter
1 kilogram per cubic meter
1 joule per second
1 watt per square meter
What do aneroid barometers have in common?
They do not contain liquid.
They use mercury.
They measure temperature.
They require electricity.
What does a falling barometric pressure usually indicate?
A large air mass is leaving the area.
A storm is ending.
A large air mass is moving in.
The temperature is rising.
What causes wind to move from one place to another?
Pressure gradients
Humidity differences
Temperature only
Cloud cover
Explain how changes in barometric pressure can be related to weather changes. (DoK Level 2)
Falling pressure may indicate a large air mass is leaving, while rising pressure may mean an air mass is moving in.
Barometric pressure never changes with weather.
Barometric pressure only changes with temperature.
Barometric pressure is unrelated to weather.
Why do differences in air pressure create wind? (DoK Level 2)
Because air moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure.
Because air moves from cold to warm areas.
Because air moves only at night.
Because air moves due to humidity.
If the barometric pressure at sea level drops below 760 mm of mercury, what might this indicate about the local weather? (DoK Level 3)
A large air mass may be leaving the area, possibly leading to changing weather conditions.
The temperature is increasing rapidly.
There is no change in weather expected.
A large air mass is moving in, causing clear skies.
What is the movement of air from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area called?
Precipitation
Wind
Evaporation
Condensation
Which effect causes the curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to Earth's rotation?
Greenhouse effect
Coriolis effect
Doppler effect
Tyndall effect
How long does it take for the Earth to complete a full rotation?
12 hours
48 hours
24 hours
36 hours
Which direction do winds in the Northern Hemisphere generally curve due to predictable air circulation?
Counterclockwise
Upward
Clockwise
Downward
Which of the following is NOT a named wind pattern by meteorologists?
Polar easterlies
Westerlies
Monsoon winds
Northeast trade winds
Explain how Earth's rotation affects wind direction and describe the role of the Coriolis effect in this process.
Earth's rotation causes wind to stop moving; the Coriolis effect has no impact.
Earth's rotation causes wind to move in a straight line; the Coriolis effect makes wind move faster.
Earth's rotation causes wind to curve; the Coriolis effect is responsible for the curving of wind paths.
Earth's rotation slows down wind; the Coriolis effect reverses wind direction.
How many loops of rising warm air and sinking cold air, called cells, are found in each hemisphere?
One
Two
Three
Four
Describe the general movement of air in global wind patterns.
Air flows from low-pressure to high-pressure areas in a straight line.
Air flows from high-pressure to low-pressure areas in large loops, forming circulation cells.
Air remains stationary and does not form patterns.
Air only moves vertically, not horizontally.
What is an air mass?
A large body of air where temperature and moisture content are similar throughout
A small pocket of air with varying temperatures
A cloud formation caused by wind
A type of precipitation
Which of the following is NOT a type of front?
Stationary front
Warm front
Cold front
Rainy front
What usually happens when fronts move through an area?
Precipitation and a change in wind direction and temperature
Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
Increase in humidity only
Decrease in sunlight
What is the boundary between air masses of different densities and usually different temperatures called?
Front
Cloud
Storm
Thunder
How do interactions between air masses affect the weather in a given location?
They have predictable effects on the weather
They cause earthquakes
They have no effect on weather
They only affect temperature, not precipitation
What causes thunder?
The shockwave created when lightning heats the air so fast that it expands faster than the speed of sound
Rain falling on the ground
Clouds colliding in the sky
Wind blowing through trees
What are tornadoes?
Funnels of high-speed wind
Large clouds of rain
Electrical discharges in the atmosphere
Sudden drops in temperature
Explain how lightning is formed in thunderclouds. (DoK Level 2)
Water droplets and ice crystals build up electrical charges, and lightning is a big spark that jumps between clouds or between clouds and Earth to equalize the charge.
Lightning is formed by the sun heating the clouds.
Lightning is created when clouds collide with each other.
Lightning is produced by strong winds blowing through the clouds.
Describe the effects that moving fronts can have on local weather. (DoK Level 2)
Moving fronts usually cause precipitation and a change in wind direction and temperature.
Moving fronts only cause sunny weather.
Moving fronts have no effect on local weather.
Moving fronts only affect humidity.
A meteorologist observes a sudden change in wind direction and temperature, followed by precipitation. Using evidence from the text, what might be happening in the area? (DoK Level 3)
A front is moving through the area, causing these changes.
A tornado is forming without any other changes.
The sun is setting, causing temperature changes.
There is an earthquake affecting the weather.
Which of the following statements is true about tornado winds?
Tornado winds are the slowest winds on Earth.
Tornado winds are the most violent winds on Earth.
Tornado winds are always less than 100 km/h.
Tornado winds only occur over oceans.
What is a funnel cloud?
A type of hurricane
A column of water droplets
A cloud formed by sunlight
A rotating storm system
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of tornadoes?
They are fast moving.
They are unpredictable.
They are large, rotating tropical storm systems.
They typically form along a front between cool, dry air and warm, humid air.
What are hurricanes called in the Indian Ocean?
Typhoons
Cyclones
Tornadoes
Funnel clouds
What is the center of a hurricane called?
The core
The funnel
The eye
The vortex
Which statement best describes a tropical depression?
A high-pressure area that causes tornadoes
An intense low-pressure area that can become a hurricane
A calm area in the center of a hurricane
A type of cloud formed by water vapor
How are hurricanes powered?
By sunlight striking the earth
By energy released as water vapor condenses to form clouds
By cold air mixing with warm air
By wind blowing over mountains
Which of the following best explains the difference between climate and weather?
Weather is the average condition over a long period, climate changes daily.
Climate is the average weather conditions in an area over a long period, weather changes day to day.
Climate and weather are the same.
Climate changes more quickly than weather.
Why do temperatures tend to be higher close to the equator?
The earth is closer to the sun at the equator.
Sunlight strikes the earth more directly close to the equator.
There are more storms near the equator.
The equator has more water vapor.
Hurricane winds can reach speeds greater than:
100 km/h
250 km/h
500 km/h
50 km/h
