NEW
Font size
WorksheetsGeography 130: Midterm 2 Sample Questions
Total questions: 75
Worksheet time: 38mins
Wind can be measured using:
a hand-held weather station, such as a WindMate
an anemometer
a weather balloon equipped with a radiosonde
all of the above
none of the above
Globally, heat energy is transported:
towards the Equator, by both the atmosphere and the oceans
towards the poles, by both the atmosphere and the oceans
towards the Equator by the atmosphere, and towards the poles by the oceans
towards the Equator by the oceans, and towards the poles by the atmosphere
Atmospheric pressure:
decreases exponentially with elevation
is proportional to the weight of the overlying atmosphere
varies geographically due in part to uneven heating of the Earth's surface
all of the above
none of the above
Atmospheric pressure:
is usually adjusted to sea level pressure at each weather station
can be depicted on a surface map using isobars
can be depicted on an upper-air map using pressure surfaces
all of the above
none of the above
The magnitude of the Coriolis Effect increases with:
air temperature
humidity
length-scale of the flow
all of the above
none of the above
The relative amount of Coriolis deflection can be quantified using:
the Rossby Number
the Bergeron-Wegener Index
a dog on a 12-foot leash
all of the above
none of the above
The overall pattern of global ocean surface currents consists of:
currents that flow toward the Equator along the coast and toward the poles in the center of ocean basins
currents that flow toward the poles along the coast and toward the Equator in the center of ocean basins
a series of gyres that flow counterclockwise around ocean basins in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
a series of gyres that flow clockwise around ocean basins in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
none of the above
Water in a kitchen sink:
always swirls clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
always swirls counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
always swirls counterclockwise in both hemispheres
cannot drain at the Equator because there is no Coriolis Force
moves over too short a distance to be affected much by Coriolis Force
Which of the following forces does not cause air to move, but can influence its velocity once the air is already in motion?
Frictional Force
Gravitational Force
Pressure Gradient Force
All of the above
None of the above
Which of the following is true of the Coriolis Force?
it causes winds to turn to the left in the Southern Hemisphere
it causes wind speed to decrease as it moves from the Equator toward the Poles
it is only important when the air is calm
all of the above
none of the above
Frictional force is proportional to:
latitude and surface roughness
wind speed and surface roughness
latitude and altitude
latitude and wind speed
none of the above
At the surface, wind in the vicinity of HIGH pressure (in the Northern Hemisphere):
blows directly outward
blows directly inward
spirals counterclockwise outward
spirals clockwise outward
At high altitude, where friction is not an important factor, wind around LOW pressure systems (in the Northern Hemisphere):
blows counterclockwise, parallel to the isobars
blows directly inward
blows directly outward
spirals counterclockwise, inward toward the LOW
spirals clockwise, outward from the LOW
The pressure gradient force is strongest:
where equal heating occurs across a large, uniform, land area
where isobars are very closely spaced
when very calm weather occurs
all of the above
none of the above
The western ocean boundaries (continental east coasts) are generally influenced by:
warm currents flowing poleward
cold currents flowing poleward
warm currents flowing towards the equator
cold currents flowing towards the equator
none of the above
Water in the deep ocean (>3000 m below the surface):
transports warm water from the tropics to the poles
sinks at the Equator and flows toward the poles
rises only if it is colder than water at the surface
all of the above
none of the above
Jet streams:
form approximately at the boundaries between the Hadley Cell, the mid-latitude (Ferrell) Cell, and the Polar Cell
blow roughly from west to east
are very intense, focused winds that often blow faster than 100 mph
all of the above
none of the above
The Siberian High is an example of:
an area of intense heat found in a continental interior
the feeling of exhilaration one feels while taking a deep breath of frigid Russian air
a migrating high-pressure cell that passes through Russia during the winter
a relatively stationary high-pressure system that forms during the winter
a relatively stationary high-pressure system that forms during the summer
Surface currents in the world's oceans are powered primarily by __________, and deep ocean currents are driven by _________.
wind, density differences
Coriolis force, density differences
wind, volcanic activity
Coriolis force, volcanic activity
hope, love
In mid-latitude regions, such as Europe, Japan, and the contiguous United States, weather systems generally move:
from west to east
from north to south
from east to west
from south to north
randomly
According to the Wave Cyclone Model:
tropical cyclones are caused by large ocean waves
thunderstorms are caused by strong sound waves in the atmosphere
mid-latitude cyclones often evolve like waves along air mass boundaries
cyclones originate in Norway and travel in waves around the world
none of the above
Anticyclones are usually associated with:
unstable conditions
falling pressure
clear skies
all of the above
none of the above
For the following four questions (23-26), choose the type of air mass boundary that is best described by the specified conditions. 23. Fairly slow-moving boundary normally associated with low clouds and gentle or moderate rain
cold front
warm front
occluded front
stationary front
none of the above
Persistent boundary that can bring rain to the same location for several days, or even several weeks.
cold front
warm front
occluded front
stationary front
none of the above
Boundary between two cold air masses overlain by a warm air mass aloft
cold front
warm front
occluded front
stationary front
none of the above
Rapidly advancing boundary that often causes thunderstorms, followed by northwesterly winds as it passes
cold front
warm front
occluded front
stationary front
none of the above
The Hadley Cell:
Includes the Trade Winds
Is associated with cloud cover and rainfall near the Equator
Is associated with dry, clear conditions at about 30° North and South
All of the above
None of the above
Monsoons are:
very important in South Asia
caused by seasonal heating changes over land and water
associated with the seasonal migration of the ITCZ
all of the above
none of the above
The Ocean Conveyor Belt:
shows the net movement of surface and deep-water currents in the global ocean
is important in redistributing heat around the world
demonstrates that current flows in all oceans are connected
all of the above
none of the above
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ):
is a zone of high pressure
is the area where the Trade Winds converge
is always found within ten miles of the Equator
all of the above
none of the above
You are planning a vacation on the basis of air masses (obviously). You like warm weather and frequent afternoon thundershowers. Which is the best air mass for you?
Maritime Polar
Maritime Tropical
Continental Polar
Continental Tropical
Arctic
Mid-Latitude Cyclones:
May intensify due to divergence in the jet stream or the release of latent heat
Cause clear cold weather in the Midwest
Propagate from east to west
All of the above
None of the above
The continental tropical (cT) air masses that affect North America during the summer normally originate over:
Florida and southern Georgia
the Caribbean
Southern California
Northern Mexico & Texas
none of the above
You look at the current weather map and notice that there is a cold front located 100 miles to the west of Long Beach. Which of the following types of weather is most likely to occur during the next few hours?
A rapid increase in temperature
Santa Ana winds
Rainfall
Six more weeks of winter
None of the above
Divergence in the jet stream may cause:
low pressure at the surface
air at the surface to converge
air to rise
all of the above
none of the above
Lake effect snow can result:
when Maritime Tropical air crosses the coast
when Continental Polar air crosses the Great Lakes
when anticyclones are diverted south by the Jet Stream
all of the above
none of the above
Occluded fronts:
are associated with cloud cover and precipitation
result when cold fronts overtake warm fronts
are common features of wave cyclones in the mid-latitudes
all of the above
none of the above
A mid-latitude cyclone is spotted in the Pacific 500 miles west of Long Beach Sunday evening. The most appropriate reaction is:
evacuating to Barstow until the storm passes
running to the basement and taking cover under old Christmas decorations
bringing an umbrella to campus on Monday
ignoring the information—mid-latitude cyclones travel in the other direction
making sure that the plants on your balcony are very well-watered
Alberta Clipper, Gulf of Alaska Low, Gulf Low, Colorado Low, and Hatteras Low refer to different types of:
mid-latitude cyclones
mid-latitude anticyclones
extreme cold weather events
extreme drought events
none of the above
For the following five questions (40-44), identify the air mass from the following list that is most likely responsible for the conditions discussed (you may choose the same option more than once):
Maritime Tropical
Maritime Polar
Continental Tropical
Continental Polar
Arctic
For the following five questions (40-44), identify the air mass from the following list that is most likely responsible for the conditions discussed (you may choose the same option more than once):
Maritime Tropical
Maritime Polar
Continental Tropical
Continental Polar
Arctic
Abundant summertime rainfall in the southeastern United States.
Maritime Tropical
Maritime Polar
Continental Tropical
Continental Polar
Arctic
Seasonably cold, clear, wintertime conditions in the American Midwest.
Maritime Tropical
Maritime Polar
Continental Tropical
Continental Polar
Arctic
Orographic precipitation and fog in the Pacific northwest.
Maritime Tropical
Maritime Polar
Continental Tropical
Continental Polar
Arctic
A gradual lowering of clouds, followed by light rain and an increase in temperature.
Cold front (passage)
Warm front (passage)
Stationary front
Monsoon
Anticyclone
Heavy rain lasting for two or three months.
Cold front (passage)
Warm front (passage)
Stationary front
Monsoon
Anticyclone
Steady rain of low to moderate intensity lasting for 9 days.
Cold front (passage)
Warm front (passage)
Stationary front
Monsoon
Anticyclone
A shift in winds from SE to NW accompanied by a sudden drop in temperature
Cold front (passage)
Warm front (passage)
Stationary front
Monsoon
Anticyclone
A week of dry, calm weather
Cold front (passage)
Warm front (passage)
Stationary front
Monsoon
Anticyclone
Anticyclones:
rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
are associated with clear skies
often last for several days or even several weeks
all of the above
none of the above
Usually, hurricanes form:
at the Equator and migrate poleward
at the Equator and migrate toward the west
between about 7 and 15° N or S and initially migrate poleward and toward the east
between about 7 and 15° N or S and initially migrate poleward and toward the west
between about 7 and 15° N or S and migrate toward the Equator
Hurricanes will form only when:
sea surface temperatures are below 26°C
Coriolis force is very weak or completely absent
barometric pressure near the sea surface is above 101.3kPa (1013 mb)
all of the above
none of the above
The speed and direction of hurricane migration may be influenced by:
the strength of the trade winds
the strength and position of persistent high-pressure systems
the influence of mid-latitude (extratropical) cyclones
all of the above
none of the above
The term "hurricane" is a regional name for a storm that is the same as a:
tropical depression
tropical storm
typhoon
all of the above
none of the above
Since 1900, there has been a general trend towards lower annual death tolls caused by hurricanes in the United States. This is largely because:
hurricane frequency has decreased because of global warming
hurricane intensity has decreased because of global warming
hurricane frequency has decreased because of the increasing importance of El Niño events
hurricane intensity has decreased because of the increasing importance of El Niño events
hurricane forecasts, warnings, preparedness, and response have improved
Coastal areas may be particularly vulnerable to erosion and flooding during hurricanes due to:
storm surge
high waves
heavy precipitation
all of the above
none of the above
Hurricane Camille:
was the eleventh named storm of 2001, striking Southern Florida on June 9
was the first named storm of 1912, and one of the weakest in U.S. history
was the third named storm of 1969, and one of the strongest in U.S. history
was the fifth named storm of 1973, and was not particularly noteworthy
was one of the strongest Mediterranean hurricanes ever to strike France
The Western portion of the North Pacific Ocean (e.g., China, Japan, SE Asia):
accounts for about 10% of all tropical cyclones
experiences tropical cyclones known as typhoons
has tropical cyclones that spin clockwise
all of the above
none of the above
An increase in global sea surface temperature would likely cause hurricanes to be:
stronger
wetter
longer in duration and/or larger in geographical range
all of the above
none of the above
High wind shear in the upper atmosphere:
increases the potential for hurricanes because it makes them more energetic
increases the potential for hurricanes because it causes them to spin faster
increases the potential for hurricanes by increasing the central pressure
reduces the potential for hurricane formation because it disrupts their vertical growth
none of the above
One reason that California is seldom impacted by hurricanes is:
sea surface temperature is too high for hurricane formation
hurricanes that form on this side of the Pacific tend to move westward, out to sea
hurricanes almost never form on this side of the Pacific
tropical cyclones in the Pacific Ocean are called typhoons
hurricanes can’t afford the high rent in Southern California
Hurricane strength is classified:
as Categories 1-5
according to wind speed
using the Saffir-Simpson Scale
all of the above
none of the above
Which of the following describes tropical cyclone evolution:
they weaken over warm, tropical oceans
they strengthen over cold, polar oceans
they dissipate over land
all of the above
none of the above
Nine out of the ten most costly mainland U.S. hurricane impacts have occurred since 2004. This is at least partially because:
hurricanes were not tracked or recorded prior to 2001
hurricanes were fairly rare prior to the 1990’s
the amount of infrastructure in hurricane-prone areas has vastly increased over time
all of the above
none of the above
The force that is ultimately responsible for most wind on the earths surface is known as:
frictional force
pressure gradient force
coriolis force
all of the above
space force
a center if low atmospheric pressure that rotates counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere is known as a(n)
anticyclone
cyclone
high pressure system
geostrophic wind
none of the above
around a low-pressure system at the surface in the southern hemisphere:
wind blows counterclockwise and outward, crossing the isobars
wind blows counterclockwise, parallel to the isobars
wind blows clockwise, parallel to the isobars
wind blows clockwise and inward across the isobars
wind blows directly outward in all directions
the low latitude atmospheric circulation cell with rising air over the equatorial regions and sinking air over the subtropical belts is knows as:
polar cell
hadley cell
high pressure cell
low pressure cell
ferrell cell
during the winter, low pressure systems often form over:
ice sheets
the poles
islands
oceans
continents
ocean surface currents:
primarily carry warm water toward the equator
occur only in the top 10 meters of the ocean surface
are driven primarily by density differences in sea water
none of these
all of these
what air mass is responsible for the high summertime humidity on the atlantic and gulf coasts of the USA
continental tropical
continental polar
maritime tropical
maritime polar
arctic
A(n) ____ is a moving air mass boundary, in which warm air advances, often producing layered clouds and moderate rain
cold front
warm front
occluded front
stationary front
back front
A(n) ____ is a moving air mass boundary along which a moving cold front has overtaken a warm front, forcing the warm air mass aloft
cold front
warm front
stationary front
occluded front
back front
a cold front passage is often accompanied by which of the following series of weather conditions:
steady rain, wind shifting toward the south, increase in temperature
cleas skies, wind shifting toward the north, increase in temperature, then rain
increase in temperature, wind shifting toward the north, formation of stratus clouds
wind becoming northerly, decrease in temperature, heavy rainfall follows by clearing skies
vertical winds and frogs falling from the sky
which of the following are characteristics of anticyclones in the Northern Hemisphere
sinking air
clear skies
clockwise circulation
all of these
none of these
