Part 1
Question 1 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
The process by which water enters deep into the geosphere is
condensation
evaporation
infiltration
transpiration
Question 2 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which process in the water cycle do plants perform?
evaporation
infiltration
precipitation
transpiration
Question 3 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
How does the amount of matter change when water changes state?
The amount of matter always increases as water changes state.
The amount of matter always decreases as water changes state.
The amount of matter stays the same as water changes state.
The amount of matter varies depending on how water changes state.
Question 4 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
How might human activities change to compensate for a decrease in water supplies?
Humans might build a factory.
Humans might build drainage systems.
Humans might extract more water from the ground.
Human behavior does not change because of the water cycle.
Question 5 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
How does energy from the sun affect the motion of molecules in a solid compared to molecules in a gas?
Molecules in a solid move faster than in a gas.
Molecules in a solid move slower than in a gas.
Molecules in a solid and gas move at about the same speed.
The sun does not affect the energy in gases and solids.
Question 6 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Of the following, where would we most likely find water in the form of a gas?
the atmosphere
the biosphere
the geosphere
the hydrosphere
Question 7 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
What happens to the motion between water molecules when liquid water transforms to a solid?
Hydrogen bonds are broken.
Atoms in the liquid water move more slowly.
Atoms in the liquid water move more quickly.
More hydrogen bonds form between the molecules.
Question 8 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which part of the water cycle is most affected by a sunny day with few clouds?
decrease in evaporation
increase in evaporation
movement of water to new locations
reduction of groundwater supply
Question 9 (Essay Worth 5 points)
People pave over a large field to build a parking lot. Describe two ways this action will likely affect the
water cycle in the local environment.
Question 10 (Essay Worth 5 points)
Describe two ways that water moves through Earth’s geosphere in the water cycle.
Part 2
Question 1 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
What is the relationship between temperature and altitude in the stratosphere?
As altitude increases, temperature decreases.
As altitude increases, temperature increases.
As altitude increases, temperatures remain the same.
As altitude increases, temperatures vary.
Question 2 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
During which step in the Can Crush Lab did water vapor condense inside the can?
The can was filled nearly to the top with water.
The can was placed on the hot stove burner for several minutes.
The can was removed from the hot stove burner.
The can was placed upside-down in the water-filled pan.
Question 3 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
As a barometer lowers, what kind of weather can be expected?
There will likely be no change in the weather.
The weather will likely become clearer and drier.
The weather will likely become cloudier and stormier.
The weather will likely become cooler and less humid.
Question 4 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
A river flows from approximately 45° north latitude toward the equator, as shown in the diagram below. As
the water molecules in the river approach the equator, which step in the water cycle is most likely to
happen next?
© 2010 FLVS
The molecules cool and eventually form clouds.
The molecules freeze and eventually form ice crystals.
The molecules heat up and eventually form water vapor.
The molecules break apart and eventually form precipitation.
Question 5 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following correctly describes a way in which Earth’s atmosphere interacts with the
geosphere?
It contains gases that living organisms breathe.
It contains gases that trap incoming solar radiation.
It provides a medium for cycles that provide nutrients to living organisms.
It provides a medium for water to move between Earth’s surface and the air.
Question 6 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
What is the relationship between atmospheric pressure and the density of gas particles in an area of
increasing pressure?
As air pressure in an area increases, the density of the gas particles in that area decreases.
As air pressure in an area increases, the density of the gas particles in that area increases.
As air pressure in an area increases, the density of the gas particles in that area remains constant.
As air pressure in an area increases, the density of the gas particles in that area increases and
decreases in an alternating pattern.
Question 7 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following do meteorologists not typically use weather balloons to record?
atmospheric pressure
cloud types
humidity
temperature
Question 8 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is considered a benefit to using wind energy as a source of power?
Winds blow consistently.
Wind energy does not pollute.
Wind turbines require very little land to construct.
Winds produce higher quality energy than other sources.
Question 9 (Essay Worth 5 points)
As an airplane rises through the atmosphere, machines cause the pressure inside the cabin to decrease.
As the airplane descends toward Earth, machines cause the pressure inside the cabin to increase. Based
on your observations from the Can Crush Lab, explain why these changes in pressure are necessary.
Question 10 (Essay Worth 5 points)
Where on Earth’s surface might you be if you are experiencing the trade winds? Explain how air pressure,
temperature, and the Coriolis effect influence the movement and direction of these winds. \
Part 3
Question 1 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following types of weather data is measured as a percentage?
air pressure
precipitation
relative humidity
wind speed
Question 2 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is true of climate but not of weather?
independent of regional temperatures
not useful for making future predictions
determined by precipitation patterns collected over many years
calculated from a variety of data, including wind speed and direction and cloud cover
Question 3 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following Earth spheres is affected by the weather?
atmosphere
biosphere
geosphere
all of the above
Question 4 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following two weather factors are most important in determining the plant and animal
populations that can exist in an area?
cloud cover and precipitation
temperature and precipitation
temperature and wind speed
wind speed and direction
Question 5 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
The plant in the following photograph has several features that allow it to survive in hot, dry climates,
including flame-retardant, waxy leaves that keep water from evaporating.
In which biome would you most likely find this plant?
chaparral
taiga
temperate forest
tundra
Question 6 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is not a reason that analyzing and collecting weather records is important?
Weather data can be collected to make climate maps.
Predicting future climate events, such as droughts, can be easier.
Collecting weather records can help scientists see patterns in the weather.
Collecting weather data helps geologists locate land that has been weathered.
Question 7 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
What instrument is used to collect wind speed data?
anemometer
barometer
hygrometer
psychrometer
Question 8 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is located in the temperate climate zone?
grasslands
rain forest
taiga
tundra
Question 9 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Your family is hoping to take a vacation to a dry climate. Based on the map, in which of the following
states should you spend your vacation?
© 2010 noaa.gov
Arkansas
Florida
Maine
New Mexico
Question 10 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is a statement about climate?
Last year, it snowed for seven days in a row.
The forecast says the temperature will be 80°F tomorrow.
In Denver last week, the overnight low temperature was 30°F.
In Saint Petersburg, annual temperatures average between 61°F and 83°F.
Part 4
Question 1 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is a benefit to creating computer-based models for tracking a hurricane?
People can see if they should prepare to evacuate an area.
Forecasters can determine exactly where the hurricane is likely to make landfall.
Emergency crews can determine the number of floods the hurricane will produce.
all of the above
Question 2 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following conditions is necessary for the development of a hurricane?
warm, moist air
warm ocean waters
mild winds in the upper atmosphere
all of the above
Question 3 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is not a danger associated with hurricanes?
droughts
inland flooding
storm surges
tornadoes
Question 4 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is measured using the Enhanced Fujita scale?
droughts
floods
hurricanes
tornadoes
Question 5 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is something you should do before severe weather occurs?
dial 911
clean up flood waters
create a family safety plan
search for missing loved ones
Question 6 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following is not a stage in the development of a thunderstorm?
developing stage
dissipating stage
mature stage
updraft stage
Question 7 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following severe weather events is NOT likely to result in flooding?
hurricane
thunderstorm
spring snow melt
tornado
Question 8 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
You live in Florida, and you have decided to prepare your home for hurricane season. Which of the
following actions would least help you achieve your goal?
purchasing a battery-powered cell phone charger
storing several gallons of water in closed, plastic containers
replacing your wooden front door with a door made of glass
filling your pantry with canned goods and other non-perishable food items
Question 9 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
Which of the following statements about tornadoes is true?
Tornadoes result from all thunderstorms.
Most tornadoes form during the afternoon.
Most tornadoes have funnels shorter than 105 m (344 ft).
Most tornadoes have wind speeds less than 105 kph (65 mph).
Question 10 (Multiple Choice Worth 2 points)
The following tracking model was created for Hurricane Katrina on August 26, 2005.
According to this model, at which point is the storm least likely to make landfall?
Public Domain
Point A
Point B
Point C
Point D
Question 11 (Essay Worth 5 points)
In your own words, describe how a hurricane forms.
Question 12 (Essay Worth 5 points)
How does severe weather in Earth’s atmosphere affect Earth’s geosphere?