1. Exam Review Week 3: There will be a quiz on these questions on April 22, 2016.

2. Over geologic time, global mean sea level has varied significantly. Which change is most likely responsible for an increase in global mean sea level? A.erosion of sediment from a mountain range B. mass extinction of marine organisms C. formation of an ocean trench D. melting of polar ice caps

3. melting of polar ice caps

4. Earth’s climate is affected by the amount of solar radiation absorbed by Earth’s surface. After Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation, the absorbed energy re-radiates into the atmosphere. When this re- radiated energy enters the atmosphere, it excites the molecules of greenhouse gases that warm Earth. Some of Earth’s surfaces are covered in ice and snow. These surfaces are reflective and do not absorb solar energy. As Earth gets warmer, what are the most likely effects on Earth’s reflective cover and global temperature? A.Reflective cover would increase, raising Earth’s temperature. B.Reflective cover would increase, lowering Earth’s temperature. C.Reflective cover would decrease, raising Earth’s temperature. D.Reflective cover would decrease, lowering Earth’s temperature.

5. Reflective cover would decrease, raising Earth’s temperature

6. Trees are carbon sinks, because they absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. Burning large stands of rainforest not only reduces the amount of photosynthesis on Earth, but it releases carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas. Carbon dioxide levels in the ocean are directly correlated to carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. What would be the MOST likely effect of burning large stands of rainforest? A.The ocean water would become more acidic. B.The ocean water would dissolve gases more easily. C.The ocean water would dissolve gases less easily. D.The ocean water would become more alkaline.

7. The ocean water would become more acidic.

8. Volcanoes release several gases during eruptions. Which of these gases has been shown to cause significant cooling of the climate for one or more years after an eruption? A. water vapor B. sulfur dioxide C. carbon dioxide D. hydrogen fluoride

9. sulfur dioxide

10. Biomes include both biotic and abiotic elements. Which set includes both biotic and abiotic elements of an estuary? A. cordgrass, water salinity, great blue herons B. ospreys, oysters, black needle rush C. silt, air temperature, tidal pattern D. periwinkles, bats, egrets

11. cordgrass, water salinity, great blue herons

12. What is the carrying capacity of an ecosystem? A. the total number of organisms alive at the same time in an ecosystem B. the minimum number of individuals needed to have balance in an ecosystem C. the total number of individuals, living and dead, that have been supported by an ecosystem D. the maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can support without harming the ecosystem

13. the maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can support without harming the ecosystem

14. Global warming affects sea levels. Which of these is a likely consequence if the trend of global warming continues in coming decades? A. Melting glaciers will cause flooding of coastal towns and cities. B. Melting glaciers will cause flash flooding in mountainous regions. C. Evaporation will cause the formation of fjords and U-shaped valleys. D. Evaporation will cause sea levels to drop enlarging coastal areas.

15. Melting glaciers will cause flooding of coastal towns and cities.

16. The average temperature of Earth has increased approximately 0.8°C in the last one hundred years. Which of the following do researchers most attribute to this temperature increase? A. increased population in third-world countries B. increased use of fossil fuels C. the solar flares reaching Earth D. the lower amounts of carbon dioxide

17. increased use of fossil fuels

18. Which of the following best describes a change in Earth’s atmosphere made by early photosynthetic life? A. increased level of oxygen B. increased level of carbon dioxide C. decreased ability to support life D. decreased ability to transmit light

19. increased level of oxygen

20. The average temperature of Earth’s surface has increased approximately 1°C in the past century. Which of the following can best explain this increase in temperature? A. higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere B. lower levels of ozone in the atmosphere C. higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere D. lower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere

21. higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

22. Which of these events is an example of a change in climate? A. Afternoon clouds form and block the sunlight. B. A series of tornadoes occurs over a one- week period. C. An overnight temperature drop causes frost to form. D. The average amount of annual precipitation decreases.

23. The average amount of annual precipitation decreases.

24. The main disadvantage of using solar energy to generate electricity is that solar panels A. produce greenhouse gases. B. produce water pollution. C. are expensive to operate. D. are expensive to purchase.

25. are expensive to purchase.

26. An increase of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere is most likely to have which effect? A. decreased variations in day length B. increased average air temperature C. increased burn rate for incoming meteoroids D. decreased rate of ozone layer destruction

27. increased average air temperature

28. A student reads the following description of a region: “It has warm summers, moderate winters, and frequent rainfall.” What information does this description best provide? A. current weather B. weather forecast C. general climate D. climate changes

29. general climate

30. When compared to current average conditions, which term would best describe conditions in Earth’s lower atmosphere if greenhouse gases were absent? A. denser B. cooler C. wetter D. cloudier

31. cooler

32. Raising livestock, such as sheep and cattle, results in the production of large amounts of methane gas Methane has the same effect in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. As more livestock are raised to provide food for humans, what is the most likely effect of the increase in methane? A. acid rain B. ozone thinning C. water pollution D. global warming

33. global warming

34. Some scientists have predicted that buildup of greenhouse gases will contribute to the occurrence of more hurricanes. Which is the most likely assumption used in making this prediction? A. Acid rainfall will cause a decrease in oceanic surface temperatures. B. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide will cause increased ocean surface temperatures. C. Any measurable increase in ocean surface temperatures must be caused by human activities. D. Saturation of nitrogen in the atmosphere will cause a wide range of ocean surface temperatures.

35. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide will cause increased ocean surface temperatures.

36. The average temperature of the surface of Earth has increased approximately 1°C in the past century. Which reason best explains this increase in temperature? A. higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere B. lower levels of ozone in the atmosphere C. higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere D. lower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere

37. higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

38. A lake has been used for more than a century to irrigate crops. How has this practice most likely affected this resource? A. It decreased the salt content of the water. B. It increased the evaporation rate of the water. C. It increased the number of fish in the lake. D. It decreased the volume of the lake.

39. It decreased the volume of the lake.

40. Carbon dioxide is associated with climate change. Which conclusion is most likely based on the data in the graph? A. The increase of carbon dioxide is due to an increase in photosynthesis. B. Temperature in the summer will increase and in the winter will decrease. C. Carbon dioxide increased for the last fifty years and will start to decrease. D. The average temperature of Earth should increase as a result of increases in carbon dioxide.

41. The average temperature of Earth should increase as a result of increases in carbon dioxide.