1. TEST THE SECOND The ‘Tudes, Contour Maps, Shape of the Earth and the
"Anyone can confirm how little the grading that results from examinations corresponds to the final useful work of people in life.“
Jean Piaget
"If more testing were the answer to the problems in our schools, testing would have solved them a long time ago.“
Bill Goodling, chair of House Education Committee
"Testing improves education the same way that bombing promotes democracy“
Steve Cohn, Education professor at Tufts University
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

2. TEST THE SECOND: THE ‘TUDES, CONTOUR MAPS AND THE SHAPE OF THE EARTH
Name ________________________________________________ Date ______________ Period _______
TEST THE SECOND: THE ‘TUDES, CONTOUR MAPS AND THE SHAPE OF THE EARTH
Directions: This test is designed to let your teacher know how much information you have learned over the past few weeks, and to allow you to gauge this as well. Remember to think about your notes, and all the examples and demonstrations that we’ve done in class. Read each question carefully and completely before making your response, and make sure that whatever you write answers every part of the question. Do not leave any blank questions or naked numbers. Relax, good luck, and enjoy!
0. What state do you think has the lowest highest point?
1. The circumference of the earth is about 4.0 x 104 km. This value is equal to
A km B. 4,000 km C. 40,000 km D. 400,000 km _________
2. At what latitude would an observer on Earth find the altitude of Polaris to be 37 degrees?
A. 37 degrees south B. 37 degrees north C. 53 degrees north D. Cats _________
3. Imagine that you take a nice, moonlit walk with someone special, and you’re looking at Polaris. This is a good move, because it’ll probably impress that someone special. But what if you’re walking east to west? What will happen to Polaris?
A. It’s altitude will increase B. It’s altitude will decrease
C. It’s altitude will stay the same D. You cannot see Polaris in the northern hemisphere. _________
4. If you measured your WEIGHT on the equator, then at the south pole, which would be greater? What about if you measured your MASS in the same two locations? EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER COMPLETELY in the space below. You can use words, pictures, or both.
5-7. Use the grid to starboard to answer questions 5 through 7.
5. What is the longitude of point A?
6. What is the latitude of point B?
7. Could an observer at point C see Polaris? Explain. B C

3. 8-10. Use the contour map to starboard to answer questions 8 through 10.
8. Where is the steepest part of the map?
9. What is the gradient from point X to
point Y? SHOW ALL YOUR WORK for
full credit.
10. Draw a rough profile of the contour map in the space below. It doesn’t have to be detailed; simply show what the profile would look like.
11. The shape of the earth is A. Round B. Flat (hint: don’t pick this answer)
C. An Oblate Spheroid D. An Obtuse Rhomboid _________
12. The altitude of Polaris can indicate what about an observer’s location?
A. His altitude above the ground B. Her angle of insolation
C. Her latitude D. His longitude _________
13. Using your ESRT, find the latitude and longitude of Binghamton, NY.
14. Using your ESRT, what is the straight-line distance, in kilometers, from Elmira to Buffalo?
15. A stream has a source at an elevation of 1,000 meters. It ends in a lake that has an elevation of 300 meters. If the lake is 200 kilometers away from the source, what is the average gradient of the stream in meters per kilometer? SHOW ALL YOUR WORK for full credit.

4. 16-19. Use the topographic map below to answer questions 16 through 18
Use the topographic map below to answer questions 16 through 18. Note that the dotted lines represent rivers, and that elevation is measured in meters. X
16. What is the contour interval of this map?
A. 20 kilometers B. 2 kilometers C. 20 meters D. 10 meters _________
17. What is the distance, in kilometers, between hills A and C?
18. In which direction is the river labeled “X” flowing?
A. Northeast to Northwest B. Southwest to Northeast
C. Northeast to Southwest D. Southeast to Northeast _________
19. What is the gradient from point D to the lake? SHOW ALL YOUR WORK for full credit.

5. 19-21. Use the diagram to starboard to answer questions 19 through 21.
19. What would the altitude of Polaris be for an
observer at point X?
20. What is the latitude and longitude of point X?
21. If it is 7:00 a.m on the Prime Meridian,
will it be later or earlier at 20 degrees east?
22. Below is an isotherm map of New York,
showing average temperatures in degrees F t.
Using your ESRT, what is the average temperature of Binghamton?
23. When viewed from the north pole, the earth rotates in which direction?
24. Using your ESRT and the scale on THE MAP ABOVE, what is the temperature gradient, in degrees F t per kilometer, from Buffalo to Old Forge? SHOW ALL YOUR WORK for full credit.
25. All the water on earth is known as the
A. Lithosphere B. Hydrosphere C. Watersphere D. Aquaspheroid _________ X