Meteorology Unit Pre-assessment (Earth Science Regents)
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Scientists have inferred that Earth’s original atmosphere was formed by the (Standard 1.2e):
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Outgassing from Earth’s interior
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Erosion of Earth’s surface
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Decay of microorganisms in Earth’s oceans
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Radioactive decay of elements in Earth’s core
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Emergence of multicellular organisms
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This pre-assessment for the Meteorology Unit in Earth Science Regents explores key concepts such as Earth's original atmosphere, the role of cyanobacteria, air density changes, wind patterns, and meteorological measurements. It assesses understanding relevant to atmospheric science.
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- 2.
Which event in Earth’s history was dependent on the development of cyanobacteria (Standard 1.2h)?
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Addition of free oxygen to Earth’s atmosphere
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Formation of clastic sedimentary rock
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Movement of tectonic plates
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Filling of the oceans by precipitation
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Cyanobacteria had no effect on Earth’s history
Correct Answer
A. Addition of free oxygen to Earth’s atmosphereExplanation
The correct answer is "addition of free oxygen to Earth’s atmosphere." Cyanobacteria played a crucial role in Earth's history by being the first organisms to carry out photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. This oxygen gradually accumulated in the atmosphere, leading to the oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere and paving the way for the development of aerobic life forms. This event, known as the Great Oxygenation Event, had a profound impact on the evolution of life on Earth.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What happens to the density of a mass of air when its water vapor content increases (Standard 2.1b)?
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Density remains the same
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Density increases
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Density decreases
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There is no density
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There is not enough information to answer the question
Correct Answer
A. Density decreasesExplanation
When the water vapor content in a mass of air increases, the density of the air decreases. This is because water vapor is less dense than dry air. As the amount of water vapor increases, it displaces some of the dry air molecules, leading to a decrease in the overall density of the air.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Wind moves from regions of (Standard 2.1c):
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High temperatures to regions of low temperatures
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High pressure toward regions of low pressure
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High precipitation toward regions of low precipitation
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High humidity toward regions of low humidity
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High elevation to low elevation
Correct Answer
A. High pressure toward regions of low pressureExplanation
Wind moves from regions of high pressure toward regions of low pressure. This is because air moves from areas of higher atmospheric pressure to areas of lower atmospheric pressure in order to equalize the pressure. The movement of air from high pressure to low pressure creates wind.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which list correctly matches each instrument with the weather variable it measures (Standard 2.1d)?
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Wind vane—wind speed thermometer—temperature precipitation gauge—relative humidity
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Wind vane—wind direction thermometer—dewpoint psychrometer—air pressure
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Barometer—relative humidity anemometer—cloud cover precipitation gauge—probability of precipitation
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Barometer—air pressure anemometer—wind speed psychrometer—relative humidity
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None of the lists are completely correct
Correct Answer
A. Barometer—air pressure anemometer—wind speed psychrometer—relative humidityExplanation
The correct answer matches each instrument with the weather variable it measures. A barometer measures air pressure, an anemometer measures wind speed, and a psychrometer measures relative humidity. This answer is correct because it accurately matches each instrument with the correct weather variable.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which weather change usually occurs when the difference between the air temperature and the dewpoint temperature is decreasing (Standard 2.1e)?
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The amount of cloud cover decreases.
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The probability of precipitation decreases.
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The relative humidity increases.
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The barometric pressure increases.
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The wind speed accelerates.
Correct Answer
A. The relative humidity increases.Explanation
When the difference between the air temperature and the dewpoint temperature is decreasing, it means that the air temperature is getting closer to the dewpoint temperature. This indicates that the air is becoming saturated with moisture, leading to an increase in relative humidity. As the air temperature and dewpoint temperature approach each other, the relative humidity increases because the air is holding more moisture.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Cloud formation is likely to occur in rising air because rising air (Standard 2.1e)?
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Expands and cools
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Expands and warms
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Contracts and cools
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Contracts and warms
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Oscillates
Correct Answer
A. Expands and coolsExplanation
Cloud formation occurs in rising air because as air rises, it expands due to lower atmospheric pressure. This expansion leads to a decrease in temperature, causing the air to cool. As the air cools, it reaches its dew point and condensation occurs, forming clouds.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The station model below shows the weather conditions at Massena, New York, at 9 a.m. on a particular day in June. What was the barometric pressure at Massena 3 hours earlier on that day (Standard 2.2a)?
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98.7 mb
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997.1 mb
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999.7 mb
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1003.3 mb
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1009.1 mb
Correct Answer
A. 1003.3 mb -
- 9.
Base your answer to this question on the weather map of North America below. The map shows the location of a front and the air mass influencing its movement. Which region is the probable source of the air mass labeled cP on the map?
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Central Canada
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Southwestern United States
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North Atlantic Ocean
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Gulf of Mexico
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None of the Above
Correct Answer
A. Central CanadaExplanation
The air mass labeled cP on the weather map is most likely originating from Central Canada. This is because cP refers to a continental polar air mass, which is characterized by cold and dry air. Central Canada, being a continental region, is more likely to have cold air masses compared to the other options listed. The other regions mentioned, such as the Southwestern United States, North Atlantic Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico, are either not continental or not known for having polar air masses. Therefore, Central Canada is the most probable source of the cP air mass.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which process is primarily responsible for the transfer of energy by air currents within the Earth’s atmosphere (Standard 2.2b)?
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Radiation
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Absorption
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Conduction
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Precipitation
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Convection
Correct Answer
A. ConvectionExplanation
Convection is the process primarily responsible for the transfer of energy by air currents within the Earth's atmosphere. Convection occurs when warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating vertical air currents. As the warm air rises, it transfers heat energy to the cooler air, causing it to expand and rise as well. This creates a continuous cycle of rising warm air and sinking cool air, which helps to distribute heat energy throughout the atmosphere.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Deforestation increases the greenhouse effect on Earth because deforestation causes the atmosphere to contain (Standard 2.2d)?
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More oxygen, which absorbs infrared radiation
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Less oxygen, which absorbs short-wave radiation
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Less nitrogen, which absorbs short-wave radiation
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Less carbon dioxide, which absorbs short-wave radiation
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More carbon dioxide, which absorbs infrared radiation
Correct Answer
A. More carbon dioxide, which absorbs infrared radiationExplanation
Deforestation increases the greenhouse effect on Earth because it leads to the release of more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that absorbs infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. Therefore, when forests are cleared, the stored carbon in trees is released through burning or decomposition, resulting in higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This increase in carbon dioxide concentration enhances the greenhouse effect and intensifies the warming of the Earth's surface.Rate this question:
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- 12.
A map view of surface air movement in a low-pressure system is shown below. The air near the center of this low- pressure system usually will (Standard 2.1h)?
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Remain static
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Evaporate into a liquid
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Reverse direction
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Rise and form clouds
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Squeeze together to form a high-pressure system
Correct Answer
A. Rise and form cloudsExplanation
In a low-pressure system, air tends to rise and form clouds. This is because low-pressure systems are characterized by an upward movement of air, which leads to the air rising and cooling. As the air cools, the moisture in the air condenses, forming clouds. Therefore, the correct answer is "rise and form clouds".Rate this question:
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- 13.
Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how much you already know about meteorology.
Correct Answer
1
2
3
4 - 14.
Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how interested are you in meteorology.
Correct Answer
1
2
3
4Explanation
This question asks the respondent to rate their level of interest in meteorology on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. The answer options provided are 1, 2, 3, and 4, indicating that the respondent can choose any of these options to indicate their level of interest in meteorology.Rate this question:
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Mar 03, 2011Quiz Created by
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