1.
A ________ is someone who specialises in the study of Earth's atmosphere and weather.
Correct Answer
A. Meteorologist
Explanation
Scientists who study the atmosphere and the weather are called meteorologists. These scientists forecast the weather—they tell what the weather will be in the near future. Some meteorologists provide weather information for businesses. The best-known meteorologists are those who give weather reports on radio and TV. But not all weather persons on TV and radio are meteorologists.
2.
What city on Earth gets the least rainfall?
Correct Answer
C. Arica, Chile
Explanation
Oddly enough, Arica is a coastal city on the Pacific Ocean. However, it is on the edge of the Atacama Desert, an extremely dry region on the border of Chile and Peru. There are regions of the Atacama that have never seen rainfall as long as people have kept records.
3.
Most weather takes place in the ____________.
Correct Answer
A. Troposphere
Explanation
Most weather takes place in the lowest part of the atmosphere, called the troposphere. The height it extends varies from about 12 miles (16 kilometers) above the ground near the equator to about 6 miles (10 kilometers) above the North and South poles.
4.
Which is NOT a main type of air mass?
Correct Answer
C. Cold and windy
Explanation
The four main kinds of air masses are cold and dry, cold and humid, warm and dry, and warm and humid. When two air masses meet, a front forms. A warm front is the leading edge of a warm air mass, and a cold front is the leading edge of a cold air mass. Most severe weather happens along the front between two different air masses.
5.
Cold air is ________ than hot air.
Correct Answer
A. Heavier
Explanation
As with almost any substance, air becomes more dense as it cools. The air particles pull closer together. As a result, cold air sinks and warm air rises. This difference in density between cold and warm air is what drives wind and creates thunderstorms.
6.
What is the most common type of cloud?
Correct Answer
B. Cirrus
Explanation
There are many different kinds of clouds. Scientists gave them names that tell us what they look like. Clouds that look like layers or sheets are called stratus clouds. Cumulus clouds are piled-up masses of white clouds. Cirrus clouds are curly white clouds. These are the most common kinds of clouds.
7.
Climate and weather are the same thing.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The word climate and the word weather do not mean the same thing. Weather is the condition of the air around a place over a period of days or weeks. The climate of an area describes a long-term weather pattern. To figure out the climate of an area, scientists must study its daily weather for many years.
8.
What gas is produced more today than it was 15,000 years ago, and is contributing to the slow rise in overall temperature of the Earth?
Correct Answer
C. Carbon dioxide
Explanation
humans play a part in climate changes. For example, Earth is slowly warming. This may be happening because there is more and more carbon dioxide gas in the air. Carbon dioxide is a normal part of our air, but it is also made by things that humans do. For example, carbon dioxide gas gets into the air when people burn fuel. People use fuel to heat their homes and power their cars. Carbon dioxide lets sunlight reach Earth's surface. But it keeps Earth's heat from escaping into space. So the temperature of Earth is slowly rising.
9.
How do weather balloons and the radiosonde inside them come back to the ground?
Correct Answer
C. Both of the above
Explanation
The weather balloon lifts the radiosonde about 19 miles (30 kilometers) into the air. Eventually, the balloon pops or deflates. The radiosonde floats back to the ground by parachute.
10.
Climate is determined by looking at plants that grow in a certain area and measuring that area's temperatures, humidity and levels of _____________.
Correct Answer
A. Precipitation
Explanation
The kind of weather a place usually has is called its climate. Scientists can tell what a region's climate is by looking at the plants that grow there as well as the temperatures, humidity, and the precipitation. Rain and snow are two kinds of precipitation. Some areas have little precipitation but can be very humid. Weather can change quickly, but changes in climate take many years.