Deck 15: World Climates

Question 1

Which of the following is a characteristic of west coast subtropical deserts?

A) cool temperatures with low clouds and fog
B) some of the highest temperatures recorded anywhere in the world
C) exceptionally sunny and cloud- free conditions
D) wintertime snowfall

Answer 1

A

Question 2

What are camanchacas?

A) Special trees adapted to living in middle latitude deserts.
B) Sudden intense rainstorms that frequent the Atacama Desert.
C) Advection fogs created in association with the Peru Current.
D) Heat waves that occur in rain shadow deserts.

Answer 2

Advection fogs created in association with the Peru Current.

Question 3

Drought is_____ while aridity is ______________.

A) temporary; permanent
B) persistent; seasonal
C) normal; unusual
D) predictable; variable

Answer 3

temporary; permanent

Question 4

The primary factor which determines whether a place will have a dry climate is:

A) whether evaporation exceeds precipitation.
B) how much evaporation occurs.
C) its distance to a large water body.
D) its elevation.

Question 5

The dry- summer subtropical climate is also called the _______climate.

A) Mediterranean
B) taiga
C) monsoon
D) nice
E) savanna

Question 6

The tropical rain forest is characterized by:

A) a complete lack of sunshine.
B) wet winters and dry summers.
C) deciduous trees.
D) the dominance of conifers.
E) a great diversity of plant species.

Question 7

ET climates are:

A) covered entirely by coniferous trees.
B) not found in the Southern hemisphere.
C) characterized by permafrost.
D) covered entirely by deciduous trees.

Question 8

Polar climates:

A) are found only near the north pole.
B) have a small annual temperature range.
C) produce taiga forests.
D) lose much solar radiation heat to reflection and ice melting.

Question 9

The ____________climate has no monthly mean above freezing.

A) tundra (ET)
B) ice cap (EF)
C) subarctic (Dfd)
D) all of the above

Question 10

A perusal of a world climate map shows that similar climates are located:

A) at similar longitudes.
B) at similar latitudes.
C) at similar elevations.
D) on similar continents.

Question 11

The Köppen climate classification system has boundaries defined according to:

A) average annual cloud cover.
B) solar radiation receipt.
C) rainfall patterns.
D) vegetation patterns.

Question 12

Deserts such as the Sahara exist because of:

A) extreme continentality.
B) the desiccating influence of the trade winds.
C) sand.
D) the influence of the subtropical highs.
E) the rain shadow effect of mountains.

Question 13

Mountain ranges play an important role in determining climates because of their influence upon:

A) land and water contrasts.
B) rainfall distribution.
C) solar heating.
D) air pressure.
E) air density.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding the tropical rain forest?

A) Plant foliage is relatively sparse on the forest floor.
B) The trees of the tropical rain forest are broadleaf evergreens.
C) It is dominated by just a few different species of trees.
D) It has different vegetation patterns than the jungle.

Question 15

Which of the following soil- climate associations is INCORRECT?

A) type of soil = controls the type and amount of precipitation that falls
B) hot, wet climate = thick layer of chemically weathered soil
C) cold, dry climate = thin mantle of mechanically weathered debris
D) climate = controls plant and animal life that comprise the soil when they die and decay

Question 16

What is the only humid climate that has a strong winter precipitation maximum?

A) humid continental climate (Dfa, Dfb, Dwa, Dwb)
B) Mediterranean climate (Csa and Csb)
C) tropical wet and dry climate (Aw)
D) tundra climate (ET)
E) humid subtropical climate (Cfa)

Question 17

In order to be a Cw climate, the precipitation:

A) must be 10 times greater in a summer month than it is in the driest winter month.
B) cannot exceed 6 cm in any month.
C) must have a wintertime maximum.
D) must exceed 10 cm a month throughout the year.

Question 18

Approximately what percentage of the earth's land surface is desert and steppe?

A) 30 percent
B) 20 percent
C) 50 percent
D) 40 percent

Question 19

What is the most important factor controlling the seasonal distribution of precipitation in the Aw (Tropical Wet and Dry) realm?

A) movement of cyclonic storms
B) proximity to maritime tropical air masses
C) the location of mountain ranges
D) migration of the ITCZ
E) the location of ocean currents

Question 20

The 10°C summer isotherm marks the equatorward limit of the:

A) subarctic climate.
B) polar ice caps.
C) ice cap climate.
D) humid subtropical climate.
E) tundra climate.

Question 21

Other than elevation, what can we say FOR CERTAIN that these two locations have in common?

A) They are both coastal communities.
B) They are both located on inland continents.
C) They both have dry summers.
D) They both have wet summers.

Question 22

All of the following are factors in the exceptional dryness of the Atacama Desert EXCEPT:

A) the influence of the cold Peru Current, which stabilizes the air.
B) a location deep in the interior of the continent, where moisture cannot reach.
C) a rain shadow effect caused by the Andes Mountains.
D) a location under a semi- permanent cell of high pressure.

Question 23

Subtropical deserts have scanty, erratic precipitation because:

A) they are too far poleward to get rain from the ITCZ and too far equatorward to get rain from cyclonic storms.
B) storm tracks are especially difficult to predict in this region.
C) they are under persistent low pressure.
D) there is no humidity to accompany the rising air at these latitudes.

Question 24

On which of these continents is the marine west coast climate most extensive?

A) Europe
B) Australia
C) North America
D) South America
E) Africa

Question 25

Which pair of elements is the most important in a climatic description?

A) temperature and precipitation
B) precipitation and pressure
C) pressure and temperature
D) wind and pressure
E) cloud cover and humidity

Question 26

Although the polar climates generally have small precipitation totals, they are considered humid. The reason for this is:

A) these regions have great reserves of underground water that can be used for irrigation.
B) since there are no trees present, little or no water is lost because of transpiration.
C) permafrost does not let the water escape.
D) most of the precipitation falls in the winter.
E) low temperatures mean only a small loss to evaporation.

Question 27

The humid subtropical climate:

A) has relatively cool summers.
B) is found along the California coast.
C) sees significant rainfall throughout the year.
D) is, in winter, similar to the wet tropics.

Question 28

This climate type covers the largest amount of the earth's land.

A) humid subtropical climate
B) wet tropics
C) humid continental
D) subarctic climate
E) dry climate

Question 29

-Regarding the latitude of the two locations represented on the climate diagrams above, what can be said?

A) The location of Diagram A is probably at a higher latitude than the location of Diagram B.
B) The two locations are probably at a similar latitude.
C) The location of Diagram A is probably at a lower latitude than the location of Diagram B.
D) There is not enough information to speculate about the latitude of these locations.

Question 30

What impact do the Canary and California currents both have on nearby climates?

A) They cause lower temperatures.
B) They increase the summertime temperatures.
C) They increase the mixing ratio of the air.
D) They make the air more unstable.

Question 31

In the Aw climates of India and southeast Asia, the alternating wet and dry seasons are caused by:

A) seasonal changes in ocean current patterns.
B) the process of desertification.
C) the shifting location of the subpolar low pressure system.
D) the monsoon.

Question 32

The ________is also called taiga.

A) Siberia region
B) tundra climate
C) ice cap climate
D) humid subtropical climate
E) subarctic climate

Question 33

The____ supports some plant life but no trees.

A) tundra climate
B) ice cap climate
C) subarctic climate
D) boreal climate
E) humid subtropical climate

Question 34

The monsoon season associated with the Aw climates of Southeast Asia is partially caused by the migration of:

A) the polar jet stream.
B) the ITCZ.
C) warm ocean currents in the Indian Ocean.
D) the subpolar lows.

Question 35

Which of these is closely linked to the location of the major pressure and wind systems?

A) rainfall patterns
B) location of mountains and highlands
C) ocean currents
D) evaporation sources

Question 36

The latitude of a place is important for its climate since latitude determines:

A) Sun radiation receipt.
B) distance from the Sun.
C) temperature.
D) elevation.

Question 37

In the humid continental climate, shifts in wind directions sometimes cause rapid and large temperature changes. During what season would this be most pronounced?

A) winter
B) summer
C) This phenomenon is equally characteristic of both summer and winter.

Question 38

The Köppen classification uses all of the following criteria to classify climates EXCEPT:

A) mean monthly humidity.
B) mean annual precipitation.
C) mean monthly temperature.
D) mean monthly precipitation.

Question 39

Two stations (A and

A) Station A
B) Station B
B) are classified as BSh (tropical steppe). Both stations are marginal, that is, with just a slight increase in annual rainfall, both places would be classified as humid. Station A is located poleward of a tropical desert while Station B is situated equatorward of the same desert. Which station has the highest rainfall total?
C) The available information is insufficient to make an educated judgment.
D) Both stations should receive about the same amount of rain.

Question 40

In a typical Af or Am climate, the small seasonal temperature variations that do occur are a result of:

A) changes in vegetation cover.
B) changes in solar radiation.
C) changes in evaporational cooling rates.
D) changes in cloud cover.

Question 41

The high temperatures and precipitation in a tropical rain forest create soils that are:

A) very fertile and rich in organic matter.
B) highly variable in mineral content.
C) heavily chemically weathered and leached of most nutrients.
D) capable of supporting years of agricultural demand without irrigation.

Question 42

The principal cause of desertification is:

A) warming global temperatures due to the burning of fossil fuels.
B) air pollution as rural areas become urbanized.
C) extended droughts in untouched rain forest climates.
D) inappropriate land use such as agricultural clearing and overgrazing.

Question 43

All of the cities described below are in North America and are classified as humid continental climates. Which city has the highest total rainfall?

A) city A, a leeward coastal city at 40 degrees north latitude
B) city B, a city in the interior of the continent at 40 degrees north latitude
C) city C, a city in the interior of the continent at 50 degrees north latitude

Question 44

Climates with an average temperature during the coldest month between - 3°C and 18°C are part of the_______ climates according to the Köppen climate system.

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D

Question 45

Four of the five major climatic groups listed below have temperature characteristics as their basis. Which one of them does not?

A) A climates
B) B climates
C) C climates
D) D climates
E) E climates

Question 46

-Of the two climate diagrams shown above, the one that most likely represents a Southern Hemisphere location is:

A) Diagram A only.
B) Diagram B only.
C) both Diagram A and Diagram B
D) neither Diagram A nor Diagram B.

Question 47

An EF climate:

A) has a warmest month average between 0°C and 10°C.
B) has no month with an average temperature above 0°C.
C) has no more than three months with an average temperature above 0°C.
D) must receive at least 30 cm of snow in every month.

Question 48

The first known attempt at classifying climates was made by:

A) Galileo.
B) ancient Greeks.
C) Islamic scholars.
D) ancient Romans.
E) the Chinese.

Question 49

The most important determinant of temperature overall is:

A) prevailing winds.
B) distribution of land and water.
C) position of mountains and highlands.
D) latitude.
E) ocean currents.

Question 50

In general, climate boundaries:

A) are broad transition zones and not sharp lines.
B) do not shift from year to year.
C) are difficult to determine.
D) cannot be determined with adequate cloud cover data.

Question 51

For a continental area to experience a Cfb climate, it must be located:

A) on the east side of a continent.
B) on a windward coast.
C) at high latitude.
D) at low latitude.

Question 52

Most places having______ an Aw climate experience:

A) it is not possible to generalize about seasonal distribution of rainfall in Aw climates.
B) a winter maximum of precipitation.
C) precipitation distributed evenly throughout the year.
D) a summer maximum of precipitation.

Question 53

Which one of the following statements is correct regarding classification?

A) A major goal is order and manageability.
B) Climatology and biology are the only disciplines that use classification.
C) Boundaries, like those on a map of world climates, should be regarded as fixed.
D) The very first climatic classification was devised by Wladimir Köppen.

Question 54

The Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle are examples of locations determined by:

A) measuring systems.
B) the Köppen classification system.
C) astronomy.
D) climate.

Question 55

All of the cities described below are in North America and are classified as humid continental climates. Which city has the smallest variation in rainfall from month to month throughout the year?

A) city A, a leeward coastal city at 40 degrees north latitude
B) city B, a city in the interior of the continent at 40 degrees north latitude
C) city C, a city in the interior of the continent at 50 degrees north latitude

Question 56

The locations of the major pressure and wind systems on the earth:

A) are denoted by parallels of latitude.
B) are fixed by astronomy.
C) do not change with the seasons.
D) are fixed by the poles and equator.
E) move as they follow the vertical rays of the Sun.

Question 57

Places having ____typically experience the highest annual temperature range of any climatic type.

A) subarctic climate
B) humid subtropical climate
C) temperate climate
D) tundra climate
E) ice cap climate

Question 58

All of the cities described below are in North America and are classified as humid continental climates. Which city is intermediate among the three cities in terms of total annual precipitation?

A) city A, a leeward coastal city at 40 degrees north latitude
B) city B, a city in the interior of the continent at 40 degrees north latitude
C) city C, a city in the interior of the continent at 50 degrees north latitude

Question 59

In the wet tropics:

A) the annual temperature range usually exceeds daily temperature ranges.
B) daily temperature ranges usually exceed the annual temperature range.
C) daily and annual temperature ranges are nearly identical.
D) the warmest month is always June or July.

Question 60

An agricultural drought is usually defined by:

A) rainfall totals that are below normal values.
B) a deficit of soil moisture.
C) reduction in surface and subsurface water supplies.
D) three weeks or more without measurable precipitation.

Question 61

Semiarid climates are also called_________ climates.

Question 62

Permanently frozen subsoil characteristic of the tundra is termed _________.

Question 63

The ecosystem associated with the Aw climate is termed:

A) boreal.
B) taiga.
C) jungle.
D) savanna.

Question 64

Most rainfall in the tropics is frontal in origin.

Question 65

Give a brief definition of the term climate.

Question 66

You would expect most of the rainfall in the wet tropics (Af and Am) in midmorning.

Question 67

Some ecologists think the creation of savanna was not due to climate. What alternative explanation do they give?

Question 68

The best known system for determining world climate patterns is the__________ .

Question 69

For Köppen, the ____best demonstrated the totality of a climate.

Question 70

In order to have an Af climate, a location must have an average coldest month temperature above 18°C AND:

A) a short dry season with precipitation less than 6 cm per month.
B) more than 6 cm of precipitation in every month.
C) a long dry season.
D) a warmest monthly mean above 25°C.

Question 71

Middle latitude deserts (BWk) and steppes (BSk):

A) are dominated by the subtropical highs.
B) are more common in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere.
C) are due to ocean currents.
D) are usually located deep in the interior of a continent.

Question 72

Highland climates are found on all continents.

Question 73

All of the cities described below are in North America and are classified as humid continental climates. Which of the three cities would have the highest annual temperature range?

A) city A, a leeward coastal city at 40 degrees north latitude
B) city B, a city in the interior of the continent at 40 degrees north latitude
C) city C, a city in the interior of the continent at 50 degrees north latitude

Question 74

Humid subtropical climates are found on the eastern side of continents.

Question 75

The name applied to the northern coniferous forest and to the climate that encompasses that forest is_______ .

Question 76

Name four countries where the Mediterranean climate is found.

Question 77

List four of the major controls that determine the climate of a place.

Question 78

We would normally expect more snow to fall each winter in the subarctic climate than in the humid continental climate.

Question 79

About 9% of the earth's land area is in the category of ice cap climate.

Question 80

________climates display a large variation over small areas.

A) Mediterranean
B) Highland
C) Tundra
D) Subarctic