Earth Science Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Chapter 11: Atmosphere

Standardized Test Practice-English

1
What type of gas found in Earth's atmosphere absorbs UV radiation from the Sun?
A)argon
B)carbon dioxide
C)water vapor
D)ozone
2
Wind can be thought of as air moving from an area of __________ to an area of __________.
A)high pressure, low temperature
B)low density, high density
C)high pressure, low pressure
D)low pressure, high pressure
3
What layer of the atmosphere contains most of the water vapor?
A)thermosphere
B)troposphere
C)tropopause
D)stratopause
4
In what layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer?
A)stratosphere
B)troposphere
C)mesosphere
D)thermosphere
5
__________ is the transfer of energy that occurs when molecules collide.
A)Abrasion
B)Conduction
C)Convection
D)Radiation
6
Why is the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere important?
A)It is the source of clouds, rain, and snow.
B)It changes with the seasons.
C)It helps regulate the amount of energy the atmosphere absorbs.
D)It helps to block harmful UV rays from the Sun.
7
According to the figure, how much of the Sun's radiation doesn't even reach Earth's surface?
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A)6 percent
B)25 percent
C)35 percent
D)31 percent
8
The change of state of matter from a gas to a liquid is called __________.
A)conduction
B)advection
C)condensation
D)convection
9
Why does the temperature of air decrease as elevation increases in the troposphere?
A)Air is cooler when it is farther from the heat source.
B)Clouds block radiation from the Sun.
C)Condensation of water vapor uses thermal energy.
D)Convection currents disperse thermal energy.
10
What is an increase in temperature with height in an atmospheric layer called?
A)a temperature gradient
B)conduction
C)a temperature inversion
D)normal temperature
11
__________ is a measurement of how fast or slow molecules move.
A)Temperature
B)Humidity
C)Heat
D)Dew point
12
What is the process by which cloud droplets collide and form larger droplets?
A)radiation
B)advection
C)coalescence
D)convection
13
What type of solid particles play a role in cloud formation?
A)extraterrestrial
B)organic
C)dust
D)clay
14
When condensation takes place, __________ is released and __________ the air.
A)latent particles, warms
B)latent energy, cools
C)latent heat, decreases the temperature of
D)latent heat, warms
15
Scientists are concerned about the decreasing ozone levels in the upper atmosphere.
This is because ozone protects life on Earth by absorbing certain wavelengths of _________.
A)X-ray radiation
B)ultraviolet radiation
C)infrared radiation
D)microwave radiation
16
The burning of fossil fuels has the greatest and most direct impact on the ______ cycle.
A)rock
B)water
C)carbon
D)nitrogen
17
Seventy-eight percent of the atmosphere is composed of which gas?
A)argon
B)nitrogen
C)oxygen
D)carbon dioxide
18
What percentage of the incoming solar radiation that reaches Earth is reflected back into space?
A)10%
B)20%
C)30%
D)50%
19
Most of the energy radiated back into space from Earth is which part of the electromagnetic spectrum?
A)ultraviolet
B)infrared
C)violet
D)red
20
Which best describes the shapes of stratus clouds?
A)wispy and feathery
B)puffy and tall
C)layered and sheetlike
D)ragged and angular
21
What is the transfer of heat by vertical movements of air masses called?
A)conduction
B)radiation
C)subduction
D)convection
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