Multiple Choice Directions: Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. 1. Why does precipitation occur more often near the equator than near the poles? A. Colder air holds less water. B. Warm ocean breezes near the equator bring rain. C. There is less water vapor in the air near the equator. D. Air holds more moisture in hot areas such as the equator. 2. Water evaporates from a lake into the air, forming clouds. Eventually rain forms and falls to the ground where it will once again evaporate. Which spheres interact during the part of the cycle where rain forms? A. Geosphere and atmosphere B. Atmosphere and hydrosphere C. Hydrosphere and biosphere D. Hydrosphere and geosphere School Board of Broward County (revised 9/2/2015) Page 1 of 5
3. The sun s energy is a determining factor on the climate of an area. The Brazilian Rainforest has a tropical climate that averages of up to 300 mms during some months. Which of the following best describes the role of the water cycle in the rainforest s weather? A. Cool temperatures evaporate moisture from the ground and plant surfaces forming rain. B. Cool air at the surface causes water to change to water vapor then condensate and form precipitation. C. Hot temperatures cause evaporation of rivers which then form precipitation when reaching the cooler atmosphere. D. Hot temperatures causes condensation of water in the rivers and streams which then evaporate resulting in precipitation. 4. Climatologists have collected an enormous amount of data that supports the claim that Earth s climate is changing or more specifically becoming warmer. What effect will this change most likely have on weather? A. Heating of the Earth will result in an increase of small quick rain showers and less humidity. B. Heating of the Earth will result in more humidity and faster condensation of water vapor. C. Heating of the Earth will result in less evaporation, less humidity and more precipitation. D. Heating of the Earth will result in more evaporation, humidity and precipitation. 5. Water changes from a liquid to a gas through the process known as evaporation. Water changes from water vapor to precipitation through the process of condensation. Which statement best explains which of Earth s spheres are involved in the processes. A. Evaporation and condensation always occur in close contact with the geosphere. B. Evaporation and condensation both involve changing water from a liquid to a gas in the atmosphere. C. Evaporation occurs when cooling of the hydrosphere occurs in the atmosphere, while condensation results from heating of the hydrosphere. D. Evaporation involves water from geosphere and hydrosphere sources, while condensation involves the cooling of water in the atmosphere. 6. The continent of Antarctica lies across the South Pole. Which of the following accurately describes its climate? A. Currently the temperature is -21 C with 6 inches of snow accumulation. B. Windy, cold and icy conditions will occur over the next week. C. A polar desert with a history of low levels of precipitation. D. Warmer than normal temperatures in the past 2 weeks. School Board of Broward County (revised 9/2/2015) Page 2 of 5
7. Climatologists and meteorologist both use data to make predictions related to climate and weather. Which statement best indicates a difference between climate and weather? A. Climate data is obtained by collecting and averaging weather totals from many years, while weather is the temperature, rainfall, humidity and barometric pressure that is currently occurring. B. Climate is the average of daily rainfall, temperature and humidity values, whereas weather documents the totals of each on a daily basis. C. Climate is the accumulation of weather data over many years and weather is the accumulation of climate data over many years. D. Climate pertains to the rainfall and temperature over a long period of time, whereas weather data only includes rainfall. Use the table below to answer Questions 8 and 9. Climate data Current Weather Data Category 10 year 1/1/10 1/2/10 1/3/10 Average Temperature 76 0 F 70 0 F 65 0 F 64 0 F Rainfall 2.0 inches 0.0 inches 0.0 inches 0.0 inches % Humidity 80% 71% 71% 71% 8. Which statement BEST describes the data reflected on the table? A. The weather data is the same as the climate data. B. All of the weather data is less than climate calculations. C. The climate rainfall data average is less than each day s weather data. D. The weather reflects lower temperatures and greater rainfall than the climate data. 9. What can we infer about weather and climate from this data table? A. Weather always reflects climate. B. Weathers is more inconsistent than climate. C. Weather data can be different from climate data. D. Humidity stays the same if its climate or weather data. School Board of Broward County (revised 9/2/2015) Page 3 of 5
10. El Niño is a condition that results in warmer waters in the Pacific Ocean. Scientists predict that El Niño will be weak this year, producing slightly above average rainfall and near normal temperatures. Which of the following best describes how scientists at the University of Florida Weather Center can make these predictions. A. Scientists use climate data from previous years El Niño and compare to current conditions. B. Scientists document the number of rainy days that occur around the Pacific Ocean. C. Scientists take the temperature of a sample of water from the Pacific Ocean. D. Scientists use worldwide daily weather conditions to make conclusions. School Board of Broward County (revised 9/2/2015) Page 4 of 5
6th Grade Science Mini-Assessment #4 Answer Key Question Answer Benchmark DOK 1 B 3 2 B 3 3 C 3 4 D 3 5 D 3 6 C 2 7 A 2 8 B 2 9 C 2 10 A 2 School Board of Broward County (revised 9/2/2015) Page 5 of 5