1. Which list correctly matches each instrument with 5.

Which weather instrument has most improved the

the weather variable it measures? accuracy of weather forecasts over the past 40
(1) wind vanewind speed years?
thermometertemperature (1) thermometer (3) weather satellite
precipitation gaugerelative humidity (2) sling psychrometer (4) weather balloon
(2) wind vanewind direction
thermometerdewpoint 6. Which weather station model for a New York State
psychrometerair pressure location indicates that snow may be about to fall?
(3) barometerrelative humidity
anemometercloud cover
precipitation gaugeprobability of precipitation
(4) barometerair pressure
anemometerwind speed
psychrometerrelative humidity (1) (3)

2. Weather-station measurements indicate that the

dewpoint temperature and air temperature are
getting farther apart and that air pressure is rising.
Which type of weather is most likely arriving at the
station?
(1) a snowstorm (3) cool, dry air
(2) a warm front (4) maritime tropical air (2) (4)

3. The map below shows high-pressure and low-

pressure weather systems in the United States. 7. Which graph best represents the relationship
between air temperature and air density in the
atmosphere?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)
Which two lettered positions on the map are most
likely receiving precipitation?
(1) A and B (3) C and E 8. Earths surface winds generally blow from regions
(2) B and D (4) A and D of higher
(1) air temperature toward regions of lower air
4. A temperature of 104F is approximately equal to temperature
(1) 220C (3) 43C (2) air pressure toward regions of lower air pressure
(2) 214C (4) 40C (3) latitudes toward regions of lower latitudes
(4) elevations toward regions of lower elevations

Page 1
 9. Base your answer to the following question on the weather map below, which shows the location of fronts and the
temperature field on a given day in the United States.

Which two cities most likely have an air temperature closest to 75F?
(1) Chicago and Detroit (3) Oklahoma City and Memphis
(2) Los Angeles and Denver (4) Cincinnati and Kansas City

Base your answers to questions 10 and 11 on the graph below which shows variations in Earth's monthly temperatures from
normal Earth temperatures between January 1990 and January 1995.

10. Earth's average monthly temperature for October 1990 was approximately
(1) 0.1C above normal (2) 0.2C above normal (3) 0.3C above normal (4) 0.4C above normal

11. The greatest temperature variation from normal occurred during

(1) May 1991 (2) August 1992 (3) July 1993 (4) March 1994

12. Which substance is a form of precipitation?

(1) frost (3) fog
(2) hail (4) dew

Page 2
13. Which weather condition most directly determines Base your answers to questions 16 and 17 on the map
wind speeds at Earths surface? below, which shows sea-level air pressure, in millibars,
(1) visibility changes for a portion of the eastern coast of North America.
(2) amount of cloud cover Points A, B, C, and D are sea-level locations on Earths
(3) air-pressure gradient surface.
(4) dewpoint differences

14. The diagram below represents an aneroid barometer

that shows the air pressure, in inches of mercury.

When converted to millibars, this air pressure is

equal to
(1) 1009.0 mb (3) 1015.5 mb
(2) 1012.5 mb (4) 1029.9 mb

15. Base your answer to the following question on the

weather map below. Points A, B, C, and D are
locations on Earth's surface.

16. The air pressure recorded at point D was most likely

(1) 1014 mb (3) 1010 mb
(2) 1012 mb (4) 1006 mb

17. Which location most likely recorded the highest

wind speed?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

18. Which weather variable can be determined by using

a psychrometer?
(1) barometric pressure (3) relative humidity
(2) cloud cover (4) wind speed

19. Pollutants are most likely to be removed from the

atmosphere by
(1) evaporation (3) volcanic activity
The strongest winds are closest to location
(2) precipitation (4) transpiration
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

Page 3
20. An observer measured the air temperature and the
dewpoint and found the difference between them to
be 12C. One hour later, the difference between the
air temperature and the dewpoint was found to be
4C. Which statement best describes the changes
that were occurring?
(1) The relative humidity was decreasing and the
chance of precipitation was decreasing.
(2) The relative humidity was decreasing and the
chance of precipitation was increasing.
(3) The relative humidity was increasing and the
chance of precipitation was decreasing.
(4) The relative humidity was increasing and the
chance of precipitation was increasing.

21. The chart below shows the air temperature and the
dewpoint temperature near the ground at a given
location for four consecutive days. All temperatures
were recorded at noon.

Which statement is best supported by the data?

(1) Relative humidity was highest on day 1.
(2) The greatest amount of water vapor was in the
atmosphere on day 2.
(3) The base level for cloud formation was highest
on day 3.
(4) The chance of precipitation was greatest on day
4.

22. The surface winds in a typical Northern

Hemisphere high-pressure system are generally
moving
(1) counterclockwise away from the high-pressure
center
(2) counterclockwise toward the high-pressure
center
(3) clockwise away from the high-pressure center
(4) clockwise toward the high-pressure center

23. Which type of air mass is associated with warm,

dry atmospheric conditions?
(1) cP (3) mP
(2) cT (4) mT

Page 4
Base your answers to questions 24 and 25 on the graph below. The graph shows air temperature and relative humidity at a
single location during a 24-hour period.

24. What was the approximate change in relative humidity from 12 noon to 4 p.m.?
(1) 10% (2) 15% (3) 20% (4) 30%

25. At which time would the rate of evaporation most likely be greatest?
(1) 11 p.m. (2) 6 a.m. (3) 10 a.m. (4) 4 p.m.

26. Great volcanic eruptions send dust and ash into the
stratosphere. Weeks after such great eruptions, air
temperatures are often
(1) cooler than normal because the atmosphere is
less transparent
(2) cooler than normal because the atmosphere is
more transparent
(3) warmer than normal because the atmosphere is
less transparent
(4) warmer than normal because the atmosphere is
more transparent

27. As a weather balloon released from the surface of

Earth rises through the troposphere, the instruments
it carries will usually indicate that
(1) temperature, atmospheric pressure, and
concentration of water vapor decrease
(2) temperature decreases, but atmospheric
pressure and concentration of water vapor
increase
(3) temperature increases, but atmospheric pressure
and concentration of water vapor decrease
(4) temperature, atmospheric pressure, and
concentration of water vapor increase

Page 5
28. The graph below shows the maximum possible amounts of water vapor that air can hold at different temperatures.

What is the approximate maximum amount of water vapor that a cubic meter of air can hold at 20C?
(1) 15 g (2) 20 g (3) 25 g (4) 30 g

29. The map below illustrates the distribution of acid

rain over the United States on a particular day. The
isolines represent acidity measured in pH units.

According to the pH scale shown below the map,

which region of the United States has the greatest
acid rain problem?
(1) northeast (3) southeast
(2) northwest (4) southwest

Page 6
30. Which map best represents the surface wind pattern associated with high-pressure and low-pressure systems in the
Northern Hemisphere?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

31. Which graph best represents the most common

relationship between the amount of air pollution
and the distance from an industrial city?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

32. Compared to a maritime tropical air mass, a

maritime polar air mass has a
(1) higher temperature and more water vapor
(2) higher temperature and less water vapor
(3) lower temperature and more water vapor
(4) lower temperature and less water vapor

Page 7
Base your answers to questions 33 through 35 on the water cycle diagram shown below. Some arrows are numbered 1
through 4 and represent various processes.

33. Which atmospheric condition is most likely responsible for the wind blowing the clouds from the sea toward the land?
(1) high air temperature over the sea and low air temperature over the land
(2) high air pressure over the sea and low air pressure over the land
(3) low air density over the sea and high air density over the land
(4) low visibility over the sea and high visibility over the land

34. Which numbered arrow best represents the process of transpiration?

(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4

35. The clouds have formed primarily because moist air

(1) rises, expands, and cools (3) sinks, compresses, and cools
(2) rises, expands, and warms (4) sinks, compresses, and warms

36. The properties of an air mass are mostly determined

by the
(1) rate of Earths rotation
(2) direction of Earths surface winds
(3) source region where the air mass formed
(4) path the air mass follows along a land surface

37. Which geographic area is a common source region

for cP air masses that move into New Jersey?
(1) southwestern United States
(2) central Canada
(3) the north Pacific Ocean
(4) the Gulf of Mexico

38. An air mass classified as mP usually forms over

which type of Earth surface?
(1) warm land (3) cool land
(2) warm ocean (4) cool ocean

Page 8
39. Which map view best represents the pattern of
isobar values, in millibars, and the pattern of wind
flow, shown by arrows, at Earths surface
surrounding a Northern Hemisphere low-pressure
center?
(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

40. An Earth science student observed the following

weather conditions in Richmond, Virginia, for 2
days: The first day was warm and humid with
southerly winds. The second day, the temperature
was 15 degrees cooler, the relative humidity had
decreased, and wind direction was northwest.
Which type of air mass most likely had moved into
the area on the second day?
(1) continental tropical (3) maritime tropical
(2) continental polar (4) maritime polar

Page 9
41. Which map best represents the direction of surface winds associated with the high-pressure and low-pressure systems?

(1) (3)

(4)
(2)

42. If a low-pressure system follows a typical storm

track across New York State, it will move toward
the
(1) southeast (3) northeast
(2) southwest (4) northwest

43. Which weather station model indicates the highest

relative humidity?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

Page 10
Base your answers to questions 44 and 45 on the graph below, which shows air temperature, dewpoint, and present weather
conditions for a 23-hour period at Dallas, Texas.

44. The thunderstorm that occurred between 11 p.m. and 12 midnight was most likely the result of
(1) the arrival of a warm front
(2) the arrival of a cold front
(3) an increase in the difference between air temperature and dewpoint
(4) an increase in both air temperature and dewpoint

45. Which weather condition was reported at Dallas when the air temperature was equal to the dewpoint?
(1) fog (2) rain (3) thunderstorm (4) drizzle

46. The station model below shows the weather

conditions at Houston, Texas, at 9 a.m. on a
particular day in June.

What was the barometric pressure at Houston 3

hours earlier on that day?
(1) 997.1 mb (3) 1003.3 mb
(2) 999.7 mb (4) 1009.1 mb

Page 11
47. The map below shows the boundary between two
air masses. The arrows show the direction in which
the boundary is moving.

Which weather map uses the correct weather front

symbol to illustrate this information?
(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Page 12
Base your answers to questions 48 through 50 on the weather map below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The
weather map shows a typical low-pressure system and associated weather fronts labeled A and B. The L indicates the center
of the low-pressure system. A few New York State cities are shown. Symbols cP and mT represent different air masses. The
wind direction at Utica and Rochester is shown on the station models.

48. Which front symbols are drawn correctly, based on the air masses shown?

(1) (2) (3) (4)

Page 13
49. Which map shows the regions that are most likely experiencing the precipitation associated with this weather system?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

50. If this weather system is following a normal storm track, the center of this low is most likely moving toward which city?
(1) Buffalo (2) Ithaca (3) Utica (4) Plattsburgh

51. Under which atmospheric conditions will water

most likely evaporate at the fastest rate?
(1) hot, humid, and calm
(2) hot, dry, and windy
(3) cold, humid, and windy
(4) cold, dry, and calm

52. Which process occurs when water vapor moves out

of the leaves of a tree into the atmosphere?
(1) condensation (3) runoff
(2) infiltration (4) transpiration

53. When would the water in a Georgia pond evaporate

fastest?
(1) in January, when the pond is frozen
(2) in March, when the pond ice is melting
(3) in May on a calm, sunny day
(4) in July on a hot, windy day

Page 14
54. On which weather map do the front symbols best represent the direction of movement of the cold front and warm front
associated with the low-pressure system shown on the map?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

55. What is the relative humidity if the dry-bulb

temperature is 22C and the wet-bulb temperature
is 17C?
(1) 5% (3) 60%
(2) 14% (4) 68%

56. As a stationary airmass is heated, its density will

generally
(1) decrease (3) remain the same
(2) increase

Page 15
57. The graph below shows changes in the atmosphere occurring above typical air-mass source regions A, B, C, and D.
Changes in air temperature and altitude are shown as the graphed lines. Changes in water-vapor content, in grams of
vapor per kilogram of air, are shown as numbers on each graphed line.

Which list best identifies each air-mass source region?

(1) A cT, B cP, C mP, D mT (3) A mP, B mT, C cT, D cP
(2) A cP, B mP, C mT, D cT (4) A mT, B cT, C cP, D mP

58. All of the containers shown below contain the same

volume of water and are at room temperature. In a
two-day period, from which container will the least
amount of water evaporate?

(3)

(1)

(4)
(2)

59. What is the relative humidity when the air

temperature is 29C and the wet-bulb temperature
is 23C?
(1) 6% (3) 54%
(2) 20% (4) 60%

Page 16
60. The cross section of a house is shown below. Open stairways allow air to move from one floor to another. The ridge
vent is an opening in the roof that allows air to move in or out of the attic.

During a windless summer day, the air inside this house is warmed by the Sun. In which cross section do the arrows
show the most likely air movement when the windows are opened?

(1) (2) (3) (4)

61. Which statement best explains why an increase in

the relative humidity of a parcel of air generally
increases the chance of precipitation?
(1) The dewpoint is farther from the condensation
point, causing rain.
(2) The air temperature is closer to the dewpoint,
making cloud formation more likely.
(3) The amount of moisture in the air is greater,
making the air heavier.
(4) The specific heat of the moist air is greater than
the drier air, releasing energy.

Page 17
62. The map below shows the average number of thunderstorms each year in the continental United States.

The average number of thunderstorms that occur each year in Albany, New York is approximately
(1) 15 (2) 25 (3) 35 (4) 45

63. The weather instrument below can be used to

determine relative humidity.

Based on the temperatures shown, the relative

humidity is
(1) 19% (3) 33%
(2) 2% (4) 40%

Page 18
64. Which station model shows the correct form for indicating a northwest wind at 25 knots and an air pressure of 1023.7
mb?

(1) (2) (3) (4)

65. According to the graph below, what happens to the

density of a mass of air when its water vapor
content increases?

(1) Density decreases.

(2) Density increases.
(3) Density remains the same.

66. When molecules of water evaporate into the air and

replace the heavier molecules of oxygen and
nitrogen, the density of the air generally
(1) decreases (3) remains the same
(2) increases

67. During the warmest part of a June day, breezes

blow from the ocean toward the shore at the beach.
Which statement best explains why this happens?
(1) Winds usually blow from hot to cold areas.
(2) Winds never blow from the shore toward the
ocean.
(3) Air pressure over the ocean is higher than air
pressure over the land.
(4) Air pressure over the land is higher than air
pressure over the ocean.

68. The Earth's planetary winds are deflected as a result

of the Earth's
(1) revolution around the Sun
(2) seasonal changes
(3) rotation on its axis
(4) tilted axis

Page 19
69. The flowchart below shows part of Earths water cycle. The question marks indicate a part of the flowchart that has
been deliberately left blank.

Which process should be shown in place of the question marks to best complete the flowchart?
(1) condensation (2) deposition (3) evaporation (4) infiltration

70. The diagrams below show the setup and results of
an experiment.
71. Adjacent water and land masses are of equal
temperature at sunrise. They are heated by the
morning sun on a clear, calm day. After a few
hours, a surface wind develops. Which diagram
best represents this wind's direction?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

72. The diagram below shows how prevailing winds

cause different weather conditions on the windward
and leeward sides of a mountain range.

Which statement best explains the results of the

experiment?
(1) Condensation is the primary source of moisture
for the atmosphere.
(2) Energy is required for evapotranspiration. Clouds usually form on the windward sides of
(3) Precipitation at a given location depends on mountains because this is where air
surface area. (1) rises and cools (3) sinks and cools
(4) Transpiration moves moisture from the plant (2) rises and warms (4) sinks and warms
into the atmosphere.

Page 20
73. The diagram below shows the Earth's high and low
air pressure belts and direction of prevailing winds
for a particular time of the year. The winds do not
appear to blow in a straight line from the high-
pressure belts to the low-pressure belts. Which
statement best explains this observation?

(1) Wind direction is modified by the Earth's

rotation.
(2) Wind direction is modified by land forms.
(3) Wind direction is modified by water areas.
(4) Wind direction is modified by the Sun's motion.

74. A desert often forms on the leeward side of a

mountain range, as shown in the cross section
below.

After most of the moisture is removed from the air

on the windward side, deserts form on the leeward
side because the sinking air
(1) compresses and warms
(2) compresses and cools
(3) expands and warms
(4) expands and cools

75. Snowfall is rare at the South Pole because the air

over the South Pole is usually
(1) rising and moist (3) sinking and moist
(2) rising and dry (4) sinking and dry

Page 21
76. Which diagram best illustrates how air rising over a mountain produces precipitation?

(1) (3)

(4)
(2)

77. Which atmospheric conditions are necessary for

condensation?
(1) saturated air and dewpoint temperature much
lower than air temperature
(2) unsaturated air and dewpoint temperature much
higher than air temperature
(3) saturated air and equal dewpoint and air
temperatures
(4) unsaturated air and equal dewpoint and air
temperatures

78. When clouds form, heat energy is released into the

atmosphere by
(1) expanding air
(2) falling precipitation
(3) condensation nuclei
(4) condensing water vapor

Page 22
Base your answers to questions 79 and 80 on the diagram
of a mountain shown below. The arrows represent the
direction of airflow over the mountain.

79. Compared to the temperature and humidity

conditions at location A, the conditions at location B
are
(1) warmer and less humid
(2) warmer and more humid
(3) cooler and less humid
(4) cooler and more humid

80. As the air moves up the windward side of the

mountain, the air
(1) compresses and warms
(2) compresses and cools
(3) expands and warms
(4) expands and cools

81. The diagram below shows the flow of planetary

winds over a mountain ridge.

As air rises on the windward side of the mountain

ridge, the air's temperature decreases. Which
process usually causes this temperature decrease?
(1) expansion of rising air
(2) compression of rising air
(3) precipitation from clouds
(4) evaporation from clouds

Page 23
82. The diagram below shows the average yearly precipitation, in centimeters, at locations A through E across the State of
Washington. Arrows indicate the direction of prevailing winds.

Which statement best explains why location B and location E receive relatively low average yearly precipitation?
(1) These locations are on the leeward side of mountain ranges.
(2) These locations are on the windward side of mountain ranges.
(3) These locations receive more insolation than the other locations.
(4) These locations receive less insolation than the other locations.

83. Which statement best explains how atmospheric 87. The diagram below shows a sealed container
dust particles influence the water cycle? holding liquid water and clean air saturated with
(1) Dust particles are the main source of dissolved water vapor. (Relative humidity is 100%.) The
salts in the sea. container has been placed on a block of ice to cool.
(2) Dust particles increase the capacity of the
atmosphere to hold water vapor.
(3) Dust particles increase the amount of
evaporation that takes place.
(4) Dust particles provide surfaces on which water
vapor can condense.

84. Condensation will most likely occur in a given

volume of air when the air is
(1) saturated and contains no condensation nuclei
(2) saturated and contains condensation nuclei
(3) unsaturated and contains no condensation nuclei
(4) unsaturated and contains condensation nuclei
85. People sometimes release substances into the
atmosphere to increase the probability of rain by
(1) raising the air temperature within the clouds
(2) providing condensation nuclei
(3) lowering the relative humidity within the clouds
(4) increasing the energy absorbed during
condensation and sublimation
88. Most of the Gulf Stream Ocean Current is
86. A high air-pressure, dry-climate belt is located at
which Earth latitude?
(1) 0 (3) 30 N
(2) 15 N (4) 60 N
Which statement best explains why a cloud has not
formed in the sealed container?
(1) The air in the container is above the freezing
point.
(2) The ice is cooling the water in the container.
(3) The air in the container lacks condensation
nuclei.
(4) The water in the container is still evaporating.
(1) warm water that flows southwestward
(2) warm water that flows northeastward
(3) cool water that flows southwestward
(4) cool water that flows northeastward

Page 24
89. A strong west wind steadily blew over Lake
Ontario picking up moisture. As this moist air
flowed over the Tug Hill Plateau, the plateau
received a 36-inch snowfall. This snow fell from
clouds that formed when rising air was
(1) cooled by expansion, causing water vapor to
condense
(2) cooled by compression, causing water vapor to
condense
(3) warmed by expansion, causing water vapor to
evaporate
(4) warmed by compression, causing water vapor
to evaporate
Base your answers to questions 90 and 91 on the diagram
below, which shows the frontal boundary between mT
and cP air masses.
90. Why do clouds and precipitation usually occur
along the frontal surface?
(1) The warm air rises, expands, and cools.
(2) The warm air sinks, expands, and warms.
(3) The cool air rises, compresses, and cools.
(4) The cool air sinks, compresses, and warms.
91. If the front at ground level is moving toward city B.
which type of weather front is shown?
(1) cold front (3) occluded front
(2) warm front (4) stationary front
92. Why is it possible for no rain to be falling from a
cloud?
(1) The water droplets are too small to fall.
(2) The cloud is water vapor.
(3) The dewpoint has not yet been reached in the
cloud.
(4) There are no condensation nuclei in the cloud.
Page 25
93. Which graph best represents the relationship
between water droplet size and the chance of
precipitation?
(1) (3)
(2) (4)
94. Large oceans moderate the climatic temperatures of
surrounding coastal land areas because the
temperature of ocean water changes
(1) rapidly, due to waters low specific heat
(2) rapidly, due to waters high specific heat
(3) slowly, due to waters low specific heat
(4) slowly, due to waters high specific heat
95. The heavy lake-effect snowfalls in the Tug Hill
Plateau region occur primarily because the plateau
is located
(1) in the path of prevailing winds from Lake
Ontario
(2) in the Northern Hemisphere
(3) near the Atlantic Ocean
(4) west of the Hudson-Mohawk Lowlands
96. Which conditions are most likely to develop over a
land area next to an ocean during a hot, sunny
afternoon?
(1) The air temperature over the land is lower than
the air temperature over the ocean, and a breeze
blows from the land.
(2) The air temperature over the land is higher than
the air temperature over the ocean, and a breeze
blows from the land.
(3) The air pressure over the land is higher than the
air pressure over the ocean, and a breeze blows
from the ocean.
(4) The air pressure over the land is lower than the
air pressure over the ocean, and a breeze blows
from the ocean.
97. Which graph best shows the relationship between 100. The cartoon below presents a humorous look at
windspeed and the average height of ocean waves wave action.
formed by the wind?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

98. In the diagram below, arrows represent air

movement near an ocean coastline on a summer
afternoon.

The ocean waves that are providing enjoyment for

Roy's companion are the result of the
(1) interaction of the hydrosphere with the moving
atmosphere
(2) interaction of the lithosphere with the moving
troposphere
(3) absorption of short-wave radiation in the
Compared to the air over the ocean, the air over the stratosphere
land has a (4) absorption of energy in the asthenosphere
(1) lower temperature and lower barometric
101. What is the best explanation for these two
pressure
statements?
(2) lower temperature and higher barometric
pressure
Some mountains located near the Earth's
(3) higher temperature and lower barometric Equator have snow-covered peaks.
pressure Icecaps exist at the Earth's poles.
(4) higher temperature and higher barometric
(1) High elevation and high latitude have a similar
pressure
effect on climate.
(2) Both mountain and polar regions have arid
99. Which ocean current brings warm water to the
climates.
western coast of Africa?
(3) Mountain and polar regions receive more
(1) Agulhas Current
energy from the Sun than other regions do.
(2) North Equatorial Current
(4) An increase in snowfall and an increase in
(3) Canaries Current temperature have a similar effect on climate.
(4) Guinea Current

Page 26
102. Which cross section best shows the normal
movement of the air over Oswego, New York, on a
very hot summer afternoon?
(1) (3)
(2) (4)
103. The graph below shows the average number of days
each year that thunderstorms occur at different 105. The climate at location C is much drier than at
latitudes on Earth.
According to the graph, what is the approximate
number of days each year that thunderstorms occur
at locations along the 40N parallel of latitude?
(1) 8 days (3) 24 days
(2) 18 days (4) 32 days
104. During the summer months, which change in
location would most likely cause a decrease in the
observed daytime air temperatures?
(1) from 45 N latitude to 20 N latitude
(2) from sea level to 5 km above sea level
(3) from sea level on the windward side of a
mountain to sea level on the leeward side
(4) from the ocean coast to an inland location
Base your answers to questions 105 and 106 on the map
below, which shows an imaginary continent on Earth.
Arrows represent prevailing wind directions. Letters A
through D represent locations on the continent. Locations
A and B are at the same latitude and at the same elevation
at the base of the mountains.
location D. This difference is best explained by the
fact that location C is located
(1) farther from any mountain range
(2) closer to a large body of water
(3) at a latitude that experiences longer average
annual daylight
(4) at a latitude where air is sinking and surface
winds diverge
106. Over the course of a year, compared to location B,
location A will have
(1) less precipitation and a smaller temperature
range
(2) less precipitation and a greater temperature
range
(3) more precipitation and a smaller temperature
range
(4) more precipitation and a greater temperature
range
107. Which statement best summarizes the general
effects of ocean currents at 20 S latitude on coastal
regions of South America?
(1) The east coast and west coast are both warmed.
(2) The east coast and west coast are both cooled.
(3) The east coast is warmed and the west coast is
cooled.
(4) The east coast is cooled and the west coast is
warmed.
Page 27
108. Which graph best shows the average annual 110. Base your answer to the following question on the
amounts of precipitation received at different graph below, which shows the average monthly
latitudes on Earth? temperature of two cities A and B.
(1)

(2)

(3)

The temperature in city B is highest in January and

lowest in July because city B is located
(1) on the side of a mountain
(4) (2) on an island
(3) in the Southern Hemisphere
(4) at the North Pole

111. The map below shows the major climate zones on

Earth.

109. Which graph best shows the general effect that

differences in elevation above sea level have on the
average annual temperature?

(1) (3)

The primary factor controlling these climate zones

is
(1) elevation (3) latitude
(2) solar time (4) longitude

(2) (4)

Page 28
112. The graph below represents the average
temperature of a city for each month of the year.
Where is this city most likely located?
(1) inland in the Northern Hemisphere, in a middle
latitude
(2) inland in the Southern Hemisphere, in a middle
latitude
(3) on a coast near the Equator
(4) on a coast in the Antarctic
113. Base your answer to the following question on the
graph below, which shows the average yearly
temperature and average yearly precipitation for
Earth locations A through E.
Locations A and C have different average yearly
temperatures. This difference most likely is due to
the fact that
(1) A has a higher elevation
(2) A is located nearer to the Equator
(3) C has more precipitation
(4) C has a greater longitude
114. Which factor most likely causes two cities at the
same elevation and latitude to have different yearly
average temperature ranges?
(1) rotation of Earth
(2) duration of insolation
(3) distance from a large body of water
(4) direction of prevailing winds
115. Compared to the climate conditions of dry inland
locations, the climate conditions of locations
influenced by a nearby ocean generally result in
(1) hotter summers and colder winters, with a
larger annual range of temperatures
(2) hotter summers and colder winters, with a
smaller annual range of temperatures
(3) cooler summers and warmer winters, with a
larger annual range of temperatures
(4) cooler summers and warmer winters, with a
smaller annual range of temperatures
116. Which two ocean currents are both warm currents
that primarily flow away from the equator?
(1) Guinea Current and Labrador Current
(2) Brazil Current and Agulhas Current
(3) Alaska Current and Falkland Current
(4) Canaries Current and Gulf Stream Current
117. The arrows on the cross section below show the
prevailing wind that flows over a mountain. Points
A and B represent locations on opposite sides of the
mountain.
Which statement correctly describes the differences
in the climates of locations A and B?
(1) Location A is warmer and drier than location B.
(2) Location A is cooler and wetter than location B.
(3) Location B is warmer and wetter than location
A.
(4) Location B is cooler and drier than location A.
Page 29
118. The arrows in the cross section below show the Base your answers to questions 121 and 122 on the map
prevailing winds moving across northern New York below, which shows Earth's planetary wind belts.
State into Vermont during the summer.

Compared to the climate of location A, the climate

of location B is
(1) warmer and wetter (3) cooler and wetter
(2) warmer and drier (4) cooler and drier

119. The diagram below shows wind flowing over a

mountain range.

121. Which climatic conditions exist where the trade

winds converge?
(1) cool and wet (3) warm and wet
(2) cool and dry (4) warm and dry

122. Which wind belt has the greatest effect on the

climate of New York State?
(1) prevailing northwesterlies
(2) prevailing southwesterlies
As the wind flows down the leeward side of the (3) northeast trades
mountain range, the air becomes (4) southeast trades
(1) cooler and drier (3) warmer and drier
(2) cooler and wetter (4) warmer and wetter

120. Why are most beaches often considerably cooler

than nearby inland locations on hot summer
afternoons?
(1) A land breeze develops due to the lower
specific heat of water and the higher specific
heat of land.
(2) A sea breeze develops due to the higher
specific heat of water and the lower specific
heat of land.
(3) The beaches are closer to the Equator than the
inland locations are.
(4) The beaches are farther from the Equator than
the inland locations are.

Page 30
123. Base your answer to the following question on the cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The
cross section shows the general movement of air within a portion of Earths atmosphere located between 30 N and 30
S latitude. Numbers 1 and 2 represent different locations in the atmosphere.

Which map best shows the surface movement of winds between 30 and 30 S latitude?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

Page 31
124. Which map shows the two correctly labeled air masses that frequently converge in the central plains to cause tornadoes?

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

Page 32
Base your answers to questions 125 through 128 on the satellite image below, which shows a Northern Hemisphere hurricane.

125. When the eye of this hurricane reaches 43 N latitude, this hurricane will most likely be pushed by planetary winds
toward the
(1) northwest (2) northeast (3) southwest (4) southeast

126. Clouds form in the hurricane because the air is

(1) sinking, expanding, and cooling (3) rising, expanding, and cooling
(2) sinking, compressing, and warming (4) rising, compressing, and warming

127. Which air mass is normally associated with the formation of hurricanes?
(1) continental tropical (2) maritime tropical (3) continental polar (4) maritime polar

128. What is the usual surface wind pattern around the eye of Northern Hemisphere hurricanes?
(1) clockwise and outward (3) counterclockwise and outward
(2) clockwise and inward (4) counterclockwise and inward

Page 33
129. The map below shows part of North America.

The arrows shown on the map most likely represent the direction of movement of
(1) Earth's rotation (3) ocean conduction currents
(2) the prevailing northeast winds (4) Atlantic Ocean hurricanes

130. Base your answer to the following question on the weather map below, which shows a hurricane that was located over
southern Florida. The isobars show air pressure in inches of mercury. Letters A through D represent four widely
separated locations.

What is the latitude and longitude at the center of the hurricane?

(1) 26 N 81 W (2) 26 N 89 W (3) 34 N 81 W (4) 34 N 89 W

Page 34
Base your answers to questions 131 and 132 on the barogram below, which shows air pressure recorded in millibars at Green
Bay, Wisconsin, from April 2 through April 4, 1982.

131. What most likely caused the changes in air pressure for the period of time shown on the graph?

132. Calculate the rate of change in air pressure from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 3. Label your answer with the correct units.

Page 35
Base your answers to questions 133 and 134 on the graph below, which shows the average monthly temperatures for a year
for city X and city Y. Both cities are located at the same latitude.

133. Explain why city X has a greater difference between summer and winter temperatures than city Y.

134. What was the range in the average monthly temperatures for city Y during the year?

Page 36
Base your answers to questions 135 and 136 on the diagram below, which shows the temperature change when a parcel of air
warms, rises, and expands to form a cloud. Location A is at the base of the cloud.

135. Assume the cooling rate of the rising parcel of air is constant. Determine the temperature of the air parcel at the 3350-
foot altitude. Express your answer to the nearest tenth of a degree.

________________ F

136. State the relative humidity of the air at location A.

_____________ %

Page 37
Base your answers to questions 137 through 139 on the weather map below. The weather map shows a low-pressure system in
New York State during July. The L represents the center of the low-pressure system. Two fronts extend from the center of the
low. Line XY on the map is a reference line.

137. Identify one action that people should take to protect themselves from lightning.

138. The forecast for one city located on the map is given below:

In the next hour, skies will become cloud covered. Heavy rains are expected with possible lightning and
thunder. Temperatures will become much cooler.

State the name of the city for which this forecast was given.

139. The cross section below shows a side view of the area along line XY on the map. On lines 1 and 2 in the cross section,
place the appropriate two-letter air-mass symbols to identify the most likely type of air mass at each of these locations.

Page 38
140. Base your answer to the following question on the information on the four station models shown below. The weather
data were collected at Niagara Falls, Syracuse, Utica, and New York City at the same time.

Explain how the weather conditions shown on the station models suggest that Utica had the greatest chance of
precipitation.

Page 39
 Answer Key

1. 4 27. 1 53. 4 79. 1

2. 3 28. 1 54. 2 80. 4

3. 2 29. 1 55. 3 81. 1

4. 4 30. 2 56. 1 82. 1

5. 3 31. 4 57. 2 83. 4

6. 1 32. 4 58. 1 84. 2

7. 3 33. 2 59. 4 85. 2

8. 2 34. 1 60. 1 86. 3

9. 4 35. 1 61. 2 87. 3

10. 2 36. 3 62. 2 88. 2

11. 2 37. 2 63. 3 89. 1

12. 2 38. 4 64. 2 90. 1

13. 3 39. 1 65. 1 91. 2

14. 2 40. 2 66. 1 92. 1

15. 1 41. 3 67. 3 93. 4

16. 3 42. 3 68. 3 94. 4

17. 2 43. 2 69. 3 95. 1

18. 3 44. 2 70. 4 96. 4

19. 2 45. 1 71. 1 97. 1

20. 4 46. 3 72. 1 98. 3

21. 2 47. 1 73. 1 99. 4

22. 3 48. 2 74. 1 100. 1

23. 2 49. 2 75. 4 101. 1

24. 2 50. 4 76. 2 102. 1

25. 4 51. 2 77. 3 103. 2

26. 1 52. 4 78. 4 104. 2

 Answer Key

105. 4 131. Examples: passage of

low-pressure system
106. 3 passage of a cold front
arrival of a warm air mass
107. 3 followed by the arrival of a
cold air mass
108. 2
132. 2.8 to 3.2 millibars/hour
109. 3
133. Examples: City X is
110. 3 located farther inland from
the ocean. City Y is
111. 3 located closer to a large
body of water.
112. 1
134. 10C to 15C
113. 1
135. 43.5F
114. 3
136. 100%
115. 4
137. Examples: Move
116. 2 indoors. Do not use
electrical equipment or
117. 2 telephones. Do not stand
under tall objects.
118. 3
138. Binghamton
119. 3
139. (1) cP
120. 2 (2) mT

121. 3 140. Examples: The air

temperature is closest to the
122. 2 dewpoint in Utica. The air
pressure in Utica is lowest.
123. 1 The amount of cloud cover
is 100% in Utica. The
124. 2 relative humidity is highest
in Utica. Air pressure is
125. 2 decreasing in Utica.

126. 3

127. 2

128. 4

129. 4

130. 1