Grade 10 Academic Science Climate Change Unit Test Part A - Multiple Choice: Circle the most correct answer. 1. What is the difference between weather and climate? a. Weather deals with wind and precipitation; climate deals with temperatures b. Weather happens on a daily basis; climate is weather averaged over many years c. Weather changes slowly; climate changes quickly d. Climate is just the scientific name for weather 2. When collecting ice cores, what is one thing scientists are hoping to determine about past climate? a. The concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere b. The tilt of the Earth s axis c. The amount of animals in an area d. None of the above 3. Which of the following is not a major greenhouse gas? a. Carbon Dioxide b. Methane c. Nitrous Oxide d. Oxygen 4. Proxy records are: a. Emissions from fossil fuels b. Direct measurements of past climate c. Indirect measurements giving clues to past climate d. Things like sun spots and greenhouse gasses 5. Why is Carbon Dioxide considered to be a greenhouse gas? a. It destroys the ozone layer b. It reflects infrared rays back to the Earth s surface c. It reflects ultraviolet rays back to the Earth s surface d. It is produced when fossil fuels burn 6. Which of the following may be attributed to an increase in greenhouse gasses on Earth? a. Rising sea level b. Falling temperatures c. Formation of new ice sheets d. Oil spills off the Gulf of Mexico 7. What does the term Albedo mean? a. The amount of light absorbed by the Earth s surface b. The amount of light that passes through the ozone layer c. The amount of light used by plants for photosynthesis d. The amount of light reflected by the Earth s surface Page 1 of 6
8. Which of the following is not a layer of the atmosphere? a. Mesosphere b. Lithosphere c. Troposphere d. Stratosphere 9. What are the 2 major ways that energy is moved around the globe? a. Heating and cooling of the ocean by the Sun s rays b. Rain and snow c. Ocean currents and prevailing winds d. Reflection of the Sun s rays off of the Earth s surface and greenhouse gasses 10. A city that is close to the ocean is usually: a. Warmer in the summer and colder in the winter b. Has more precipitation and less variation in temperature throughout the year c. Dryer and cooler year round d. Has a major contrast in temperature between winter and summer Part B True or False: State whether each statement is True (T) or False (F). 1. T Certain gasses in our atmosphere trap radiation, keeping the Earth warm. 2. T Earth s hydrosphere is all of the water on Earth, in any state. 3. F The greenhouse effect is always a negative thing happening to the Earth. 4. T Earth s climate can change both naturally and from human causes. 5. F Scientists use ice cores to directly measure past climates. 6. F The only greenhouse gas produced by humans is carbon dioxide. 7. T Anthropogenic means caused by humans. 8. T The Oceans are major heat sinks. 9. T For weather to occur you need both heat energy and a medium. 10. F Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC s) are naturally occurring gasses in the atmosphere. Part C Knowledge Short Answer: Answer each question in the space provided. 1. In general, how does the climate of a coastal city differ from an inland city? Assume that all other conditions are the same and be as specific as possible. (3) -Warmer winters -Cooler summers -More precipitation year round 2. Explain the importance of the greenhouse effect to life on Earth. (2) -It keeps Earth s average temperature at around 15 o C instead of -15 o C -Without it everything would be frozen and most things would die Page 2 of 6
3. Name one of Canada s 7 biomes. Name at least 2 animals and 2 plants that reside in that biome. Give a brief description of the climate of the biome (be sure to discuss the 2 aspects of climate). (5) -Name of biome (1) -2 animals (1) -2 plants (1) -Temperature (1) -Precipitation (1) Part D Inquiry Short Answer: Answer each question in the space provided. 1. Earth s surface is approximately 2/3 water and 1/3 land. Predict how the world s climate would differ if those numbers were reversed. Make sure to support your argument. (3) -Prediction (1) -Support (2) 2. You have learned that the ice in the Arctic is melting. Explain how this change will affect the global climate. Make sure to support your argument. (3) -More precipitation -Lower Albedo -More GHGs -Warmer temperatures 3. There are many predicted impacts of climate change in Ontario: a. List one impact and explain why it is predicted to occur. (2) -Impact (1) -Explain (1) b. Explain one way we could prepare for this impact. (1) -Explanation (1) Page 3 of 6
4. Imagine you were a climatologist wising to study the climate of Burlington 10 000 years ago. Give two methods of gathering data and how you would use these methods. (3) -Trees (1) -Rocks/fossils (1) -How you use them (0.5 X2) 5. You are a member on a panel of scientists put together to determine the best way to spend our government s money to fight climate change. If you had to put all of your money into 1 idea, how would you help fight climate change? Use evidence to support your argument. (4) -Idea (1) -Evidence (3) 6. Describe how Earth s 4 spheres interact with each other. Use pictures, if needed. (4) -1 mark for each interaction Page 4 of 6
Part E Application Short Answer: Answer each question in the space provided. 1. Some groups are still arguing against our government taking action on climate change. Explain why they feel this way and explain which side of the debate you are on and why. (4) -Why (1) -Side of debate (1) -Why (2) 2. Draw a climatograph using the following data: (4) Table 1: Climate for Burlington, ON Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Temperature ( o C) -5-4 -1 3 12 30 35 27 16 5 1-3 Precipitation (mm) 25 30 30 35 15 5 5 10 5 10 15 20 Page 5 of 6
3. Explain the difference (with examples) between Convection, Conduction, and Radiation. (3) -Convection: Warm particles rise, cool and fall, creating a convection current. -Cold air hitting you and cooling you down -Conduction: Transfer of energy between two touching objects. -A poker sits in the fire and heats up -Radiation: The transfer of energy by means of waves -Ultraviolet, Infrared, Radio, Microwaves, X-Rays 4. A changing climate will drastically change the world we live in. Explain 4 major changes to the world we know today if the Earth s temperature continues to rise. (4) -Changes (4) 5. Discuss one major action that that Canadian Government is taking to combat climate change. (3) -Action (1) -Discussion (2) Category Part Total Knowledge and Understanding Part A: /10 Part B: /10 Part C: /10 /30 Thinking and Inquiry Part D: /20 /20 Application Part E: /20 /20 Page 6 of 6