McKnight's Physical Geography, 12e (Hess)

Chapter 9 The Hydrosphere

1) Most of Earth's water is stored ________.

A) on the surface in liquid form
B) in gaseous form
C) on the surface in solid form
D) underground in liquid form
E) as capillary water in the soil
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

2) Which would most affect the components of the hydrologic cycle to the greatest extent for the
Earth?
A) A drought in the American Midwest
B) A wet year for central Asia
C) The onset of an ice age
D) The mining of water in the Ogallala aquifer
E) The damming of the Amazon River
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

3) Most water on Earth is in ________ form.

A) vapor
B) ice
C) liquid
D) plasma
E) evaporated
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

1
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4)

In which of the following components would the longest residence times be expected?
A) Atmosphere
B) Condensation (clouds)
C) Surface runoff
D) Soil
E) Groundwater
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.5 Compare the residence times of the elements of the hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

2
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
5) Of the Earth's water inventory, most of the fresh water is stored in the form of ________.
A) soil moisture
B) river and stream water
C) glacial ice
D) water in lakes
E) condensation (clouds)
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

6) The term hydrosphere describes one of the Earth's spheres and it includes all of the ________.
A) water on and below the continents
B) fresh water on the planet
C) liquid water on the Earth minus ice
D) waters on the surface of the continents
E) water in the Earth system
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.3 Describe the movement of water among the four spheres of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

7) Biological water (i.e., water in living organisms) constitutes what percentage of water in the
Earth system?
A) Less than 1 percent
B) 10 percent
C) 20 percent
D) 30 percent
E) Impossible to estimate
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

3
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8) In terms of the total global supply of water, how much of it is in circulation at any one time?
A) None of it
B) A small percentage
C) Half of it
D) Most of it
E) Impossible to estimate
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.3 Describe the movement of water among the four spheres of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

9) Surface water occupies somewhat more than ________ percent of our planet.
A) 10
B) 50
C) 70
D) 90
E) 99
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

10) Which of the following storage locations contains the most water?
A) Glaciers
B) Underground water
C) Liquid surface freshwater
D) Atmospheric water
E) Soil moisture
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

4
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11) The maximum time water can be excluded from the hydrologic cycle (i.e., exist in storage) is
at least ________.
A) a day
B) a month
C) a year
D) hundreds of thousands of years
E) as old as the Earth itself
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.5 Compare the residence times of the elements of the hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

12) The reason land surfaces do not flood and oceans do not dry up—as a result of imbalances in
the hydrologic cycle—is a process called ________.
A) precipitation
B) evaporation
C) evapotranspiration
D) infiltration
E) runoff
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.4 Differentiate between the elements of the hydrologic cycle and their
interrelationships.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

13) In the hydrologic cycle, most energy is stored in the oceans. From what source does the fuel
for atmospheric storms come?
A) The oceans
B) Water vapor
C) Ground water
D) Glacial ice
E) Precipitation
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.6 Describe the transfer of energy in the hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

5
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14) Water not found in oceans accounts for ________ percent of the world's total water.
A) 0.25
B) 2.8
C) 28
D) 56
E) 74
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

15) Approximately ________ percent of all water in the hydrologic cycle flows from the
continents into the oceans.
A) 8
B) 10
C) 15
D) 25
E) 30
Answer: A
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

16) Which of the following is the LARGEST part of the hydrologic cycle?
A) Evaporation and transpiration
B) Runoff
C) Underground water flow
D) Evaporation from the ocean surface
E) Soil moisture
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

6
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17) Approximately ________ percent of all atmospheric water comes from ocean surfaces.
A) 10
B) 50
C) 86
D) 95
E) 100
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.3 Describe the movement of water among the four spheres of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

18) About ________ percent of all evaporated moisture comes from the land surface.
A) 1.4
B) 14
C) 54
D) 74
E) 94
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.3 Describe the movement of water among the four spheres of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

19) It has been calculated that ________ percent of the world's total precipitation falls over
continents.
A) 2
B) 22
C) 52
D) 72
E) 92
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.3 Describe the movement of water among the four spheres of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

7
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
20) The hydrologic cycle is considered a(n) ________ system
A) open
B) infinite
C) collapsing
D) blue-colored
E) closed
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.5 Compare the residence times of the elements of the hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

21)

The scale of this figure is in grams per kilogram and it is apparent that this figure represents
average ________ conditions of the world ocean.
A) temperature
B) pressure
C) density
D) photosynthetic activity
E) salinity
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
8
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22) The lowest temperature which is found in liquid surface seawater is approximately ________
degrees Celsius (Fahrenheit).
A) 10 (50)
B) 2 (36)
C) 0 (32)
D) -2 (28)
E) -10 (14)
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.12 Explain the patterns of ocean water temperature and density and their
influencing factors.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

23) Which seawater has been found to have the least density?
A) Surface seawater in a cold region
B) Surface seawater in warm regions
C) Saltier than average seawater
D) Sinking seawater
E) Seawater near the bottom
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.12 Explain the patterns of ocean water temperature and density and their
influencing factors.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

24) ________ are substances that result when a base neutralizes an acid.
A) Salts
B) Bases
C) Rocks
D) Microscopic ocean life
E) Hydroxyls
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.9 Identify the two most important elements in seawater and define salinity.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

9
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25) In the oceans, place-to-place differences in water temperature and other characteristics are
most prominent ________.
A) at the bottom
B) at depths below a few hundred meters
C) near the surface
D) in tropical latitudes
E) in polar latitudes
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.9 Identify the two most important elements in seawater and define salinity.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

26) Of the places listed below, ocean waters generally have the least salinity in ________.
A) subtropical zones
B) polar regions
C) small seas and gulfs
D) hot places
E) places with lack of rainfall
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.9 Identify the two most important elements in seawater and define salinity.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

27) Oceans are becoming more acidic because they are absorbing ________.
A) lye
B) hydrochloric acid
C) carbon dioxide
D) smoke
E) rocks
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.11 Explain the distribution and importance of carbon dioxide content of
ocean water and the factors that influence it.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

10
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28) Which ocean is bounded by the most continents?
A) Pacific
B) Atlantic
C) Arctic
D) Indian
E) They are all bounded by all of the continents.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

29) Into how many oceans is the "world ocean" usually divided?
A) Two
B) Five
C) Ten
D) Many
E) None, because there is truly one world ocean.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

11
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
30)

The ocean shown in this figure is the ________ ocean.

A) Atlantic
B) Pacific
C) Southern
D) Indian
E) Arctic
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

12
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
31) The greatest girth (longitudinal width) of the Pacific Ocean is in the ________ latitudes.
A) polar
B) middle
C) tropical
D) Alaskan
E) Japanese
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

32) The deepest oceanic trenches are in which ocean?

A) Atlantic
B) Pacific
C) Arctic
D) Indian
E) In the Atlantic, Pacific, Artic or Indian, the trenches are approximately the same depth.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

33) The primary vertical motion of all ocean water is caused by ________.
A) winds
B) density
C) earthquakes
D) currents
E) gravity
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

13
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
34) Which is the shallowest ocean in the world?
A) Indian
B) Arctic
C) Pacific
D) Atlantic
E) The Indian, Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic are all about the same depth
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

35) Which ocean has the deepest average depth?

A) Atlantic
B) Pacific
C) Southern
D) Indian
E) Arctic
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

36) Our knowledge of the oceans is ________.

A) now complete
B) unimportant because humans live on the land
C) fairly limited until recent decades
D) never going to amount to much
E) equal to our knowledge of the continents
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

14
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
37) Which of the below is NOT generally accepted as an ocean name?
A) Arctic
B) Antarctic
C) Atlantic
D) Pacific
E) Indian
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

38) Which of the oceans has, by far, most of its surface south of the Equator?
A) Arctic
B) Atlantic
C) Pacific
D) Indian
E) Peruvian
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

39) The "world ocean" spreads over ________ of Earth's surface.

A) 1 percent
B) 25 percent
C) 75 percent
D) 90 percent
E) 100 percent
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

15
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
40) The Arctic Ocean contains about ________ percent of Earth's total ocean water.
A) 0.4
B) 4
C) 40
D) 60
E) 90
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

41) Which of the following is NOT the name of a sea?

A) South China
B) Mediterranean
C) Indian
D) Caribbean
E) Bering
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.8 Identify Earth's three major seas.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

42) Earth's "world ocean" contains ________ cubic kilometers of salt water.
A) 1.32 thousand
B) 1.32 hundred thousand
C) 1.32 million
D) 1.32 billion
E) 1.32 trillion
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G4
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

16
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
43) The average salinity of sea water is approximately ________ percent of total mass.
A) 3.5
B) 5
C) 7.5
D) 10
E) 20
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

44) The oceans contain approximately ________ percent of all water on Earth.
A) 0.7
B) 17
C) 57
D) 77
E) 97
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

45) Which of the following is the chemical symbol for most of the salt in oceans?
A) NaCl
B) Cl
C) K
D) Mg
E) U
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.9 Identify the two most important elements in seawater and define salinity.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

17
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
46) Foraminifera study has shown the oceans are becoming ________.
A) larger
B) deeper
C) more acidic
D) more salty
E) greener
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.7 Identify the five oceans of Earth and explain the inherent difficulties of
specifying this number.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

47)

Which of the following is a major factor in creating very high tidal ranges on the coastlines
indicated in the figure?
A) Shallow sea bottoms
B) Strong ocean currents
C) Coastlines facing the predominant wind direct
D) Higher densities of seawater
E) Deep sea bottoms
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
18
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
48)

What is located over much of the subtropical Pacific Ocean within the clockwise gyre of
currents?
A) The Sea of Death
B) The most productive fisheries on Earth
C) The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
D) The highest tides in the world
E) The highest waves in the world
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

19
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
49) Geographically speaking, the most important currents ________.
A) involve subsidence
B) involve upwelling
C) are caused by tides
D) are caused by underwater earthquakes
E) are the flows making up the oceans' general circulations
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.15 Explain why currents move, and describe their impact on Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

50) The ________ is a prominent location of sinking water in Earth's thermohaline circulation.
A) south Atlantic
B) central Pacific
C) Arctic
D) north Atlantic
E) Equator
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

51) The tides with the maximum tidal elevation are ________ tides.
A) flood
B) high
C) ebb
D) spring
E) leap
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

20
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
52) The lowest high tides are ________ tides.
A) neap
B) spring
C) ebb
D) flood
E) red
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

53) In the middles of the oceans, high tides can best be described as ________.
A) steep-sided mounds
B) ridges
C) currents
D) waves
E) bulges
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

54) Which of the following locations is known for its great tidal range?
A) The U.S. Gulf Coast
B) Florida
C) The Bay of Fundy
D) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
E) The Gulf of California
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

21
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
55) A wall of sea water rushing up into an embayment is called a(n) ________.
A) tidal bore
B) flood tide
C) neap tide
D) spring tide
E) apogee
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

56) The movement of a wave across the surface of the ocean is a movement of ________ rather
than matter.
A) substance
B) wind
C) water
D) energy
E) time
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.13 Differentiate among tides, currents, and waves and their motions.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

57) Of the following, which is energized by the wind?

A) Tidal bores
B) Ocean currents
C) Tides
D) Deep ocean circulation
E) The cryosphere
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.13 Differentiate among tides, currents, and waves and their motions.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

22
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
58) The highest tides occur when the ________.
A) Earth and Moon are lined up
B) Earth and Sun are lined up
C) Sun and Moon are lined up
D) Earth, Sun, and Moon are lined up
E) Earth and Moon are lined up and the Sun is at a 90-degree angle
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

59) The tides migrate following ________ course around the Earth.
A) the Milky Way's
B) Venus'
C) Mars'
D) the Sun's
E) the Moon's
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

60) Water rising up along a coastline is known as a(n) ________.

A) low tide
B) high tide
C) spring tide
D) neap tide
E) flood tide
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

23
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
61) The global oceanic conveyor belt circulation has prominent areas of sinking in the ________
Ocean.
A) North Atlantic
B) South Atlantic
C) North Indian
D) North Pacific
E) South Pacific
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

62) A single oscillation of the tides (from low tide to high tide and back again) takes about
________ hours.
A) 24
B) 12
C) 6
D) 3
E) 2
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

63) In the oceans, there are approximately ________ high tides in 24 hours.
A) zero (the tidal period is much greater than 24 hours)
B) one
C) two
D) four
E) seven
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

24
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
64) Lake tides, at their peak, are usually no more than ________ of rise and fall.
A) 2 inches
B) 2 feet
C) 4 feet
D) 10 feet
E) 20 feet
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.3 Movement of Ocean Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

25
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
65)

What type of permafrost is shown the farthest south in North America?

A) Isolated
B) Discontinuous
C) Continuous
D) Sporadic
E) Thermokarst
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.4 Permanent Ice - The Cryosphere
Learning Outcome: 9.20 Define permafrost, and describe the four categories of permafrost
extent in the Northern Hemisphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

26
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
66) Over three-fourths of the world's fresh water is held in the form of ________.
A) soil moisture
B) underground water
C) atmospheric water
D) glaciers
E) ice bergs
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.4 Permanent Ice - The Cryosphere
Learning Outcome: 9.18 Identify the main components of the cryosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

67) Most of the region surrounding the North Pole is covered by ________.
A) land
B) permafrost
C) ice pack
D) ice floes
E) tundra
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.4 Permanent Ice - The Cryosphere
Learning Outcome: 9.19 Distinguish among the four types of oceanic ice.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

68) The largest ice shelf on Earth approximates ________ square kilometers (square miles).
A) 10 (3.9)
B) 100 (39)
C) 1,000 (386)
D) 10,000 (3,861)
E) 100,000 (38,610)
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.4 Permanent Ice - The Cryosphere
Learning Outcome: 9.19 Distinguish among the four types of oceanic ice.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

27
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
69) A chunk of independently floating ice is an ice ________.
A) floe
B) pack
C) berg
D) shelf
E) chunk
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.4 Permanent Ice - The Cryosphere
Learning Outcome: 9.19 Distinguish among the four types of oceanic ice.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

70) Lakes are common in areas which have been recently ________.
A) formed by volcanoes
B) glaciated
C) formed from river deposits
D) raised above the sea
E) hit by meteorites
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.24 Explain how lakes and reservoirs impact the environment and change
over time.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

71) The world's largest lake, fresh or saline, is ________.

A) Lake Superior
B) Lake Baikal
C) the Caspian Sea
D) Lake Victoria
E) Great Slave Lake
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.22 Identify the 15 lakes that are largest (in terms of surface area).
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

28
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
72) Which of the world's largest lakes is saline?
A) Lake Victoria
B) Lake Baykal
C) Lake Huron
D) Great Bear Lake
E) The Caspian Sea
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.22 Identify the 15 lakes that are largest (in terms of surface area).
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

73) The Aral Sea is ________.

A) an arm of the Pacific Ocean
B) the largest lake in the world
C) becoming larger
D) about to disappear
E) in Saudi Arabia
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.23 Explain the formation of lakes and how humans alter lakes and create
new ones.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

74) North America's largest lake is ________.

A) Lake Erie
B) Great Bear Lake
C) Lake Superior
D) Great Slave Lake
E) Great Salt Lake
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.22 Identify the 15 lakes that are largest (in terms of surface area).
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

29
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
75) Approximately ________ percent of the Earth's lake water is salty.
A) 10
B) 25
C) 40
D) 75
E) 85
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.22 Identify the 15 lakes that are largest (in terms of surface area).
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

76) Lakes comprise about ________ percent of the world's liquid, fresh, surface water.
A) 1
B) 10
C) 50
D) 90
E) 100
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.22 Identify the 15 lakes that are largest (in terms of surface area).
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

77) ________ is the world's deepest lake.

A) Lake Titicaca
B) The Caspian Sea
C) The Great Salt Lake
D) Lake Superior
E) Lake Baikal
Answer: E
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.22 Identify the 15 lakes that are largest (in terms of surface area).
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

30
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
78) The Amazon has the greatest discharge in the world. Which river has the SECOND greatest
discharge?
A) The Missouri
B) The Congo
C) The Ob
D) The Nile
E) The Hudson
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.26 Identify the world's largest rivers (in terms of discharge and length) and
the largest drainage basins.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

79) Europe's longest river is the ________.

A) Po
B) Volga
C) Rhine
D) Elbe
E) Oder
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.26 Identify the world's largest rivers (in terms of discharge and length) and
the largest drainage basins.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

80) Asia's longest river is the ________.

A) Mekong
B) Ganges
C) Yangtze
D) Hwang Ho
E) Indus
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 9.5 Rivers and Streams
Learning Outcome: 9.26 Identify the world's largest rivers (in terms of discharge and length) and
the largest drainage basins.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

31
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
81) Which force supplies the energy for percolation?
A) Pressure gradient
B) Capillary force
C) Coriolis force
D) Hydraulic head force
E) Gravity
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.28 Define porosity and permeability, and explain their influence on
groundwater movement.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

82) The top of the saturated zone of ground water is called the ________.
A) zone of saturation
B) vadose zone
C) water table
D) aquiclude
E) waterless zone
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.28 Define porosity and permeability, and explain their influence on
groundwater movement.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

83) Whenever there is an active well, the water table will be drawn downward forming a(n)
________.
A) saturated zone
B) cone of depression
C) artesian well
D) aquiclude
E) bedrock layer
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.32 Distinguish among springs, wells, and artesian wells and their
subsurface structures that make water available.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

32
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
84) Rock through which ground water cannot run or flow is a(n) ________.
A) phreatic layer
B) aquifer
C) aquiclude
D) vadose layer
E) groundwater layer
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.30 Identify the three-main subsurface hydrologic zones, and describe the
movement of groundwater through these zones.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

85) Which of the following concerning the Ogallala is FALSE?

A) It is the largest water supply in Mexico.
B) Most of it is literally being "mined."
C) It is estimated that many irrigated acres will soon have to return to dryland farming.
D) It contains as much water as one of the Great Lakes.
E) The aquifer is most abundant under the Sandhills.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.4 Differentiate between the elements of the hydrologic cycle and their
interrelationships.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

86) Which of the below best describes water moving through Earth material because of the
influence of gravity?
A) Capillary action
B) Flow
C) Percolation
D) Evapotranspiration
E) Subartesian
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.28 Define porosity and permeability, and explain their influence on
groundwater movement.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

33
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
87)

There are five layers shown and the second and fourth from the top are aquifers in which water
has accumulated. The first layer under Earth's surface and above the aquifer layer is best termed
the ________.
A) groundwater zone
B) waterless zone
C) water table
D) aquiclude
E) zone of aeration
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.30 Identify the three-main subsurface hydrologic zones, and describe the
movement of groundwater through these zones.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

34
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
88)

A pipe of a well is shown delivering water to the surface under its own pressure. This type of
well is best termed a(n) ________ well.
A) automatic
B) aquifer
C) artesian
D) superproducing
E) subartesian
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.30 Identify the three-main subsurface hydrologic zones, and describe the
movement of groundwater through these zones.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

35
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
89) Clay is both ________ and ________ in terms of groundwater.
A) porous, permeable
B) porous, non-permeable
C) non-porous, non-permeable
D) non-porous, permeable
E) lacking interstices, lacking openings
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.28 Define porosity and permeability, and explain their influence on
groundwater movement.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

90) The level to which water will rise on its own in a drilled well is the ________.
A) artesian level
B) aquiclude
C) cone of depression
D) piezometric surface
E) subartesian surface
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.30 Identify the three-main subsurface hydrologic zones, and describe the
movement of groundwater through these zones.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

91) In Las Vegas, Nevada, the groundwater supply is ________.

A) being depleted
B) increased
C) not being used and staying the same
D) being used and staying the same
E) about to be tapped as soon as Lake Mead runs dry
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.33 Explain recharge of groundwater.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

36
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
92) GRACE is a German/NASA project that monitors ________.
A) ocean salinity
B) biomass
C) rainfall
D) groundwater levels
E) areas of lakes
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.33 Explain recharge of groundwater.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

93) The movement of groundwater is ________.

A) upwards
B) downwards
C) sideways (horizontal)
D) a curving path
E) any direction according to the forces involved
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.28 Define porosity and permeability, and explain their influence on
groundwater movement.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

37
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
94)

The graph shows temperature taken at 20 meters into the northern Alaskan permafrost from 1979
through 2013 at 5 locations What does this graph suggest?
Answer: Temperature is increasing at all locations and, of course, there are different
temperatures. At some, the temperatures are getting close to melting which means that even at
these depths there is strong proof that the permafrost is melting because climate is warming.
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 9.4 Permanent Ice - The Cryosphere
Learning Outcome: 9.20 Define permafrost, and describe the four categories of permafrost
extent in the Northern Hemisphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G3
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluating/Creating

38
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
95)

Explain the global conveyor-belt system in the oceans.

Answer: In the North Atlantic cool dense water sinks and moves south as a deep subsurface
flow. It joins cold, deep water near Antarctica, eventually moving into the Indian and Pacific
oceans where the water rises slowly, eventually flowing back to the North Atlantic and again
sinks. There are other branches of this flow covering other parts of the ocean. A single circuit
requires many centuries.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.10 Describe the spatial patterns of ocean salinity, and explain the
influencing factors.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluating/Creating

96) An extensive aquifer, the ________, is present and allows irrigated agriculture from
Nebraska to Texas.
Answer: Ogallala
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.6 Groundwater
Learning Outcome: 9.34 Describe the Ogallala Aquifer and the environmental problems and
concerns associated with it.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

39
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
97) Over a span of years, worldwide precipitation will equal total ________.
Answer: evaporation/transpiration or evapotranspiration
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.2 Describe the moisture inventory of Earth.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

98) Name three of the top 10 rivers by discharge and where they are located.
Answer: Example: Amazon, South America; Congo, central Africa; Mississippi/Missouri,
central North America
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.26 Identify the world's largest rivers (in terms of discharge and length) and
the largest drainage basins.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

99) Describe the paths of water through the hydrologic cycle.

Answer: Example: Start with evaporation from the ocean. Water is advected over the land and
falls as precipitation. Some of the precipitation infiltrates the surface to be soil moisture and
groundwater, etc.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.1 Define the hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2, G8
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

100) Global warming is melting permafrost. What are some negative consequences of this
occurrence?
Answer: Examples: Increase in soil organic activity releasing the greenhouse gas methane,
shifting of structures because of melting underneath, etc.
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.4 Permanent Ice - The Cryosphere
Learning Outcome: 9.21 Explain the construction hazards associated with permafrost areas.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2, G8
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

40
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
101) Why are lakes without outlets salty?
Answer: Salts are dissolved from the landscape and arrive in runoff water. More salts are
dissolved from materials on the lake bottom. Evaporation concentrates the salts.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.23 Explain the formation of lakes and how humans alter lakes and create
new ones.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

102) Differentiate a swamp from a marsh.

Answer: These are on flat landscapes covered by shallow water at least part of the year. Water-
tolerant plants dominate the landscape. A swamp is where trees dominate and a marsh is where
grasses dominate. Swamps and marshes are common to coastal plains and in places where ponds
and lakes are starting to fill in.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.25 Define wetlands, and distinguish between swamps and marshes.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2, G8
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

103) A body of water that is smaller than an ocean and partially landlocked is known as a
________.
Answer: sea
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.8 Identify Earth's three major seas.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

104) Trace the conversion of solar energy to other forms through the hydrologic cycle.
Answer: Solar energy warms ocean water causing evaporation. The water vapor is advected over
continents by wind (also cause by solar heating), precipitation process release heat back to the
atmosphere through condensation and deposition etc.
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 9.1 The Hydrologic Cycle
Learning Outcome: 9.1 Define the hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2, G8
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

41
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
105) Explain why salinity varies amongst the ocean regions of Earth.
Answer: It is a matter of the combination of precipitation and freshwater stream outflow adding
fresh water and the amount of salt left behind by evaporation. This varies by climate and
shoreline configuration.
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.10 Describe the spatial patterns of ocean salinity, and explain the
influencing factors.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

106) What positive benefits do swamps and marshes have in the environment?
Answer: Examples: Filtration of polluted water, protection from storm surges, and protection of
hatchlings.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.25 Define wetlands, and distinguish between swamps and marshes.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2, G8
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

107) What negative environmental consequences are associated with the building of a dam?
Answer: Examples: siltation behind the dam; inundation of river valleys; change in the natural
flow regime downstream; increased evapotranspiration from the lake.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.5 Surface Waters
Learning Outcome: 9.24 Explain how lakes and reservoirs impact the environment and change
over time.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2, G8
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

108) Why would an increase in ocean water acidity affect marine life?
Answer: Acidification affects the amount of calcium ions in the water thus providing a limitation
for creatures using them in their shells. Decline in their numbers would cascade through the food
chain.
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.11 Explain the distribution and importance of carbon dioxide content of
ocean water and the factors that influence it.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

42
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
109) Explain why a spring tide occurs every two weeks.
Answer: Spring tides result from the earth, sun, and moon lining up (the moon can be between
sun and Earth or not). The alignment of the gravitational pull makes for the largest gravitational
bulges of water.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 9.2 The Oceans
Learning Outcome: 9.14 Explain tides and the tidal cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2, G8
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

43
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.