ATMOSPHERE
UNIT QUESTIONS
Grade 8
Unit – Atmosphere
QUESTION / FORMAT / STANDARD1 / MC / 2.2l
2 / MC / 2.2l; 2.2k; 2.2e
3 / MC / 2.2l; 2.2n
4 / MC / 2.2l, 2.2o
5 / MC / 2.2q
6 / MC / 2.2l; 22.2o
7 / MC / 2.1a
8 / MC / 2.1a
9 / MC / 2.2o; 2.2m
10 / MC / 2.2m
11 / MC / 2.2q
12 / MC / 2.1d
13 / MC / 2.1j
14 / MC / 2.2i; 2.2n
15 / MC / 1.2r
16 / MC / 2.2o
17 / MC / 2.2l
18 / MC / 2.1a
19 / MC / 2.2m; 2.2n
20 / MC / 2.2m; .2n
21 / MC / 2.1a
22 / MC / 2.1a
23 / MC / 2.1b
24 / MC / 2.2r
25 / MC / 2.2r
26 / MC / 2.2r
27 / MC / 1.1i
28 / MC / 2.1b
29 / MC / 2.1a
30 / MC / 2.2l
31 / MC / 2.2o
32 / MC / 2.2l
33 / MC / 2.1b
34 / MC / 2.1a
35 / MC / 2.1j
36 / MC / 2.1j
37 / MC / 2.1j
38 / MC / 2.1j
Grade 8
Unit – Atmosphere
QUESTION / FORMAT / STANDARD1 / CR / 2.1d; 2.2r
2 / CR / 2.2n; 2.2r
3 / CR / 2.2r
4 / CR / 2.1j
5 / CR / 2.1a
6 / CR / 2.1a
7 / CR / 2.1a
8 / CR / 2.1a
9 / CR / 2.2r
10 / CR / 2.2r
11 / CR / 2.2r
12 / CR / 2.2r
13 / CR / 2.2l; 2.2m
14 / CR / 2.2l; 2.2m; 2.2n; 2.2o
15 / CR / 2.2l; 2.2m; 2.2n; 2.2o
16 / CR / 2.2l; 2.2m; 2.2n; 2.2o
17 / CR / 2.2l; 2.2m; 2.2n; 2.2o
Base your answer to question 1 on the diagram below.
1. If the weather was cloudy for two weeks, the town whose energy source would be most affected is ______.
A) Wheaton. C) Glen Arm
B) Silver Spring. D) Alexandria
2. Cloudy weather is usually associated with
A) prevailing winds. C) low pressure systems.
B) volcanic eruptions. D) high pressure systems.
3. Look at the map below.
At which point is a warm dry air mass likely to form?
A) A C) C
B) B D) D
4. Precipitation is most likely to occur at the boundaries between
A) air masses. C) layers of rock.
B) continents. D) layers of atmosphere.
5. Which event is likely to add the larges amount of dust and gases into the atmosphere?
A) flood C) volcanic eruption
B) earthquake D) mountain formation
6. A warm air mass slides over a cold air mass, forming a(n)
A) cold front. C) occluded front
B) warm front. D) stationary front.
7. The ozone layer, which protects living things on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is found in which layer of the atmosphere?
A) troposphere C) mesosphere
B) stratosphere D) thermosphere
8. In addition to oxygen, which gases make up the largest percentage of Earth’s atmosphere?
A) hydrogen, helium, and water vapor
B) hydrogen, methane, and ozone
C) carbon dioxide, water, vapor, and nitrogen
D) carbon dioxide, methane, and helium
Base your answers to questions 9 and 10 on the weather map below, which shows a typical low-pressure system located over part of North America in May. The numbers on the map indicate the air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
9. The fronts shown on the weather map are best described as
A) boundaries between different air masses.
B) boundaries between different wind belts.
C) areas experiencing clear skies with light winds.
D) areas experiencing extremely warm air temperatures.
10. The symbol ( ) shown on the map best represents
A) the probable direction of storm movement for the next 12 hours.
B) ocean currents moving the storm system toward the east.
C) convection currents associated with the storm system.
D) the beginning location of the storm system.
11. Dust and ash entering the atmosphere as a result of volcanic eruptions can affect Earth’s
A) tidal activity. C) weather and climate.
B) orbital shape. D) rotation and revolution.
12. The surface of Earth is covered by a relatively thin layer of water called the
A) crust. C) hydrosphere.
B) mantle. D) atmosphere.
13. Which title best describes the processes shown in the diagram below?
A) The Rock Cycle C) Plate Tectonics
B) The Water Cycle D) Chemical Changes
14. The map below shows an air mass that formed over the Gulf of Mexico at location A.
Once air mass A reaches location B, the weather conditions at location B will most likely become
A) warmer and drier. C) colder and more humid.
B) warmer and more humid. D) colder and drier.
15. Which graph best represents the relationship between the amount of pollutants in the air and the quality of the air?
16. The weather map below shows the locations of a warm and a cold front over part of North America.
The numbered lines on the weather map connect locations with the same
A) wind direction. C) air temperature.
B) wind speed. D) air pressure.
Base your answer to question 17 on the map below and on your knowledge of science. The map shows the origin of a maritime tropical air mass. The arrow shows the general track of this air mass. New York State is labeled NY.
17. Which temperature and moisture conditions are associated with this air mass?
A) cold and dry C) cold and humid
B) warm and humid D) warm and dry
18. The diagram below shows the relative wavelengths for several types of electromagnetic energy.
Which type of electromagnetic energy has a shorter wavelength than ultraviolet waves?
A) visible light C) x rays
C) microwaves D) infrared light
Use the diagram to answer questions 19 and 20.
19. Which area of the United States is likely experiencing stormy weather?
A) West C) North
B) East D) South
20. Which area of the United States is likely experiencing strong winds?
A) West C) Northeast
B) Southeast D) South
21. Which is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?
A) nitrogen
B) oxygen
C) carbon dioxide
D) water vapor
22. In which atmospheric layer does weather occur?
A) troposphere
B) stratosphere
C) mesosphere
D) thermosphere
23. Foods cook faster with greater air pressure. Where would foods cook the fastest?
A) at sea level
B) in the space station orbiting Earth
C) on the top of Mount Everest
D) on the Moon
24. Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?
A) nitrogen
B) oxygen
C) carbon dioxide
D) helium
25. Which gas is released into the atmosphere by burning fuel?
A) methane
B) oxygen
C) nitrogen
D) carbon dioxide
26. Without greenhouse gases, Earth’s surface would be much
A) higher.
B) lower.
C) warmer.
D) colder.
27. Changes in weather are related to changes in the position of
A) the Sun.
B) the Moon.
C) air masses.
D) tectonic plates.
28. A plane is flying at an altitude of 12,000 feet. As the altitude of the plane decreases to 3,000 feet, how does the air pressure outside the plane change?
A. decreases.
B. increases.
C. does not change.
D. decreases then increase.
29. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the greatest concentration of Earth’s gases?
A) troposphere
B) stratosphere
C) mesosphere
D) thermosphere
Base your answers to questions 30 – 31 on the diagram below which shows the location
and movement of two different air masses.
30. The air mass over city B would be classified as
A) maritime polar . C) continental tropical.
B) maritime tropical. D) continental polar.
31. The boundary line between the two air masses is known as
A) the eye. C) a high pressure system.
B) a front. D) the stratosphere.
32. A weather forecast for city B would be
A) clearing skies with cooler temperatures.
B) increasing clouds with cooler temperatures.
C) increasing clouds with warmer temperatures.
D) clearing skies with increasing temperatures.
Base your answers to questions 33 and 34 on the diagram below which shows the path of a weather balloon released from a ship.
33. At which letter would the highest air pressure be recorded?
A) A C) C
B) B D) D
34. This diagram shows that the atmosphere is
A) clean. C) easily polluted.
B) layered. D) warm.
Base your answers to questions 35 – 38 on the diagram of the water cycle shown below.
35. Which arrow represents transpiration?
A) A C) C
B) B D) D
36. Which arrows represent the processes that increase humidity in the air?
A) A C) C
B) B D) D
37. What provides the energy to move water along arrows C and D?
A) A C) C
B) B D) D
38. At which location is condensation occurring?
A) A C) C
B) B D) D
Base your answers to questions 1 through 3 on the passage below and on your knowledge of science.
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are pollutants released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. These pollutants combine with moisture in the air to form acid rain. A main source of these pollutants can be traced to power plants located in the mid-western United States. Due to weather patterns, the effects of acid rain have been most severe in the northeastern United States, including New York State.
The acid rain destroys the natural balance in lakes and streams and kills many species of fish. Acidic conditions affect not only lakes and forests, but also buildings and statues composed of limestone and marble. Other materials, such as metals, ceramics, glass, paints, and leather, are affected by acid rain.
1. Which two pollutants combine with water vapor in the air to produce acid rain? [1]
______and ______
2. Describe how the prevailing winds play a role in the amount of acid rain that occurs in New York State. [1]
______
3. Identify one action that could be taken to reduce the amount of acid rain. [1]
______
4. The diagram below uses letters A, B, C, and D to represent processes occurring in a water cycle.
In the chart below, identify the process that is occurring at each letter in the diagram. Select the process from the list below. [2]
Processes
condensation
evaporation
precipitation
runoff
Letter / Process That Is OccurringA
B
C
D
Base your answers to questions 5 through 8 on the paragraph and chart below
(in kilometers) / Description
troposphere / 0-15 / 75% of atmospheric gases are here; weather occurs here; planes and birds fly in this layer
stratosphere / 15-50 / contains ozone layer and jet stream; weather balloons travel in this layer
mesosphere / 50-85 / temperatures get much colder as altitude increases in this layer
thermosphere / 85-600 / temperatures get much hotter as altitude increases in this layer; almost no air
5. In the troposphere, temperature decreases as altitude increases. In which layer does temperature increase as altitude increases? [1]
______
6. List the four main layers of the atmosphere, and state how thick each layer is. [1]
______
______
7. On a mission, a space shuttle orbited Earth at an altitude of 240 miles. In which layer of the atmosphere is the shuttle? [1]
______
8. A space shuttle flies through the thermosphere, which is a layer of the atmosphere.
Why would astronauts wear special suits if they went outside of the space shuttle in the thermosphere? [1]
______
______
The graphs below show the temperature changes that have occurred on Earth since 1860 and the changes in carbon dioxide that have occurred in the atmosphere during this same time.
9. Based on the graphs, write one complete sentence that explains the relationship between temperature change and amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. [1]
______
______
10. Carbon dioxide is classified as a “greenhouse” gas. Explain what this means. [1]
______
______
11. Name the human activity that probably caused the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. [1]
______
______
12. Propose one way we can help to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. [1]
______
______
The map below shows a weather system affecting a part of the United States.
13. Lightly shade in the area where precipitation is most likely occurring at the present time. [1]
______
14. Describe the weather conditions in Alabama. [1]
______
15. Write a weather forecast for New York which includes temperature, sky cover, and precipitation changes that may occur. [1]
______
16. Use a large double arrow ( ) to show the direction in which the low pressure system will move. [1]
______
______
17. Describe the present weather conditions at the H. Include temperature, sky cover, and precipitation. [1]
______
16
Atmosphere