Energy and Seasons A – B1
1. Which type of surface absorbs the greatest amount
of electromagnetic energy from the Sun?
(1) smooth, shiny, and light colored
(2) smooth, shiny, and dark colored
(3) rough, dull, and light colored
(4) rough, dull, and dark colored
2. Equal areas of which surface would most likely
absorb the most insolation?
(1) smooth, white surface
(2) rough, white surface
(3) smooth, black surface
(4) rough, black surface
3. During which process does water gain the most
heat energy?
(1) condensation
(3) evaporation
(2) freezing
(4) melting
9. Which graph best represents the general
relationship between latitude and average surface
temperature?
10. The diagram below shows a student heating a
pot of water over a fire. The arrows represent the
transfer of heat. Letter A represents heat transfer
through the metal pot, B represents heat transfer by
currents in the water, and C represents heat that is
felt in the air surrounding the pot.
4. When Earth cools, most of the energy transferred
from Earth’s surface to space is transferred by the
process of
(1) conduction
(3) refraction
(2) reflection
(4) radiation
5. Most insolation striking a smooth, light-colored,
solid surface is
(1) refracted
(3) reflected
(2) transmitted
(4) absorbed
Which table correctly identifies the types of heat
transfer at A, B, and C?
6. On sunny summer days, a breeze often develops
that blows from large bodies of water toward nearby
landmasses because the
(1) temperature of the air above the landmasses is
greater
(2) specific heat of the landmasses is greater
(3) temperatures of the bodies of water are greater
(4) air over the bodies of water becomes heavier with
additional water vapor
7. During some winters in the Finger Lakes region of
New York State, the lake water remains unfrozen
even though the land around the lakes is frozen and
covered with snow. The primary cause of this
difference is that water
(1) gains heat during evaporation
(2) is at a lower elevation
(3) has a higher specific heat
(4) reflects more radiation
8. Which process requires water to gain heat energy
from the environment?
(1) evaporation
(3) infiltration
(2) condensation
(4) precipitation
11. Which graph best shows the general relationship
between the altitude of the noontime Sun and the
intensity of insolation received at a location?
12. The graph below shows the general relationship
between latitude and the duration of insolation on a
particular day of the year. Which date is represented
by the graph?
(1) March 21
(2) June 21
(3) September 21
(4) December 21
13. The air above a burning candle is heated and
rises. Which table correctly identifies the type of heat
transfer within the rising air and the change in air
density above the burning candle?
16. The table below shows the latitude and the
average yearly temperature for four different cities.
It can be inferred from this table that the cities at
higher latitudes have
(1) lower average yearly temperatures because
these cities receive insolation at a higher angle
during the year
(2) lower average yearly temperatures because
these cities receive insolation at a lower angle during
the year
(3) higher average yearly temperatures because
these cities receive insolation at a higher angle
during the year
(4) higher average yearly temperatures because
these cities receive insolation at a lower angle during
the year
17. The diagram below shows Earth as viewed from
space.
14. In New York State, summer is warmer than
winter because in summer New York State has
(1) fewer hours of daylight and receives low angle
insolation
(2) fewer hours of daylight and receives high angle
insolation
(3) more hours of daylight and receives low angle
insolation
(4) more hours of daylight and receives high angle
insolation
15. The arrows in the diagram below represent the
movement of water in the water cycle.
Which arrow represents the process of transpiration?
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Which season is beginning in the Northern
Hemisphere?
(1) spring
(3) fall
(2) summer (4) winter
18. The diagram below shows Earth in its orbit
around the Sun. Positions A, B, C, and D represent
Earth at the beginning of each season.
At which lettered position of Earth does New York
State experience the first day of summer?
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
Base your answers to questions 19 and 20 on the
map and graph below. The map shows two cities,
Arica and Rio de Janeiro, located on opposite coasts
of South America. Both cities are near sea level. The
graph shows the average monthly temperatures for
the cities.
19. Why does Arica have cooler average monthly
temperatures than Rio de Janeiro?
(1) Rio de Janeiro receives insolation at a higher
angle than Arica.
(2) Rio de Janeiro is influenced by a warmer ocean
current than Arica.
(3) Arica is farther north than Rio de Janeiro.
(4) Arica receives yearly insolation that is less
intense than Rio de Janeiro.
20. The summer season at Arica and Rio de Janeiro
occurs from approximately
(1) March 21 through June 20
(2) June 21 through September 22
(3) September 23 through December 20
(4) December 21 through March 20
Base your answers to questions 22 and 23 on the
graph below, which shows the duration of daylight
hours throughout the year for five cities located in the
Northern Hemisphere.
22. Which city experiences the greatest variation in
daylight hours during one year?
(1) Caracas
(3) New Orleans
(2) Mexico City
(4) Edmonton
23. What is the primary reason each city’s duration
of daylight hours changes throughout the year?
(1) Earth’s axis is tilted 23.5° to the plane of its orbit.
(2) Earth’s rotation rate is 15° per day.
(3) The cities are located at different longitudes.
(4) The cities are located at different elevations.
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24. The map below shows the locations of Virginia
Beach, Virginia, and Springfield, Missouri.
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21. The diagram below indicates the amount of solar
radiation that is reflected by equal areas of various
materials on Earth’s surface
Which material absorbs the most solar radiation?
(1) grassy field
(3) sand
(2) fresh snow
(4) forest
Virginia Beach experiences cooler summers and
warmer winters than Springfield
because Virginia Beach
(1) is located closer to the Atlantic Ocean
(2) is located closer to the equator
(3) has a greater average yearly duration of
insolation
(4) has a greater average yearly intensity of
insolation
25. Which statement best describes the position of
the Sun at sunrise and sunset as seen by an
observer in New York State on June 21?
(1) The Sun rises north of due east and sets north of
due west.
(2) The Sun rises south of due east and sets south of
due west.
(3) The Sun rises north of due east and sets south of
due west.
(4) The Sun rises south of due east and sets north of
due west.
Base your answers to questions 26 through 28 on
the diagram below, which shows a model of Earth’s
orbit around the Sun. Letters A, B, C, and D
represent Earth’s position at the beginning of each
season.
29. The letters A through D in the cross section
below represent four of the processes that are part of
the water cycle.
Which table correctly matches each letter with the
process that it represents?
26. Which position of Earth represents the first day of
summer in the Northern Hemisphere?
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
27. The diagram below shows how Earth is
illuminated [lighted] by the Sun as viewed from
above the North Pole.
In which orbital position would Earth be illuminated
as shown?
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
28. How many degrees will the Sun’s vertical rays
shift on Earth’s surface as Earth travels from position
C to position D?
(1) 15°
(2) 23.5°
(3) 47°
(4) 365°
30. The arrows labeled A through D on the map
below show the general paths of abandoned boats
that have floated across the Atlantic Ocean.
Which sequence of ocean currents was responsible
for the movement of these boats?
(1) South Equatorial . Gulf Stream . Labrador .
Benguela
(2) South Equatorial . Australia . West Wind Drift .
Peru
(3) North Equatorial . Koroshio . North Pacific .
California
(4) North Equatorial . Gulf Stream . North Atlantic .
Canaries
Energy and Seasons B2 – C
Base your answers to questions 1 through 5 on the cross section below, which shows the general pattern of water
movement in the water cycle. Letter X represents a water-cycle process.
2. Describe the process of condensation. [1]
3. Describe one surface condition that would allow
runoff to occur. [1]
4. Explain one role of plants in the water cycle. [1]
1. What process of the water cycle is represented by X? [1]
5. As the lake surface freezes in the winter, how many
joules of heat are released by each gram of water? [1]
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Base your answers to questions 6 through 10 on the passage and map below. The map shows a portion of the
continent of Antarctica.
Antarctica’s Ice Sheet
The size and shape of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet depends
on many factors, including melting and freezing beneath the
glacier, the amount of snowfall, snow removal by wind,
iceberg formation, and the rate of ice flow. Glacial moraines
are found in the Executive Committee Mountains shown on
the map. Moraines are located up to 100 meters in elevation
above the present ice sheet surface, which indicates that a
thicker ice sheet existed 20,000 years ago. The world’s
oceans and climate are influenced by Antarctica’s ice. Even a
small increase in sea level from melting glaciers would be a
disaster for the nearly two billion people who live near coastal
areas.
6 Identify one piece of evidence found on the sides of some Antarctic mountains that indicates that an ice sheet,
hundreds of meters thicker than the current ice sheet, existed in the past. [1]
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7 What is the duration of insolation on December 21 at McMurdo Station? [1]__________________________
8 State the latitude and longitude of Byrd Station. Your answer must include both the units and the compass
directions. [1]___________________________________
9 Describe the arrangement of sediment found in a glacial moraine. [1]
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10 Identify one change that would cause a decrease in the size of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. [1]
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Base your answers to questions 11 through 14 on the diagrams below. Diagram 1 shows Earth’s location in its orbit
on the first day of each of the four seasons, labeled A through D. Diagram 2 shows a north polar view of Earth on
March 21. Point E represents a location on Earth’s surface. Longitude lines are shown at 15° intervals.
11 How does the altitude of the Sun at solar noon appear to change each day for an observer in New York State as
Earth moves from position A to position B to position C? [1]
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12 Explain why the duration of insolation is 12 hours at both the Arctic Circle and the equator when Earth is at
position C. [1] ________________________________________________________________________________
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13 Describe one piece of evidence shown in the diagram which indicates that the Northern Hemisphere is
experiencing winter at position D. [1] 4545
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14 State the hour of the day at point E. [1] ______________________________________________________
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Base your answers to questions 15 and 16 on the diagram below, which shows incoming solar radiation passing
through the glass of a greenhouse and then striking the floor.
15 Some of the incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the floor. Identify
the type of electromagnetic energy reradiated by the floor. [1]
16 Describe one way the glass in the greenhouse acts like the
greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere. [1]
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Base your answers to questions 17 through 20 on
the model and data table shown below. A student
constructed a model to demonstrate how water is
recycled by natural processes on Earth. The model
consisted of a clear plastic tent over a pan
containing a bowl of water. The model was sealed
so no air could enter or leave the tent. The data
table shows the observations recorded when the
model was placed in direct sunlight for 60 minutes.
17 Identify the process that caused the water level in the bowl
to decrease. [1]________________________________
18 How much heat energy, in joules per gram, is released as
water droplets are formed on the inside walls of the tent? [1]
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19 If the model is changed and the bowl of water is replaced
with a green plant, by which process would the plant supply
water vapor to the air inside the tent? [1]
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20 A student glues a Y-shaped piece of plastic, as shown
below, near the top of the inside of the tent and repeats the
demonstration. Drops of water are seen dripping from the
bottom of the Y after 60 minutes. Which process of the water
cycle is represented by the dripping water? [1]
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Base your answers to questions 21 through 24 on the data table below. The data table shows the latitude of several
cities in the Northern Hemisphere and the duration of daylight on a particular day.
21 On the grid above plot with an X the duration of daylight for each city shown in the data table. Connect your Xs
with a smooth, curved line. [1]
22 Based on the data table, state the relationship between latitude and the duration of daylight. [1] _____________
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23 Use your graph to determine the latitude at which the Sun sets 7 hours after it rises. [1] ____________________
24 The data were recorded for the first day of a certain season in the Northern Hemisphere. State the name of this
season. [1]_____________________________________________________________