Question Booklet for Atmosphere
Discuss the importance of the Hadley cell in atmospheric circulation and the distribution of
heat around the planet.
Consider in your answer:
 The structure of the Hadley cell and the role of the heating effect of the Sun
 Why the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone moves seasonally
 How the trade winds are formed
 How the Hadley cell distributes heat.
A labelled diagram may assist your answer.
Vocabulary
Structure
Useful Starters
(specific to
subject)
Opening Paragraph
The explanation begins with an
introduction to the topic using
What, when, where, why
and who
Paragraph one
A description of the parts of
the topic
This focuses on the “what”
ideas
Following Paragraphs
Each part is backed up by
supporting information,
giving the "how" or "why"
details.
Describes “cause and
effect” using
if, then, because, since,
so
Time relationships are used
first, then, following,
finally.
The parts and paragraphs
are in a logical order
Summary
The summary includes the
main points and makes an
interesting comment,
Technical
terms
The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. Most of Earth’s weather is
found in the troposphere.
Discuss the properties of the troposphere considering in your answer:




Composition and mass
The air pressure and density gradients
The heat source for this layer and the temperature gradient
Why most of the weather is found in the troposphere
A labelled diagram may assist your answer.
Vocabulary
Structure
Useful Starters
(specific to
subject)
Opening Paragraph
The explanation begins with an
introduction to the topic using
What, when, where, why
and who
Paragraph one
A description of the parts of
the topic
This focuses on the “what”
ideas
Following Paragraphs
Each part is backed up by
supporting information,
giving the "how" or "why"
details.
Describes “cause and
effect” using
if, then, because, since,
so
Time relationships are used
first, then, following,
finally.
The parts and paragraphs
are in a logical order
Summary
The summary includes the
main points and makes an
interesting comment,
Technical
terms
Water is recycled through the water cycle.
Discuss the processes of the water cycle showing how they are interconnected.
Consider in your answer:


The role of evaporation, condensation and precipitation
The importance the storage of water in lakes, streams, glaciers, icebergs, and the
ground.
A labelled diagram may assist your answer.
Vocabulary
Structure
Useful Starters
(specific to
subject)
Opening Paragraph
The explanation begins with an
introduction to the topic using
What, when, where, why
and who
Paragraph one
A description of the parts of
the topic
This focuses on the “what”
ideas
Following Paragraphs
Each part is backed up by
supporting information,
giving the "how" or "why"
details.
Describes “cause and
effect” using
if, then, because, since,
so
Time relationships are used
first, then, following,
finally.
The parts and paragraphs
are in a logical order
Summary
The summary includes the
main points and makes an
interesting comment,
Technical
terms
Explain in detail the formation of clouds in the troposphere. Include
in your answer:
 the role of water vapour and aerosols
 where the water vapour comes from
 temperature and air pressure changes
 how air can be lifted for cloud formation to start.
Labelled diagrams may assist your answer.
Vocabulary
Structure
Useful Starters
(specific to
subject)
Opening Paragraph
The explanation begins with an
introduction to the topic using
What, when, where, why
and who
Paragraph one
A description of the parts of
the topic
This focuses on the “what”
ideas
Following Paragraphs
Each part is backed up by
supporting information,
giving the "how" or "why"
details.
Describes “cause and
effect” using
if, then, because, since,
so
Time relationships are used
first, then, following,
finally.
The parts and paragraphs
are in a logical order
Summary
The summary includes the
main points and makes an
interesting comment,
Technical
terms
Sea and land breezes occur mostly in summer, especially in the afternoon.
Explain in detail the conditions that form sea and land breezes. Consider in your
answer:
 the relative heating capacity of ocean and land
 the temperature and pressure differences between ocean and land at different
times of the day and night
 why sea and land breezes mostly occur on summer afternoons
 why land breezes aren’t as strong as sea breezes.
Labelled diagrams may assist your answer.
Vocabulary
Structure
Useful Starters
(specific to
subject)
Opening Paragraph
The explanation begins with an
introduction to the topic using
What, when, where, why
and who
Paragraph one
A description of the parts of
the topic
This focuses on the “what”
ideas
Following Paragraphs
Each part is backed up by
supporting information,
giving the "how" or "why"
details.
Describes “cause and
effect” using
if, then, because, since,
so
Time relationships are used
first, then, following,
finally.
The parts and paragraphs
are in a logical order
Summary
The summary includes the
main points and makes an
interesting comment,
Technical
terms
Carbon dioxide and methane are two important greenhouse gases found in the
atmosphere.
Explain in detail:
 How these two gases enter and leave the atmosphere
 The greenhouse effect
 How increased levels of carbon dioxide and methane change the greenhouse effect
Labelled diagrams may assist your answer.
Vocabulary
Structure
Useful Starters
(specific to
subject)
Opening Paragraph
The explanation begins with an
introduction to the topic using
What, when, where, why
and who
Paragraph one
A description of the parts of
the topic
This focuses on the “what”
ideas
Following Paragraphs
Each part is backed up by
supporting information,
giving the "how" or "why"
details.
Describes “cause and
effect” using
if, then, because, since,
so
Time relationships are used
first, then, following,
finally.
The parts and paragraphs
are in a logical order
Summary
The summary includes the
main points and makes an
interesting comment,
Technical
terms
Some major volcanic eruptions can lead to temperature changes worldwide. An example
of this occurred in 1816 when the world experiences ‘the year without a summer’. It was a
result of the large volcanic eruption of Tambora, Indonesia, in 1815.
Discuss the reasons why the Tambora eruption of 1815 resulted in cooler temperatures
worldwide in 1816.
Your answer should include:
 Effect of aerosols in the atmosphere
 Transport of matter in the atmosphere
 Transport of heat in the atmosphere
A diagram may assist your answer.
Vocabulary
Structure
Useful Starters
(specific to
subject)
Opening Paragraph
The explanation begins with an
introduction to the topic using
What, when, where, why
and who
Paragraph one
A description of the parts of
the topic
This focuses on the “what”
ideas
Following Paragraphs
Each part is backed up by
supporting information,
giving the "how" or "why"
details.
Describes “cause and
effect” using
if, then, because, since,
so
Time relationships are used
first, then, following,
finally.
The parts and paragraphs
are in a logical order
Summary
The summary includes the
main points and makes an
interesting comment,
Technical
terms
There are three main convection cells found in the earth’s atmosphere. The three main
cells are Hadley, Ferrel and Polar.
Compare and contrast the three main convection cells and their effects on the earth’s
atmosphere.
Your answer should include:
 A description of the three main types of cells
 Explanation of how heat energy is transported by these cells
 Effects on the atmosphere
A diagram may assist your answer.
Vocabulary
Structure
Useful Starters
(specific to
subject)
Opening Paragraph
The explanation begins with an
introduction to the topic using
What, when, where, why
and who
Paragraph one
A description of the parts of
the topic
This focuses on the “what”
ideas
Following Paragraphs
Each part is backed up by
supporting information,
giving the "how" or "why"
details.
Describes “cause and
effect” using
if, then, because, since,
so
Time relationships are used
first, then, following,
finally.
The parts and paragraphs
are in a logical order
Summary
The summary includes the
main points and makes an
interesting comment,
Technical
terms
The main greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. Global warming shows that the Earth’s average
temperature has increased by approximately 0.8° C in the last 100 years.
Discuss the reasons for this increase in global temperature.
Your answer should include:
 Transport of heat in the atmosphere
 Reasons that greenhouse gases have changed over time
 Global temperature change
 The role of water vapour as a feedback mechanism
A diagram may assist your answer.
Vocabulary
Structure
Useful Starters
(specific to
subject)
Opening Paragraph
The explanation begins with an
introduction to the topic using
What, when, where, why
and who
Paragraph one
A description of the parts of
the topic
This focuses on the “what”
ideas
Following Paragraphs
Each part is backed up by
supporting information,
giving the "how" or "why"
details.
Describes “cause and
effect” using
if, then, because, since,
so
Time relationships are used
first, then, following,
finally.
The parts and paragraphs
are in a logical order
Summary
The summary includes the
main points and makes an
interesting comment,
Technical
terms