Content Benchmark E.12.A.5
Students know Earth’s rotation affects winds and ocean currents. I/S
Sample Test Questions
Item Specification: Identify that wind and ocean currents form global patterns based on
Earth’s rotation.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. Surface currents are created
A. as the more dense surface water sinks and less dense deep water rises.
B. by frictional drag of the wind against the surface of the ocean waters.
C. as surface waters squeeze between narrow passages separating ocean basins.
D. when Earth’s magnetic field imparts a charge to the surface waters.
2. Use the diagram to answer the following question.
(From http://www.homepage.montana.edu/~esci111/111erosion/erosionweb_files/image015.jpg)
Winds in the United States of America generally blow from the
A. North Pole toward the Equator.
B. Equator toward the North Pole.
C. east toward the west.
D. west toward the east.
3. A deflection of winds and currents resulting from Earth’s rotation is known as the
A. Coriolis Effect.
B. Greenhouse Effect.
C. Tectonic Effect.
D. Adiabatic Effect.
4. In ocean basins, the Coriolis Effect creates large, circular currents called
A. gyres.
B. cyclones.
C. typhoons.
D. anticyclones.
5. In the Northern Hemisphere, air from a high pressure system flows
A. due South as the air moves from high to low pressure.
B. straight upward because the pressure is so high.
C. in a clockwise pattern due to the Coriolis Effect.
D. in a counterclockwise pattern due to the Coriolis Effect.
6. Use the diagram to answer the following question.
(From http://www.nmm.ac.uk/upload/img_400/currents.gif)
Major surface ocean currents rotate in a
A. counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and in a clockwise direction in
the Southern Hemisphere.
B. clockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and in a counterclockwise direction in
the Southern Hemisphere.
C. counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and in a counterclockwise
direction in the Southern Hemisphere.
D. clockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and in a clockwise direction in the
Southern Hemisphere.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
7. A hurricane in the Northern Hemisphere had a northward direction of motion. Due to the
Coriolis Effect, the hurricane ended up
A. south of the direction it was traveling.
B. north of the direction it was traveling.
C. west of the direction it was traveling.
D. east of the direction it was traveling.
8. Use the diagram below to answer the following question.
(From http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_1_2_7t.htm)
An interpretation of the diagram reveals that
A. Polar easterlies originate as air moves in a direction toward the poles.
B. Trade winds originate as Hadley cells bring air towards the Equator.
C. Ferrel cells circulate air between 30N latitude and 30S latitude.
D. Westerlies blow wind from east to west due to the Coriolis Effect.
9. Use the diagram to answer the following question. On the top surface of the diagram, the
warmest waters are the red-colored areas and the coldest waters are blue-colored areas.
Dark-colored landmasses are located to the lower-left and upper-right of the water.
(From http://www.learningdemo.com/noaa/lesson08/l8la1.htm)
Ocean currents and temperatures in the Western Pacific can create an event called El Niño.
Which of the following is NOT a way El Niño alters normal conditions?
A. A large pool of warm water forms in the equatorial region.
B. The landmasses receive less precipitation and become dryer.
C. Strong winds blow toward land from a mid-equatorial area.
D. Rains move from the west to a central area above the equator.
10. Use the diagram to answer the following question.
(From http://earth.usc.edu/~stott/Catalina/Oceans.html)
The Coriolis Effect can affect near-shore currents as well as those in the deep ocean. From
these graphics, we can see or infer each of the following EXCEPT
A. winds from the south will bring cold, nutrient-rich waters to the surface.
B. surface currents are deflected to the right of the direction the wind blows.
C. winds from the north create surface currents directed away from the shore.
D. erosion of the shoreline is likely greatest when winds blow from the south.
Content Benchmark E.12.A.5
Students know Earth’s rotation affects winds and ocean currents. I/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. B, DOK level 1
2. D, DOK level 1
3. A, DOK level 1
4. A, DOK level 1
5. C, DOK level 1
6. B, DOK level 1
7. D, DOK level 2
8. B, DOK level 2
9. C, DOK level 2
10. A, DOK level 2