KEY
Skills Worksheet –
14.2 - Directed Reading A – Currents
and Climate
Section: Currents and Climate
SURFACE CURRENTS AND CLIMATE
B
1. Warmer climates in coastal areas that would otherwise be much cooler
may be created by
a. cold-water currents.
b. warm-water currents.
c. deep currents.
d. breaking currents.
A __ _ 2. Where does the Gulf Stream get its warmth?
a. from the Tropics
b. from the North Atlantic
c. from the British Isles
d. from Newfoundland
C__ _ 3. The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Tropics to
a. the South Atlantic Ocean.
b. the South Pacific Ocean.
c. the North Atlantic Ocean.
d. the North Pacific Ocean.
A ___ 4. Currents that can keep coastal regions cooler than the inland climate
year-round are
a. cold-water currents.
b. warm-water currents.
c. deep currents.
d. breaking currents.
D ___ 5. The California Current carries cold water to Mexico from
a. the South Atlantic Ocean.
b. the South Pacific Ocean.
c. the North Atlantic Ocean.
d. the North Pacific Ocean.
B ___ 6. Cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean rises to the surface and
replaces warm surface water in a process called
a. the Coriolis effect.
b. upwelling.
c. El Niño.
d. La Niña.
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Holt Science and Technology
4
The Movement of Ocean Water
Directed Reading A continued
C ___ 7. When upwelling takes place, cold water from the deep ocean
a. moves further out to sea.
c. rises to the surface.
b. causes photosynthesis.
d. gets replaced by warm water.
8. In what ocean do El Niño and La Niña form?
El Nino and La Nina form in the Pacific Ocean.
9. What is El Niño?
El Nino is a change in the water temperature of the Pacific Ocean that
produces a warm current.
10. What is La Niña?
La Nina is a change in the eastern Pacific Ocean in which the surface
water temperature becomes unusually cool.
11. What are two changes in weather patterns caused by El Niño that can cause
disasters?
El Nino can result in heavy rains in places that are usually dry, causing
flash floods and mudslides. El Nino also can cause drought in places
where there is usually rain, causing crop failure.
12. Why is it important for scientists to learn as much as possible about El Niño?
Scientists need to learn as much as possible about El Nino because of its
effect on organisms and land.
13. What four things does the network of NOAA-operated buoys record?
NOAA operated buoys record data about surface temperature, air
temperature, currents, and winds.
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Holt Science and Technology
5
The Movement of Ocean Water