Marine Science test 3: Ocean currents and climate
1) Movement of ocean water is primarily caused by:
1. Wind-driven currents.
2. The calving and movement of icebergs.
3. The wakes of large ships.
4. The movement of fish and large sea mammals (such as whales) through the oceans.
2) The temperature of ocean water is affected by :
1. Longitude
2. Latitude
3. Pollution
4. None of the above.
3) Density affects ocean circulation. Which of the following affects
density?
1. Precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, etc.)
2. Wind
3. Temperature
4. All of the above
4) Why is Norway at 60° N far warmer than southern Greenland and
northern Labrador which are at the same latitude (60° N)?
1. The temperature is affected by the different longitudes of the areas.
2. The Gulf Stream current and the North Atlantic Drift current carry heat
to warm Europe.
3. Both 1 & 2.
4. None of the above.
5) The Global Conveyor Belt refers to:
1. A heat transport system in the ocean.
2. The equator
3. A mechanical means of moving large ships in the ocean.
4. Earth's atmosphere.
6) Currents are water movements created by?
1. the wakes of large ocean-going vessels (ships).
2. friction between moving air (wind) and the water's surface.
3. earthquakes.
4. none of the above
7) Surface currents:
1. are wind-driven.
2. are the only currents that most people see.
3. affect about 20% of the ocean's volume(total water).
4. all of the above
8) Deep-ocean currents are:
1. non-existent
2. wind-driven
3. density-driven
4. circumpolar
9) Winds and ocean currents are ultimately created by the:
1. equator
2. sun
3. moon
4. all of the above.
10) Winds and ocean circulation (currents)
are created as a result of:
1. Moon's orbit around Earth
2. satellites orbiting Earth.
3. unequal solar heating of the oceans and the atmosphere.
4. 1 & 2
11) Once surface currents are set in motion,
they are affected by other factors:
1. Coriolis effect, presence of coasts,
2. Gyres, eddies, & geostrophic flow
3. Hurricanes, earthquakes, & tsunamis
4. Ships, whales, & icebergs
12) Only one ocean current flows unimpeded (without obstruction or
barriers) around Earth. It is the:
1. Gulf Stream Current
2. California Current
3. Antarctic Circumpolar Current
4. Aghulas Current
13) A deflection of ocean water--to the right in the Northern
Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere-caused by Earth's rotation is called:
1. The Coriolis effect
2. The Langmuir circulation
3. A gyre
4. Horizontal pressure gradient
14) Variations in the ocean's circulation can lead to variations
in the heat transport and thus lead to variations in:
1. coastlines
2. shipping lanes
3. occurrence of tides
4. weather patterns
What is causing the temperature variations seen in the image below?
15)
a)
b)
c)
d)
Salinity differences
Temperature differences
Different colored water
Plankton blooms
16) On the world map of currents use red and blue pencils to color in the currents depending on the
temperature you think they have.
See separate sheet.
17) The Gulf Stream in the Northern Hemisphere and the Brazilian Current in the Southern Hemisphere
move poleward. Compared to inland areas at the same latitude, the coastal areas bordering these
currents will
A be warmer.
B be more arid.
C have more advection fogs.
D have shorter growing seasons.
18) Which of these effects generally occurs as the result of a warm air mass and a cooler air mass
converging at Earth’s surface?
A The sky becomes clear.
B Winds die down.
C Cloud formation decreases.
D Stormy weather patterns develop.
19)Which of these are caused primarily by the gravitational force between Earth and the Moon?
A Tides
B Seasons
C Prevailing winds
D Magnetic poles
20) Dramatic variations in the polar ice caps most likely suggest changes in
A the Moon’s orbit
B Earth’s climate
C ebb and flow of tides
D global water consumption
21)How many high tides will most ocean beaches have each day?
A. One every other day.
B. One each day.
C. Two each day.
D. It cannot be predicted.
22) illustrate the picture below to demonstrate why the equator is so much warmer than the rest of the
Earth. (use arrows and explain your drawing)
The Sun
The
Earth
23) High tides and low tides were measured four times at the same location. What date is most likely
to represent a spring tide?

A. April 2

B. April 4

C. April 6

D. April 8
24) In which of the images below is the observer experiencing the highest tide?
25) We have been practicing for the ACT this semester. How does this cartoon illustrate the problem
many students have when taking standardized tests?
26) answer the question below the chart:
Sustainable (S )or Frontier (F). Place S or F in the blank if you think the quote below is sustainable or
frontier. Defend your answer.
27)_________________________We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are
here for I don't know.
W. H. Auden
28)_________________________The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the
power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they
control the minds of the masses.
Malcom X