Base your answers to questions 18 on the satellite image below, which shows a Northern Hemisphere hurricane, and on your knowledge of Earth science.

18. State two dangerous conditions, other than hurricane winds, that could cause human fatalities as the hurricane strikes the coast.

Correct Answer:

Two dangerous conditions, other than hurricane winds, that could cause human fatalities as the hurricane strikes the coast are:

• Downed electrical wires and flying debris

• Storm surge and collapsing structures

• Lightning

19. The maps below show the amount of sea ice surrounding the continent of Antarctica at two different times of the year. Map A represents late August when the area covered by sea ice approaches its greatest extent. Map B represents the minimum extent of sea ice.

Which month is most probably represented by map B?

A) February

B) June

C) May

D) October

Correct Answer: Option A – February

In Antarctica winter ranges for the months of June, July and August, with August having the maximum coverage of ice sheet represented by Map A. Map B represents the least coverage of ice, indicating it to be summer which ranges from December to February.

Hence, Map B represents the month of February.

Hence, options B, C and D are incorrect.

28. What evidence is preserved in Antarctica that provides information about Earth’s past climates?

Correct Answer:

Fossils, Volcanic dust, Pollen, Trapped gases, Microbes

Fossils: Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other organisms from the remote past. The totality of fossils, both discovered and undiscovered, and their placement in fossiliferous (fossil-containing) rock formations and sedimentary layers (strata) is known as the fossil record.

Volcanic Dust: The ash, cinders, hot fragments, and bombs thrown out in these explosions are the major products observed in volcanic eruptions around the world. These solid products are classified by size. Volcanic dust is the finest, usually about the consistency of flour. Volcanic ash is also fine but more gritty, with particles up to the size of grains of rice. Cinders, sometimes called scoriae, are the next in size; these coarse fragments can range from 2 mm (0.08 inch) up to about 64 mm (2.5 inches). Fragments larger than 64 mm are called either blocks or bombs. Volcanic blocks are usually older rock broken by the explosive opening of a new vent. Large blocks ejected in such explosions have been hurled as far as 20 km (12 miles) from the vent. Volcanic bombs, in contrast, are generally incandescent and soft during their flight. Some bombs take on strange, twisted shapes as they spin through the air. Others have a cracked and separated crust that has cooled and hardened in flight; they are called “breadcrust bombs.”

Pollen: Pollen is a fine to coarse powder consisting of microgametophytes (pollen grains), which produce the male gametes (sperm cells) of seed plants. A hard coat covering the pollen grain protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement between the stamens of the flower to the pistil of the next flower.

1. Which graph best shows the general effect that differences in elevation above sea level have on the average annual temperature?

Correct Answer: Option B

"Standard atmosphere" the temperature does decrease by 6.5 C. / 1000 ft. At about 10,800 ft the temperature of this "standard atmosphere" is a constant -55 C. As the elevation of any region increases above sea level, the temperature decreases. This phenomenon is accurately represented by the graph in option B.

Hence, options A, C and D are incorrect.