Name

CHAPTER 2

Date Class

Test Form A
Climates and Ecosystems
A. Vocabulary
Directions: Complete each sentence by underlining the correct term in parentheses.
(20 points)
1. Trees that shed their leaves when winter approaches are (deciduous, coniferous).
2. (Carnivores, Herbivores) are plant-eating animals.
3. (Climate, Weather) refers to an area’s temperature and level of precipitation over a
long period of time.
4. A layer of soil just below the surface of the tundra is known as (chaparral, permafrost).
5. The spring and fall (solstices, equinoxes) mark the days when the sun appears directly
overhead at the Equator.
6. The interaction of plant life, animal life, and the physical environment in which they
live is a(n) (ecosystem, front).
7. The earth’s spinning on its axis is called (rotation, revolution).
8. A tropical rain forest is one type of (biome, precipitation).
9. Most areas with (continental climates, permafrost) have cold, snowy winters and
warm or hot summers.
10. (Prairies, Savannas) are temperate grasslands.

B. Key Geographic Concepts and Skills

Directions: Write the letter of the correct ending or answer in the blank. (40 points)
11. All of the following are accurate statements about tropical rain forests
except:
a. The densest layer of plant life is on the forest floor.
b. The largest remaining rain forests are in the Amazon River and Congo
River basins.
c. Each layer of the forest supports a different community of plants and
© Prentice-Hall, Inc.

animals.
d. More than half of the earth’s plant and animal species live in rain
forests.
12. Desert and tundra regions are alike in which of the following ways?
a. In both regions, plants and animals have to be able to survive without
water.
b. Both areas are subject to unexpected weather changes.
c. In both regions, only plants that can adjust to extreme temperatures
can survive.
d. The few animals that are native to each region live very short lives.

24 Chapter 2 Test Form A

 Name

CHAPTER 2
Date Class

Test Form A, continued

13. Some scientists theorize that global warming
a. is caused by melting glaciers.
b. is the result of increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
c. will eventually result in colder temperatures at the North and
South poles.
d. will result in a sharp drop in ocean levels.
14. Which of the following is not affected by the relative positions of the sun
and earth?
a. climate b. seasons
c. thunderstorms d. day and night
15. Which of the following statements about convection is incorrect?
a. Movements of air are called wind; movements of water are called
currents.
b. Cold air and cold water flow from the Equator toward the poles.
c. It occurs because warm gases and liquids are lighter than cool gases
and liquids.
d. Cooler, heavier gases sink and displace lighter materials.
16. Climate regions are classified mainly on the basis of
a. distance from the Equator.
b. elevation.
c. seasonal temperatures and precipitation.
d. rainfall and location.
17. The central regions of several continents are covered by
a. forests. b. deserts.
c. grasslands. d. tundra.
18. All of the following are accurate statements about weather and climate except:
a. Ocean waters help to distribute the sun’s heat.
b. Precipitation depends on air temperature and winds.
c. Coastal areas usually have milder climates than do areas at the same
latitude inland.
d. Most areas with continental climates have a mild, humid climate all year
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long.
19. All of the following are accurate statements about ecosystems except:
a. The plants in an ecosystem depend upon one another for shade,
support, and food.
b. The same types of plants grow in similar environments around the world.
c. The plants and animals in a biome frequently are not suited to one another.
d. Climate, sunlight, temperature, precipitation, elevation, soil, and
landforms affect life in an ecosystem.
20. Broadleaf deciduous forests grow best in regions with a
a. temperate climate and adequate rainfall.
b. Mediterranean climate.
c. tropical climate and heavy seasonal rainfall.
d. cool and dry climate.

Test Form A Chapter 2 25

 Name
CHAPTER 2

Date Class

Test Form A, continued

Directions: Use the three climate graphs below to answer questions 21–24. Write your
answers on the lines provided. (16 points)

°F Manaus, Brazil In. °F Kano, Nigeria In. °F Rome, Italy In.

90 20 90 20 90 20
80 18 80 18 80 18
70 16 70 16 70 16
60 14 60 14 60 14
50 12 50 12 50 12
40 10 40 10 40 10
30 8 30 8 30 8
20 6 20 6 20 6
10 4 10 4 10 4
0 2 0 2 0 2
-10 0 -10 0 -10 0
J FMAM J J A SOND J FMAM J J A SOND J FMAM J J A SOND
Line graphs show average temperature. Bar graphs show average precipitation.
Line graphs show temperature. Bar graphs show precipitation.

21. In which month does Kano, Nigeria, receive the most rainfall?
22. How do the average August temperatures in all three cities compare?

23. How would you describe the year-round temperatures in Manaus, Brazil?

24. How would you describe Rome’s climate?

C. Critical Thinking © Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Directions: Answer the following questions on the back of this paper or on a separate
sheet of paper. (24 points)
25. Drawing Conclusions If a friend told you she had just moved to a region in which
most rainfall was convectional precipitation, what would you be able to conclude
about the climate and natural vegetation of the region?
26. Distinguishing Fact from Opinion Is the image of grasslands as regions of “tall
grasses” dotted by wildflowers a false or an accurate image? Give reasons to support
your answer.
27. Analyzing Causes and Effects If the earth began rotating in the opposite direction,
how would the prevailing winds in each latitude zone be affected?

26 Chapter 2 Test Form A