Middle School Earth and Space Science : Interpret data related to human activities that affect global temperatures
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Interpret Data Related To Human Activities That Affect Global Temperatures
The graph compares global surface temperature changes (red line) and the Sun's energy that Earth receives (yellow line) in watts (units of energy) per square meter since 1880. The lighter/thinner lines show the yearly levels while the heavier/thicker lines show the 11-year average trends. Eleven-year averages are used to reduce the year-to-year natural noise in the data, making the underlying trends more obvious. The amount of solar energy that Earth receives has followed the Sun’s natural 11-year cycle of small ups and downs with no net increase since the 1950s. Over the same period, global temperature has risen substantially.
Which of the following is an appropriate conclusion to draw from the graph of global temperature?
It is probable that humans caused the observed global temperature warming trend over the past half-century.
It is probable that the Sun has caused the observed global temperature warming trend over the past half-century.
It is unlikely that the Sun has caused the observed global temperature warming trend over the past half-century.
It is unlikely that humans caused the observed global temperature warming trend over the past half-century.
It is unlikely that the Sun has caused the observed global temperature warming trend over the past half-century.
The answer is "It is unlikely that the Sun has caused the observed global temperature warming trend over the past half-century." because there is no strong correlation between the two variables.
Example Question #1 : Interpret Data Related To Human Activities That Affect Global Temperatures
The graph shows average annual global temperatures since 1880 compared to the long-term average (1901-2000). The zero line represents the long-term average temperature for the whole planet; blue and red bars show the difference above or below average for each year.
Why does the graph compare the last 200 years of Earth's climate to the previous 1000 years?
to illustrate how industrial activities impact global temperature
to show that global temperatures are rising at an unprecedented rate
to show that global temperatures are rising at an unprecedented rate
The answer is "to show that global temperatures are rising at an unprecedented rate." Even though the graph does illustrate the potential effect of industrial activity, that conclusion cannot be drawn from the data given.
Example Question #2 : Interpret Data Related To Human Activities That Affect Global Temperatures
What conclusion can be drawn from the graph?
The graph shows how the length of the growing season in the United States has STAYED THE SAME over the past century compared with the long-term average.
The graph shows how the length of the growing season in the United States has DECREASED over the past century compared with the long-term average.
The graph shows how the length of the growing season in the United States has INCREASED over the past century compared with the long-term average.
none of these
The graph shows how the length of the growing season in the United States has INCREASED over the past century compared with the long-term average.
The answer is "The graph shows how the length of the growing season in the United States has INCREASED over the past century compared with the long-term average." because the deviation from average is increasing in the positive direction.
Example Question #3 : Interpret Data Related To Human Activities That Affect Global Temperatures
According to the data pictured, which greenhouse gas was emitted most in 2018?
methane
carbon dioxide
nitrous oxide
chlorofluorocarbons
carbon dioxide
The answer is carbon dioxide, because it comprises 81% of the pie chart.
Example Question #4 : Interpret Data Related To Human Activities That Affect Global Temperatures
What conclusion can be drawn from the graph?
greenhouse gas emissions have been decreasing for the last 50 years
greenhouse gas emissions have been staying the same for the last 50 years
greenhouse gas emissions have been causing climate change
greenhouse gas emissions have been increasing for the last 50 years
greenhouse gas emissions have been increasing for the last 50 years
The answer is "greenhouse gas emissions have been increasing for the last 50 years."
Example Question #5 : Interpret Data Related To Human Activities That Affect Global Temperatures
The map above shows changes in ice cover from 1983 to 2020. The surface area of ice has melted significantly in the last 50 years. What hypothesis is best supported by the change in ice coverage?
Global warming only affects the ice caps, not the rest of the planet.
Tectonic activity is causing movement of ice.
Global warming is caused by humans.
Earth's climate is gradually warming.
Earth's climate is gradually warming.
The answer is "Earth's climate is gradually warming." The data supports the claim because it shows the melting of ice, indicating a rise in global temperature. There is no data presented on human activity, tectonic activity, or other parts of the world, so no conclusions can be drawn from them. Though there is no specific data regarding temperature, you can make an inference that ice is melting due to temperature being increased.
Example Question #6 : Interpret Data Related To Human Activities That Affect Global Temperatures
The image above shows data about ice coverage in the arctic. What conclusion can be drawn from the graph?
none of these
all of these
Ice coverage in the arctic has been steadily declining since the 1970s.
The absolute maximum of ice coverage occurred in the 1980s and the absolute minimum of ice coverage occurred in 2020.
Ice coverage in the arctic varies depending on the time of year.
all of these
The answer is "all of these." Each of these claims is supported by data available in the graph. The graph shows long term changes in ice coverage over each different colored line, yearly changes within each line, and provides max and min data.
Example Question #7 : Natural Disasters And Climate Change
The graphic above shows the change in "first leaf date" across the United States. First leaf date is the date when a plant sprouts its first leaves from its winter buds, and it is also a way scientists collect data on the beginning of spring season. What conclusion can be drawn from the graph above?
The first day of spring comes sooner in the southern United States and later in the rest of the United States.
The first day of spring comes later in the southern United States and earlier in the rest of the United States.
First leaf date is occurring earlier in the year in most of the United States, but later in the year in the south eastern United States.
First leaf date is occurring earlier every year due to climate change.
First leaf date is occurring earlier in the year in most of the United States, but later in the year in the south eastern United States.
The answer is "First leaf date is occurring earlier in the year in most of the United States, but later in the year in the south eastern United States." Though it's true that spring comes earlier in the southern United States, the image above shows the change in first leaf date. This change is occurring differently in the south eastern United States than in the rest of the United States.
Example Question #7 : Interpret Data Related To Human Activities That Affect Global Temperatures
The graph above represents the change in length of growing season in the continental United States. Which of the following details about this data is FALSE?
The length of the growing season in 1980 was close to average.
The length of growing season in 2020 is longer than in 1950.
This data did not include all 50 states because Alaska and Hawaii were geographic outliers.
The long term average of the growing season is 0 days.
The long term average of the growing season is 0 days.
The answer is "The long term average of the growing season is 0 days." The graph shows the deviation from the average length of growing season in days, not the actual number of days. The number 0 represents 0 days away from the average and the graph shows changes of up to almost 10 days fewer and 10 days longer.
Example Question #8 : Interpret Data Related To Human Activities That Affect Global Temperatures
The map above shows data about the arrival of spring. Which part of the United States is NOT experiencing change in the arrival of the spring season?
northern United States
the West Coast
central United States
south eastern United States
northern United States
The answer is the "northern United States." The central part of the United States is experiencing a late arrival of spring while the south eastern coast is experiencing an early arrival. The West Coast is also experiencing an early arrival of spring.
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