Top of Form

1. Photosynthesis is a process in plants that uses _____and produces

energy and oxygen.

sun, water, and carbon dioxide

nitrogen

sun and oxygen

Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and soil

water and soil

2. Legumes like _____ are important because _____.

soybeans; they take nitrogen gas and turn it into nutrients.

potatoes; they turn nitrates into gas for the atmosphere.

soybeans; they take carbon dioxide gas out of the atmosphere.

alfalfa; cows are an important part of the nitrogen cycle.


 corn; they provide food for many organisms.

3. In what ways can nitrogen gas be broken down into nutrients for
plants?

They absorb it through their leaves and roots

All are correct

By being dissolved in water

Lightning and special bacteria

Through photosynthesis

4. Which is not a way carbon can return to the atmosphere?

combustion

respiration

Bacteria fixation

dissolving from limestone

Decomposition
5. What are the largest reservoirs for carbon on Earth?

sea water and limestone

atmosphere and living things

fossil fuels and animals

limestone and the atmosphere

fossil fuels and plants

6. We see and hear a lot of reporting about the dangers of

greenhouse gases. What receives little coverage are the benefits of
having greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. What is the value of
having greenhouse gases in small amounts?

They allow UV rays to penetrate the atmosphere.

They work to keep the Earth warm.

There are many of the gases in the other category.


 They are harmful even in the right amounts.

7. About how far does the atmosphere extend above Earth's

surface?

200 miles

100 miles

300 miles

400 miles

8. Why is there concern about the thinning of the ozone layer that
surrounds the earth?

Ozone can only be produced through the burning of fossil fuels.

Ozone allows UV radiation to penetrate the atmosphere and keep the Earth warm.

Ozone causes air quality warnings in many large cities around the world.

Ozone blocks UV radiation from the sun

9. Which statement is true about the gases in the 'variable'
category?

None of them are greenhouse gases.

They make up about 0.04% of the atmosphere.

They are not important due to their limited nature.

They are too small to be counted.

10. Which gas is the second most common one in our atmosphere?

Neon

Nitrogen

Carbon dioxide

Oxygen
11. Earth's second atmosphere was caused by gases being put off by
_____.

plants

animals

oceans

volcanoes

12. Earth's first atmosphere was made mostly of _____ and _____.

oxygen and nitrogen

hydrogen and carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide and oxygen

hydrogen and helium

14. In the time of the second atmosphere, plants learned to _____,
which led to an increase in oxygen.

live on land

walk

perform photosynthesis

reproduce

15. High amounts of oxygen during the third and current

atmosphere allowed for the creation of _____.

the ozone layer

the atmosphere

earth's magnetic field

solar winds
16. Which statement regarding the layers of the earth's atmosphere
is TRUE?

The temperature remains the same as you ascend in the atmosphere

The temperature declines and increases as you ascend in the atmosphere

The temperature always declines as you ascend in the atmosphere

The temperature always increases as you ascend in the atmosphere

17. Which statement about the stratosphere is TRUE?

All answers are incorrect

The stratosphere is the coldest layer in the atmosphere

The temperature of the stratosphere decreases as you ascend from the troposphere

The stratosphere is the layer closest to the earth's surface

18. The area of the atmosphere that makes radio communication
possible is called the _____.

troposphere

stratosphere

ionosphere

Mesosphere

19. Only two markers of human activity are evident in the

stratosphere. They are indicated by _____ .

the presence of satellites and the International Space Station

the condition of the ozone layer and the presence of spy planes

the weather that we experience and commercial airplane flight

the flight of rockets and transmission of radio signals

20. Which of these answer choices best describes the
thermosphere?

It holds the air that we breathe, which is a mix of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide

It is the highest of the four main layers of Earth's atmosphere; some of Earth's satellites
reside here, along with the International Space Station

It is the level of the atmosphere where most spy planes fly to avoid being shot down by less
capable planes

It is the lowest level of the atmosphere; the weather we experience occurs at this level\\

21. Which of these choices demonstrates the significance of the

troposphere?

It contains the air we breathe, which is a mix of mostly nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide

It holds the ozone layer, the blanket of air that keeps ultraviolet light out of the lower levels of
the atmosphere

It is the layer furthest from earth and gives way to the depths of space

It holds some of Earth's satellites, along with the International Space Station
22. Which level of the atmosphere is too far down to be warmed
directly by the sun and too far up to benefit from the warmth
trapped by clouds in the troposphere?

Troposphere

Stratosphere

Mesosphere

Exosphere