Question 1 of 10
Approximately how long does one complete revolution of Earth around the Sun take?
A30 days
B365¼ days (one year)
C27.3 days
D24 hours
Explanation
One revolution (orbit) of Earth around the Sun takes about 365¼ days — one year.
Question 2 of 10
A barometer is an instrument used to measure:
Arelative humidity
Bwind speed
Cair pressure
Dair temperature
Explanation
A barometer measures atmospheric (air) pressure.
Question 3 of 10
The apparent daily motion of the Sun across the sky (rising in the east and setting in the west) is caused by:
Athe Sun orbiting Earth
BEarth's revolution around the Sun
Cthe gravitational pull of the Moon
DEarth's rotation on its axis
Explanation
Earth rotates west-to-east on its axis, making the Sun appear to move east-to-west each day.
Question 4 of 10
As the temperature of air increases, the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold:
Adecreases
Bincreases
Cstays the same
Ddrops to zero
Explanation
Warmer air can hold more water vapor before becoming saturated.
Question 5 of 10
About how long does it take Earth to ROTATE once on its axis?
Aabout one month
B24 hours
C12 hours
D365 days
Explanation
One rotation of Earth on its axis takes about 24 hours, producing day and night.
Question 6 of 10
The topographic map shows four locations labeled A, B, C, and D. At which location is the land surface STEEPEST? 
AB
BC
CA
DD
Explanation
Contour lines bunched close together show a steep slope (large elevation change over a short horizontal distance). They are closest at point A.
Question 7 of 10
On a topographic map, contour lines that are spaced very close together indicate:
Aperfectly flat land
Ba gentle slope
Ca steep slope
Da body of water
Explanation
Closely spaced contour lines mean elevation changes rapidly over a short distance — a steep slope.
Question 8 of 10
The shape of the orbits of the planets around the Sun is best described as:
Aa square
Ba perfect circle
Can ellipse
Da straight line
Explanation
Planetary orbits are ellipses (slightly elongated circles), with the Sun at one focus.
Question 9 of 10
Using the labeled contour lines on the map, what is the contour interval? 
A10 feet
B20 feet
C40 feet
D80 feet
Explanation
The contour interval is the elevation change between adjacent lines: 20 − 0 = 20.
Question 10 of 10
As altitude increases within the lower atmosphere, air pressure generally:
Adoubles
Bincreases
Cstays constant
Ddecreases
Explanation
There is less air above you at higher altitudes, so air pressure decreases.