Question 1 of 10
As the temperature of air increases, the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold:
Aincreases
Bdecreases
Cstays the same
Ddrops to zero
Explanation
Warmer air can hold more water vapor before becoming saturated.
Question 2 of 10
As altitude increases within the lower atmosphere, air pressure generally:
Adoubles
Bstays constant
Cincreases
Ddecreases
Explanation
There is less air above you at higher altitudes, so air pressure decreases.
Question 3 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 4 of 10
The apparent daily motion of the Sun across the sky (rising in the east and setting in the west) is caused by:
AEarth's rotation on its axis
Bthe gravitational pull of the Moon
Cthe Sun orbiting Earth
DEarth's revolution around the Sun
Explanation
Earth rotates west-to-east on its axis, making the Sun appear to move east-to-west each day.
Question 5 of 10
A barometer is an instrument used to measure:
Aair pressure
Bwind speed
Cair temperature
Drelative humidity
Explanation
A barometer measures atmospheric (air) pressure.
Question 6 of 10
The shape of the orbits of the planets around the Sun is best described as:
Aa perfect circle
Ba straight line
Ca square
Dan ellipse
Explanation
Planetary orbits are ellipses (slightly elongated circles), with the Sun at one focus.
Question 7 of 10
On a topographic map, contour lines that are spaced very close together indicate:
Aa steep slope
Ba gentle slope
Ca body of water
Dperfectly flat land
Explanation
Closely spaced contour lines mean elevation changes rapidly over a short distance — a steep slope.
Question 8 of 10
Approximately how long does one complete revolution of Earth around the Sun take?
A27.3 days
B30 days
C24 hours
D365¼ days (one year)
Explanation
One revolution (orbit) of Earth around the Sun takes about 365¼ days — one year.
Question 9 of 10
The topographic map shows four locations labeled A, B, C, and D. At which location is the land surface STEEPEST? 
AD
BB
CA
DC
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 10 of 10
Using the labeled contour lines on the map, what is the contour interval? 
A10 feet
B40 feet
C80 feet
D20 feet
Explanation
The contour interval is the elevation change between adjacent lines: 20 − 0 = 20.