Online Quizzes: Teacher Orientation

The online quizzes provided are meant to support the need for informal assessment within the Carbon & Climate E-Unit. The online quizzes are short, self-paced, and self-scored. Quizzes consist of 5–8 multiple choice and true/false questions on important concepts related to each individual unit activity.

We have provided a transcript of all five online quizzes below–one quiz per unit activity–as well as the available multiple choice answers offered. These online quizzes dynamic, offering students instant feedback on their selections. Correct answers are verified immediately, while incorrect responses offer the right answer along with further wish to view the additional information provided to the students, complete the quizzes online using the case-sensitive bit.ly links provided in the chart below.

Please note that individual student quiz responses cannot be tracked. To create a more formalized assessment or to document student scores, consider using a different tool to administer the quiz. Feel free to manipulate the quiz content below into an alternative format that makes this quick and simple assessment more formalized for your students and your classroom.

Activity 1: What is Climate?

1. Which vocabulary word describes the kind of weather a place has over time?
   1. Environment
   2. Temperature
   3. Topography
   4. Climate
2. One way to determine forest ecological zones is by looking at temperature and precipitation data for a region.
   1. True
   2. False
3. Why is it important to understand forest regions when studying climate and climate change?
   1. Changes in the historical forest regions can help us understand the effect of climate change.
   2. Forest regions provide insight to changes in plant species found in that region
   3. Forest regions are directly related to climate conditions.
   4. All of the above.
4. How is weather different from climate?
   1. Weather is the short-term condition at a particular time and place; climate is the long-term pattern of weather in an area.
   2. Weather is not different from climate; they are the same thing.
   3. Weather is the average temperature and precipitation in an area; climate is the measurement of a single temperature or precipitation produced by one storm.
   4. Weather is the atmospheric conditions over long periods of time; climate is only current conditions.
5. Average temperature are typically highest along the equator and lower farther away from the equator.
   1. True
   2. False
6. Order the domains below by average monthly temperature, from coolest to warmest.
   1. Subtropical
   2. Boreal
   3. Temperate
   4. Tropical
   5. Polar

Activity 2: The Carbon Cycle

1. Carbon is:
   1. A chemical element
   2. The key ingredient for most life on Earth
   3. A main component of diamonds, wood, and gasoline
   4. All of the above
2. The amount of atmospheric carbon fluctuates depending on the seasons.
   1. True
   2. False
3. The carbon cycle is the flow of carbon through the ecosystem.
   1. True
   2. False
4. Which of the following processes is an example of carbon flux? Select all that apply.
   1. Precipitation
   2. Respiration
   3. Decomposition
   4. Photosynthesis
5. The formation of fossil fuels occurs in the geological carbon cycle.
   1. True
   2. False
6. A single carbon atom always travels through the same processes, in the same order, through the carbon cycle.
   1. True
   2. False
7. Where has the use of fossil fuels resulted in an increase in carbon levels?
   1. Soil
   2. Forest
   3. Oceans
   4. Atmosphere
8. What would you need to estimate the amount of carbon in a tree? Select all that apply.
   1. Precipitation in the region
   2. Diameter
   3. Tree height
   4. Soil Type

Activity 3: Is It Only Natural?

1. The climate of Earth has been stable and unchanging for millions of years.
   1. True
   2. False
2. Of the following, which are factors that can affect Earth’s climate? Select all that apply.
   1. Earth’s tilt
   2. Changes in the sun
   3. Volcanic eruptions
   4. Earth’s orbit
3. The Earth’s wobble can affect the total amount of solar energy the Earth receives.
   1. True
   2. False
4. What are the two biggest sources of increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since the mid-1800s?
   1. The natural carbon cycle
   2. Land-use changes
   3. The burning of fossil fuels
   4. Replanting forest trees
5. If you think of the Earth’s system as a budget, what would be happening in Earth’s solar energy budget to cause an ice age?
   1. The Earth would be losing more heat than it is gaining
   2. The Earth would be losing and gaining heat at the same rate
   3. The Earth would be gaining more heat that it is losing

Activity 4: Climate Time Machine

1. The type of weather a place has over time is known as ___________.
   1. Topography
   2. Climate
   3. Environment
   4. Temperature
2. The climate has the ability to shape the Earth’s landforms such as coastlines, valleys, mountains, and lakes.
   1. False
   2. True
3. The Great Lakes Region is an example of an area where past climatic changes have altered the landscape.
   1. True
   2. False
4. Which types of data might scientists use to examine past climate changes?
   1. Tree rings
   2. Sediment analysis
   3. Ice cores
   4. All of the above
5. Which of the following describes the most reliable source that you might use for your research on climate change?
   1. Recent article from a university professor that cites the sources of its information
   2. A blog site sponsored by a group known for being extreme in their views
   3. An academic article published 15 years ago
   4. Article with no author that is written using current slang terms
6. When you are doing your own research, why is it important to cite the resources you use?
   1. Is adds the credibility of your work
   2. To give credit to the original author
   3. To allow others to research your topic
   4. All of the above

Activity 5: Are You a Bigfoot?

1. What is the term used to describe the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) an organization, person, or product produces?
   1. Carbon footprint
   2. Carbon cycle
   3. Climate change
   4. Energy
2. Which of these things can help reduce a person’s carbon footprint? Select all that apply.
   1. Switching to energy efficient appliances
   2. Walking or riding a bike instead of driving
   3. Eating foods that are grown locally
   4. Turning off lights when leaving a room
3. Changes in the global climate may cause changes in the environment that will affect people in various ways such as the availability of water.
   1. True
   2. False
4. What is one change that scientists have seen in plants that they believe is a response to climate changes?
   1. Plants are developing a natural sunscreen in their leaves to block the sun’s rays.
   2. Plants are blooming earlier in the spring and continuing to grow later in fall.
   3. Plants are holding more water in their stems.
   4. Plants are not showing any changes.
5. There is only one correct way to respond to the possible challenges we may face as out climate changes.
   1. True
   2. False
6. Can human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, affect or alter climate?
   1. No
   2. Yes