–6 ARE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE

Questions 1–6 are based on the following passage.rated air rises high into the atmosphere where windsaloft carry it poleward. As this moist air approaches(1) The atmosphere forms a gaseous, protectivethe polar regions, it cools and sinks back to Earth. Atenvelope around Earth. It protects Earth from thesome point the water vapor condenses out of the aircold of space, from harmful ultraviolet light, andas rain or snow, releasing energy in the process. Thefrom all but the largest meteors. After traveling overnow dry polar air flows back toward the equator to93 million miles, solar energy strikes the atmos-repeat the convection cycle. In this way, heat energyphere and Earth’s surface, warming the planet andabsorbed at the equator is deposited at the polescreating what is known as the biosphere, which is theand the temperature gradient between these regionsregion of Earth capable of sustaining life. Solar radi-is reduced.ation, in combination with the planet’s rotation,(4) The circulation of the atmosphere and thecauses the atmosphere to circulate. Atmosphericweather it generates is but one example of the manycirculation is one important reason that life on Earthcomplex, interdependent events of nature. The webcan exist at higher latitudes because equatorial heatof life depends for its continued existence on theis transported poleward, moderating the climate.proper functioning of these natural mechanisms.(2) The equatorial region is the warmest partGlobal warming, the hole in the atmosphere’s ozoneof the Earth because it receives the most direct, andlayer, and increasing air and water pollution posetherefore strongest, solar radiation. The plane inserious, long-term threats to the biosphere. Givenwhich the Earth revolves around the Sun is called thethe high degree of nature’s interconnectedness, it isecliptic. Earth’s axis is inclined 23

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degrees withquite possible that the most serious threats have yetrespect to the ecliptic. This inclined axis is respon-to be recognized.sible for our changing seasons because, as seen fromthe Earth, the Sun oscillates back and forth across the1. Which of the following best expresses the mainequator in an annual cycle. About June 21 each yearidea of the passage?the Sun reaches the Tropic of Cancer, 23

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degreesa.The circulation of atmosphere—now threat-north latitude. This is the northernmost point whereened by global warming, the hole in the ozonethe Sun can be directly overhead. About Decemberlayer, and pollution—protects the biosphere21 of each year the Sun reaches the Tropic of Capri-and makes life on Earth possible.corn, 23

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degrees south latitude. This is the south-b.If the protective atmosphere around the Earthernmost point at which the Sun can be directlyis too damaged by human activity, all life onoverhead. The polar regions are the coldest parts ofEarth will cease.the Earth because they receive the least direct, andc. Life on Earth is the result of complex interde-therefore the weakest, solar radiation. Here solarpendent events of nature, events which areradiation strikes at a very oblique angle and thusbeing interfered with at the current time byspreads the same amount of energy over a greaterharmful human activity.area than in the equatorial regions. A static enveloped.The circulation of atmosphere is the singleof air surrounding the Earth would produce anmost important factor in keeping the bios-extremely hot, unlivable equatorial region while thephere alive, and it is constantly threatened bypolar regions would remain unlivably cold.(3) The transport of water vapor in the atmos-phere is an important mechanism by which heat2. Which of the following best represents the3. Which of the following is the best definition ofbiosphereas it is used in the passage?organization of the passage?a.the protective envelope formed by the atmos-a. I. definition and description of the circu-lation of the atmospherephere around the living Earthb.that part of the Earth and its atmosphere inII. how the atmosphere affects heat andwater in the biospherewhich life can existc. the living things on Earth whose existence isIII. how the circulation of the atmospheremade possible by circulation of theworksatmosphereIV. what will happen if human activityd.the circulation of the atmosphere’s contribu-destroys the atmosphere and other life-tion to life on Earthsustaining mechanismsb. I. origin of the atmosphere and ways it4. Which of the following sentences from the pas-protects the biosphereII. how the circulation of the atmospheresage best supports the author’s point that circula-tion of the atmosphere is vital to life on Earth?affects the equator and the polesa.“The equatorial region is the warmest part ofthe Earth because it receives the most direct,interrelates with other events in natureand therefore strongest, solar radiation.”to protect life on Earthb.“The circulation of the atmosphere and theIV. threats to life in the biosphereweather it generates is but one example of thec. I. definition and description of the circu-many complex, interdependent events ofnature.”II. protective functions of the circulation ofc. “[The atmosphere] protects Earth from thethe atmosphereIII. relationship of the circulation of thecold of space, from harmful ultraviolet light,atmosphere to other life-sustainingand from all but the largest meteors.”mechanismsd.“A static envelope of air surrounding the EarthIV. threats to nature’s interconnectedness inwould produce an unlivably hot equatorialregion while the polar regions would remainthe biosphered. I. the journey of the atmosphere 93 mil-unlivably cold.”lion miles through space5. Based on the passage, which of the following isII. how the atmosphere circulates and pro-tects the biospheredirectly responsible for all temperature changesIII. how the atmosphere interrelates withon Earth?weather in the biospherea.variations in the strength of solar radiationIV. how damage to the biosphere threatensb.variations in the amount of ultraviolet lightlife on Earthc. variation of biologic processes in thebiosphered.variation in global warming6. The first paragraph of the passage deals mainlyMt. Desert Island is one of the largest—sixteenmiles long and nearly twelve miles wide—and one ofwith which of the following effects of the atmos-the most beautiful of the Maine coast islands. Mt.phere on the Earth?Desert very nearly formed as two distinct islands. Ita.its sheltering effectis split almost in half by Somes Sound, a very deepb.its reviving effectand very narrow stretch of water seven miles long.c. its invigorating effectOn the east side of the island, Cadillac Mountaind.its cleansing effectrises fifteen hundred and thirty two feet, making it