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
On a topographic map, contour lines that are spaced very close together indicate:
Aa steep slope
Bperfectly flat land
Ca body of water
Da gentle slope
Explanation
Closely spaced contour lines mean elevation changes rapidly over a short distance — a steep slope.
Question 3 of 10
Approximately how long does one complete revolution of Earth around the Sun take?
A30 days
B27.3 days
C365¼ days (one year)
D24 hours
Explanation
One revolution (orbit) of Earth around the Sun takes about 365¼ days — one year.
Question 4 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.
Question 5 of 10
About how long does it take Earth to ROTATE once on its axis?
Aabout one month
B12 hours
C24 hours
D365 days
Explanation
One rotation of Earth on its axis takes about 24 hours, producing day and night.
Question 6 of 10
A barometer is an instrument used to measure:
Aair temperature
Bair pressure
Crelative humidity
Dwind speed
Explanation
A barometer measures atmospheric (air) pressure.
Question 7 of 10
The topographic map shows four locations labeled A, B, C, and D. At which location is the land surface STEEPEST? 
AC
BA
CB
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 8 of 10
Using the labeled contour lines on the map, what is the contour interval? 
A80 feet
B20 feet
C40 feet
D10 feet
Explanation
The contour interval is the elevation change between adjacent lines: 20 − 0 = 20.
Question 9 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
BEarth's revolution around the Sun
Cthe gravitational pull of the Moon
Dthe Sun orbiting Earth
Explanation
Earth rotates west-to-east on its axis, making the Sun appear to move east-to-west each day.
Question 10 of 10
The shape of the orbits of the planets around the Sun is best described as:
Aa perfect circle
Ban ellipse
Ca straight line
Da square
Explanation
Planetary orbits are ellipses (slightly elongated circles), with the Sun at one focus.