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25 Oct 2020, 00:07
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Question 1
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
80% (02:26) correct
20%
(01:59) wrong
based on 193
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
85% (00:54) correct 15%
(00:58) wrong
based on 197
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
47% (01:29) correct 53%
(01:26) wrong
based on 203
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Radiative forcings are changes imposed on the planetary energy balance; radiative feedbacks are changes induced by climate change. Forcings can arise from either natural or anthropogenic causes. For example, the concentration of sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere can be altered by volcanic action or by the burning of fossil fuels. The distinction between forcings and feedbacks is sometimes arbitrary; however, forcings are quantities normally specified in global climate model simulations, while feedbacks are calculated quantities. Examples of radiative forcings are greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and ozone), aerosols in the troposphere, and surface reflectivity. Radiative feedbacks include clouds, water vapor in the troposphere, and sea-ice cover.
The effects of forcings and feedbacks on climate are complex and uncertain. For example, clouds trap outgoing radiation and thus provide a warming influence. However, they also reflect incoming solar radiation and thus provide a cooling influence. Current measurements indicate that the net effect of clouds is to cool the earth. However, scientists are unsure if the balance will shift in the future as the atmosphere and cloud formation are altered by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. Similarly, the vertical distribution of ozone affects both the amount of radiation reaching the earth’s surface and the amount of reradiated radiation that is trapped by the greenhouse effect. These two mechanisms affect the earth’s temperature in opposite directions.
The effects of forcings and feedbacks on climate are complex and uncertain. For example, clouds trap outgoing radiation and thus provide a warming influence. However, they also reflect incoming solar radiation and thus provide a cooling influence. Current measurements indicate that the net effect of clouds is to cool the earth. However, scientists are unsure if the balance will shift in the future as the atmosphere and cloud formation are altered by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. Similarly, the vertical distribution of ozone affects both the amount of radiation reaching the earth’s surface and the amount of reradiated radiation that is trapped by the greenhouse effect. These two mechanisms affect the earth’s temperature in opposite directions.
1. It can be inferred from the information in the passage that “burning of fossil fuels” (Highlighted)
(A) is an anthropogenic cause of radiative forcings.
(B) results in both radiative forcings and radiative feedbacks.
(C) does not affect atmospheric forcings or feedbacks.
(D) is a significant type of radiative forcing.
(E) is an anthropogenic cause of radiative feedbacks.
(A) is an anthropogenic cause of radiative forcings.
(B) results in both radiative forcings and radiative feedbacks.
(C) does not affect atmospheric forcings or feedbacks.
(D) is a significant type of radiative forcing.
(E) is an anthropogenic cause of radiative feedbacks.
2. According to the passage, radiative forcings and radiative feedbacks can generally be distinguished in which of the following ways?
(A) Whether the radiative change is global or more localized
(B) The precision with which the amounts of radiative change can be determined
(C) The altitude at which the radiative change occurs
(D) Whether the radiative change is directed toward or away from the earth
(E) Whether the amount of radiative change is specified or calculated
(A) Whether the radiative change is global or more localized
(B) The precision with which the amounts of radiative change can be determined
(C) The altitude at which the radiative change occurs
(D) Whether the radiative change is directed toward or away from the earth
(E) Whether the amount of radiative change is specified or calculated
3. The author discusses the effect of clouds on atmospheric temperature most likely in order to show that
(A) radiative feedbacks can be more difficult to isolate and predict than radiative forcings.
(B) the climatic impact of some radiative feedbacks is uncertain.
(C) some radiative feedbacks cannot be determined solely by global climate model simulations.
(D) the distinction between radiative feedbacks and radiative forcings is somewhat arbitrary.
(E) the effects of radiative forcings on planetary energy balance are both complex and uncertain.
(A) radiative feedbacks can be more difficult to isolate and predict than radiative forcings.
(B) the climatic impact of some radiative feedbacks is uncertain.
(C) some radiative feedbacks cannot be determined solely by global climate model simulations.
(D) the distinction between radiative feedbacks and radiative forcings is somewhat arbitrary.
(E) the effects of radiative forcings on planetary energy balance are both complex and uncertain.
RC Butler 2021 - Practice Two RC Questions Everyday.
Passage # 146 Date: 13-Apr-2021
This question is a part of RC Butler 2021. Click here for Details
Passage # 146 Date: 13-Apr-2021
This question is a part of RC Butler 2021. Click here for Details
25 Oct 2020, 20:11
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1. It can be inferred from the information in the passage that “burning of fossil fuels” (Highlighted)
In the article, it is said " For example, the concentration of sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere can be altered by volcanic action or by the burning of fossil fuels. " so " burning of fossil fuels is one anthropogenic cause of the radiative forcing " concentration of sulfate aerosols.
so right answer:
A. is an anthropogenic cause of radiative forcings.
2. According to the passage, radiative forcings and radiative feedbacks can generally be distinguished in which of the following ways?
it is mentioned in the 1st paragraph that " Wforcings are quantities normally specified in global climate model simulations, while feedbacks are calculated quantities. "
so the right answer is:
E. Whether the amount of radiative change is specified or calculated
3. The author discusses the effect of clouds on atmospheric temperature most likely in order to show that
it is mentioned in the 2nd paragraph that " However, scientists are unsure if the balance will shift in the future as the atmosphere and cloud formation are altered by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. " The scientists are unsure equals to option C, which says the feedbacks cannot be determined solely by global climate model simulations.
so the right answer is:
C. some radiative feedbacks cannot be determined solely by global climate model simulations.
it took me 12 min, but I like the practice.
In the article, it is said " For example, the concentration of sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere can be altered by volcanic action or by the burning of fossil fuels. " so " burning of fossil fuels is one anthropogenic cause of the radiative forcing " concentration of sulfate aerosols.
so right answer:
A. is an anthropogenic cause of radiative forcings.
2. According to the passage, radiative forcings and radiative feedbacks can generally be distinguished in which of the following ways?
it is mentioned in the 1st paragraph that " Wforcings are quantities normally specified in global climate model simulations, while feedbacks are calculated quantities. "
so the right answer is:
E. Whether the amount of radiative change is specified or calculated
3. The author discusses the effect of clouds on atmospheric temperature most likely in order to show that
it is mentioned in the 2nd paragraph that " However, scientists are unsure if the balance will shift in the future as the atmosphere and cloud formation are altered by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. " The scientists are unsure equals to option C, which says the feedbacks cannot be determined solely by global climate model simulations.
so the right answer is:
C. some radiative feedbacks cannot be determined solely by global climate model simulations.
it took me 12 min, but I like the practice.
14 Apr 2021, 10:24
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Took 5 mins to solve this passage.
1. It can be inferred from the information in the passage that “burning of fossil fuels” (Highlighted)
"Forcings can arise from either natural or anthropogenic causes. For example, the concentration of sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere can be altered by volcanic action or by the burning of fossil fuels." - We know that volcanic action is natural, so burning of fossil fules in anthropogenic. Hence A is the answer.
(A) is an anthropogenic cause of radiative forcings.
2. According to the passage, radiative forcings and radiative feedbacks can generally be distinguished in which of the following ways?
Mentioned in the paragraph : "forcings are quantities normally specified in global climate model simulations, while feedbacks are calculated quantities". Hence the correct answer is E
(E) Whether the amount of radiative change is specified or calculated.
3. The author discusses the effect of clouds on atmospheric temperature most likely in order to show that
(A) radiative feedbacks can be more difficult to isolate and predict than radiative forcings. -- Not mentioned anywhere
(B) the climatic impact of some radiative feedbacks is uncertain. --CORRECT
(C) some radiative feedbacks cannot be determined solely by global climate model simulations.-- Not mentioned
(D) the distinction between radiative feedbacks and radiative forcings is somewhat arbitrary. -- we know this is true from the first paragraph but this is not the reason for the discussion on the effect on clouds.
(E) the effects of radiative forcings on planetary energy balance are both complex and uncertain. -- "Radiative feedbacks include clouds, water vapor in the troposphere, and sea-ice cover." It is clear that clouds are form of radiative feedback not forcing. This option discusses forcing.
1. It can be inferred from the information in the passage that “burning of fossil fuels” (Highlighted)
"Forcings can arise from either natural or anthropogenic causes. For example, the concentration of sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere can be altered by volcanic action or by the burning of fossil fuels." - We know that volcanic action is natural, so burning of fossil fules in anthropogenic. Hence A is the answer.
(A) is an anthropogenic cause of radiative forcings.
2. According to the passage, radiative forcings and radiative feedbacks can generally be distinguished in which of the following ways?
Mentioned in the paragraph : "forcings are quantities normally specified in global climate model simulations, while feedbacks are calculated quantities". Hence the correct answer is E
(E) Whether the amount of radiative change is specified or calculated.
3. The author discusses the effect of clouds on atmospheric temperature most likely in order to show that
(A) radiative feedbacks can be more difficult to isolate and predict than radiative forcings. -- Not mentioned anywhere
(B) the climatic impact of some radiative feedbacks is uncertain. --CORRECT
(C) some radiative feedbacks cannot be determined solely by global climate model simulations.-- Not mentioned
(D) the distinction between radiative feedbacks and radiative forcings is somewhat arbitrary. -- we know this is true from the first paragraph but this is not the reason for the discussion on the effect on clouds.
(E) the effects of radiative forcings on planetary energy balance are both complex and uncertain. -- "Radiative feedbacks include clouds, water vapor in the troposphere, and sea-ice cover." It is clear that clouds are form of radiative feedback not forcing. This option discusses forcing.
