📚 Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Circle your choice.

1. What is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere?

a) Oxygen (O₂)

b) Nitrogen (N₂)

c) Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

d) Argon (Ar)

2. Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to Earth's surface?

a) Stratosphere

b) Mesosphere

c) Troposphere

d) Thermosphere

3. What percentage of the atmosphere is made up of oxygen?

a) 78%

b) 21%

c) 1%

d) 0.04%

4. Which greenhouse gas has increased the most due to burning fossil fuels?

a) Water vapour (H₂O)

b) Methane (CH₄)

c) Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

d) Nitrous oxide (N₂O)

5. In which atmospheric layer is the ozone layer located?

a) Troposphere

b) Stratosphere

c) Mesosphere

d) Thermosphere

6. What is the main cause of the enhanced greenhouse effect?

a) Natural climate variation

b) Solar radiation changes

c) Human activities increasing greenhouse gas concentrations

d) Volcanic eruptions

7. Which of the following are examples of fossil fuels? (Select all that apply)

Coal

Natural gas

Solar energy

Petroleum/oil

✏️ Part 2: Short Answer Questions

Instructions: Answer each question in the space provided. Use complete sentences where appropriate.

8. List the four main layers of Earth's atmosphere in order from closest to furthest from Earth's surface.

9. Explain what the greenhouse effect is and why it is important for life on Earth.

10. Name three specific effects of global warming that New Zealand might experience.

11. Complete the following sentence: When fossil fuels are burned, they release _____________ into the atmosphere, which traps _____________ and contributes to global warming.

12. Describe two ways that individuals can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their daily lives.

📝 Answer Key

Part 1 - Multiple Choice:

1. b) Nitrogen (N₂) - 78% of atmosphere

2. c) Troposphere - where weather occurs

3. b) 21% - oxygen makes up about 21%

4. c) Carbon dioxide (CO₂) - main fossil fuel emission

5. b) Stratosphere - protects from UV radiation

6. c) Human activities increasing greenhouse gas concentrations

7. Coal, Natural gas, Petroleum/oil (not solar energy)

Part 2 - Short Answers:

8. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere

9. The greenhouse effect occurs when greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, keeping Earth warm enough to support life.

10. Possible answers: sea level rise, increased temperatures, more extreme weather events, changes to rainfall patterns, impacts on agriculture, threats to native species

11. carbon dioxide (CO₂); heat/thermal radiation

12. Possible answers: use public transport, reduce energy consumption, use renewable energy, reduce consumption, recycle, walk/cycle more