T.2.1 Timber Pre-test (Answer Key)

1. Define meteorology.
Answer (from list of "...ologies"): The science dealing with the phenomena of the atmosphere (especially weather and weather conditions).

2. Place the letter of the most appropriate Meteorology category in front of each Meteorology term.

3. List at least 2 types of natural disasters?
Answer: Fires, Winds (tornado, wind gust, etc.), Floods.
Discussion: Is a single lightning flash a disaster? What about 100 Lightning flashes? What amount of damage must be done before a destructive event should be considered a disaster? Discuss.

4. Do natural disasters affect all habitats in the same way? (Yes or No)
Answer: No
Discussion: Look at Fire and Wind Symbols on Habitat Card overhead (Overhead O.1.1). Look at modifier values on some of the actual habitat cards. Observe which habitats are most vulnerable to fire and wind disasters. Why are some habitats more vulnerable than others? Look at the Power Symbols overhead (Overhead O.2.1). Learn the meaning of the different Power Symbols.

5. List some morphological (structural) adaptations that may increase a tree's resistance to fire.
Answer: tall height, thick bark, clear trunk/bole (no branches on lower portion of trunk), large trunk diameter, deep roots, long life (Morphology is defined in the list of "...ologies")
Discussion: Point out the tree's Fire Strength on the Tree Card (Overhead O.1.4). Read the passage on the overhead regarding Fire Strength. Discuss each fire adaptation. Why does the adaptation protect the tree from fire?

6. List some morphological adaptations that may increase a tree's resistance to wind damage.
Answer: short height, strong wood, wide and/or deep roots, resistance to disease, long life.
Discussion: Point out the tree's Wind Strength on the Tree Card overhead. Discuss the adaptations.

7. What is the composition of clouds?
Answer: Tiny water and/or ice particles.
Discussion: Which clouds are most likely made of ice? Ans. High Altitude clouds.

8. Each international weather symbol below represents a different type of cumulus cloud. Place the symbols in order from the smallest to largest cloud.

a.

b.

c.

d.

Answer: c. -> b. -> a. -> d.
Discussion: Review handout of cloud symbols (Handout H.2.2). Not all cloud symbols are listed on the handout. Consider extra credit assignment for students that can complete the handout with all of the cloud symbols, their names, and relative height (high, mid or low altitude cloud).
On the Cloud Card overhead (Overhead O.2.2), introduce the cloud card and identify the location of the international weather symbol on the card.

9. Which of the following clouds typically produces the strongest winds at ground level?
      a. cirrus       b. altocumulus       c. cumulonimbus       d. stratus

10. Why are cumulonimbus clouds both a curse and a blessing during fire season?
Answer: Lightning flashes from cumulonimbus clouds often start wildfires; However, blankets of rain from cumulonimbus clouds can help extinguish fires.
Discussion: In addition to lightning flashes, what are some other ways a wildfire can start? On the Cloud Card overhead, identify the location of the fire and wind modifiers. Indicate these modifiers can increase or reduce the damage done by the different disaster cards. Read the descriptive paragraph for the modifiers.

11. Define a weather trend.
Answer (from Weather 101 (Handout H.2.1)): An extended weather condition that typically lasts weeks to years.
Discussion: Look at the Weather Trend Card overhead (Overhead O.2.3). Identify and discuss the different elements on the card. Note that trends not only can increase or reduce the damage from a disaster (via Fire & Wind modifiers), but some trends can affect the environmental water and temperature values of a habitat.

12. Match the following disasters with the weather conditions under which they are most likely to occur.

Discussion: Look at the Disaster Card overhead (Overhead O.2.4). Introduce the card and identify the disaster condition area on the card. Read the Disaster Description paragraph on the Overhead. Also identify the symbols for the different types of disasters at the bottom of the overhead.

13. Which tornado possesses stronger winds: F1 Tornado or F3 Tornado?
Answer: F3 Tornado
Discussion: Look at the fujita-pearson overhead (Overhead O.2.5). Discuss the different categories. Look at the Disaster Card overhead again. Identify the primary attack area on the card (top left corner). Indicate that the type, strength, and number of trees effected by the disaster are listed here. Also identify the secondary attack symbol (mention not present on all disaster cards).

14. What are some positive effects of natural disasters (environmentally speaking)?
Answer: Read the Disasters: Menace or Misunderstood handout (Handout H.2.3)