Air Pressure and Winds - Practice Test 1

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Atmospheric pressure is measured by which instrument?

   • A.Thermometer
   • B.Barometer✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Hygrometer
   • D.Anemometer

   Explanation: A Barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure.

2. Q2.The unit of atmospheric pressure is:

   • A.Pascal or Millibar✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Newton
   • C.Joule
   • D.Watt

   Explanation: Pressure is measured in Pascals (Pa) or Millibars (mb).

3. Q3.Lines connecting places of equal pressure are called:

   • A.Isotherms
   • B.Isobars✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Isohyets
   • D.Isohalines

   Explanation: Isobars connect points having the same atmospheric pressure.

4. Q4.Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is:

   • A.1013.25 mb✓ Correct Answer
   • B.1000 mb
   • C.960 mb
   • D.1050 mb

   Explanation: The average pressure at mean sea level is 1013.25 millibars.

5. Q5.As we go up in the atmosphere, the pressure:

   • A.Increases
   • B.Decreases✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Remains constant
   • D.Fluctuates

   Explanation: Air pressure decreases with altitude because the column of air above becomes shorter and less dense.

6. Q6.Sudden fall in barometer reading indicates:

   • A.Clear weather
   • B.Storm✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Cold wave
   • D.Dry weather

   Explanation: A rapid drop suggests a low-pressure system (storm/cyclone) is approaching.

7. Q7.Gradual rise in barometer reading indicates:

   • A.Rain
   • B.Storm
   • C.Fair/Clear weather✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Cyclone

   Explanation: Rising pressure usually brings stable and clear weather (Anticyclone).

8. Q8.Wind blows from:

   • A.Low Pressure to High Pressure
   • B.High Pressure to Low Pressure✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Equator to Poles only
   • D.Land to Sea only

   Explanation: Air always moves from High Pressure areas to Low Pressure areas.

9. Q9.The force responsible for the deflection of winds is:

   • A.Gravitational Force
   • B.Coriolis Force✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Centripetal Force
   • D.Frictional Force

   Explanation: The Earth's rotation creates the Coriolis Force, deflecting winds.

10. Q10.In the Northern Hemisphere, winds are deflected to their:

    • A.Left
    • B.Right✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Up
    • D.Down

    Explanation: Due to Ferrel's Law (Coriolis effect), winds deflect to the Right in the North.

11. Q11.In the Southern Hemisphere, winds deflect to their:

    • A.Left✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Right
    • C.East
    • D.West

    Explanation: Winds deflect to the Left in the Southern Hemisphere.

12. Q12.The Equatorial Low Pressure Belt extends between:

    • A.5°N to 5°S✓ Correct Answer
    • B.30°N to 35°N
    • C.60°N to 65°N
    • D.80°N to 90°N

    Explanation: This belt is located roughly between 5° North and 5° South latitudes.

13. Q13.The Equatorial Low Pressure Belt is also known as:

    • A.Horse Latitudes
    • B.Doldrums✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Roaring Forties
    • D.Polar High

    Explanation: It is a zone of calm winds and low pressure known as Doldrums.

14. Q14.Subtropical High Pressure Belts are located around:

    • A.0°
    • B.30° to 35° (N and S)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.60° to 65° (N and S)
    • D.90° (N and S)

    Explanation: These belts are found around 30°-35° latitudes in both hemispheres.

15. Q15.The Subtropical High Pressure Belts are popularly known as:

    • A.Doldrums
    • B.Horse Latitudes✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Trade Winds
    • D.Westerlies

    Explanation: They are called Horse Latitudes due to historical dumping of horses from becalmed ships.

16. Q16.Planetary winds are also known as:

    • A.Permanent / Prevailing Winds✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Seasonal Winds
    • C.Local Winds
    • D.Variable Winds

    Explanation: They blow constantly throughout the year in a particular direction.

17. Q17.Which of the following is NOT a Planetary Wind?

    • A.Trade Winds
    • B.Westerlies
    • C.Polar Easterlies
    • D.Monsoon✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Monsoon is a periodic/seasonal wind, not permanent.

18. Q18.Trade Winds blow from:

    • A.Subtropical High to Equatorial Low✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Polar High to Subpolar Low
    • C.Equatorial Low to Subtropical High
    • D.Subtropical High to Subpolar Low

    Explanation: Trade winds blow towards the equator from the high-pressure horse latitudes.

19. Q19.The direction of Trade Winds in the Northern Hemisphere is:

    • A.North-East✓ Correct Answer
    • B.South-East
    • C.North-West
    • D.South-West

    Explanation: They deflect to the right, becoming North-East Trade Winds.

20. Q20.Westerlies blow from:

    • A.Subtropical High to Subpolar Low✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Polar High to Subpolar Low
    • C.Equator to Poles
    • D.Subpolar Low to Subtropical High

    Explanation: Westerlies blow poleward from the subtropical high pressure belts.