Mid Term Study Guide

The exam covers chapters 2-7 and Labs 1-3.
1. Format
The midterm will follow this format:  40-50 multiple choice questions (based mostly on my notes);  5 “short answers” (a few sentences and/or a simple diagram to define a concept); 4 or 5 diagrams or lab-based questions. For example …
A. a multiple choice question might be:
The subject of this course is … a. neo-orthodoxy in the ancient eastern church, b. atmsopheric science and meteorology, c. premillenial dispensationalism, d. gender relations in modern romance languages. Hopefully you’ll pick “b”! Know some things including (this is NOT an exhaustive list!) …
  • the basic kinds of clouds and fogs.
  • things that affect temperatures – globally, locally, and over a 24 hour period
  • lapse rates
  • the various forces associated with winds
  • solar radiation and insolation
  • the basic composition of the atmosphere and what various layers ‘do”
  • solar winds/auroras
  • dew point
  • global and local winds (primary, secondary and tertiary)
  • albedo
  • wind chill and heat index
  • high and low pressure
  • stable and unstable air
  • geostrophic winds
  • isotherms and isosbars
  • relative humidity and dew point
  • rainbows
  • air pollution
  • urban effects on temperature
  • continentality
B. A short answer question might be:
  • Define and distinguish between an aurora and an albedo.
A simple diagram with a brief, one or two sentence description would be sufficient.  I will give you some choice in this section (you will need to do 4 out of 6 options, for example).
C. A few “other” questions.
Similar to questions on your labs, I’ve given you diagrams, and asked you some questions about them.  Or I’ve given you some blank diagrams and asked you to complete them. PLEASE take note of the things I’ve highlighted as important in my notes!  For instance in Chapter 6 online notes I say:  *** Study Figures 6.10a and 6.10b, “Global barometric pressures …” (p. 154) AND “Geosystems in Action 6: Atmospheric Circulation” Figures  6.1a and 6.1b, “General atmospheric circulation model” – the globe figure (4CE, pp. 156-157; (Figure 6.11; 3CE, p. 146)).  Know it inside-out!  It will be on the exam in some form or other!  Be prepared! ***  That’s worth noting!
2. How to Study …
  • The College provides study resources. Check them out.
  • Read over the online notes.  The exam is based on them.
  • Make your own notes based on what you read.
  • Quiz yourself.
  • Use the questions at the end of each chapter in the text as a guide to study
  • Make up your own questions to test yourself
  • Use flashcards for key terms and concepts
  • As you read the notes, do use the figures in the text (an online resources) as references. The figures/pictures really help you visualize what you’re studying.
  • Review the chapters in the text.  Note that I will NOT ask you anything that is only in the text, but not in your notes
  • Review Labs 1-3.
  • Check out the resources at www.masteringgeography.com.  There are review questions and practice quizzes on the site (if you don’t have access it’s not essential, but it may be useful).
3. What Should You Bring or NOT Bring?
You should bring …
  • Yourself!  (refreshed, relaxed, invigorated, empowered by the Spirit)
  • A pen (and pencil if you wish, for the diagrams).
You should NOT bring …
  • Your text or notes (sorry, this exam is not open book!)
  • Your cousin (a geography graduate student at Cambridge)
  • A calculator (any math will be VERY simple)
  • A cell phone, iphone, tablet, netbook, desktop, or other electronic device
  • Any crib notes, cheat sheets, or other “aids”
You’ll do fine!  That’s about it!  Study hard!  I know there is lots to know and lots to memorize (the plague of introductory science courses!), but go at it! Try to remember that this is God’s creation we are studying (it’s one of the symptoms of the Fall that studying divine artistry seems like drudgery!).   As you study the Earth-Atmosphere system, you are studying God’s handiwork!  You are doing theology (learning about God)!  Hard though it is, try to keep that perspective going … God bless, Bruce