C263 EDUC 3511
The Ocean Systems
FA REVIEW
©WGU 2024/2025
,1. Multiple Choice: What is the primary driver of ocean currents?
a) Wind
b) Salinity gradients
c) Temperature differences
d) Marine wildlife
Answer: a) Wind. Rationale: Wind-driven circulation is a key
factor in ocean current formation, where the surface winds push
the water, creating currents.
2. Fill-in-the-Blank: The thermocline is the layer in the ocean
where _______ changes rapidly with depth.
Answer: Temperature. Rationale: The thermocline is
characterized by a rapid temperature change with depth, separating
the warmer upper layer from the colder deep water.
3. True/False: The Coriolis effect causes currents in the northern
hemisphere to veer to the right.
Answer: True. Rationale: Due to the Earth's rotation, the
Coriolis effect influences the direction of ocean currents, causing
them to veer to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left
in the southern hemisphere.
©WGU 2024/2025
, 4. Multiple Response: Which factors contribute to sea level rise?
(Select all that apply)
a) Melting of polar ice caps
b) Thermal expansion of water
c) Decreased salinity
d) Submarine volcanism
Answers: a) Melting of polar ice caps, b) Thermal expansion of
water. Rationale: Both the melting of ice caps and the thermal
expansion of water due to warming contribute to sea level rise,
while decreased salinity and submarine volcanism do not have a
significant direct impact.
5. Multiple Choice: What phenomenon is characterized by
unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific?
a) El Niño
b) La Niña
c) Thermohaline circulation
d) Upwelling
Answer: a) El Niño. Rationale: El Niño is a climate pattern that
describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern
tropical Pacific Ocean.
6. Fill-in-the-Blank: _______ is the process by which deep, cold,
nutrient-rich water rises to the surface.
©WGU 2024/2025
The Ocean Systems
FA REVIEW
©WGU 2024/2025
,1. Multiple Choice: What is the primary driver of ocean currents?
a) Wind
b) Salinity gradients
c) Temperature differences
d) Marine wildlife
Answer: a) Wind. Rationale: Wind-driven circulation is a key
factor in ocean current formation, where the surface winds push
the water, creating currents.
2. Fill-in-the-Blank: The thermocline is the layer in the ocean
where _______ changes rapidly with depth.
Answer: Temperature. Rationale: The thermocline is
characterized by a rapid temperature change with depth, separating
the warmer upper layer from the colder deep water.
3. True/False: The Coriolis effect causes currents in the northern
hemisphere to veer to the right.
Answer: True. Rationale: Due to the Earth's rotation, the
Coriolis effect influences the direction of ocean currents, causing
them to veer to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left
in the southern hemisphere.
©WGU 2024/2025
, 4. Multiple Response: Which factors contribute to sea level rise?
(Select all that apply)
a) Melting of polar ice caps
b) Thermal expansion of water
c) Decreased salinity
d) Submarine volcanism
Answers: a) Melting of polar ice caps, b) Thermal expansion of
water. Rationale: Both the melting of ice caps and the thermal
expansion of water due to warming contribute to sea level rise,
while decreased salinity and submarine volcanism do not have a
significant direct impact.
5. Multiple Choice: What phenomenon is characterized by
unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific?
a) El Niño
b) La Niña
c) Thermohaline circulation
d) Upwelling
Answer: a) El Niño. Rationale: El Niño is a climate pattern that
describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern
tropical Pacific Ocean.
6. Fill-in-the-Blank: _______ is the process by which deep, cold,
nutrient-rich water rises to the surface.
©WGU 2024/2025
