22. Which one of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
(A) There is strong evidence to support the theory that an increase in atmospheric dust has contributed to the severity of the drought in sub- Saharan West Africa
(B) The suggestion that Northern Hemisphere cooling is contributing to a decline of rainfall in sub-Saharan West Africa is open to question
(C) The expansion of the circumpolar vortex has caused a dramatic shift in the atmospheric circulation patterns above sub-Saharan West Africa
(D) The drought in sub-Saharan West Africa represents a long-term permanent alteration in global climake patterns
(E) Meteorologists cannot determine when the droutht in sub-Saharan West Africa is likely to end
23. The author s attitude toward the cooling hypothesis is best described as one of
(A) vehement opposition
(B) cautious skepticism
(C) growing ambivalence
(D) guarded enthusiasm
(E) strong support
24. According to the passage proponents of the cooling hypothesis suggested that the circumpolar vortex is likely to expand when which one of the following occurs?
(A) The average annual atmoshperic temperature of the tropics is significantly higher than normal for an extended period of time.
(B) The average annual snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere is lower than normal for an extended period of time.
(C) The average annual surface temperature of Northern Hemisphere waters is higher than the average annual surface temperature of Northern Hemisphere landmasses
(D) There is a significant increase in the difference between the average annual atmospheric temperature of the tropies and that of the more northern latitudes
(E) There is a significant increase in the difference between the average annual atmospheric temperatures of the middle and the high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.
25. Which one of the following can be inferred from the passage about the average annual temperature of the air over Northern Hemisphere landmasses before 1945?
(A) It was higher than it was between 1945 and the early 1970s.
(B) It was lower than it was during the early 1980s.
(C) It was the same as it was between 1945 and the early 1970s.
(D) It was the same as the annual average surface temperature of Northern Hemisphere landmasses and bodies of water between 1945 and the early 1970s.
(E) It was higher than the annual average surface temperature of Northern Hemisphere landmasses and bodies of water between 1945 and the early 1970s.
26. Which one of the following best deseribes the organization of the passage?
(A) Opposing points of view are presented evidence supporting each point of view is discussed and then one point of view is developed into a formal hypothesis
(B) A theory is discussed and different points of view about the theory are discussed supported and then reconciled
(C) A hypothesis is proposed contradictory evidence is discussed and then the hypothesis is amended
(D) A theory explaining a phenomenon is proposed supporting evidence is considered and then the theory is disputed
(E) A point of view is presented a theory supporting the view is proposed contradictory evidence is presented and then a different theory is proposed.
27. A proponent of the cooling hypothesis would most likely argue that the return of the monsoon rains to sub-Saharan West Africa would indicate that which one of the following has also occurred?
(A) The amount of ice and snow coverage over the landmasses of the Northern Hemisphere has increased
(B) The average annual temperature of the atmosphere over the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere has decreased
(C) The average annual temperature of the atmosphere over the tropics in the Northern Hemisphere has increased
(D) Other components of large-scale atmospheric circulation besides the circumpolar vortex have expanded and moved southward
(E) The atmospheric circulation pattern of the high-altitude westerly winds has resumed its normal pattern
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