Take the Climate Quiz
Do you know how climate works? Here are some questions to test your climate knowledge.
![Rain, visualized as neat columns of circles, falls from a cloud onto and around an umbrella.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_climate/4278320-1-eng-US/quiz_climate_full_495.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_climate/4278320-1-eng-US/quiz_climate_full_990.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_climate/4278320-1-eng-US/quiz_climate_full_1468.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_climate/4278320-1-eng-US/quiz_climate_full_1980.gif 800w)
In some parts of the world, rainstorms have become more intense over the past several decades. Is that a change in weather or climate?
WEATHER
CLIMATE
ANSWER: CLIMATE
The trend of more intense rainstorms in certain locations is a sign of a changing climate. One heavy rainstorm is a weather event. But the trend of more intense rainstorms is a sign of a changing climate.
![Visualization of Earth from space with shapes representing methane (one circle surrounded by four circles) and nitrogen (two joined circles) above.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_ghg/4278308-1-eng-US/quiz_ghg_full_495.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_ghg/4278308-1-eng-US/quiz_ghg_full_990.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_ghg/4278308-1-eng-US/quiz_ghg_full_1468.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_ghg/4278308-1-eng-US/quiz_ghg_full_1980.gif 800w)
Which of these atmospheric gases traps heat as part of the greenhouse effect?
METHANE
NITROGEN
ANSWER: METHANE
Carbon dioxide is perhaps the most famous greenhouse gas. But methane also traps heat in the atmosphere. Nitrogen makes up 80% of Earth’s atmosphere but is not a greenhouse gas.
Without the natural greenhouse effect, Earth’s temperature would be well below freezing. Is this true or false?
TRUE
FALSE
![a standing polar bear](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/polar_bear/4257150-3-eng-US/polar_bear_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/polar_bear/4257150-3-eng-US/polar_bear_full_990.png 773w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/polar_bear/4257150-3-eng-US/polar_bear_full_1468.png 773w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/polar_bear/4257150-3-eng-US/polar_bear_full_1980.png 773w)
ANSWER: TRUE
Without the natural greenhouse effect, the average global temperature would be around -18°C (0°F).
![Seven blurred, light-colored circles floating against dark background.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_co2/4278312-1-eng-US/quiz_co2_full_495.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_co2/4278312-1-eng-US/quiz_co2_full_990.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_co2/4278312-1-eng-US/quiz_co2_full_1468.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_co2/4278312-1-eng-US/quiz_co2_full_1980.gif 800w)
How much carbon dioxide does the average American add to the atmosphere each year?
16 metric tons
6 metric tons
ANSWER: 16 metric tons
The average American produces around 16 metric tons of CO₂ annually. That's enough to fill 192 shipping containers!
![Visualization of 192 shipping containers stacked on top of each other in columns.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/shipping/4257154-1-eng-US/shipping_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/shipping/4257154-1-eng-US/shipping_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/shipping/4257154-1-eng-US/shipping_full_1468.png 1326w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/shipping/4257154-1-eng-US/shipping_full_1980.png 1326w)
In the US, which activity contributes more to carbon dioxide emissions?
![a factory with smokestacks and a house with lights on](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/electricity-and-heat/4257215-1-eng-US/electricity-and-heat_full_285.png 285w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/electricity-and-heat/4257215-1-eng-US/electricity-and-heat_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/electricity-and-heat/4257215-1-eng-US/electricity-and-heat_full_990.png 700w)
producing electricity and heat
![a car, truck and airplane](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/transportation/4257211-1-eng-US/transportation_full_285.png 285w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/transportation/4257211-1-eng-US/transportation_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/transportation/4257211-1-eng-US/transportation_full_990.png 700w)
using transportation
ANSWER: using transportation
Transportation causes more CO₂ emissions in the US—but just barely. In 2016, 35% of US CO₂ emissions came from the generation of electricity and heat; 36% from transportation.
![a car, truck and airplane](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/transportation-answer/4257219-1-eng-US/transportation-answer_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/transportation-answer/4257219-1-eng-US/transportation-answer_full_990.png 700w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/transportation-answer/4257219-1-eng-US/transportation-answer_full_1468.png 700w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/transportation-answer/4257219-1-eng-US/transportation-answer_full_1980.png 700w)
When you hear it’s unusually hot today, is that about the climate or weather?
CLIMATE
WEATHER
![Visualization of melting ice cream cone.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/ice_cream_melt/4257146-1-eng-US/ice_cream_melt_full_495.png 281w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/ice_cream_melt/4257146-1-eng-US/ice_cream_melt_full_990.png 281w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/ice_cream_melt/4257146-1-eng-US/ice_cream_melt_full_1468.png 281w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/ice_cream_melt/4257146-1-eng-US/ice_cream_melt_full_1980.png 281w)
ANSWER: WEATHER
Whether it’s hot or cold, or sunny or rainy today is a reflection of daily weather conditions—not climate.
The ocean affects Earth’s climate. Is this true or false?
TRUE
FALSE
ANSWER: TRUE
The ocean stores vast amounts of heat and carbon, which it exchanges with the atmosphere to impact climate.
![Visualization of ocean surface with two brightly colored arrows indicating circular process by which ocean exchanges heat and carbon with atmosphere.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_ocean/4278316-1-eng-US/quiz_ocean_full_495.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_ocean/4278316-1-eng-US/quiz_ocean_full_990.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_ocean/4278316-1-eng-US/quiz_ocean_full_1468.gif 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/take-the-climate-quiz/quiz_ocean/4278316-1-eng-US/quiz_ocean_full_1980.gif 800w)
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Image Credits:
Space view of Earth's atmosphere, Daniel Olah on Unsplash; Car, plane, and truck, ©Shutterstock.