Global warming and greenhouse effect worksheet - Free Printable

Problem: Solving the Worksheet on "Global Warming and Greenhouse Effect"

#### Section 1: Complete the following by writing either 'INCREASING' or 'DECREASING'.

1. a. The surface temperature of the Earth has been ______ over the past 100 years.
- Answer: INCREASING
- Explanation: Over the past century, global temperatures have risen due to increased greenhouse gas emissions and other human activities.

2. b. The thickness of the ice at the North Pole is ______.
- Answer: DECREASING
- Explanation: Due to global warming, polar ice caps are melting, leading to a decrease in ice thickness.

3. c. In some parts of the world, summers are getting hotter and drier. The effects of this are that:
- i. Water levels in lakes and ponds are ______.
- Answer: DECREASING
- Explanation: Hotter and drier summers lead to increased evaporation, causing water levels in lakes and ponds to drop.
- ii. The risk of forest fires is ______.
- Answer: INCREASING
- Explanation: Drier conditions make forests more susceptible to wildfires.
- iii. The numbers of wild animals and farm animals dying from lack of food is ______.
- Answer: INCREASING
- Explanation: Changes in climate can disrupt ecosystems, leading to food shortages for animals.

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#### Section 2: Use the words in the box below to complete the sentences. Some words may be used more than once, or not at all.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing, and may be leading to global warming. In many countries, forests are being cut down and burned, which adds carbon dioxide to the air. It also removes trees that could have used up carbon dioxide to produce oxygen.

- Explanation:
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂): A major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
- Increasing: The concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere is rising due to human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
- Global warming: The long-term rise in Earth's average surface temperature.
- Forests: Deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis.
- Burned: Burning trees releases stored CO₂ into the atmosphere.
- Trees: Trees play a crucial role in absorbing CO₂ and producing oxygen.
- Oxygen: Trees release oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.

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#### Section 3: Write TRUE or FALSE for the following statements.

1. a. Greenhouses are made of clear glass that allow light in to warm inside.
- Answer: TRUE
- Explanation: Greenhouses use transparent materials like glass or plastic to let sunlight in, which warms the interior while trapping heat.

2. b. Without the greenhouse effect, temperatures on Earth would be too cold for life.
- Answer: TRUE
- Explanation: The natural greenhouse effect retains heat in the Earth's atmosphere, making it habitable. Without it, Earth would be much colder.

3. c. Two greenhouse gases are oxygen and nitrogen.
- Answer: FALSE
- Explanation: Oxygen (O₂) and nitrogen (N₂) are not greenhouse gases. Common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and water vapor (H₂O).

4. d. Deforestation leads to global warming because there are no trees to remove carbon dioxide.
- Answer: TRUE
- Explanation: Trees absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis. Deforestation reduces the number of trees, decreasing the planet's ability to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere.

5. e. Global warming does not change the weather and climate of an area.
- Answer: FALSE
- Explanation: Global warming alters weather patterns and leads to changes in regional climates, such as more frequent extreme weather events.

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Final Answer:

1. Section 1:
- a. INCREASING
- b. DECREASING
- c. i. DECREASING, ii. INCREASING, iii. INCREASING

2. Section 2:
- The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing, and may be leading to global warming. In many countries, forests are being cut down and burned, which adds carbon dioxide to the air. It also removes trees that could have used up carbon dioxide to produce oxygen.

3. Section 3:
- a. TRUE
- b. TRUE
- c. FALSE
- d. TRUE
- e. FALSE

Final Boxed Answer:
\boxed{
\text{See detailed explanations above.}
}