Part 2 Building Skills
Questions 14-26
The Coriolis Force
in the eariy part of the twentieth century, the Norwegian scientist and polar explorer ■
^ Fridtjof Hansen noted that icebergs did not follow the path of the wind as common sense
had assumed. Instead they tended to move to the right side of the direction in which the wind :j
i blew. A student of Nansen's, V. W. Ekman, showed that the rotation of the Earth leading |
： to an inertial force known as the Coriolis force was responsible for this phenomenon. He ：]
；： further demonstrated that in the Northern Hemisphere the deflection was toward the right of
卜:; the prevailing whd, and in the Southern Hemisphere the deflection was toward the 丨 eft. The
icebergs observed by Nansen were moved by ocean currents that also moved at an angle to ;
丨
:： the prevailing wind.
The Coriolis force itself is caused by the fact that the Earth rotates on its axis once per
■ ：day, and hence ail points on the planet have the same rotational velocity; that is, they take ;j
: one whole day to complete a rotationa丨 circle. However, since a complete rotation around the [j
Earth is shorter the further one is away from the equator, different points on the Earth travel m
at different speeds depending on degree of latitude. For example, a point on the equator -i
; travels the whole distance around the sphere (about 40,000 kilometers), whereas a point near
； the poles will travel a much shorter distance. Therefore, we can say that the linear speed of
i；a point depends on its latitude above or below the equator. Thus the actual linear speed of a j!
：; point on the surface is faster the nearer that point is to the equator |j
Now if an untethered object {or current) is moving northward away from the equator in
the Northern Hemisphere, it will also maintain the initial speed imparted to ii by the eastward
： rotation of the Earth. That eastward deflection is faster at the equator than at more northerly
：! (or southerly) latitudes, and thus, when the object reaches a more northerly point, it will be j
：
H traveling faster in an eastward direction than the surrounding ground or water. The moving ij
object will appear to be forced away from its path by some mysterious phenomenon. In reality s
；： the ground is simpiy moving at a different speed from the original speed at the object's (or
current’s) home position. The resulting direction of movement will therefore be at an angle ■
；
i| of about 45 degrees to the original direction, so an object traveling north will move to the
〇right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere with respect ij
to the rotating Earth. An object traveling south will be deflected to the left in the Northern ||
^ Hemisphere and to the right in the Southern Hemisphere. ;■'!
A s the surface water in the ocean is moved by the wind, it tends to veer* off at an angle of f;
:]45 degrees to the right or left. This movement exerts a drag on the water immediately below
it, and the Coriolis force causes this layer to move and also to deflect to the right or left. This fj
layer in turn drags the layer beiow, which in turn is deflected. At successively deeper layers, ；j
： ； the water is deflected in relation to the layer above until at a depth of around 150 meters, the ：
；
； water is moving in a direction opposite to the surface water. At successively greater depths, |j
the frictional forces between layers reduce the energy of the flow, causing water to move
; more slowly the deeper the layer. The resulting deflections produce a spiral pattern known as :
■ the Ekman spiral. The net movement of water is roughly at 90 degrees from the wind direction
： and is known as Ekman transport.
This phenomenon is an important factor in the movement of water in the oceans. Among
other things, ii creates zones of upweHing by forcing surface waters apart and other zones |!
of downwelling by forcing surface waters together. For example, wind blowing parallel to the
； shore may create a net movement of water at 90 degrees away from the shore. Nutrient-rich ):
: : deeper ocean water wi" upwellto take the place of the displaced water and thus profoundly
： influence the marine ecosystem.
：*veer: to suddenly change direction
238
Reading Section Practice Test
14. The phrase" path of the w ind 11in the I !n the early part of the twentieth century, the Norwegian
passage is closest in meaning to I scientist and polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen noted that
(X ) wind strength i icebergs did not follow the path of the wind as common
丨sense had assumecUnstead they tended to move to the
d ) wind variation
i right side of the direction in which the wind blew. A student
Cc^) wind direction
i of Nansen’s, V. W. Ekman, showed thaUhe rotation of the
C^) wind phenomenon
i Earth leading to an inertial force known as the Coriolis
■i force was responsible for this phenomenon. He further
I demonstrated that in the Northern Hemisphere the deflection
： was toward the right of the prevailing wind, and in the
\ Southern Hemisphere the deflection was toward the left,
i The icebergs observed by Nansen were moved by ocean
j currents that also moved at an angle to the prevailing wind.
15. The phrase 11this phenomenon ■' in the ij In the eariy part of the twentieth century, the Norwegian
passage refers to I scientist and polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen noted that
(X ) ihe movement of icebergs | icebergs did not follow the path of the wind as common
C§^) the rotation of the Earth | sense had assumed. Instead they tended to move to the
I right side of the direction in which the wind blew. A student
Cg) the direction of the wind
| of Nansen's, V. W. Ekman, showed that the rotation of the
(JD the inertial Coriolis force
I Earth leading to an inertial force known as the Coriolis
| force was responsible for ithis iphenomenorti. He further
| demonstrated that in the Northern Hemisphere the deflection
| was toward the right of the prevailing wind, and in the
| Southern Hemisphere the deflection was toward the left.
| The icebergs observed by Nansen were moved by ocean
I currents that also moved at an angle to the prevailing wind.
. ■ .ssa w sm sis sm m M sxssso E ssssssm m sm m is m is m sz
16. The word " rotates：" in the passage is I The Coriolis force itself is caused by the fact that the
closest in meaning to | Earth jrotates丨on its axis once per day, and hence ail points
( J ) spins | on the pfanet have the same rotational velocity; that is, they
travels I take one whole day to complete a rotational circle. However,
I since a complete rotation around the Earth is shorter the
twirls
| further one is away from the equator, different points on
swivels
| the Earth travel at different speeds depending on degree
ij of latitude. For example, a point on the equator travels the
| whole distance around the sphere (about 40,000 kilometers),
j whereas a point near the poles will travel a much shorter
I distance. Therefore, we can say that the linear speed of a
| point depends on its 丨 atitude above or below Wie equator
I Thus the actual linear speed of a point on the surface is
faster the nearer that point is to the equator.
ij 17. We can infer that rotational velocity is [Refer to the fujj passage.]
| C ® the same as speed in kph
I (W ) different at different latitudes
__
1 C c ) the same at different latitudes
1 dependent on latitude
239
Part 2 Building Skills
18. In paragraph 2 , the author explains the ； The Coriolis force itself is caused by the fact that the
differences in linear speed by Earth rotates on its axis once per day, and hence all points
( X ) arguing that an object moving on the planet have the same rotational velocity; that is, they
north moves faster take one whole day to complete a rotational circle. However,
( T ) describing the linear velocity of since a complete rotation around the Earth is shorter the
the Earth further one is away from the equator, different points on ；
C © identifying the eastward deflection the Earth travel at different speeds depending on degree o
of a current of latitude. For example, a point on the equator travels the ■
：
whole distance around the sphere (about 40,000 kilometers),
「elating speed to the distance of a v
whereas a point near the poles will travel a much shorter
point from the equator
distance. Therefore, we can say that the linear speed of a
Paragraph 2 is marked with an arrow [蜂 ]. point depends on its latitude above or below the equator.
Thus the actual linear speed of a point on the surface is %
faster the nearer that point is to the equator.
M9. According to the passage, a point [Refer to the full passage.]
near the equator in the Northern
Hemisphere travels
i.:
( A ) at the same speed as any other
:: point
：!
C £ ) faster than a point at a higher
latitude
C2 ) slower than a point in the
Southern Hemisphere
at different speeds in different
.ti seasons
f? 20. Look at the four squares [g ] that Now if an untethered object (or current) is moving 1
indicate where the following sentence northward away from the equator in the Northern
could be added to the passage. ；；Hemisphere, it will also maintain the initial speed imparted
；； to it by the eastward rotation of the Earth. ^ That eastward
i And conversely, if the object is traveling
| deflection is faster at the equator than at more northerly (or
southwarcHoward the equator， it
| southerly) latitudes, and thus, when the object reaches a
; wil 丨
be moving more slowly than the :丨 i-i-
；： more northerly point, it wi!! be traveling faster in an eastward ；;
： surrounding land or water.
；: direction than the surrounding ground or water. ^ The :丨
Where would the sentence best fit? ； moving object will appear to be forced away from its path
^ by some mysterious phenomenon. In reality the ground is ；!
Choose the letter of the square that shows
simply moving at a different speed from the original speed :丨
i; where the sentence should be added.
；； at the object's (or current's) home position. H The resulting j
direction of movement wil! therefore be at an angle of about j
；： 45 degrees to the original direction, so an object traveling
north will move to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and ：i
； to the left in the Southern Hemisphere with respect to the
rotating Earth. H An object traveling south will be deflected i；
to the left in the Northern Hemisphere and to the right in the |
::Southern Hemisphere. |
240
Reading Section Practice Test
[： 21 According to paragraph 4, where does I ^ As the surface water in the ocean is moved by the wind,
water move in a direction contrary to ^ it tends to veer off at an angle of 45 degrees to the right or
| surface layers of water? left. This movement exerts a drag on the water immediately
：j ( X ) Directly below the surface ;i below it, and the Coriolis force causes this layer to move
CWy At 90 degrees to the surface ; and aiso to deflect to the right or left. This layer in turn drags
: : the iayer below, which in turn is deflected At successively
J ( c y At all depths below the surface
丨deeper layers, the water is deflected in relation to the layer
：l At 150 meters below the surface
I j above until at a depth of around 150 meters, the water
Ij Paragraph 4 is marked with an arrow [ ^ ] . ；； is moving in a direction opposite to the surface water. At
丨successively greater depths, the frictional forces between
1 layers reduce the energy of the flow, causing water to move
：；' more siowly the deeper the layer. The resulting deflections
.； produce a spiral pattern known as the Ekman spiral. The net
Mmovement of water is roughly at 90 degrees from the wind
jl direction and is known as Ekman transport.
j 22. In paragraph 4, why does the author | 時 A s the surface water in the ocean is moved by the wind,
?! explain that the wind tends to deflect | it tends to veer off at an angle of 45 degrees to the right or
j|
I
the water to the right or left? J left. This movement exerts a drag on the water immediately
I] ( X ) To explain the concept of I below it, and the Coriolis force causes this layer to move
；| upwelling | and also to deflect to the right or left. This layer in turn drags
：l ( X ) To demonstrate the effect of the 1 the layer below, which in turn is deflected. At successively
；j Coriolis force j deeper layers, the water is deflected in relation to the fayer
j above until at a depth of around 150 meters, the water
| C © To point out causes of rotationai
j is moving in a direction opposite to the surface water. At
；| velocity
I successively greater depths, the frictional forces between
1 To introduce the movement of
—
j layers reduce the energy of the flow, causing water to move
1 ocean currents
| more slowly the deeper the layer. The resulting deflections
Paragraph 4 is marked with an arrow [^ ]. j produce a spiral pattern known as the Ekman spiral. The net
j movement of water is roughly at 90 degrees from the wind
_ direction and is known as Ekman transport
r 23. The word ,f deflected；" in the passage is A s the surface water in the ocean is moved by the wind,
closest in meaning to it tends to veer off at an angle of 45 degrees to the right or
CKy turned left. This movement exerts a drag on the water immediately
below it, and the Coriolis force causes this layer to move
d D pushed
and also to deflect to the right or left. This layer in turn drags
C c]) shoved
the layer below, which in turn is deflected. At successively
( 2 ) urged
deeper layers, the water is ： deflected; in relation to the layer
above until at a depth of around 150 meters, the water
is moving in a direction opposite to the surface water. At
successively greater depths, the frictional forces between
layers reduce the energy of the flow, causing water to move
more slowly the deeper the layer. The resulting deflections
produce a spiral pattern known as the Ekman spiral. The net
movement of water is roughly at 90 degrees from the wind
direction and is known as Ekman transport.
241
Part 2 Building Skills
24. Based on the information in paragraphs [Refer to the fuii passage.]
1 and 4, which oHhe following best
explains the term “Coriolis force ”？
C £ > 丁he force that creates currents
C b ^) The force that moves icebergs
(c]> The force that opposes wind
movement
( © The force that deflects ocean
water
25. According to the passage, the Ekman [Refer to the full passage.]
spiral may affect
•.{
(X ) the distribution of ocean life forms H
(X ) the direction of the wind 丨
：
C c]) the speed of ocean currents
CD]) the frictional forces of water layers
26. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided H
below. Complete the summary by selecting the T H R E E answer choices that express H
the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the
summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are
minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
Write the letters of the answer choices in the spaces where they belong.
Refer to the full passage.
Different linear speeds at different latitudes on the Earth cause the prevailing p
winds in the Earth5s Northern and Southern Hemispheres to deflect water
movements, thus creating Ekman spirals. ；■
Answer Choices
( X ) Due to the Corioiis force, C 〇]) Because of deflection and
icebergs move at a right angle to differences in linear speed,
the prevailing wind. ocean currents move at an angle
C £ ) 巳ecause of the Earth’s rotation, to the wind.
objects moving away from or C T ) Water at successively lower 1
toward the equator travel at levels is deflected at an angle to
different speeds in relation to the layer immediately above it,
fixed points at different latitudes. and this creates a spiral.
C c]) In order to reach the correct ( T ) Due to upwelling of water, marine
destination, an airplane pilot must life is rich in areas where Ekman :
adjust direction to compensate spirals operate.
for the Coriolis force.
242