National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 5
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions. 1. In a weather report, the term "visibility" expresses. (A) the distance in miles at which prominent objects are identifiable o (B) how far you can see with a telescope or binoculars o (C) how far you can see with the "naked eye" o (D) how well you can identify an object at night 2. As the temperature of the air reaches the dew point,. (A) fog may form o (B) water freezes o (C) it begins to snow o (D) rain must develop 3. Which type of cloud is the classic "thunderhead"? (A) Cumulonimbus o (B) Stratus o (C) Cirrus o (D) Altostratus 4. Cumulonimbus clouds can produce. o (A) a rapid drop in barometric pressure followed by darkness o (B) clear skies with the approach of a cold front (C) gusty winds, thunder, rain or hail, and lightning o (D) dense fog and high humidity 5. Fog is formed when. o (A) air is cooled to its dew point o (B) the moisture in the air is condensed into small droplets o (C) the base of a cloud is on the ground Page 2 of 5
6. Cumulus clouds that have undergone vertical development and have become cumulonimbus in form, indicate. o (A) clearing weather o (B) an approaching hurricane or typhoon o (C) that a warm front has passed (D) probable thunderstorm activity 7. Weather information is available from. o (A) the Coast Guard on scheduled marine information broadcasts o (B) commercial radio broadcasts o (C) VHF-FM continuous marine weather broadcasts provided by the National Weather Service 8. The National Weather Service differentiates between small craft, gale, whole gale, and hurricane warnings by the. o (A) amount of cloud cover forecasted o (B) wave heights forecasted (C) wind speed forecasted o (D) amount of rain forecasted 9. From which type of cloud can a tornado or waterspout develop? o (A) Cirrus o (B) Nimbostratus o (C) Altostratus (D) Cumulonimbus 10. Hot air can hold. o (A) the same amount of moisture as cold air o (B) less moisture than cold air o (C) moisture independent of air temperature (D) more moisture than cold air Page 3 of 5
11. What benefit is a weather bulletin to a mariner? (A) It gives the mariner time to prepare for weather changes. o (B) It allows the mariner to make long term weather forecasts. o (C) It is of little benefit since the weather changes frequently and rapidly. o (D) It provides a legal reason to cancel a projected voyage. 12. When a tornado moves over the water from land it is called a. o (A) hurricane o (B) cyclone (C) waterspout o (D) tornado 13. Which would influence a magnetic compass? o (A) Radio o (B) Iron pipe o (C) Electrical wiring 14. Which type of cloud formation should be of immediate concern to small craft operators? (A) cumulonimbus o (B) cirrus o (C) altostratus o (D) nimbostratus 15. Weather information provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) advisories should be used along with. o (A) any U.S. Coast Pilot o (B) the Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables (C) weather maps and local knowledge o (D) the local Notice to Mariners Page 4 of 5
16. A sign of thunderstorm development is a cumulus cloud. o (A) creating cold downdrafts that are felt on the ground o (B) darkening, growing in size and forming an anvil top o (C) that shows extensive vertical development 17. Static on your AM radio may be. o (A) a sign of strong winds o (B) an indication of "clearing" weather (C) an indication of nearby thunderstorm activity o (D) of no meteorological significance 18. The draw span of a floating drawbridge may be marked with. o (A) three red lights on each side of the draw o (B) a yellow and white diamond o (C) flashing blue lights (D) a yellow light showing Morse Code (B) 19. Fog generally clears when the. o (A) temperature increases o (B) wind direction changes o (C) wind speed increases 20. A barometer showing falling pressure indicates the approach of a. (A) low pressure system o (B) high dew point o (C) low dew point o (D) high pressure system Page 5 of 5