National Maritime Center Providing Credentials to Mariners (Sample Examination) Page 1 of 5
Choose the best answer to the following Multiple Choice Questions. 1. Fog is formed when which condition exists? o (A) The clouds are middle altitude o (B) When there is moisture in the air (C) When air is cooled to its dew point o (D) When the land is cooled to it's dew point 2. From which type of cloud can a tornado or waterspout develop? o (B) Altostratus o (C) Nimbostratus (D) Cumulonimbus 3. Which is TRUE concerning Hot air? o (A) The moisture content of air is independent of air temperature (B) Hot air holds more moisture than cold air o (C) Hot air retains the same amount of moisture as cold air o (D) Hot air holds less moisture than cold air 4. Which type of cloud is the classic "thunderhead"? (B) Cumulonimbus o (C) Stratus o (D) Altostratus 5. Which is TRUE concerning static crashes on your AM radio? o (A) It is of no meteorological significance o (B) A sign of strong winds (C) It is an indication of nearby thunderstorm activity o (D) It is an indication of "clearing" weather Page 2 of 5
6. What does a barometer showing falling pressure indicate? o (A) The approach of a high pressure system o (B) A high dew point (C) The approach of a low pressure system o (D) A low dew point 7. What does a slow rise in the barometric pressure forecast? o (A) High seas o (B) Deteriorating weather conditions o (C) Rainy weather for the next 48 hours (D) Improving weather conditions 8. Which type of cloud formation should be of immediate concern to small craft operators? (B) Cumulonimbus o (C) Altostratus o (D) Nimbostratus 9. Which term is given to a tornado moves over the water from land? o (A) A hurricane (B) A waterspout o (C) A cyclone o (D) A tornado 10. Weather information provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) advisories should be used along with which other source of information? o (A) The local Notice to Mariners o (B) The Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables (C) Weather maps and local knowledge o (D) Any U.S. Coast Pilot Page 3 of 5
11. What do 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 (C) Probable thunderstorm activity o (D) A warm front has passed 12. Weather warnings such as gale, storm and hurricane warnings are based on which criteria? o (A) The amount of cloud cover forecasted o (B) The amount of rain forecasted (C) The wind speed forecasted o (D) The wave heights forecasted 13. Which is TRUE as the temperature of the air reaches the dew point? o (A) It begins to snow o (B) Water freezes (C) Fog may form o (D) Rain must develop 14. Which would influence a magnetic compass? o (A) Radio o (B) Iron pipe o (C) Electrical wiring (D) All of the above 15. Which are associated with Cumulonimbus clouds? o (A) A rapid drop in barometric pressure followed by darkness o (B) Clear skies with the approach of a cold front o (C) Dense fog and high humidity (D) Gusty winds, thunder, rain or hail, and lightning Page 4 of 5
16. If you count 20 seconds between seeing lightning and hearing the thunder, how far is the storm away from you? o (A) 2 miles (B) 4 miles o (C) 6 miles o (D) 8 miles 17. Which is TRUE concerning weather information? o (A) Weather information is available on scheduled marine information broadcasts o (B) Weather information is available through commercial radio broadcasts o (C) It is available through VHF-FM continuous marine weather broadcasts provided by the National Weather Service (D) All of the above 18. In a weather report, which defines the term "visibility"? o (A) The distance an observer can see with the unaided eye o (B) The ability to identify an object at night utilizing binoculars (C) The distance in miles at which prominent objects are identifiable by the unaided eye o (D) The distance an observer can see a prominent object with a telescope or binoculars 19. What benefit is a weather bulletin to a mariner? o (A) It allows the mariner to make long term weather forecasts. o (B) It is of little benefit since the weather changes frequently and rapidly. o (C) It provides a legal reason to cancel a projected voyage. (D) It gives the mariner time to prepare for weather changes. 20. How is the draw span of a floating drawbridge marked? o (A) With a flashing blue lights o (B) With three red lights on each side of the draw o (C) With a yellow and white diamond (D) With a yellow light showing Morse Code (B) Page 5 of 5