Part 2 — Answer key

Compare your answers after you have finished Part 1.

1. In the Northern Hemisphere, astronomical summer begins at which event?
   June solstice
2. In the meteorological system used by many weather agencies, summer in the Northern Hemisphere is June, July, and August.
   True
3. Which food is especially associated with classic summer picnics in the United States?
   Watermelon
4. During a thunderstorm, standing under a lone tree is a good way to stay safe because it blocks the rain.
   False
5. It is July in Sydney, Australia. What season is it there?
   Winter
6. In the United States, Independence Day is celebrated on which date?
   July 4
7. Canada Day, often associated with the start of summer festivities, falls on which date?
   July 1
8. The heat index depends only on air temperature, not humidity.
   False
9. Wimbledon, a classic summer event, is primarily associated with which sport?
   Tennis
10. You get caught in a rip current at the beach and notice you are being pulled away from shore. What is the smartest immediate move?
    Swim parallel to the shoreline to get out of the current
11. In the Northern Hemisphere, astronomical summer ends at the September equinox.
    True
12. White clothing can feel cooler in summer mainly because it reflects more sunlight than dark clothing.
    True
13. Bastille Day, a major summer holiday, is celebrated in which country?
    France
14. In many mid latitude locations, the latest sunset happens on the June solstice.
    False
15. A weather app in the U.S. calls June 1 “the first day of summer,” but your astronomy friend insists summer starts later in June. What definition is the app using?
    Meteorological summer
16. On a humid afternoon hike, a friend is sweating heavily, feels dizzy, and has cool, clammy skin. What condition does this most strongly suggest?
    Heat exhaustion
17. In Sweden, “Midsummer” celebrations are typically held when?
    Near the June solstice, often on a weekend
18. Why is it summer in the Northern Hemisphere in June and July, even though Earth is not closest to the Sun then?
    Earth’s tilt makes sunlight more direct and days longer
19. The phrase “dog days of summer” originally related to the star Sirius rising with the Sun.
    True
20. A headline says “Monsoon arrives this week.” In climate terms, what makes something a monsoon?
    A seasonal wind shift that changes rainfall patterns
21. A rip current usually pulls swimmers straight down underwater like a whirlpool.
    False
22. On a summer morning you take a hot air balloon ride. What actually makes the balloon rise?
    Heated air inside the envelope
23. In Japan, Obon is a summer period associated with honoring what?
    Ancestors and spirits of the dead
24. At a summer picnic, potato salad has been sitting out in the shade. It is about 85°F (29°C). Under standard food safety guidance, about how long is it generally safe to leave perishable food unrefrigerated?
    About 2 hours
25. In the Atlantic, a tropical cyclone is called a hurricane once sustained winds reach 74 mph (119 km/h).
    True
26. At the Arctic Circle during the June solstice, what can happen that seems almost impossible if you have never seen it?
    The Sun stays above the horizon for 24 hours
27. Two friends argue about what makes summer air feel “muggy.” Which measurement is usually the best single indicator of that sticky feeling?
    Dew point
28. You are traveling in late June and see huge bonfires, lakeside saunas, and celebrations of the “midnight sun.” Which country is especially known for this Midsummer holiday called Juhannus?
    Finland
29. In many coastal areas, ocean temperatures reach their coldest after winter has officially ended because water warms and cools slowly.
    True
30. The UV index is usually highest around solar noon, not early morning or late afternoon.
    True
31. Approximately which latitude marks the boundary for getting at least one day of 24 hour daylight at some point in the year?
    66.5°
32. Someone claims Northern Hemisphere summer happens because Earth is closest to the Sun in July. Which statement best fixes that misconception?
    Earth is closest to the Sun in early January, and seasons are driven mainly by tilt
33. You are comparing climate charts for Argentina and South Africa and see “meteorological summer” labeled the same way on both. In the Southern Hemisphere, meteorological summer is which set of months?
    December, January, February
34. In its older astronomical meaning, the “dog days” were linked to Sirius and roughly lined up with which part of the year in the ancient Mediterranean?
    Late July into early August