Question

These observed winds and SST in October 2010 generally ________ consistent with the depiction of those of the Figure 3 schematic of the beginning portion of Investigation 9B for a La Niña.

a) Are
b) Were
c) Will be
d) Would likely be

Answer 1

Option A: The observed winds and SST in October 2010 are consistent with the depiction in the schematic of a La Niña event.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of this question is Earth Science. The question involves analyzing the relationship between observed winds and sea surface temperatures (SST) in October 2010, and comparing them with a schematic representation of a La Niña event. The student is asked to determine which option best describes the consistency between the observed winds and SST and the schematic.

In this case, the correct answer is a) Are. The word 'Are' indicates present tense, suggesting that the observed winds and SST in October 2010 are currently consistent with the depiction in the schematic. By contrast, 'Were' (past tense) and 'Will be' (future tense) imply inconsistency between the two, while 'Would likely be' implies only a possibility of consistency.

For example, if the schematic depicts typical La Niña conditions, characterized by strong easterly winds and cooler SST in the eastern equatorial Pacific, and the observed winds and SST in October 2010 align with these conditions, then it can be concluded that they 'are' consistent.