Part 2 — Answer key

Compare your answers after you have finished Part 1.

1. In the Northern Hemisphere, which month typically includes the first day of astronomical summer?
   June
2. In the Northern Hemisphere, summer has the longest daylight hours of any season.
   True
3. You are planning a summer beach trip within the continental United States and want the warmest average ocean water in July. Which coastline is your best bet?
   Gulf of Mexico coast
4. At a summer picnic, you offer a fruit that is famous for being about 90 percent water. Which fruit fits this description best?
   Watermelon
5. The modern Summer Olympic Games are always held in July.
   False
6. You live in New York and decide to take a vacation to Australia in January. Which season will you experience when you arrive there?
   Summer
7. You are planning a casual gathering in a North American backyard on a warm evening. Which cooking method is most traditionally associated with this kind of summer get-together?
   Grilling
8. Fireflies create their summer glow by heating tiny lamps in their tails until they shine.
   False
9. You are checking the forecast before a long summer hike and see a UV index of 9 at midday. How should you interpret this level for your plans?
   Very high risk, use strong sun protection and limit midday exposure
10. A city wants to host an outdoor summer music festival with very long evening light. Which high-latitude region is best known for its long summer twilights and even "white nights"?
    Scandinavia
11. If you visit Rome in August, you should expect that many locals leave the city for holiday, so some small shops and restaurants may be closed.
    True
12. You are in a humid city during a summer heat wave. The air temperature is 32°C (90°F), but the heat index makes it feel closer to 40°C (104°F). Which combination of conditions most directly causes this higher "feels like" temperature?
    High humidity and light wind
13. You are hosting a picnic on a hot summer afternoon and serve potato salad with mayonnaise. How long can it safely sit out at room temperature before you should throw away any leftovers?
    About 2 hours
14. When the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing the summer solstice, the Southern Hemisphere is experiencing its winter solstice at the same time.
    True
15. In much of coastal California, summer is typically the clearest, sunniest season with the fewest low clouds or fog.
    False
16. Arrange these summer beach day actions in the safest order for sun protection, from morning preparation through the end of the day.
    Correct order: Apply sunscreen before leaving home → Seek shade during the strongest midday sun → Reapply sunscreen after swimming → Use after-sun lotion once back indoors
17. At a summer trivia night, you are asked which major Northern Hemisphere music festival is typically held in late June and often seen as the unofficial start of the European summer festival season. What is the best answer?
    Glastonbury Festival in England
18. You want to experience the midnight sun on an end-of-summer trip in the Northern Hemisphere, around late August. Which destination gives you the best chance to see the Sun at or near the horizon at midnight?
    Northern coast of Norway above the Arctic Circle
19. A coastal town often has clear, hot mornings in summer followed by brief but intense thunderstorms in the late afternoon. Which pattern best explains this daily cycle?
    Afternoon sea breeze lifting warm, moist air
20. You are comparing two lakes for a late summer swim. Lake A is deep and very clear, while Lake B is shallow with a dark, muddy bottom. Which lake is most likely warmer in the afternoon, and why?
    Lake B, because shallow, darker water heats up faster
21. You notice that by late August your evening barbecue ends in near darkness, even though in late June you were still in bright twilight at the same clock time. Which concept best explains this change in daylight length over the summer?
    Earth's tilt relative to its orbit
22. During a summer trivia night, someone asks about the origin of the phrase "dog days of summer." What was this expression originally referring to?
    The rising of the star Sirius in the same part of the sky as the Sun
23. A film buff designing a summer trivia quiz wants to highlight the movie often credited with creating the modern idea of the "summer blockbuster" in North America. Which film is most commonly given this title?
    Jaws
24. Watermelon can be classified as both a fruit and a vegetable.
    True