Question

1. what is a direct effect of melting polar ice caps?

a. lower global temperatures
b. rising sea levels
c. decreased thermal expansion
d. reduced ocean currents

Explanation:

• Option a: Melting ice caps are caused by global warming (higher temps), so they don’t lower temps. Eliminate a.
• Option b: Polar ice caps (frozen water) melting adds water to oceans, directly raising sea levels. This makes sense.
• Option c: Thermal expansion is about water expanding with heat; melting ice doesn’t decrease it. Eliminate c.
• Option d: Ocean currents are driven by temperature/salinity gradients; melting ice doesn’t directly reduce them. Eliminate d.

Answer:

b. Rising sea levels