The World's Time Zones

Subskill # 12, 13, 14 Interpreting Events/Evaluation/Extended Meaning II

Study the following information and choose the best possible answer to the questions that follow. The article “The World’s Time Zones” was taken from http://physics.nist.gov.

In the latter part of the nineteenth The individual zone boundaries are not century, a variety of meridians were used straight, however, because they have for longitudinal reference by various been adjusted for the convenience and countries. For a number of reasons, the desires of local populations. Interestingly, Greenwich meridian was the most popular the standard timekeeping system related of these. At least one factor in this to this arrangement of time zones was popularity was the reputation for reliability made official in the United States by an and correctness of the Greenwich Act of Congress in March 1918, some 34 Observatory's publications of navigational years following the agreement reached at data. It became clear that shipping would the international conference. In an earlier benefit substantially from the decision prompted by their own interests establishment of a single "prime" and by pressures for a standard meridian, and the subject was finally timekeeping system from the scientific resolved in 1884 at a conference held in community--meteorologists, geophysicists Washington, where the meridian passing and astronomers--the U.S. railroad through Greenwich was adopted as the industry anticipated the international initial or prime meridian for longitude and accord when they implemented a timekeeping. Given a 24-hour day and "Standard Railway Time System" on 360 degrees of longitude around the November 18, 1883. This Standard earth, it is obvious that the world's 24 Railway Time, adopted by most cities, was time zones have to be 15 degrees wide, the subject of much local controversy for on average. nearly a decade following its inception.

Vocational Preparatory Instruction Reading Subskill # 12, 13, 14 Interpreting Events/Evaluation/Extended Meaning II

Now choose the best answer for each question.

1. What was the purpose of the 3. The Greenwich meridian was the international conference held in most popular of all meridians Washington in 1884? because of its: a. Name the Greenwich a. Ability for ships to navigate meridian most popular. around it b. Be sure that the shipping b. Reputation for publications world used only the of timekeeping Greenwich meridian. c. Ability to divide the earth c. Accept the Greenwich into 15-degree longitudinal meridian as the prime segments. meridian. d. Reputation for reliability d. Divide the earth into 15- degree wide longitudinal degrees. 4. The U.S. railroad industry implemented a "Standard Railway Time System,” because of pressure 2. What is the meaning of the word from: “anticipated” as it relates to the a. U.S. Congress U.S. railroad industry? b. Scientists a. The U.S. railroad industry knew the timekeeping c. The international conference system would be adopted. committee b. The U.S. railroad industry d. Greenwich Observatory thought the timekeeping system would be adopted. 5. Because of the adoption of the c. The U.S. railroad industry Greenwich meridian as the prime did not want to use the meridian, countries of the world: timekeeping system. a. Have a reliable method of d. The U.S. railroad industry keeping time attended the international conference. b. Can divide the world into straight lines by degrees c. Can have railroads all over the world d. Can have international meetings on a regular basis

Study the information and choose the best answers to the following questions.

6. According to the map, the 8. What area code would you use to continental United States is divided call your brother in Alaska? into: a. 903 a. 1 time zone b. 907 b. 2 time zones c. 901 c. 3 time zones d. 909 d. 4 time zones

9. According to the map, if the time in 7. If you live in Florida and call your Wyoming (WY) is noon, what time mother in California at 10 AM your is it in Nevada (NV)? time, what time is it for your a. Noon mother? b. 1 PM a. 7 AM c. 11 AM b. 8 AM d. 10 AM c. 9 AM d. 10 AM

10. According to the map, the time in d. ND California is three hours behind that in: a. NM b. ME c. AK

Answer Key

Vocational Preparatory Instruction Reading