A location's distance from the equator; areas near the equator receive more direct sunlight and higher temperatures.

A location's distance from the equator; areas near the equator receive more direct sunlight and higher temperatures.

• A. Latitude
• B. Elevation
• C. Climate
• D. Temperature Zone

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how distance from the equator shapes how much solar energy a place gets, which in turn affects its typical temperatures. This distance is described by latitude—the location’s position north or south of the equator, measured in degrees (0° at the equator). Places near the equator have low latitudes, so the sun’s rays hit more directly and heat is concentrated, leading to higher average temperatures. As you move toward higher latitudes, the sun comes in at a slant, energy spreads over a larger area and travels through more atmosphere, which reduces warming and makes temperatures cooler on average. Elevation changes temperature through height above sea level and air pressure, not distance from the equator. Climate refers to long-term weather patterns, and temperature zone is a broad regional category, not the specific measure of how far a place is from the equator. So the term that best fits the description is latitude.

The main idea is how distance from the equator shapes how much solar energy a place gets, which in turn affects its typical temperatures. This distance is described by latitude—the location’s position north or south of the equator, measured in degrees (0° at the equator). Places near the equator have low latitudes, so the sun’s rays hit more directly and heat is concentrated, leading to higher average temperatures. As you move toward higher latitudes, the sun comes in at a slant, energy spreads over a larger area and travels through more atmosphere, which reduces warming and makes temperatures cooler on average. Elevation changes temperature through height above sea level and air pressure, not distance from the equator. Climate refers to long-term weather patterns, and temperature zone is a broad regional category, not the specific measure of how far a place is from the equator. So the term that best fits the description is latitude.