Direction: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

"A powerful manifestation of the earth atmosphere energy budget and moisture system is the tropical cyclone, which originates entirely within tropical air masses. The tropics extend from the Tropic of Cancer at 23.5°N, to the Tropic of Capricorn at 23'5°S containing the equatorial zone between 10°N and 10°S. Approximately 80 tropical cyclones occur annually worldwide. Some are powerful enough to be classified as hurricanes and typhoons. Cyclonic systems forming in the tropics are quite different from mid-latitude cyclones because the air of the tropics is essentially homogeneous, with no fronts or conflicting air masses. Tropical depressions intensity into tropical storms as they cross the Atlantic. A rule of thumb has emerged: If they mature early along their track, they tend to curve northward towards the North Atlantic and miss the United States. The critical position is approximately 40° W longitudes. Officially, tropical cyclone season is from June 1 to November 30 each year".