Question

which term best identifies the climate zone that is dry but can be hot or cold depending on its latitude?

desert

tropical

humid temperature

polar

Explanation:

• Tropical climates are consistently warm and wet, not dry.
• "Humid temperature" is not a valid climate zone, and humid regions are not dry.
• Polar climates are only cold, not variable hot/cold.
• Desert climates are defined by low precipitation (dry), and can be hot (e.g., Sahara at low latitudes) or cold (e.g., Gobi at mid-high latitudes) based on latitude.

Answer:

desert