DECADECA Travel and Tourism Practice Exam

What does Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) refer to?

1. A standard time used throughout the world

2. The local time of cities in the eastern hemisphere

3. A system for calculating time zones

4. The standard time used in the United States

The correct answer is: A standard time used throughout the world

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is a time standard that was originally used to help coordinate the time across different regions of the world. Established in the late 19th century, GMT is based on the mean solar time at the Prime Meridian, which passes through Greenwich, London. This standard time serves as a reference point for calculating time in various time zones around the globe. While GMT itself is not a standard that is comprehensively used throughout the world today—especially with the advancement and adoption of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)—it is often referenced when discussing standard time. Therefore, it stands as a foundational concept in understanding global timekeeping. The other options do not accurately capture the primary definition of GMT. The local time in the eastern hemisphere varies significantly, as various countries can be several hours apart. A system for calculating time zones is part of what GMT helps establish but isn't encompassed solely by GMT itself. Lastly, the concept of standard time used in the United States is quite distinct and is based on its own system of time zones rather than GMT specifically.