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Multiple-choice questions and answers on environmental science, covering population growth, pollution, resource management, and sustainable development. It highlights human impact, industrial and medical revolution consequences, and sustainable practices. Questions address waste management, water resources, and pollution effects, reviewing environmental principles. Suitable for environmental science students, it aids exam preparation and reinforces learning. It also touches on social modernization and international efforts in addressing global environmental challenges, providing a comprehensive overview of key environmental issues and solutions.
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Most of the world population growth in the near future will be in a. developed countries. b. North America. c. Europe. d. developing countries. - Correct Answers -developing countries Which of the following is a uniquely human trait? a. potential for rapid population growth b. ability to regulate our reproduction c. communication between members of a species d. storage of food during cold or dry periods - Correct Answers -ability to regulate our reproduction Unlike most species, human population ecology must also include consideration of the a. ability of humans to construct safe places to live. b. impact of severe weather on human health and safety. c. interactions of the global human population. d. impact of infectious disease on mortality. - Correct Answers -interactions of the global human population. The Neolithic Revolution is most clearly seen in human culture today in our use of a. modern agriculture to raise food crops. b. furs from trapped wild animals. c. rivers for navigation and water supplies. d. natural wood products from national forests. - Correct Answers -modern agriculture to raise food crops. Which problem today is primarily the result of the Industrial Revolution?
a. extensive air and water pollution b. decline in quality of agricultural soil c. increased transmission of disease between people living in close proximity d. erosion from deforestation as more fuel wood is harvested - Correct Answers - extensive air and water pollution Given the history of biomagnification of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in British Columbia ecosystems, we would expect to find the highest concentrations of POPs in a. water in the oceans. b. algae in the oceans. c. salmon living in the oceans. d. grizzly bears that eat the salmon from the oceans. - Correct Answers -grizzly bears that eat the salmon from the oceans. If we only recycled half of the materials that could be recycled of the total MSW of the United States, we could reduce the total volume of MSW by about a. 5%. b. 10%. c. 20% d. 35%. - Correct Answers -35%. In the United States, the greatest percentage of municipal solid waste that is not put into landfills is a. Burned in waste-to-energy combustion facilities b. Recycled c. Composted - Correct Answers -Recycled The ability to feed the growing world population was addressed by the a. Environmental Revolution. b. Industrial Revolution. c. Green Revolution. d. Medical Revolution. - Correct Answers -Green Revolution. The epidemiologic transition is largely a result of the a. Green Revolution. b. Medical Revolution. c. Environmental Revolution. d. Industrial Revolution. - Correct Answers -Medical Revolution. The five main revolutions of human history have all resulted in
a. will be declining in size. b. will be graying. c. is increasingly common in highly developed nations. d. All of the above. - Correct Answers -All of the above. In one year, a population of 10,000 people experiences a birth rate of 220 and a death rate of 170 people. The annual percent increase is a. 5% and assumes no immigration and 1% emigration. b. 0.5% and assumes no migration. c. 50% and excludes immigration and emigration. d. 3.9% and includes 5% immigration. - Correct Answers -0.5% and assumes no migration. Thailand has experienced a dramatic drop in fertility rate, increased per capita income and an increase in life expectancy between 1960 and 2005. These are all signs that Thailand a. has undergone demographic transition. b. will see a surge in population growth. c. probably has a low literacy rate among women. d. is in the grip of the poverty-population trap. - Correct Answers -has undergone demographic transition. Countries caught in the poverty-population trap have experienced a. a fertility transition but not the benefits of modern medicine. b. an environmental revolution but not a medical revolution. c. the benefits of modern medicine but not the benefits of economic development. d. the benefits of the green revolution without experiencing a Neolithic revolution. - Correct Answers -the benefits of modern medicine but not the benefits of economic development. In general, fertility rates a. decrease as per capita income decreases. b. increase as per capita income increases. c. decrease as per capita income increases. d. are unrelated to per capita income. - Correct Answers -decrease as per capita income increases. The Millennium Development Goals focus on a. international efforts to increase the economic development of the most impoverished countries.
b. ending extreme poverty and hunger all over the world. c. the separate continents of the world, with each continent coordinating the efforts of its countries. d. matters of health, reducing the spread of disease, and promoting diet and nutrition. - Correct Answers -ending extreme poverty and hunger all over the world. The recent Cairo and Stockholm population conferences in 1994 and 2014 found widespread agreement that the greatest way to help developing countries was to a. improve their agricultural productivity. b. limit their population growth through improving women's health and education. c. increase their use of modern medicine. d. limit their environmental degradation. - Correct Answers -limit their population growth through improving women's health and education. Social modernization involves many aspects that revolve around a. the education and enfranchisement of women. b. sustainable environmental policy. c. technology. d. economic development. - Correct Answers -the education and enfranchisement of women. Compared to a person in a developed country, a person in a developing country is about eight times more likely to die from a. cancer. b. communicable diseases. c. injuries. d. cardiovascular disease. - Correct Answers -communicable diseases. You are a newly appointed advisor in a government project to help move a developing country forward economically. With limited financial resources and staffing, which of the following would be your highest priority? a. create new businesses by partnering with developed nations b. build up the ports of the country to increase the ability to import and export products c. help the government promote family planning throughout the country d. shift the focus of agriculture to that which will produce the highest yields of nutritious foods - Correct Answers -help the government promote family planning throughout the country Small-scale businesses in Bangladesh have done well because of the Grameen bank lending:
Some lakes have river and stream tributaries but no outlet, losing water mainly through evaporation. Over time, we expect that such lakes will a. become deeper. b. increase their fishing productivity. c. be good sources of drinking water. d. become saltier. - Correct Answers -become saltier. In the western United States, rain shadows most frequently occur on a. the leeward, east side of mountain ranges. b. the northern slopes of mountains, which receive less sunlight. c. the windward, west side of mountain ranges. d. the southern slopes of mountains, which receive more sunlight. - Correct Answers - the leeward, east side of mountain ranges. Hadley cells at the equator consist of a. warm, moist air rising up the sides of mountains and cool, dry air descending on the leeward sides. b. rising, dry air associated with deserts and falling, moist air that produces precipitation and rain forests. c. rising, moist air that produces precipitation and rain forests, and falling, dry air associated with deserts. d. cool, dry air rising up the sides of mountains and warm, moist air descending on the leeward sides. - Correct Answers -rising, moist air that produces precipitation and rain forests, and falling, dry air associated with deserts. How has converting forests to mostly paved urban areas changed the streams and rivers in the affected watersheds? a. Flooding has decreased. b. Infiltration shifts to runoff. c. Levels of water flow and pollution have decreased. d. Evaporation has increased. - Correct Answers -Infiltration shifts to runoff. Regions where humans produce high levels of aerosols and dust will most likely experience a. more rainfall, decreased soil nutrients, and increased solar radiation to the Earth's surface. b. less rainfall, increased solar radiation to the Earth's surface, and higher temperatures. c. more rainfall, increased soil nutrients, and reduced solar radiation to the Earth's surface.
d. less rainfall, reduced solar radiation to the Earth's surface, and cooler temperatures. - Correct Answers -less rainfall, reduced solar radiation to the Earth's surface, and cooler temperatures. A zookeeper arrives at work and begins her day by filling up the coffeemaker with tap water. Washing some vegetables off in a sink, she prepares meals for the monkeys. Later in the day, she washes down the animals' enclosures into the zoo's sewage system and sprinkles the water onto plants growing in a nearby garden. What did the zookeeper do that represents a consumptive use of water? a. Using water to wash food b. Using water for the garden c. Using tap water for coffee d. Using water to clean out a cage - Correct Answers -Using water for the garden The greatest worldwide use of water is a. by industry. b. by human consumption. c. in washing and flushing toilets. d. in irrigation. - Correct Answers -in irrigation. Saltwater intrusion occurs a. when flooding occurs in large areas of surface water. b. in coastal regions where the water table is falling. c. when surface water seeps into groundwater. d. in coastal regions where the water table remains high. - Correct Answers -in coastal regions where the water table is falling. The greatest threats to groundwater supplies are a. increased evaporation and increased precipitation. b. groundwater pollution and depletion. c. evapotranspiration and runoff. d. global warming and the construction of dams. - Correct Answers -groundwater pollution and depletion. After joining the Peace Corps, a volunteer's assignment is to help spread good agricultural practices to people living in the humid tropics. After receiving training, the volunteer most likely tells the local farmers to a. start a water catchment, apply manure, mulch to their fields, and avoid tilling the soil if possible.
b. No plowing, irrigation, and the use of organic fertilizers c. Deep plowing, irrigation, and the use of inorganic fertilizers d. Deep plowing, no irrigation, and the use of inorganic fertilizers - Correct Answers -No plowing, drip irrigation, and the use of organic fertilizers A soil texture triangle reveals a. how climate influences soil properties. b. the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay. c. the strata of soil from the surface downward. d. the amount of minerals available to plants. - Correct Answers -the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay. In the healthy environment of a sustainable soil, a. sandy or silty soils are steadily converted to clay soils. b. abundant populations of bacteria are steadily replaced by mycorrhizae. c. the humus-forming processes of topsoil is renewed by the addition of detritus and humus. d. the levels of humus steadily decline, but the aeration increases. - Correct Answers - the humus-forming processes of topsoil is renewed by the addition of detritus and humus. Which of the following best describes mycorrhizae? a. Symbiotic fungi that increase soil nutrient uptake in plant roots b. Pathogenic soil bacteria and fungi that destroy plant roots c. Important soil millipedes that increase aeration of topsoil d. Common in soils that lack a functional humus - Correct Answers -Symbiotic fungi that increase soil nutrient uptake in plant roots In a region of eastern Washington State known as the Palouse, farmers grow wheat on steep, sloped hills. Which of the following agricultural practices might be of greatest benefit in this region? a. Use of shelterbelts b. Contour strip farming c. Irrigation d. Repeated plowing - Correct Answers -Contour strip farming The Dust Bowl in the United States in the 1930s was caused primarily by a. planting grains in soils that could support only leaf crops sustainably. b. attempts to farm areas with desert-like climate and thin topsoil. c. lack of enforcement of the soil conservation provisions of the 1862 Homestead Act.
d. lack of any soil conservation practices, continuous cropping, coupled with natural drought. - Correct Answers -lack of any soil conservation practices, continuous cropping, coupled with natural drought. Advocates of the Precautionary Principle as it applies to biosafety of GM organisms feel that a. no nation has the right to deny the importation of products. b. if there is the possibility of negative consequences, selling GM crop products should not be encouraged. c. testing the safety of bioengineered organisms is not realistic. d. science should not be allowed to be used to direct government policy. - Correct Answers -if there is the possibility of negative consequences, selling GM crop products should not be encouraged. Although considerable variation exists around the world, globally the percent of fossil fuels that are used for the primary energy supply is more than a. 80% b. 60% c. 50% d. 35% - Correct Answers -80% Cattle production in the United States and other developed nations involves CAFOs that a. produce large amounts of manure, all of which is diverted into soil restoration. b. produce 14% of the greenhouse gas methane, which causes global warming. c. generate income used to support the large population of native people. d. produce leather, which sustains millions of workers in the Brazilian leather industry. - Correct Answers -produce 14% of the greenhouse gas methane, which causes global warming. Chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, like DDT, are synthetic versions of a. heavy metals. b. non-biodegradable, persistent molecules. c. ions and salts. d. vitamins and minerals. - Correct Answers -non-biodegradable, persistent molecules. CHP conserves energy in industrial buildings by a. charging batteries when power demand drops. b. drawing on the heat of the earth to make electricity. c. installing solar panels on the top of power plants.
c. tadpoles in water near the power plant. d. snapping turtles in water near the power plant. - Correct Answers -snapping turtles in water near the power plant. In the past 40 years, pesticide use has tripled yet pests still cause extensive damage to crops. Why has this increased use of pesticides not been more effective? a. The pesticides in use today are much less powerful due to government regulations. b. The pesticides available are no longer suited for the most common types of pests. c. Increases in ultraviolet radiation and global warming break down pesticides faster. d. The widespread use of pesticides has resulted in the evolution of pesticide resistant pests. - Correct Answers -The widespread use of pesticides has resulted in the evolution of pesticide resistant pests. In the southern Appalachian Mountains, hundreds of miles of streams and freshwater systems are destroyed in the process of a. stream mining, in which oil buried under the streams is harvested. b. mountaintop removal mining to remove coal. c. diverting water to run coal machines in mines deep below the Earth. d. moving coal from deep shaft mines to major rivers. - Correct Answers -mountaintop removal mining to remove coal. In the United States from the Civil War to World War II, the most important fuel was a. natural gas. b. coal. c. wood. d. oil. - Correct Answers -coal. Judging from the data in the figure, if we wanted to decrease petroleum consumption and concentrate on more efficient technology, the sector we would select is a. residential. b. commercial. c. industrial. d. transportation. - Correct Answers -transportation. The Hubbert peak accurately predicted a. maximum U.S. oil consumption in 1972. b. maximum U.S. oil consumption continuing to climb through today. c. maximum U.S. oil production about 1970. d. maximum U.S. oil production about 1995. - Correct Answers -maximum U.S. oil production about 1970.
The Industrial Revolution has led to an increased reliance on fossil fuels to a. power farm machinery. b. power farm machinery and to produce irrigation pumps. c. power farm machinery and to produce fertilizers and pesticides. d. develop new types of crops. - Correct Answers -power farm machinery and to produce fertilizers and pesticides. The major fossil fuels differ in the amount of carbon dioxide they emit into the atmosphere when burned. From worst to least, these are a. coal, natural gas, and oil. b. coal, oil, and natural gas. c. oil, natural gas, and coal. d. natural gas, oil, and coal. - Correct Answers -coal, oil, and natural gas. The process of fracking involves a. using underground explosives to break up gas-rich shale deposits. b. processes that are under the regulation of the 2005 Safe Drinking Water Act. c. using coal and petroleum as a chemical basis for producing natural gas. d. using high-pressure fluids to fracture gas-rich shale deposits far underground. - Correct Answers -using high-pressure fluids to fracture gas-rich shale deposits far underground. Transgenic plants are generally different from traditional hybrid plants produced hundreds of years ago, because transgenic plants may a. contain genes from animals or bacteria. b. contain synthetic DNA or genes. c. have new traits not found in their ancestral species. d. not be used as sources of human food. - Correct Answers -contain genes from animals or bacteria. Which of the following about Bt crops is true? a. They are GM plants that incorporate the gene for producing a potent bacterially produced insecticide. b. They produce chemicals that interfere with the molting of insect pests. c. They should always be planted in pure stands to reduce the chance of Bt resistant pests. d. They produce chemicals that are similar to insect pheromones, interrupting pest mating cycles. - Correct Answers -They are GM plants that incorporate the gene for producing a potent bacterially produced insecticide.
Current photovoltaic technology uses sunlight to generate electricity a. in just one step. b. in the process of microfusion. c. by heating up water and using microscopic hydroturbines. d. while generating small amounts of methane for use as a fuel in other applications. - Correct Answers -in just one step. Energy policies that promote the use of renewable-energy resources a. and efficiency will automatically reduce the generation of greenhouse gases. b. hurt the poorest families and discourage economic growth in developing countries. c. and oil and gas exploration are the most promising ways to address global climate change. d. increase the demand for fossil fuels and require the importation of oil to most countries. - Correct Answers -and efficiency will automatically reduce the generation of greenhouse gases. Enrichment of nuclear fuel a. increases the relative concentration of uranium-235 to only 3-5% to avoid a nuclear explosion at higher percentages. b. decreases the relative concentration of uranium-235 to 30-50% to avoid a nuclear explosion at higher percentages. c. decreases the relative concentration of uranium-235 to only 3-5% to avoid a nuclear explosion at higher percentages. d. increases the relative concentration of uranium-235 to 30-50% to avoid a nuclear explosion at higher percentages. - Correct Answers -increases the relative concentration of uranium-235 to only 3-5% to avoid a nuclear explosion at higher percentages. Fission and fusion reactions a. convert the mass of the nuclear materials to energy. b. invest energy to generate nuclear materials. c. convert energy to the mass of the nuclear materials. d. release energy without a change in the mass of the nuclear materials. - Correct Answers -convert the mass of the nuclear materials to energy. Given the problems of inconsistent winds, the best place to position new wind turbines would be a. in deserts, where few man-made structures are located. b. along rivers and streams, where there is less human interference. c. in offshore locations where winds are more consistent.
d. along railroad tracks, where there are few trees. - Correct Answers -in offshore locations where winds are more consistent. If ethanol production in the United States more than doubles between 2015 and 2022, it will need to rely on a. any plant material and enzymes that convert sugars into cellulose, methane, and oxygen. b. second-generation biofuel using enzymes that convert cellulose to fermentable sugar. c. first-generation biofuel using enzymes to ferment glucose. d. manure and other animal wastes to generate methane, which in turn is used to produce alcohol. - Correct Answers -second-generation biofuel using enzymes that convert cellulose to fermentable sugar. If the radiation you received from your x-ray does pose a health risk, how can this radiation cause the greatest harm? a. Your nerves in the irradiated region may have been killed, causing you to lose sensation and control. b. Your DNA in cells that were radiated may be damaged. c. Most of the cells in the irradiated region were heated and killed by the x-ray energy. d. Enough of your blood cells in the irradiated region may have been killed to make you sick. - Correct Answers -Your DNA in cells that were radiated may be damaged. In general, the global reliance on nuclear power to generate electricity a. has doubled in the last decade. b. has remained steady since about 1978. c. has gradually increased at about 3% a year for the last decade. d. has declined annually since 1987. - Correct Answers -has gradually increased at about 3% a year for the last decade. In our natural environment, a. hydrogen is most abundant combined with oxygen. b. hydrogen is most abundant combined with carbon. c. hydrogen gas is more abundant than carbon dioxide. d. there is very little hydrogen in any form. - Correct Answers -hydrogen is most abundant combined with oxygen. In the winter in Wisconsin, a person going to work at 8 AM parks her car so that it is in bright sunlight in the afternoon. When she gets in her car about 5 PM, the inside is warm because of a. conductive solar heating.
The number of reactants and products varies in fission and fusion reactions. a. Fusion combines three reactants and yields one atomic product and a release of energy. b. Fusion begins with one reactant and yields two atomic products and a release of energy. c. Fission begins with two reactants and yields one atomic product and a release of energy. d. Fission begins with one reactant and yields two atomic products and a release of energy. - Correct Answers -Fission begins with one reactant and yields two atomic products and a release of energy. What are the problems associated with the use of solar energy? a. It is diffuse. b. It is mostly not available where it is needed c. May require several chemical transformations to be usable. d. It is intermittent. e. All of the above. - Correct Answers -All of the above. What event occurred in 1986 that caused a general public shift in interest in nuclear energy? a. global climate change due to burning fossil fuels was first well documented b. earthquakes impacting Japan's nuclear power plants c. the Chernobyl nuclear accident d. solar and wind technologies were revealed that could replace nuclear technologies - Correct Answers -the Chernobyl nuclear accident Which one of the following does not represent indirect solar energy? a. nuclear fission b. hydroelectric c. biomass d. windmills - Correct Answers -nuclear fission Which one of the following energy sources can rapidly generate the greatest additional power without contributing significantly to global climate change? a. Hydroelectric power b. Geothermal energy c. Solar technologies d. Nuclear energy - Correct Answers -Nuclear energy
The grasshopper population in a prairie is limited in large part by the number of birds in the region. Following a terrible storm that killed many of the birds, the grasshopper population exhibits exponential growth (J-curve). This happens because the grasshoppers experienced a. a new biotic potential with steady environmental resistance. b. a new biotic potential with decreased environmental resistance. c. a steady biotic potential but decreased environmental resistance. d. a decreased biotic potential and decreased environmental resistance. - Correct Answers -a steady biotic potential but decreased environmental resistance. The relationship between the moose and wolf populations on Isle Royal reveal a. intraspecific competition. b. top-down and bottom-up population regulation. c. the high and steady environmental resistance on wolves. d. the high and steady environmental resistance on moose. - Correct Answers -top- down and bottom-up population regulation. Green plants and chemoautotrophic organisms are classified as producers because they: a. use the energy of sunlight to manufacture organic molecules. b. use the energy of sunlight or inorganic chemicals to manufacture organic molecules. c. do not need energy to manufacture organic molecules. d. can produce their own energy from organic molecules. e. need organic molecules as a source of energy. - Correct Answers -use the energy of sunlight or inorganic chemicals to manufacture organic molecules. Threatened and endangered species receive special protection from human activities such as hunting and habitat destruction because these activities are a. density dependent. b. density independent. c. anthropogenic. d. cyclical. - Correct Answers -density independent. Which one of the following best represents the productive use of a natural resource? a. A man in Colorado burns wood from his property as a source of heat for his home. b. A family on vacation catches trout, which they will enjoy for dinner that evening. c. A woman gathers mushrooms from a forest to sell in the local produce market. d. Deep in the Congo, a person kills a bush pig to feed his family for the next week. - Correct Answers -Deep in the Congo, a person kills a bush pig to feed his family for the next week.