Name ______
Environmental Science
Exam I
1. The sun’s energy provides earth with:
a) fossil fuels c) patterns of temperature and precipitation
b) energy-rich carbon compounds d) liquid water
e) All of these choices are correct
2. The interdisciplinary study of humanity’s relationship with other organisms and the non-living physical environment is termed:
a) ecology b) sociology c) political science d) risk analysis e) environmental science
3. Highly developed countries are characterized by:
a) high rates of population growth c) simple agricultural bases
b) high per capita incomes d) Thailand, Mexico and South Africa
4. The one central problem of environmental science that links all other problems together is that:
a) we are using up our supplies of fossil fuels c) we are using too much fresh water
b) we are polluting the environment d) we are continually increasing the number of humans
5. In the scientific method, a hypothesis
a) is a statement of fact c) is usually proven to be correct
b) makes a prediction that can be tested d) can only be tested once
6. Which of the following represents an idea associated with environmental sustainability?
a) The capacity of the environment to absorb toxins is unlimited.
b) The human population continues to grow.
c) We are using fossil fuels as if they were present in unlimited supply.
d) The Earth's resources are not present in infinite supply
7. Which of the following represents a common-pool resource?
a) fresh water b) atmosphere c) forests
d) marine fisheries e) all of these choices are correct
8. Which of the following is NOT a renewable resource?
a) trees b) fishes c) minerals d) fresh water e) fertile agricultural soil
9. Examples of non-sustainable human activities or behaviors include:
a) recycling b) attempts to limit human population growth
c) using technology to improve car mileage
d) use of nonrenewable resources as if they were present in unlimited quantities
10. “Multiple individuals receiving the greatest amount of goods and services from a limited set of resources” describes the economic principle (s) of:
a) externality b) efficiency c) utility d) externality and utility
11. An environmental impact statement must include:
a) an ethical analysis of the proposed action.
b) short- and long-term effects and any adverse environmental effects.
c) solutions to any potentially adverse environmental effects.
d) documentation of the financial cost-benefit analysis of the proposed action.
e) a description of the solution to any associated environmental controversy.
12. The deep ecology worldview is an understanding of our place in the world based on
a) harmony with nature and a spiritual respect for life
b) human superiority and dominance over nature
c) right and wrong environmental behaviors of our government
13. Which of the following statements reflects the Western worldview?
a) All organisms are interdependent.
b) Nature should be preserved, not used.
c) Humans have the right to modify the environment to benefit their wellbeing and high standard of living.
14. All of the following would contribute to natural capital, except:
a) groundwater. b) soil. c) clean air.
d) mineral resources. e) None of these choices, all are natural capital
15. Which of the following is an abiotic factor of the environment?
a) living spaces b) disease organisms c) photosynthesis d) producers
16. The biotic environment includes a variety of components including:
a) autotrophs. b) protozoa. c) primary producers.
d) decomposers. e) All of these choices are correct
17. A species is defined as:
a) organisms that live together.
b) organisms that live in the same area at the same time.
c) a group of similar organisms whose members freely interbreed with one another.
18. Which of the following series is organized according to the levels of organization used by ecologists?
a) population -> ecosystem -> community
b) species -> community -> abiotic factors
c) species -> ecosystem -> population
d) population -> community -> biotic factors
e) population -> community -> ecosystem
19. An ecosystem can be characterized as:
a) populations + community.
b) all species, population, and community interactions for organisms in a given area.
c) the abiotic components of the environment.
d) all of the biological interactions, plus interactions with the abiotic environment, in a given area.
20. All of the following are components of the hydrosphere except:
a) sea ice. b) tropical rainstorms. c) soil. d) hail. e) rivers.
21. The First Law of Thermodynamics states that:
a) energy can be created or destroyed by physical processes.
b) entropy always increases.
c) energy cannot be created or destroyed.
d) the organization of the universe is steadily increasing.
22. Which of the following is a producer?
a) nutrient-rich water b) a rabbit c) an alga d) a fungus e) a saprotroph
23. A secondary consumer would eat:
a) tertiary consumers. b) fungi. c) bacteria. d) herbivores. e) lions.
24. Each level or "link" in a food chain or a food web is called:
a) a trophic level. b) a consumer. c) an energy flow unit. d) an equivalent.
25. 1. In the carbon cycle, carbon can be found in:
a) Limestone, animals, and plants c) Carbon dioxide and coal
b) Biocarbonate and sugar d) The atmosphere e) All of these choices are correct
26. The movement of water from land to rivers, lakes, wetlands and ultimately, the ocean is called:
a) groundwater b) transpiration c) hydrologic cycle d) runoff e) precipitation
27. Which of the following is not an example of a fossil fuel?
a) Wood b) Oil c) Natural gas d) Coal e) The remains of ancient organisms
28. Transpiration occurs in:
a) oceans b) groundwater c) the atmosphere d) animals e) terrestrial plants
29. Solar radiation:
a) powers the hydrologic and other biogeochemical cycles.
b) is essential for photosynthesis.
c) is the product of a massive nuclear fusion reaction.
d) is captured by plants and may eventually become the energy available from fossil fuels.
e) All of these choices are correct
30. Which of the following surfaces has the highest albedo?
a) Glaciers b) Forests c) The ocean d) Buildings e) pavements
31. Stratospheric ozone is important because it:
a) Absorbs UV radiation c) Powers the weather cycle e) Is part of the troposphere
b) Is what we breathe d) Is an industrial pollutant
32. Gyres are:
a) prevailing winds b) circular ocean currents c) an effect of El Niño
33. Which of the following does not influence climate?
a) Distance from the ocean b) Topography c) Latitude d) Vegetation
e) None of these choices, all affect climate
34. Which of the following has the most concentrated energy and highest destructive potential?
a) Tornadoes b) Ice storms c) Thunderstorms d) El Niño- Southern Oscillation
35. The theory of evolution by natural selection was proposed in The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859) written by:
a) G. F. Gause b) Rachel Carson c) Ponce de Leon d) Charles Darwin
36. Individuals within a population each have a unique combination of traits due to:
a) overproduction. b) evolution. c) genetic variation. d) natural selection.
37. Which of the following characteristics is used to identify members of the Kingdom Animalia?
a) lack a nuclear envelope and other internal cell membranes.
b) use radiant energy to synthesize organic molecules
c) ingest food and digest it internally
d) secrete digestive enzymes into their food and then absorb the pre-digested nutrients
38. An organism's role, or lifestyle, within the structure of an ecosystem is its:
a) habitat. b) trophic level. c) symbiotic relationship. d) ecological niche.
39. Which of the following characterizes a symbiotic relationship?
a) a close interrelationship where both species benefit
b) a close interrelationship where one species benefits and the other is not affected
c) a close interrelationship where one species benefits and the other is adversely affected
d) an intimate relationship between members of two or more species
e) All of these choices are correct
40. Predation can be defined as:
a) two or more individuals attempting to use an essential common resource.
b) one organism consuming another organism, which may be a plant or animal.
c) organisms living together.
d) a relationship where one organism benefits and the other is adversely affected.
41. Competition occurs when:
a) one organism, the predator, attempts to consume another , the prey.
b) two species in different habitats have similar niches.
c) two or more species attempt to use an essential common resource.
d) two or more species have an ecological relationship.
42. The number of species in a community can depend on:
a) the geological history of the region.
b) the productivity of the ecosystem.
c) the abundance of ecological niches.
d) the stability of the ecosystem.
e) All of these choices are correct
43. Which of the following does not correctly pair the ecosystem with a service it provides?
a) forests – absorb carbon dioxide c) grasslands – dilute and remove pollutants
b) coasts – provide a buffer against storms d) freshwater systems – moderate water flow
44. Because of their large size and aggressive nature, European Starlings have displaced Bluebirds from their nests in many areas of North America. This is an example of:
a) Commensalism b) Parasitism c) Mutualism d) Predation e) Competition