11
41) The human body does not excrete polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) but instead stores them
in the
A) lungs.
B) kidneys.
C) liver.
D) muscles.
Skill: Remembering
Section: Water Pollution and Shortages
Learning Outcome: 15.4
42) The average person in the United States generates how many pounds of municipal solid
waste each day?
A) about 1.5
B) more than 4
C) more than 6
D) more than 8
Skill: Remembering
Section: Land Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.5
43) According to experts, what percentage of trash is recyclable?
A) 35 percent
B) 50 percent
C) 75 percent
D) 90 percent
Skill: Remembering
Section: Land Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.5
44) Marta collects kitchen scraps and yard clippings in a bin outside of her home to use in her
garden. She is
A) recycling.
B) composting.
C) combusting.
D) source reducing.
Skill: Applying
Section: Land Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.5
12
45) All of the following statements regarding cell phones are true EXCEPT
A) radio frequency energy from cell phones can penetrate your body.
B) cell phone use has been proven to pose a clear risk of human tissue damage.
C) for the highest level of safety, it is best to use a hands–free device.
D) the global burden of e-waste from cell phones has skyrocketed in recent years.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Radiation
Learning Outcome: 15.6
46) The release of particles and electromagnetic rays from atomic nuclei during the normal
process of disintegration produces
A) cell phone radiation.
B) nonionizing radiation.
C) ionizing radiation.
D) microwave radiation.
Skill: Remembering
Section: Radiation
Learning Outcome: 15.6
47) Radiation exposure is measured in which of the following units (also called roentgens)?
A) radiation ionized units
B) radiation absorbed doses
C) radiation exposed doses
D) radiation frequency units
Skill: Remembering
Section: Radiation
Learning Outcome: 15.6
48) The accident that results when the temperature in the core of a nuclear reactor increases
enough to melt the fuel and breach the containment vessel is called a nuclear
A) fire.
B) breach.
C) explosion.
D) meltdown.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Radiation
Learning Outcome: 15.6
13
49) Sound is measured in
A) amps.
B) watts.
C) decibels.
D) candelas.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Noise Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.7
50) The average number of births a female in a given population has during her reproductive
years is the
A) conception rate.
B) birth rate.
C) fertility rate.
D) reproductive rate.
Skill: Understanding
Section: The Threat of Overpopulation
Learning Outcome: 15.1
51) The term for an environmental contaminant that causes potential harm to living organisms is
A) pollutant.
B) hazard.
C) runoff.
D) compound.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Air Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.2
52) Gases that accumulate in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming by trapping heat
near Earth’s surface are
A) ionizing gases.
B) greenhouse gases.
C) stratospheric gases.
D) hydrocarbons.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Climate Change
Learning Outcome: 15.3
14
53) A measure of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, shown as units of carbon dioxide
emissions, is the
A) smog level.
B) carbon level.
C) carbon footprint.
D) air quality index.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Climate Change
Learning Outcome: 15.3
54) A measure of how clean or polluted the air in a given region is on a particular day is the
A) smog level.
B) carbon level.
C) carbon footprint.
D) air quality index.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Air Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.2
55) Which compound that was formerly used in building materials such as insulation has been
found to be the cause of certain cancers and lung diseases?
A) radon
B) asbestos
C) lead
D) PCBs
Skill: Understanding
Section: Air Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.2
56) Which naturally occurring odorless, colorless gas seeps into homes and is a leading cause of
lung cancer?
A) radon
B) asbestos
C) lead
D) mold
Skill: Understanding
Section: Air Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.2
15
57) Which inexpensive device can be attached to faucets and showerheads to reduce water
consumption?
A) filter
B) aerator
C) pump
D) gasket
Skill: Understanding
Section: Water Pollution and Shortages
Learning Outcome: 15.4
58) Lydia is listening to her MP3 player at a decibel level of 80. This is about
A) 10 percent softer than a vacuum cleaner.
B) 10 percent louder than a vacuum cleaner.
C) 10 times louder than a vacuum cleaner.
D) as loud as a chainsaw.
Skill: Analyzing
Section: Noise Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.7
59) Mrs. Smith is an only child. She has three daughters. If all three have three daughters, and
each daughter has three daughters, then within four generations, Mrs. Smith would have
produced 27 female descendants.
Skill: Analyzing
Section: The Threat of Overpopulation
Learning Outcome: 15.1
60) One in four animals is threatened with extinction because of population growth as a result of
human activity.
Skill: Understanding
Section: The Threat of Overpopulation
Learning Outcome: 15.1
61) Evidence suggests that pollution levels within homes and other buildings can be 2 to 5 times
higher than in outdoor air.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Air Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.2
16
62) Oil, coal, and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels, which are carbon-based fuels.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Air Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.2
63) Toxic waste (hazardous waste) in landfills and dump sites can harm the environment but has
little impact on human health.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Land Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.5
64) Environmental tobacco smoke contains over 40 compounds linked to lung cancer, asthma,
heart disease, and sudden infant death syndrome.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Air Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.2
65) The climate change that has occurred over the last 100 years is primarily due to human
activities.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Climate Change
Learning Outcome: 15.3
66) Runoff from a parking lot is considered nonpoint source pollution.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Water Pollution and Shortages
Learning Outcome: 15.4
67) Most solid municipal waste is recycled.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Land Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.5
17
68) The federal government established Superfund to provide money for water conservation
efforts in certain communities.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Land Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.5
69) All forms of radiation pose a threat to human health.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Radiation
Learning Outcome: 15.6
70) Approximately 45% of the radiation that Americans are exposed to is from medical and
dental x-rays.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Radiation
Learning Outcome: 15.6
71) A decibel level of 110 is 10 times louder than 100 decibels.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Noise Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.7
72) Explain why slowing the world’s population growth is a critical environmental challenge
today.
Skill: Analyzing
Section: The Threat of Overpopulation
Learning Outcome: 15.1
18
73) Explain the concept of an ecological footprint and identify the source contributing most
greatly to humanity’s ecological footprint.
Skill: Understanding
Section: The Threat of Overpopulation
Learning Outcome: 15.1
74) Explain how taking steps to preserve natural resources, including energy, food, water, and
land, can save you money.
Skill: Evaluating
Section: Air Pollution; Water Pollution and Shortages; Land Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.2, 15.4, 15.5
75) Discuss the three main areas of focus in preventing indoor air pollution.
Skill: Understanding
Section: Air Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.2
19
76) Discuss three ways you can reduce the waste you generate at home.
Skill: Applying
Section: Land Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.5
77) Identify three strategies for protecting your hearing when listening to an MP3 player.
Skill: Applying
Section: Noise Pollution
Learning Outcome: 15.5