When the global average atmospheric temperature changes over a period of at least
three ____, the earth’s climate can be said to have
changed.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYdecades
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYyears
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYdays
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYmonths
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYcenturies
Human activities affect the phosphorus cycle by greatly increasing the amount of
phosphorus stored in the earth, reducing the amount available for plant growth.
a. True
b. False
____ involves confining cattle with portable fencing to one area for a few days and then
moving them to a new location.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. Erosion controlHTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYRotational grazing
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYNutrient cycling
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYOrganic grazing
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYConfined animal feeding operations
Which of the following energy forms is lowquality?
HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYthe energy released by burning coal
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYthe heat dispersed in the ocean
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYconcentrated sunlight
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYhighspeed wind
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYthe energy released by burning wood
There are ____ separate belts (Hadley cells) in which warm air rises and cools, then
falls and heats up again in great rolling patterns.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYtwo
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYfour
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYsix
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYeight
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYten
Which process best illustrates an ecosystem service?
a. natural gas fracking
b. pollution cleanup
c. water purification
d. oil mining
e. soil erosion
What toxic chemical do miners in poverty stricken countries use for mining gold?
HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYsulfuric acid
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYmercury
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYcyanide salts
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYarsenic
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYnitric acid
What is a reason that the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean caused so much devastation
and death?HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYlack of attention to dire predictions from
emergency warning centers
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYindicators of a weak storm by early detection
systems
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYno recording devices in place to provide an
early warning of this tsunami
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYno knowledge of the potential of earthquakes
in this region
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYassumptions that tsunamis caused little harm
until this event
Aquaculture might be made more sustainable if
____.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYconsumers choose to eat fish species that eat
algae and other vegetation
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYconsumers choose to eat top predators
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYfish farms are located near mangrove forests
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYfish farms are located near estuaries
e. chemical pesticides are used to control common fish
diseasesHTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
What do critics say about the commandandcontrol approach to U.S. environmental
regulation?
a. It is too focused on cleanup.
b. It is too focused on prevention.
c. It encourages dishonesty.
d. It is too harsh.
e. Its regulations are too complex.
The greatest environmental impact would be caused by mining for ____
ore.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYa highgrade
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYa moderategrade
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYa lowgrade
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYbiomining
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYhydrothermal
Most aquifers are rapidly recharged through precipitation that percolates downward
through soil and rock.
a. True
b. False
HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYWhere are pollution levels up to 18 times higher
inside than they are outside in trafficclogged urban settings?
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYoffice buildings
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYconstruction sites
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYfuel stations
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYhomes located near freeways
e. inside automobilesHTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
What does the EPA discharge trading policy use to reduce pollution?
a. stocks and bonds
b. tax credits
c. public policy statements
d. fair trade laws
e. market forces
The air we breathe resides in the lowermost layer of the atmosphere called the
____.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYtroposphere
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYstratosphere
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYozone layer
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYgeosphere
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYbiosphere
The process of secondary ecological succession would typically follow a forest fire.
a. True
b. False
Closedloop recycling is the same as secondary recycling.
a. True
b. False
Large reserves of ____________________ are located in Canada and its oil reserves are
considered to be second only in size to those in Saudi Arabia.
Since 1945, approximately 1,000 species of insects and rodents have ____
insecticides.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYgone extinct because of
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYbeen unaffected by
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYdeveloped resistance to
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYworked better than
e. become threatened because ofHTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
Which characteristic must be true in order for a trait to be impacted by the forces of
natural selection and then play a role in the process of biological evolution?
a. The trait must be the result of environmental conditions.
b. The trait must be genetically based.
c. The trait must impact the social rank of its possessor.
d. The trait must be a physical characteristic of the organism.
e. The trait must be a behavioral characteristic of the organism.
Which zone that a stream flows through contains its headwater streams?
HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYtransition zone
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYsource zone
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYfloodplain zone
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYdelta zone
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYmeander zone
In the western United States, an area called the Great Basin contains many mountain
ranges that are separated from each other by high desert. Because these mountain
ranges provide sanctuary for some species, they could be called
____.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYtaiga reserves
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYislands of biodiversity
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYbroadleaf deciduous reserves
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYgrazing animal reserves
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYisland reserves
What is a misconception about biological evolution through natural selection?
HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYHumans evolved from a common ancestor
with apes.
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYAdaptive traits allow organisms to reproduce at
a higher rate than others.
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYGeographic isolation can result in species
evolving in different directions.
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYOnly genetic mutations that occur in
reproductive cells are passed on to offspring.
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYEvolution explains the origin of life.
Since 1976, the EPA has used the Toxic Substances Control Act to ban only 5 of the
roughly 80,000 chemicals in use.
a. True
b. False
What is the cause of extinction and reduction in wild species that compete for resources
with humans?
a. hunting similar prey
b. use of pesticides that inadvertently kill wild species
c. human population growth
d. pollution
e. invasive species
HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYSingle cell organisms that are found everywhere
and can multiply rapidly on their own are called ____.
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYcarcinogens
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYmutagens
c. parasites
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYbacteria
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYviruses
Species with broad niches are described as ____
species.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYinvasive species
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYnative
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYspecialist
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYdiverse
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYgeneralist
What variety of hazardous waste does not a have a scientifically and politically
acceptable way of disposal?HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYewaste
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYcoal ash
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYpesticides
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYnuclear
e. medical wasteHTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
Some prey species use ____ to scare off predators by puffing up (blowfish), spreading
their wings (peacocks), or mimicking a predator.HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYcamouflage
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYchemical warfare
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYparasitism
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYcommensalism
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYbehavioral strategies
Where do the majority of earthquakes and volcanoes occur?
HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITY
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYin the interior of continents
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYon oceanic islands
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYalong the edge of plate boundaries
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYin the open ocean
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYin the U.S.
HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYA species that is found only on one island would
be described as ____.
a. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYadaptive
b. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYthe product of artificial selection
c. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYa keystone species
d. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYan indicator species
e. HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYendemic
What is a major disadvantage of desalination?
a. reverse osmosis and transpiration
b. it is expensive
c. not enough brackish water to make it worthwhile
d. water cannot be used for irrigation
e. polluted sea water
Sometimes ecologists carry out controlled experiments by isolating and changing a
variable in part of an area and comparing the results with nearby unchanged areas.
a. True
b. False
On the ocean life zones figure, choose the zone that is dimly lit and contains
zooplankton.
The ____________________ principle requires that we develop regulations and use
economic tools such as green taxes to ensure that polluters bear the costs of dealing
with the pollutants and wastes.
The cleanest burning alternative among the fossil fuels is ____________________
____________________.
In comparing CO2 emissions sources, scientists use the concept of a(n)
____________________, which is the amount of CO2 generated by an individual, an
organization, a country, or any other entity over a given period of time.
Polyface Farm in the U.S. state of Virginia raises beef, chickens and pigs. A particular
practice on Polyface Farm is to bring chickens into a pasture after the cows have eaten
the grass. The chickens eat the insect grubs that are found in the cow manure. While the
chickens fatten up on the insect grubs, they also produce waste, which in turn fertilizes
the grass the cows will later eat. Explain this process in terms of sustainable agriculture
and the basic principles of sustainability.
One type of tropical grassland, called a(n) ____________________, contains widely
scattered clumps of trees.
A(n) ____________________ is an element or inorganic compound that occurs
naturally in the earth’s crust.
Explain how a city affects local climate conditions.
Desert, prairie grassland, and coniferous forest with distinct climates and certain species
are all examples of ____________________.
The ____________________ Act of 1935 gave farmers and ranchers technical
assistance for setting up soil conservation programs that resulted in reduced erosion.
It is welldocumented that while some synthetic pesticides have caused great harm to
living creatures, others have saved lives. Give a brief account of one that has, ironically,
saved human lives: DDT.
One way to increase food security is to grow more of our food locally with certified
____________________ farming practices.
How does natural selection change the genetic makeup of a population over time?
China’s family planning and birth control program was instituted because of a serious
threat of ____________________.
As solar energy interacts with carbon dioxide, water vapor, and several other gases in
the troposphere, it warms the troposphere— a process known as the
____________________.