Question 1

Which of the following represents an idea associated with environmental sustainability?

Accepted Answer

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 
E)  None of these choices 
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 
E)  None of these choices

Question 2

Which of the following represents a common-pool resource?

Accepted Answer

A)  fresh water 
B)  atmosphere 
C)  forests 
D)  marine fisheries 
E)  all of these choices are correct 
A)  fresh water 
B)  atmosphere 
C)  forests 
D)  marine fisheries 
E)  all of these choices are correct

Question 3

A journalist reports on what Hardin (1968) referred to as a "tragedy of the commons." The media story concerns:

Accepted Answer

A)  a disaster that happened in the park 
B)  the technology divide that exists between the social classes of poverty and elite 
C)  the environmental costs that everyone must pay in the long run due to individual exploitation of resources for short-term gains. 
D)  the environmental costs that a widespread natural disaster brings to all walks of life 
E)  common understanding of the environmental pressures that threaten endangered species 
A)  a disaster that happened in the park 
B)  the technology divide that exists between the social classes of poverty and elite 
C)  the environmental costs that everyone must pay in the long run due to individual exploitation of resources for short-term gains. 
D)  the environmental costs that a widespread natural disaster brings to all walks of life 
E)  common understanding of the environmental pressures that threaten endangered species

Question 4

Identify two types of human environmental impact that may be created locally, but that have global consequences. Briefly explain the global consequences of each event and discuss what actions would be needed to address each issue. Use the framework of the tragedy of the commons in developing your answer.

Accepted Answer

The common-pool resources are experienci

Question 5

The one central problem of environmental science that links all other problems together is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  we are using up our supplies of fossil fuels 
B)  we are polluting the environment 
C)  we are using too much fresh water 
D)  we are continually increasing the number of humans 
E)  we are depleting needed resources 
A)  we are using up our supplies of fossil fuels 
B)  we are polluting the environment 
C)  we are using too much fresh water 
D)  we are continually increasing the number of humans 
E)  we are depleting needed resources

Question 6

Poverty is associated with all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  low life expectancy 
B)  illiteracy 
C)  inadequate access to health services 
D)  balanced nutrition 
E)  unsafe drinking water 
A)  low life expectancy 
B)  illiteracy 
C)  inadequate access to health services 
D)  balanced nutrition 
E)  unsafe drinking water

Question 7

Non-renewable resource IS TO renewable resource AS:

Accepted Answer

A)  living is to non-living 
B)  limited supply is to sustainable supply 
C)  tree is to coal 
D)  wind energy is to fossil fuel energy 
E)  conservation is to overexploitation 
A)  living is to non-living 
B)  limited supply is to sustainable supply 
C)  tree is to coal 
D)  wind energy is to fossil fuel energy 
E)  conservation is to overexploitation

Question 8

What activity/activities contribute(s) to making the human species the most significant agent of environmental change on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  continued population growth 
B)  consuming non-renewable resources 
C)  eradicating unique species 
D)  ignoring the environment 
E)  All of these choices are correct 
A)  continued population growth 
B)  consuming non-renewable resources 
C)  eradicating unique species 
D)  ignoring the environment 
E)  All of these choices are correct

Question 9

Examples of non-sustainable human activities or behaviors include:

Accepted Answer

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 
E)  conservation practices 
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 
E)  conservation practices

Question 10

Which of the following stages comes LAST in addressing environmental problems?

Accepted Answer

A)  risk analysis 
B)  political action 
C)  evaluation 
D)  scientific assessment 
E)  public education and involvement 
A)  risk analysis 
B)  political action 
C)  evaluation 
D)  scientific assessment 
E)  public education and involvement

Question 11

A state agency has contacted you to do a scientific assessment of kudzu in a nature preserve in southern Georgia. They are concerned about the effects of the non-native invasive vine on a small rare plant that grows on the forest floor in the preserve, but which is found nowhere else in the state. Kudzu is only growing in the east side of the preserve because it hasn't yet had time to invade further. In order to assess the effects of kudzu on the rare plant, you set up the following experiment:
Site 1. On the east side of the park with the kudzu, you set up ten 1m x 1m plots on the forest floor. In each plot you count the number of individuals of the rare plant.
Site 2. On the west side of the park without the kudzu, you set up ten 1m x 1m plots of the forest floor. In each plot you count the number of individuals of the rare plant.
Based solely on the data represented in the associated table, what can you report to the agency that contracted you to do this study?

Accepted Answer

A)  Kudzu is shading out the rare plant. 
B)  The rare plant is unaffected by the presence of the kudzu. 
C)  Fewer individuals of the rare plant grow in the presence of kudzu when compared to areas without. 
D)  It will be impossible to remove kudzu from the park because it grows too fast. 
E)  Kudzu grows much faster than the rare plant and will dominate the preserve within a decade. 
A)  Kudzu is shading out the rare plant. 
B)  The rare plant is unaffected by the presence of the kudzu. 
C)  Fewer individuals of the rare plant grow in the presence of kudzu when compared to areas without. 
D)  It will be impossible to remove kudzu from the park because it grows too fast. 
E)  Kudzu grows much faster than the rare plant and will dominate the preserve within a decade.

Question 12

Which of the following was not a consequence of the pollution of Lake Washington?

Accepted Answer

A)  increase in phosphorus concentrations 
B)  rapid growth of cyanobacteria populations 
C)  increase in fish populations 
D)  decomposition of dead cyanobacteria 
E)  drop in dissolved oxygen concentration 
A)  increase in phosphorus concentrations 
B)  rapid growth of cyanobacteria populations 
C)  increase in fish populations 
D)  decomposition of dead cyanobacteria 
E)  drop in dissolved oxygen concentration

Question 13

The interdisciplinary study of humanity's relationship with other organisms and the non-living physical environment is termed:

Accepted Answer

A)  ecology 
B)  sociology 
C)  political science 
D)  risk analysis 
E)  environmental science 
A)  ecology 
B)  sociology 
C)  political science 
D)  risk analysis 
E)  environmental science

Question 14

Compare and contrast highly developed countries (HDCs) and less developed countries (LDCs). Include in your answer examples of countries in each category, a description of the gap between categories, and the similarities and differences that one might expect to see in these types of countries.

Accepted Answer

HDCs are the rich (haves) and LDCs are t

Question 15

Which of the following was critical to the successful reversal of pollution trends in Lake Washington?

Accepted Answer

A)  construction of a sewer to divert treated sewage from the lake 
B)  approval of a bill transferring responsibility for sewage to a regional government agency 
C)  increase in taxes to construct sewage facilities 
D)  environmental monitoring 
E)  All of these choices are correct 
A)  construction of a sewer to divert treated sewage from the lake 
B)  approval of a bill transferring responsibility for sewage to a regional government agency 
C)  increase in taxes to construct sewage facilities 
D)  environmental monitoring 
E)  All of these choices are correct

Question 16

In 2011, the global human population passed __________ billion.

Accepted Answer

A)  3 
B)  5 
C)  7 
D)  8 
E)  11 
A)  3 
B)  5 
C)  7 
D)  8 
E)  11

Question 17

In order for a country to progress from a less developed country (LDC) to a moderately developed country (MDC), the country would have to:

Accepted Answer

A)  increase rate of population growth 
B)  move from an industrial to agricultural economy base 
C)  raise the per-capita income 
D)  maintain limited crop dependence 
E)  All of these choices are correct 
A)  increase rate of population growth 
B)  move from an industrial to agricultural economy base 
C)  raise the per-capita income 
D)  maintain limited crop dependence 
E)  All of these choices are correct

Question 18

In solving environmental problems, a risk analysis is usually performed:

Accepted Answer

A)  to provide public awareness and endorsement 
B)  to monitor the initial assessment and modeling of the problem 
C)  to solicit public opinion about how evidence should be interpreted when selecting a course of action 
D)  to analyze the potential effect of an intervention or doing nothing 
E)  a risk analysis is not necessary in resolving environmental problems 
A)  to provide public awareness and endorsement 
B)  to monitor the initial assessment and modeling of the problem 
C)  to solicit public opinion about how evidence should be interpreted when selecting a course of action 
D)  to analyze the potential effect of an intervention or doing nothing 
E)  a risk analysis is not necessary in resolving environmental problems

Question 19

All of the following can be considered definitions of "theory" EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  a theory is an explanation of scientific laws 
B)  a theory is an integrated explanation of numerous hypotheses, each supported by a large body of observations and experiments 
C)  a theory is a condensation and simplification of many data that previously appeared unrelated 
D)  a theory is a prediction for new data suggesting new relationships among a range of natural phenomena 
E)  a theory is an ethical principle based on a religious foundation 
A)  a theory is an explanation of scientific laws 
B)  a theory is an integrated explanation of numerous hypotheses, each supported by a large body of observations and experiments 
C)  a theory is a condensation and simplification of many data that previously appeared unrelated 
D)  a theory is a prediction for new data suggesting new relationships among a range of natural phenomena 
E)  a theory is an ethical principle based on a religious foundation

Question 20

Theories:

Accepted Answer

A)  cannot be tested. 
B)  are the same as hypotheses. 
C)  can be used to predict the existence of as-yet unobserved things or phenomena. 
D)  are the same as facts. 
E)  are rarely shown to be true. 
A)  cannot be tested. 
B)  are the same as hypotheses. 
C)  can be used to predict the existence of as-yet unobserved things or phenomena. 
D)  are the same as facts. 
E)  are rarely shown to be true.

Exam 1: Introducing Environmental Science and Sustainability

Which of the following represents an idea associated with environmental sustainability?

Which of the following represents a common-pool resource?

A journalist reports on what Hardin (1968) referred to as a "tragedy of the commons." The media story concerns:

The one central problem of environmental science that links all other problems together is that:

Poverty is associated with all of the following EXCEPT:

Non-renewable resource IS TO renewable resource AS:

What activity/activities contribute(s) to making the human species the most significant agent of environmental change on Earth?

Examples of non-sustainable human activities or behaviors include:

Which of the following stages comes LAST in addressing environmental problems?

Which of the following was not a consequence of the pollution of Lake Washington?

The interdisciplinary study of humanity's relationship with other organisms and the non-living physical environment is termed:

Compare and contrast highly developed countries (HDCs) and less developed countries (LDCs). Include in your answer examples of countries in each category, a description of the gap between categories, and the similarities and differences that one might expect to see in these types of countries.

Which of the following was critical to the successful reversal of pollution trends in Lake Washington?

In 2011, the global human population passed __________ billion.

In order for a country to progress from a less developed country (LDC) to a moderately developed country (MDC), the country would have to:

In solving environmental problems, a risk analysis is usually performed:

All of the following can be considered definitions of "theory" EXCEPT:

Theories:

Environmental Laws Economic and Ethics

Ecosystems and Energy

Ecosystems and the Physical Environment

Ecosystems and Living Organisms

Major Ecosystems of the World

Human Health and Environmental Toxicology

The Human Population

The Urban World

Energy Consumption

Fossil Fuels

Renewable Energy and Nuclear Power

Water: a Limited Resource

Soil Resources

Mineral Resources

Biological Resources

Land Resources

Food Resources

Air Pollution

Global Climate Change

Water Pollution

Pest Management

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Tomorrows Word

Filters