Question 1

Select the example of a monoculture.

Accepted Answer

A)  a field of corn intermingled with soybeans 
B)  a field of corn engineered to resist insect pests 
C)  a field free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides 
D)  None of these are correct. 
A)  a field of corn intermingled with soybeans 
B)  a field of corn engineered to resist insect pests 
C)  a field free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides 
D)  None of these are correct. B

Question 2

Desertification refers to the

Accepted Answer

A)  formation of deserts by atmospheric high pressure zones that are located 30$\degree$ north and south of the equator. 
B)  displacement of local populations as the area of available land becomes insufficient to achieve food security. 
C)  seasonal hypoxic (low-oxygen) conditions in the Gulf of Mexico caused by synthetic fertilizers in agricultural runoff. 
D)  loss of more than 10% of land's productivity due to factors such as drought, extreme erosion, and soil infertility. 
A)  formation of deserts by atmospheric high pressure zones that are located 30$\degree$ north and south of the equator. 
B)  displacement of local populations as the area of available land becomes insufficient to achieve food security. 
C)  seasonal hypoxic (low-oxygen) conditions in the Gulf of Mexico caused by synthetic fertilizers in agricultural runoff. 
D)  loss of more than 10% of land's productivity due to factors such as drought, extreme erosion, and soil infertility. D

Question 3

Teosinte, a Mexican grass, is considered a historical precursor plant to modern corn. The teosinte ear has only between 5 and 12 kernels, but these plants are highly resistant to insect pests and to both viral and fungal diseases of corn. From a production standpoint, teosinte seems worthless compared to the high-yield varieties of corn currently grown as vast monocultures. How do monocultures affect agrobiodiversity? In this context, what is the value of teosinte to agriculture in the long term?

Accepted Answer

A small number of corn varieties make up vast monocultures that produce high yields. However, reliance on these high-yield crop varieties reduces the genetic variety of food-producing crops. This lack of agrobiodiversity increases the risk of losses due to pests, diseases, and changing growing conditions. For instance, in 1970 a fungus reduced the yield of the U.S. corn crop by 15%. Therefore, teosinte is valuable as a source of genetic biodiversity that may be needed to maintain production levels in the future by crossing with conventionally grown varieties. Beneficial genes can be transferred from wild relatives such as teosinte into modern corn strains through traditional breeding and genetic engineering.

Question 4

Organic dust comes from which of these materials?

Accepted Answer

A)  animal wastes and dander 
B)  animal feed and bedding particles 
C)  pesticide residues and livestock 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  animal wastes and dander 
B)  animal feed and bedding particles 
C)  pesticide residues and livestock 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 5

Select the correct statement about obesity.

Accepted Answer

A)  Obesity occurs when excessive body fat accumulates due to elevated caloric intake. 
B)  Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory problems. 
C)  The percentage of U.S. adults who are obese has increased from 15% to 33% since 1980. 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  Obesity occurs when excessive body fat accumulates due to elevated caloric intake. 
B)  Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory problems. 
C)  The percentage of U.S. adults who are obese has increased from 15% to 33% since 1980. 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 6

Overnourishment refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  dense plant growth due to agricultural runoff containing excess synthetic pesticides. 
B)  crops that are engineered to produce essential nutrients such as vitamin A. 
C)  food energy consumption that exceeds what the body needs for normal activity. 
D)  the addition of sweeteners, salt, fats, and preservatives to processed foods. 
A)  dense plant growth due to agricultural runoff containing excess synthetic pesticides. 
B)  crops that are engineered to produce essential nutrients such as vitamin A. 
C)  food energy consumption that exceeds what the body needs for normal activity. 
D)  the addition of sweeteners, salt, fats, and preservatives to processed foods.

Question 7

Which phrase characterizes how agricultural production has changed over the last 100 years?

Accepted Answer

A)  increasing scale of farming and increasing diversity of food resources 
B)  increasing scale of farming and decreasing diversity of food resources 
C)  decreasing scale of farming and increasing diversity of food resources 
D)  decreasing scale of farming and decreasing diversity of food resources 
A)  increasing scale of farming and increasing diversity of food resources 
B)  increasing scale of farming and decreasing diversity of food resources 
C)  decreasing scale of farming and increasing diversity of food resources 
D)  decreasing scale of farming and decreasing diversity of food resources

Question 8

Describe the important advancements of the Green Revolution, which transformed agriculture in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuel-powered equipment replaced h

Question 9

Genetic erosion refers to the

Accepted Answer

A)  transfer of genes from genetically modified crops to weeds. 
B)  increased number of plant varieties resulting from modern agriculture. 
C)  loss of topsoil by exposure to water or wind. 
D)  process by which genetic diversity is lost. 
A)  transfer of genes from genetically modified crops to weeds. 
B)  increased number of plant varieties resulting from modern agriculture. 
C)  loss of topsoil by exposure to water or wind. 
D)  process by which genetic diversity is lost.

Question 10

The practice of raising seafood in controlled ponds, tanks, or pens is called

Accepted Answer

A)  aquaculture. 
B)  trawling. 
C)  overfishing. 
D)  bycatch. 
A)  aquaculture. 
B)  trawling. 
C)  overfishing. 
D)  bycatch.

Question 11

Select the diet choice that likely has the least environmental impact.

Accepted Answer

A)  a diet that includes moderate consumption of conventional feedlot beef 
B)  a diet with meatless meals once a week and mostly poultry as the meat 
C)  a diet in which the majority of meals are vegetarian and avoid meat 
D)  a diet that includes moderate consumption of grass-fed, pasture-raised beef 
A)  a diet that includes moderate consumption of conventional feedlot beef 
B)  a diet with meatless meals once a week and mostly poultry as the meat 
C)  a diet in which the majority of meals are vegetarian and avoid meat 
D)  a diet that includes moderate consumption of grass-fed, pasture-raised beef

Question 12

Overfishing refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  catching fish faster than a species can replenish itself. 
B)  the incidental capture of nontarget species in fishing nets. 
C)  habitat destruction due to trawling and longlines. 
D)  a loss of biodiversity caused by genetically modified fish. 
A)  catching fish faster than a species can replenish itself. 
B)  the incidental capture of nontarget species in fishing nets. 
C)  habitat destruction due to trawling and longlines. 
D)  a loss of biodiversity caused by genetically modified fish.

Question 13

Organic matter refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  non-GMO-produced foods. 
B)  decaying plant and animal residues. 
C)  industrially produced chemicals. 
D)  weed and insect pests. 
A)  non-GMO-produced foods. 
B)  decaying plant and animal residues. 
C)  industrially produced chemicals. 
D)  weed and insect pests.

Question 14

What criteria must be met for the Fair Trade certification standard?

Accepted Answer

A)  environmentally sustainable food production and adequate wages for workers 
B)  locally produced foods and without synthetic chemicals or genetic modification 
C)  organically produced foods, which are not processed and are marketed directly to consumers 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  environmentally sustainable food production and adequate wages for workers 
B)  locally produced foods and without synthetic chemicals or genetic modification 
C)  organically produced foods, which are not processed and are marketed directly to consumers 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 15

Select the consequence of bycatch.

Accepted Answer

A)  enhanced antibiotic-resistant bacteria 
B)  population decline for a non-food species 
C)  increased allergic reactions in humans 
D)  population decline for a target species 
A)  enhanced antibiotic-resistant bacteria 
B)  population decline for a non-food species 
C)  increased allergic reactions in humans 
D)  population decline for a target species

Question 16

Which of these animals is a ruminant?

Accepted Answer

A)  chicken 
B)  pig 
C)  cow 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  chicken 
B)  pig 
C)  cow 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 17

What is the primary environmental concern linked to open-water fishing?

Accepted Answer

A)  the bycatch of non-commercial species in nets and lines 
B)  the biomagnification of mercury and other metals 
C)  declining fish populations due to overfishing 
D)  habitat destruction caused by aquaculture 
A)  the bycatch of non-commercial species in nets and lines 
B)  the biomagnification of mercury and other metals 
C)  declining fish populations due to overfishing 
D)  habitat destruction caused by aquaculture

Question 18

Select the correct description of salinization.

Accepted Answer

A)  Intensive irrigation moves mineral salts down to deeper soil layers, potentially beneath the reach of plant roots. 
B)  As water vapor evaporates from soil, mineral salts are drawn upward and accumulate in the topsoil, eventually building up to amounts damaging or lethal to plants. 
C)  Drought, extreme erosion, and soil infertility cause land to lose more than 10% of its productivity. 
D)  As an aquifer dries up, the land on top settles as formerly water-filled spaces collapse under the weight of overlying rock and soil. 
A)  Intensive irrigation moves mineral salts down to deeper soil layers, potentially beneath the reach of plant roots. 
B)  As water vapor evaporates from soil, mineral salts are drawn upward and accumulate in the topsoil, eventually building up to amounts damaging or lethal to plants. 
C)  Drought, extreme erosion, and soil infertility cause land to lose more than 10% of its productivity. 
D)  As an aquifer dries up, the land on top settles as formerly water-filled spaces collapse under the weight of overlying rock and soil.

Question 19

Select the correct pairing of a method with its environmental impact.

Accepted Answer

A)  aquaculture; significant production of methane emissions 
B)  CAFOs; allergic reactions in humans from organic dust 
C)  open-water fishing; development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria 
D)  None of these are correct. 
A)  aquaculture; significant production of methane emissions 
B)  CAFOs; allergic reactions in humans from organic dust 
C)  open-water fishing; development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria 
D)  None of these are correct.

Question 20

Select the correct statement regarding meat production in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Accepted Answer

A)  For chicken production, antibiotics are used to prevent diseases and to stimulate growth. 
B)  For pork production, artificial insemination is used to develop high-producing breeds. 
C)  For beef production, the wall of the ruminant stomach is eroded by acid from corn-based feed. 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  For chicken production, antibiotics are used to prevent diseases and to stimulate growth. 
B)  For pork production, artificial insemination is used to develop high-producing breeds. 
C)  For beef production, the wall of the ruminant stomach is eroded by acid from corn-based feed. 
D)  All of these are correct.

Select the example of a monoculture.

Desertification refers to the

Organic dust comes from which of these materials?

Select the correct statement about obesity.

Overnourishment refers to

Which phrase characterizes how agricultural production has changed over the last 100 years?

Describe the important advancements of the Green Revolution, which transformed agriculture in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Genetic erosion refers to the

The practice of raising seafood in controlled ponds, tanks, or pens is called

Select the diet choice that likely has the least environmental impact.

Overfishing refers to

Organic matter refers to

What criteria must be met for the Fair Trade certification standard?

Select the consequence of bycatch.

Which of these animals is a ruminant?

What is the primary environmental concern linked to open-water fishing?

Select the correct description of salinization.

Select the correct pairing of a method with its environmental impact.

Select the correct statement regarding meat production in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Environmental Science and Sustainability: Whats the Big Idea

Ethics, Economics, and Policy: Who or What Do We Value

Matter and Energy: What Are the Building Blocks of Sustainability

Life: What Shapes Biodiversity

Conservation: Why Is It Important to Protect Biodiversity

Human Population: Can We Have Too Many People

Water: How Do We Use It and Affect Its Quality

Air: What Are We Breathing

Land: How Does It Shape Us

Systems and Cycles: Are We Changing Earths Life Support System

Climate: How Does Global Climate Change

Fossil Fuels: Energy of the Industrial Age

Energy Alternatives: How Are Our Energy Decisions Changing

Waste: What Happens to All the Stuff We Use

Urbanization: Why Are Cities Growing

Environmental Health and Justice: How Does Our Environment Affect Our Health

Decision Making: Why Do Our Choices Matter

Groups and Organizations: How Do We Work Together for Sustainability

Government: How Can Policy Influence Sustainability

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Exam 12: Food: How Do We Feed Ourselves

Select the example of a monoculture.

Desertification refers to the

Organic dust comes from which of these materials?

Select the correct statement about obesity.

Overnourishment refers to

Which phrase characterizes how agricultural production has changed over the last 100 years?

Describe the important advancements of the Green Revolution, which transformed agriculture in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Genetic erosion refers to the

The practice of raising seafood in controlled ponds, tanks, or pens is called

Select the diet choice that likely has the least environmental impact.

Overfishing refers to

Organic matter refers to

What criteria must be met for the Fair Trade certification standard?

Select the consequence of bycatch.

Which of these animals is a ruminant?

What is the primary environmental concern linked to open-water fishing?

Select the correct description of salinization.

Select the correct pairing of a method with its environmental impact.

Select the correct statement regarding meat production in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Environmental Science and Sustainability: Whats the Big Idea

Ethics, Economics, and Policy: Who or What Do We Value

Matter and Energy: What Are the Building Blocks of Sustainability

Life: What Shapes Biodiversity

Conservation: Why Is It Important to Protect Biodiversity

Human Population: Can We Have Too Many People

Water: How Do We Use It and Affect Its Quality

Air: What Are We Breathing

Land: How Does It Shape Us

Systems and Cycles: Are We Changing Earths Life Support System

Climate: How Does Global Climate Change

Fossil Fuels: Energy of the Industrial Age

Energy Alternatives: How Are Our Energy Decisions Changing

Waste: What Happens to All the Stuff We Use

Urbanization: Why Are Cities Growing

Environmental Health and Justice: How Does Our Environment Affect Our Health

Decision Making: Why Do Our Choices Matter

Groups and Organizations: How Do We Work Together for Sustainability

Government: How Can Policy Influence Sustainability

Filters