Deck 7: Food and Agriculture

Question 1

The three crops that humans rely on for the majority of nutrients and calories are

A) potatoes, wheat, and oats.
B) wheat, rice, and maize.
C) barley, oats, and rye.
D) maize, oats, and rice.
E) oats, beans, and barley.

Answer 1

wheat, rice, and maize.

Question 2

Wind erosion is most likely to cause problems in

A) forested grazing lands on high mountains.
B) open, arid regions.
C) fertile river bottoms with annual floods.
D) agricultural regions in the far north.
E) protected, arid region.

Answer 2

open, arid regions.

Question 3

Famines are most often serious when there is

A) a very serious drought.
B) no room to expand agriculture.
C) steady population growth.
D) drought and war together.
E) an attempt by indigenous people to return to old traditions and lands.

Answer 3

drought and war together.

Question 4

Which of the following are forms of chemical deterioration of soil?

A) salinization and acidification
B) waterlogging and laterization
C) compaction and nutrient depletion
D) pollution and waterlogging
E) water and wind erosion

Question 5

The energy needed to process and distribute food in the US is as much as _______ times the amount that is used to actually farm the crops.

A) 0.5
B) 2
C) 3.5
D) 5
E) 8

Question 6

In developed countries, the most recent increases in agricultural productivity have come from

A) irrigation in arid areas.
B) building up soil reserves on farms worldwide.
C) clearing rainforests.
D) an increase on the land being used for agriculture, especially in developed countries.
E) new crop varieties and intensified farming.

Question 7

Waterlogging results from

A) toxic metal accumulation.
B) excessive irrigation.
C) excessive plowing.
D) natural wind erosion processes.
E) natural water erosion processes.

Question 8

What are two common diseases that result from protein deficiencies?

A) dysentery and diarrhea
B) dysentery and scurvy
C) scurvy and pellagra
D) goiter and cretinism
E) marasmus and kwashiorkor

Question 9

Sustainable farming

A) is cheaper and safer than conventional farming.
B) is safe, although it causes weed problems.
C) uses fewer chemicals but more water than conventional methods.
D) is an invention of modern agricultural research.
E) is safer than conventional farming, but much more expensive.

Question 10

Obesity is a disease that affects

A) poor, developing nations.
B) wealthy, developed nations
C) every nation equally.
D) nations that utilize beef and rice as major food sources.

Question 11

Undernourished parents often raise children who are undernourished because the parents

A) transfer genetic deficiencies to their children.
B) do not know any better.
C) cannot afford to feed their children properly.
D) do not have access to information about nutrition.
E) All of these are reasons for the vicious cycle.

Question 12

The parent material layer of a soil is composed of weathered

A) humus.
B) organic detritus and roots.
C) residual aluminum and iron.
D) soil.
E) rock fragments.

Question 13

Contour plowing and strip farming are methods designed to

A) prevent weed spreading.
B) improve plowing efficiency.
C) improve harvesting efficiency.
D) prevent water and soil loss.
E) make farms more attractive.

Question 14

High responder crops of the green revolution produce tremendous yields

A) even in severe drought conditions.
B) with primitive farming techniques and no chemical use.
C) in response to fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation.
D) in all conditions where standard crops fail.
E) in response to fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation and only "good" yields in less than ideal situations.

Question 15

Goiter is a common disease resulting from a shortage of dietary

A) protein.
B) iodine.
C) iron.
D) Vitamin A.
E) folic acid.

Question 16

The layer of soil that is a mixture of minerals and organic material is the

A) O horizon
B) A horizon
C) humus
D) E horizon
E) primary layer

Question 17

What is the basis of the statement that we could feed more people if we would eat grain rather than feeding it to livestock?

A) the First Law of Thermodynamics
B) the Second Law of Thermodynamics
C) ecofeminism
D) biocentrism
E) anthropocentrism

Question 18

Vitamin A deficiencies are associated with

A) anemia.
B) weak bones.
C) a lack of energy, or listlessness.
D) poorly developed neural systems in embryos.
E) dry eyes and retinal degeneration.

Question 19

Soil organisms usually stay __________ the soil.

A) deep below the surface of
B) near the middle of
C) close to the surface of
D) spread uniformly throughout
E) About half stay close to the surface and the other half stay deep below the surface of the soil.

Question 20

Fifty years ago, there were several hundred varieties of wheat grown in the Middle East. Now a few of the more modern high responder varieties have replaced the indigenous species. What are the implications of this change?

A) The productivity of wheat should continue to rise and increase the availability of food per person.
B) Genetic resources are diminished and an epidemic of wheat disease is highly likely due to the reliance on few species.
C) The high responder varieties will need specialized harvesting methods because they are so productive.
D) The biodiversity of wheat species has increased because of the introduction of few hybrid species.
E) All of these are correct.

Question 21

The USDA estimates ______ percent of conventionally grown foods are contaminated with pesticide residue.

A) 11
B) 23
C) 34
D) 58
E) 73

Question 22

More than 70% of all soybeans, corn, and cotton grown in the United States are genetically modified.

Question 23

Which of these is not a benefit found with reduced tillage farming?

A) water conservation
B) soil preservation
C) increased crop yields
D) soil aeration and loosening
E) decreased insects and weeds

Question 24

Methods of managing topography include all but which of the following?

A) terracing
B) contour plowing
C) deep tilling
D) strip-farming

Question 25

The number of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the acreage devoted to growing them has decreased in the past fifteen years because of the huge number of opponents.

Question 26

A natural form of fertilizer would be

A) manure.
B) phosphorous application.
C) nitrogen.
D) corn plantings.
E) All of these are correct.

Question 27

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are made by taking bits of DNA from different sources to create desired characteristics in an organism.

Question 28

What is the advantage of genetically modified crops?

A) they can be designed to resist drought
B) they offer improved resistance to pests and diseases
C) they can be engineered to improve yield
D) they can be altered to produce vaccines
E) All of these are benefits to GMOs.

Question 29

You can participate in sustainable agriculture by

A) buying local produce.
B) eating lower on the food chain.
C) participating in CSAs.
D) doing all of the things listed above.

Question 30

The biggest worry about a genetically modified Atlantic salmon with extra growth hormones is that it will introduce these hormones into our diet.

Question 31

Which is a disadvantage of conservation tillage methods?

A) increased irrigation requirements
B) less efficient use of fertilizer
C) increased pests and weeds
D) decreased crop yields
E) none of these are correct.