Question 1

In reading a claim by an atmospheric scientist that ozone depletion is not an actual environmental problem, a critical thinker would

Accepted Answer

A)  ignore the claim because it does not align with his/her opinions. 
B)  feel relieved because ozone depletion was such an overwhelming problem. 
C)  look for evidence that is in line with past experience. 
D)  look for evidence of the source's reliability. 
E)  acknowledge the claim because an atmospheric scientist is an expert.

Question 2

One of the first steps in critical thinking is to

Accepted Answer

A)  decide whether conclusions follow premises. 
B)  decide if premises are true. 
C)  identify premises and conclusions. 
D)  identify whether premises are facts or values. 
E)  approach a problem in new and innovative ways.

Question 3

Compared to poorer countries, which of the following is not true of richer nations?

Accepted Answer

A)  they have a higher per capita GDP 
B)  they have higher fertility 
C)  they have lower infant mortality 
D)  they have higher adult literacy 
E)  they have higher life expectancy

Question 4

Although your sister is not a scientist, she says that she uses scientific techniques in her everyday life. You do not believe her but she insists it is true. Which of the following examples could she use to best persuade you?

Accepted Answer

A)  When she cooks, she measures ingredients and puts them together to form something else . 
B)  When she drives in her car, she hypothesizes about things . 
C)  She put some tomatoes in the sun and some in the shade to see if the sun causes them to ripen faster. 
D)  She buys a brand of toothpaste based on statistical data (four out of five dentists recommend it). 
E)  All of these are examples of using scientific techniques in her everyday life.

Question 5

Parsimony is one of the basic principles of science.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

At the end of the twentieth century, ____________________ has/have been added to environmental thinking.

Accepted Answer

A)  global concerns 
B)  urban problems 
C)  water supply and pollution problems 
D)  human population growth 
E)  air pollution problems

Question 7

Which of the following was key to the recovery of the Apo Island's reef fish population?

Accepted Answer

A)  The establishment of a small marine sanctuary 
B)  A complete ban on all fishing 
C)  Importation of fish from other islands 
D)  Heavy government investment in alternative food sources 
E)  None of these are correct.

Question 8

Evidence of progress in dealing with population problems is best illustrated by

Accepted Answer

A)  current evidence of a stable population in the developing and developed world. 
B)  a decrease in the average number of children born to each woman. 
C)  current evidence of a globally stable population growth. 
D)  the decreasing population growth rate in the United States. 
E)  current evidence of a stable population in the developing world.

Question 9

The world's poorest people _______________ environmental degradation.

Accepted Answer

A)  cause the most 
B)  both cause and suffer from 
C)  are unaffected by 
D)  don't really care about 
E)  are ignorant of

Question 10

The point of critical thinking is to learn to

Accepted Answer

A)  weigh all the evidence and draw your own conclusions. 
B)  distrust all opinions other than your own. 
C)  trust only your own experimental results. 
D)  learn to accept the views of real authorities. 
E)  identify true experts in a field.

Question 11

The statement, "Since every insect I have examined so far has six legs, I conclude that all insects must have six legs." is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  inductive reasoning. 
B)  deductive reasoning. 
C)  hypothesis testing. 
D)  reductive reasoning. 
E)  parsimony.

Question 12

The best definition of a hypothesis is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  proof of a proposed theory. 
B)  proposed theory that has been tested numerous times. 
C)  theory based on experiments. 
D)  argument based on acute intuition. 
E)  proposed explanation based on observation.

Question 13

Most environmental problems result from

Accepted Answer

A)  excessive pollution. 
B)  complex, interrelated problems. 
C)  technological development problems. 
D)  global warming. 
E)  urban degradation.

Exam 1: Understanding Our Environment