Question 1

Ideally, science

Accepted Answer

A)  is correct most of the time. 
B)  tells us what we expected to find. 
C)  uses new technology. 
D)  Is methodical and logical. 
E)  proves that our hypotheses are correct.

Question 2

If current trends continue, climate models indicate that by 2100 global mean temperature will probably increase by 2° to 6°C compared to todays temperatures. This would result in decreases in

Accepted Answer

A)  Severe droughts 
B)  Heat waves 
C)  Storm intensity 
D)  Flooding 
E)  Glaciers and snowfields

Question 3

If you heard that cultural diversity was disappearing in one of the most culturally diverse regions of the world, you would

Accepted Answer

A)  deduce that biodiversity was disappearing as well, because the two tend to go hand in hand 
B)  induce that biodiversity was disappearing as well, because the two tend to go hand in hand 
C)  assume that this phenomenon is not related to any other environmental degradation 
D)  assume that scientists had already studied their language and biodiversity, so there is no immediate threat to their continued existence.

Question 4

Places in the world where indigenous people live tend to have high biodiversity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

In explaining your choice of an environmental science major in college to your roommate, you would probably emphasize the fact that environmental science is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  applied interdisciplinary field concerning the environment with an emphasis on solving problems. 
B)  well-established field that has been in existence for a long time. 
C)  theoretical discipline that will help solve the problems created by human impact. 
D)  relatively new field that will identify remedies to environmental issues. 
E)  theoretical field with an emphasis on scientific understanding.

Question 6

When testing a new drug to treat arthritis what method should be used to avoid bias in the data?

Accepted Answer

A)  deductive reasoning 
B)  inductive reasoning 
C)  critical thinking 
D)  statistics 
E)  bdouble-blind experiments

Question 7

Proponents of sustainable development argue that

Accepted Answer

A)  all development has environmental costs. 
B)  development is less important than the environment. 
C)  development can proceed with minimal costs to the environment. 
D)  the environment is less important than development. 
E)  development does not cause environmental damage.

Question 8

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 9

Sustainable development differs from traditional economic development in that it emphasizes economic development in the short term.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

What is the probability of getting tails 4 times in a row when you flip a coin?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 in 4 
B)  1 in 10 
C)  1 in 16 
D)  1 in 20 
E)  1 in 24

Question 11

On Apo Island, a history of destructive fishing habits had the affect of

Accepted Answer

A)  Reducing the food chain 
B)  Eliminating biodiversity 
C)  Impoverishing the local economy 
D)  Overexploiting available resources 
E)  Impoverishing the local economy by overexploiting available resources.

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

What would be considered to be an area in environmental science where we are seeing progress toward sustainability?

Accepted Answer

A)  Biodiversity loss 
B)  World hunger 
C)  Climate change 
D)  kRenewable energy

Question 14

Most environmental problems result from

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

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 16

Environmental science is a

Accepted Answer

A)  narrowly defined set of physical, life, and social sciences. 
B)  theoretical approach in interpreting the environment. 
C)  way to see the world in scientific terms. 
D)  systematic approach learning about the environment. 
E)  special set of problem-solving skills.

Question 17

Methods in environmental science include all of the following, except

Accepted Answer

A)  Observations 
B)  Qualitative Reasoning 
C)  The Scientific Method 
D)  Quantitative Reasoning 
E)  Critical and analytical thinking

Exam 1: Understanding Our Environment