Deck 13: Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Question 1

The world's urban populations are _ .

A) shrinking in developing nations
B) growing at a faster rate than the global population as a whole
C) growing most rapidly in the developed nations
D) growing at about the same rate as the rural populations
E) shrinking, compared to rural populations

Answer 1

B

Question 2

It costs less to operate an automobile in a small city than in a large city because .

A) people in smaller cities tend to use mass transit more than they do in large cities
B) automobiles generally cost less to purchase in a small city than in a large city
C) people generally drive fewer miles to and from work in a small city than in a large city
D) people tend to drive smaller cars in small cities than in large cities
E) parking costs more in a large city than in a small city

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Suburban living encourages _.

A) increased agricultural activities
B) increased use of automobiles
C) investment in and improvement of downtown centers
D) walking, riding bicycles, and other kinds of physical activity
E) driving electric cars

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The operating costs for transportation .

A) show that bus transport is the least expensive when all costs are included
B) clearly show the economies of scale, with large cities costing less per automobile than small cities
C) indicate that, when all operating costs are included, rail is the most sensible means of transport
D) indicate that city planners should invest more in parking lots
E) take into account the costs to public health and to the environment of vehicle emissions

Question 5

This figure shows the population of Portland, Oregon, from 1850 to 2015. What is the explanation for the population trend from 1950 to 1980?

A) growth driven by the shipping trade
B) the downturn of Portland's economy caused by the crash of the stock market
C) the exodus of residents to the suburbs
D) the preservation of sensitive habitat within Portland's borders
E) the adoption of urban growth regulations that prohibited population growth

Question 6

Given the energy consumption and operating costs per passenger -km, one of the best overall strategies for cities to consider is .

A) to create carpool lanes on all major routes
B) to improve and increase city bus routes by providing affordable, pleasant buses
C) to create or improve a convenient, affordable, rail transit system
D) to increase affordable, high -rise parking sites in multiple locations throughout the city
E) to create more suburban communities with work, shopping, and housing in central locations

Question 7

The greatest general problem with suburbs is .

A) the lack of resources
B) the lack of nearby shopping
C) that they spread environmental impact over a larger area
D) that they decrease water quality
E) the high population density

Question 8

Curitiba, Brazil, has shown us that .

A) unregulated urban sprawl produces severe air pollution
B) a walkable city center and expanded bus system can solve a large city's traffic congestion
C) prohibition of motorized vehicles in urban reduces pollution and saves energy
D) traffic flows smoothly once pedestrians and bicycles are eliminated
E) once roads are widened, traffic congestion decreases

Question 9

A city undergoing gentrification is experiencing .

A) the loss of working -class people from traditional neighborhoods as housing prices become too expensive
B) urban decay
C) white flight
D) an aging population and a declining tax base
E) an increase in violent crimes and an increase in vacancy and abandonment of homes

Question 10

Mass -transit systems include all of the following EXCEPT .

A) taxicabs
B) buses
C) light rail
D) subways
E) commuter rail

Question 11

Worldwide, the fastest growing cities today are mostly .

A) in the northern United States, such as Chicago, Illinois, and Portland, Oregon
B) small cities in the southern United States, such as Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, North Carolina
C) in developing nations, such as Delhi, India
D) the megacities such as Tokyo, Mexico City, and New York City
E) large cities worldwide, such as Paris, London, and Los Angeles

Question 12

Oregon's strong policy of enforcing UGBs (urban growth boundaries) to create livable cities has been exemplary for many years, but between 2004 and 2007, voters .

A) have gone further by passing a bill capping population in all major cities
B) passed legislation forbidding the construction of any new single -family homes
C) approved rules relinquishing private property rights in areas outside the area of Portland's UGBs
D) chose to remove UGBs and allow unregulated development throughout the state
E) passed a bill giving property owners some exceptions from UGB rules

Question 13

New urbanism seeks to .

A) use tiered taxation to maintain inner cities as vibrant, livable communities
B) use zoning to keep small neighborhoods intact
C) provide low -cost, long -distance, mass transit systems
D) keep business in a central location, near transportation centers
E) develop walkable neighborhoods, with homes and businesses close together

Question 14

Air travel, the Internet, cheap fossil fuels, and television all have allowed people to .

A) return to an agricultural society
B) live more densely packed into urban areas
C) remain connected while living in less centralized locations
D) consume less energy and materials
E) live within the UDB's demanded by smart city design

Question 15

All of the following are landscaping features of green buildings EXCEPT .

A) the use of plants that are native to the area where the building is being constructed
B) planting deciduous trees to allow light to pass in the winter and shade buildings in the summer
C) landscaping with AstroTurf in dry environments
D) rooftops planted with vegetation
E) rain gardens that absorb runoff

Question 16

In 2010, the Portland area's Metropolitan Service District (Metro) made a historic agreement between landowners and citizens that .

A) preserved all undeveloped land as natural ecosystems
B) included a regional plan to identify exactly where urban growth would be allowed over the next 50 years
C) prohibited agriculture on any undeveloped land in the region
D) removed UGBs because they were deemed unconstitutional
E) put up undeveloped land at auction to be sold to the highest bidders, public or private

Question 17

American cities in the northern United States, such as Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit, .

A) have increased their rate of growth dramatically in the past 20 years
B) have always grown rapidly and continue to do so
C) have maintained a steady state population since the 1970s
D) have steadily lost population over the past 100 years
E) grew very rapidly in the 19th and early 20th centuries

Question 18

Which of the following is a method that governments use to improve urban transportation?

A) Provide motorcycle lanes in the center of rail lines.
B) Make some public buildings and some communities accessible only by public transportation.
C) Provide bicycle lanes on freeways.
D) Give tax rebates to people who use only public transportation.
E) Designate lanes as carpool -only.

Question 19

Historically, large cities have tended to develop .

A) their own agricultural areas within city limits
B) along trade routes
C) in locations where explorers first landed
D) within walking distance of hunting and gathering grounds
E) away from large bodies of water that might cause flooding during storms

Question 20

Greenways .

A) prohibit hiking and biking or recreational opportunities
B) are urban golf courses
C) are links that provides pathways for wildlife to travel between parks and preserves
D) contain parks that are large enough to harbor populations of exotic flora and fauna
E) are waterways within city parks

Question 21

As an ecological resource manager, you choose two of the proposals as the ones that you will recommend. You do this on the basis of .

A) the financial standing of the investors and their proven ability to finish projects
B) the suggestions made to you by members of the city council
C) the best use of the land for the highest numbers of people
D) the projected revenue they will bring in to the city
E) sustainability of the uses and compatibility with the environment

Question 22

This figure shows the chloride concentration in Baltimore -area streams. Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the data shown?

A) Urban areas are more impervious than rural areas.
B) Chloride levels in suburban streams are safe for land plants.
C) Streams in rural areas are contaminated with nitrates and phosphates from the overuse of fertilizers.
D) Urban streams are contaminated mainly with chloride flowing in from suburban areas.
E) Land plants contribute considerable amounts of chloride to urban streams.

Question 23

From where does New York City get its drinking water?

A) reservoirs in the Rocky Mountains
B) desalination of seawater from the Atlantic Ocean
C) groundwater aquifers beneath the city
D) reservoirs far to the northwest of the city
E) directly from the Hudson River

Question 24

LEED -certified buildings could be described in all of the following ways, EXCEPT .

A) they have a reduced ecological footprint
B) they are built with sustainable materials
C) they are energy efficient
D) their construction usually costs less than for conventional buildings
E) they limit pollution and recycle wastes

Question 25

People who live entirely within an urban environment .

A) may become disconnected from nature and from the true costs of their needs and activities
B) are never provided enough quality housing, even for those who can afford it
C) have insufficient choices for activities and lifestyles
D) have too many luxury goods at too expensive a price
E) pay less for food and gasoline than rural areas

Question 26

Members of several local environmental groups propose that nearly all of the buildings be removed and the area turned into a regional hiking, fishing, and camping area, with very limited vehicle access. This will preserve the natural areas while providing recreation for the city dwellers. The most likely issue raised by opponents is whether .

A) whether such activities would irreparably harm the sensitive ecosystems
B) anyone will be interested in that kind of recreation
C) revenue generated from users will pay for the changes and the maintenance of such a facility
D) there will be sufficient space for RV camping
E) water sports will be accessible to all

Question 27

This figure shows the chloride concentration in Baltimore -area streams. What is the main source of the chloride shown in the figure?

A) swimming pools
B) factory discharge
C) inorganic fertilizers
D) sewage treatment plants
E) road salt

Question 28

An ecological resource manager's preliminary environmental studies should include inquiry into whether .

A) the city needs to obtain a great deal of revenue from the final choice
B) a new housing development just outside the city limits may increase traffic on the connecting highway
C) the wetlands include oyster beds and shallow estuaries that are habitats for shrimp, crabs, and fish, which are supporting many local industries
D) the lake should be provided with docks and a marina for sport fishermen
E) the financial situation of some potential investors is shaky

Question 29

Urban sprawl typically results in .

A) high -density housing outside of the central city
B) decreased reliance on automobiles
C) narrower highways
D) increased commuting distances
E) increased population densities

Question 30

Which of the following approaches would earn points toward LEED certification?

A) building near a school
B) building with mahogany imported from Brazil
C) building on a golf course
D) recycling all construction wastes
E) building a children's cancer hospital

Question 31

A resource sink is .

A) an area that produces a single resource and can control the price of that commodity or service
B) an area that produces almost none of the things that it needs
C) a resource that is desirable, such that different cities must compete to obtain enough of it for their citizens
D) an area that produces many things and needs to export them to a variety of places
E) an area that is able to trade for all of the things that it needs