Environmental Sustainability Test Bank
Course Introduction
Environmental Sustainability explores the principles and practices necessary for maintaining the health of our planets ecosystems while meeting current and future human needs. This course examines the interdependence between human societies and the natural environment, focusing on key topics such as resource management, pollution control, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Students will analyze global and local environmental challenges, evaluate policy and technological solutions, and develop a critical understanding of how social, economic, and ethical considerations influence sustainable decision-making. Through case studies and practical exercises, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute to sustainable solutions in their communities and professional fields.
Recommended Textbook
Principles of Environmental Science 8th Edition by William P Cunningham Prof
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564 Verified Questions
564 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: Understanding Our Environment
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Sample Questions
Q1) In reading a claim by an atmospheric scientist that ozone depletion is not an actual environmental problem, a critical thinker would
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 and background of the source's reliability.
E) acknowledge the claim because an atmospheric scientist is an expert.
Answer: D
Q2) 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
A) inductive reasoning.
B) deductive reasoning.
C) hypothesis testing.
D) reductive reasoning.
E) parsimony.
Answer: A
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Chapter 2: Environmental Systems: Matter and Energy of Life
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Sample Questions
Q1) Based on what you know of photosynthesis, what effect would clearcutting of large forests have on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
A) It would increase the level of carbon dioxide since less photosynthesis would be taking place.
B) The amount of carbon dioxide would be decreased since the trees would no longer be living.
C) There would be no change in carbon dioxide levels since humans put carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels.
D) The amount of carbon dioxide would be the same since the reaction rates of photosynthesis and respiration are equal.
Answer: A
Q2) Water supplies contaminated with algae that produce toxins making the water unfit to drink is a result of the human impact to the A) hydrologic cycle.
B) carbon cycle.
C) nitrogen cycle.
D) sulfur cycle.
Answer: C
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Chapter 3: Evolution, Species Interactions, and Biological Communities
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Sample Questions
Q1) The most common reason that introduced species cause trouble is because they are larger than native species.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q2) In general species diversity is higher near the poles than near the equator.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q3) What term describes species which arise in non-overlapping geographic regions?
A) intraspecific competition
B) interspecific competition
C) sympatric speciation
D) allopatric speciation
E) invasive species
Answer: D
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Chapter 4: Human Populations
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Sample Questions
Q1) The world human population reached 1 billion in about
A) 1400.
B) 1500.
C) 1600.
D) 1700.
E) 1800.
Q2) The concept that incorporates human population numbers and the types of resources used is referred to as the
A) IPAT concept.
B) demographic transition concept.
C) ecological footprint concept.
D) social justice concept.
Q3) Which of the following is a pronatalist pressure?
A) male pride
B) social status of large families
C) need for additional family income
D) social taboos regarding birth control
E) all of these are sources of pronatalist pressure
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Chapter 5: Biomes and Biodiversity
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Sample Questions
Q1) The main reason that there are relatively few invertebrates categorized as endangered species is because
A) we consider other groups, such as mammals, to be more interesting and desirable.
B) worldwide there are relatively few invertebrates when compared to plants.
C) it is extremely difficult to identify and count invertebrates.
D) Since there are 532 invertebrates considered endangered, none of these are True. E) invertebrates are more numerous and the relative percentages are similar.
Q2) What is unique about the Mediterranean climate area biome?
A) It is a highly desirable place to live.
B) It is only found in the Mediterranean area.
C) It has very poor soil but supports an extremely diverse array of species.
D) It has a large total area.
E) It contains a high number of unique species.
Q3) Tropical moist forests have high species diversity because they have highly developed, diverse niche opportunities and habitats.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 6: Environmental Conservation: Forests,
Grasslands, Parks, and Nature
Preserves
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Sample Questions
Q1) The primary aim of the U.S. Forest Service has historically been to provide ______________ based on Pinchot's philosophy of _________________.
A) the benefits of forests for current and future populations; ecocentric preservation
B) fire patrols to protect ancient forests; biocentric preservation
C) wildlife habitat; biocentric preservation
D) public recreation and education; pragmatic conservation
E) timber to logging companies; pragmatic conservation
Q2) The loss of forests can affect rainfall patterns.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Annually, the Forest Service __________ on timber sales mainly because of the emphasis on ________________.
A) makes a profit; building roads into wilderness areas
B) loses money; building roads into wilderness areas
C) loses money; exporting logs to Canada
D) makes a profit; exporting logs to Canada
E) loses money; replanting
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Chapter 7: Food and Agriculture
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Sample Questions
Q1) All are common modern agricultural methods, except
A) aquaculture farms
B) plowing with machines
C) irrigating with drip systems
D) using chemical fertilizers
E) plowing fields
Q2) 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.
Q3) The USDA estimates ______ percent of conventionally grown foods are contaminated with pesticide residue.
A) 11
B) 23
C) 34
D) 58
E) 73
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Chapter 8: Environmental Health and Toxicology
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Sample Questions
Q1) Organisms are physiologically able to minimize some of the effects of toxins if A) a minimal amount is taken into the body.
B) there is no exposure.
C) chemists develop vaccines and antibodies
D) DNA technology is used to change the individual's susceptibility.
Q2) Based on what you know of risk assessment, which of the following factors would not explain the seemingly irrational behavior of a father who smokes (high risk factor for baby) throwing away his baby's teething rings that may contain phthalates (seemingly low risk factor for baby).
A) People tend to downplay risks that are associated with activities they are committed to or enjoy.
B) Most people do not understand the concepts of probability.
C) News media can give a biased view of hazards.
D) People tend to have an irrational fear of certain technologies that are not as well understood.
E) People recognize the risk of man-made objects but not those of natural (tobacco) objects.
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Chapter 9: Climate
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Sample Questions
Q1) Given what we know about the likelihood of climate change, the best thing to do is
A) immediately cease all industrial activity.
B) wait and see how much temperatures change before we change our habits.
C) severely cut back on production of greenhouse gases.
D) not worry about greenhouse gas production.
E) focus on the development of advanced technologies such as ocean fertilization to will decrease the effects of climate change.
Q2) Paying to plant trees because you use carbon in your daily life would be an example of
A) carbon reduction.
B) cap and trade.
C) carbon offsets.
D) carbon production [ambiguous].
E) going carbon neutral.
Q3) Nineteen of the 20 warmest of the last 150 years have occurred since 1980.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 10: Air Pollution
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Sample Questions
Q1) A major source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is
A) incomplete burning of hydrocarbons.
B) combustion of sulfur-containing fuel.
C) photochemical oxidation.
D) CO in the atmosphere.
E) CO2 in the atmosphere.
Q2) Worldwide, air pollution control efforts are least advanced or least successful in major cities of developing countries.
A)True
B)False
Q3) The "ozone hole" is a depletion currently most serious
A) at the most populated latitudes.
B) over North America.
C) in tropical latitudes.
D) near the Hadley cells.
E) near the poles.
Q4) Cap and trade policies have been successful in lowering the levels of carbon dioxide and CFCs.
A)True
B)False
Page 12
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Chapter 11: Water: Resources and Pollution
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Sample Questions
Q1) Raw sewage would contribute to the biochemical oxygen demand of a stream and cause fewer organisms to be present.
A)True
B)False
Q2) A(n) ______________ is all the land drained by a particular river.
A) reservoir
B) water table
C) watershed
D) recharge zone
E) aquifer
Q3) The hydrologic compartment that contains the greatest amount of fresh water is
A) groundwater.
B) the Great Lakes.
C) living organisms and biomass.
D) ice and snow.
E) clouds in the atmosphere.
Q4) An oligotrophic lake would be very productive.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 12: Environmental Geology and Earth Resources
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Sample Questions
Q1) The "ring of fire" is the source of more earthquakes and volcanic activity than any other place on earth. What causes the ring of fire?
A) the subduction of Pacific plates under continental plates
B) the drift of Europe and Africa away from the Americas
C) the collision of two continental plates
D) mid-oceanic ridges
E) Earthquakes.
Q2) Which of the following would you not use to classify a rock you found on a recent hike?
A) chemical composition.
B) physical properties.
C) internal structure.
D) mode of formation.
E) color.
Q3) __________ rocks are often the source of metal ores such as gold, silver, and copper.
A) Igneous
B) Metamorphic
C) Sedimentary
D) Weathered
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Chapter 13: Energy
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Sample Questions
Q1) Control rods in a nuclear reactor are used to A) absorb neutrons.
B) move fuel rods around in the chamber.
C) provide neutrons to initiate reactions.
D) provide cooling by decreasing the temperature of the water.
E) increase the temperature of the water.
Q2) A glass greenhouse on the south side of a building is an example of A) parabolic collection.
B) an active solar heating system.
C) passive heat absorption.
D) eutectic heat exchange.
E) charging fuel cells to increase efficiency in energy use.
Q3) The largest oil supply in the Americas comes from tar sands.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Tidal power stations operate by using the energy from waves as they crash on the shore.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 14: Solid and Hazardous Waste
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Sample Questions
Q1) Using a refillable beverage container (returnable bottles) would be an example of __________ materials.
A) reusing
B) recycling
C) reducing
D) redefining
Q2) Landfills differ from open dumps in that
A) landfills are smaller.
B) dumps are cleaner and smell less.
C) landfilled waste is compacted and covered.
D) landfills are cheaper to operate.
E) Landfills and dumps are the same thing.
Q3) Hazardous waste is anything that
A) causes human health threats.
B) severely contaminates the environment.
C) is toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, corrosive, or explosive.
D) has the potential of causing health problems.
E) All of these are correct.
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Chapter 15: Economics and Urbanization
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Sample Questions
Q1) International trade of goods internalizes costs.
A)True
B)False
Q2) When a factory pollutes a river, the costs and losses that affect people downstream would be called
A) indirect costs.
B) external costs.
C) incidental costs.
D) internal costs.
E) social costs.
Q3) Suburbs are known for the presence of artistic and cultural opportunities.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Taking advantage of utilizing existing resources and infrastructure to plan communities is described as
A) smart growth.
B) sustainable growth.
C) urban sprawl.
D) brownfield development.
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Chapter 16: Environmental Policy and Sustainability
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Sample Questions
Q1) All of the following are examples of major international environmental agreements except
A) Montreal Protocol (1987)
B) National Environmental Policy Act (1970)
C) Kyoto Protocol (1997)
D) Basel Convention (1992)
E) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (1973)
Q2) Civil law is to _______________ as criminal law is to crimes against the state or society.
A) legislation rulings
B) administrative actions
C) standings
D) interactions between individuals
E) precedents
Q3) The Christmas Bird Count is an example of _____________________.
A) citizen science
B) ecosystem management
C) environmental literacy
D) international treaty
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