Type:
Test Bank
Resource:
Changing Planet
Edition:
2nd Edition
Author(s):
Jason Neff
A Changing Planet, 2e (Neff) Chapter SS The Science of Sustainability SS.1 Multiple-Choice Questions 1) Which of the following terms best describes the practice of environmental science? A) Highly specialized and focused B) Integrative and interdisciplinary C) Abstract and theoretical D) Theoretical and controversial Answer: B Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.1: Explain what other fields contribute to environmental science and provide a brief history of how the field of environmental science developed. 2) The current total world population is almost ________. A) 6 billion B) 7 billion C) 8 billion D) 10 billion E) 11 billion Answer: C Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.2: Explain the concept of sustainability and how it applies to environmental science. 3) Which of the following best illustrates sustainability? A) Constructing coal mines that do not require extensive surface excavations B) Transitioning from traditional to renewable sources of energy C) Upgrading or replacing computers every few years to improve performance D) Using an ethanol—gasoline blend in a vehicle instead of pure gasoline Answer: B Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Application/Analysis Learning Outcome: SS.1.2: Explain the concept of sustainability and how it applies to environmental science.
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4) Sustainable development ________. A) ensures an economy that will decline over time, since our economy hinges on the assumption that resources are finite B) involves using resources to meet today's needs without compromising future availability C) is technically impossible to accomplish, since resources would still be used up D) is hypothetically attainable but is beyond our current technologies Answer: B Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.3: Differentiate between development and sustainable development. 5) The concept of sustainable development considers ________. A) the needs of future generations B) growth in profits from international trade C) the importance of developing the arts D) the fastest ways to economic prosperity Answer: A Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.3: Differentiate between development and sustainable development. 6) What is the rationale behind describing nations as developing economies, rather than developing countries? A) Developing economies is a term used to describe a nation that has traditionally been dominated by bartering systems, but is now developing a more standardized system of capitalism. B) Developing countries focus on improving their system of government, while developing economics focus solely on national wealth. C) Using the term developing countries implies that wealthy countries are more advanced than developing ones. D) Nothing is implied; the terms are interchangeable. Answer: C Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.3: Differentiate between development and sustainable development.
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7) How are the economy, natural resources, and society related in traditional ideas about development? A) Resources support economic growth, and the higher income can then be used for societal improvement. B) Resource use is balanced against societal needs and economic growth. C) Economic and societal development are usually simultaneous, and only the largest societies use resources unsustainably. D) Resource use fuel the economy, but improvement of societal conditions is unrelated to development. Answer: A Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.3: Differentiate between development and sustainable development. 8) How are the economy, natural resources, and society related in sustainable development? A) Resources support economic growth, and the higher income can then be used for societal improvement. B) Resource use is balanced against societal needs and economic growth. C) Economic and societal development are usually simultaneous, and only the largest societies use resources unsustainably. D) Resource use fuel the economy, but improvement of societal conditions is unrelated to development. Answer: B Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.3: Differentiate between development and sustainable development. 9) Which of the following is the best description of the concepts that should be balanced in sustainable development? A) housing a growing human population and environmental health B) future resource availability and economic growth C) economic growth, environmental health, and societal equity D) supporting economic growth and societal development Answer: C Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.3: Differentiate between development and sustainable development.
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10) Which of the following is a downside to organizations such as the OECD? A) The wealthiest nations play a much larger role in developing global policies than poorer nations do. B) Their policies regarding human health and welfare often slow economic development. C) Their environmental policies impose regulations that harm businesses and reduce profits. D) Their emphasis on adopting shared policies for trade and development discourage entrepreneurship. Answer: A Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.3: Differentiate between development and sustainable development. 11) At virtually any level of use, nonrenewable resources can be ________. A) converted to renewable ones B) exhausted or depleted C) recycled or reused D) replenished once depleted Answer: B Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.4: Explain the concepts of renewable and nonrenewable resources. 12) Geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar radiation are all examples of ________. A) nonrenewable resources B) renewable resources C) biotic environmental factors D) biodiversity Answer: B Module: SS.1 Environmental Science and Sustainability Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.1.4: Explain the concepts of renewable and nonrenewable resources. 13) A hypothesis can best be described as ________. A) a proven fact B) an explanation that has been tested many times C) a proposed explanation based on observation D) a comparison between groups with an explanation for differences Answer: C Module: SS.2 The Scientific Method and Process Skill: Knowledge/Comprehension Learning Outcome: SS.2.1: Describe what the scientific method is and how it is applied to environmental questions.
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