Environmental Science Chapters 1 & 2 Test

6) Confidence in the certainty of predictions, which are based on observation, is known as: a) probability b) guaranteed rate c) feedback d) authenticity e) conviction

a

A grand scheme that relates and explains many observations and is supported by a great deal of evidence is considered a scientific: a) theory b) hypothesis c) prediction d) contention e) belief

a

When data is numerical, it is considered: a) quantitative data b) qualitative data c) quality data d) assigned data e) figurative data

a

Which of the following statements is TRUE? a) Today we are using our renewable environmental resources faster than they can be replenished. b) Famine occurs when environmental resources exceed the human population. c) The Black Death did not have environmental and economic effects. d) People affect the environment; the environment does not affect people. e) All of the above statements are TRUE.

a) Today we are using our renewable environmental resources faster than they can be replenished.

An ever-growing human population that exceeds the ability of the planet to support it will eventually lead to: a) failure of ecosystems b) increased natural disasters c) decreased density-dependent disasters d) increased density-independent disasters e) all of the above

a) failure of ecosystems

The maximum number of people Earth can sustain is referred to as: a) human carrying capacity b) human upper limit c) individual sustainability d) mega human boundary e) human macro-scale

a) human carrying capacity

The Gaia hypothesis proposes: a) life on Earth has changed the global environment in ways that tend to improve chances for the continuation of life b) life on Earth has changed the global environment in ways that tend to weaken chances for the continuation of life c) life on Earth has no impact on the global environment d) an Earth centered universe e) making Gaia the official name of Mother Earth

a) life on Earth has changed the global environment in ways that tend to improve chances for the continuation of life

A scientist hypothesized that a certain species of butterfly requires a specific range of air temperature in order to pupate. The air temperature is varied and number of pupa counted at each temperature increment. In this experiment: a) air temperature is the dependent variable b) air temperature is the independent variable c) number of pupa is the manipulated variable d) number of pupa is the controlled variable e) air temperature did not influence life cycle of the butterfly

b

Like the scientific method, the process of making decisions is sometimes presented as a series of steps. Put the following decision making steps in order. I. Predict the positive and negative consequences of each course of action. II. Formulate a clear statement of the issue to be decided. III. Gather the scientific information related to the issue. IV. Weigh the alternative and choose the best solution. V. List all alternative courses of action. a) I - II - III - IV - V b) II - III - V - I - IV c) III - V - II - I - IV d) IV - V - I - II - III e) V - IV - III - I - II

b

Precision of measurement is defined as: a) the extent to which a measurement agrees with the accepted value b) the degree of exactness with which a quantity is measured c) keeping within bounds of errors that occur consistently d) only an approximation e) the margin of uncertainty

b

Science does not deal with questions involving values. Which of the following questions is beyond the realm of science? a) Do brine shrimp die at high salinity levels? b) Is the scenery at Mono Lake beautiful? c) How many birds nest at Mono Lake? d) What species of algae live in Mono Lake? e) Under what conditions do algae live?

b

What is the logical conclusion for the following syllogism? Premise: All sponges are animals Premise: All animals are heterotrophic Conclusion: Therefore___________ a) sponges live in the ocean b) sponges are heterotrophic c) sponges are not animals d) sponges are photosynthetic e) sponges are mammals

b

The population distribution in developed countries is approximately: a) 99% urban; 1% rural b) 75% urban; 25% rural c) 50% urban; 50% rural d) 40% urban; 60% rural e) 20% urban; 80% rural

b) 75% urban; 25% rural

By 2015, most of the world's megacities will be in: a) the United States b) Asia c) Africa d) Latin America e) Europe

b) Asia

An ecosystem from which resources are harvested, but is still able to maintain its essential functions and properties is referred to as a(n) ___________ ecosystem. a) resource consumption b) sustainable c) renovated d) fatigued e) artificial

b) sustainable

In investigating the effect of fertilizer on plant growth: a) measure of plant growth is the independent variable b) application of fertilizer is the dependent variable c) measure of plant growth is the dependent variable d) size of the pot for the plant is the independent variable e) both a and b

c

Scientific models: a) are often more complex than nature itself b) are always represented by computer simulations c) can be represented by a set of mathematical equations d) all of the above accurately represent scientific models e) only a and b accurately represent scientific models

c

When we formulate generalizations based on a number of specific observations, we are engaging in: a) dishonest debate b) deductive reasoning c) inductive reasoning d) value reasoning e) an educated guess

c

Which of the following might be considered pseudoscience? a) the notion that the Condor population can be reinstated through captive breeding b) the notion that brine shrimp die when the salinity of water reaches three times that of seawater c) the notion that movements of planets affect personalities and fates of humans d) the notion that Penicillium notatum, a fungus can kill Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria e) the notion photosynthesis is affected by light

c

Identify which of the following best characterizes this phrase: Plan for population problems and environmental hazards rather than respond to incidents in progress. a) Inclusive, not exclusive b) Attracting, not attacking c) Proactive, not reactive d) Assist the disadvantaged, not take advantage e) Evolutionary rather than revolutionary

c) Proactive, not reactive

A car that burns fossil fuels would be considered a global environmental problem because: a) cars are commonly exported from one part of the world to another b) regulation of exhaust emission controls are globally enforced c) automobile exhaust emissions are increasing the concentration of global greenhouse gasses d) cars are depleting Earth's renewable resources e) cars that run on fossil fuels are being eradicated worldwide

c) automobile exhaust emissions are increasing the concentration of global greenhouse gasses

Which of the following would be considered an appropriately matched justification for preserving coral reefs? a) coral reefs provide ideal settings for recreational snorkeling: ecological justification b) coral reefs provide inspiration to artists and poets: ecological justification c) corals reefs provide the main source of protein for tropical people: utilitarian justification d) coral reefs provide materials for jewelry production: moral justification e) coral reefs provide homes for a variety of plants and animals: recreational justification

c) corals reefs provide the main source of protein for tropical people: utilitarian justification

Which of the following is NOT a major theme in environmental science? a) sustainability b) human population c) habitat restoration d) climate change e) urbanization

c) habitat restoration

According to current general agreement, the essence of the scientific method is: a) operational definitions b) inference c) fact finding d) disprovability e) probability

d

Errors that occur consistently are referred to as: a) experimental errors b) systematic errors c) human errors d) statistical errors e) intrinsic errors

d

In order to "think like a scientist" rather than "like a student," you should: a) view science lectures as absolute truths b) not question the material in textbooks c) consider science as a collection of isolated facts d) be critical of what you read or hear e) memorize the summary of answers provided by media

d

There are two sources of uncertainties in measurements. What are they? a) human error and incorrectly calibrated instruments b) approximating size and unpredictable quantities c) inconsistent numbering scales and unreliable implements d) real variability of nature and the fact that every measurement naturally has some error e) statistical procedures and qualitative measurements

d

Why would an idea be considered pseudoscience? a) it is inherently untestable b) it is the result of faulty reasoning c) it lacks empirical support d) all of the above e) a and b only

d

Which of the following factors led to the demise of the people of Easter Island? a) deforestation b) disease c) invasive rats d) all of the above e) a and b only

d) all of the above

Ideally, sustainable development would ensure the human population an equal opportunity to Earth's resources: a) for a few decades into the future b) for the entire current political administration c) for as long as resources last d) for future generations e) for the present generation

d) for future generations

An operational definition of independent and dependent variables allows: a) other scientists convert qualitative data into quantitative data b) other scientists to repeat experiments exactly c) other scientists to check on results reported d) both a and c e) both b and c

e

The variable that a scientist deliberately changes or manipulates in an experiment is known as the: a) dependent variable b) independent variable c) responding variable d) manipulated variable e) both b and d

e

Which of the following is an obstacle presented by environmental research in regard to scientific study? a) setting up adequate experimental controls for field studies b) developing controlled laboratory experiments of sufficient complexity c) developing models for complex systems d) the long time frame of many ecological processes e) all of the above are obstacles of environmental research

e

The argument that we should not wait for scientific proof before taking precautionary steps to prevent potential harm to the environment is known as a) Utilitarian Justification b) the Precautionary Principle c) the Gaia Hypothesis d) the Proactive Global Initiative e) Moral Justification

e) Precautionary Principle

Which of the following is NOT an attribute of a sustainable economy? a) populations of humans living in harmony with ecosystems b) an energy policy that does not pollute the atmosphere c) a plan for protecting renewable resources d) a plan for conserving nonrenewable resources e) a legal and political system dedicated to profit

e) a legal and political system dedicated to profit

In order to achieve a sustainable global economy, necessary steps include: a) an effective population control strategy b) restructuring of energy programs c) establishment of a tax structure that encourages wise use of resources d) implementation of social, legal & political changes to ensure maintenance of a quality environment e) all of the above

e) all of the above

Which of the following major factors is known to exacerbate famine conditions? a) drought b) changing climate c) poor farming practices d) political disruptions e) all of the above

e) all of the above

Which of the following is correlated with decline in salmon populations? a) overfishing b) forest logging c) dam construction d) consumption of salmon by sea lions e) all of the above are correlated with decline in salmon populations

e) all of the above are correlated with decline in salmon populations

Which of the following is NOT a public-service function provided by nature? a) clean water from wetlands b) clean air from trees c) protection from UV radiation from the ozone layer d) adequate climate conditions from the atmosphere e) all of the above are public-service functions provided by nature

e) all of the above are public-service functions provided by nature

The underlying issue of the environment is: a) human consumption b) resource depletion c) disease d) famine e) human population

e) human population