Deck 14: Resource Issues

Question 1

Figure 14.2.2
Based on your knowledge of energy production,this map most likely displays

A) natural gas production.
B) proven petroleum reserves.
C) hydroelectric power production.
D) coal production.
E) nuclear power generation.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Developed countries have primarily converted from biomass fuel to

A) solar energy.
B) fossil fuels.
C) wind energy.
D) renewable energy.
E) animate power.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The global energy issue derives in part from the fact that fossil fuels

A) are distributed uniformly across Earth.
B) are renewable energy sources.
C) were formed in the far distant past.
D) have an infinite supply.
E) are too easily contaminated.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A substance in the physical environment that has value to human beings is

A) energy.
B) a reserve.
C) a resource.
D) power.
E) a mineral.

Question 5

Which group consumes one-fifth of the world's energy,while only making up one-twentieth of Earth's population?

A) Americans
B) Chinese
C) Indians
D) Europeans
E) Russians

Question 6

Saudi Arabia has relatively large proven reserves of

A) coal.
B) petroleum.
C) natural gas.
D) tar sandstone.
E) All of the above

Question 7

Prior to the Industrial Revolution,humans relied mostly on what kind of power?

A) animate
B) inanimate
C) nonrenewable
D) proven
E) articulated

Question 8

Why is coal typically found at mid-latitudes and not evenly distributed across the globe?

A) Coal formed preferentially in the mid-latitudes 250 million years ago.
B) Coal was formed in the tropical regions a long time ago and relocated to the mid-latitudes due to continental drift.
C) Coal turned to petroleum or natural gas in other parts of the world 250 million years ago.
D) Coal is distributed fairly uniformly but exploration has focused in the mid-latitudes.
E) The mid-latitudes had the ideal swampy conditions that initiated the long process of turning dead organisms into coal.

Question 9

The United States has relatively large proven reserves of

A) coal.
B) petroleum.
C) natural gas.
D) tar sandstone.
E) All of the above

Question 10

One of the results from the formation of OPEC in 1960 was that

A) the prices of oil are set by governments and not petroleum companies.
B) prices remained very constant between 1960 and 2014.
C) the United States would reduce their dependency on Canadian petroleum.
D) the prices of oil are now determined purely by market forces.
E) the petroleum corporations from the developed countries could stop their exploration of new oil reserves.

Question 11

Figure 14.1.2: U.S. Energy Sources
The energy resource shown in this figure to have most decreased in use is

A) nuclear power.
B) wood.
C) petroleum.
D) coal.
E) natural gas.

Question 12

Before the Industrial Revolution,the most important source of fuel was

A) biomass.
B) coal.
C) natural gas.
D) petroleum.
E) alcohol.

Question 13

To protest the United States' support for Israel in its 1973 war against Egypt,Jordan,and Syria,during the winter of 1973-74,OPEC members

A) raised the price of petroleum.
B) refused to sell petroleum to the United States.
C) nationalized American-owned petroleum companies.
D) shut down American-owned refineries.
E) All of the above

Question 14

The amount of energy in fields not yet identified but thought to exist is a

A) nonrenewable energy.
B) potential reserve.
C) proven reserve.
D) resource.
E) future commodity.

Question 15

Most sources of energy today are

A) fossil fuels.
B) wind powered.
C) based on coal and coal derivatives.
D) from the developed world.
E) renewable.

Question 16

Fossil fuels are

A) finite resources.
B) unevenly distributed around the world.
C) plants and animals buried millions of years ago.
D) both finite resources and buried plants and animals.
E) All of these are correct.

Question 17

China has recently surpassed the United States as the world leader for

A) the supply of energy.
B) energy efficient buildings.
C) the demand of energy.
D) the cleanest urban air quality.
E) highest efficiency automobiles.

Question 18

China has relatively large proven reserves of

A) coal.
B) petroleum.
C) natural gas.
D) tar sandstone.
E) All of the above

Question 19

At current rates of use,the proven reserve to run out first would be

A) natural gas.
B) coal.
C) hydroelectric power.
D) petroleum.
E) biomass.

Question 20

The U.S.Department of Energy predicts that in 2040 the average American will use ________ energy as compared to today.This is primarily due to ________.

A) less; global warming
B) less; more energy-efficient appliances, homes, and vehicles, and migration to warmer areas
C) less; shorter commute distances and more energy-efficient buildings
D) more; larger homes
E) less; more people working from home

Question 21

The practice of extracting more gas from reserves by pumping water at high pressure is called

A) fracking.
B) high pressure extraction.
C) hydraulic removal.
D) liquid phase extraction.
E) cracking.

Question 22

A gas threatening Earth's ozone layer is

A) sulfur dioxides.
B) chlorofluorocarbons.
C) the greenhouse effect.
D) photochemical smog.
E) nitrous oxide.

Question 23

The combination of sulfur oxide with oxygen and water produces

A) acid precipitation.
B) chlorofluorocarbon.
C) greenhouse effects.
D) photochemical smog.
E) ammonia.

Question 24

Figure 14.7.4
This figure represents

A) hydroelectric potential.
B) wind power potential.
C) solar power generation.
D) nuclear power generation.
E) solar power potential.

Question 25

A greenhouse is a good example of a building heated by

A) active solar energy.
B) fusion.
C) passive solar energy.
D) photovoltaic cells.
E) green plants.

Question 26

Canada possesses massive deposits of an unconventional resource called

A) high technology extraction reserves.
B) unprofitable reserves.
C) potential reserves.
D) fracking.
E) oil sands.

Question 27

The power source with the lowest environmental impact is

A) hydroelectric.
B) nuclear.
C) solar.
D) wind.

Question 28

Concerns over visual blight are most commonly raised for ________ power.

A) hydroelectric
B) nuclear
C) solar
D) wind

Question 29

A condition in which sunlight causes hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides to react in the atmosphere produces

A) acid deposition.
B) chlorofluorocarbon.
C) greenhouse effect.
D) photochemical smog.
E) ammonia.

Question 30

Pollution without a central source of origin is termed

A) air pollution.
B) regional-scale pollution.
C) water pollution.
D) nonpoint-source pollution.
E) a renewable resource.

Question 31

Air pollution is

A) a form of photochemical smog.
B) gaseous sulfur and phosphorus.
C) a concentration of a trace substance at a level greater than occurs in average air.
D) a concentration of a trace substance at a level greater than one percent.
E) concentrated in tropical regions.

Question 32

Why is geothermal energy usage prevalent in Mexico,Indonesia,and the U.S.?

A) These are the countries that developed the technology.
B) These are regions where crustal plates meet and justified by energy demand.
C) These countries formed a treaty to reduce greenhouse emissions.
D) Other forms of renewable energy are not feasible.
E) There are no earthquakes in these regions so the technology is safe.

Question 33

Which of the following is a pollutant at the local scale?

A) carbon dioxide
B) carbon monoxide
C) acid precipitation
D) sulfur oxides
E) chlorofluorocarbons

Question 34

Which of the following is a pollutant at the regional scale?

A) carbon dioxide
B) carbon monoxide
C) sulfur oxides
D) particulates
E) chlorofluorocarbons

Question 35

Elaborate safety measures must be taken to store nuclear waste primarily because the waste is

A) convertible into a nuclear weapon.
B) expensive.
C) radioactive.
D) scarce.
E) hard to contain gases.

Question 36

Even though Japan is currently rethinking their nuclear energy policy,why did they choose to build all the nuclear power plants in the first place?

A) Japan has significant industrial energy needs and very little fossil fuel reserves.
B) Japan can use seawater to cool their nuclear power plants.
C) Air pollution concerns prompted Japan do build many nuclear power plants.
D) Japan exports most of their refined fossil fuels so there isn't enough for domestic use.
E) Japan is trying to help reduce global warming by following an energy policy that requires a large percentage of energy from nuclear sources.

Question 37

What do Canada and Brazil have in common in terms of national energy sources?

A) very large percentage of power generated by wind
B) very large percentage of power generated by hydroelectric
C) declining energy needs
D) very evenly mixed between fossil fuels and alternative energy sources
E) mostly fossil fuels

Question 38

Which of the following is a pollutant at the global scale?

A) carbon dioxide
B) carbon monoxide
C) sulfur oxides
D) particulates
E) acid precipitation

Question 39

Of the following common alternatives to fossil fuel resources,which is not renewable?

A) hydroelectric
B) nuclear
C) solar
D) wind

Question 40

The increase in Earth's temperature caused by carbon dioxide trapping radiation is

A) thermal feedback.
B) isothermic depletion.
C) the greenhouse effect.
D) photochemical smog.
E) the anaerobic process.

Question 41

Pollution occurs if

A) there is more waste than a resource can tolerate.
B) there is less waste than environmental capacity.
C) recycling occurs.
D) waste is thrown away.
E) a regulation is passed.

Question 42

In contrast to air and water pollution,solid waste pollution is reduced through

A) burning residuals.
B) constructing landfills.
C) concentrating rather than dispersing waste.
D) reducing damage to the Earth's ozone layer.
E) dispersing rather than concentrating waste.

Question 43

Electric vehicles may still be using fossil fuels

A) because they all have a supplemental gas tank.
B) at a greater rate than conventional vehicles.
C) because batteries require oil to operate.
D) well into the 21st century.
E) if their charge comes from fossil-fueled power plants.

Question 44

Which of the following is a hazardous waste?

A) heavy metals
B) PCB oils
C) cyanides
D) strong solvents
E) All of these are hazardous wastes.

Question 45

The disappearance of the Aral Sea is attributed to

A) the diversion of water for irrigation.
B) natural variations in rainfall and temperature.
C) human-induced variations in rainfall and temperature from global climate change.
D) increased runoff from the sea.
E) point-source pollution from nuclear power plants.

Question 46

Steel and chemical industries are major water polluters primarily because they

A) are major users of municipal sewage systems.
B) release runoffs of pesticides.
C) generate large amounts of wastewater.
D) require small amounts of water in the manufacturing process.
E) generate superheated steam.

Question 47

Which of the following technologies has seen the lowest use in the U.S.so far for passenger vehicles?

A) hydrogen fuel cell
B) ethanol
C) hybrid
D) electric
E) diesel

Question 48

The most common strategy for solid waste disposal in the U.S.is

A) incineration.
B) recycling.
C) burial at sea.
D) reuse in another process.
E) burial in a sanitary landfill.

Question 49

Conservation is

A) the sustainable use and management of natural resources.
B) maintenance of resources in their present condition.
C) invention and diffusion of new agricultural practices.
D) breeding programs to rebuild endangered species.
E) maintaining wild environments.

Question 50

Which is not true about cars of the future?

A) Today, more full electric cars are sold than hybrids.
B) Hydrogen fuel cell cars are being used in a handful of large East and West Coast cities.
C) Diesel engines burn fuel more efficiently than conventional gas engines.
D) Ethanol is a fuel made by distilling crops.
E) The DOE forecast that by 2020, around 50% of all sold cars in the U.S. will be alternative to the conventional gas engine.

Question 51

Major sources of water pollution include all but

A) industries.
B) municipal sewage.
C) agriculture.
D) motor boats.

Question 52

Which of the following is considered a regional scale air pollutant?

A) acid precipitation
B) CFCs
C) ozone depletion
D) carbon monoxide
E) hydrocarbons

Question 53

What is the primary difference on how we dispose of solid,liquid,and gas waste?

A) Solid waste disposal is unique in that it is concentrated and buried in landfills.
B) Liquid and gas are put in special containers before they are buried in landfills.
C) Liquids and gases are always made chemically inert before release into the environment.
D) Landfills for liquids are put in special liquid-containing landfills, and gas is released into the atmosphere.
E) Gas and liquid wastes are converted to a solid and then mixed with the solid waste.

Question 54

Figure 14.9.2: Pollution Compared to a Country's Wealth
This figure indicates that starting to enrich the majority of the world's population will have the immediate result of

A) first decreasing but then increasing population growth.
B) increasing population growth.
C) increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
D) decreasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
E) decreasing population growth.

Question 55

Water polluted by a farmer's poor irrigation control of fertilized lands is an example of

A) nonpoint source pollution.
B) point source pollution.
C) biochemical oxygen demand pollution.
D) municipal sewage pollution.
E) industrial pollution.

Question 56

Preservation is

A) the sustainable use and management of natural resources.
B) maintenance of resources in their present condition.
C) invention and diffusion of new agricultural practices.
D) breeding programs to rebuild endangered species.
E) recycling natural resources.

Question 57

Referring to Figure 14.7.2,North America uses ________ water per capita than any other region of the world.Figure 14.7.3 provides insight that this is primarily due to ________.

A) less; industrial usage
B) much more; industrial usage
C) much more; agriculture
D) less; agriculture
E) much more; municipal usage

Question 58

The main message from Figure 14.9.1 is that

A) waste per capita has increased and finally decreased a little starting in 1995.
B) the gap between waste per capita and recycling rate has decreased over time.
C) in 1960, the U.S. started quantifying the level of recycling.
D) the rate of increase of recycling has leveled off in recent years.
E) waste per capita and recycling rate follow each other very closely year to year.

Question 59

Hazardous waste is especially problematic because disposal

A) may pollute air or water resources.
B) is performed at the global scale.
C) is easily done at sanitary landfills.
D) is impossible.
E) is too costly for most industries to afford.

Question 60

Why did virtually all countries in the world agree to ban the use of CFCs by 2020 for developed countries and by 2030 for developing countries?

A) to prevent acid rain
B) to reduce global warming
C) because there are cheaper coolants that work better
D) because of overwhelming evidence that they destroy the ozone layer
E) because of overwhelming evidence that they cause smog in cities

Question 61

What is the difference between a proven reserve and a potential reserve?

Question 62

Arguing that trees should be cut so long as the forest remains is what kind of approach?

A) preservation
B) wilderness
C) conservation
D) unsustainable
E) biodiverse

Question 63

Which is not true about sustainable development?

A) Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
B) It is promoted when the biodiversity of a particular place or Earth as a whole is protected.
C) It includes both conservation and preservation.
D) Sustainable development does not consider economic factors.
E) Many of the richest nations display the highest per capita pollution levels.

Question 64

The United Nations sustainable development concept links all but which of the following?

A) environmental protection
B) maximum yield on investment
C) economic growth
D) social equity
E) limiting use of renewable resources to rates that do not reduce future supply

Question 65

Identify and describe the three principal sources of water pollution.

Question 66

Describe the potential for solar and wind power.

Question 67

The text discusses the practice that some states in the U.S.find it economically justified to export waste to other states.Do you find this practice ethical? Justify your answer in terms of the exporting and importing states.

Question 68

The World Wildlife Federation claims the world surpassed its sustainable level around

A) 1960.
B) 1970.
C) 1980.
D) 1990.
E) 2000.

Question 69

How can we justify spending so much money on alternatives to fossil fuels if we don't even have a good measure of how much is still beneath the earth's surface? With the two paths provided,how would you divide our financial resources between 1)figuring out how to quantify,extract,and better use fossil fuels and 2)development and implementation of alternative energy sources?

Question 70

What are the three main fossil fuels?

Question 71

What has caused Earth's temperature to increase an average of 1 degree C in the last 100 years?

Question 72

Figure 14.9.2: Pollution Compared to a Country's Wealth
This figure indicates that increasing GNI per capita is associated with

A) first decreasing but then increasing population growth.
B) first increasing but then decreasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
C) first decreasing but then increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
D) increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
E) decreasing population growth.

Question 73

Explain why the disposal of hazardous waste is especially difficult.

Question 74

Two distinctive characteristics of fossil fuels underlie the energy crisis.What are these two characteristics?

Question 75

The United States once dominated the intellectual property and manufacturing of solar panels and other components to generate solar energy.For the past 10 years,solar energy has experienced exponential growth but still only meets a very small percentage of the world's energy needs.China currently dominates the manufacturing of solar panels.Should the United States government continue to provide financial incentives for the adoption of solar energy in the U.S.and support research for improved solar panels and solar systems?

Question 76

What fuel is the most important source for generating electricity in the United States?

Question 77

The United Nations concept of sustainable development links what three goals?