Question 1

What type of graph would be best for showing the relationship between two quantitative variables?
A) statistics table
B) pie chart
C) data table
D) scatter plot
E) bar graph

Accepted Answer

A scatter plot is the best choice for showing the relationship between two quantitative variables because it allows us to visualize the data and observe any patterns or trends in the relationship. A statistics table, pie chart, or bar graph are not suitable for depicting the relationship between two quantitative variables as they are designed for showing discrete categories or proportions. A data table could be used to display the raw data, but it does not provide a visual representation of the relationship like a scatter plot does.

Question 2

The scientific method .
A) results in conclusions based on speculation
B) involves testing observations to derive a working hypothesis
C) now has been replaced by a widely accepted shortcut that is less time -consuming and less expensive
D) cannot prove a hypothesis to be true
E) results in the proving of a theory

Accepted Answer

D

Question 3

Which of the following BEST embodies the qualities of a scientific theory?
A) Squirrels in central Illinois prefer to build their nests in oak trees instead of hickory trees.
B) Dangerous wildfires in California could be avoided by better fire prevention strategies.
C) All gases, liquids, and solids consist of atoms.
D) Students who study for their environmental science exams will perform better on those exams than those who do not.
E) Prairies that have larges herds of bison show greater plant diversity than prairies without bison.

Accepted Answer

Option C is a statement that is supported by scientific evidence and has been extensively tested and confirmed through experimentation and observation.

Question 4

To determine your specific impacts on the environment, you can .
A) determine your environmental handprint
B) calculate the biodiversity of your local community
C) calculate your ecological footprint
D) measure local air pollution and its impacts on your health
E) determine your community's impact on water quality in a nearby river

Accepted Answer

Calculating your ecological footprint is the best choice to determine your specific impacts on the environment. Ecological footprint is a measure of how much land, water, and other resources are required to produce the goods and services you consume and to absorb the waste you generate. It provides a comprehensive measure of your environmental impact and can help you identify areas where you can reduce your impact. The other options are also important for understanding environmental impacts, but they are not as comprehensive as calculating your ecological footprint.

Question 5

The concept of sustainable development includes .
A) convenience and global economic improvements
B) the needs of future generations
C) the importance of developing the arts
D) each nation being sovereign over its own resources, to be used as its citizens deem appropriate
E) growth in profits from international trade

Accepted Answer

Sustainable development focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is not just about economic improvements or profits from international trade, but about taking into consideration the long-term impact of our actions on the environment and society. The importance of the arts and national sovereignty over resources are not necessarily central to the concept of sustainable development.

Question 6

A hypothesis is _ .
A) the design of an experiment that can be used in scientific enquiry
B) a prediction about something that has not yet been observed
C) a proven scientific fact
D) a statement that explains an observed phenomenon or answers a question
E) an instrument that is used to examine environmental conditions

Accepted Answer

The answer of A hypothesis is _ .
A) the design...

Question 7

In a controlled experiment, .
A) the researcher controls for the effects of all variables except one
B) the researcher knows the outcome before beginning the experiment
C) the researcher has several hypotheses, one of which will be proven correct
D) you need only a single experimental organism which is tested again and again
E) the researcher controls for the effects of only one variable

Accepted Answer

In a controlled experiment, the researcher aims to control for the effects of all variables except one. This allows them to determine if changes to one specific variable (the independent variable) causes changes in another variable (the dependent variable), while keeping all other factors constant. This minimizes the potential for confounding variables to influence the results of the experiment.

Question 8

Solutions to environmental problems .
A) must work on a global scale
B) must always be designed and discussed in the political arena before implementation
C) should be designed with the goal of sustaining Earth's natural capital
D) must focus on short -term fixes because long -term solutions are generally unattainable
E) can be implemented only by scientists

Accepted Answer

Environmental problems are complex and interrelated, therefore solutions must be designed to sustain Earth's natural capital. This means that attempts to solve environmental problems should ensure that the natural resources required by future generations are not depleted. Additionally, these solutions should be designed with a long-term outlook, as many environmental problems are rooted in short-sighted practices of the past. Global cooperation is necessary for the implementation of environmental solutions, as environmental problems do not adhere to national borders. Political discussion and implementation of these solutions is also necessary, as government policies and regulations have a significant impact on the environment. While scientists certainly play an important role in developing environmental solutions, implementation requires involvement from a wide range of stakeholders.

Question 9

Natural resources are .
A) resources provided by the Earth that are renewable and inexhaustible
B) the substances and energy sources that we take from the environment
C) resources provided by the Earth that are rapidly depleted by human societies
D) services provided by humans to help maintain ecosystems and their vital processes
E) nonrenewable materials provided by the Earth that are formed slowly over millions of years

Accepted Answer

Natural resources are the substances and energy sources that we take from the environment, including things such as water, air, soil, minerals, and fossil fuels. They are not necessarily renewable or inexhaustible and can be rapidly depleted by human societies. Option A is incorrect because not all natural resources are renewable or inexhaustible. Option D is incorrect because it refers to ecosystem services, which are different from natural resources. Option E is incorrect because while some natural resources are nonrenewable, not all are formed slowly over millions of years.

Question 10

Which of the following terms best describes the practice of environmental science?
A) integrative and interdisciplinary
B) theoretical and controversial
C) elitist and unnecessary
D) highly specialized and focused
E) abstract and theoretical

Accepted Answer

Environmental science is an integrative and interdisciplinary field that brings together knowledge from various scientific and social science disciplines to study the environment, its processes, and the interactions between humans and the natural world.

Question 11

Geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar radiation are all examples of .
A) nonrenewable resources
B) biotic environmental factors
C) renewable environmental resources
D) biodegradable materials
E) biodiversity

Accepted Answer

Geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar radiation are all examples of renewable environmental resources, meaning they can be replenished or reused over time. Nonrenewable resources, such as fossil fuels, cannot be replenished and will eventually be completely depleted. Biotic environmental factors, biodegradable materials, and biodiversity are separate concepts not related to the energy production methods listed.

Question 12

Ecosystem services .
A) are economically valuable services provided by natural systems
B) are valuable to natural systems but not to human -created systems
C) are required to rebalance natural systems that we have disturbed
D) contribute to keeping ecosystems productive
E) are actions humans must take in order to protect and serve ecological systems

Accepted Answer

Ecosystem services are services that are provided by natural systems that are economically valuable to humans. These include services such as clean air and water, pollination, and soil fertility that contribute to human well-being and are essential for human survival.

Question 13

Roberto lives near a wind farm and is wondering about the environmental effects of the wind turbines. He that the turbines make a sound like faint airplane engines and also that there
Are far fewer meadowlarks living near the windfarm than lived there before the windfarm was built.
A) observes
B) hypothesizes
C) guesses
D) predicts
E) theorizes

Accepted Answer

Roberto's actions of noticing the sound of the turbines and the decrease in meadowlark population are direct observations of his environment, fitting the definition of "observes."

Question 14

Ruben has a new puppy named Paddington and wants to feed him the best possible food. He decides on an experiment where he will feed Paddington the very best canned food plus a dietary supplement of vitamins recommended by a veterinarian. Which of the following best describes Ruben's project?
A) Ruben needs to take careful measurements of Paddington's weight and height at least once a week for it to be a good experiment.
B) This is an example of an excellent, controlled experiment as it is written.
C) Ruben needs to control for the amount of exercise, sunshine, water, and care that Paddington gets each week, so that they are equal from week to week.
D) Ruben needs to feed his mother's 6 -year -old chocolate Shar -Pei named SallyJo a standard diet so that he can compare Paddington to a control.
E) This is a poorly designed experiment, because there are no control dogs and no treatment replicates.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ruben has a new puppy named Paddington...

Question 15

You have read about the mistakes made on Easter Island. On Tikopia, a small island in the Solomon Islands, the people acted in other ways. When they realized that the pigs they had imported were damaging the environment, they killed them all. They had to have permission from a chief to fish, which prevented overfishing. They also practiced contraception. These actions all indicate that _.
A) they felt that everything was a nonrenewable resource
B) they believed in full resource utilization
C) they felt that everything was a renewable resource
D) they were concerned with only one year at a time
E) they were attempting to enact sustainability

Accepted Answer

The actions taken by the people of Tikopia, such as killing the pigs and practicing contraception, indicate that they were attempting to enact sustainability. They recognized that their resources were finite and took steps to ensure their long-term survival. The requirement for permission to fish also suggests a concern for preventing overfishing and preserving their fishing stocks for future generations.

Question 16

Which of the following actions would increase the size of a person's ecological footprint?
A) turning down the thermostat in the winter
B) planting a vegetable garden
C) moving out of mom and dad's basement into one's own house
D) installing a photovoltaic solar panel on one's roof
E) taking public transportation instead of driving

Accepted Answer

Moving out of mom and dad's basement into one's own house would require more energy and resources to maintain a separate living space, resulting in a larger ecological footprint. The other choices would either decrease or have a neutral impact on a person's ecological footprint.

Question 17

In a manipulative experiment _ .
A) a scientist has been caught manipulating the data for economic gain
B) researchers manipulate as many variables as possible
C) the peer review process is bypassed
D) researchers manipulate the independent variable
E) replication of the experiment is not necessary

Accepted Answer

In a manipulative experiment, researchers manipulate the independent variable in order to assess its effect on the dependent variable. Manipulating as many variables as possible (B), bypassing the peer review process (C), and not replicating the experiment (E) would all be unethical and would compromise the credibility of the research. Choice A is a separate issue of scientific misconduct.

Question 18

The process by which several researchers review another researcher's manuscript prior to publication to ensure research quality is referred to as _ .
A) investigative inquiry
B) overkill
C) critical analysis
D) quality control
E) peer review

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question is commonly known as peer review. It involves subjecting a research manuscript to critical analysis by several other researchers in the same field to ensure its quality and accuracy before being published in a scientific journal or other publication. The peer review process is an essential part of the scientific method and is vital for maintaining the credibility and reliability of scientific research.

Question 19

Global population is projected to be about in 2050.
A) 7 billion
B) 8 billion
C) 9 billion
D) 11 billion
E) 13 billion

Accepted Answer

According to the United Nations projections, the global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. Option C) is the closest to this number.

Question 20

Roberto lives near a wind farm and is wondering about the environmental effects of the wind turbines. He that the turbines, which sound like faint airplane engines, are scaring off
Meadowlarks that used to nest in the area.
A) theorizes
B) hypothesizes
C) hopes
D) predicts
E) observes

Accepted Answer

The answer of Roberto lives near a wind farm and...

Quiz 1: Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

What type of graph would be best for showing the relationship between two quantitative variables?

The scientific method .

Which of the following BEST embodies the qualities of a scientific theory?

To determine your specific impacts on the environment, you can .

The concept of sustainable development includes .

A hypothesis is _ .

In a controlled experiment, .

Solutions to environmental problems .

Natural resources are .

Which of the following terms best describes the practice of environmental science?

Geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar radiation are all examples of .

Ecosystem services .

Roberto lives near a wind farm and is wondering about the environmental effects of the wind turbines. He that the turbines make a sound like faint airplane engines and also that there Are far fewer meadowlarks living near the windfarm than lived there before the windfarm was built.

Ruben has a new puppy named Paddington and wants to feed him the best possible food. He decides on an experiment where he will feed Paddington the very best canned food plus a dietary supplement of vitamins recommended by a veterinarian. Which of the following best describes Ruben's project?

Which of the following actions would increase the size of a person's ecological footprint?

In a manipulative experiment _ .

The process by which several researchers review another researcher's manuscript prior to publication to ensure research quality is referred to as _ .

Global population is projected to be about in 2050.

Roberto lives near a wind farm and is wondering about the environmental effects of the wind turbines. He that the turbines, which sound like faint airplane engines, are scaring off Meadowlarks that used to nest in the area.