Question 1

Which of the following is the most useful for testing, gathering, and organizing information to obtain a better understanding of how the world works?
A) Science
B) Environmental science
C) The scientific method
D) Deductive reasoning
E) Inductive reasoning

Accepted Answer

The scientific method is a systematic approach to testing, gathering, and organizing information to obtain a better understanding of how the world works. It involves making observations, forming hypotheses, testing hypotheses, and drawing conclusions.

Question 2

A hypothesis is a(n) _______ and experiments are designed to _______ the hypothesis.
A) guess; prove
B) question; falsify
C) theory; falsify
D) observation; prove
E) working premise; falsify

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a working premise that is tested through experiments, which aim to falsify it to determine its validity.

Question 3

You observe pigeons in your front yard and notice that the gray pigeons eat snails but the white pigeons do not. You conclude that all gray pigeons eat snails. This is called
A) environmental science.
B) inductive reasoning.
C) deductive reasoning.
D) the scientific method.
E) designing an experiment.

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations, such as concluding that all gray pigeons eat snails based on observing some gray pigeons doing so.

Question 4

You are working for a company that produces fertilizers. They want you to create a new "green" fertilizer. You ask the question, "Will the 'green' fertilizer produce a large enough yield of corn to be marketable?" You hypothesize that the "green" fertilizer will not be as effective as a synthetic fertilizer. You design an experiment to control the brand and amount of seeds planted, the sunlight, soil type, temperature, and amount of water applied. You set up two fields: one that will use the "green" fertilizer and one that will use the synthetic fertilizer. At the end of the study the data show that the field with the "green" fertilizer produced a greater yield of corn. Which of the following would you chose for the conclusion of your study?
A) The amount of sunlight affected the plant growth.
B) The study needs to be repeated since there were not enough controls.
C) The green fertilizer was more effective due to the amount of nitrogen in it.
D) The synthetic fertilizer was more effective and should continue to be marketed.
E) The hypothesis was falsified and the evidence supports green fertilizers can be effective.

Accepted Answer

The data showed that the field with the "green" fertilizer produced a greater yield, contradicting the hypothesis that it would be less effective, thus supporting the effectiveness of green fertilizers.

Question 5

Charles Darwin observed differences in finches on different islands in the Galapagos Islands. He began to notice that among the finches were adaptations that helped them survive based on the local environment where they lived. He concluded that because the finches were all of the same species and the adaptations resulted in differences in beak structures for feeding, they all came from a common ancestor. This is an example of _______ reasoning.
A) scientific
B) deductive
C) inductive
D) Both b and c
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations. Darwin observed specific differences in finches and generalized that they had a common ancestor, which is an example of inductive reasoning.

Question 6

Some scientists were working on an experiment to learn more about how frogs react to pesticides in the frog's aquatic habitat. They completed their studies and published in the journal, Nature. You read the study and learn that one of the scientists was part-owner of the company that produces the pesticide studied; however, they did repeat the study and the knowledge has added to the field. Other scientists are now repeating the study. What conclusion can you make about the study in regards to science?
A) The study was objective, robust, repeated, and contributes to the body of knowledge so it is good science.
B) The study should be seen as suspect, but the replication and confirmation by others means that the findings are valid.
C) The study should not be published as it is not good science since frogs were exposed to pesticides which may have negatively affected them.
D) Since one of the scientists was associated with the pesticide company the study cannot be considered objective and therefore is not good science.
E) The conflict of interest should be overlooked as this is not a problem in science.

Accepted Answer

The initial conflict of interest raises concerns, but the replication and confirmation by other scientists help validate the findings, making the study more reliable.

Question 7

When scientists finish a study and develop explanations for their data, they
A) use the data and their assumptions to form conclusions.
B) develop conclusions based on the evidence they have gathered.
C) provide a discussion of the uncertainty of their data.
D) Both b and c
E) All of the above

Accepted Answer

When scientists finish a study and develop explanations for their data, they use the data and their assumptions to form conclusions (A), develop conclusions based on the evidence they have gathered (B), and provide a discussion of the uncertainty of their data (C).

Question 8

Which of the following is not part of science?
A) Being objective in all aspects of an experiment
B) Making conclusions based on data gathered
C) Gathering evidence that leads to proof
D) Manipulating variables in an experiment
E) Making inferences based on general patterns

Accepted Answer

Science does not aim to provide absolute proof but rather to gather evidence that supports or refutes hypotheses, leading to conclusions that are always open to revision with new evidence.

Question 9

Environmental scientists reported on a study they conducted on American coots and their migration patterns. The scientists discuss the measurement errors in their conclusions. In doing so, they are
A) expressing concern over whether their data are correct.
B) stating that they do not know what their research means.
C) quantifying the degree of error and variability present in the data.
D) suggesting that others should not trust their conclusions.
E) showing that science cannot be trusted and is unreliable.

Accepted Answer

The scientists are quantifying the degree of error and variability present in the data, which is a standard practice in scientific research to acknowledge and account for potential inaccuracies in measurements.

Question 10

Which of the following accurately reflects the connection between science, decision-making, and environmental science?
A) Science and environmental science rely on evidence; good decision-making only sometimes relies on evidence.
B) Science and good decision-making rely on evidence; environmental science does not always rely on evidence.
C) Science relies on good decision-making and environmental science relies on evidence.
D) Science and good decision-making relies on evidence; environmental science relies on good decision-making.
E) Science and good decision-making rely on evidence; environmental science relies on evidence.

Accepted Answer

Science, good decision-making, and environmental science all rely on evidence to ensure accuracy, effectiveness, and sustainability.

Question 11

A team of environmental scientists conducted a water quality study on a river. They studied the dissolved oxygen and pH of the water. They also examined how these factors may affect fish in the pond. The dissolved oxygen levels found were 2.0 ppm and the pH was 5.0. According to this study and the charts below, what is the best conclusion that can be made based on the information given and fish survival?
 (Source: http://www.water-research.net/Watershed/dissolvedoxygen.htm)
 (Source: http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/surface_water.html)
A) No fish can survive at the dissolved oxygen or pH levels found in this study.
B) Trout and bass can live in the water based on the dissolved oxygen and pH levels found in this study.
C) The dissolved oxygen is high enough for fish but the pH levels are too low.
D) The pH levels could support trout and perch, but not bass; however, the dissolved oxygen levels are too low to support fish.
E) The dissolved oxygen and pH levels are good enough for all aquatic organisms to survive.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A team of environmental scientists conducted a...

Question 12

Continuous variables
A) are variables that scientists keep controlled in experiments to rule out measurement error.
B) are working premises set up to be falsifiable.
C) have values that may change by an infinitesimally small amount, rather than in units of some predetermined size.
D) have values that remain the same in repeated experiments that help scientists make stronger conclusions.
E) fall outside of a typical bell curve.

Accepted Answer

Continuous variables can take on an infinite number of values within a given range, allowing for changes by infinitesimally small amounts.

Question 13

Which of the following is not an example of a continuous variable?
A) A child weighs 55 pounds.
B) The income of a manager at a retail store
C) The age of a woman is twenty-five years old.
D) A man's blood pressure is 120/70.
E) The number of eggs a goose lays in a nest

Accepted Answer

The number of eggs a goose lays in a nest is a discrete variable because it can only take on whole number values, not fractions or decimals.

Question 14

The range of likely true values of a variable
A) may be very broad and depends on the height of the bell curve, as well as the mean.
B) may be very narrow and depends on the width of the bell curve, as well as the number of measurements made.
C) may be quite broad and depends on the height of the bell curve, as well as the number of measurements made.
D) may be quite broad and depends on the width of the bell curve, as well as the number of measurements made.
E) may be narrow and depends on the height and width of the bell curve, as well as the mean.

Accepted Answer

The range of likely true values of a variable may be quite broad and depends on the height of the bell curve, as well as the number of measurements made.

Question 15

What is the main difference between scientists and car mechanics?
A) Mechanics have more precise equipment to make accurate and precise measurements.
B) Scientists make statements that include the uncertainty in their conclusions given that it is not possible to measure any continuous variable with perfect precision.
C) Mechanics can be more certain because the measurement error is less important when the range of possible values is known or does not differ from one situation to another.
D) Both b and c
E) All of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the main difference between scientists...

Question 16

It is common for repeated measurements of the same variable to be different
A) because of the use of a bell curve.
B) since scientists often do not know how to make good measurements.
C) because of error in estimating the value.
D) because only car mechanics can make the most precise measurements.
E) since scientific equipment has not kept up with new technological advances.

Accepted Answer

Repeated measurements can differ due to random errors or uncertainties inherent in the measurement process, not because of a lack of skill or outdated equipment.

Question 17

A schematic used by environmental scientists to help explain how parts of a natural system interact with each other and how strongly they interact, and helps to make predictions is referred to as
A) the scientific method.
B) a model.
C) measurement error.
D) a continuous variable.
E) general patterns.

Accepted Answer

A model is a schematic used by environmental scientists to help explain how parts of a natural system interact with each other and how strongly they interact, and helps to make predictions.

Question 18

A scientist is studying air pollution in a large city. She creates a model to study the various variables involved such as population, the amount and types of cars driven, the use of public transportation, and temperature. What is the main advantage of the scientist's use of a model in this experiment?
A) She will be able to show the scientific community that the model is effective.
B) She can change many variables at once in order to see how they interact with each other.
C) She will be able to measure each continuous variable with perfect precision.
D) She can change one variable and observe the response of the system.
E) She will have an experiment with no uncertainty when the study is completed.

Accepted Answer

Using a model allows the scientist to change one variable at a time and observe the response of the system, helping to understand the relationship between variables.

Question 19

Ptolemy's model of planetary motion failed because
A) it did not factor in the Earth's tilt.
B) it assumed that the Earth was the center of the universe.
C) he placed the planets in the wrong order from the Sun.
D) it did not accurately predict the movements of the planets.
E) Both a and c

Accepted Answer

Ptolemy's geocentric model assumed that the Earth was the center of the universe, which was incorrect.

Question 20

Environmental problems occur for various reasons. Suppose a single mother who is a lawyer is moving from her apartment into a house she recently purchased. She has been taking clothes and furniture she does not want to a local Goodwill. Her children have gathered up the recyclables to take them in for cash. She has some old paint that she does not want to take with her. She throws the paint cans into the trash for the curbside pick-up. Which of the following is most likely the reason she throws away the paint cans?
A) She can't afford to drop off the paint at a hazardous waste facility.
B) She is unaware of the environmental impacts of paint going to a landfill.
C) She doesn't care about the environment.
D) She does not have time to find the nearest hazardous waste facility.
E) Both a and c

Accepted Answer

She is unaware of the environmental impacts of paint going to a landfill.

Quiz 1: The Scientific Method

Which of the following is the most useful for testing, gathering, and organizing information to obtain a better understanding of how the world works?

A hypothesis is a(n) _ and experiments are designed to _ the hypothesis.

You observe pigeons in your front yard and notice that the gray pigeons eat snails but the white pigeons do not. You conclude that all gray pigeons eat snails. This is called

When scientists finish a study and develop explanations for their data, they

Which of the following is not part of science?

Environmental scientists reported on a study they conducted on American coots and their migration patterns. The scientists discuss the measurement errors in their conclusions. In doing so, they are

Which of the following accurately reflects the connection between science, decision-making, and environmental science?

Continuous variables

Which of the following is not an example of a continuous variable?

The range of likely true values of a variable

What is the main difference between scientists and car mechanics?

It is common for repeated measurements of the same variable to be different

A schematic used by environmental scientists to help explain how parts of a natural system interact with each other and how strongly they interact, and helps to make predictions is referred to as

Ptolemy's model of planetary motion failed because