Question 1

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)________.
A)required that public hearings be held on matters that might adversely affect the environment
B)empowered the Environment Protection Agency (EPA)to monitor and regulate standards of air quality
C)helped establish the Environmental Defense Fund
D)helped establish the Natural Resources Defense Council

Accepted Answer

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that federal agencies prepare Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for any major federal action that could significantly impact the environment. NEPA also requires that public hearings be held to allow for input and feedback from stakeholders and interested parties. NEPA does not involve the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically regulating air quality or establish any particular environmental organizations.

Question 2

Many scientists believe that the disposal of radioactive wastes is a major problem.Which of the following is a reason that the disposal of radioactive wastes could be a major problem?
A)Radioactive wastes are resistant to the process of eutrophication.
B)Radioactive wastes cannot be contained under any condition.
C)Radioactive wastes cannot be converted into a solid state.
D)Radioactive wastes remain active for a very long period of time.

Accepted Answer

Radioactive wastes remain active for a very long period of time, which makes it difficult to find suitable locations for disposal and presents a significant risk to the environment and human health if not properly contained. A, B, and C are incorrect because radioactive wastes are not resistant to eutrophication, can be contained under certain conditions, and can be converted into solid form, respectively.

Question 3

Which of the following is true of the functionalist perspective?
A)It states that environmental problems have less to do with the limited amount of resources available than with their distribution.
B)It views society as a system made up of interrelated and interdependent parts,each working toward the maintenance of the system.
C)It stresses the importance of social definitions and subjective assessments of reality.
D)It says that highly technological social organizations are always dysfunctional.

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective views society as a system made up of interrelated and interdependent parts, each working toward the maintenance of the system. This perspective emphasizes the importance of social order, stability, and consensus in society. It does not make an assertion about the distribution of resources, subjective assessments of reality, or the dysfunctionality of highly technological social organizations.

Question 4

Which of the following statements disproves the myth that American Indians were the first environmentalists?
A)They always exploited their environment before the Europeans got into the act.
B)They worked hard to protect those resources in large supply and took a wasteful approach toward those that they believed to be in short supply.
C)They caused an increase in the carrying capacity of their ecosystem for a prolonged period of time.
D)They sometimes slaughtered buffalos,eating the best meat and taking the hides but leaving the rest to decompose.

Accepted Answer

The statement about slaughtering buffalos and leaving much to waste contradicts the myth of American Indians as the first environmentalists, as it shows a lack of sustainable use of resources.

Question 5

Which of the following is the result of harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth?
A)global warming
B)depletion of fossil fuels
C)deforestation
D)decortication

Accepted Answer

Global warming is a result of harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth, as it contributes to the greenhouse effect by increasing the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere.

Question 6

The Montreal Protocol of 1987 was an agreement to limit ________.
A)the usage of fossil fuels as energy sources
B)the usage of radioactive materials
C)the use of ozone-depleting chemicals
D)the emission of sulfur dioxide

Accepted Answer

The Montreal Protocol was an international treaty signed in 1987 by member nations of the United Nations to limit the production and consumption of certain ozone-depleting chemicals, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. The agreement aimed to protect the ozone layer, which helps to shield the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Question 7

A person looking at environmental problems from a conflict perspective is likely to believe that ________.
A)a highly technological social organization is always dysfunctional
B)environmental problems arise because of the way in which resources are distributed
C)high technology and environmental preservation are at odds with one another
D)decisions that affect the environment are made on the basis of maintaining a balance in an ecosystem

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective focuses on how societal resources are distributed and how those distributions create conflict. Someone coming from this perspective would view environmental problems as a result of unequal distribution of resources, such as access to clean air or water. They would see environmental issues as a conflict between those with power and those without, rather than as a result of technological advancements or ecosystem balance.

Question 8

What happens when the carrying capacity of an ecosystem is exceeded?
A)The ecosystem will immediately lose its capacity to support human life.
B)The ecosystem's resources will be depleted at a faster rate than they can be replaced.
C)The ecosystem will begin to expand to accommodate the higher demands placed by the extra population.
D)The ecosystem will stop interacting with other ecosystems.

Accepted Answer

When the carrying capacity of an ecosystem is exceeded, the resources like food, water, and shelter that sustains the population will be used at a faster rate than they can be replenished. This will lead to a decline in the population as the resources become scarce, leading to competition for resources, and eventually, a collapse of the ecosystem.

Question 9

Which of the following is a true statement about the hydrologic cycle?
A)In a single pass through the hydrologic cycle,water is not always fully suitable for reuse.
B)There usually is more than one mechanism by which water is purified in the hydrologic cycle.
C)The hydrologic cycle describes the life cycle of marine wildlife.
D)The cleansing ability of the hydrologic cycle is not impacted by population and technology.

Accepted Answer

The hydrologic cycle includes multiple processes such as evaporation, condensation, and infiltration that naturally purify water.

Question 10

Davis and Frank are environmental scientists discussing the factors that have led to the environmental problems faced by the world today.They are most likely to agree with the fact that ________.
A)chlorofluorocarbons in aerosol cans and refrigeration units contribute to ozone depletion
B)gases released into the earth's atmosphere by burning fossil fuels cause temperatures to dip
C)crude oil is the longest-lasting nonrenewable energy source
D)desertification leads to a decline in oxygen levels in water bodies

Accepted Answer

The use of chlorofluorocarbons in aerosol cans and refrigeration units has been linked to the depletion of the ozone layer, which contributes to the overall environmental problems faced by the world today. B, C, and D are either incorrect or irrelevant to the discussed topic.

Question 11

The early environmental groups at the beginning of the twentieth century ________.
A)focused exclusively on environmental degradation
B)focused on protecting wilderness areas for use by human beings
C)unanimously believed that the earth's carrying capacity was exceeded
D)made the general public in the U.S.aware of environmental concerns

Accepted Answer

Early environmental groups primarily aimed to protect wilderness areas for human enjoyment and conservation, rather than focusing solely on degradation or overpopulation concerns.

Question 12

Farmers in the country of Carbodia continuously grow food crops throughout the year since the country exports food products.This has resulted in the reduction of the quantity of land suitable for agriculture.Which of the following land degradation phenomena is described in the given scenario?
A)desertification
B)deforestation
C)eutrophication
D)decortication

Accepted Answer

Continuous cultivation of crops without proper management and allowing the land to rest can lead to soil degradation, reduced fertility, and ultimately desertification. This is evident in Carbodia where farmers continuously grow food crops throughout the year, causing a reduction in suitable land for agriculture.

Question 13

Which of the following is true of an ecosystem?
A)An ecosystem is always relatively small.
B)Changes in one part of an ecosystem will always produce changes in the other parts.
C)Human-induced changes in an ecosystem seldom have a major negative effect.
D)A self-sufficient ecosystem interacts with other ecosystems at the overlap of their borders.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true of...

Question 14

According to biologists Paul Ehrlich and Anne Ehrlich,the social conditions governing the impact that human beings have on their environment are population,technology,and ________.
A)affluence
B)appetence
C)effluence
D)cadence

Accepted Answer

The Ehrlichs' theory, known as the IPAT model, states that the impact of human activity on the environment is a function of three factors: population, technology, and affluence. These three factors are interdependent and contribute to environmental degradation in various ways. Therefore, the correct choice is A, which refers to affluence.

Question 15

The problem of acid rain can be alleviated by a reduction in the ________.
A)burning of fossil fuels
B)consumption of nuclear energy
C)heating of acids
D)emission of carbon dioxide

Accepted Answer

Acid rain is caused by the emission of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels. Therefore, reducing the burning of fossil fuels can decrease the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere and alleviate the problem of acid rain. The other choices (B, C, and D) are not directly related to the issue of acid rain.

Question 16

Who among the following is a person with an interactionist perspective?
A)a person who views society as a system made up of interrelated and interdependent parts,each working toward the maintenance of the system
B)a person who believes environmental problems become social problems only when people perceive it to be a social problem
C)a person who believes decisions affecting the environment are made on the basis of maintaining a balance in an ecosystem
D)a person who views society as a system made up of independent parts,each working toward the maintenance of the system

Accepted Answer

An interactionist perspective emphasizes the ways in which individuals interact with one another in society and the meanings they attach to their interactions. A person who believes that environmental problems become social problems only when people perceive them as such is taking an interactionist perspective, as they are emphasizing the role of human perception and interpretation in shaping social realities. A person who views society as a system made up of interrelated and interdependent parts (A) or independent parts (D) is taking a structural functionalist perspective, while a person who believes decisions affecting the environment are made on the basis of maintaining a balance in an ecosystem (C) is taking an ecological perspective.

Question 17

Which of the following was a key factor that led the early twentieth century people to perceive environmental pollution as a threat?
A)the devastating effects that nuclear bombs had on the environment
B)the establishment of environmental interest groups
C)the discovery of fossil fuels
D)the depletion of the ozone layer

Accepted Answer

The establishment of environmental interest groups played a significant role in raising awareness about environmental pollution and advocating for policies to address these issues, leading to a broader public perception of pollution as a threat.

Question 18

Which of the following is a disadvantage of achieving high levels of affluence?
A)People have to consume the earth's resources and pollute its environment.
B)People have to stop using nuclear energy in order to save the environment.
C)Only a few people will have access to material goods for achieving high levels of affluence.
D)Less-developed nations will have to stop industrializing,which can adversely impact world economy.

Accepted Answer

Achieving high levels of affluence often requires increased consumption of natural resources and energy, which can lead to pollution and other negative environmental impacts. This can have long-term consequences for both the local and global environment.

Question 19

In the context of the damage done to the environment,the modern era differs from the premodern era in that ________.
A)there are fewer environmentalists in the modern era
B)modern people enjoy a harmonious relationship with the environment
C)modern people have more elaborate technology and are larger in number
D)people in the modern era work hard to save resources that are short in supply

Accepted Answer

The modern era differs from the premodern era in that modern people have more elaborate technology and are larger in number, which has led to greater damage to the environment. The premodern era had a smaller population and less advanced technology, which meant that the environmental impact was limited. The other options are incorrect because there are actually more environmentalists in the modern era, modern people do not enjoy a harmonious relationship with the environment, and while some people may work to save resources, there are also many who do not.

Question 20

How have "bottle bills" encouraged people to reduce the production of solid wastes?
A)They limit the number of bottled beverages a person can buy in a day.
B)They ban the production of plastic bottles.
C)They require that a deposit be paid for bottles when a beverage is bought.
D)They make it mandatory for beverage companies to start using cans instead of bottles.

Accepted Answer

Bottle bills require that a deposit (usually 5-10 cents) be paid for each bottle when a beverage is bought. This incentivizes people to return the bottles for recycling in order to get their deposit back, rather than throwing them away and losing the deposit. This reduces the amount of solid waste in the environment.

Quiz 14: Environmental Problems

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) ________.

Many scientists believe that the disposal of radioactive wastes is a major problem.Which of the following is a reason that the disposal of radioactive wastes could be a major problem?

Which of the following is true of the functionalist perspective?

Which of the following statements disproves the myth that American Indians were the first environmentalists?

Which of the following is the result of harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth?

The Montreal Protocol of 1987 was an agreement to limit ________.

A person looking at environmental problems from a conflict perspective is likely to believe that ________.

What happens when the carrying capacity of an ecosystem is exceeded?

Which of the following is a true statement about the hydrologic cycle?

Davis and Frank are environmental scientists discussing the factors that have led to the environmental problems faced by the world today.They are most likely to agree with the fact that ________.

The early environmental groups at the beginning of the twentieth century ________.

Farmers in the country of Carbodia continuously grow food crops throughout the year since the country exports food products.This has resulted in the reduction of the quantity of land suitable for agriculture.Which of the following land degradation phenomena is described in the given scenario?

Which of the following is true of an ecosystem?

According to biologists Paul Ehrlich and Anne Ehrlich,the social conditions governing the impact that human beings have on their environment are population,technology,and ________.

The problem of acid rain can be alleviated by a reduction in the ________.

Who among the following is a person with an interactionist perspective?

Which of the following was a key factor that led the early twentieth century people to perceive environmental pollution as a threat?

Which of the following is a disadvantage of achieving high levels of affluence?

In the context of the damage done to the environment,the modern era differs from the premodern era in that ________.

How have "bottle bills" encouraged people to reduce the production of solid wastes?