Question 1

Although people living in the highest-density populations in urban areas generally live long,healthy lives,global overpopulation remains a problem because

Accepted Answer

Global overpopulation remains a problem because even though people living in high-density urban areas may live long and healthy lives, the environmental impacts of their resource consumption may affect other regions where resources are not as abundant. This can lead to issues such as deforestation and pollution in areas where these resources are being extracted or used to fulfill the needs of densely populated areas.

Question 2

The amount of land and ocean needed to provide the resources for one person and absorb his/her wastes defines the

Accepted Answer

The term "environmental footprint" refers to the impact of human activities on the environment, including the amount of land and ocean needed to provide resources and absorb waste. Therefore, the correct option in this case is C. The other options, carbon footprint, demographic impression, and resource capacity, are also related to environmental impact but do not specifically address the amount of land and water needed to sustain human activities.

Question 3

Within only the past few decades the global trend has been for people

Accepted Answer

This trend is known as urbanization, and it has been observed globally. As urban areas offer more employment opportunities and better living standards, people tend to move from rural areas to urban areas. This has led to a decrease in the number of people involved in farming activities, as more and more people are settling in cities.

Question 4

In the United States,legal immigration

Accepted Answer

Legal immigration in the United States provides about 35% of U.S. population growth, permits more people to enter the United States than the combination of immigrants entering all other nations, and favors skilled applicants, creating a brain drain in other countries.

Question 5

In developing countries,pressure to increase agricultural productivity has resulted in

Accepted Answer

The pressure to increase agricultural productivity has often led to the conversion of forests into agricultural fields in developing countries. This conversion often occurs through slash-and-burn techniques that can have negative environmental impacts such as soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, option C is the most appropriate answer as it is the only choice that correctly reflects the negative consequences of agricultural intensification.

The other options are incorrect. Option A (increased yields) may be a positive outcome of agricultural intensification, but it does not necessarily reflect the broader environmental and social impacts of increased agricultural production. Option B (more sustainable use of the land) is unlikely as agricultural intensification often involves the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation that can degrade soils and reduce long-term productivity. Option D (reduced use of hybrid crops) is also incorrect as the use of hybrid crops is a common practice to increase yields in developing countries.

Question 6

Which of the following will slow the rate of global population increases?

Accepted Answer

Delaying the age of first reproduction can slow the rate of global population increases because it reduces the number of years during which a woman can have children, potentially leading to fewer children per woman over her lifetime.

Question 7

When people in developing countries cannot produce enough food to eat,they commonly

Accepted Answer

When people in developing countries cannot produce enough food to eat, they commonly move to cities in search of employment and better living conditions. This is known as urbanization and is a common trend in many developing countries. Poaching and raising drug-related crops are illegal activities that are not common among the general population. Raising large herds of cattle requires resources that are not always available in developing countries.

Question 8

The IPAT or ImPACT formula may be one way to estimate the

Accepted Answer

The IPAT (Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology) or ImPACT (ImPact = Population x Affluence x Consumption x Technology) formula is used to estimate the environmental impact of a society or human activity. It takes into account factors such as population size, wealth, level of consumption, and technology to provide an estimate of the overall environmental footprint. Therefore, the best choice is D, the environmental footprint of a society. Choices A, B, and C are not applicable to the IPAT or ImPACT formula.

Question 9

-This figure reveals a drop in growth rate that occurs about 20 years before the number of persons added per year declined.This 20-year lag represents:

Accepted Answer

The 20-year lag between the drop in growth rate and the decline in the number of persons added per year likely represents a drop in the number of people reaching reproductive age, as changes in birth rates would take a generation to reflect in population growth trends.

Question 10

Using the GINI index,more than any other high-income country,the United States has

Accepted Answer

The GINI index measures income inequality within a society. A higher GINI index indicates greater income inequality. Among high-income countries, the United States has the highest GINI index, meaning it has the highest level of income inequality. This correlates with higher poverty rates, including child poverty rates, and also higher rates of incarceration. Additionally, while the United States does have a high life expectancy compared to many other countries, it does not have the highest life expectancy among high-income countries. Thus, choice D - the lowest life expectancies, more people in prison, and more children in poverty - best represents the impact of the GINI index on the United States.

Question 11

Women in two developed countries have similar total fertility rates of 3.5.However,women in country A typically have their children about 2 years earlier than women in country B.How will the populations of the two countries compare?

Accepted Answer

The population of country A will increase faster than country B because having children at a younger age can lead to a shorter generation time, meaning the population can grow more quickly.

Question 12

The "baby boom echo," represented by people who are 20-29 years old in 2010,is the result of

Accepted Answer

Baby boom echo refers to the increased number of births that occurred in the years following the post-World War II baby boom. This means that the 20-29-year-old age group in 2010 were born to the baby boomer generation, who reproduced at a higher rate during their peak childbearing years. None of the other choices are related to the baby boom echo phenomenon.

Question 13

Small subsistence farms in developing nations

Accepted Answer

Small subsistence farms in developing nations had a sustainable use of the environment when populations were small. However, with increasing populations and changing agricultural practices, some have become less sustainable, leading to environmental degradation.

Question 14

-Which one of the following statements about the figure above is true?

Accepted Answer

The declining size of bars from older to younger age groups (from age 40-44 to age 30-34) suggests a decrease in birth rates over time, which is a common demographic trend in many populations. This reflects declining fertility rates rather than factors like immigration or specific birth cohorts.

Question 15

The best predictions of U.S.population growth consider

Accepted Answer

Predictions of U.S. population growth consider factors such as immigration, total fertility rate, and age of first reproduction. These factors directly influence the population size and its growth rate. Immigration affects the population size by adding more individuals. The total fertility rate impacts how many children are born, influencing future population size. The age of first reproduction affects the number of generations within a specific timeframe, thereby influencing population growth dynamics.

Question 16

Which of the following most illustrates environmental stewardship?

Accepted Answer

Riding your bike to work instead of driving reduces carbon emissions and promotes sustainable transportation, which is an example of environmental stewardship. The other choices (A, B, and C) have negative impacts on the environment.

Question 17

In South America,farmers engage in slash and burn of the rain forest to

Accepted Answer

Slash and burn agriculture, also known as swidden agriculture, is a traditional farming method common in tropical regions. It involves the cutting and burning of trees and vegetation to clear land for farming. In South America, farmers practice slash and burn agriculture to create new areas for crops or pasture. This method is often used in areas with poor soil quality or low productivity, as it allows farmers to cultivate the land and provide nutrients to the soil through the ashes of burnt vegetation. However, this practice is also a significant driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss in tropical regions.

Question 18

-In this figure,the width of each bar includes a measure of the

Accepted Answer

The width of each bar in a population pyramid, which this question seems to be referring to, typically represents the size of the population within each age group, not directly any of the other factors listed. Mortality within the age group affects the size of the population, which is then reflected in the width of the bars.

Question 19

Which of the following will reduce global population growth in the world?

Accepted Answer

None of the options provided (A, B, C) would reduce global population growth. Encouraging women to reproduce earlier and increasing the global fertility rate would actually increase population growth, while decreasing infant mortality, though beneficial for public health, would also potentially increase population size by allowing more individuals to survive into adulthood and reproduce.

Question 20

The GINI index assesses

Accepted Answer

The GINI index is a measure of income inequality within nations. It assesses the distribution of income among the population, with a higher score indicating greater economic inequality. Therefore, option D - the relative economic disparity within nations is the correct choice. Options A, B, and C are not related to the GINI index.

Quiz 8: The Human Population