Question 1

The statement, "Since every insect I have examined so far has six legs, I conclude that all insects must have six legs." is an example of
A) inductive reasoning.
B) deductive reasoning.
C) hypothesis testing.
D) reductive reasoning.
E) parsimony.

Accepted Answer

The statement is based on a generalization made from specific observations, which is a characteristic of inductive reasoning. However, it is important to note that while the conclusion is likely to be true, it is not necessarily a universal truth and could be falsified if new evidence is discovered.

Question 2

Which of the following is not an example of how statistics are used?
A) assessing the general state of a group
B) determining the context of how data was gathered
C) estimating the confidence you can have in the data
D) determining if your group is unusual
E) evaluating the relationship between variables

Accepted Answer

Determining the context of how data was gathered is not a direct use of statistics, but rather a consideration that must be made before statistics can be applied.

Question 3

Biocentric preservationists, first led by John Muir, advocate saving natural areas for their
A) beauty and wildlife habitat.
B) hunting and fishing value.
C) wood and mineral resources for the future.
D) tourism and recreation potential.
E) economic value in cleaning the air and preventing soil erosion.

Accepted Answer

Biocentric preservationists, led by John Muir, prioritize the conservation of natural areas for their intrinsic value, including their beauty and role in supporting wildlife habitat.

Question 4

Environmental science is a
A) narrowly defined set of physical, life, and social sciences.
B) theoretical approach in interpreting the environment.
C) way to see the world in scientific terms.
D) systematic approach learning about the environment.
E) special set of problem-solving skills.

Accepted Answer

Environmental science is a systematic and multidisciplinary approach to learning and understanding the environment. It involves a combination of physical, biological, and social sciences, as well as problem-solving skills, to address environmental issues and challenges.

Question 5

At the end of the twentieth century, ____________________ has/have been added to environmental thinking.
A) global concerns
B) urban problems
C) water supply and pollution problems
D) human population growth
E) air pollution problems

Accepted Answer

The answer of At the end of the twentieth century,...

Question 6

One of the first steps in critical thinking is to
A) decide whether conclusions follow premises.
B) decide if premises are True.
C) identify premises and conclusions.
D) identify whether premises are facts or values.
E) approach a problem in new and innovative ways.

Accepted Answer

Identifying premises and conclusions is one of the first steps in critical thinking because it helps to understand the structure of an argument and the relationship between its various components. Once this information is gathered, one can then move on to evaluating the premises and conclusions for truthfulness and logic.

Question 7

Environmentalism stemming from the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring differed from earlier North American conservation perspectives by
A) focusing on human population growth.
B) placing more emphasis on pollution problems.
C) emphasizing international problems.
D) encouraging energy efficiency.
E) emphasizing the value of natural resources.
A ccessibility: Keyboard Navigation

Accepted Answer

Environmentalism stemming from the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring placed more emphasis on pollution problems than earlier conservation perspectives, which focused more on the value of natural resources.

Question 8

Ideally, science
A) is correct most of the time.
B) tells us what we expected to find.
C) uses new technology.
D) Is methodical and logical.
E) proves that our hypotheses are correct.

Accepted Answer

Science is a systematic and logical approach to understanding the natural world. The scientific method involves formulating hypotheses based on empirical evidence, testing those hypotheses through experimentation, and drawing conclusions based on the results. This approach is methodical and logical, which is why option D is the best choice. Options A, B, and E are incorrect because science is not always correct or predictable, does not always reveal what we expect to find, and cannot prove hypotheses correct, only support or refute them based on evidence. Option C is partially correct as science can incorporate new technology, but it is not a defining characteristic of science.

Question 9

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistic to compare quality of life in different places. Examine the figure in the "Exploring Science" box. Based on this information why do you think some countries have low HDI values compared to others?
A) People live longer and have greater incomes in these locations. 
B) Poverty, hunger, and health problems are greater in these places.
C) The majority of the data is collected by U.S. agencies and is biased.
D) Literacy and education is higher in these locations compared to others.
E) The quality of life in these places in high

Accepted Answer

The figure shows that countries with lower HDI values have higher rates of poverty, hunger, and health problems. This suggests that these factors contribute to the lower HDI values in those countries.

Question 10

Although your sister is not a scientist, she says that she uses scientific techniques in her everyday life. You do not believe her but she insists it is True. Which of the following examples could she use to best persuade you that science is used daily?
A) When she cooks, she measures ingredients and puts them together to form something else .
B) When she drives in her car, she hypothesizes about things .
C) She put some tomatoes in the sun and some in the shade to see if the sun causes them to ripen faster.
D) She buys a brand of toothpaste based on statistical data (four out of five dentists recommend it).
E) She cannot provide any example that would persuade you of using scientific techniques in her everyday life.

Accepted Answer

This demonstrates an experiment with a control group and an experimental group, which is a fundamental technique in science. By comparing the ripening of the tomatoes in the sun versus shade, she is observing and collecting data to determine if there is a cause-and-effect relationship between sunlight and tomato ripening. Options A and D also illustrate scientific concepts, but C is the strongest example. Option B is not a clear example of a scientific technique. Option E is not a valid option, as there are numerous scientific techniques that can be applied in daily life.

Question 11

If current trends continue, climate models indicate that by 2100 global mean temperature will probably increase by 2° to 6°C compared to todays temperatures. This would result in decreases in
A) Severe droughts
B) Heat waves
C) Storm intensity
D) Flooding
E) Glaciers and snowfields

Accepted Answer

The increasing global temperatures are expected to cause significant melting of glaciers and snowfields, resulting in their overall decrease.

Question 12

Most environmental problems result from
A) excessive pollution.
B) complex, interrelated problems.
C) technological development problems.
D) global warming.
E) urban degradation.

Accepted Answer

Environmental problems are interrelated and complex, and often result from a combination of multiple factors such as human activity, climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion. There is no single cause for environmental problems, and addressing them requires a multidisciplinary approach that considers social, economic, and ecological factors.

Question 13

The best definition of a hypothesis is a(n)
A) proof of a proposed theory.
B) proposed theory that has been tested numerous times.
C) theory based on experiments.
D) argument based on acute intuition.
E) proposed explanation based on observation.

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation based on observation. It is not a proof, theory, or argument, but rather a tentative statement that can be tested and potentially accepted or rejected through experimentation and research.

Question 14

In reading a claim by an atmospheric scientist that ozone depletion is not an actual environmental problem, a critical thinker would
A) ignore the claim because it does not align with his/her opinions.
B) feel relieved because ozone depletion was such an overwhelming problem.
C) look for evidence that is in line with past experience.
D) look for evidence and background of the source's reliability.
E) acknowledge the claim because an atmospheric scientist is an expert.

Accepted Answer

A critical thinker would not blindly accept or reject the claim without verifying the credibility of the source. Therefore, the critical thinker would look for evidence and background of the source's reliability to assess the accuracy and validity of the claim. This is essential for making an informed decision about the legitimacy of the claim.

Question 15

Methods in environmental science include all of the following, except
A) Observations
B) Qualitative Reasoning
C) The Scientific Method
D) Quantitative Reasoning
E) Critical and analytical thinking

Accepted Answer

Qualitative reasoning is not a specific method in environmental science; it is more of a general approach or skill used in various fields.

Question 16

The point of critical thinking is to learn to
A) weigh all the evidence and draw your own conclusions.
B) distrust all opinions other than your own.
C) trust only your own experimental results.
D) learn to accept the views of real authorities.
E) identify Trueexperts in a field.

Accepted Answer

The point of critical thinking is to learn to evaluate evidence and arguments objectively and make informed decisions based on evidence. Weighing all the evidence and drawing one's own conclusions is a vital aspect of critical thinking. Distrusting all opinions other than one's own or accepting the views of real authorities without question are not part of critical thinking. Trusting only one's own experimental results is important in scientific research, but it is not the sole purpose of critical thinking. Identifying true experts in a field is one aspect of critical thinking, but it is not the main goal.

Question 17

In explaining your choice of an environmental science major in college to your roommate, you would probably emphasize the fact that environmental science is a(n)
A) applied interdisciplinary field concerning the environment with an emphasis on solving problems.
B) well-established field that has been in existence for a long time.
C) theoretical discipline that will help solve the problems created by human impact.
D) relatively new field that will identify remedies to environmental issues.
E) theoretical field with an emphasis on scientific understanding.

Accepted Answer

Environmental science is a field that is focused on finding practical and applied solutions to environmental problems, and it draws on a range of disciplines to achieve this goal.

Question 18

Of the following statements and questions, which is the best example of deductive reasoning?
A) If all insects have six legs, then butterflies have six legs.
B) In repeated tosses of a coin, there is a 50/50 chance of each toss resulting in a "head."
C) How many times will the toss of coins turn "heads-up" if 100 people each toss a coin?
D) Since every insect I have examined so far has six legs, I conclude that all insects must have six legs.
E) All of these are examples of deductive reasoning.

Accepted Answer

This statement provides a logical conclusion based on a general rule that all insects have six legs. It follows the format of "If A is true, then B must also be true." This is a prime example of deductive reasoning.

Question 19

Utilitarian conservationists, including Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt, supported forest conservation in order to provide
A) wildlife habitats in forested areas.
B) untouched, unvisited wilderness areas.
C) homes, jobs, and recreation for people.
D) the scenic beauty found in natural areas.
E) resources, such as natural habitats, for future generations.

Accepted Answer

Utilitarian conservationists emphasized on the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources for providing benefits to humans, such as homes, jobs, and recreation. Pinchot and Roosevelt promoted conservation as a means to ensure the long-term availability of forests for economic and social purposes. They believed in managing resources for the greatest good of the greatest number of people. Therefore, choice C is the most appropriate option.

Question 20

A group of concerned citizens are collecting water samples from a local river to detect the level of nitrogen in the water. They plan to take samples every day for a month and then will divide the sum by the number of days they sampled. What is the group trying to do?
A) determine the mean level of nitrogen in the water
B) determine the average level of nitrogen in the water
C) determine the confidence level of the sample
D) both determine the mean level of nitrogen in the water and determine the average level of nitrogen in the water
E) both determine the average level of nitrogen in the water and determine the confidence level of the sample

Accepted Answer

The answer of A group of concerned citizens are collecting...

Quiz 1: Understanding Our Environment

The statement, "Since every insect I have examined so far has six legs, I conclude that all insects must have six legs." is an example of

Which of the following is not an example of how statistics are used?

Biocentric preservationists, first led by John Muir, advocate saving natural areas for their

Environmental science is a

At the end of the twentieth century, ____________________ has/have been added to environmental thinking.

One of the first steps in critical thinking is to

Environmentalism stemming from the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring differed from earlier North American conservation perspectives by

Ideally, science

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistic to compare quality of life in different places. Examine the figure in the "Exploring Science" box. Based on this information why do you think some countries have low HDI values compared to others?

Although your sister is not a scientist, she says that she uses scientific techniques in her everyday life. You do not believe her but she insists it is True. Which of the following examples could she use to best persuade you that science is used daily?

If current trends continue, climate models indicate that by 2100 global mean temperature will probably increase by 2° to 6°C compared to todays temperatures. This would result in decreases in

Most environmental problems result from

The best definition of a hypothesis is a(n)

In reading a claim by an atmospheric scientist that ozone depletion is not an actual environmental problem, a critical thinker would

Methods in environmental science include all of the following, except

The point of critical thinking is to learn to

In explaining your choice of an environmental science major in college to your roommate, you would probably emphasize the fact that environmental science is a(n)

Of the following statements and questions, which is the best example of deductive reasoning?

Utilitarian conservationists, including Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt, supported forest conservation in order to provide

A group of concerned citizens are collecting water samples from a local river to detect the level of nitrogen in the water. They plan to take samples every day for a month and then will divide the sum by the number of days they sampled. What is the group trying to do?