Question 1

Pollution problems
A)Are relatively new concerns
B)Identify the era of global environmentalism
C)Were recognized at least as early as the eleventh century
D)Are the main issues for technological optimists

Accepted Answer

Pollution problems were recognized as early as the eleventh century, with concerns about air pollution in London stemming back to 1273. Therefore, option C is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect, as pollution has been a concern for centuries. Option B is incorrect, as global environmentalism only gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s, whereas pollution problems date back much further. Option D is incorrect, as technological optimists tend to downplay the negative effects of pollution, rather than focusing on it as a main issue.

Question 2

Most environmental problems result from
A)Political differences
B)Complex, interrelated problems
C)Technological development problems
D)Global warming
E)Urban degradation

Accepted Answer

Environmental problems are complex and usually interrelated. They involve many aspects of human life such as politics, technology, and urbanization. It is often difficult to isolate one cause as the primary reason for environmental problems. Instead, they are usually the result of a combination of factors that have led to a particular issue. For example, deforestation may be caused by a combination of economic incentives, rural poverty, and corporate greed. Thus, the problem is multi-faceted and requires a comprehensive solution.

Question 3

Utilitarian conservationists tend to believe that resources should be saved because they are important
A)As a home for wildlife
B)In the conservation of aesthetic values
C)To our understanding of the biosphere
D)For a strong economic system
E)And used by all living things

Accepted Answer

Utilitarian conservationists focus on the conservation of natural resources for their utility and their importance in supporting a strong economic system. They prioritize the sustainable use of resources to benefit human society economically.

Question 4

Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, is a model for balancing nature and human needs because in the eighteenth century a French governor
A)Declared the island a nature sanctuary
B)Ordered sensitive areas such as steep slopes to be preserved in forests
C)Bought the island as a private sanctuary for the government of France
D)Supported an extensive environmental education campaign
E)Enforced strict punishment for people who damaged any natural resources

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that in the eighteenth century a French governor ordered sensitive areas such as steep slopes to be preserved in forests. This shows a concerted effort to balance the needs of humans with the preservation of nature, making choice B the best answer. The other choices do not align with the information provided in the statement.

Question 5

The word "environment" as used in environmental science does not include
A)Our culture
B)The biosphere
C)Our political system
D)Solutions to problems
E)understanting relationships between organisms

Accepted Answer

The word "environment" in environmental science encompasses natural, cultural, and political elements (A, B, C, E) but does not inherently include solutions to problems (D), as it primarily refers to the surroundings or conditions in which organisms live and interact.

Question 6

The fundamental basis of environmental science as a discipline is the
A)History of the use of natural resources
B)Diversity of life on the Earth
C)Human impact on the Earth
D)Pollution on the Earth
E)Future use of natural resources

Accepted Answer

Environmental science studies the human impact on the Earth, including pollution, degradation of natural resources, and the depletion of biodiversity. This understanding is crucial to developing solutions to environmental issues and promoting sustainability. A, B, and E are important aspects to consider within environmental science, but they are not its fundamental basis.

Question 7

Pragmatic conservationists, including Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt, supported forest conservation in order to protect
A)Wildlife habitats in forested areas
B)Untouched, unvisited wilderness areas
C)Jobs and homes for people
D)The scenic beauty found in natural areas
E)Resources such as natural habitats for future generations

Accepted Answer

Pragmatic conservationists focused on the practical benefits that conservation efforts could bring to human society, such as ensuring a continued supply of resources and preserving jobs and homes for people who depended on forests for their livelihoods. While they also valued the natural beauty and wildlife of forests, these were not the primary reasons for their support of conservation.

Question 8

The word "environment" comes from a French word that means
A)life
B)nature
C)wildlife
D)home
E)to surround

Accepted Answer

The word "environment" comes from the French word "environner" which means "to surround" or "to encircle." Therefore, the best choice is E. While the other options (A, B, C, and D) relate to aspects of the environment, they are not the origins of the word.

Question 9

In the fourth century B.C., the philosopher Plato wrote of the erosion and deforestation that _________ Greece.
A) Would one day plague
B) Were caused by the excessive population in
C) Were prevalent in countries outside of
D) Had been a problem that was now resolved in
E) Had stripped the fine soils and forests of

Accepted Answer

The phrase "eroded and deforestation" and "stripped the fine soils and forests of" are both referring to the same concept, which is the destruction of forests and soil. Option E is the best choice because it directly states this concept.

Question 10

The history of conservation and environmentalism is
A)Based in the Industrial Revolution
B)Largely unrecorded
C)A relatively new movement
D)Based in the 1970s environmental movement
E)Traceable well back into human history

Accepted Answer

The history of conservation and environmentalism can be traced back well into human history, with examples of early conservation practices found in indigenous cultures and ancient civilizations. The modern conservation and environmental movement has roots in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the establishment of protected areas and the efforts of early conservationists such as John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt. The 1970s saw a resurgence of environmental activism and the passage of major environmental legislation in the United States, but the movement has been ongoing for centuries.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a problem being addressed by environmental scientists?
A)Finding resources for a human population growing at almost 80 million people a year.
B)Providing clean drinking water.
C)Assessing and finding solutions to climate change.
D)Creating processes that promote sustainability in everyday life.
E)Creating a better transportation system for food distribution to the populace.

Accepted Answer

While creating a better transportation system for food distribution may have some environmental implications (such as reducing carbon emissions), it is primarily an issue of logistics and food security, rather than directly related to environmental science.

Question 12

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 in learning about the environment
E)Special set of problem-solving skills

Accepted Answer

Environmental science is defined as a systematic approach in learning about the environment, which involves the physical, life, and social sciences. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines different scientific disciplines to study the natural world and how humans interact with it.

Question 13

A(n) ___________ is a tabulation of the demands placed on nature by individuals or nations.
A)ecological footprint
B)quantitative analysis value
C)world biocapacity
D)land area resource ratio

Accepted Answer

An ecological footprint is a tabulation of the demands placed on nature by individuals or nations. It measures the area of biologically productive space required to produce the resources consumed by a population and absorb the waste created.

Question 14

Which of the following areas does environmental science NOT draw information from to aid in solving problems?
A)Political Science
B)Chemistry
C)Ecology
D)Sociology
E)Music and the Arts

Accepted Answer

Environmental science does not draw information from music and the arts to aid in solving problems.

Question 15

One major difference affecting the scope of environmental issues of the past and present is the
A)Current ability to alter the natural world through technology
B)Relatively new emergence of environmentalists
C)Historical ignorance of the interconnected nature of environmental issues
D)Development of new fields such as environmental science
E)Extremely fast transmission of information through the Internet

Accepted Answer

With advancements in technology, humans are now able to alter the natural world in unprecedented ways, which has resulted in significant environmental issues. In the past, humans did not have the ability to cause environmental damage on such a large scale.

Question 16

The National Park Service reflects a ________ approach while the Forest Service reflects a ________ approach.
A)Biocentric preservationist; pragmatic utilitarian conservationist
B)Global environmentalist; cornucopian
C)Pragmatic resource conservationist; moral and aesthetic preservationist
D)Cornucopian; global environmentalist
E)Pragmatic utilitarian conservation; biocentric preservation

Accepted Answer

The National Park Service is known for its biocentric preservationist approach, focusing on preserving natural areas for their intrinsic value and for enjoyment by future generations. The Forest Service, on the other hand, adopts a pragmatic utilitarian conservationist approach, managing forests for multiple uses including recreation, timber harvesting, and conservation, emphasizing the sustainable use of natural resources.

Question 17

The approach that reflects the philosophy that there is waste in neglecting the development and use of certain natural resources (such as dead trees in old growth forests) would best be described as
A)Moral and aesthetic preservation
B)Global environmental citizenship
C)Pragmatic utilitarian conservation
D)A cornucopian worldview

Accepted Answer

Pragmatic utilitarian conservation is the approach that focuses on using natural resources in a sustainable way to maximize benefits for society while minimizing negative impact on the environment. This approach recognizes that there is waste in neglecting the development and use of certain natural resources, such as dead trees in old growth forests, and seeks to find ways to use them sustainably.

Question 18

Most of the early scientific studies of environmental damage were done by
A)Colonial administrators who were often trained scientists
B)Native people of North America
C)European peasant farmers who understood the connection between deforestation and local climate change
D)Industrial leaders of the nineteenth century who were worried about the degradation caused by factories
E)Scientists in Europe who were worried about deforestation and erosion in their countries

Accepted Answer

Colonial administrators were often trained scientists and were responsible for gathering data on the natural resources of the colonized areas. This led to early scientific studies of environmental damage, such as deforestation and soil erosion. Additionally, many colonial administrators were concerned with maintaining a sustainable supply of resources for their empires, which also influenced early environmental studies.

Question 19

Biocentric preservationists, first led by John Muir, advocate saving natural areas for their
A)Aesthetic and spiritual values 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 prioritize the preservation of natural areas for their aesthetic and spiritual values, as well as for the preservation of wildlife habitat. This approach is often contrasted with anthropocentric preservationism, which places more emphasis on the practical benefits that natural areas offer to humans, such as economic or recreational opportunities. John Muir is often recognized as one of the founders of the biocentric preservation movement, and his writings and advocacy helped to establish many of the national parks and wilderness areas that we know today.

Question 20

Biocentric preservation is a philosophy that supports the belief that
A)The biosphere is a central resource for humans
B)Humans must manage resources for maximum productivity
C)Preservation of wildlife is needed for human survival
D)All living things have a fundamental right to exist and pursue their own interests
E)All living things have value for humans

Accepted Answer

Biocentric preservation is founded on the principle that all living things have a right to exist and pursue their own interests. This philosophy prioritizes the preservation and protection of nature for its inherent ecological value, rather than solely for human benefit.

Quiz 1: Understanding Our Environment

Pollution problems

Most environmental problems result from

Utilitarian conservationists tend to believe that resources should be saved because they are important

Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, is a model for balancing nature and human needs because in the eighteenth century a French governor

The word "environment" as used in environmental science does not include

The fundamental basis of environmental science as a discipline is the

Pragmatic conservationists, including Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt, supported forest conservation in order to protect

The word "environment" comes from a French word that means

In the fourth century B.C., the philosopher Plato wrote of the erosion and deforestation that _________ Greece.

The history of conservation and environmentalism is

Which of the following is NOT a problem being addressed by environmental scientists?

Environmental science is a __________.

A(n) ___________ is a tabulation of the demands placed on nature by individuals or nations.

Which of the following areas does environmental science NOT draw information from to aid in solving problems?

One major difference affecting the scope of environmental issues of the past and present is the

The National Park Service reflects a approach while the Forest Service reflects a approach.

The approach that reflects the philosophy that there is waste in neglecting the development and use of certain natural resources (such as dead trees in old growth forests) would best be described as

Most of the early scientific studies of environmental damage were done by

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

Biocentric preservation is a philosophy that supports the belief that