Question 1

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

Deductive reasoning involves starting with a general principle or rule and applying it to a specific situation. Option A is the best example of this because it starts with the general principle that all insects have six legs and applies it specifically to butterflies. The other options either provide a probability or ask for a calculation, which are not examples of deductive reasoning.

Question 2

Evidence of progress in dealing with increasing population problems is best illustrated by
A) current evidence of a stable population in the developing and developed world.
B) a decrease in the average number of children born to each woman.
C) current evidence of a globally stable population growth.
D) the decreasing population growth rate in the United States.
E) current evidence of a stable population in the developing world.

Accepted Answer

The decrease in the average number of children born to each woman indicates progress in dealing with increasing population problems as it means that people are having fewer children, which can help to stabilize population growth.

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, such as John Muir, believe that nature should be preserved for its intrinsic value, meaning that nature should be protected simply because it exists, not because of its usefulness to humans. Muir believed in saving natural areas for their beauty, ecological integrity, and their ability to provide habitat for wildlife.

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 the systematic approach to learning about the environment. This means that it is a field of study that uses the scientific method to investigate the natural world and the interactions between humans and the environment. Environmental scientists use data, observation, and experimentation to better understand environmental problems and develop solutions to address them.

Question 5

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...

Question 6

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 7

Poverty is passed on from one generation to the next primarily through
A) the lack of available opportunities.
B) genetic conditions.
C) improper care of natural resources.
D) the lack of motivation to change.
E) illnesses spread by viruses.

Accepted Answer

Poverty is often perpetuated through lack of available opportunities for education, employment, and access to basic resources such as food, clean water, and healthcare. While there may be some cases where genetic conditions or illnesses contribute to poverty, these are not the primary factors driving intergenerational poverty. The lack of motivation to change may be a symptom of poverty, rather than a cause, and improper care of natural resources is more likely to lead to environmental degradation than poverty itself.

Question 8

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, which is then tested through experimentation to determine its validity. It is not a proof, but rather a starting point for scientific inquiry.

Question 9

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 follows a methodical and logical approach in investigating and understanding phenomena. While science aims to be correct, it acknowledges that scientific ideas are provisional and subject to change based on new evidence. Science also involves using new technologies to advance our understanding of the natural world. However, science does not always produce results that align with our expectations, and it does not prove hypotheses to be correct but rather supports them with evidence.

Question 10

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.

Accepted Answer

Silent Spring focused on the negative effects of pesticides and pollution on the environment and human health, marking a shift in environmentalism towards a greater emphasis on pollution problems. Earlier North American conservation perspectives largely focused on the conservation of natural resources for their economic and recreational value. The book did not specifically focus on population growth, international problems, energy efficiency, or the value of natural resources.

Question 11

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 the premises and conclusions is the first step in critical thinking because it allows us to understand the structure of an argument and how the conclusion is being supported by the premises. This will help us to evaluate whether the reasoning is sound and the conclusion is justified. While the other options such as deciding the truth or validity of premises and approaching a problem innovatively are important steps, they come after identifying the structure of an argument.

Question 12

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 simply accept or reject a claim based on personal opinion or previous experiences. Instead, they would seek out evidence and evaluate the reliability of the source. In this case, since it is a claim made by an atmospheric scientist, it is important to evaluate their background and expertise in the field before accepting or rejecting the claim.

Question 13

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 true experts in a field.

Accepted Answer

The purpose of critical thinking is to evaluate evidence objectively and arrive at one's conclusions. This involves weighing multiple perspectives, assessing the validity of sources, and using logic and reasoning to make informed decisions. Critical thinkers do not blindly accept the views of authorities or experts but instead evaluate their claims based on evidence and reasoning.

Question 14

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

Statistics are not typically used to determine the context of how data was gathered; this is more related to data collection methods and study design.

Question 15

Proponents of sustainable development argue that
A) all development has environmental costs.
B) development is less important than the environment.
C) development can proceed with minimal costs to the environment.
D) the environment is less important than development.
E) development does not cause environmental damage.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Proponents of sustainable development argue that
A) all...

Question 16

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 to 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 an applied interdisciplinary field that focuses on finding solutions to environmental problems by integrating knowledge from various scientific fields such as biology, chemistry, geology, and ecology. It is not just a theoretical discipline but rather one that emphasizes practical solutions to real-world issues.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Most environmental problems are complex and interrelated, meaning that they are not caused by a single issue or action. Factors like pollution, technological development, global warming, and urban degradation can all contribute to environmental problems, but they are not the sole cause. Solving environmental problems requires understanding and addressing the complex web of factors that contribute to them.

Question 18

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 concluding something about all insects based on observations of some insects, which is an example of inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning involves drawing a conclusion based on premises that are assumed to be true, while hypothesis testing involves designing experiments to test specific hypotheses. Reductive reasoning and parsimony are not relevant to this statement.

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 believed that forests should be conserved in order to provide homes, jobs, and recreation for people. They saw the value of natural resources as instrumental in human progress and development. Pinchot and Roosevelt believed that forests could be managed in a sustainable way that would benefit both people and the environment. While they recognized the importance of wildlife habitats, scenic beauty, and resources for future generations, their primary focus was on the practical benefits that forests could provide for human society.

Question 20

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 (e.g., a cake).
B) When she drives in her car, she hypothesizes about things (e.g., when the red light will turn green).
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

The answer of Although your sister is not a scientist,...

Quiz 1: Understanding Our Environment

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

Evidence of progress in dealing with increasing population problems is best illustrated by

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

Environmental science is a

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?

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

Poverty is passed on from one generation to the next primarily through

The best definition of a hypothesis is a(n)

Ideally, science

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

One of the first steps in critical thinking is to

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

The point of critical thinking is to learn to

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

Proponents of sustainable development argue that

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)

Most environmental problems result from

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

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

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?