Environmental Science Final Milestone
1
Moss and lichen begin to grow on land revealed by glacial retreat. Over a period of years, these plants are replaced by shrubs and then by taller shrubs.
The ecological process
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Environmental Science Final Milestone
1
Moss and lichen begin to grow on land revealed by glacial retreat. Over a period of years, these plants are replaced by shrubs and then by taller shrubs.
The ecological process that is occurring is called __________.
•
ecosystem management
•
secondary succession
•
species interaction
•
primary succession
CONCEPT
Community Ecology
2
Which of the following is a voluntary environmental risk?
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Samantha uncovers a wasp nest while painting the eaves.
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Duane moves to a city with heavy amounts of air pollution.
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Several people fall ill after eating the spinach salad at a restaurant.
•
Dwight develops cancer after working in the petrochemical industry.
CONCEPT
Risk
3
The Industrial Revolution was a factor in a global population explosion because as the population increased, cities and their infrastructures grew.
Select one statement that is NOT a result of this change.
•
New forms of transportation led to new mobility for citizens.
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Clean water became less accessible.
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Energy was more readily available in cities.
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Improved food production fed more people.
CONCEPT
Human Arrival and Expansion
4
Select the energy source that is non-renewable.
•
A solar farm produces electricity for 2,000 homes.
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A dam converts running water into electricity.
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A natural gas stove allows chefs to adjust the flame during cooking.
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Algae is made into biodiesel.
CONCEPT
Energy
Renewable Energy
Non-Renewable Energy
5
Select the example that describes an environmental cause of famine.
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Local farmers lack the technical expertise to develop new cultivation strategies.
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A country's population continues to increase but incomes decrease steadily.
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An area is flooded after heavy rains and all the crops are lost.
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A corrupt government is overthrown and the country descends into violence.
CONCEPT
World Nutrition
6
Choose the true statement about sources of air pollution in the United States.
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Natural sources of air pollution include household products.
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Non-point sources of air pollution are easier to monitor and control.
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Stationary sources of air pollution are also point sources.
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Mobile sources contribute about half of man-made pollution emissions.
CONCEPT
Air Pollution
7
Choose the statement that is NOT true about water availability on Earth.
•
Household consumption of freshwater is greater than industrial consumption.
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Agriculture uses the majority of available freshwater.
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One-fifth of the Earth’s population lives with a scarcity of water.
•
Water use has been growing at twice the rate of population.
CONCEPT
Water Availability
8
Choose the statement about the impact of an invasive species that is NOT true.
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Native species can be displaced or killed.
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The health of an ecosystem often improves.
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Invasive species can take over forests or croplands.
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Humans can be exposed to unknown pathogens.
CONCEPT
Native and Non-Native Species
9
Which of the following correctly defines biodiversity?
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The variability of plant and animal life in a given area
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A community of living organisms interacting with their environment
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The preservation of the environment due to ethical beliefs
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Protects the environment in ways that can continue indefinitely
CONCEPT
Biodiversity
Sustainability
10
Ecosystems provide many benefits to humans, which are termed "ecosystem services."
Visiting the Grand Canyon on a school field trip is an example of a __________ service that ecosystems can provide.
•
regulating
•
cultural
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provisioning
•
supporting
CONCEPT
Biodiversity
11
Most scientists believe the event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by a(n) __________.
•
volcanic eruption
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massive tidal wave
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supernova
•
asteroid impact
CONCEPT
Continental Drift and Major Extinctions
12
Choose the statement that accurately describes oil.
•
It is a liquid form of hydrocarbons found underground that can be burned for energy.
•
Mined minerals and the heat of radioactive decay produce electricity.
•
Can be burned to heat water into steam that drives a generator that produces electricity.
•
Contains methane and occurs naturally in underground pockets.
CONCEPT
Non-Renewable Energy
13
Select the way that humans can negatively affect aquifers.
•
Humans build roads, which prevents rainwater from replenishing aquifers.
•
Humans prefer to use lake water as a source for drinking water rather than aquifers.
•
Humans line and seal wells to prevent pollutants from entering an aquifer.
•
Humans build sea walls, which prevents seawater from entering aquifers.
CONCEPT
Water Supply
14
Which of the following describes a natural source of air pollution?
•
A dust storm in 1983 dumped 1,000 pounds of topsoil onto the city of Melbourne, Australia.
•
Oil refineries on the Gulf Coast release benzene and other volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere.
•
Diesel exhaust from idling school buses is a concern for some parents.
•
During their vacation, Jim and his family drove their car through several national parks.
CONCEPT
Air Pollution
15
It was raining as we began our long hike. We took a trail to the east and left the ocean behind us. Soon we were in a large grove of eucalyptus trees. Coming out of the forest, the trail became rocky and the incline became steep. The rain had stopped, but now I was chilly.
“I wish the climate would make up its mind,” I grumbled.
My mother, a biologist and nature lover, gently corrected me. “Weather is what’s happening at the moment, dear. Climate is weather a certain area has over years.”
Which of the following best describes why the temperature has dropped?
•
The hikers are climbing to a higher elevation.
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Rain along the coastline is following them.
•
A large lake is nearby.
•
The hikers are walking into a valley.
CONCEPT
Earth's Features
16
Toxins from chemicals in plastic are being released into the air, causing pollution.
Which type of waste disposal most likely caused this phenomenon?
•
Composting
•
Landfills
•
Ocean dumping
•
Combustion
CONCEPT
Solid Waste
17
Choose the true statement about water supply and demand.
•
One idea to cope with water shortages in developed countries is to make it cheaper.
•
More than three billion people do not have access to easily obtainable clean water.
•
Industry uses approximately half of all available fresh water on Earth.
•
The supply of available clean water is decreasing because glaciers are shrinking.
CONCEPT
Water Availability
18
Current climate change is occurring because __________.
•
the amount of energy from the sun varies and the heat from radiation can be trapped
•
clouds and reflective surfaces on Earth absorb radiation and the atmosphere warms
•
carbon dioxide and methane emit radiation that cannot return to space
•
greenhouse gases absorb and redirect radiation back into the atmosphere
CONCEPT
Climate Change
19
Based on the graph, during which decade did the U.S. population reach carrying capacity?
•
1990s
•
1980s
•
1970s
•
1960s
CONCEPT
Population Ecology
20
Which of the examples below describes an effort to address urban sprawl through urban revitalization?
•
Grass banks with benches line a river running through a city.
•
Tons of petroleum-contaminated soil are removed from the site of a former gas station.
•
A new parking lot is constructed to meet shoppers’ needs.
•
Community members change an abandoned store into a library.
CONCEPT
Addressing Urban Sprawl
21
Which statement accurately describes the "savanna" biome?
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This biome features forests and grasslands that go dormant during the winter.
•
This biome features tropical grasslands and is located near the equator.
•
This biome features high levels of biodiversity and is located near the equator.
•
This biome features a level of permafrost and a short growing season during the winter.
CONCEPT
Biomes
22
“Threats of an epidemic haunt citizens as the number of unvaccinated children continue to grow. People are frightened of the implications and angry that a few have placed so many at risk.”
Choose the most likely source for this quotation.
•
The media, because the language is controversial and sensationalistic
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A scientific journal, because it has been peer-reviewed and verified
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A politician, because the statements are general and may be biased
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A scientist, because the language is non-technical so that others will understand
CONCEPT
Scientific Literacy
23
Choose the statement below that is NOT true about early Earth's atmosphere.
•
There was no free oxygen.
•
Both ammonia and methane were present.
•
Conditions were favorable for forming chemical bonds.
•
The ozone layer was quite thick.
CONCEPT
Earth's Formation
24
Select the example that describes a non-native species.
•
This particular species of orchid has remained within the same environment for hundreds of years.
•
Domestic livestock multiplied rapidly throughout eastern North America after their introduction by English colonists.
•
Populations of deer and wolves in Arizona have evolved in relationship with each other.
•
A species of parrot has evolved to occupy a key niche within the Amazon rainforest ecosystem.
CONCEPT
Native and Non-Native Species
25
Sherman notices the leaves of one tree in his yard begin to change color much earlier than the surrounding trees. He wonders what causes this. Sherman calls a local nursery to ask some questions.
If Sherman follows the steps of the scientific method, his next action would be to __________.
•
conduct an experiment
•
form a hypothesis
•
Analyze data
•
reach a conclusion
CONCEPT
Science & The Scientific Process
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