Question 1

Which of the following is an advantage of recycling garbage over burying waste in landfills or incinerating trash?

Accepted Answer

Saves raw materials

Answer

Generates energy

Answer

Reduces volume by 90%

Answer

Lowers cost

Question 2

According to the information and diagram shown above, why would these pollutants not be allowed into the wastewater treatment system?

Accepted Answer

They could kill or reduce the effectiveness of the bacteria used in the treatment plants.

Answer

They could create leaks in the collection sewer lines, contaminating groundwater.

Answer

They could collect in the water treatment plant and become toxic to workers.

Answer

They could clog private sewer lines and back up into homes.

Question 3

Which of the following is a unique characteristic of photovoltaic solar cells compared to other sources of energy?

Accepted Answer

Photovoltaic cells are the only source that does not use mechanical energy at any point in the production of electricity.

Answer

Photovoltaic cells are currently the most cost effective energy source.

Answer

Photovoltaic cells are the only source that can be installed in a single home.

Answer

Photovoltaic cells are the only source that uses energy that originates from the Sun in the production of electricity.

Question 4

Which of the following non-renewable sources of energy has the least impact on the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear

Answer

Natural gas

Answer

Oil

Answer

Coal

Question 5

Which of the following renewable sources of energy is impacted the least by weather?

Accepted Answer

Geothermal

Answer

Hydroelectric

Answer

Wind

Answer

Solar

Question 6

A teacher decides to have her students plant trees to help restore the habitat of a local forest.  It is most important for students to ―

Accepted Answer

plant the same native trees that were previously in the forest to avoid disruption of the ecosystem

Answer

release native animals into the forest simultaneously to restore the entire ecosystem

Answer

remove all decaying organic material to prevent contamination of the soil

Answer

remove all other plants in the area to give the trees a chance to grow

Question 7

Which of the following human activities would have the most positive effect on the environment?

Accepted Answer

Issuing fishing regulations and licenses based on local conditions and fish population dynamics

Answer

Using a dragnet to gather large amounts of fish efficiently and minimize the time that a boat is at sea

Answer

Visiting countries on different continents to observe their endangered species and learn about local efforts to preserve them

Answer

Using a small personal watercraft instead of a large boat to enjoy a day on the lake

Question 8

Which environmental impact of small personal watercraft would have the most long-term damaging effect on the environment?

Accepted Answer

The effect on native species from the introduction of invasive zebra mussels that were transferred during a single day’s use of a small personal watercraft.

Answer

The effect on waterfront erosion from docking during a single day’s use of a small personal watercraft.

Answer

The effect on water quality from the from fuel used during a single day’s use of a small personal watercraft.

Answer

The effect on water quality from the use of sunscreen used during a single day’s use of a small personal watercraft.

Question 9

New buildings often reduce the amount of water absorbed into the ground.  Which of the following innovations would improve ground water absorption in the development of a new mall compared to conventional building methods?

Accepted Answer

Porous asphalt in the parking lot

Answer

Reverse osmosis water filtration systems for drinking fountains

Answer

Gray water recycling in the restrooms

Answer

Rainwater collection on the roof

Question 10

DDT is an insecticide that was banned in the United States in 1972 because it has been shown to cause cancer and negative environmental impacts.  In recent years, some scientists have argued that DDT should be used again despite the possible health effects.  What argument would justify the removal of a ban on DDT?

Accepted Answer

The health risks caused by insect borne illness outweigh the health and environmental risks posed by DDT in some instances.

Answer

Environmental conditions have improved since 1972, reducing the impact on the environment of DDT use.

Answer

Additional chemicals have been developed to reverse the negative effects on health and the environment caused by DDT.

Answer

Advancements in cancer research have minimized the negative health impact of DDT use.

Question 11

Leaving the ground exposed after harvest and plowing it during planting season erodes the soil.  Which of the following statements best describes the likely effect on fertility of the land year after year?

Accepted Answer

Erosion will make the land less fertile because the topsoil generally has better properties for supporting plant growth than the soil underneath.

Answer

Erosion will have little to no effect because the farmer will rotate crops year after year to maintain the properties of the soil that support plant growth.

Answer

Erosion will have no effect because the soil underneath has the same properties as the eroded soil.

Answer

Erosion will make the land more fertile because the soil underneath will have unused nutrients that the eroded soil did not have.

Question 12

Forests are essential to the survival of life on Earth, providing oxygen, clean water, shelter, fuel, and food. Rampant global consumption and illegal logging has put a heavy strain on this natural resource.  If logging is conducted responsibly, ecosystems are protected.
Which one of these statements is not an example of a sustainable forestry practice?

Accepted Answer

Heavy use of pesticides that kill insects and increase productivity

Answer

Growing and harvesting a diversity of high-quality timber instead of short-term, monoculture pulpwood production

Answer

Using methods of logging that minimize soil erosion and compaction

Answer

Greatly increasing paper recycling to reduce the demand for pulpwood

Question 13

Texas resources can be conserved doing all of the following except —

Accepted Answer

reducing the amount of trash put in landfills by burning trash

Answer

reusing grey water from households to water plants

Answer

reducing the minerals used in making concrete by making it porous

Answer

recycling copper from broken electrical equipment

Question 14

A couple from Dallas wants to build a vacation home on the coast of Texas.  Which renewable resource must be imported from an outside ecosystem to finish the construction?

Accepted Answer

Lumber

Answer

Gasoline

Answer

Natural Gas

Answer

Water

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