Environmental Science Quiz

How does environmental science help in understanding the impact of human activities on the natural world?

• Studying the effects of industrial pollution on the habitat of endangered species.

• Analyzing the consequences of urban expansion on the growth rate of the human population.

• Examining the diversity of ecosystems in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

• Exploring how human interactions with the physical environment and other species can lead to sustainable practices.

Answer explanation

The best description of the field of environmental science is the interactions of humans with the physical environment and other species.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

During a class discussion, Anika asked, 'What was the most prominent unintended consequence of the Industrial Revolution?'

• Increased air and water pollution.

• Overgrowth of forests.

• Salinization of agricultural soils.

• Rapid reduction in the human population.

Answer explanation

Increased air and water pollution was the most prominent unintended consequence of the Industrial Revolution.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

What is the Tragedy of the Commons?

• Private resources tend to be depleted rapidly as people try to grow wealth.

• Shared (unowned) resources such as a public park in a city used by Priya, Evelyn, and Luna tend to be depleted rapidly as people try to grow wealth.

• Shared (unowned) resources become more rare as people purchase land rights.

• Many people do not have access to shared (unowned) resources.

Answer explanation

Shared (unowned) resources tend to be depleted rapidly as people try to grow wealth.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Which of these is an example of the Tragedy of the Commons?

• A developer purchasing a house, then selling it for a higher price later.

• A business that does not maintain its parking lot, leading to cracks and potholes.

• Ships releasing pollution into international waters in the ocean.

• A farmer overgrowing crops on his land, leading to lower yields the next year.

Answer explanation

The Tragedy of the Commons refers to the exploitation of shared resources where individuals act in their self-interest, depleting the resource. Ships releasing pollution into international waters is an example of this phenomenon.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

What was the outcome of the Hetch Hetchy environmental debate?

• The Tuolumne river was left untouched, reflecting an ecocentrist ethic

• The Tuolumne river was left untouched, reflecting an anthropocentrist ethic

• The Tuolumne river was dammed, reflecting an ecocentrist ethic

• The Tuolumne river was dammed, reflecting an anthropocentrist ethic.

Answer explanation

The Tuolumne river was dammed, reflecting an anthropocentrist ethic.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Demand for gasoline increases due to the rapid industrialization of large countries like China. Meanwhile, oil producing countries decide to maintain the current supply. How will this affect the price?

• Price of gas will increase

• Price of gas will decrease

• Price of gas will be stable

Answer explanation

Demand for gasoline increases while oil supply remains constant, leading to a shortage and driving prices up.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

A company, led by executives Priya and Michael, is performing a cost-benefit analysis in determining whether to move their production to a developing country. Which of these would be considered a cost in this decision?

• Reduced wages and benefits for workers.

• Higher supply of workers.

• Fuel and vehicles needed to transport the product to developed countries.

• Fewer environmental and safety regulations to follow.

Answer explanation

The cost of fuel and vehicles needed to transport the product to developed countries would be considered in the cost-benefit analysis.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

Read the following scenario, then answer the questions that follow. In a hypothetical region, a large deposit of coal is discovered beneath a forested mountainous area owned by the government. During a university debate, students Liam, Ava, and James discuss the management of this resource. The options proposed are: a. Allowing energy companies to clearcut the forest and extract the coal as quickly as possible to maximize economic growth. b. Leaving the deposit untouched to preserve the surrounding ecosystem. c. Allow for mining of only a small area at a time, which must be reforested before the next area can be accessed. Which option aligns with the environmental wisdom worldview?

• Allowing energy companies to clearcut the forest and extract the coal as quickly as possible to maximize economic growth.

• Leaving the deposit untouched to preserve the surrounding ecosystem.

• Allow for mining of only a small area at a time, which must be reforested before the next area can be accessed.

Answer explanation

Leaving the deposit untouched to preserve the surrounding ecosystem aligns with the environmental wisdom worldview.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Which option aligns with the stewardship worldview?

• Allowing energy companies to clearcut the forest and extract the coal as quickly as possible to maximize economic growth.

• Leaving the deposit untouched to preserve the surrounding ecosystem.

• Allow for mining of only a small area at a time, which must be reforested before the next area can be accessed.

Answer explanation

The option that aligns with the stewardship worldview is to allow for mining of only a small area at a time, which must be reforested before the next area can be accessed.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Which option aligns with the planetary management worldview?

• Allowing energy companies to clearcut the forest and extract the coal as quickly as possible to maximize economic growth.

• Leaving the deposit untouched to preserve the surrounding ecosystem.

• Allow for mining of only a small area at a time, which must be reforested before the next area can be accessed.

Answer explanation

The option aligning with the planetary management worldview is allowing energy companies to clearcut the forest and extract the coal as quickly as possible to maximize economic growth.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS2-7