PISA 2025 Science Quiz 2: Environmental Science competencies

What is the greenhouse effect?

• Absorption of sunlight by the Earth's surface

• Trapping of heat in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases

• Reflection of heat by the ozone layer

• Increase in Earth's magnetic field strength

Which gas is the primary contributor to global warming?

• Nitrogen

• Methane

• Carbon dioxide

• Oxygen

What is a renewable resource?

• A resource that cannot be replaced

• A resource that regenerates faster than it is consumed

• A resource made by humans

• A resource available in fixed quantities

What is an example of a human activity that increases soil erosion?

• Reforestation

• Urban development

• Water conservation

• Crop rotation

Which part of Earth's system includes rivers, lakes, and oceans?

• Atmosphere

• Lithosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Biosphere

Which of the following is a positive human impact on the environment?

• Deforestation

• Wetland restoration

• Overfishing

• Burning fossil fuels

What is biodiversity?

• Variety of species in an ecosystem

• Number of humans in a specific area

• Amount of solar energy captured by plants

• Variety of soil types in a region

What is the primary cause of ocean acidification?

• Excess carbon dioxide absorbed by oceans

• Melting polar ice caps

• Oil spills

• Increase in marine life population

Which human activity has the most direct impact on the carbon cycle?

• Planting trees

• Combustion of fossil fuels

• Recycling plastics

• Developing wind farms

What does the term "sustainable development" mean?

• Growth that does not harm future generations' resources

• Rapid urbanization and industrialization

• Immediate use of all available resources

• Conservation of cultural traditions