Chapt 1

Chapter 1 Understanding Our Environment
1. One way to decrease the size of our ecological footprint is to

A. decrease consumption rates.
B. increase consumption rates.
C. increase the development in the region.
D. reduce the size of a biologically productive area in the region.
E. None of these, it is not possible to change the size of an ecological footprint.
Answer: A
Question Classification: Knowledge
2. The word environment comes from a French word that means to do with
A. life.
B. nature.
C. wildlife.
D. home.
E. surroundings.
Answer: E
3. 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 in learning about the environment.
E. special set of problem-solving skills.
Answer: D
Question Classification: Comprehension
4. Most environmental problems result from

A. excessive pollution.
B. complex, interrelated problems.
C. technological development problems.
D. global warming.
E. urban degradation.
Answer: B
5. The word environment as used in environmental science does not include

A. our culture.
B. the biosphere.
C. our political system.
D. solutions to problems.
E. Environment includes all of these.
Answer: D
6. The fundamental basis of environmental science as a discipline is the

A. history of the use of natural resources.
B. diversity of life on Earth.
C. human impact on the Earth.
D. pollution on the Earth.
E. future use of natural resources.
Answer: C
7. 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 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 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.
Answer: A
Question Classification: Analysis
8. The ability to use critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in dealing with environmental issues was suggested
as one of your goals in studying environmental science. This is probably because
A. it was outlined by the Wisconsin National Environmental Education Advancement Project.
B. it is a good goal in attempting to understand and identify remedies to environmental problems.
C. environmental issues are complex and require these skills for effective problem solving.
D. environmental issues are massive and require these skills to keep from getting overwhelmed.
E. it is important to develop ones critical thinking and problem-solving skills when studying for exams.
Answer: C
Question Classification: Application
9. One major difference affecting the scope of environmental issues of the past and present is the
A. current ability to alter the natural world through technology.
B. relatively new emergence of environmentalists.
C. historical ignorance of the interconnected nature of environmental issues.
D. development of new fields such as environmental science.
E. extremely fast transmission of information through the Internet.
Answer: A
10. In the fourth century b.c., the philosopher Plato wrote of the erosion and deforestation that _________ Greece.
A. would one day plague
B. were caused by the excessive population in
C. were prevalent in countries outside of
D. had been a problem that was now resolved in
E. had stripped the fine soils and forests of
Answer: E
11. Most of the early scientific studies of environmental damage were done by
A. colonial administrators who were trained botanists and zoologists.
B. Native Peoples of North America
C. European peasant farmers who understood the connection between deforestation and local climate change.
D. industrial leaders of the nineteenth century who were worried about the degradation caused by factories.
E. scientists in Europe worried about deforestation and erosion in their countries.
Answer: A
12. The history of conservation and environmentalism is

A. based in the Industrial Revolution.
B. largely unrecorded.
C. a relatively new movement
D. based in the 1970s environmental movement.
E. traceable well back into human history.
Answer: E
13. Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, is a model for balancing nature and human needs because in the
eighteenth century a French governor
A. declared the island a nature sanctuary.
B. ordered sensitive areas such as steep slopes to be preserved in forests.
C. bought the island as a private sanctuary for the government of France.
D. supported an extensive environmental education campaign.
E. enforced strict punishment for people who damaged any natural resources.
Answer: B
14. Pragmatic conservationists, including Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt, supported forest conservation in
order to protect
A. wildlife habitats in forested areas.
B. untouched, unvisited wilderness areas.
C. wood, jobs, and recreation for people.
D. the scenic beauty found in natural areas.
E. resources such as natural habitats for future generations.
Answer: C
15. Utilitarian conservationists tend to believe that resources should be saved because they are important
A. as a home for wildlife.
B. in the conservation of aesthetic values.
C. to our understanding of the biosphere.
D. for a strong economic system.
E. and used by all living things.
Answer: D
16. The approach that reflects the philosophy that there is waste in neglecting the development and use of certain
natural resources (such as dead trees in old growth forests) would best be described as
A. moral and aesthetic preservation.
B. global environmental citizenship.
C. pragmatic resource conservation.
D. a cornucopian worldview.
E. global environmental citizenship.
Answer: C
17. 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.
Answer: A
18. Biocentric preservation is a philosophy that supports the belief that

A. the biosphere is a central resource for humans.
B. humans must manage resources for maximum productivity.
C. preservation of wildlife is needed for human survival.
D. all living things have an equal footing in the biosphere.
E. all living things have value for humans.
Answer: D
19. The National Park Service reflects a ________ approach while the Forest Service reflects a ________ approach.
A. moral and aesthetic preservationist; pragmatic resource conservationist
B. global environmentalist; cornucopian
C. pragmatic resource conservationist; moral and aesthetic preservationist
D. cornucopian; global environmentalist
E. pragmatic utilitarian conservation; biocentric preservation
Answer: A
20. Environmentalism stemming from the publication of Rachel Carsons 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.

Answer: B
21. Pollution problems

A. are relatively new concerns.
B. identify the era of global environmentalism.
C. were recognized in the eleventh century.
D. are the main issues for technological optimists.
E. were the main issues of the 1960s and 1970s.
Answer: C
22. Modern environmentalism, in part led by David Brower and Barry Commoner, is becoming well established in
the United States. One of the main reasons for this is probably the ___________ in the modern movement.
A. emphasis on technological remedies
B. interconnected nature of our global village
C. combination of activism and research
D. emphasis on impending doom
E. greatly expanded international communications
Answer: C
23. 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
Answer: A
24. The global village refers to the fact that the worlds
A. people are more similar.
B. population is increasingly interdependent.
C. technology is getting simpler.
D. population is becoming larger.
E. cultures are less diverse.
Answer: B
25. Although many people in the United States are extremely afraid of cancer, the main cause of death in the world
is
A. heart disease.
B. violence and accidents.
C. chronic and acute lung diseases.
D. infectious diseases aggravated by malnutrition.

E. AIDS.
Answer: D
26. The worlds population is now more than

A. 60 million.
B. 2 billion.
C. 6 billion.
D. 60 billion.
E. 20 million
Answer: C
27. Which of the following factors is least likely to lead to violent conflicts?
A. Racial antagonisms.
B. Access to water.
C. Natural resource degradation.
D. Religious conflicts.
E. All of these are factors that can lead to violent conflicts.
Answer: E
28. Supplies of fossil fuels are

A. continually expanding in nature.
B. being renewed as fast as we use them.
C. being steadily depleted.
D. almost entirely depleted.
E. easily found through better technology.
Answer: C
29. The example of deformed frogs illustrates the

A. ability of scientists to completely understand the components of an environmental problem.
B. natural cycle of amphibian population abnormalities in wetland systems.
C. complex and interrelated nature of environmental problems.
D. lack of governmental support for amphibian research.
E. role of global warming in causing chromosomal damage.
Answer: C
30. Evidence of progress in dealing with 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.

Answer: B
31. The worlds poorest people _______________ environmental degradation.

A. cause the most
B. cause and suffer from
C. are unaffected by
D. dont really care about
E. are ignorant of
Answer: B
32. Poverty is usually passed on from one generation to the next 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.
Answer: A
33. A countrys Human Development Index (HDI) is based primarily on such factors as
A. average life expectancy and annual income per capita.
B. population structure and average life expectancy.
C. dominant religion and population structure.
D. annual income per capita and dominant religion.
E. economic development and rate of land development near urban areas.
Answer: A
34. If everybody in the world used resources at the rate that people in the United States do,
A. people would be healthier and happier worldwide.
B. our current resources would run out quickly.
C. violent conflicts would decrease because basic needs would be met.
D. economies would prosper.
E. more people would experience health problems because people in more prosperous countries experience more
stress.
Answer: B
Urban Air Pollution Trends

a
Pol
luti
on
lev
els
b
c
1900
Time
2000
35. Which curve on the graph above best represents air pollution trends in cities for a wealthy country like the US?
A. a
B. b
C. c
D. d
E. e
Answer: C
36. Which curve on the graph above best represents air pollution trends in cities for a developing country like
China?
A. a
B. b
C. c
D. d
E. e
Answer: A
37. In general, as per capita GNP rises both _____ and _____ increases.
A. infant mortality; life expectancy
B. percentage of safe drinking water; rate of infectious diseases
C. infant mortality; female literacy
D. percentage of safe drinking water; female literacy
E. birth rate; percentage of safe drinking water
Answer: D
38. 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.
Answer: C
39. Sustainable development, ideally, improves living conditions

A. for a few decades into the future.
B. for the entire current political administration.
C. as long as resources last.

D. for generations in the future.
E. for the present generation.
Answer: D
40. Sustainable development differs from traditional economic development in that it emphasizes economic
development in the
A. short term.
B. long term.
C. present.
D. past.
E. present and past.
Answer: B
41. Places in the world where indigenous people live tend to have
A. terrible environmental conditions.
B. high biodiversity.
C. little or no biodiversity.
D. little natural resources.
E. rich natural resources such as oil.
Answer: B
42. The ecological footprint of developed countries like Japan and the United States are very similar.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
43. Parasite infections seem to be the leading cause of frog malformalities.

A. True
B. False
Answer: A
44. A country with a higher average per capita income would also have a higher Human Development Index.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Short Answer and Essay Questions
45. Consider the following statement: The level of income is the strongest determinant of who becomes exposed to
environmental health risks. State whether you agree or disagree with the statement and support your position using
at least three specific examples.
Answer: For a total of 15 points (Note: The numbers can be changed to fit your assessment needs.)
15 =
Supported position with three or more accurate and appropriate examples; Communicated effectively with
a well written analysis
10 =
Supported position with at least two accurate and appropriate examples; Communicated with a fairly well
written analysis
5=
Supported position with one accurate and appropriate example; Communicated with a poorly written
analysis
0=
Supported position with no accurate and appropriate examples; Communicated with a very poorly written
analysis

Chapt 1

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Chapt 1

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Chapter 1 Understanding Our Environment

1. One way to decrease the size of our ecological footprint is to

3. Environmental science is a __________.

4. Most environmental problems result from

5. The word environment as used in environmental science does not include

6. The fundamental basis of environmental science as a discipline is the

Question Classification: Knowledge

12. The history of conservation and environmentalism is

18. Biocentric preservation is a philosophy that supports the belief that

E. emphasizing the value of natural resources.

21. Pollution problems

D. infectious diseases aggravated by malnutrition.

26. The worlds population is now more than

28. Supplies of fossil fuels are

29. The example of deformed frogs illustrates the

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

E. current evidence of a stable population in the developing world.

31. The worlds poorest people _______________ environmental degradation.

Urban Air Pollution Trends

38. Proponents of sustainable development argue that

39. Sustainable development, ideally, improves living conditions

C. as long as resources last.

43. Parasite infections seem to be the leading cause of frog malformalities.

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