Chapter 1 An Introduction to Environmental Science

Question 1

Which of the following are considered part of the environment?
a. forests
b. people
c. buildings
d. all of these

Answer 1

d. all of these

Question 2

A person holding a sign during a protest against cutting down trees in a forest would be considered a(n)
a. environmentalist.
b. ecological footprint.
c. peer reviewer.
d. environmental scientist

Answer 2

a. environmentalist.

Question 3

A natural resource that is naturally formed much more slowly than we use it is called
a. renewable.
b. nonrenewable.
c. ecological.
d. sustainable.

Answer 3

b. nonrenewable.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a renewable natural resource?
a. crude oil
b. coal
c. wave energy
d. copper

Answer 4

c. wave energy

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a nonrenewable natural resource?
a. wind energy
b. sunlight
c. natural gas
d. geothermal energy

Answer 5

c. natural gas

Question 6

Which statement about science is true?
a. It assumes that the natural world works according to rules that do not change unpredictably.
b. It attempts to explain the mysteries of the supernatural world.
c. It deals mostly with things in the synthetic or unnatural world.
d. It asserts that although the boiling point of water is 100ºC today, it may be different in the future.

Answer 6

a. It assumes that the natural world works according to rules that do not change unpredictably.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of quantitative data?
a. There are 3 tulips.
b. The tulips are red.
c. The tulips are prettier than the roses.
d. The tulips smell nice.

Answer 7

a. There are 3 tulips.

Question 8

Results published in __________ are the most respected in science because they have passed through a rigorous evaluation process involving feedback from multiple sources.
a. news magazine
b. peer-reviewed journals
c. web journals
d. weekly newspapers

Answer 8

b. peer-reviewed journals

Question 9

Which statement about changes in scientific thought is correct?
a. Changes in scientific thought show that the general public cannot rely on science.
b. Changes in scientific thought demonstrate a key strength of science: the ability to self-correct and improve.
c. Scientific thought and interpretations can never change over time.
d. Changes in scientific thought are usually rapid and drastic.

Answer 9

b. Changes in scientific thought demonstrate a key strength of science: the ability to self-correct and improve.

Question 10

A human-centered view of our relationship with the environment is known as
a. biocentrism.
b. ecocentrism.
c. anthropocentrism.
d. environmentalism.

Answer 10

c. anthropocentrism.

Question 11

True or False: Environmentalism is the study of how the natural world works, how our environment affects us, and how we affect our environment.

Answer 11

False

Question 12

True or False: Scientists work exclusively in the natural world.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

True or False: In a controlled study, all variables are controlled except two.

Answer 13

False

Question 14

True or False: Science can never completely prove or disprove an idea.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

True or False: Sound science is based on one-time occurrences.

Answer 15

False

Question 16

The __________ includes all the living and nonliving things with which organisms interact.
a. resources
b. environment
c. sustainability
d. nonrenewable resources

Answer 16

b. environment

Question 17

There are limits to many of our __________, the materials and energy sources provided by nature, that humans need to survive.
a. natural resources
b. sustainability
c. environment
d. ecological footprint

Answer 17

a. natural resources

Question 18

A(n) __________ is a testable idea that attempts to explain a phenomenon or answer a scientific question.
a. dependent variable
b. prediction
c. controlled study
d. hypothesis

Answer 18

d. hypothesis

Question 19

__________ variables kept constant in a study.
a. Observational
b. Dependent
c. Controlled
d. Data Driven

Answer 19

c. Controlled

Question 20

__________ is a branch of philosophy that involves the study of a society’s morals and principles.
a. Ethics
b. Culture
c. Worldview
d. Environmental Justice

Answer 20

a. Ethics