Chapter 7

Question 1

Undernourished parents often raise children who are undernourished because the parents
A. transfer genetic deficiencies to their children.
B. do not know any better.
C. cannot afford to feed their children properly.
D. do not have access to information about nutrition.
E. All of these are reasons for the vicious cycle.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

What are two common diseases that result from protein deficiencies? 
A. dysentery and diarrhea
B. dysentery and scurvy
C. scurvy and pellagra
D. goiter and cretinism
E. marasmus and kwashiorkor

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Vitamin A deficiencies are associated with
A. anemia.
B. weak bones.
C. a lack of energy, or listlessness.
D. poorly developed neural systems in embryos.
E. dry eyes and retinal degeneration.

Answer 3

E

Question 4

Goiter is a common disease resulting from a shortage of dietary  
A.  protein. 
B.  iodine. 
C.  iron. 
D.  vitamin A. 
E.  folic acid.

Answer 4

B

Question 5

Obesity is a disease that affects
A. poor, developing nations.
B. wealthy, developed nations
C. individuals in every nation equally.
D. nations that utilize beef and rice as major food sources.

Answer 5

B

Question 6

6. Famines are most often serious when there is
   A. a very serious drought.
   B. no room to expand agriculture.
   C. steady population growth.
   D. drought and war together.
   E. an attempt by indigenous people to return to old traditions and lands.

Answer 6

D

Question 7

The three crops that humans rely on for the majority of nutrients and calories are 
A. potatoes, wheat, and oats.
B. wheat, rice, and maize.
C. barley, oats, and rye.
D. maize, oats, and rice.
E. oats, beans, and barley.

Answer 7

B

Question 8

What is the theoretical basis of the statement that we could feed more people if we would eat grain rather than feeding it to livestock? 
A. The First Law of Thermodynamics.
B. The Second Law of Thermodynamics.
C. Ecofeminism.
D. Biocentrism.
E. Anthropocentrism.

Answer 8

B

Question 9

The layer of soil that is a mixture of minerals and organic material is the 
A. O horizon.
B. A horizon.
C. humus.
D. E horizon.
E. primary layer.

Answer 9

B

Question 10

Soil organisms usually stay __________ the soil.
A. deep below the surface of
B. near the middle of
C. close to the surface of
D. spread uniformly throughout
E. About half stay close to the surface and the other half stay deep below the surface of the soil.

Answer 10

C

Question 11

11. The parent material layer of a soil is composed of weathered 
A. humus.
B. organic detritus and roots.
C. residual aluminum and iron.
D. soil.
E. rock fragments.

Answer 11

E

Question 12

In developed countries, the most recent increases in agricultural productivity have come from
A. irrigation in arid areas.
B. building up soil reserves on farms worldwide.
C. clearing rainforests.
D. an increase on the land being used for agriculture, especially in developed countries.
E. new crop varieties and intensified farming.

Answer 12

E

Question 13

Which of the following are forms of chemical deterioration of soil? 
A. salinization and acidification
B. waterlogging and laterization
C. compaction and nutrient depletion
D. pollution and waterlogging
E. water and wind erosion

Answer 13

A

Question 14

Wind erosion is most likely to cause problems in
A. forested grazing lands on high mountains.
B. open, arid regions.
C. fertile river bottoms with annual floods.
D. agricultural regions in the far north.
E. protected, arid region.

Answer 14

B

Question 15

Waterlogging results from  
A.  toxic metal accumulation. 
B.  excessive irrigation. 
C.  excessive plowing. 
D.  high evaporation processes. 
E.  natural water erosion processes.

Answer 15

B

Question 16

The energy needed to process and distribute food in the US is as much as \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ times the amount that is used to actually farm the crops. 
A. 0.5
B. 2
C. 3.5
D. 5
E. 8

Answer 16

D

Question 17

High responder crops of the green revolution produce tremendous yields
A. even in severe drought conditions.
B. with primitive farming techniques and no chemical use.
C. in response to fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation.
D. in all conditions where standard crops fail.
E. in response to fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation and only “good” yields in less than ideal situations.

Answer 17

C

Question 18

18. Fifty years ago, there were several hundred varieties of wheat grown in the Middle East. Now a few of the more modern high responder varieties have replaced the indigenous species. What are the implications of this change?
    A. The productivity of wheat should continue to rise and increase the availability of food per person.
    B. Genetic resources are diminished and an epidemic of wheat disease is highly likely due to the reliance on few species.
    C. The high responder varieties will need specialized harvesting methods because they are so productive.
    D. The biodiversity of wheat species has increased because of the introduction of few hybrid species.
    E. High responder varieties require less water.

Answer 18

B

Question 19

Sustainable farming
A. is cheaper and safer than conventional farming.
B. is safe, although it causes weed problems.
C. uses fewer chemicals but more water than conventional methods.
D. is an invention of modern agricultural research.
E. is safer than conventional farming, but much more expensive.

Answer 19

A

Question 20

20. Contour plowing and strip farming are methods designed to 
A. prevent weed spreading.
B. improve plowing efficiency.
C. improve harvesting efficiency.
D. prevent water and soil loss.
E. make farms more attractive.

Answer 20

D

Question 21

A natural form of fertilizer would be  
A.  manure. 
B.  phosphorous application. 
C.  nitrogen. 
D.  corn plantings. 
E.  genetically modified crop plantings.

Answer 21

A

Question 22

22. Which of these is not a benefit found with reduced tillage farming? 
A. Water conservation.
B. Soil preservation.
C. Increased crop yields.
D. Soil aeration and loosening.
E. Decreased insects and weeds.

Answer 22

E

Question 23

The USDA estimates \_\_\_\_\_\_ percent of conventionally grown foods are contaminated with pesticide residue. 
A. 11
B. 23
C. 34
D. 58
E. 73

Answer 23

73

Question 24

What is the advantage of genetically modified crops (GMOs)?
A. They can be designed to resist drought.
B. They offer improved resistance to pests and diseases.
C. They can be engineered to improve yield.
D. They can be altered to produce vaccines.
E. All of these are benefits to GMOs.

Answer 24

A

Question 25

Methods of managing topography include all but which of the following? 
A. terracing
B. contour plowing
C. deep tilling
D. strip-farming

Answer 25

C

Question 26

26. Which is a disadvantage of conservation tillage methods? 
A. Increased irrigation requirements.
B. Less efficient use of fertilizer.
C. Increased pests and weeds.
D. Decreased crop yields.
E. None of these are correct.

Answer 26

C

Question 27

27. The biggest worry about a genetically modified Atlantic salmon with extra growth hormones is that it will introduce these hormones into our diet.
    FALSE

Answer 27

F

Question 28

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are made by taking bits of DNA from different sources to create desired characteristics in an organism.
TRUE

Answer 28

T

Question 29

29. The number of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the acreage devoted to growing them has decreased in the past fifteen years because of the huge number of opponents.
    FALSE

Answer 29

False

Question 30

30. More than 70% of all soybeans, corn, and cotton grown in the United States are genetically modified.
    TRUE

Answer 30

T

Question 31

You can participate in sustainable agriculture by
A. buying local produce.
B. eating lower on the food chain.
C. participating in CSAs.

D. eating locally lower on the food chain and participating in CSAs.

Answer 31

D