Topic Test Answers

It is best to say that the protection to properties offered by sea walls along coasts _______.a.decreases the present and future risk to human propertiesb.increases both the present and future risk to human propertiesc.decreases the present but increases the future riskd.increases the present but decreases the future risk

Collaborations between environmental groups and business interests on environmental issues have resulted in successful partnerships.

Which of the following statements about the effects of agricultural techniques on the environment is true?a.Fertilizer used for agriculture can enter bodies of water, causing eventual oxygen depletion.b.Pesticides and herbicides are potentially harmful to bodies of water only before they degrade.c.Agricultural practices have limited impact on the surrounding environment.d.Tillage is an important agricultural practice that has no known environmental impact.

Large-scale environmental catastrophes _______.a.result from human activitiesb.have a negative impact on ecosystemsc.affect a variety of environmental factorsd.all of the above

How is an ecological footprint determined?a.An ecological footprint is determined by measuring the average amount of land and water that a person in a region uses.b.An ecological footprint is determined by measuring carbon dioxide emissions for a given region.c.An ecological footprint is determined by measuring the rate of water use.d.An ecological footprint is determined by measuring the amount of waste generated in a given region.

How do natural disasters weaken a community’s social infrastructure?a.Social systems are unbalanced by the damage caused by natural disasters.b.Natural disasters tend to target the poorest members of a community.c.The number of natural disasters is increasing across the globe.d.Natural disasters can cause billions of dollars in property damage.

The U.S.-Mexico border 2012 program’s goal is to _______.a.prevent illegal immigrationb.improve transboundary ecosystem healthc.promote joint economic developmentd.reintroduce endangered species

Renewable resources can be used without worry about consequences to the environment.

Which of the following statements about energy producing technologies is true?a.Some currently used energy producing technologies have no disadvantages.b.Alternatives to nonrenewable energy sources can be as effective.c.Air pollution is common to all energy producing technologies.d.Alternatives to nonrenewable energy sources are typically more damaging to the environment.

Energy producing technologies can positively impact soil fertility.

How is the world population projected to change in the next few decades?a.It is projected to level off.b.It is projected to decrease steadily.c.It is projected to increase steadily.d.It is projected to double within 5 years.

Which of the following is not a significant threat to the world’s rainforests?a.loggingb.agriculturec.grazingd.shipping

Wetlands and estuaries are critical ecosystems, but do not require protection.

Good land and production practices can help increase greenhouse gas emissions.

What sometimes occurs when reclaimed water is used in agriculture?a.crop deathb.overtillagec.pharmaceutical accumulationd.increased land use

The majority of damage caused by volcanoes is from lava flows.

Which of the following energy sources does not require waste disposal?a.geothermalb.biomassc.nucleard.coal

How does the use of hydroelectric energy compare to the use of coal?a.Hydroelectric energy is more commonly used than coal.b.Hydroelectric energy is associated with less waste production than coal.c.Hydroelectric energy has a larger environmental impact than coal use.d.Hydroelectric energy requires more land space than coal use.

Why is preventing pollution at its source the first strategy in minimizing environmental risk?a.It is easier and more effective to prevent pollution than to clean up and dispose of waste.b.Remediation of contamination is easier than pollution prevention.c.Habitat restoration cannot be undertaken with modern technologies.d.Safe waste disposal is the easiest was to minimize environmental risk.

Which of the following best explains the potential health problems associated with endocrine disruptors?a.Endocrine disruptors mimic hormones that regulate critical biological processes.b.Endocrine disruptors encompass a wide array of toxic pesticides.c.Endocrine disruptors do not biodegrade, remaining toxic years after their release.d.There are no major health problems associated with exposure to endocrine disruptors.