Test your basic knowledge |

DSST Environment And Humanity

Subjects : dsst, science
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The southern-most continent - of which 98% is ice. This continent includes 70% of the world's fresh water - and 90% of the world's ice. Although the average temperature is -49






2. An extinct hominid species believed to be the last common ancestor between man and apes.






3. Forests found in the northern regions of North America - Europe - and Asia characterized by freezing winters and warmer summers. These forests lie just below the tree line.






4. Growing only one crop at a time.






5. A forest near the equator with heavy rainfall and a great diversity of plant and animal life. Although a mere 2% of the earth is covered with these forests - they contain 50-80% of earth's land species.






6. A community of species interacting with their nonliving (abiotic) environment.






7. Species which react quickly to an environmental change and therefore can be used to diagnose a particular ecosystem.






8. An extinct hominid species believed to have the same brain capacity as modern man and use many different weapons.






9. Animals which eat leaves and shoots.






10. Different species living in close contact with each other.






11. Excess water which cannot be infiltrated into the soil and instead flows along the ground.






12. A greenhouse gas. Although it is a natural part of the carbon cycle - the atmospheric concentration of this gas has increased due to the burning of fossil fuels.






13. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






14. Species which serve key roles in an ecosystem. The absence of these important organisms is detrimental to the surrounding area.






15. Water found in estuaries. This water is a mixture of saltine ocean water and fresh water - usually from a river or stream.






16. An agency created to establish regulations concerning pollutants to protect humans and the environment.






17. An international protocol designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of CFCs and other harmful chemicals.






18. Exceptionally acidic (low pH) rain. This phenomenon is caused mainly by emissions of carbon dioxide - sulfur dioxide - and nitrogen oxide which react with water particles in the air.






19. The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.






20. An extinct hominid species believed to have long - ape-like arms; have a brain capacity half that of modern men; and use primitive tools.






21. Populations characterized by large size - long lifespan - and few offspring.






22. Political organizations not affiliated with the government which try to bring about social change.






23. The amount of variation among organisms living in a particular ecosystem. The loss of this key characteristic leads to a reduction in ecosystem efficiency and the ability of species to adapt to new situations.






24. The spraying of pesticides to prevent a pest problem before it happens.






25. Areas with only enough rainfall for grasses to grow. As a result - most animals are grazers - such as buffalo.






26. The rate at which producers create organic material.






27. Growing more than one crop at a time.






28. A type of farming where the farmer will grow just enough crops to satisfy his family's needs for the next year.






29. The process of planting different plant species right next to each other to maximize one's yield.






30. The first atmospheric layer. Most weather and pollution occurs here - and the temperature decreases with altitude.






31. An act which required the EPA to set standards for drinking water.






32. The combination of evaporation from the ocean - lakes - and other bodies of water and transpiration - the loss of water from plants.






33. A type of symbiosis where one species will benefit while the other will be neither benefit or be harmed.






34. Organisms which thrive in high nutrient environments - especially those with plenty of carbon.






35. Condensed water vapor which falls to earth. This comes in many forms - such as rain - snow - ice - and hail.






36. An international organization designed to promote free trade between countries.






37. A type of farming where the farmer will fell and burn down trees to grow crops. After a few years - he will move on and continue the process.






38. The cloudiness of a liquid due to small suspended particles.






39. An international protocol designed to stabilize global warming.






40. Modern man.






41. Consumers which eat both plants and animals.






42. Grasslands with short - widely spaced trees and no canopy - allowing for an unbroken layer of grasses beneath.






43. The process of planting trees in between other crops.






44. Average expected birth rate for 1 -000 women.






45. An act which established and enforced acceptable levels of air pollution.






46. The spraying of pesticides to keep produce from any injuries or damage.






47. The decomposition of organic nitrogen into inorganic ammonium. This process is also called mineralization.






48. The uppermost atmospheric layer. Here satellites orbit the earth.






49. An act which set standards for the amount of pollution in water.






50. Consumers which eat decomposing organic material.