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. An influential book by Rachel Carson which helped begin the environmental movement.






2. Surface run-off caused by melted snow.






3. The middle atmospheric layer. Meteors burn up after entering this layer.






4. The amount of pests needed before spraying pesticides is economical.






5. The place of an organism in an ecosystem - such as what it eats and how it interacts with other organisms.






6. A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.






7. A principle that states that two species competing for a single resource cannot coexist. One species will inevitably gain an advantage over the other - causing the looser either to migrate or to become extinct.






8. Integrating rows of trees alongside crops to provide mulch and shade - retain water in the soil - and promote sustainable land use.






9. The loss of water vapor from leaves.






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






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






12. A philosophy that extends ethics to non-humans. Under this system - animals - plants - and other aspects of the environment are seen as being deserving of justice and consideration.






13. A type of symbiosis where each species will benefit from interacting with the other.






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






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






16. The process of a substance passing directly from the solid phase to the gaseous phase - and vice versa.






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






18. The position of an organism on the food chain.






19. 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.






20. A forest found in temperate regions with warm summers - cool winters - and plenty of rainfall. These kinds of forests are characterized by evergreens and deciduous trees.






21. 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






22. Growing only one crop at a time.






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






24. An extinct hominid species believed to exhibit the first example of full-time bipedalism.






25. A greenhouse gas which also plays a key role in regulating ozone levels.






26. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






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






28. The area between the troposphere and the stratosphere. Here the temperature reverses from decreasing to increasing with altitude.






29. 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.






30. All of the ecosystems on earth.






31. The infiltration of harmful chemicals - particles - or biological matter into the atmosphere which endanger living organisms. Pollutants include sulfur and nitrogen oxides - ammonia - and chlorofluorocarbons. Although there are natural sources for th






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






33. 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.






34. An act which protects certain lands as national parks.






35. A forest characterized by clearly differentiated seasons - such as the trees loosing leaves in the fall and heavy snowfall in the winter.






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






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






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






39. Biomes far north in North America - Europe - and Asia which - due to very low temperatures - cannot support tree growth.






40. Biomes with less than 10 inches of rain a year. Foliage is scarce in these areas - and remaining plants and animals work hard to conserve the little water they receive.






41. The second atmospheric layer. The ozone layer is found here - increasing the temperature with altitude.






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






43. A partially enclosed part of the ocean with rivers or streams flowing into it.






44. Modern man.






45. An extinct hominid species with near the same brain capacity as modern man believed to use fire and stone tools - live a hunter/gatherer lifestyle - and speak a language.






46. The cycling and reusing of elements and molecules (such as water - nitrogen - and phosphorus) that are essential to life.






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






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






49. A bloom of phytoplankton in a body of water caused by an abnormal increase in nutrients. This process depletes the water's oxygen level - killing off other aquatic organisms.






50. An act which called for the careful examination of new chemicals to ensure they are safe for their intended uses.