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. 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.






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






3. 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






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






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






6. 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.






7. A layer of gasses surrounding the earth.






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






9. A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.






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






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






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






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






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






15. 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.






16. The rapid increase of harmful algae in a body of water.






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






18. A community of similar living organisms largely affected by the area's climate.






19. Organisms which produce their own food.






20. Single-celled organisms which lack a nucleus.






21. 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.






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






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






24. An act requiring federal agencies to detail the impact of proposed environmental policies.






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






26. The process of surface water entering the soil. This ensures that plants have adequate access to water.






27. The flow of water in the water table.






28. 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.






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






30. 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.






31. Animals which eat grass and roots.






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






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






34. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






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






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






37. The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.






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






39. A law designed to locate toxic waste sites - gauge their pollution level - and ensure these sites are taken care of properly.






40. Evolution in one organism due to change in a related organism.






41. The oxification of ammonia by certain bacterium into nitrite and later into nitrates - which can then be used by plants.






42. 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.






43. Organisms which eat other organisms.






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






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






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






47. Organisms which create their own food out of inorganic (abiotic) substances.






48. Populations characterized by small size - short lifespan - and lots of offspring.






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






50. Precipitation which does not reach the soil but is instead collected by plants.