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






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






3. 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.






4. An unstable form of oxygen which protects the earth from UV radiation. Although naturally occurring in the stratosphere (upper atmosphere) - in the lower atmosphere this gas acts as a pollutant.






5. A UN conference that addressed the growing population problem.






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






7. 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.






8. 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.






9. A variety of species living together.






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






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






12. Modern man.






13. The process by which the sun's energy converts liquid water to water vapor in the atmosphere.






14. Consumers which eat only other animals.






15. 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.






16. An American environmentalist who is famous for promoting the ideas of environmental ethics and wildlife management.






17. Organisms which eat other organisms.






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






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






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






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






23. 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.






24. 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






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






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






27. The coexistence of two species using the same resource where the two will use the resource in different ways.






28. A UN conference held in Rio de Janeiro. The conference decided to protect biodiversity - reduce pollution emissions and greenhouse gasses - and promote sustainable development.






29. Animals which eat grass and roots.






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






31. A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.






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






33. The crust and upper mantle of the earth.






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






35. An international protocol designed to stabilize global warming.






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






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






38. The process by which a new species is created. This process generally requires geographic isolation to prevent interbreeding between the newly emerging species and the parent species.






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






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






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






42. 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.






43. The study of the interaction between organisms and their environment.






44. 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






45. All of the water found on earth.






46. Single-celled organisms which lack a nucleus.






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






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






49. 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.






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