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






2. All of the ecosystems on earth.






3. 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.






4. Consumers which eat both plants and animals.






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






6. The biggest atmospheric layer. Without ozone - UV radiation causes ionization and the auroras in this layer.






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






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






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






10. Organisms which consume autotrophs for food.






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






12. 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.






13. Surface run-off caused by melted snow.






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






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






16. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






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






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






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






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






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






22. The UN's first major conference on environmental issues.






23. The process by which certain kinds of bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia - a form accessible to living creatures.






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






25. Growing only one crop at a time.






26. An especially potent greenhouse gas emitted during production and transportation of fossil fuels - decomposition of organic matter - and herds of livestock.






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






28. A variety of species living together.






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






30. Modern man.






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






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






33. Organisms which eat other organisms.






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






35. A form of management which attempts to satisfy both the needs of humans and those of wildlife in the best way possible for both parties.






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






37. A shubland found primarily in the South-Western United States and Mexico. Fire plays a predominant role in the life-cycle of the plants in this area - the seeds of which will sprout only after a fire.






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






39. A situation where a layer of warmer air traps lower - cooler air - causing pollution to collect near the ground.






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






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






42. Also called that water cycle - this process describes the cycling of water throughout the environment. The stages of this cycle are evaporation - condensation - transportation - precipitation - infiltration and percolation - and run off.






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






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






45. 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.






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






47. 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.






48. A type of farming where the farmer will grow crops both to fulfill his family's needs for the next year and to sell on the market.






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






50. 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