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. 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.






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






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






4. Consumers which eat both plants and animals.






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. 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.






12. Surface run-off caused by melted snow.






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






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






15. 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.






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






17. Single-celled organisms which lack a nucleus.






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






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






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. Organisms which eat other organisms.






22. A variety of species living together.






23. 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.






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






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






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






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






28. Growing only one crop at a time.






29. Organisms with a nucleus.






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






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






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






33. 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.






34. Organisms which consume autotrophs for food.






35. The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.






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






37. Plants taking in nitrates from the soil.






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






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






40. Consumers which eat decomposing organic material.






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






42. A layer of gasses surrounding the earth.






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






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






45. 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.






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






47. Animals which eat grass and roots.






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






49. 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






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