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






2. 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






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






4. 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.






5. Average expected birth rate for 1 -000 women.






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






7. An international convention which created the framework for protecting the ozone layer.






8. Animals which eat grass and roots.






9. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






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






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






12. Surface run-off caused by melted snow.






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






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






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






16. 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.






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






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






19. Organisms which consume autotrophs for food.






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






21. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






27. 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.






28. Any living thing on earth.






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






30. A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.






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






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






33. Growing only one crop at a time.






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






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






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






37. All members of a species which live in the same area.






38. 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.






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






40. Plants taking in nitrates from the soil.






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






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. A layer of gasses surrounding the earth.






44. Single-celled organisms which lack a nucleus.






45. Consumers which eat both plants and animals.






46. Consumers which eat only other animals.






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






48. Organisms which thrive in low nutrient environments and usually have slow growth rates.






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






50. 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.