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 found in temperate regions with warm summers - cool winters - and plenty of rainfall. These kinds of forests are characterized by evergreens and deciduous trees.






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






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






4. 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.






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






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






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






8. The process of planting different plant species right next to each other to maximize one's yield.






9. A rainforest in the temperate zone which receives heavy rainfall.






10. 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.






11. A theory that our current ecological problems are a product of deeper social problems.






12. 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






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






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






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






16. An act created to protect endangered and threatened species.






17. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






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






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






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






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






22. Consumers which eat decomposing organic material.






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






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






25. All of the water found on earth.






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






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






28. 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.






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






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






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






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






33. Plants taking in nitrates from the soil.






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






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






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






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






38. The rate at which producers create organic material.






39. Organisms which consume autotrophs for food.






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






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






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






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






44. 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.






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






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






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






48. 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.






49. 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.






50. Excess water which cannot be infiltrated into the soil and instead flows along the ground.