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 be the last common ancestor between man and apes.






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






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






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






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






6. 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.






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






8. The loss of water vapor from leaves.






9. An agency created to establish regulations concerning pollutants to protect humans and the environment.






10. Organisms which eat other organisms.






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






12. The flow of water in the water table.






13. 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.






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






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






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






17. 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.






18. 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.






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






20. An international protocol designed to stabilize global warming.






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






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






23. A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.






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






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






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






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






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






29. 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.






30. The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.






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






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






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. 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.






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






36. 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.






37. Modern man.






38. The crust and upper mantle of the earth.






39. The process by which pollutants are carried by flowing water - such as a river.






40. A variety of species living together.






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






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






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






44. 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.






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






46. Consumers which eat only other animals.






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






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






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






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