Test your basic knowledge |

AP Environmental Science

Subjects : science, ap
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 method of supplying irrigation water through tubes that literally drip water onto the soil at the base of each plant.






2. A high-speed - meandering wind current - generally moving from a westerly direction at speeds often exceeding 400 km (250 miles) per hour at altitudes of 15 to 25 km (10 to 15 miles).






3. Devices containing alkaline substances that precipitate out much of the sulfur dioxide from industrial plants.






4. When companies are allowed to buy permits that allow them a certain amount of discharge of substances into certain environmental outlets. If they can reduce their amount of discharge - they are allowed to sell the remaining portion of their permit to






5. The outer part of the Earth - consisting of the crust and upper mantle - approximately 100 km (62 miles) thick.






6. The more or less constant winds blowing in horizontal directions over the Earth's surface - as part of Hadley cells.






7. An effect that results from long -term exposure to low levels of toxin.






8. The process by which - according to Darwin's theory of evolution - only the organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics in increasing numbers to succeeding generations - while those less adap






9. Transition in species composition of a biological community - often following ecological disturbance of the community; the establishment of a biological community in any area virtually barren of life.






10. When physically treated sewage water is passed into a settling tank - where suspended solids settle out as sludge; chemically treated polymers may be added to help the suspended solids separate and settle out.






11. A soil horizon - horizon C is made up of larger pieces of rock that have not undergone much weathering.






12. When soil becomes water-logged and then dries out - and salt forms a layer on its surface.






13. The value of natural resources.






14. Being extinct or the process of becoming extinct.






15. The process of burning.






16. When the energy released from waste incineration is used to generate electricity.






17. Organisms that consume primary consumers.






18. Air currents caused by the vertical movement of air due to atmospheric heating and cooling.






19. When grass is consumed by animals at a faster rate than it can regrow.






20. A process that allows the organic material in solid waste to be decomposed and reintroduced into the soil - often as fertilizer.






21. A specific location from which pollution is released; an example of a point source location is a factory where wood is being burned.






22. The liquid that percolates to the bottom of a landfill.






23. Open or forested areas built at the outer edge of a city.






24. Fish farming in which fish are caught in the wild and not raised in captivity for consumption.






25. A climate variation that takes place in the tropical Pacific about every three to seven years - for a duration of about one year.






26. A nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus - especially a heavy nucleus such as an isotope of uranium - splits into fragments - usually two fragments of comparable mass - releasing from 100 million to several hundred million electron volts of ener






27. The amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive sample to disappear.






28. When mature trees are cut over a period of time (usually10 -20 years); this leaves mature trees - which can reseed the forest - in place.






29. Organisms that reproduce later in life - produce fewer offspring - and devote significant time and energy to the nurturing of their offspring.






30. When an area of vegetation is cut down and burned before being planted with crops.






31. The movement of individuals into a population.






32. Graphical representations of populations' ages.






33. The effect caused by a short exposure to a high level of toxin.






34. Pollutants that are released directly into the lower atmosphere.






35. A layer of soil.






36. The process of fusing two nuclei.






37. Organisms in the first stages of succession.






38. The broad category under which selective cutting and shelter-wood cutting fall; selective deforestation.






39. An organism that obtains organic food molecules without eating other organisms or substances derived from other organisms. autotrophs use energy from the sun or from the oxidation of inorganic substances to make organic molecules from inorganic ones.






40. The gradual breakdown of rock into smaller and smaller particles - caused by natural chemical - physical - and biological factors.






41. The use of devices - such as solar panels - to collect - focus - transport - or store solar energy.






42. When materials - such as plastic or aluminum - are used to rebuild the same product. An example of this is the use of the aluminum from aluminum cans to produce more aluminum cans.






43. A symbiotic relationship in which one member is helped by the association and the other is harmed.






44. The third purest form of coal.






45. Involves the removal of the Earth's surface all the way down to the level of the mineral seam.






46. A complex of interrelated food chains in an ecological community.






47. A stable - mature community in a successive series that has reached equilibrium after having evolved through stages and adapted to its environment.






48. The process in which animals (and plants!) breathe and give off carbon dioxide from cellular metabolism.






49. When trees and crops are planted together - creating a mutualistic symbiotic relationship between them.






50. A group of modern windmills.