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






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






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






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






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






6. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






7. Growing more than one crop at a time.






8. Organisms which eat other organisms.






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






10. The process of a gas transforming into a liquid.






11. An extinct hominid species with near the same brain capacity as modern man believed to use fire and stone tools - live a hunter/gatherer lifestyle - and speak a language.






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






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






14. The cloudiness of a liquid due to small suspended particles.






15. 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.






16. Modern man.






17. 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.






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






19. Animals which eat leaves and shoots.






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






21. Organisms which create their own food out of inorganic (abiotic) substances.






22. Surface run-off caused by melted snow.






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






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






25. 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.






26. Single-celled organisms which lack a nucleus.






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






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






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






30. 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.






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






32. 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.






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






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






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






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






37. The infiltration of harmful chemicals - particles - or biological matter into the atmosphere which endanger living organisms. Pollutants include sulfur and nitrogen oxides - ammonia - and chlorofluorocarbons. Although there are natural sources for th






38. Organisms which produce their own food.






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






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






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






42. A type of farming where the farmer will grow just enough crops to satisfy his family's needs for the next year.






43. 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.






44. The rate at which producers create organic material.






45. 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.






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






47. Plants taking in nitrates from the soil.






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






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






50. An act which set standards for the amount of pollution in water.