Human Impact

The following graph shows the number of insects present on a field after it has been sprayed with the same insecticide once a year over four years. What is the most reasonable hypothesis for the increase in insects seen in year four?

• The insecticide used in year four was stronger than it was in previous years.

• The insects in the field in year four were the same species as in previous years.

• The population of insects resistant to the insecticide had increased over the four years.

• Insects from a neighboring field had moved into the area before the insecticide was applied in year four.

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The graph below shows the sparrow population over a period of several years. In 1988, a large shopping mall was built in the area where the sparrows lived. According to the information in the graph, how did this affect the sparrow population over a period of time?

• The population increased because humans fed the sparrows.

• The sparrow population was unaffected by the shopping mall.

• The population increased because predators were taken away.

• The sparrow population decreased because of habitat destruction.

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The world’s population exceeded 6 billion in October 1999, and the annual increase is now about 94 million people. About 260,000 people are added to the world population each day, or about 180 every minute. Which of the following is not a result of the increasing human population?

• Fewer old-growth forests

• More stress on natural resources such as water

• Increased carrying capacity of many ecosystems

• Less undeveloped land available for animal habitats

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Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) is important in our atmosphere because it is required for photosynthesis and traps some heat, keeping Earth warm. However, human produced CO2 is a problem because it:

• Leads to higher global temperatures.

• Disrupts the natural cycling of other greenhouse gasses.

• Add too much CO₂ to the oceans.

• Causes uncontrolled photosynthesis.

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The choices that humans make every day affect the environment. Sometimes, our lifestyles can harm the environment rather than protect it. Which of the following would be most helpful in protecting the environment and achieving sustainability?

• Buying paper products made from harvested trees.

• Buying fewer mass produced products.

• Using natural gas as a fuel source instead of petroleum.

• Using solar energy to generate electricity.

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The activities that take place to meet human needs can be harmful to ecosystems. By developing sustainable practices however, we can help protect the environment. Which of the following changes would be most helpful in reaching sustainability?

• Building more water treatment facilities

• Planting trees to replace those that are cut down by logging

• Tilling soil to improve soil fertility and increase crop production

• Using natural gas for fuel instead of burning petroleum

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The country intends to keep their existing power plant running, but they could make changes so that it could burn a different fuel. Which of the following fuels would be best to burn in this power plant if they want to keep carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions as low as possible?

• Landfill gas

• Lignite coal

• Natural gas

• Municipal solid waste

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

Which of the following helps slow the loss of biodiversity due to human impact?

• Clearing forests

• Increasing fossil fuel use

• Practicing sustainable development

• Building dams for hydroelectric power

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New fuels are being produced by converting corn and grasses into compounds containing

alcohols that can be broken down for energy in various engines. The purpose of this research is

to

• reduce the use of nonrenewable resources.

  
  

• increase the rate of air pollution.

  
  

• reduce the rate of homeostasis in organisms.

• cause a loss of biodiversity in the rain forests.

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Using resources in way that does not cause long-term environmental harm is called

• sustainable development.

  
  

• monoculture.

  
  

• biological magnification.

• subsistence hunting

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