United Nations SDG quiz

In 2015, the United Nations, an international organization, celebrated its 70th anniversary. In September 2015, the UN Sustainable Development Summit was held in New York City. More than 150 world leaders attended. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted at the UN Summit. Sustainable development is development that works for both the present and future. Changes made today will help, not hurt, future generations. The 2030 Agenda lists 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The UN and its Member States hope to achieve these goals by 2030.

Which of these best describes sustainable development?

• returning to ideas that worked in the past

• creating solutions today for tomorrow

• thinking of only the present moment

• studying the past to understand the present

Answer explanation

According to the passage, “Sustainable development is development that works for both the present and future. Changes made today will help, not hurt, future generations.”

There are over 800 million people living in extreme poverty. Extreme poverty is measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day. Goal 1 is to end extreme poverty everywhere by 2030. The UN also wants to reduce all poverty by at least half. Poverty can lead to many other issues like hunger and lack of education.

One in nine people in the world today, around 800 million people, don’t get enough food or eat properly. By 2030 the UN hopes to end hunger and malnutrition. Goal 2 is for everyone to have enough food all year round. The UN is also worried about food security. Agriculture is a huge industry. Farmers make and grow food for people around the world. Small farms in developing countries don’t always have access to resources. By 2030 the UN hopes farmers in developing countries will be making twice as much food.

Which of these is the UN hoping to achieve by 2030?

• eliminating all poverty around the globe

• helping farmers in developing countries make four times as much food

• ending extreme poverty

• ending agriculture

Answer explanation

According to the passage, “Goal 1 is to end extreme poverty everywhere by 2030.”

People living in poverty and in developing regions, especially mothers and children, are more likely to get sick or die. Goal 3 is to end the spread of diseases and stop unnecessary deaths. The UN wants universal health care so everyone has access to necessary services and medicines.

Millions of children don’t go to school, and many people can’t read and write. A quality education can improve people’s lives. Goal 4 wants all girls and boys to complete primary and secondary school for free by 2030. Children should be taught useful skills and be interested in learning.

Gender equality means men and women have the same rights. There is discrimination and violence against women and girls worldwide. Goal 5 is to empower women and girls and reach full gender equality. Women and girls should be encouraged to take action and have equal access to everything men and boys.

Based on this passage, women and girls are more likely than men and boys to

• be interested in learning and school.

• stay healthy and free of disease.

• have high paid and high level jobs.

• face discrimination and violence.

Answer explanation

According to the passage, “There is discrimination and violence against women and girls worldwide” because there isn’t “full gender equality” and men and boys usually have more opportunities.

Everyone needs water to survive. Almost 2 billion people use a contaminated or polluted source of drinking water. Thousands of people die from diseases caused by drinking contaminated water. There are more than 2 billion people without access to sanitation services like toilets. Poor sanitation spreads disease and contaminates drinking water. By 2030, the UN wants universal access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation services. Reducing pollution and contamination can improve water quality.

There are still 3 billion people who use wood, coal, charcoal or animals' waste to cook and keep warm. These energy sources are bad for the environment and contribute to climate change. Goal 7 calls for universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. It hopes to increase use of renewable energy from the sun, wind or water. These sources of clean energy replace themselves, don’t run out and are better for the environment.

Proper sanitation services would most likely lead to

• fewer people dying from certain diseases.

• many people dying from drinking too much water.

• an increase in pollution.

• less renewable energy being used.

Answer explanation

According to the passage, “Thousands of people die from diseases caused by drinking contaminated water,” and “poor sanitation spreads disease and contaminates drinking water.” Proper sanitation would most likely lead to fewer people dying from those diseases.

Millions of people are unemployed worldwide. A lack of decent work contributes to poverty. Good jobs are made through economic growth. Goal 8 is to make enough quality jobs for all men and women by 2030 and end harmful work practices like child labor, modern slavery and forced labor.

Investment in infrastructure like roads, technologies, sanitation, electrical power and water help countries develop. Improvements and innovation lead to the growth of industries. Goal 9 is to fix infrastructure and make industrial practices sustainable to help economies grow.

Income inequality occurs within and between countries. Not everyone has access to the same opportunities. The UN supports the empowerment and encouragement of social, economic and political inclusion of everyone by 2030. Equal opportunity will reduce inequalities.

Half of the world’s population live in cities where they face many issues. Goal 11 is to make cities safe for everyone living there by 2030. Water, sanitation, energy and housing must be accessible and shouldn’t hurt the environment.

Based on the passage, which of the following is an example of infrastructure?

• keys to a home

• money earned at work

• a city bridge

• political opinions

Answer explanation

According to the passage, infrastructure includes things “like roads, technologies, sanitation, electrical power and water.” A city bridge is an example of infrastructure that contributes to day-to-day functions and organization of countries.

Humans often hurt the environment through their consumption of water, food and energy. Goal 12 is to make people more aware of what they consume. The UN wants to decrease waste and create sustainable practices to protect the environment and resources by 2030.

Climate change affects everyone around the world, causing warmer temperatures, rising sea levels and changes in weather. Carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption trap heat on the planet, contributing to climate change. Goal 13 is to take action against climate change with policies that will protect the Earth and spread awareness.

There are around 200,000 different species living in the oceans. Oceans help feed people around the world and protect the planet from climate change by absorbing CO2. Goal 14 is to reduce pollution of oceans by 2025 and protect and restore ocean life by 2020.

Billions of people depend on forests and agriculture. More than 80% of all land species of animals, plants and insects live in forests. Goal 15 is to conserve forests and other areas of land by 2020. It wants to stop desertification, make land arable again, protect biodiversity and take action to protect forest habitats.

Which of the following best describes a common cause for Goals 12, 13, 14 and 15?

• aiming to have humans live in the forests

• aiming to protect the environment

• valuing animals more than humans

• avoiding sustainable practices

Answer explanation

According to the passage, all four goals want to “protect the environment,” “protect the Earth,” “protect the planet” and “protect biodiversity.”

Corruption is a problem around the world. People with power do dishonest things, like steal or bribe and pay others to get what they want. When rules aren’t followed, it is hard to develop things like infrastructure and create economic growth. The UN wants to help create strong and just institutions that follow the law. Goal 16 is to reduce crime and prevent violence by 2030. The UN hopes to create peace and bring justice around the world.

Sustainable development can only happen if people work together. There need to be partnerships between governments, businesses and people in society. International partnerships will help grow economies, build infrastructure, create sustainable energy practices and develop technology. Goal 17 is to make long-lasting and meaningful connections between areas of the world. If everyone works together to take action, the Sustainable Development Goals can be reached by 2030.

Based on this passage, sustainable development is most dependent on

• the payment of bribes between countries and governments.

• the development of individual economies and infrastructure.

• the cooperation and communication between countries.

• the creation of technologies to promote renewable energy.

Answer explanation

According to the passage, “Sustainable development can only happen if people work together.” Partnerships are important to Goal 17 that hopes “to make long-lasting and meaningful connections between areas of the world.”