Environmental Test 4

Usable electricity is generated by

• Heating a source of water to produce steam, which turns a large turbine, that causes a generator to create the movement of electrons

• Turning a turbine to heat water to produce the movement of electrons

• Moving protons and electrons back and forth across a surface

• None of the above

If you had lived a century ago, what would have been your main source of energy for both heating and cooking?

• wood

• whale oil

• coal

• oil

The main source of energy used to generate electricity in the U.S. is

• hydroelectric power

• biomass conversion

• solar panels

• natural gas

Which of our appliances consumes the most energy?

• washing machine

• dryer

• television

• refrigerator

What would be a good way to lower your electric bill?

• Buy a new energy efficient refrigerator.

• Use only energy-efficient light bulbs.

• Unplug appliances when not in use.

• Turn off fans, TV, lights when you leave the room.

• All of these would decrease my use of electricity.

In Europe, gasoline use per person is less than in the U.S. Why?

• They have better and more extensive public transportation.

• Gasoline is heavily taxed to discourage its use.

• Their cars and trucks tend to be smaller and lighter.

• All of the above.

What factors influence the price of a barrel of oil?

• unrest in oil-producing areas

• major weather problems like hurricanes, in areas of production or refinement

• political issues in both producing and consuming nations

• all of the above

Today people in developed countries consume far more energy per person than people over 100 years ago. What is the greatest contributor to this change?

• cars

• working in offices

• home laundry

• global warming

How do governments use gasoline taxes?

• To repair roads and bridges

• As a tool to discourage automobile use (if the taxes are high)

• For other transportation needs, such as public transport

• All of the above

Why have our reserves of oil increased in the last 30 years?

• More oil is produced all the time as algae continue to be compressed.

• Our technology for accessing oil has improved.

• We just keep building more oil wells.

• Reserves have increased because of higher oil prices.