2015-2016 Enviro Prelim Exam

Alluvial deposits are formed when water reaches level areas, slows down, and then “fans out.”

• True

• False

The A horizon in a soil profile contains clay, silt, and sand.

• True

• False

The ecological definition of wetland used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is much broader that the legal definition used by the Corps of Engineers.

• True

• False

It is not possible to increase profitability while improving environmental health.

• True

• False

The steps in the formation of coal are lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite.

• True

• False

Which of the following is the elemental cycle that is responsible for the formation of fossil fuels?

• nitrogen cycle

• Calvin cycle

• carbon cycle

• water cycle

Which of the following is a secondary consumer?

• producer

• carnivore

• herbivore

• green plant

According to your text, there are four fundamental biotic processes that go on in ecosystems. Which one of the following is not one of those processes?

• synthesis

• respiration

• transformation

• decomposition

According to your text, the “ultimate concept in ecology” states that

• matter is neither created nor destroyed.

• everything on Earth is part of one or more ecosystems.

• energy cannot be created or destroyed.

• every time energy is converted, some is lost as heat.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be converted from one form of energy to another. This is known as the

• first law of energy.

• second law of energy.

• third law of energy.

• law of conservation of matter.