Humans and the Environment Test

1) An increase in Earth’s average temperature due to the buildup of carbon dioxide and other gases in Earth's atmosphere is called

• ozone buildup.
• global warming.
• thermal pollution.

2) Which is a renewable resource?

• gold
• timber
• natural gas

3) The burning of fossil fuels contributes to

• global warming.
• continental drift.
• sea levels dropping.

4) Burning fossil fuels increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. What is the LIKELY negative effect on Earth if extra carbon dioxide is added to our atmosphere?

• acid rain
• global warming
• weathering and erosion

5) Why are more and more people concerned about the increased use of fossil fuels, like gasoline used in cars?

• Fossil fuels may one day run out.
• Cars that run on gasoline are very expensive.
• Fossil fuels are all found deep within the Earth’s crust.

6) New Mexico has several natural resources that it uses for energy. An example of a RENEWABLE energy source is

• solar.
• natural gas.
• oil/petroleum.

7) Many people are proponents of using nuclear power instead of burning coal to generate electricity. What is an environmental disadvantage of using nuclear power?

• Water vapor is released from the cooling towers.
• Radioactive wastes must be stored for long periods.
• Less carbon dioxide would be released into the atmosphere.

8) Ben's family lives in Florida. His dad wants to cut down the cost of the electricity bill, and he has decided to install some large panels on the roof to absorb energy which can be converted into a useful form for their home. What type of energy will these panels capture?

• solar energy
• kinetic energy
• photosynthetic energy

9) Turbines look like giant airplane propellers on a stick and are used to create electrical energy from what natural resource in Florida?

• the sun
• the wind
• ocean currents

10) Earth has many different types of natural resources. The resources that can take centuries to millions of years to replenish are referred to as

• consumable.
• nonrenewable.
• renewable.