Human Impact

The graph shows the change in average global temperature during the last 100 years. The graph shows both natural and human contributions to climate change.

Which of these statements is supported by the graph?

• Driving vehicles every day in crowded cities is the main contributor to increasing temperatures.

• Human activities have caused most of the change in Earth’s increased temperatures.

• Earth’s surface is becoming warmer mostly because of an increase in the sun’s energy.

• Natural factors have been the main factor in causing Earth’s climate to become warmer

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Wetlands are usually found along larger bodies of water. Living things in wetlands have been found to remove pollution there. Scientists argue that as human activities decrease the size of wetlands, the levels of pollution in the area increase. Which question would give an answer that provides evidence to support this argument?

• What role do plants and animals have in the wetlands?

• How does the loss of habitat affect the animals that live there?

• What function does water near the wetlands have in the environment?

• How do we decrease the amount of pollutants in the wetlands?

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A controlled fire has been purposely set and monitored by scientists, foresters, and firefighters in a forest. What is the most likely purpose of this fire?

• The fire will change the habitat to clear it from predators.

• The fire is designed to clear the forest for building.

• The fire is designed to remove dangerous insects.

• The fire will allow for the healthy growth of a forest.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Hawaiian monk seals are especially vulnerable to interactions with humans, which can expose them to disease and threaten their care for pups. Which of the following statements best describes a way to change the trend seen on the graph in the population of Hawaiian monk seals?

• Humans should take care of the seal pups to ensure that they survive.

• Humans should not be allowed near beaches where seals are caring for pups.

• Humans should move the seals so that they are abundant in other areas as well.

• Humans should monitor the number of seals from before 1998.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Pollution can enter the hydrosphere in many different ways. Which statement describes a type of point-source pollution?

• Grease from cars washes into a stream along the roadway.

• Rainwater carries chemical fertilizer from land into a stream.

• Oil being transported on a ship spills into the ocean.

• Litter along beaches gets pulled into the ocean by the tide.

Various data may be used to understand the impact of climate change.

Select the statements that provide evidence for global warming.

• changes in global average temperatures over time

• changes in sea-level temperature over time

• changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over time

• changes in the sun’s energy output over time

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Which best explains why it is important for people to have clean air and water?

• Air and water that are polluted taste and smell bad.

• Pollutants in water and air cause climate change.

• Unpolluted water and air are necessary for the health of living things.

• Crops cultivated in polluted air and water will not grow.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is one constraint that limits how humans can prevent bacteria buildup in water?

• the difficulty in eliminating all animal waste deposits near freshwater sources

• the problem convincing people not to use insect repellents near water

• the problems people would have in limiting the amount of extra sediment in water

• the difficulty people would have to routinely check water temperature levels

Modern agricultural technologies include using chemicals on crops and livestock, specialized breeding of plants, monitoring soil quality, and modernization of farm equipment. Which effect of these advances in agricultural practices negatively impacts the environment?

• Antibiotics given to animals may affect the balance of bacteria in humans.

• Some animals in these areas have died off because of the chemicals used.

• Plants grown previously are replaced by breeds better able to withstand disease.

• People are able to produce crops on smaller plots of land.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which activity would be part of a logical plan to reduce each person’s resource use at home?

• People burn trash instead of putting it out for pick up.

• People drive below the speed limit to save gas.

• The city installs a recycling center.

• People turn off all lights that are not in use.