Quiz: Human Impact

Scientists are investigating the cause of the large increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration since about 1800. Which of the following provides the best explanation for the increase?

• eruptions of large volcanoes

• use of fossil fuels by humans

• natural fluctuations of climate

• photosynthesis by phytoplankton

Which of these activities is the most likely source of poor air quality?

• grazing cattle

• planting crops

• burning tires

• recycling aluminum

The impact on the planet due to global warming is called-

• climate change
• the seasons
• the weather
• natural change

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which human activity contributes the MOST carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

• Fishing
• Breathing
• Burning Fossil Fuels
• Farming

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

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?

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

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

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

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

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Which action can humans do to help reduce the rate of global warming?

• A. outlaw alternative energy

• B. increase energy consumption

• C. decrease energy consumption

• D. make computer models of emissions

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

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?

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

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

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

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Visible light reaches Earth’s surface while infrared light is trapped as heat. Which characteristic of Earth’s atmosphere causes this to happen?

• the hole in the ozone
• the greenhouse effect
• atmospheric pressure
• the inversion layer

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Wetlands act as natural water filters. Toxic metals and chemicals can be picked up by a river. They are taken out of the water by the sediment and vegetation that live in the wetland. This happens before the water reaches rivers or oceans. Also, some organisms living in the wetlands help break down waste. In addition, wetlands along the coasts of oceans protect nearby land from erosion.

They do this by absorbing the energy of waves during storms.
Growing communities and other human activities have destroyed many wetlands. This happens through development, pollution, and removal of plants. People are becoming more aware of the importance of wetlands. As a result, many government and private organizations are working to restore or replace damaged wetlands.

According to the text, what is the most compelling argument for protecting Earth’s wetlands?

• Wetlands help clean the water supply.

• Wetlands help direct runoff into groundwater.

• Wetlands provide good hunting grounds for seabirds.

• Wetlands produce more freshwater for the water supply.

Which statement describes how human activities, including releasing greenhouse gases, deforestation, and urbanization, can influence climate?

• Releasing greenhouse gases, deforestation, and urbanization increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to decrease.

• Releasing greenhouse gases, deforestation, and urbanization increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to increase.

• Releasing greenhouse gases, deforestation, and urbanization decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to increase.

• Releasing greenhouse gases, deforestation, and urbanization decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to decrease.