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AP Environmental Science

Total questions: 99

Worksheet time: 58mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

If 50,000 kJ of energy is available to the primary producers in an ecosystem, how much will be available to the tertiary consumers?

a)

5,000 kJ

b)

500 kJ

c)

50 kJ

d)

5 kJ

2.

As you burn firewood, the energy stored in the firewood goes from a highly ordered state to a less ordered state. Which law does this demonstrate?

a)

The 1st Law of Thermodynamics

b)

The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics

c)

Newton's 2nd Law

d)

Pascal's Wager

3.

What type of plate boundary is this?

a)

Convergent

b)

Divergent

c)

Transform

d)

Strike/Slip

4.

Identify the correctly paired rock types and examples:

a)

Formed under extreme temperature and pressure - Sedimentary

b)

Likely to harbor fossils - Metamorphic rock

c)

Cooled lava - Igneous Rock

d)

Formed when sediments undergo lithification - metamorphic

5.

What causes tides?

a)

The blowing the water inland

b)

Currents carrying water from one place to another

c)

Upwelling at coastlines

d)

The gravitational pull of the moon

6.

Atoms that emit radiation as they decay into more stable atoms:

a)

Radioactive bosons

b)

Radioisotopes

c)

Gravitons

d)

Higgs particles

7.

The majority of the atmosphere is made of which gas?

a)

Nitrogen

b)

Oxygen

c)

Carbon dioxide

d)

Water Vapor

8.

Which of the following is correctly paired?

a)

Troposphere - Where the Ozone layer is located

b)

Stratosphere - Where most of our weather is lcoated

c)

Where most meteors burn up - Mesosphere

d)

None of the above are correctly paired

9.

What is the relationship between atmospheric pressure and altitude?

a)

direct correlation

b)

inverse

c)

parallel

d)

perpendicular

10.

Which is associated with thermal inversions?

a)

a layer of cool air forms beneath a layer of warmer air

b)

Reduces atmospheric particulate health hazards

c)

Occurs more often in rural areas

d)

All of the above are associated with thermal inversions

11.

I. Polar cell

II. Ferrel Cell

III. Hadley Cell

Put in order from northernmost to southernmost.

a)

I, II, III

b)

III, II, I

c)

II, I, III

d)

III, I, II

12.

Weather systems rotate and tend to move diagonally, rather than moving directly north-south. This is because:

a)

The Earth is rotating

b)

The Coriolis Effect

c)

The Earth's equator is spinning faster than the poles

d)

All of the above

13.

Enabled citizens to sue parties violating air quality standards, provided funds for pollution control research, and imposed limits on emissions

a)

Clean Air Act of 1970

b)

Clean Air Act of 1990

c)

The Kyoto Protocol

d)

The Paris Climate Agreement

14.

Identify a negative economic effects of acid deposition

a)

Erodes stone buildings and gravestones

b)

Soil chemistry is altered and can kill microorganism life

c)

Nutrients such as calcium and magnsium are leached from the soil

d)

runoff can enter waterways and kill wildlife

15.

The Montreal Protocol of 1987 banned _______ to help solve _____

a)

Nitrogenous runoff; oceanic dead zones

b)

Carbon emissions; climate change

c)

CFC emissions, the ozone hole

d)

Aerosol emissions; global cooling

16.

Systems that remove some of the gases and/or particulates from factory exhaust

a)

Generators

b)

Skimmers

c)

Turbines

d)

Scrubbers

17.

Which of the following is a secondary pollutant?

a)

Carbon monoxide

b)

Sulfur trioxide

c)

Soot

d)

None of the above

18.

Which of the following water cycle process are connected to surface water on the Earth?

I. ground water flow

II. surface water runoff

III. evaporation

a)

I only

b)

I and II only

c)

II and III only

d)

I, II, and III

19.

Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution?

a)

Effluent from a sewage treatment plant

b)

BP refiner in Indiana discharging ammonia in a river.

c)

Runoff of pesticides from regional farms into the Illinois River.

d)

Hot water discharges from a nuclear power plant.

20.

Which of the following is a probable impact of increased use of inorganic (lab-made) fertilizers in a watershed?

a)

Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico

b)

Increase in storm severity in southeastern U.S.

c)

Water shortages in California

d)

Saltwater intrusion on the East Coast.

21.

What is the health risks could be connected to eating some fish from lakes or the ocean?

a)

They may be invasive species that impact native fish species populations.

b)

The Omega-3 fatty acids found in some fish can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health.

c)

If they are high on the food chain they may contain high levels of mercury or PCB's.

d)

They may have been exposed to inorganic nutrients from fertilizers.

22.

Which law sets standards limiting pollutants for community's water supplies?

a)

Clean Water Act (CWA)

b)

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

c)

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

d)

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

23.
If a paper mill dumps a lot of paper wast into a nearby river all of the following are likely to happen EXCEPT:
a)
Increase in BOD
b)
Decrease in DO
c)
Algae growth
d)
Decrease in decomposers
24.

What is it called when a persistent pollutant (like mercury or PCBs) builds up in the tissues of an organism as they continue to eat something that contains the pollutant?

a)

Negative Feedback Loop

b)

Biomagnification

c)

Tragedy of the Commons

d)

Bioaccumulation

e)

Positive Feedback Loop

25.
This law regulates the discharges of pollutants into all waters that have a significant connection with navigable waterways.  Also, must have a permit to dump these pollutants. Also, requires certain steps in sewage treatment. 
a)
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
b)
Clean Water Act (CWA)
c)
Oil Pollution Act
d)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
26.

Which of the following is a known endocrine disruptor connected to popular herbicides that is found in many of our waterways in the U.S.?

a)

Atrazine

b)

Mercury

c)

Nitrate

d)

Arsenic

e)

Lead

27.

The pollution of waterways creating conditions in which productivity is decreased and gills of bottom dwelling organisms are clogged is due to

a)

erosion and sedimentation

b)

runoff and flooding

c)

herbicides and eutrophication

d)

mining and acid deposition

28.
What do we call the land area that supplies water to a river system?
a)
runoff
b)
recharge
c)
watershed
d)
valley
29.
What is the top of the water-filled spaces in the ground called?
a)
Groundwater
b)
Reservoir
c)
Water Table
d)
Well
30.

What is the difference between a point source and a nonpoint source of water pollution?

a)

A nonpoint source is easily identifiable.

b)

Point sources can be directly targeted for reduction.

c)

Nonpoint sources tend to be factory outputs.

d)

Point sources tend to be agricultural.

e)

Nonpoint sources are less harmful to the environment.

31.

Human wastewater entering into bodies of water such as rivers or lakes can be dangerous because

I. it causes a drop in the biological oxygen demand.

II. it can lead to cultural eutrophication.

III. the wastewater can carry pathogens.

a)

I only

b)

II only

c)

III only

d)

II and III

e)

I, II, and III

32.

Which pollutant is most likely to be released into groundwater supplies without human intervention?

a)

Phosphates

b)

Lead

c)

Arsenic

d)

Mercury

33.

A secondary pollutant

a)

forms in the stratosphere.

b)

is transformed by sunlight or water.

c)

cannot be directly tracked.

d)

does not directly harm humans.

e)

forms primarily from incomplete combustion.

34.

Which is a source of sulfur dioxide found in nature?

a)

Forest fires

b)

Lightning strikes

c)

Plant emissions

d)

Volcanoes

e)

Soil

35.

Which size of particulate matter causes the greatest health concerns?

a)

PM2.5

b)

PM10

c)

PM100

d)

PM30

e)

PM15

36.

Carbon monoxide

a)

increases lung cancer rates.

b)

leads to the formation of photochemical smog.

c)

is most problematic in rural areas

d)

does not directly cause deaths.

e)

is produced by incomplete combustion.

37.

High levels of photochemical smog are due to

I. nitrogen dioxide.

II. sulfur dioxide.

III. VOCs

a)

I only

b)

I and II only

c)

II and III only

d)

I and III only

e)

I, II, and III

38.

Thermal inversions

a)

increase the rate of smog formation.

b)

trap high concentrations of pollution at ground level.

c)

result in increased levels of acid deposition.

d)

are caused by high levels of precipitation.

e)

reduce the negative effects of VOCs.

39.

Acid deposition forms as a result of

a)

nitrogen oxides and photochemical smog.

b)

carbon monoxide and VOCs.

c)

sulfur dioxide and VOCs.

d)

nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

e)

carbon monoxide and photochemical smog.

40.

Which method is used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions?

a)

Installation of catalytic converters

b)

Increased temperature of combustion

c)

The addition of oxygen to combustion processes

d)

The use of fluidized bed combustion

e)

The use of calcium carbonate to absorb emissions

41.

The primary source of radon is

a)

electronics.

b)

indoor fires.

c)

household chemical fumes.

d)

rocks and soils.

e)

construction materials

42.

Asbestos

a)

is used for insulation.

b)

can be easily removed and treated.

c)

can be a problem in new construction.

d)

causes skin irritation, nausea, and fatigue.

e)

is commonly used in furniture.

43.

Anthropogenic ozone is formed and located in which layer?

a)

Troposphere

b)

Stratosphere

c)

Mesosphere

d)

Thermosphere

e)

Exosphere

44.

Greenhouse gases change the composition of this layer?

a)

Troposphere

b)

Stratosphere

c)

Mesosphere

d)

Thermosphere

e)

Exosphere

45.

Nitrogen accounts for what percentage of the atmosphere?

a)

less than 1%

b)

7%

c)

21%

d)

52%

e)

78%

46.

Which of the following would be the best description secondary pollutants?

a)

They only harm a small vulnerable percentage of a population.

b)

They become harmful after reacting in the atmosphere.

c)

They are produced in lesser quantities than primary pollutants.

d)

They are less environmentally damaging than other pollutants.

e)

They are classified by the EPA as the second most dangerous and abundant.

47.
Which biome is characterized by low temperatures and low amounts of rainfall?
a)
tundra
b)
desert
c)
temperate deciduous forest
d)
tropical rain forest
48.
Which biome covers most of the land mass near the Earth's equator?
a)
tundra
b)
desert
c)
grassland
d)
tropical rainforest
49.
How nitrogen is "fixed" into useable form for plants...
a)
through action of bacteria only
b)
through lightning only
c)
through action of bacteria & lightning
d)
through photosynthesis
50.

The garbage in landfills takes anywhere from

a)

weeks to centuries to breakdown

b)

two weeks to two months to breakdown

c)

three weeks to three years to breakdown

d)

three weeks to three months to breakdown

51.
Ore is 
a)
any type of rock
b)
a rock with metals
c)
a rock with metals worth something to someone
d)
a rock with minerals
52.
A rock formed from heat and pressure is
a)
igneous
b)
metamorphic
c)
sedimentary
53.
Sedimentary rock results from 
a)
heating
b)
melting
c)
erosion
d)
pressure
54.
Which is a decomposer?
a)
Mushrooms
b)
Insects
c)
Trees
d)
Vultures
55.
What are lichens?
a)
One of the first pioneers to colonize in Secondary Succession
b)
The first organisms to colonize any newly available area(s) in Primary and Secondary Succession
c)
One of the first pioneers to colonize in Primary Succession
d)
Tiny animals that grow on rocks
56.
What is an ecosystem?
a)
Food chains connected to each other.
b)
A community of  organisms and their physical environment
c)
A system where there are things that move.
57.
What does biodiversity mean?
a)
Only one species in an area.
b)
The different amount of species in an area
c)
All abiotic life
d)
Nitrogen fixation
58.
Which human activity would preserve nonrenewable resources?
a)
deforestation
b)
removing carnivores from a forest 
c)
recycling
d)
heating homes with fossil fuels  
59.
Which human activity would most likely deplete nonrenewable resources?
a)
use of natural enemies to eliminate insect pests
b)
development of wildlife refuges 
c)
governmental restriction of industrial pollution 
d)
increased use of fossil fuels
60.
What may happen when a lake ecosystem becomes polluted with fertilizers or pesticides?
a)
increase in dissolved oxygen
b)
eutrophication
c)
.  increased rate of decomposition by detritivores
d)
increase in carrying capacity of the ecosystem
61.
Which of the following is a renewable resource?
a)
coal
b)
solar energy
c)
natural gas
d)
oil
62.
Coal burning results in which of the following: 
a)
production of acid rain
b)
release of radiation
c)
increase in deforestation
63.
Hydropower uses _________ to turn turbines that run generators.
a)
steam
b)
moving water
c)
uranium
d)
tides
64.
Which of these problems can be caused by air pollution?
a)
Respiratory problems
b)
Reduced food sources for humans
c)
Increased disease for humans
d)
Decrease in global temperatures
65.
The largest number of individuals in a species that an environment can support long term
a)
carrying capacity
b)
emigration
c)
immigration
d)
population density
66.
A landfill liner is made of
a)
just clay
b)
clay and plastic
c)
just plastic
d)
none of these options
67.
The containment, cleanup, or remediation of abandoned toxic waste sites is governed by a program known as ______________.
a)
Superfund
b)
Superclean
c)
Superdump
d)
Federal Toxic Act
68.
A(n) _______________ is specially designed to safely hold municipal solid waste, construction debris, and some types of agricultural and industrial waste.
a)
 sanitary landfill
b)
open dump
c)
waste pit
d)
dumpster
69.
Rainwater falling on a dump dissolves chemicals from the wastes, forming a liquid called _________________ that could pollute rivers, streams, and groundwater.
a)
liquid waste
b)
trash effluent
c)
leachate
d)
runoff
70.
What dangerous greenhouse gas is produced in landfills?
a)
Nitrogen
b)
Carbon dioxide
c)
Methane
d)
Ozone
71.
Toxicology is the study of ______.  Toxicologists study the ______  effects these substances have on the body.
a)
medicines, harmful
b)
poisons, beneficial
c)
poisons, harmful
d)
medicines, beneficial
72.
Infectious diseases are caused by:
a)
Bacteria
b)
Antibodies
c)
Pathogens
d)
viruses
73.
What counties need improvements in nutrition, a wider availability of clean drinking water, and proper sanitation to combat diseases
a)
Third world countries
b)
Developing countries
c)
Industrialized Countries
d)
1st world countries
74.
Which of the following are chemicals that have been designed to improve human life around the world by eliminating disease vectors?
a)
Pharmaceuticals
b)
Insecticides
c)
Herbicides
d)
All of the above
75.
Carcinogens are chemicals that cause:
a)
Cancer
b)
Disease
c)
Disorders
d)
Viruses
76.
Lethal Dose that kills 50% of the individuals in a population:
a)
LD
b)
LD10
c)
LD25
d)
LD50
77.
What causes malaria?
a)
bacterium
b)
fungus
c)
parasite
d)
virus
78.
The ozone layer protects us from
a)
UV rays
b)
CFCs
c)
Increased atmospheric heat
d)
Decreased atmospheric heat
79.
The ozone layer is damaged by
a)
CFCs
b)
Increase in greenhouse gases
c)
Increased global temperatures
d)
Sulfuric and nitric acids
80.
Global warming is due to 
a)
Greenhouse gases
b)
Nitric and sulfuric acids
c)
CFCs
d)
Ozone depletion
81.
Which of the following are greenhouse gases?
a)
Carbon dioxide
b)
Methane
c)
Water vapor
d)
All answers are correct
82.
What is NOT a way to conserve energy?
a)
Take a short shower instead of a long one.
b)
Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
c)
Recycle old newspapers and drink cans.
d)
Driving a car instead of riding a bike.
83.
Which of the following substances is an colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas?
a)
carbon monoxide
b)
radon
c)
ozone
d)
asbestos
84.
When a building has bad air quality, it has something called
a)
Sick building syndrome
b)
Radon
c)
Carbon monoxide
d)
Smog
85.
A type of pollution found both indoors and outdoors, which includes pollen, dander, soot, carbon, and dust.
a)
Water droplets
b)
Allergens
c)
Particulate matter
d)
Combustibles
86.
Which of the following would be a good lining (so things can't leak out) for a landfill or man made pond?
a)
gravel 
b)
sand 
c)
clay
87.
Which of the following forms of renewable energy uses the sun's energy most directly?
a)
biomass fuel
b)
passive solar heatin
c)
geothermal energy
d)
a hydrogen fuel cell
88.
Which of the following energy sources is useful in most parts of the world?
a)
tidal power
b)
OTEC
c)
geothermal energy
d)
active solar energy
89.
Petroleum and natural gas form from...
a)
strong winds
b)
cooled magma
c)
radioactive materials
d)
remains of plants and animals 
90.
Fossil fuels are classified as nonrenewable because they.......
a)
require expensive equipment
b)
take millions of years to replace
c)
can be found all over 
d)
provide all the energy we use
91.
The law of _____ of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed or changed. 
a)
renewal
b)
refreshing
c)
battery storage
d)
conservation
92.
When one large nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei, the process is nuclear _____.
a)
Fusion
b)
Fission
c)
Tracing
d)
Decay
93.
__________ is an energy resource that WILL NOT run out in the next several hundred years.
a)
Renewable Energy Resource
b)
Nonrenewable Energy Resource
c)
Fossil Fuel
d)
Forever Fuel
94.
__________is a gas found under the Earth’s surface and is used to produce energy by burning it.
a)
Geothermal
b)
Natural Gas
c)
Solar
d)
Nuclear
95.
What type of accident was Chernobyl, considered to be one of the worst of its kind?
a)
nuclear meltdown
b)
act of terrorism
c)
natural disaster
d)
spreading wildfire
96.
What are Biofuels Made of?
a)
Natural Gas
b)
Coal
c)
Oil
d)
Plants & Animal Waste
97.
Why do we not have more nuclear power plants?
a)
It doesn't produce a lot of electricity
b)
risk of radioactive leaks
c)
we are running out of uranium
d)
we are using the uranium for bombs instead of energy
98.
In the US, more coal is used for _________ than for any other use.
a)
making chemicals
b)
heating buildings
c)
making steel
d)
generating electricity 
99.
Which of the following factors that influence the value of fuels is most directly related to the environmental consequences of the fuel's use?
a)
byproducts
b)
availability
c)
cost
d)
energy content

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