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Environmental Sustainability

Total questions: 100

Worksheet time: 1hrs 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following is not a renewable energy source?

a)

wind

b)

wave

c)

coal

d)

solar

2.
About how many people does the world currently have?
a)
3 Million
b)
8 Billion
c)
4 Trillion
d)
12 Billion
3.
Which of these is NOT an environmental issue?
a)
Pollution
b)
Oil Spills
c)
Space Exploration
d)
Over Population
4.

The three areas of sustainability are

a)

Physical, Economical, Political

b)

Environmental, Social, Physical

c)

Economical, Environmental, Social

d)

Physical, Political, Social

5.
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic?
a)
Biotic are non-living things
b)
Abiotic are living organisms
c)
Biotic is life,
Abiotic is non-living
d)
Biotic is non-living, Abiotic is living
6.

The main idea of sustainability is to act responsibly so that the resources on the planet will be able to _____________many generations to come.

a)

feed

b)

wipe out

c)

support

d)

clothe

7.

Name a place that carries out a conservation activity: ex situ:

a)

The Lost World Petting Zoo

b)

The Farm in the City

c)

Botanical Garden

d)

Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre

8.

Steps to save electric in the office:

a)

Turn off the lamps when not in use.

b)

Use energy-efficient equipment.

c)

Set the brightness of computer screen to a suitable brightness.

d)

Use regular batteries for wireless telephone and remote control, rather than using rechargeable batteries

e)

Use fluorescent lamps rather than LED lamps.

9.

What are the effect of global warming on the environment caused by widespread logging?

a)

I and II

b)

I and III

c)

II and IV

d)

III and IV

10.

Lichen was sensitive to air pollution. Therefore, their growth is often used as indicator for an air pollution. Diagram below shows a graph on the relationship between the number of lichen colonies against the distance from a town centre.

What is the conclusion of the study based on the above graph?

a)

The further from the town centre, the number of lichen colonies decreases

b)

The further from the town centre, the number of lichen colonies increases

c)

Many types of lichens grow near the town centre

d)

There is only one type of lichen that grows far from the town centre.

11.

Which of the following human activities threatens the ecosystem?


I forest conservation

II forest exploration

III rapid increases in human population

IV management of planned development

a)

I and II

b)

II and III

c)

III and IV

d)

I and IV

12.

Which of the following activities can increase the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?


I oil spills at sea

II burning of fossil fuels

III harvest of aquatic plants and algae massively for commercial purposes

IV Excessive use of fertilisers

a)

I and II

b)

II and III

c)

III and IV

d)

I and IV

13.
Which of the following best describes what an ecologist might study?
a)
The effects of pesticides on bee populations
b)
The effects of high blood pressure on human populations
c)
Designing efficient combustion turbines for factories
d)
Identification of dinosaur bones
14.
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
15.
Biodiversity refers to
a)
extinct species
b)
the variety of species on Earth
c)
nonrenewable resources
d)
the rate of species decline
16.
The California Condor population once dropped so low that there were only 8 individuals in the wild.  What term best describes their legal status at that time?
a)
Reduced
b)
Threatened
c)
Endangered
d)
Extinct
17.
Sustainability
a)
Taking only what you need to survive
b)
Providing for future generations
c)
Conserving common resources
d)
All of these
18.

Which of the following causes eutrophication

a)

Pesticide

b)

Herbicide

c)

Fertiliser

d)

Carbon dioxide

19.

The combustion of fossil fuel releases sulphur dioxide. How does sulphur dioxide fall to earth as acid rain?

a)

Combined with carbon dioxide

b)

Combined with water vapour

c)

Combined with oxygen

d)

Combined with dilute acid

20.
Which of the following is an example of pollution?
a)
Throwing trash on the ground
b)
Spilling oil into the ocean
c)
Burning fossil fuels
d)
All of these!
21.

Which statement defines what sustainability is?

a)

Making sure everyone has access to all the resources they want

b)

Meeting the needs of everyone now so that they always have access to any resource that they want.

c)

Meeting the needs of populations now without compromising the needs of future generations

d)

Meeting the needs of populations now and those in the future.

22.

Materials and energy in nature that are essential or useful to humans.

a)

Natural resources

b)

Natural services

c)

Natural capital

d)

None of the above

23.

Which of the following processes is not needed in hydrological cycle?

a)

Evaporation

b)

Condensation

c)

Precipitation

d)

None of the above

24.

In nutrient cycling, what process comes after the death of any organism?

a)

The remains are acted upon by decomposers

b)

The remains are converted to inorganic matter

c)

The remains are consumed by producers

d)

All of the above

25.

Which of the following compounds is not needed for the process of photosynthesis

a)

C6H12O6

b)

H2O

c)

CO2

d)

All of the above

26.

It is defined as a group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place.

a)

a. Organism

b)

Population

c)

Community

d)

Ecosystem

27.

A community of different species interacting with one another and with their nonliving environment of matter and energy.

a)

Organism

b)

Population

c)

Community

d)

Ecosystem

28.

Organisms that cannot manufacture the nutrients they need, thus they depend on other organisms for nutrition.

a)

Autotrophs

b)

Heterotrophs

c)

Consumer

d)

Producer

29.

An ecosystem that is not sustainable can break down when a natural disaster occurs. This can lead to organisms in the ecosystem either leaving the area or dying off.

Increased biodiversity results in a more sustainable ecosystem because -

a)

A greater number of plant species means that there is less barren land

b)

A greater variety of species present allows more organisms to adapt after changes occur

c)

The transition area between two ecosystems is narrower.

d)

There are fewer species to be affected by environmental stresses

30.

Tropical rainforests have the greatest biodiversity of any type of land ecosystem. How does biodiversity contribute to the sustainability of an ecosystem?

a)

The presence of more species with different adaptations makes it more likely that some organisms will survive an ecological disaster.

b)

Greater genetic variation within species makes it more likely that some individuals will survive a disease outbreak.

c)

The presence of a variety of herbivore species that can feed on a large number of different producer species helps ensure abundant prey for predators in the ecosystem.

d)

All of the above.

31.

A description of the environmental conditions averaged over many years is called ...

a)

The weather.

b)

The climate.

c)

Heat capacity.

d)

Global warming.

32.

What would the Earth be like without any greenhouse effect?

a)

frozen and lifeless

b)

extremely hot

c)

same as now

d)

slightly cooler than now

33.

Why does the level of CO2 increase in the atmosphere?

a)

because of industry and vehicles

b)

because of increased infrared radiation

c)

because of increased ultraviolet radiation

d)

because of the extinction of species

34.
Why is the increase of Greenhouse gasses a big issue?
a)
It causes climate change and increase in the global temerature 
b)
It can lead to a major increase in Greenhouses 
c)
It leads to more factories
d)
It causes a major decrease in people
35.
Water vapor is a greenhouse gas
a)
True
b)
False
36.

Carbon dioxide released by burning fossil fuels and agricultural and industrial activity has raised the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to climate change.

a)

True

b)

False

37.

The term 'biosphere' refers to:

a)

the life-supporting surface of the Earth, including oceans, soil and atmosphere.

b)

the life-supporting surface of Mars, including oceans, soil and atmosphere.

c)

a specific climate zone and the plants and animals it supports.

d)

none of the above

38.

Waste decomposition, air purification, flower pollination and soil regeneration are examples of . .

a)

green products

b)

sustainability

c)

none of the above

d)

ecosystem services

39.

Extreme poverty can lead directly to environmental degradation.

a)

True

b)

False

40.

What is most freshwater on Earth used for?

a)

Drinking

b)

Washing

c)

Industrial purposes

d)

Agriculture

41.
What causes acid rain?
a)
High concentrations of sulfuric or nitric acid from pollution
b)
Fertilizer use
c)
Pesticide use
d)
CFCs
42.

Pollution hanging over urban areas in winters that causes reduced visibility is called

a)

Air pollution

b)

Temperature inversion

c)

Light pollution

d)

Smog

43.

Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas?

a)

carbon dioxide (CO2)

b)

nitrous oxide (N2O)

c)

methane (CH4)

d)

sulphur dioxide (SO2)

44.
In a particular habitat, owls eat mice and mice eat grass. If the owl population suddenly grows, then most likely
a)
the number of mice will decrease and the amount of grass will not change.
b)
the number of mice will increase and the amount of grass will increase.
c)
the number of mice will increase and the amount of grass will not change.
d)
the number of mice will decrease and the amount of grass will increase.
45.
Which habitat exhibits the greatest biodiversity?
a)
A habitat with 15 different species with about 300 individuals each
b)
A habitat with 10 different species with about 75 individuals each
c)
A habitat with 4 different species with about 150 individuals each
d)
A habitat with only one species with about 2000 individual
46.
What is an invasive species?
a)
A native (naturally found) species which are added to an area. 
b)
A non-native (not naturally found) species added to an area. 
c)
A keystone species in an environment
d)
none of the above
47.

Which is NOT a part of an area's overall biodiversity?

a)

Ecosystem Biodiversity

b)

Genetic Biodiversity

c)

Evolution Biodiversity

d)

Species Biodiversity

48.

Describes differences in DNA among individuals of a population or species.

a)

Subspecies

b)

Genetic Isolation

c)

Species Diversity

d)

Genetic Diversity

49.

Biodiversity is greater

a)

Near the poles

b)

In the Tundra

c)

In the desert

d)

Near the equator

50.
Which elements are in fertilizer?
a)
Nitrogen and Oxygen
b)
Phosphorous and Hydrogen
c)
Nitrogen and Phosphorous
51.
Photosynthesis
a)
absorbs CO2
b)
releases CO2
52.
Animals obtain the nitrogen they need directly from the
a)
soil in their habitat
b)
air they breathe
c)
plants they eat
d)
bacteria living within them
53.
Bacteria that can use nitrogen in soil to make nitrogen compounds
a)
Eutrification
b)
Legumes
c)
Nitrogen Fixing
d)
decomposers
54.
What is a natural process which moves carbon?
a)
Photosynthesis
b)
Respiration
c)
Decomposition
d)
All of the above
55.
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
56.
Organisms use nitrogen to form
a)
carbohydrates and lipids
b)
proteins and lipids
c)
lipids and nucleic acids
d)
proteins and nucleic acids
57.
The process of plants losing water through their leaves is called ____.
a)
condensation
b)
evaporation
c)
transpiration
d)
exhaling
58.
Where is carbon stored in the environment?
a)
Fossil fuels
b)
Wood of trees
c)
Calcium carbonate (shells and bones)
d)
All of the above
59.

Nitrogen fixation is the process in which certain bacteria convert nitrogen gas into

a)

liquid nitrogen

b)

nitrates

c)

nitrites

d)

ammonia

60.
What is this a picture of?
a)
Nitrogen cycle
b)
carbon cycle
c)
water cycle
d)
plant cycle
61.
Carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere by
a)
Burning fossil fuels 
b)
Cellular respiration
c)
Decomposing organic matter
d)
All answers are correct
62.
How much of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen gas?
a)
87%
b)
38%
c)
78%
d)
21%
63.
What is it called when water vapor cools and changes into a liquid?
a)
condensation
b)
respiration
c)
precipitation
d)
evaporation
64.

Sustainable Development is that development which satisfies the need of:

a)

Present generation only

b)

future generation only

c)

both of the above

d)

none of these

65.

Where was Earth summit held in 1992?

a)

Delhi

b)

Tokyo

c)

Rio de Jeneirio

d)

New york

66.

Which global action plan was adopted in the Earth Summit of 1992?

a)

Agenda 21

b)

agenda 31

c)

Environment Protection plan

d)

none

67.

Which of the following countries have varied ecosystems?

a)

Norway

b)

India

68.

Among animals, ____________are the most species rich taxonomic group.

a)

mollusc

b)

mammals

c)

Insects

d)

fishes

69.

Which of the following statements are true about latitudinal gradient?

a)

Species diversity decreases as we move away from the equator towards poles.

b)

Species diversity is more in temperate latitude, than, other latitudes.

c)

Species diversity is more in poles than in equator.

70.

What is so special about tropics that account for their greater biological diversity? Tick the appropriate option.

a)

Tropics had glaciation in the past and cyclones in the present, that helps in species richness

b)

Tropics receive less sunlight when compared to poles, biological diversity becomes more in less sunlit areas.

c)

There is more solar energy in the tropics, contributing to more productivity and hence greater biological diversity.

71.
Biologists put extra effort into protecting these because they have many species living in them.
a)
Cities
b)
Biodiversity Hotspots
c)
Farms
d)
Conservation stations
72.

The term Biodiversity hotspots mean _________

a)

Regions with high levels of species richness and endemism.

b)

Regions with hot thermal springs and rivers

c)

Spots on one species of frog, that makes our skin burn if touched.

73.

The approach of conservation, where the whole ecosystem is protected , in order to conserve the biodiversity at all levels is called as _____approach.

a)

In situ conservation

b)

Ex situ conservation

74.

Biodiversity loss occurs due to –

A. Habitat loss and fragmentation

B. Co-extinction

C. over-exploitation

D. Alien species invasion.

a)

A, B

b)

A, B, C

c)

B, C, D

d)

A, B, C, D

75.

The characters of a stable community –

A. It shall not show too much variations in year to-year productivity.

B. It must be either resistance or resilient to seasonal disturbance.

C. It must be resistant to invasion by alien species.

D. None

a)

A, B

b)

A, B, C

c)

B, C

d)

D

76.

The impacts of loss of biodiversity include –

A. Decrease in plant production.

B. Lowered resistance to environmental perturbation

C. Increased variability in ecosystem processes like water use, pest / disease cycle, plants productivity.

D. None

a)

A, B

b)

A, B, C

c)

B, C

d)

D

77.

India is a country of vast diversity and it is among the 17 “________________” countries in the world

a)

genetic diversity

b)

species diversity

c)

mega-diversity

78.

Full Form of IUCN:

a)

International Union Conservation of Nature

b)

International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

c)

Inter Union Connected Nature

79.

___________conservation of plants and animals outside their natural habitats.

a)

ex situ

b)

extrinsic

c)

intrinsic

d)

in situ

80.

According to the article of the UN, we need to achieve the 17 goals by this year:

a)

2020

b)

2025

c)

2030

d)

2021

81.

SELECT ALL the choices that are part of the 17 goals of Sustainable Development:

a)

Partnerships

b)

Reduced inequality

c)

Weather

d)

Clean water and sanitation

82.

Which of the following is not part of the Sustainable Development Goals?

a)

Access to sustainable energy for all

b)

Availability of water and sanitation for all

c)

Provision of internet services for all

d)

Promotion of decent jobs for all

83.

What are the primary goals of sustainability?

a)

The end of poverty and hunger

b)

Better standards of education and healthcare - particularly as it pertains to water quality and better sanitation

c)

Sustainable economic growth while promoting jobs and stronger economies

d)

All of the above

84.

How many Sustainable Development Goals are there?

a)

16

b)

17

c)

18

d)

19

85.

The Sustainable Development Goals are designed to apply to which countries?

a)

Only countries in sub-Saharan Africa

b)

Low and middle income countries, but not high income countries

c)

All countries, both rich and poor

d)

Only countries where more than 50% of the population live below the poverty line

86.
It is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
a)
Ecosystem
b)
Biotic System
c)
Abiotic System
d)
None of the choices
87.
When a plant is eaten by a grasshopper, the grasshopper is called
a)
Producer
b)
Primary consumer
c)
Secondary consumer
d)
Tertiary consumer
88.
When a plant is eaten by a caterpillar and the caterpillar is eaten by a frog, and the frog is eaten by a snake, the snake belongs to
a)
Producer
b)
Primary consumer
c)
Secondary consumer
d)
Tertiary consumer
89.

What do you call those organisms that feed on dead plants and animals?

a)
Bacteria
b)

Decomposers

c)
Virus
d)
Fungi
90.
What is the term used to describe all non-living things in an ecosystem?
a)
Biotic Factors
b)
Abiotic Factors
c)
Environmental Factors
d)
Population
91.

What happens to the amount of available energy in the pyramid as it moves up through the different levels?

a)

it increases

b)

it decreases

c)

it remains the same

d)

it decreases, then increases

92.

In any food web, the organisms that are responsible for converting raw energy into usable chemical energy are collectively called ________ while organisms that recycle the nutrients trapped in dead organisms are collectively called ________.

a)

producers;consumers

b)

producers; decomposers

c)

heterotrophs; consumers

d)

heterotrophs;autotrophs

93.

Look at the diagram of the food web. The arrows means “eaten by.”


What will happen if the number of snakes goes down?

a)

The owl will eat the grass

b)

The number of frogs will go down

c)

The hawk and owl will have less food

d)

The number of mice and grasshoppers will go up.

94.

The transfer of energy from one organism to the next in an ecosystem begins with a producer. A producer is an organism that produces its own food. A consumer is an organism in a food chain that obtains energy from producers or other consumers; consumers may be herbivores or carnivores.


Which food chain correctly describes the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

a)

grass → grasshopper → fish → human

b)

grasshopper → fish → human

c)

human → fish → grasshopper

d)

human → grasshopper → fish → grass

95.

All of the factors listed are abiotic factors of this underwater ecosystem EXCEPT the

a)

sunlight

b)

water currents

c)

fish population

d)

water temperature

96.
What does the picture show?
a)
A Food Web
b)
An Ecosystem
c)
A Food Chain
d)
A nice scenery
97.

Where does the food chain START?

a)

with consumers that eat grass

b)

with the sun giving energy to producers

c)

with the sun giving energy to consumers

d)

with consumers eating other consumers

98.
What does a food web represent?
a)
All connections of energy flow throughout all organisms in a ecosystem.
b)
The specific ways that mutualism is carried out.
c)
A single pathway or energy flow between organisms. 
d)
How carnivores get their food. 
99.
The diagram represents a pyramid of energy in an ecosystem.  Which level would most likely contain members of the plant kingdom?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
100.
In the energy pyramid below, which organism has the least amount of energy available?
a)
Producers
b)
Herbivores
c)
Carnivores
d)
Top Predator