WorksheetsChapter 7 - Humans & Global Change
Total questions: 23
Worksheet time: 12mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Shari and her family change their use of transportation. They use their private automobile less often, and instead rely more on public transportation, bicycles, and walking. How does their change in behavior affect their ecological footprint?
a)
The footprint decreases, because the family uses fewer energy resources and reduces their emissions of greenhouse gases.
b)
The footprint decreases, because the family travels across a smaller area of land.
c)
The footprint increases, because vehicles such as buses and subways use more energy than a private automobile.
d)
The footprint is not affected, because the family’s use of resources is approximately the same as before.
2.
Which of the following increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere? Select all that apply.
a)
acid rain
b)
deforestation
c)
invasive species
d)
burning fossil fuels
3.
A scientist uses a computer model to predict that Earth’s average temperature will increase between 1.8°C and 3.2°C by the year 2100. The precise increase in temperature depends on people’s decisions in the future.
Which event of the near future would increase the likelihood of the LOWEST possible temperature increase?
a)
Global emissions of greenhouse gases decrease by 50 percent.
b)
A major volcanic eruption strikes somewhere on Earth.
c)
New technology reduces consumer prices for coal, oil, and natural gas.
d)
Global emissions of chlorofluocarbons (CFCs) decrease by 50 percent.
4.
Human activities have caused both acid rain and a global increase in temperature, or global warming. How are these two effects—acid rain and global warming—related to each other?
a)
Acid rain is a side effect of global warming at the local level.
b)
Acid rain is a side effect of efforts to reduce global warming.
c)
Both acid rain and global warming are caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
d)
Both acid rain and global warming are caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
5.
Juanita claims that cattle ranching contributes more significantly to global climate change than most other forms of agriculture. Clayton doubts this claim because carbon dioxide is released by all animals, not just cows.
Which observation MOST STRONGLY supports Juanita’s claim?
a)
A cow is an especially large animal, and so it releases more carbon dioxide than a typical animal.
b)
A cow is raised for food for humans, and so it does not decompose as many wild animals do.
c)
A cow releases large amounts of methane, an especially potent greenhouse gas.
d)
A cow eats large amounts of grass, which help remove greenhouse gases through photosynthesis.
6.
A population of timberwolves lives in a large tract of forest. A developer proposes building a six-lane highway across the middle of the forest. The developer claims that the timberwolves would be minimally affected because the highway would replace only about 1 percent of the land of the forest.
Which statement provides the strongest argument AGAINST the developer’s claim?
a)
Wolves hunt across large territories, so habitat fragmentation puts them at risk.
b)
Wolves have been observed roaming the land where the highway would be.
c)
At least one wolf has built a den in the land where the highway would be.
d)
Deer, rabbits, and other prey of wolves have been observed roaming the land where the highway would be.
7.
Johan claims that ozone is one of the harmful components of smog, that it is the result of human activity, and that it harms human health. Based on these claims, he argues that the use of chlorofluocarbons (CFCs) should be encouraged, because CFCs help break up ozone.
Which is the most accurate evaluation of Johan’s claim and argument?
a)
The claims are accurate and the argument is supported by evidence.
b)
The claims are accurate, but the argument is faulty because ozone in the upper atmosphere protects life on the surface.
c)
The claims are inaccurate and the argument is faulty, because ozone is essential for human health.
d)
The claims are inaccurate because ozone is a natural part of the atmosphere, but the argument is supported by evidence.
8.
Scientists cite evidence that anthropogenic (human-caused) emissions of carbon dioxide are causing Earth’s average temperatures to increase on a global scale. Which of the following changes to Earth’s systems are a direct or indirect result of the carbon dioxide emissions? Select four correct answers.
a)
rising sea levels
b)
ocean acidification
c)
increased frequency of volcanic eruptions
d)
changes to ecosystems and ecosystem services
e)
reduced ice coverage in polar ice caps and glaciers
9.
Brian is evaluating the following statement.
“The expression global warming is only a partial description of the changes occurring to Earth's atmosphere. Global climate change is the more accurate description.”
Which observation provides the strongest evidence in support of the statement?
a)
Precipitation patterns are changing on a global scale.
b)
Sea level is rising because of melting polar ice caps.
c)
Coral reefs are dying or stressed because of warmer seawater.
d)
Carbon dioxide levels have been increasing globally for the past 150 years.
10.
An organization of climate scientists reached an agreement on global climate change. They agree that the problem is serious and that a variety of measures should be enacted worldwide. The measures include a global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a switch to renewable energy resources.
What is the effect, in practice, of the agreement of the scientists?
a)
The agreement dictates the laws of world governments, which have no right to alter the laws.
b)
The agreement forms the basis of laws enacted by world governments, which always include scientific oversight.
c)
The agreement may help guide world governments but does not force their actions.
d)
The agreement supersedes the actions of world governments because of the importance of global climate change.
11.
The city has approved the construction of a 15,000-seat arena for a professional basketball team. Which revision to the building plans for the arena would MOST help it meet the goals for sustainable development?
a)
Plant a lawn along the outside of the arena.
b)
Remove the systems for heating and air-conditioning from the arena.
c)
Move the arena to the edge of the city, where it would replace farmland.
d)
Move the arena to the city center, where it can be accessed by public transportation.
12.
Sustainable development favors the use of renewable resources, such as harnessing the energy of wind or sunlight. It does not favor the use of nonrenewable resources, such as fossil fuels. Which property of renewable resources explains their role in sustainable development?
a)
Renewable resources involve materials or energy found in nature.
b)
Renewable resources can be replaced effectively by healthy ecosystems.
c)
Renewable resources are less expensive and more useful than nonrenewable resources.
d)
Renewable resources involve synthetic or artificial materials that are not found in nature.
13.
The Tran family enacts a conservation plan to recycle solid wastes, including glass, metal, and plastics. After 1 month, they calculate that their plan has reduced their solid waste output by 30 percent. However, the plan did not alter the volume of glass, metal, and plastic resources that the family used.
How does the conservation plan help reduce the ecological footprint of the Tran family?
a)
by preserving material resources for use in the future
b)
by reducing the amount of space needed for landfills
c)
by reducing the cost of material resources
d)
by increasing the cost of material resources
14.
Carbon dioxide is a significant greenhouse gas in Earth’s atmosphere. The graph shows the estimated anthropogenic (human-caused) carbon dioxide emissions in gigatons (Gt) per year, from 1850 to the present.
Based on the graph, which strategy would be MOST effective to include in a solution to global climate change?
a)
a moderate reduction in non-anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide
b)
a more efficient method for gaining energy from fossil fuels
c)
a drastic reduction in the use of fossil fuels, cement, and flaring
d)
a moderate reduction in forestry and other land use
15.
Simone is creating a model to track the carbon atoms that cycle between the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The illustration shows part of her model. It describes two chemical reactions that occur between dissolved carbon dioxide and water.
As explained by the chemical reactions shown in the illustration, which of these events is caused by increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
a)
biomagnification
b)
ocean acidification
c)
increased rates of photosynthesis
d)
increased rate of fossil fuel formation
16.
Simone is creating a model to track the carbon atoms that cycle between the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The illustration shows part of her model. It describes two chemical reactions that occur between dissolved carbon dioxide and water.
Besides the reactions shown in the diagram below, what other chemical reactions would be most useful for Simone to include in her model? Select three answer choices.
a)
the reactions that produce the acids in acid rain
b)
the overall reaction of cellular respiration
c)
the overall reaction of photosynthesis
d)
the reactions that form fossil fuels
e)
the combustion of fossil fuels
17.
The graph shows the changing levels of halogens, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), that harm the ozone layer. The ozone layer protects Earth’s surface from harmful solar radiation. CFCs are artificial chemicals that once were commonly used in aerosol spray cans, refrigerators, and other devices.
Which is the most likely explanation of the trend shown in the data?
a)
the natural cycle of CFCs in the atmosphere
b)
a worldwide ban on the use of CFCs
c)
a gradual thinning of the ozone layer
d)
a natural process that absorbs CFCs
18.
The Understanding Global Change (UGC) diagram is a useful model for explaining the causes and effects of changes to global systems. Below is a simplified version of this diagram.
Review the icons in the UGC model. Which of the following statements is true?
a)
The greenhouse effect is influenced by the carbon cycle.
b)
Sea level is influenced by the amount of snow and ice cover (how much ice is melted) on land.
c)
The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can affect sea level rise.
d)
All of the above
19.
The Understanding Global Change (UGC) diagram is a useful model for explaining the causes and effects of changes to global systems. Below is a simplified version of this diagram.
Which phenomenon or process in the UGC framework is influenced by human activities?
a)
Sea level rise
b)
Carbon cycle
c)
Greenhouse effect
d)
All of the above
20.
Chemicals called PCBs were manufactured and widely used up until the 1970s. Unfortunately, these chemicals are harmful to humans and wildlife.
Some legislators are concerned about PCBs accumulating in mud and sand deposits in their regions. They commission a laboratory analysis, which shows that the PCBs are present in the mud and sand, but in very low amounts.
Which statement about PCBs is MOST useful for evaluating the laboratory analysis?
a)
PCBs persist in the environment through biomagnification.
b)
Current laws ban the manufacture and use of PCBs.
c)
Scientists have no evidence of PCBs harming populations of earthworms, insects, or other small animals.
d)
Scientists have developed new, safer chemicals that can replace PCBs in many industrial processes.
21.
The builders of a new shopping mall have the option of installing solar panels on the roof of the mall. The solar panels would provide much but not all of the electricity for the mall’s tenants. Although the solar panels have a high purchase and installation cost, they could provide an economic benefit over many years of use.
Would choosing the solar panels improve the sustainability of the mall?
a)
Yes, because the solar panels have an economic benefit and they tap a renewable energy resource.
b)
Yes, because using solar panels always improves sustainability, regardless of the expense or efficiency.
c)
No, because the solar panels would meet only part of the electricity needs of the mall.
d)
No, because the solar panels could provide only a long-term economic benefit, not a short-term benefit
22.
What is the projected temperature difference between the highest growth of carbon dioxide emissions and our current rate of emissions?
a)
Less than 1 degree.
b)
Between 1-2 degrees.
c)
Between 3-4 degrees.
d)
More than 4 degrees.
23.
Which of the following is NOT a way that humans can reduce carbon dioxide emissions?
a)
Reduce the burning of fossil fuels.
b)
Raising livestock sustainable.
c)
Increasing CFC emissions.
d)
Capture gases released from landfills.
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