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Social Science Scrimmage Test 2024-2025

Total questions: 50

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The Holocene thermal maximum occurred during which time period?

a)

8,500 to 6,000 years ago

b)

10,000 to 5,000 years ago

c)

11,000 to 7,000 years ago

d)

12,000 to 9,000 years ago

e)

9,000 to 6,500 years ago

2.

Which of the following BEST describes the geosphere?

a)

It consists solely of Earth’s crust.

b)

It includes all living organisms.

c)

It is primarily made of water bodies.

d)

It refers to the Earth’s molten core.

e)

It encompasses all land, earth, and rock on the planet.

3.

All of the following countries accounted for 5% or more of the world’s total oil production in 2022 EXCEPT

a)

China

b)

the United Arab Emirates

c)

Russia

d)

Saudi Arabia

e)

Canada

4.

The term "Northgrippian" refers to an ice core from which of the following locations?

a)

Greenland

b)

Siberia

c)

Antarctica

d)

Canada

e)

The Alps

5.

Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are primarily derived from

a)

volcanic rock formations

b)

remains of prehistoric plants and animals

c)

underground water reserves

d)

ancient glaciers and ice cores

e)

mineral deposits found near fault lines

6.

Who discovered the warming effects of carbon dioxide in the 19th century?

a)

Alfred Russel Wallace

b)

John Dalton

c)

Eunice Newton Foote

d)

James Clerk Maxwell

e)

Marie Curie

7.

Dendrochronology is the study of

a)

soil layers

b)

tree rings

c)

fossilized plants

d)

glacial cores

e)

atmospheric gases

8.

What distinguished Al Gore’s environmental policy during the 2000 U.S. presidential election?

a)

opposition to the Kyoto Protocol

b)

support for the Kyoto Protocol

c)

advocacy for increased coal production

d)

promotion of offshore drilling

e)

rejection of renewable energy programs

9.

The Indus Valley is primarily located in the present-day country of

a)

India

b)

Bangladesh

c)

Nepal

d)

Pakistan

e)

Sri Lanka

10.

Which of the following BEST describes Dipesh Chakrabarty’s argument about modern human impact on climate systems?

a)

It mirrors natural processes in its overall effects.

b)

It occurs at a slower pace than natural climate changes.

c)

It has only a small influence on the Earth’s climate systems.

d)

It aligns closely with historical trends in climate patterns.

e)

It accelerates changes in the climate at a much faster rate.

11.

In the 1970s and 1980s, ExxonMobil funded organizations that

a)

supported government regulations on fossil fuels

b)

promoted skepticism of climate science

c)

encouraged renewable energy research

d)

advocated for environmental conservation

e)

studied the economic impacts of climate change

12.

What term is often used to refer to oil due to its high value and economic importance?

a)

black treasure

b)

liquid coal

c)

fossil gold

d)

black gold

e)

liquid energy

13.

Which BEST describes the Earth’s climate system?

a)

an isolated system dependent solely on internal factors

b)

a closed system with no interaction with the environment

c)

an open system influenced by external energy sources

d)

a static system unaffected by external forces over time

e)

a uniform system driven by greenhouse gas concentrations

14.

Which BEST describes the relationship between the IGBP and the WCRP?

a)

The IGBP absorbed the functions of the WCRP.

b)

The WCRP replaced the IGBP in climate research.

c)

The two programs operated independently with no overlap.

d)

The IGBP and WCRP worked as a team.

e)

The WCRP focused solely on policy, while the IGBP handled research.

15.

The “Great Acceleration” primarily began during which decade?

a)

1920s

b)

1950s

c)

1970s

d)

1980s

e)

2000s

16.

What BEST describes the climate in the Mediterranean region during the Greek city-states’ rise to power?

a)

cool and wet

b)

stable and warm

c)

hot and dry

d)

mild and arid

e)

unstable with frequent droughts

17.

What was President Donald Trump’s justification for withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement in 2017?

a)

It lacked clear scientific evidence.

b)

It put the U.S. at a significant economic disadvantage.

c)

It unfairly targeted U.S. industries.

d)

It favored developing nations over industrialized countries.

e)

It violated U.S. constitutional principles.

18.

Studies show that climate change makes droughts in the Horn of Africa how many times more likely?

a)

10 times

b)

20 times

c)

50 times

d)

100 times

e)

200 times

19.

Which technological innovation marks the beginning of the oldest instrumental climate records?

a)

barometer

b)

anemometer

c)

hygrometer

d)

thermometer

e)

rain gauge

20.

The “year without a summer” in 536 CE was primarily caused by

a)

solar flares

b)

prolonged droughts

c)

a meteor impact

d)

widespread deforestation

e)

volcanic eruptions

21.

A United States government report estimates that how many people move annually due to extreme weather events?

a)

10 million

b)

20 million

c)

30 million

d)

40 million

e)

50 million

22.

Which of the following statements about the Kyoto Protocol is NOT true?

a)

The Kyoto Protocol was drafted by thirty-seven nations in 1997 and came into effect starting in 2005.

b)

The primary goal of the Kyoto Protocol was for participating countries to achieve a collective 5 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2008 to 2012, using 1990 levels as the baseline.

c)

The Kyoto Protocol required all participating nations to immediately halt greenhouse gas emissions upon its adoption in 1997.

d)

The agreement allowed countries to work together on emission reduction strategies and established systems for monitoring and documenting greenhouse gas emissions.

e)

The Kyoto Protocol introduced specific procedures for tracking emissions, including registry systems, annual emission inventories, and a compliance system to support countries in meeting their targets.

23.

The Little Ice Age (LIA) had its coldest period during which years?

a)

1800–1860

b)

1680–1750

c)

1450–1510

d)

1300–1360

e)

1560–1630

24.

What significant barrier did the Green New Deal face in becoming law?

a)

opposition from the president at the time

b)

insufficient scientific evidence supporting climate change

c)

lack of support from environmental organizations

d)

failure to garner public interest

e)

high costs of implementation

25.

Which of the following is NOT an important insight related to health risks associated with climate change, as identified in a 2017 United Nations report?

a)

Certain groups are more vulnerable to climate-sensitive health impacts.

b)

Climate change will extend the transmission season and geographical range of many diseases.

c)

Malnutrition and undernutrition are exacerbated by climate events such as floods and droughts.

d)

Climate change is expected to bring new health issues, including extreme weather events.

e)

Many infectious diseases will become less severe and easier to control due to climate conditions.

26.

The cryosphere is considered a part of the hydrosphere because it includes

a)

subsurface aquifers containing large reserves of groundwater

b)

frozen water, such as ice sheets and sea ice

c)

water vapor contributing to cloud formation in the troposphere

d)

deep ocean currents that regulate global heat distribution

e)

the processes of precipitation and evaporation within the hydrological cycle

27.

In 2022, a study of news broadcasts in the United Kingdom found that nearly a third of British broadcasters

a)

cast doubt on climate science

b)

fully endorsed climate action initiatives

c)

avoided covering climate-related stories

d)

provided balanced coverage of climate debates

e)

supported renewable energy policies

28.

In just the past few years, what abnormally severe weather condition has ravaged Greece, Australia, California, Canada, and Hawaii?

a)

fires

b)

droughts

c)

earthquakes

d)

floods

e)

tornadoes

29.

What is the current geological epoch?

a)

Pleistocene

b)

Holocene

c)

Anthropocene

d)

Calabrian

e)

Gelasian

30.

What is the primary purpose of the book Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway?

a)

to propose solutions for mitigating climate change

b)

to highlight the economic impacts of climate policies

c)

to explain why so many Americans do not believe in climate change

d)

to document the history of environmental activism in the United States

e)

to explore the development of renewable energy technologies

31.

The history of oil extraction in Iraq is MOST closely associated with which global event?

a)

World War II

b)

The Cold War

c)

World War I

d)

The Gulf War

e)

The Iran-Iraq War

32.

Which ocean became a heavily traveled route during the LIA as European contact with the Americas increased?

a)

Indian Ocean

b)

Southern Ocean

c)

Pacific Ocean

d)

Arctic Ocean

e)

Atlantic Ocean

33.

The exosphere primarily contains which of the following objects?

a)

passenger planes

b)

hot air balloons

c)

aurora

d)

meteorological rockets

e)

satellites

34.

The victory led by Alessandra Korap Munduruku protected approximately how many acres of rainforest?

a)

100,000 acres

b)

200,000 acres

c)

300,000 acres

d)

400,000 acres

e)

500,000 acres

35.

What does IPCC stand for?

a)

International Panel on Climate Conservation

b)

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

c)

Independent Panel on Climate Control

d)

International Partnership for Climate Coordination

e)

Intergovernmental Partnership on Climate Crisis

36.

During which dynasty did the concept of the mandate of heaven become established?

a)

Zhou Dynasty

b)

Han Dynasty

c)

Qin Dynasty

d)

Tang Dynasty

e)

Ming Dynasty

37.

Which statement is NOT true about the Industrial Revolution?

a)

The Industrial Revolution began in the late 1700s and gained momentum in the 1800s.

b)

Charles Dickens’ works, such as Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol, reflect themes of the Industrial Revolution.

c)

The term “Industrial Revolution” was recognized and used during the 1800s to describe societal changes.

d)

The bulk of greenhouse gas emissions from the Industrial Revolution occurred in the late 1700s.

e)

Some scholars argue that the Anthropocene could be linked to the introduction of coal-powered steam engines.

38.

Which of the following BEST explains the Republican stance on climate action?

a)

It uniformly rejects all climate science findings.

b)

It supports climate action to the same degree as Democrats.

c)

It generally views climate action as a threat to economic growth.

d)

It prioritizes renewable energy over traditional fossil fuels.

e)

It advocates for immediate legislative measures to reduce emissions.

39.

What does the year 2250 BCE mark in the context of Mesopotamian climate history?

a)

the peak of the Akkadian Empire

b)

the establishment of the Sumerian city-states

c)

the construction of the Ziggurat of Ur

d)

the collapse of the Egyptian Old Kingdom

e)

the boundary between the Middle and Late Holocene

40.

The “Keeling Curve” is often considered an iconic image because it

a)

shows a direct correlation between rising CO₂ levels and climate change

b)

tracks annual fluctuations in atmospheric oxygen

c)

demonstrates the increase in oceanic CO₂ absorption

d)

highlights the impact of industrial emissions on methane levels

e)

indicates that CO₂ levels peaked in the mid-20th century

41.

Which artificial element is found in sediment core samples as a result of nuclear weapon testing?

a)

Carbon-14

b)

Uranium-235

c)

Tritium-17

d)

Plutonium-239

e)

Thorium-232

42.

Which gas produces a greenhouse effect around the surface of the Earth?

a)

water vapor

b)

carbon dioxide

c)

methane

d)

a and b only

e)

a, b, and c

43.

Which of the following events occurred FIRST?

a)

the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is established

b)

the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) is founded

c)

Greta Thunberg begins school strikes for climate

d)

the Paris Agreement is adopted

e)

the fall of the Berlin Wall

44.

Which of the following statements about Alexander the Great is FALSE?

a)

He was a king from Greece.

b)

He conquered Egypt and Persia.

c)

His army reached as far as India.

d)

He ruled the Roman Empire after unifying his conquests.

e)

Greek culture spread widely as a result of his conquests.

45.

What does SCOPE stand for?

a)

Scientific Committee on Problems of Ecology

b)

Scientific Conference on Policy and Environment

c)

Scientific Council on Pollution and Emissions

d)

Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment

e)

Society for Climate and Oceanic Policy Evaluation

46.

Which scholar is credited with leading the formation of the History of Climate and Society (HCS) field?

a)

Bert Bolin

b)

William Nierenberg

c)

Dagomar Degroot

d)

Rachel Carson

e)

Christian Pfister

47.

Which organization took the lead in studying meteorology and climate change in the 1980s?

a)

IPCC

b)

IGBP

c)

UNEP

d)

WMO

e)

WCRP

48.

Which period is known as the Early Holocene Subseries/Subepoch?

a)

Northgrippian Stage/Age

b)

Greenlandian Stage/Age

c)

Meghalayan Stage/Age

d)

Paleolithic Age

e)

Neolithic Age

49.

Paul J. Crutzen and Eugene F. Stoermer were the first to use the term “Anthropocene” in which year?

a)

1970

b)

1980

c)

1990

d)

2000

e)

2010

50.

Which subsystem primarily involves living organisms?

a)

geosphere

b)

hydrosphere

c)

atmosphere

d)

biosphere

e)

lithosphere