WorksheetsLifeSmarts Quest: Environment
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 50mins
A community of interrelated plants and animals in an environment is called an: _________.
Ecosystem
Habitat
Population
Biosphere
A permanent waste disposal site used for solid and nonhazardous waste is a: _________
Landfill
Reservoir
Incinerator
Recycling center
A single solid element or compound occurring naturally in the earth’s crust is known as a: _________.
Mineral
Alloy
Solution
Mixture
Does more than half the world’s population live in urban areas or rural areas?
Urban
Rural
Suburban
Remote
Which U.S. president created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970?
President Nixon
President Carter
President Johnson
President Ford
The study of the atmosphere and weather is called what?
Meteorology
Geology
Biology
Astronomy
What does the acronym EER stand for?
Energy Efficiency Ratio; Energy Efficiency Rating
Electrical Energy Reserve
Environmental Emission Rate
Enhanced Engine Response
What does the acronym HHW stand for?
Household Hazardous Waste
Heavy Highway Work
Home Health Worker
High Heat Warning
When cleaning up a moldy basement, it is a good idea to wear protective gear. Name two of the three items the EPA recommends you wear:
Gloves; goggles; a mask
Sandals; sunglasses; a scarf
Shorts; flip-flops; a hat
T-shirt; headphones; a watch
Name two of the top 10 countries when it comes to pollution from carbon dioxide:
China and United States
Sweden and Norway
New Zealand and Portugal
Finland and Denmark
Describe recycling:
Turning a used item into a new product
Throwing waste into the ocean
Burning trash to get rid of it
Burying garbage underground
Leaving items on the street
If a company greenwashes its product, what is it doing?
Making unsubstantiated environmental claims
Improving product quality
Lowering production costs
Expanding into new markets
Launching a new advertising campaign
The process of extracting minerals from the earth is called:
Mining
Farming
Fishing
Weaving
What is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions?
Burning fossil fuels
Deforestation
Agricultural activities
Waste disposal
Geysers are an example of what type of energy?
Geothermal
Solar
Wind
Hydroelectric
Is your car’s fuel economy worse when your car’s engine is cold or warmed up?
Cold
Warmed up
When idling
When parked
Designing products to reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances—is this green chemistry or biotechnology?
Green chemistry
Biotechnology
Genetic engineering
Nanotechnology
What is ethanol usually made from?
Corn
Plastic
Sand
Iron
What does the acronym LED stand for?
Light-Emitting Diode
Low Energy Device
Long Endurance Display
Laser Emission Detector
What does the acronym CAFE stand for?
Corporate Average Fuel Economy
Central Automotive Fuel Efficiency
Certified Auto Fleet Engineering
Consumer Automotive Finance Enterprise
Select two of the top four states in domestic oil production:
Texas and North Dakota
California and Florida
Alaska and New York
Oklahoma and Illinois
Two of the top three categories of waste that end up in landfills are:
Food waste and paper products
Plastic and glass
Electronics and textiles
Metal and hazardous waste
Source reduction is the first step to effective waste management, ahead of recycling and composting. Why?
It prevents the generation of trash in the first place
It makes recycling more expensive
It increases landfill space
It delays waste collection
What happens to UV intensity at higher altitudes?
Increases; increases significantly
Decreases; decreases significantly
Remains the same
Fluctuates randomly
Name the type of forest that is rich in biodiversity and often found in tropical areas that get a lot of rainfall:
Rainforest
Desert
Taiga
Tundra
The practice of wisely using, preserving, reusing, and renewing natural resources for future generations is called:
Conservation; stewardship
Deforestation
Pollution
Overconsumption
As a grocery shopper, you can do your part to reduce pesticide use by buying this type of produce:
Organic
Canned
Frozen
Genetically Modified
What do you call any activity that people do for rest, relaxation, and enjoyment?
Recreation
Competition
Obligation
Chore
What type of building material features an R-value?
Insulation
Concrete
Glass
Steel
Large fish and shellfish may have high levels of this substance that can act as a toxin when consumed in large doses. Identify this element that has the chemical symbol Hg:
Mercury
Lead
Arsenic
Cadmium
3 Rs
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Read, Write, Repeat
Remove, Replace, Restore
Run, Rest, Relax
Reach, React, Respond
AQI
Air Quality Index
Annual Quality Indicator
Atmospheric Quantity Index
Air Quota Indicator
E-waste is a growing problem. Give two examples of e-waste:
CRT TVs; plasma TVs; LCD monitors; tablets; laptops; OLED monitors; computers; monitors; printers; phones; radios; VCRs; DVDs
Bananas; apples; oranges; grapes; mangoes; pineapples; strawberries; pears; peaches; plums; cherries; kiwis; lemons
Wooden chairs; plastic tables; metal shelves; glass windows; ceramic tiles; stone benches; bamboo mats; rattan baskets; wool carpets; cotton curtains; linen sheets; silk cushions
Books; notebooks; pens; pencils; erasers; rulers; sharpeners; markers; highlighters; staplers; paper clips; binders; folders
The Department of Energy lists seven alternative fuels currently used in vehicles. Name two:
Natural gas; propane; electricity; ethanol; hydrogen; renewable diesel; biodiesel
Gasoline; diesel
Kerosene; coal
Jet fuel; leaded gasoline
How is buying a product with a longer warranty an example of the recycling principle of 'reusing'?
The product should last longer, so you'll buy fewer of them over your lifetime
It encourages you to recycle the product after use
It means the product is made from recycled materials
It reduces the need for packaging
How does high humidity impact the body's ability to cool down by sweating?
Warm moisture stays on our skin longer, making us feel hotter; sweat evaporates more slowly, so we sweat more.
Sweat evaporates more quickly, cooling us down faster.
High humidity causes the body to stop sweating completely.
Humidity has no effect on the body's cooling process.
Which federal agency regulates pesticides?
EPA; Environmental Protection Agency
FDA; Food and Drug Administration
USDA; United States Department of Agriculture
CDC; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
If a gas dryer is not properly installed, it could release this harmful substance into the home:
Carbon monoxide; CO
Ozone; O3
Nitrogen; N2
Helium; He
Describe an environmental dead zone:
An area of water with so little oxygen that most aquatic life cannot survive
A region where aquatic plants grow rapidly due to excess nutrients
A place where only saltwater fish can survive
An area of water with unusually high temperatures that support coral reefs
This device controls the temperature within your home:
Thermostat
Refrigerator
Microwave
Television
To save energy, it is generally recommended to lower the thermostat on your hot-water heater to what temperature?
120 degrees F
100 degrees F
140 degrees F
160 degrees F
Compressed natural gas has proven to be an affordable, cleaner alternative fuel for buses and some trucks to replace what type of fuel?
Diesel
Gasoline
Kerosene
Propane
What does the acronym PAYT stand for?
Pay As You Throw
Pay All Your Taxes
Pay At Your Time
Pay After You Trade
What does the acronym WWT stand for?
Wastewater Treatment
World Wildlife Trust
Wireless Web Technology
World Wide Transport
Name two types of wetlands found in the U.S.
Mangroves and marshes
Deserts and tundras
Mountains and valleys
Grasslands and savannas
Name two layers found in the atmosphere:
Troposphere and Stratosphere
Crust and Mantle
Hydrosphere and Lithosphere
Core and Mantle
Compared to physical books, how do e-books help the environment?
Save trees; save printing; require no shipping; reduce publishing's carbon footprint; reduce carbon emissions; generate less pollution
Increase paper usage and deforestation; require more shipping; increase pollution
Require more ink and printing; increase publishing's carbon footprint; generate more waste
Increase the need for physical storage; require more transportation; increase carbon emissions
Compare a habitat and an ecosystem:
Habitat = where an organism lives (part of an ecosystem); ecosystem = interactions between organisms and their environment
Habitat = all living and nonliving things; ecosystem = only where an organism lives
Habitat = interactions between organisms and their environment; ecosystem = only plants and animals
Habitat = a group of similar organisms; ecosystem = a single organism's home
Finite resources that cannot be replenished in the foreseeable future are called:
Nonrenewable resources; limited resources
Renewable resources
Sustainable resources
Infinite resources
Ninety-seven percent of the water in the world is this type:
Salt water; undrinkable; non-potable
Fresh water; drinkable; potable
Distilled water; purified; potable
Mineral water; bottled; potable
When thinking about the wise use of natural resources, defrosting frozen food in the refrigerator instead of running water over it is an example of:
Water conservation
Air pollution
Soil erosion
Energy waste
What is the most common way to reduce radon levels in a home?
Vent it outside; use a vent pipe and fan system
Seal all windows and doors permanently
Paint the walls with lead-based paint
Use air fresheners to mask the smell
What does the term “aquaculture” mean?
The farming of aquatic organisms, like fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, in controlled water environments
The study of water cycles and rainfall patterns
The process of desalinating seawater for drinking purposes
The conservation of wetlands and marshes
When a species is at risk of becoming endangered, it is described as:
Threatened
Extinct
Invasive
Domesticated
What does the acronym WTO stand for?
World Trade Organization
World Tourism Organization
World Technology Office
World Transport Organization
What does the acronym GRAS stand for?
Generally Recognized As Safe
Greatly Reduced Additive Substances
Genetically Regulated Agricultural Standards
Global Resource Allocation System
Name two ways fishing can cause environmental damage:
Water pollution; habitat degradation; declining fish population; overfishing; bycatch
Increased rainfall; soil erosion; plant growth; animal migration
Urbanization; air pollution; deforestation; fossil fuel use
Solar energy production; wind turbine installation; electric car usage
In addition to food scraps, name two other common household items that are easily composted:
Grass clippings; flowers; cardboard; newspaper; dryer lint; paper; leaves
Plastic bottles; aluminum cans; glass jars; batteries
Styrofoam cups; rubber bands; metal utensils; light bulbs
Ceramic plates; electronics; synthetic fabrics; paint cans
Deforestation is usually cited as a major cause of the greenhouse effect for two reasons. Name one:
Trees that are burned release carbon dioxide; trees that are cut no longer remove carbon dioxide from the air
Deforestation increases rainfall in the area
Deforestation causes the soil to become more fertile
Deforestation leads to a decrease in sunlight reaching the ground
There are several reasons the amount of e-waste is growing. Name one reason:
People using more electronics; the short life cycle of technology; few repair options; people wanting the latest technology
E-waste is decreasing due to better recycling methods
People are using fewer electronics each year
Technology is lasting much longer than before
This unique type of forest is important because it is unusually rich in biological diversity accounting for 50% to 80% of the world’s plant and animal species: ________
Tropical; tropical rainforest
Boreal forest
Temperate deciduous forest
Mangrove forest
Spread across two continents, what is the world’s largest country by land mass?
Russia
Canada
China
United States
This mineral fiber, recently banned, will be phased out of construction materials where it was used for insulation and as a fire retardant. When disturbed, it can cause lung cancer. What is it?
Asbestos
Fiberglass
Cellulose
Vermiculite
When analyzing the carbon emissions for most consumer goods, which part of an item’s life cycle tends to create the bulk of its carbon footprint?
Manufacturing
Packaging
Retailing
Disposal
Plastics less than 5 millimeters in length are referred to as: ________
Microplastics
Macroplastics
Nanoplastics
Mesoplastics
Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to this: ________
Ultraviolet light; UV rays
Visible light
Infrared radiation
X-rays
N2O stands for: ________
Nitrous Oxide
Nitric Oxide
Nitrogen Dioxide
Nitrosyl Oxide
SDWA stands for: ________
Safe Drinking Water Act
State Department of Water Administration
Sanitation and Drinking Water Association
Society for Drinking Water Awareness
Name two things you can do to get better gas mileage with your vehicle: ________
Avoid rapid acceleration; do not speed; maintain your vehicle; use cruise control; avoid idling; combine errands; remove excess weight
Drive with windows down at high speeds; use low tire pressure; accelerate quickly; keep heavy items in your car
Use premium fuel only; wash your car frequently; drive in low gear; keep the engine running while parked
Only drive short distances; avoid using cruise control; ignore maintenance; speed up and slow down frequently
Name two steps in the food supply chain between the farmer and the consumer: ________
Manufacturing; processing; transportation; distribution; retail (market); supplying; regulating
Planting; harvesting; watering; fertilizing; weeding; plowing
Cooking; eating; cleaning; serving; washing dishes
Advertising; consuming; packaging; eating; discarding
Why is mineral ore described as a nonrenewable resource?
Once mined and used completely, it is gone forever for all practical purposes, because it will take millions of years to regenerate
Because it can be easily replaced by planting more trees
Because it is produced every year by natural processes
Because it is made from renewable materials
Why are people living in urban areas more susceptible to risks caused by a prolonged heat wave than people living in rural areas?
Stagnant atmospheric conditions; poor air quality; asphalt and concrete storing heat; urban heat island effect; fewer trees
Higher elevation; more rainfall; cooler temperatures; abundant vegetation
Frequent snowstorms; lower humidity; less sunlight; more open spaces
Proximity to large bodies of water; constant breezes; lower population density; more shade
Something that causes disease is better known as:
Pathogen
Antibody
Vaccine
Enzyme
The measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it is measured by this:
R-value
BTU rating
Wattage
Thermal mass
The Heating Degree Day index is designed to measure what?
Demand for energy needed to heat a building
Average outdoor humidity levels
Solar radiation intensity
Wind chill factor
Which alternative fuel is produced through a wet-milling process?
Ethanol
Biodiesel
Hydrogen
Compressed Natural Gas
How many times is it possible to recycle an aluminum can?
Forever; no limit
Only once
Up to 10 times
Up to 100 times
Up to 50 times
Converting the energy from flowing water into electricity defines what type of energy?
Hydropower
Solar power
Geothermal energy
Wind energy
MPH
Miles Per Hour
Meters Per Hour
Minutes Per Hour
Millimeters Per Hour
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning
High Voltage Alternating Current
Heat Value and Control
Hydraulic Valve and Actuator
Energy-efficient appliances can help save two things. Name them:
Energy and money
Water and air
Time and space
Food and fuel
Name the two minerals that make water “hard”:
Magnesium and calcium
Sodium and potassium
Iron and zinc
Copper and lead
Bald eagles are no longer endangered, but name one factor that caused bald eagles to be listed as endangered in 1967:
Habitat loss; illegal hunting; contamination (DDT); lead (from bullets used to hunt)
Increase in food supply; improved nesting sites; population boom
Introduction of new eagle species; climate cooling; increased rainfall
Government protection from the start; no predators; abundant resources
Compare a high-efficiency (HE) washing machine to a conventional top-loading machine:
HE washing machines use less water; HE machines use less energy
HE washing machines use more water; HE machines use more energy
HE washing machines use less water; HE machines use more energy
HE washing machines use more water; HE machines use less energy
In what year was the first Earth Day celebrated?
1970
1965
1980
1990
This is the easiest plastic to recycle, is often used for water and soda bottles, and is recycled into bottles and polyester fibers:
Polyethylene Terephthalate; PET
Polyvinyl Chloride; PVC
Polystyrene; PS
Low-Density Polyethylene; LDPE
A product that is designed to be thrown away after one use or after being used for a limited amount of time is considered:
Disposable
Durable
Reusable
Recyclable
Most people in the U.S. are exposed to mercury when they eat this food, which is contaminated with it:
Seafood (shark; swordfish; king mackerel; marlin; orange roughy)
Poultry (chicken; turkey)
Leafy vegetables (spinach; kale)
Dairy products (milk; cheese)
What percentage of the food produced in the U.S. is never eaten?
40%
10%
25%
55%
When you recycle materials into a lesser product that is cheaper or weaker than the original, this is considered:
Down-cycling
Upcycling
Re-manufacturing
Composting
BTU stands for:
British Thermal Unit
Basic Thermal Unit
British Temperature Unit
Balanced Thermal Usage
CO stands for:
Carbon Monoxide
Copper Oxide
Cobalt Oxide
Carbonate Oxygen
Name two of the three most common greenhouse gases:
Carbon dioxide; methane; water vapor
Oxygen; nitrogen; argon
Helium; neon; krypton
Sulfur dioxide; ozone; ammonia
Name two ways you can reduce the amount of food that is wasted at home:
Use what you have; plan meals; buy only what you need; store food properly; understand expiration dates; eat leftovers; freeze food
Buy more food than needed; ignore expiration dates
Throw away leftovers immediately; never freeze food
Leave food uncovered; store food in warm places
You pay your bills online, rather than sending them through the mail. How does this help the environment?
Uses less paper; uses less energy; requires no transportation costs; reduces waste
Increases paper usage; increases energy consumption; increases transportation costs; increases waste
Has no impact on the environment at all
Requires more resources and creates more pollution
Water has the highest surface tension among common liquids. How does this help plants?
Helps them draw water from the ground through their roots and stems
Prevents leaves from losing water through evaporation
Allows plants to absorb more sunlight
Enables plants to produce more oxygen
Injecting pressurized liquid into subterranean rocks to extract oil or gas is called: _________.
Hydraulic fracturing; fracking
Distillation
Electrolysis
Sublimation
The battery in what type of vehicle is charged by regenerative braking?
Hybrid
Diesel
Gasoline
Steam
Hydropower, wind energy, and biomass all represent what type of energy?
Renewable energy; clean energy
Fossil fuel energy
Nuclear energy
Non-renewable energy
Where do laundry detergent and baking soda fall on the pH scale?
Basic; they are bases; their pH is greater than 7
Acidic; they are acids; their pH is less than 7
Neutral; their pH is exactly 7
Amphoteric; they can act as both acids and bases
