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Exploring the Carbon Cycle

Total questions: 13

Worksheet time: 7mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following is considered a major carbon reservoir on Earth?

a)

The Moon

b)

The atmosphere

c)

The Sun

d)

The ozone layer

2.

What is the process by which plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

a)

Respiration

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

Combustion

d)

Decomposition

3.

Which human activity is a major contributor to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

a)

Planting trees

b)

Burning fossil fuels

c)

Drinking water

d)

Photosynthesis

4.

What is the main form of carbon found in the atmosphere?

a)

Carbon monoxide

b)

Carbon dioxide

c)

Methane

d)

Glucose

5.

Which process moves carbon from the biosphere to the atmosphere?

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Respiration

c)

Weathering

d)

Sedimentation

6.

How does carbon enter the hydrosphere from the atmosphere?

a)

Through volcanic eruptions

b)

By dissolving in ocean water

c)

Through plant roots

d)

By animal respiration

7.

Which of the following best describes the role of plants in the carbon cycle?

a)

They release carbon dioxide during photosynthesis

b)

They absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into organic matter

c)

They store carbon in the geosphere

d)

They increase atmospheric carbon by burning

8.

What happens to carbon when animals die and decompose?

a)

It is destroyed

b)

It is released back into the atmosphere or soil

c)

It turns into water

d)

It becomes oxygen

9.

Which pathway describes the movement of carbon from the geosphere to the atmosphere?

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Combustion of fossil fuels

c)

Dissolving in water

d)

Respiration

10.

A factory releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Predict one possible effect this could have on the carbon cycle.

a)

Decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide

b)

Increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide

c)

No change in carbon reservoirs

d)

Decrease in geosphere carbon

11.

Explain how deforestation can disrupt the carbon cycle.

a)

It increases the number of plants absorbing carbon dioxide

b)

It reduces the number of plants that absorb carbon dioxide, increasing atmospheric carbon

c)

It has no effect on the carbon cycle

d)

It increases carbon storage in the biosphere

12.

A scientist measures the amount of carbon in the hydrosphere and finds it has increased over the past decade. What could be a possible explanation for this observation?

a)

Decreased atmospheric carbon dioxide

b)

Increased absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide by oceans

c)

Increased photosynthesis by plants

d)

Decreased fossil fuel use

13.

What element is being cycled here

a)

Nitrogen

b)

Water

c)

Carbon

d)

Calcium