Sample/practice exam 2016, questions PDF

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ENVS 1000 – ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MIDTERM TEST QUESTION BOOKLET Instructor: Mary Olaveson

VERSION

Complete the following information: Name:

INDICATE VERSION ON YOUR SCANTRON

PRACTICE MIDTERM TEST

Student #:

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Important Information –

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Please Read Before You Begin Your Test

 DO NOT REMOVE STAPLES FROM TEST QUESTION BOOKLET  RETURN TEST QUESTION BOOKLET with SCANTRON at end of TEST

Before you begin the Test: 1. Record your NAME and STUDENT # on the Scantron Sheet. 2. Indicate the VERSION of your Test on the top of the Scantron Sheet. 3. Make sure you have your UOIT Student Card available. 4. Complete and sign the Seat Assignment Form given to you at the door. 5. Print your Name and Student # in the space provided on the Front Page of this Test Question Booklet. 6. Check that you have 11 pages of multiple choice questions

(50 questions)

You will have 60 minutes to write this Test (worth 50 marks). All questions MUST BE ANSWERED on the Scantron provided by blocking out your chosen answers using a PENCIL within time available.

Calculators or Other Aids are not permitted for this Test. NO content questions will be answered during this Test by the Instructor or Invigilators!

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ENVS 1000 – Practice Midterm Test Multiple Choice Questions (50 questions – 1 mark each)     

Read all questions carefully. Answer all 50 questions. Choose the one best answer for each of the questions. Indicate answer clearly in your Test Booklet (as insurance against Scantron damage ONLY) Transfer your answer to your Scantron by clearly blocking the appropriate letter on your Scantron Sheet USING PENCIL. Do not make any markings in the ‘bar code’ regions of the Scantron – this interferes with the marking process and affect your mark on this Test.



All questions must be answered and all answers must be transferred to the Scantron within the designated time allotted for this Test (60 minutes); no extra time will be given to transfer your answers to the Scantron. MANAGE YOUR TIME EFFECTIVELY!

Only answers clearly indicated on the Scantron (in pencil) WILL BE MARKED!

1. What is ecology? A. B. C. D. E.

It is concerned only with solving environmental problems. It is the study of organisms and their interactions with each other and with the ir environment. It is a subfield of environmentalism. It is not a crucial discipline to environmental science. It is the study of animal behavior.

2. According to the IPAT model, what results from technology that enhances our acquisition of minerals, fossil fuels, timber, and ocean fish? A. B. C. D. E.

a decrease in human environmental impact an increase in human environmental impact an increase in environmental sensitivity an increase in human population a decrease in human affluence

-2– 3. What is extinction? A. B. C. D. E.

It is a natural process. It is not caused by human disturbance. It is proceeding more slowly now than at any other time. It is the loss of communities from the planet. It is something that occurs only rarely.

4. Why might global climate change produce major shifts in biomes for any given location? A. B. C. D. E.

food web dynamics will change many species may become extinct biodiversity and day-length will change average temperature, and average temperature will change soil chemistry, pH of precipitation and the frequency of invasive species will change

5. What is true of age pyramids that show the age structure of a population? A. B. C. D. E.

They have no inherent value for predicting growth. They cannot predict possible species declines in numbers. They have bars that represent sizes of individual organisms. They indicate the total numbers of individuals in each age class. They indicate the relative numbers of individuals in each age class.

6. Which is an example of a density-dependent factor? A. B. C. D. E.

the effects of a hard freeze on an entire community the effects of a hard freeze on a single species within a community the effects of rainfall on an entire community the increase in the number of species in an ecosystem the effects of disease and predators on a single species within a community

7. To feed its young, an owl captures mice that eat grains and grasses. The owl also eats small snakes that feed on these mice. What roles in a food web does the diet of owls represent? A. B. C. D. E.

a primary and secondary consumer. a secondary and tertiary consumer. a herbivore and a carnivore. a producer and a consumer. a consumer and a decomposer.

-3– 8. Which terrestrial biome has the most biodiversity? A. B. C. D. E.

temperate deciduous forests temperate rainforests tropical rainforests prairie grasslands boreal forests

9. What is true of secondary succession? A. B. C. D. E.

It requires primary succession to precede it. It is observed after a volcano spreads lava across a landscape. It occurs after a fire or flood. It is very predictable because it always ends in the formation of a climax community. It typically begins with lichen colonizing rock.

10. What is an example of artificial selection? A. B. C. D. E.

crossing a lion and a tiger to get a sterile animal called a liger gypsy moths as an invasive species pet dogs that have gone wild, are mating with coyotes, and live in packs humans placing a gene for human insulin into a flower broccoli and brussels sprouts developed from wild mustard plants

11. What is the relationship between flowering plants and bees? A. B. C. D. E.

predation parasitism herbivory mutualism competition

12. To promote crop growth, a farmer is most likely to apply chemical solutions to the soil. What chemical(s) are most likely involved? A. B. C. D. E.

carbon nitrogen carbon or phosphorus nitrogen or phosphorus carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus

-4– 13. One of the limitations of mainstream economics is that it does not take into account ___________ costs when a price is assigned to a product or service. A. B. C. D. E.

safety internal external marginal fringe

14. Which of the following is not a renewable resource? A. B. C. D. E.

the sun beating down on a rain forest plants, such as bamboo and rice, growing in moist environments oil reserves, buried deep below the surface of the ground supply of reduced metal sulfides in hydrothermal vents the water flowing down river and through a dam

15. What statement explains what consumer organisms use when they eat plants? A. B. C. D. E.

Chemical energy stored in organic molecules produced by photosynthesis. Kinetic energy stored in organic molecules produced by photosynthesis. Photosynthesis to convert potential energy to kinetic energy. Entropy to generate heat to drive kinetic processes in their bodies. Chemosynthesis to supply kinetic energy in the form of chemical bonds.

16. What does population distribution describe? A. B. C. D. E.

placement of a species around the globe placement of a species within a country's boundaries spatial arrangement of multiple species within a particular area spatial arrangement of individuals of a single species within a particular area how near or far away individuals in a population are from a resource, such as water

17. Which one of the following statements about the carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen cycles is true? A. B. C. D. E.

The major source of carbon used by plants is the soil. The major source of nitrogen used by plants is the air. Phosphorus has no atmospheric component. Bacteria drive the phosphorus cycle. The nitrogen cycle is largely unaffected by synthetic fertilizer use.

-5– 18. Cattle have bacteria living in their digestive tracts that allow them to digest the cellulose that they consume from eating grass. What type of interaction is involved between the cattle and the bacteria? A. B. C. D. E.

mutualism herbivory parasitism disease competition

19. How are the nutrients that are essential for plant growth returned to the soil? A. B. C. D. E.

By decomposers By herbivores By producers By carnivores By omnivores

20. What does the information of an energy pyramid reveal? A. B. C. D. E.

It is expensive and inefficient to get most of your dietary calories from grains. Consumers at lower trophic levels do not have as many calories as consumers at higher trophic levels. Producers contribute the lowest amounts of energy (in terms of calories). Consumers at higher trophic levels are usually more abundant than consumers at lower trophic levels. It is expensive and inefficient to get most of your dietary calories from meats.

21. The recent changes in global climate driven by human activities have the potential to A. B. C. D. E.

alter weather patterns cause crop failures raise sea levels endanger species all of the above

22. Which of the following is true regarding values for demographic factors between developing nations and developed nations? A. B. C. D. E.

Developed nations have higher fertility rates. Life expectancy in developed nations is lower. Infant mortality rates are lower in developing nations. Life expectancy is higher in developing nations. Birth rates are higher in developing nations.

-6– 23. What is the origin (or major source) of all phosphorus in biological tissues? A. B. C. D. E.

volcanic activities phosphorus weathered from rock phosphorus dissolved in the ocean and taken up by shellfish phosphorus in animal bones atmospheric phosphorus gas

24. Why does a particular group of organisms live in a particular environment? A. B. C. D. E.

Because there are few competitors. Because there is minimal human impact. Because there is plenty of food and mates. Because the climate conditions are constant year round. Because they are adapted to the conditions in that environment.

25. Which category includes rock types, wind, water availability, temperature and solar radiation? A. B. C. D. E.

non-renewable resources biotic environmental factors abiotic environmental factors biodegradable materials renewable resources

26. Which environmental problem was the focus of Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring? A. B. C. D. E.

eutrophication pesticide toxicity loss of biodiversity habitat destruction deforestation

27. Plants conduct photosynthesis, making glucose and other carbohydrates. To do this, what do plants need? A. B. C. D. E.

water from the soil water and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere water from the soil and carbon dioxide from the soil water from the soil and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere water from the humid atmosphere and carbon dioxide from the soil

-7– 28. What gas represents the largest portion of atmospheric gases by volume? A. B. C. D. E.

oxygen nitrogen sulfur ozone argon

29. What are the most significant demographic effects of the AIDS epidemic? A. B. C. D. E.

AIDS strikes affluent people more than poor people. it is caused by a virus. it is not known who is resistant to AIDS. AIDS leaves behind orphans. AIDS sickens and kills the most productive members of society.

30. The richest one-fifth of the world's population possesses approximately 85 times the income of the poorest one-fifth, and uses more than _______ of the world's resources. A. B. C. D. E.

10% 20% 40% 60% 80%

31. What does the "sensitivity factor" in the IPAT model represent? A. B. C. D. E.

the sensitivity of human health and welfare to the impacts of an environment degradation caused by human activities the sensitivity of an environment to human pressures the sensitivity of endangered species to human population infringement the sensitivity of governments to carrying capacity demands economic sensitivity to resource use

32. The most accurate terms describing the trend over the past 50 years in resource use for human energy and agricultural systems are ________. A. B. C. D. E.

increasing and unsustainable decreasing and sustainable steady state and sustainable from unsustainable to sustainable rapidly increasing, moving from unsustainable to sustainable

-8– Read the following scenario and answer Questions 33 to 35 below. Population growth is at the root of many serious environmental problems. From the ancient Babylonians thousands of years ago, to Thomas Malthus hundreds of years ago, to presentday neo-Malthusians, humans seem to possess an awareness of Earth's limitations in the face of growing populations. Today, our ability to accurately quantify, monitor, and control population growth is very sophisticated. We can measure growth and make predictions about world growth with mathematical and computer models. Can we prevent disaster?

33. Despite dire predictions in the past, the human population is still growing. Some people would argue that this is because ________. A. B. C. D. E.

technological developments have alleviated some of the strain on Earth's resources space exploration has revealed new frontiers Malthus's measurements were inaccurate world population growth has been slower than expected Malthus overestimated the Earth's environmental sensitivity

34. Mesopotamian, Mayan, Viking and Easter Island societies all experienced "crashes" because they ________. A. B. C. D. E.

had low fertility rate had an unbalanced male-to-female ratio had too weak of a military to defend them against hostile neighbours abused and overused their natural resources experienced rapid climate change

35. Because of the success of China's population control programs started in the early 1970s, ________. A. B. C. D. E.

environmental problems in China have been greatly reduced the population of China decreased from its 1970 level African nations have instituted similar programs European nations have instituted similar programs today in China there are more 40-year olds than 10-year olds

-9– 36. According to Edward O. Wilson, the most serious and threatening environmental problem is the ________. A. B. C. D. E.

introduction of invasive species loss of biodiversity loss of arable land to expanding cities extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers acid rain

37. The ________ can be quantified as the number of individuals of a given species that can be sustained by the resources available in a given area. A. B. C. D. E.

biodiversity index carrying capacity community structure distribution density population size

38. Cattle on an open range, in some areas, may compact fragile soils while grazing. This can damage plant roots, leading to fewer, smaller plants, which may in turn cause cattle to graze more and work harder to obtain food. This is an example of a ________. A. B. C. D. E.

positive feedback loop negative feedback loop homeostatic system dynamic equilibrium food web

39. Which of the following would not be considered an ecosystem service? A. B. C. D. E.

oxygen provided by green plants timber from trees pollination of crops nitrogen cycling in soil water purification

40. The biosphere consists of the ________. A. B. C. D. E.

saltwater and freshwater in surface bodies and the atmosphere solid earth beneath our feet (above the mantle) all the planet's living organisms air surrounding our planet allowing life to exist abiotic portions of the environment

- 10 – 41. Humans have dramatically altered the rate of nitrogen fixation into forms usable by plants and other photosynthetic organisms ________. A. B. C. D. E.

by burning fossil fuels to meet our energy needs because of the erosion of farmlands through poor agricultural practices as we produce synthetic fertilizers and apply them to crops, lawns, and parks by using antibiotics to reduce the numbers of denitrifying bacteria by selectively removing leguminous plants

42. Unregulated populations tend to increase by ________. A. B. C. D. E.

linear growth exponential growth pyramidal growth logistic growth immigration

43. ________ capture solar energy and use photosynthesis to produce sugars. A. B. C. D. E.

Producers Primary consumers Secondary consumers Detritivores Heterotrophs

44. Environmental science relies or draws on which of the following? A. B. C. D. E.

natural sciences such as ecology applied sciences such as engineering social sciences such as anthropology humanities such as literature all of the above

45. A road that cuts through a forest is an example of __________.. A. B. C. D. E.

a biological corridor edge destruction transition destruction habitat fragmentation bottleneck effect

- 11 – 46. An assessment of the cost of a good or service that includes the environmental, social, and economic costs is called the __________. A. B. C. D. E.

internal analysis external analysis complete valuation triple-bottom line validation cost

47. Beavers, Castor canadensis, live widely throughout North America. What term can be applied to the beavers living around the lakes in northern Ontario? A. B. C. D. E.

biome community ecosystem population terrestrial

48. The eutrophication that has taken place in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and other locations appears to be due to ________. A. B. C. D. E.

global warming from human use of fossil fuels pesticide use along the waterways heavy metals dumped in the sewage weather alone, because it is only obvious in the summer excess nutrients from fertilizers

49. Early in the colonization of a new habitat, a population will show _____________, shifting to _____________ as the density of the population increases. A. B. C. D. E.

resistance; biotic potential exponential growth; logistic growth logistic growth; exponential growth biotic potential; overshoot K-selected; r-selected

50. A good example of sustainability would be ___________. A. B. C. D. E.

limiting commercial fishing to amounts that allow the fish population to repopulate using solar panels to generate electricity riding a bicycle to work purchasing products in packaging that can be recycled all of the choices listed above are good examples of sustainability

- 12 – BEFORE YOU HAND IN YOUR MIDTERM TEST Be sure you have: 1.

completed the Seat Assignment Form by printing your Name and UOIT Student Number in the space provided and then ‘signing’ the Form

2.

printed your Name and UOIT Student Number on the front of this Midterm Test Question Booklet

3.

printed your Name and UOIT Student Number on the Scantron

4.

printed the VERSION OF THE MIDTERM TEST on the Scantron

5.

indicated your final answer to each question in the Test Question Booklet (ONLY used in the case that your Scantron is damaged during processing)

6.

transferred your answers to all 50 questions to the ‘bubbles’ on the Scantron - check that you have not missed any questions

ONLY ANSWERS TRANSFERRED to the Scantron (within the 60 minute test period) WILL BE MARKED!! Hand in both the Midterm Test Question Booklet and Scantron – failure to do so will result in your Test not being marked –

Collect all of your belongings before leaving the Test Room....