Earth Day Trivia Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Earth Conservation?

1. Which of the following accounts for the greatest percentage of a typical home energy bill?

Heating and cooling

Clothes washer and dryer

Computer and monitor

Refrigerator

Fact: Heating and cooling accounts for 49 percent; the clothes washer and dryer for 6 percent; electronics for 7 percent; a refrigerator for 5 percent.

Explanation

Fact: Heating and cooling accounts for 49 percent; the clothes washer and dryer for 6 percent; electronics for 7 percent; a refrigerator for 5 percent.

2. Which of the following U.S. government environmental acts was NOT a result of the first Earth Day demonstrations?

Endangered Species Act

Clean Water Act

Clean Air Act

National Wash-Your-Car Day

Fact: The first Earth Day in 1970 also led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Explanation

Fact: The first Earth Day in 1970 also led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

3. On average, what is the approximate daily home water use for each person in the U.S.?

25 gallons

50 gallons

100 gallons

200 gallons

Fact: The United States consumes water at twice the rate of other industrialized nations

Explanation

Fact: The United States consumes water at twice the rate of other industrialized nations

4. In the average home, which of the following uses the most water?

Flushing the toilet

Filling the bathtub

Taking a 10-minute shower

Washing one load of clothes

Fact: The shower uses 30-50 gallons of water; flushing the toilet uses 2-7 gallons; filling the bathtub uses 25-30 gallons; washing one load of clothes uses 25-40 gallons.

Explanation

Fact: The shower uses 30-50 gallons of water; flushing the toilet uses 2-7 gallons; filling the bathtub uses 25-30 gallons; washing one load of clothes uses 25-40 gallons.

5. Approximately how many sheets of 100% virgin copy paper can be made from one tree that is roughly 40 feet tall and 6-8 inches in diameter?

2,000 sheets

8,000 sheets

20,000 sheets

50,000 sheets

Fact: According to the group Conservatree, one tree makes 16.67 reams (one ream = 500 sheets) of copy paper or 8,333.3 sheets.

Explanation

Fact: According to the group Conservatree, one tree makes 16.67 reams (one ream = 500 sheets) of copy paper or 8,333.3 sheets.

6. Which of the following takes the longest time to break down or disintegrate?

Disposable diaper

Hard plastic container

Aluminum can

Plastic 6-pack holder

Fact: It takes 450 years for a plastic 6-pack holder to disintegrate.

Explanation

Fact: It takes 450 years for a plastic 6-pack holder to disintegrate.

7. In the same amount of time, which of the following home appliances consumes the most electricity?

Space heater

Hair dryer

Computer and monitor

Water heater

Fact: The water heater uses approximately 4,000 watts, more than double of any of the other appliances.

Explanation

Fact: The water heater uses approximately 4,000 watts, more than double of any of the other appliances.

8. Approximately what percentage of the water in the world can be used to meet the agricultural, residential, manufacturing, community and personal needs of humans?

1 percent

5 percent

25 percent

40 percent

Fact: Nearly 97 percent of the world's water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2 percent is locked in ice caps and glaciers.

Explanation

Fact: Nearly 97 percent of the world's water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2 percent is locked in ice caps and glaciers.

9. On average, what percentage of household water is used outdoors for watering lawns and gardens?

10-30 percent

30-50 percent

50-70 percent

70-90 percent

Fact: To save water, experts recommend never watering at the hottest times of the day or when it's windy.

Explanation

Fact: To save water, experts recommend never watering at the hottest times of the day or when it's windy.

10. Which of the following accounts for the greatest percentage of total waste in the U.S.?

Yard trimmings

Paper

Plastics

Glass

Fact: Every year, enough paper is thrown away to make a 12'-high wall stretching from New York to California.

Explanation

Fact: Every year, enough paper is thrown away to make a 12'-high wall stretching from New York to California.