Practice Unit Four Midterm Test Exam

38 Questions | By Profthea | Last updated: Mar 20, 2022 | Total Attempts: 83

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In this midterm test exam, we’ll be quizzing you on your knowledge of environmental science, which is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological and information sciences to the study of the environment. What can you tell us?

Questions and Answers

1.

The Apo Island project is a successful example of what?
- A.
  
  Sustainable living
- B.
  
  Commercial fishing
- C.
  
  Reducing destructive species
- D.
  
  None of these
2.

Which of the following terms can best be defined as "the systematic study of our environment"?
- A.
  
  Ecology
- B.
  
  Environmental science
- C.
  
  Biology
- D.
  
  Oceanography
3.

Which of the following terms can best be defined as "a process for producing empirical knowledge about the natural world"?
- A.
  
  Science
- B.
  
  Deductive reasoning
- C.
  
  Inductive reasoning
- D.
  
  None of the above
4.

Empiricism depends on which of these?
- A.
  
  Statistics
- B.
  
  Observation
- C.
  
  Critical thinking
- D.
  
  Skepticism
5.

Peer review is vital to science because it ensures ___?
- A.
  
  Integrity
- B.
  
  Conformity
- C.
  
  Creativity
- D.
  
  None of the above
6.

After observing many species of birds fly, I conclude that all birds fly. This is an example of __?
- A.
  
  Inductive reasoning
- B.
  
  Deductive reasoning
- C.
  
  Critical thinking
- D.
  
  The scientific method
7.

The normal sequence for the scientific method would NOT include:
- A.
  
  Observation
- B.
  
  Hypothesis
- C.
  
  Interpretation
- D.
  
  Consensus
8.

Select the paradigm shift:
- A.
  
  Gradual change
- B.
  
  Cars double their mpg
- C.
  
  Digital replaces analog
- D.
  
  None of the above
9.

Sound experimental design avoids the following:
- A.
  
  Cost
- B.
  
  Controversy
- C.
  
  Replication
- D.
  
  Bias
10.

Today, we are subject to many false messages. Which tool should we use to identify these?
- A.
  
  Dr. Sagan's Baloney Detector
- B.
  
  Reproducibility
- C.
  
  Peer review
- D.
  
  All of these
11.

The late Dr. Sagan was a famous astronomer who invented many tools for revealing junk science or claims. Which of the following were his contribution(s)?
- A.
  
  Dr. Sagan's Baloney Detector
- B.
  
  Reproducibility
- C.
  
  Peer review
- D.
  
  All of these
12.

If our biosphere is vital to our survival, the central theme of human activity should be?
- A.
  
  Sustainability
- B.
  
  Better technology
- C.
  
  Higher profits
- D.
  
  None of the above
13.

Which of the following terms can best be defined as "the scientific study of relationships between organisms and their environment"?
- A.
  
  Ecology
- B.
  
  Biology
- C.
  
  Bottany
- D.
  
  Entomology
14.

Which is NOT a unique property of water?
- A.
  
  Expands upon freezing
- B.
  
  Cohesive molecules
- C.
  
  Low specific heat
- D.
  
  Liquid at normal temperatures
15.

If we are trying to be critical thinkers and my peer group convinces me that political party X is responsible for all science on issue Y, I am most likely to make this error:
- A.
  
  Skeptical
- B.
  
  Bias
- C.
  
  Logical
- D.
  
  Angry
16.

Why does increasing entropy contradict our existence in the universe?
- A.
  
  Because we are organized
- B.
  
  Because we are disorganized
- C.
  
  Because we are intelligent
- D.
  
  None of the above
17.

Carbon backbones are typical of which molecules?
- A.
  
  Polymers
- B.
  
  Inorganic molecules
- C.
  
  Organic molecules
- D.
  
  A and c
18.

Which of these contradicts the First Law of Thermodynamics?
- A.
  
  Energy is conserved
- B.
  
  Perpetual motion
- C.
  
  Cars are not 100% efficient
- D.
  
  A/C units give off heat
19.

Which concept is best described by the phrase "in chemical reactions, matter is neither created nor destroyed"?
- A.
  
  Conservation of matter
- B.
  
  First Law of Thermodynamics
- C.
  
  Thermodynamics
- D.
  
  A and c
20.

A particular species can withstand a narrow range of temperatures. Above 100 deg. F there are no members of the species present. In the range from 97-100 deg. F and 90-94 deg. F there are a few members of the species present. Below 90 deg. F there are no members of the species present. What would you label the range of temperature from 90-94 deg. F for this particular species?
- A.
  
  Zone of intolerance
- B.
  
  Zone of physiological stress
- C.
  
  Optimal range
- D.
  
  Range of tolerance
21.

What is the difference in the adaptation of a sled dog's (such as a Husky) thick coat of hair to help it withstand the cold temperatures of Arctic winters and a dog that adapts to cold temperatures in the fall by growing a thickened coat? The adaptation of the sled dog best describes adaptation at the ____________ level while the dog exposed to seasonal colder temperatures has _____________.
- A.
  
  Regional; natural selection at the individual level
- B.
  
  Individual; physiological modifications at the population level
- C.
  
  Population; physiological modifications at the individual level
- D.
  
  Species; natural selection at the population level
- E.
  
  Ecosystem; physiological modifications at the individual level
22.

An especially effective strategy for reducing intraspecific competition is:
- A.
  
  The same ecological niches for juveniles and adults
- B.
  
  Rapid reproduction
- C.
  
  Eating prey before they are "ready" (ripe) for other species
- D.
  
  Resource partitioning
- E.
  
  None of the above
23.

In a fungus partnership, the lichen provides _________ and the relationship is best described as _______.
- A.
  
  Most of the photosynthesis; symbiosis
- B.
  
  Poisons that deter predation; commensalism
- C.
  
  Structure and moisture-holding ability; mutualism
- D.
  
  Very little to the algal partner; parasitism
- E.
  
  Some of the photosynthesis; commensalism
24.

A dieback, or population crash, often occurs after a species ________ its environmental carrying capacity.
- A.
  
  Meets
- B.
  
  Overshoots
- C.
  
  Undershoots
- D.
  
  Oscillates around
- E.
  
  Decreases
25.

The world human population reached 1 billion in about:
- A.
  
  1400
- B.
  
  1804
- C.
  
  1600
- D.
  
  1780
- E.
  
  1540