Updated Environmental Quiz 2012
Over 10,000 college and high school students, boy scouts, general audiences of adults, forest industry employees, and even community and legislative leaders have taken the quiz over the past 20 years. Now available on-line as an interactive tool, the quiz is easier than ever to use. Those who take the on-line version receive immediate feedback upon completion. More information about the quiz is available HERE.
So what is your environmental IQ? Take the quiz today – then challenge your friends, classmates or co-workers to try their hand as well.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
The population of the world in 1950 was about 2.6 billion. The world population is currently about:
- A.
3.4 billion
- B.
7.0 billion
- C.
9.3 billion
- D.
11.5 billion
Correct Answer
B. 7.0 billionExplanation
As of early March, 2012 the world population was right at 7 billion (b).Rate this question:
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- 2.
The population of the world is currently increasing at a rate of 8,900 people per _______.
- A.
Month
- B.
Week
- C.
Day
- D.
Hour
Correct Answer
D. HourExplanation
The world population is currently increasing at an estimated rate of 8,908 per hour (d).Rate this question:
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- 3.
The estimated world population in the year 2050 is about:
- A.
3.4 billion
- B.
6.8 billion
- C.
9.4 billion
- D.
11.5 billion
Correct Answer
C. 9.4 billionExplanation
The medium projection of world population for the year 2050 by the International Programs Center of the U.S. Census Bureau is 9.4 billion (d). The Population Reference Bureau estimate for the year 2050 is 9.6 billion.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The population of the United States in 1960 (50 years ago) was 181 million. On March 7th, 2012 the U.S. population was estimated to be ________________.
- A.
187 million
- B.
220 million
- C.
313 million
- D.
459 million
Correct Answer
C. 313 millionExplanation
The population of the United States in early March 2012 was about 313 million (c).Rate this question:
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- 5.
United States population growth is near zero, with the population expected to stabilize by about 2050.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
B. False (F)Explanation
False. Based on current and projected rates of natural population growth and immigration, the U.S. population is expected to reach approximately 439 million by 2050 (the Population Reference Bureau projects 470 million in 2050) and 571 million by 2100. The U.S. population is currently 313 million (March 2012).Rate this question:
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- 6.
Assuming a growth rate of 5% annually, the population of the United States would surpass the current population of China by 2050.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
A. True (T)Explanation
True. At a 5% annual growth rate the U.S. population would surpass China’s current population level (1.34 billion) by 2042. By 2050 U.S. numbers would rise to just under 2 billion, a number 50 percent greater than the current population of China. It is interesting to note that any population will increase by 1,024 times for each 10 times that it doubles. So at an annual growth rate of 5%, only 120 years are needed for 10 doublings to occur. At a 3% annual growth rate, 233 years would result in 10 doublings. Even at a growth rate as low as 1% annually, 10 doublings will occur in 700 years - still a relatively short time in the big scheme of things.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The United States is a net exporter of most raw materials used by industry today.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
B. False (F)Explanation
False. The U.S. is today a net importer of most categories of industrial raw materials, including metals, Portland and masonry cement, petroleum (the basis for plastics), and wood and wood products.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Energy consumption per capita (per person) in the United States is twice that of the European Union.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
A. True (T)Explanation
True. Per capita consumption of energy is also significantly higher than in several nations often listed as offering a higher or comparable quality of life as in the United States.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The number one cause of tropical deforestation worldwide is:
- A.
Commercial logging
- B.
Wildfire
- C.
Clearing of lands for agricultural use
- D.
Gathering of firewood
- E.
Building of roads and cities
Correct Answer
C. Clearing of lands for agricultural useExplanation
Clearing of lands for agricultural use (c) is by far the leading cause of tropical deforestation worldwide.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The area covered by forests in the United States today is approximately _______% of the forested area that existed in 1600.
- A.
72 percent
- B.
50 percent
- C.
33 percent
- D.
17 percent
Correct Answer
A. 72 percentExplanation
(a) There are 751 million acres of forests in the U.S. today, about 72% of the 1.044 billion acres of forests estimated to have covered what is now the United States in the year 1600.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The geographic area that encompasses the United States today has a greater extent of forest coverage than the same geographic area did in 1920.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
A. True (T)Explanation
True. In 1920 there were an estimated 732 million acres of forest covering the area that now comprises the United States. Today there are 751 million acres of forest. The current forested area is within one percent of the forest area of approximately 755 to 760 million acres that existed in 1907.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which of the following statements most accurately describes United States forests:
- A.
Forest harvest exceeds net growth by 20 percent.
- B.
Forest harvest exceeds net growth by 5 percent.
- C.
Forest harvest roughly equals net growth.
- D.
Net forest growth exceeds harvest by 29 percent.
- E.
Net forest growth exceeds harvest by 72 percent.
Correct Answer
E. Net forest growth exceeds harvest by 72 percent.Explanation
Net growth of forests in the United States substantially exceeds harvest. In the most recent assessment of U.S. forest land (USDA-Forest Service, RPA Assessment 2010) net growth was estimated to exceed removals by 72% (e). When all lands are counted (including those forest lands designated as reserves or preserves) the net growth to harvest ratios are higher than those indicated above.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Growing trees capture carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
A. True (T)Explanation
True. In the process of photosynthesis, water from the ground is combined in the leaves with carbon dioxide from the air to form glucose and other sugars, and oxygen that is released to the atmosphere. The sugars are used to form wood.Rate this question:
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- 14.
As originally established, it was never intended that the National Forests of the United States would be periodically harvested to obtain timber that would be used in meeting the nation's need for wood.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
B. False (F)Explanation
False. One of the specifically stated reasons for establishment of the National Forests was to ensure a continuous supply of wood for the citizens of the United States.Rate this question:
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- 15.
At current rates of deforestation, 40 percent of current forests in the United States will be lost by the middle of this century.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
B. False (F)Explanation
False. Forests actually increased in area coverage in the United States between 1985 and 2012. However, due to continuing growth of urban areas and building of highways, it is predicted that 3 to 5% of the current area of forest land in the U.S. may be converted to non-forest uses by 2050.Rate this question:
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- 16.
In the U.S. and globally, more species of plants and animals have been driven to extinction by logging activity than any other activity of humankind.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
B. False (F)Explanation
False. There is no documented evidence of even one plant or animal species having been driven to extinction by logging activity in the United States. The answer to this question is less clear globally, but it is evident that logging is but one of a myriad of human activities, including land clearing for agriculture, urban and infrastructure development, mining, and industrial production, placing pressure on native species.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Under current United States law, forest harvesting is allowed within federally designated wilderness areas.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
B. False (F)Explanation
False. Forest harvesting is not allowed in federally designated wilderness areas.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Populations of elk, pronghorn antelope, and wild turkey have declined significantly in the United States over the past 60 years.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
B. False (F)Explanation
False. The populations of all these species have increased by over 1,000% (10 x) over the past 60 years. The populations of many other species, including the American bald eagle, have increased dramatically as well.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Considering the total annual harvest of forests in the United States and the total consumption of wood and wood fiber products within our country, the U.S. is a net importer of wood and wood products.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
A. True (T)Explanation
True. The United States is a net importer of about 28% of the softwood lumber consumed annually within the country. When all products are considered, including exports of logs, and chips, the U.S. is a net importer of about 15-20% of the total wood and wood fiber consumed within its borders. The United States has been a net importer of wood for over 45 years.Rate this question:
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- 20.
As a percentage of all the paper used in the United States in 2010, ________% was recovered for reuse.
- A.
14 percent
- B.
37 percent
- C.
63 percent
- D.
92 percent
Correct Answer
C. 63 percentExplanation
In 2010 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), 63.5 percent (c) of all paper used in the United States was collected for reuse.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Recovered paper provided _____% of the U.S. paper industry's fiber in 2010.
- A.
14 percent
- B.
37 percent
- C.
63 percent
- D.
92 percent
Correct Answer
B. 37 percentExplanation
Recovered paper provided about 37 percent (b) of the U.S. paper industry's fiber in 2010. The difference between the wastepaper collection rate (63 percent) and the recovered paper use rate (37 percent) is largely traceable to the fact that the United States is the world's largest exporter of waste paper. Virtually all exported wastepaper is also used in making paper and paperboard.Rate this question:
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- 22.
More extensive recycling of paper could reduce harvesting of forests in the United States by 60 percent or more.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
B. False (F)Explanation
False. While paper recycling is extremely important, and a major contributor to reducing demand for virgin pulpwood, increasing recycling to the maximum level allowed by current technology would have the effect of reducing demand for virgin fiber by about 12 percent.Rate this question:
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- 23.
The manufacture of wood construction materials generally results in far lower environmental impacts than when similar construction materials are manufactured from steel, aluminum, plastic, or concrete.
- A.
True (T)
- B.
False (F)
Correct Answer
A. True (T)Explanation
True. Well-documented environmental life cycle inventories of various raw materials production processes conducted by research organizations around the world show that wood products can be manufactured with relatively little environmental impact compared to potential alternatives. Even when wood products are compared to cement-based and recycled metal products, energy consumption and associated environmental impacts associated with wood-based materials manufacture are generally substantially lower.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Consumption of mineral resources gloablly has increased sharply over the past 30 years.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
True. Rapidly rising consumption in China and other developing countries has sharply increased demand for mineral, timber, and fuel resources.Rate this question:
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- 25.
The raw material that is used in the greatest quantity in the United States today, and which accounts for almost one-third (by weight) of the total materials used annually, is steel.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
False. More wood is consumed annually in the United States, on both a volume and weight basis, than ALL metals and ALL types of plastics combined.Rate this question:
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Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Mar 08, 2012Quiz Created by
Dovetail
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