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Earth and Environmental Science Final Exam Review Flashcards | StudBud
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Earth and Environmental Science Final Exam Review
Earth and Environmental Science Final Exam Review
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1
A volcano releases a towering plume of toxic ash and gases into the atmosphere. What plan would best help evacuate?
a careful count of the number of people living near the volcano
computer modeling of movement of the atmosphere to predict clouds moving
an accurate measurement of the height of the volcano
an estimate of the number of gas masks available for emergency personnel
2
Which is the most likely way Saharan desert dust impacts climate in a place as far away as southern Florida?
Dust reflects solar radiation, cooling the surface.
Dust slows airflow, causing weather systems to stall over land.
Dust decreases static discharge, preventing lightning storms.
Dust absorbs moisture in the clouds, reducing rainfall.
3
What type of soil does a farmer have if the soil contains 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay?
sandy loam
loam
clay
silty loam
4
At which type of plate boundary is new crust formed?
divergent
transform
convergent
subduction
5
Which of these is a threat to the survival of an ecosystem?
less biomass at higher levels of the food web
competition among some consumer populations
a shrinking variety of animal and plant species
predator-prey population s are stable
6
Which statement best describes how photosynthesis affects Earth’s energy budget?
increases amount of solar energy that reflected back space
Photosynthesis destroys a amount of incoming solar radiation
prevents most incoming solar energy from heating atmosphere.
transforms small amount solar radiation in chemical energy
7
What biological process absorbs carbon dioxide/water/sunlight and makes it usable by living organisms?
diffusion
photosynthesis
respiration
transpiration
8
Which process typically cause sedimentary rock to become metamorphic rock?
Pressure and melting
Heat and pressure
Weathering and erosion
Melting and cooling
9
Which characteristic of the Indian Plate explains why it moves under the Eurasian Plate?
It is molten.
It is larger.
It is denser.
10
What process is represented by this diagram?
Rotation
Radiation
Convection
Conduction
11
Which describes a characteristic of Earth’s continents that MOST likely causes changes in climate when continents drift?
The location of the continent affects its surface reflectivity.
The temperature of a continent is affected by its nearest ocean.
Continental plate depth determines its specific heat.
Continental drift absorbs large amounts of kinetic energy.
12
Biodiversity can include genetic diversity within a population within an ecosystem. Which is the most biodiverse area?
an arctic tundra
a deciduous forest
a residential backyard
a tropical forest
13
Which of the following best describes an interaction between Earth and solar energy (sunlight) that warms the planet?
absorption of solar energy by surfaces on Earth
reflection of solar energy from polar snowcaps
use of solar energy in the process of photosynthesis
14
Which renewable energy resource possesses the greatest potential for providing renewable energy?
tidal
geothermal
solar
wind
15
Acid precipitation can dissolve aluminum from soil which then pollutes water. Which is true?
environmental change can impact quality of life
acid rain is the leading cause of fish death in lakes
acid rain is the most important environmental problem
environmental change always has a negative impact
16
Biotic forces can cause changes to the surface of Earth. Which is BEST example of living organisms causing weathering?
Salmon making nests for their eggs in a stream
Cattle walking and grazing in a grassland
Beavers build a dam across stream
Tree seedlings growing and forming cracks in rocks
17
Global warming affects sea levels. Which is likely consequence if the trend of global warming continues ?
Melting glaciers will cause flooding of coastal towns and cities.
Evaporation will enlarge land areas near coastlines, as sea levels drop.
Evaporation will increase land areas in U-shaped valleys, as fjords dry up.
Melting glaciers will reduce lake sizes in mountainous regions.
18
The deer tick survives by feeding on the blood of deer and other forest mammals. How would you classify the tick?
insectivorous
predator
carnivorous
parasite
19
Which would be the MOST likely effect of decreased flows of fresh water on the ecology of the Everglades?
a decrease in the populations of native plants and animals
an increase in the reproductive rates of native plants and animals
a decrease in the amount of salt water in the Everglades
an increase in the amount of erosion in the Everglades
20
Air mass 1 would MOST likely bring which weather conditions to a region?
cool and humid
warm and dry
warm and humid
cool and dry
21
Ocean currents, like the Gulf Stream, affect world climate by
transferring heat to and from various regions
spreading plant and animal life over a wider area
carrying sediment from rivers and inland basins
ensuring ocean density is not the same globally
22
A lake has been used for more than a century to irrigate crops. How has this practice MOST likely affected this resource
It increased the number of fish in the lake.
It decreased the salt content of the water.
It decreased the volume of the lake.
It increased the evaporation rate of the water.
23
Land subsidence is most likely an indication that
sediments are being deposited
groundwater is being depleted
water is being polluted
rocks are being weathered
24
During which of these years did groundwater rise to a level high enough to become surface water?
2001
2007
1994
1989
25
Which of these are the MOST likely results of overfishing in ocean ecosystems?
1 only
1, 2, and 4 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2, 3, and 4
26
A topographic map of part of Arizona is shown below. Which of the labeled points on the map has the steepest slope?
3
4
1
2
27
Which factor BEST enables climatologists to forecast the time and location of hurricane formation?
angle of sunlight on Earth
ocean currents and temperature
thickness of the ozone layer
seasonal distance from the sun
28
Which of these has been controlled in an attempt to reduce ozone depletion?
methods of filtering gasoline
use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
methods of radioactive waste storage
use of mercury (Hg) compounds
29
Ethanol is an alternative fuel made from corn. What is an unfavorable effect of using ethanol?
increase in the consumption of fossil fuels
increased carbon footprint from driving automobiles
decreased cost of fuel production
decrease in farm land available for food production
30
What is the predicted impact of the change in average ocean temperature on algae?
an increase in algal distribution
reduction of levels of sunlight needed for algal growth
narrowing of the ecological niche for algae
elimination of predators on algae
31
What can cause the loss of soil that is not protected by plant cover?
Organisms in the soil
Chemical weathering
Wind/water erosion
Mechanical weathering
32
Which of these events is an example of a change in climate?
A series of tropical storms make landfall in 3 different states
Low overnight temperatures result in morning frost
Average annual rainfall decreases
Afternoon showers result in less sunlight on Tuesday
33
At which type of margin does mountain building produce mountains composed of preexisting crust?
convergent between two continental plates
convergent between an oceanic plate and a continental plate
divergent between an oceanic and a continental plate
divergent between two oceanic plates
34
Used car oil was put in a container to take to a mechanic for disposal. The used oil is disposed of this way so that
impurities in the oil can be studied to improve car engine design.
the total amount of oil used by car owners will not increase.
the oil can be reused in other cars.
the oil can be recycled to protect the environment.
35
Which atmospheric greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation from Earth’s surface and re-radiate it back to Earth?
hydrochloric acid and hydrogen
carbon dioxide and water vapor
nitrogen and argon
oxygen and sulfur dioxide
36
Which substance in the atmosphere absorbs most of the ultraviolet rays?
CFC's
nitrogen
water
ozone
37
Farmers use fertilizer on their crops to increase crop yield. How does this affect nearby lakes and streams?
Fertilizer improves crops which draws animals away from them.
Fertilizer directly kills fish and plant life in lakes and streams.
Fertilizer that becomes airborne pollutes the air around aquatic plants.
Fertilizer leads to the growth of oxygen-depleting organisms.
38
Plants use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during the process of:
Respiration
Evaporation
Fertilization
Photosynthesis
39
Which statement best explains why the force of a hurricane diminishes as the hurricane moves over land?
The supply of warm, moist air decreases.
The winds start to spin clockwise.
A high pressure area develops.
The sea level rises on the coast.
40
If instruments at the volcano observatory detect SO
2
levels from 425 - 477 ppb, observatory staff should:
conduct business as usual
cancel nature walks
close the visitor center
dispatch alerts to staff
41
Which of these could cause this population to stop increasing and stabilize?
decreasing ratio of predators to prey in the population
increasing ratio of offspring to parents in the population
increasing ratio of space to individuals in the population
decreasing ratio of food to individuals in the population
42
The average temperature of Earth has increased approximately 0.8°C. Which of the following MOST attribute to this?
the lower amounts of carbon dioxide
increased population in therid world countries
increased use of fossil fuels
the solar flares reaching earth
43
All of these types of waves travel from the Sun to Earth except
light waves
sound waves
ultraviolet waves
infrared waves
44
Ants and acacia trees have a (blank) relationship
Parasitic
Commensalistic
Symbiotic
Mutualistic
45
The Great Ocean Conveyor ocean current system. If this current is disrupted North America and Euperonean climates change
rainier.
colder.
windier.
more humid.
46
How could the introduction of nonnative species of plant affect an ecosystem in North Carolina?
Takes over the habitats of the native plant species.
Pollinates native plant, producing disease-resistant plants.
Causes some insect species to destroy native plant species.
Reduces competition for space and light with native plants.
47
Which of the following BEST explains what will happen when a population grows larger than carrying capacity?
emigration rate increases
death rate will increase
competition will decrease
birth rate increases
48
What is the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?
max # of individuals an ecosystem can support without harm
birth rate - death rate
total number of organisms alive in an ecosystem
minimum number of individuals needed to balance an ecosystem
49
Which interaction of a biotic and abiotic factor can help stabilize a forest area?
decreased water salinity, reducing biodiversity of animals
increased precipitation, including soil erosion in an area
increased decaying organic material, adding nutrients to soil
decreased number of predators, allowing the number of prey to increase
50
Which of the following project proposals is most likely to recharge groundwater?
creation of a dam on a river to create a reservoir
replace old wells with new wells on citizen's property
installation of automatic sprinkler systems on city property
replacement of cement parking lots with gravel and tile lots
