Negative effects
Weather
Random
Impacts
Negative impacts
100
What is one way poor use of fertilizers in agriculture can affect the environment?
It can cause pollution of water in lakes and rivers.
100
Large urban areas are composed of hard surfaces that trap solar energy as heat, especially in the summer months. The EPA estimates that the trapped heat results in 1.5 – 2.0% increase in energy consumption for every 0.6°C increase in air temperature in these urban heat islands. Most of this energy is supplied by power plants that rely on fossil fuels. Which of the following effects of increased energy use and regional air temperatures directly impacts human health?
A increased water temperatures in storm runoff
B prolonged growing seasons for urban plants
C higher concentrations of ground-level ozone
D increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide
C) higher concentrations of ground-level ozone
100
At a city council meeting, a developer outlines plans for a new shopping area. Residents speaking at the meeting voice their concerns that the development will increase runoff and pollute bodies of water in the area. The developer could address their concerns by proposing the addition of which of the following to the plans?
A private wells that provide water to each store
B sprinklers that hose down parking lots daily
C flower gardens that are planted near each store
D wetlands that surround the development
D)wetlands that surround the development
100
Which of these methods of energy resources has the LEAST effect on the lithosphere?'
A surface mining for uranium
B pumping oil from under water
C harvesting wood by selective cutting
D collecting natural gas from old oil wells
C)harvesting wood by selective cutting
100
What is an effect of deforestation?
A decrease in biodiversity
B decrease in rainwater runoff
C decrease in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
D decrease in the amount of water on Earth
A) decrease in biodiversity
200
If people in an area have limited access to freshwater resources, what will most likely result?
a decrease in sanitation and increase in disease in the area
200
The greenhouse effect is a process by which atmospheric gases, including 
help warm the atmosphere and surface of Earth. Most scientists think the greenhouse effect is increasing due to human activities. Which of these human activities has caused the greatest increase in concentrations of atmospheric 
A planting trees
B recycling aluminum
C burning fossil fuels
Dusing nuclear power
C) burning fossil fuels
200
In the 1930s, the American Great Plains became known as the Dust Bowl because it was the source of huge clouds of dust that covered much of the United States. Which BEST describes the causes of the Dust Bowl?
a severe drought and the overuse of prairie farmland
200
What would most likely happen if coastal North Carolina increased implementation of wind energy?
The production of greenhouse gases would decrease.
200
Which could increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
burning coal to produce electricity
300
Which result is most likely to occur after excessive withdrawal of groundwater in coastal areas?
intrusion of salt water into the water table
300
Temperature affects the development of sea-turtle eggs. Eggs that are incubated at warmer temperatures are more likely to become females. Eggs incubated at cooler temperatures are more likely to become males. How would higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations MOST likely affect sea turtle populations?
A Earth’s climate would be warmer, so the percentage of female turtles would increase.
B Earth’s climate would be cooler, so the percentage of female turtles would increase.
C Earth’s climate would be warmer, so the percentage of female turtles would decrease.
D Earth’s climate would be cooler, so the percentage of female turtles would decrease
A)Earth’s climate would be warmer, so the percentage of female turtles would increase.
300
Two countries share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola: Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The island is naturally a rainforest. The hillsides of the Dominican Republic are still heavily forested. Most of Haiti’s trees have been cut down.
The soil on the hillsides of the Dominican Republic is deep and rich. But the soil on the hillsides of Haiti is thin and depleted. The poor, thin soil makes raising crops difficult. Food shortages happen often. Which natural conditions in Haiti combine with deforestation to increase erosion?
A steep hillsides and mild climate
B frequent heavy rains and steep hillsides
C mild climate and proximity to the ocean
D proximity to the ocean and frequent heavy rains
B)frequent heavy rains and steep hillsides
300
What would most likely result if more farms were developed along river basins in North Carolina?
an increase in water pollution
300
Raising livestock, such as sheep and cattle, results in the production of large amounts of methane gas (CH4). 
Methane has a similar effect in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2).
As more livestock are raised to provide food for humans, what is the MOST likely effect of the increase in methane?
A acid rain
Bozone thinning
C water pollution
D global warming
D ) global warming
400
Nuclear power and drilling for oil can both negatively affect ecosystems. Which negative impact can only be caused by nuclear power?
exposure to uranium
400
Which process does the vetiver grass MOST likely help farmers reduce?
water erosion
400
Guatemala is a mountainous country in Central America. Each year, more than 350 square kilometers of forests are removed for building materials and to make more room for crops. If this rate of deforestation continues, what will most likely result over the next several years
A The number of earthquakes across the country will decrease.
B The amount of fertile soil across the country will increase.
C The risk of landslides across the country will increase.
D The average rainfall for the country will increase.
C )the risk of landslides across the country will increase.
400
which interaction of a biotic and an abiotic factor can help stabilize a forest area in North Carolina?
A increased precipitation, reducing soil erosion in the area
B increased decaying organic material, adding nutrients to soil in the area
C decreased water salinity, reducing biodiversity of animals in the area
D decreased number of predators, allowing the number of prey to increase in the area
B)increased decaying organic material, adding nutrients to soil in the area
400
What is a possible consequence of the destruction of a marsh?
decreased filtering of water
500
What do the energy resources uranium and coal have in common?
They both are acquired by mining the lithosphere
500
Wave energy from the ocean can be harnessed to power generators to make electricity. Energy from ocean tides can also be used to make electricity. How would you categorize these two sources of energy?
Both are renewable.
500
Officials hire private contractors to monitor drinking water safety in the suburbs of a large city. These suburbs are mainly residential, with some schools, shopping malls, and light industrial plants. The contractors determine that the drinking water samples contain levels of nitrates and other nutrients that are higher than normal. After discussion with the contractors, the officials would MOST likely decide to contact which of these groups to combat the problem?
A plant managers
B homeowners
C mall management
D school principals
B) homeowners
500
A regional water board is examining proposals to provide drinking water to a growing metropolitan area. Which of these proposals is MOST likely to deplete groundwater supplies?
A installation of city-owned wells within each neighborhood
B construction of a dam to create a large water reservoir
C placement of stations along a river to capture and filter water
D establishment of a water treatment plant next to a large lake
A )installation of city-owned wells within each neighborhood
500
How are surface mining and peat harvesting similar in the way they affect an ecosystem?
A Both increase air pollution, causing acid rain.
B Both flood the area with water, decreasing soil erosion.
C Both release carbon dioxide, decreasing global temperatures.
D Both remove vegetation in the area, destroying habitats.
D) Both remove vegetation in the area, destroying habitats.