Air
What is the primary source of human-made air pollution worldwide?
A) Volcanic eruptions
B) Industrial emissions
C) Deforestation
D) Household waste
Correct Answer: B) Industrial emissions
Which of the following is a simple action individuals can take to conserve water at home?
A) Letting the tap run while brushing teeth
B) Watering lawns daily regardless of weather
C) Fixing leaking faucets
D) Taking long showers regularly
Correct Answer: C) Fixing leaking faucets
Which of the following human actions is a common cause of wildfires?
A) Planting trees
B) Leaving campfires unattended
C) Riding a bicycle
D) Using solar panels
Correct Answer: B) Leaving campfires unattended
Which of the following is a key goal of environmental sustainability?
A) Maximizing the use of non-renewable resources
B) Protecting natural ecosystems for future generations
C) Building more highways
D) Producing more plastic
Correct Answer: B) Protecting natural ecosystems for future generations
Which of the following is an example of a renewable, green energy source?
A) Coal
B) Natural gas
C) Solar power
D) Diesel
Correct Answer: C) Solar power
2. Which of the following gases is a major contributor to both air pollution and climate change?
A) Oxygen (O₂)
B) Nitrogen (N₂)
C) Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
D) Helium (He)
Correct Answer: C) Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
What is the primary cause of water scarcity in many parts of the world?
A) Ocean pollution
B) Poor fishing practices
C) Overconsumption and mismanagement of freshwater resources
D) Acid rain
Correct Answer: C) Overconsumption and mismanagement of freshwater resources
How can sustainable forest management help reduce the risk of wildfires?
A) By banning all fires in forests
B) By removing all trees from fire-prone areas
C) By maintaining healthy tree density and reducing excess dry fuel
D) By building fireproof fences
Correct Answer: C) By maintaining healthy tree density and reducing excess dry fuel
What is soil erosion, and why is it a sustainability concern?
A) The formation of new land from volcanoes
B) The movement of soil by wind or water, reducing land fertility
C) A method of creating sustainable fertilizer
D) An increase in soil nutrients due to rain
Correct Answer: B) The movement of soil by wind or water, reducing land fertility
Why is wind energy considered sustainable?
A) It requires burning fossil fuels
B) Wind turbines produce harmful emissions
C) Wind is an abundant, renewable resource with minimal environmental impact
D) It can only be used during the night
Correct Answer: C) Wind is an abundant, renewable resource with minimal environmental impact
3. What is the function of catalytic converters in vehicles?
A) To increase fuel efficiency
B) To convert sunlight into energy
C) To reduce harmful emissions
D) To filter cabin air
Correct Answer: C) To reduce harmful emissions
Which sector is responsible for the largest share of global freshwater use?
A) Domestic households
B) Industrial manufacturing
C) Agriculture
D) Energy production
Correct Answer: C) Agriculture
What is a prescribed burn, and why is it used in sustainable fire management?
A) An accidental fire caused by lightning
B) A method of growing fire-resistant crops
C) A controlled fire set intentionally to reduce fuel buildup and restore ecosystems
D) A firefighting method using chemicals to suppress flames
Correct Answer: C) A controlled fire set intentionally to reduce fuel buildup and restore ecosystems
Which farming method supports soil health and long-term sustainability of the Earth’s surface?
A) Monoculture farming
B) Slash-and-burn agriculture
C) Regenerative agriculture
D) Deep-sea trawling
Correct Answer: C) Regenerative agriculture
What is one major environmental benefit of switching to green energy sources?
A) Increased deforestation
B) Decreased greenhouse gas emissions
C) More plastic production
D) Higher consumption of water resources
Correct Answer: B) Decreased greenhouse gas emissions
4. Which of these practices best helps improve air quality in urban areas?
A) Expanding highways
B) Promoting electric public transportation
C) Increasing fossil fuel use
D) Cutting down trees for construction
Correct Answer: B) Promoting electric public transportation
What is the process called when groundwater is removed faster than it can be replenished, leading to land subsidence and aquifer depletion?
A) Water reclamation
B) Desalination
C) Overdrafting
D) Surface runoff
Correct Answer: C) Overdrafting
In fire-prone regions, what building material is considered more sustainable and fire-resilient?
A) Wood siding
B) Vinyl plastic
C) Recycled steel or cement-fiber board
D) Untreated bamboo
Correct Answer: C) Recycled steel or cement-fiber board
Which layer of the Earth is most affected by unsustainable mining practices?
A) Core
B) Mantle
C) Crust
D) Atmosphere
Correct Answer: C) Crust
Which green energy technology involves using Earth's internal heat to produce electricity?
A) Biomass energy
B) Tidal energy
C) Geothermal energy
D) Nuclear energy
Correct Answer: C) Geothermal energy
5. What is the environmental impact of ground-level ozone, a major air pollutant?
A) It helps protect us from UV radiation
B) It causes respiratory problems and harms crops
C) It reduces global temperatures
D) It promotes healthy ecosystems
Correct Answer: B) It causes respiratory problems and harms crops
Which sustainable water management practice involves mimicking natural hydrologic processes to manage stormwater and reduce urban runoff?
A) Chlorination
B) Graywater reuse
C) Green infrastructure
D) Water fluoridation
Correct Answer: C) Green infrastructure
How can climate-resilient urban planning help address the sustainability challenges posed by increasing wildfires?
A) By building only in rural forested areas
B) By designing cities to expand into wildland areas
C) By integrating firebreaks, defensible space, and green infrastructure into community design
D) By outlawing all use of fire within city limits
Correct Answer: C) By integrating firebreaks, defensible space, and green infrastructure into community design
How does land-use change (like deforestation or urban sprawl) threaten Earth’s sustainability?
A) It improves biodiversity
B) It increases soil moisture and fertility
C) It disrupts ecosystems, contributes to climate change, and reduces natural carbon sinks
D) It helps native species thrive
Correct Answer: C) It disrupts ecosystems, contributes to climate change, and reduces natural carbon sinks
What is one key challenge in the widespread adoption of solar and wind energy?
A) They emit more carbon than fossil fuels
B) They require rare metals that are easy to recycle
C) Their energy output can be intermittent and depends on weather conditions
D) They are banned in most countries
Correct Answer: C) Their energy output can be intermittent and depends on weather conditions