Natural Resources Basics
Question: What are natural resources?
Answer: Gifts from nature that humans, animals, and plants need to survive.
Surprise Element: Double Bonus Points
Question: What does “renewable” mean?
Answer: Something that can grow back or be replaced naturally.
Surprise Element: Shield From Penalties
Question: What is a non-renewable resource?
Answer: A resource that cannot be replaced quickly and may run out.
Surprise Element: Swap Scores With Team 7
Question: Why are forests important?
Answer: They provide oxygen, wood, fruits, and medicine.
Surprise Element: Freeze a Team (Team 6)
Question: What is pollution?
Answer: Dirtying the air, water, or land.
Surprise Element: Donate 100 Points to Team 4
Question: What does it mean to recycle?
Answer: To use something again after it has been processed.
Surprise Element: Shield From Penalties
Question: What percentage of Earth’s water is fresh water?
Answer: About 3%.
Surprise Element: Freeze a Team (Team 2)
Question: What is the main difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?
Answer: Renewable can grow back; non-renewable cannot.
Surprise Element: Donate 100 Points to Team 5
Question: Name two examples of natural resources found in the environment.
Answer: Air, water, soil, sunlight, forests, minerals, animals.
Surprise Element: Freeze a Team (Team 3)
Question: Give two examples of renewable resources.
Answer: Sunlight, wind, water, trees.
Surprise Element: Steal 100 Points From Team 2
Question: Name two non-renewable resources.
Answer: Coal, oil, natural gas, minerals.
Surprise Element: Donate 100 Points to Team 1
Question: How do animals serve as natural resources?
Answer: They provide milk, meat, wool, and other products.
Surprise Element: Pick Team 3 to answer immediately
Question: How does burning coal create pollution?
Answer: It releases smoke and gases into the atmosphere.
Surprise Element: Hidden Trap (-50 points)
Question: Give one example of reducing energy use.
Answer: Turning off lights and fans when not needed.
Surprise Element: Swap Scores With Team 5
Question: Why is the Amazon Rainforest called the “lungs of the Earth”?
Answer: It produces about 20% of Earth’s oxygen.
Surprise Element: Force Another Team to Answer (Team 4)
Question: Why must we conserve natural resources?
Answer: To ensure they are available for future generations.
Surprise Element: Pick Team 2 to answer immediately
Question: Why can’t we live a day without natural resources?
Answer: They give us air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and energy to live.
Surprise Element: Donate 100 Points to Team 6
Question: Why are trees considered renewable resources?
Answer: Because new trees can be planted to replace cut ones.
Surprise Element: Force Another Team to Answer (Team 8)
Question: Why do coal and oil take millions of years to form?
Answer: They come from ancient dead plants and animals compressed underground over time.
Surprise Element: Bonus Attempt
Question: What happens if humans waste too much water?
Answer: Water shortages occur, affecting drinking, farming, and daily life.
Surprise Element: Swap Scores With Team 8
Question: What environmental problem happens when greenhouse gases trap too
much heat?
Answer: Climate change.
Surprise Element: Power-Up Bank
Question: What is one way people can help protect water resources?
Answer: Avoid wasting water or letting taps drip.
Surprise Element: Pick Team 7 to answer immediately
Question: How much energy does the sun provide in one hour?
Answer: Enough to power Earth for a year.
Surprise Element: Steal 100 Points From Team 7
Question: What simple daily habit saves both water and energy?
Answer: Turning off taps and lights when not needed.
Surprise Element: Zero Out a Team’s Current Question Points (Team 6)
Question: Explain how farmers use natural resources to support human life.
Answer: They use soil and water to grow rice, wheat, vegetables, and other crops.
Surprise Element: Power-Up Bank
Question: Explain why sunlight is one of the most dependable renewable resources.
Answer: Because it replenishes daily and provides continuous energy without running out.
Surprise Element: Double Trouble
Question: Explain how burning fossil fuels contributes to air pollution.
Answer: Burning them releases smoke and harmful gases that contaminate the atmosphere.
Surprise Element: Steal 100 Points From Team 5
Question: Explain how fossil fuels support modern life.
Answer: They provide electricity and power vehicles, machines, and aircraft.
Surprise Element: Triple Bonus Points
Question: Explain how using non-sustainable resources can impact sea levels.
Answer: Excess heat melts icebergs, causing sea levels to rise.
Surprise Element: Steal 100 Points From Team 1
Question: Explain how farmers protect natural resources using sustainable farming.
Answer: They use compost, reduce water use, and rotate crops to protect soil health.
Surprise Element: Bonus Attempt
Question: What makes wind turbines eco-friendly?
Answer: They produce clean energy without harmful emissions.
Surprise Element: Power-Up Bank
Question: Why are sustainable resources essential for protecting wildlife?
Answer: They reduce pollution and create clean, safe habitats for animals.
Surprise Element: Triple Bonus Points
Question: Describe a scenario showing how losing a single natural resource could impact multiple parts of daily life.
Answer: Without water, people can’t drink, crops can’t grow, animals die, and sanitation becomes impossible.
Surprise Element: Hidden Trap (-50 points)
Question: Describe the water cycle’s role in making water a renewable resource.
Answer: Water evaporates, forms clouds, and returns as rain, creating a continuous natural cycle.
Surprise Element: Pick Team 4 to answer immediately
Question: Why is it impossible to rely on non-renewable resources forever?
Answer: They form too slowly and will eventually run out if we continue using them faster than nature creates them.
Surprise Element: Zero Out a Team’s Current Question Points (Team 2)
Question: Describe how using too many natural resources can create global problems.
Answer: Overuse leads to shortages, pollution, climate change, deforestation, and harm to ecosystems.
Surprise Element: Force Another Team to Answer (Team 1)
Question: Describe the chain reaction from burning fossil fuels to affecting human health.
Answer: Burning fuels creates polluted air; polluted air causes diseases, breathing issues, and health risks.
Surprise Element: Double Trouble
Question: Describe a community-level action that reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
Answer: Installing solar panels, wind turbines, or adopting renewable energy policies.
Surprise Element: Donate 100 Points to Team 8
Question: Name a country that gets almost all its electricity from renewable sources and explain how.
Answer: Iceland uses geothermal and hydroelectric power almost entirely.
Surprise Element: Double Bonus Points
Question: Summarize why humans must shift toward renewable energy sources.
Answer: To avoid exhausting non-renewable resources, reduce pollution, protect health, and support long-term sustainability.
Surprise Element: Steal 100 Points From Team 3