MCQ-Unit4-Review

AP Environmental Science Unit-4-Review Name 1. At which of the following sites would activity result in volcanoes, island arcs, and mountains? A B C D 2. At which of the following sites is an earthquake most likely to occur as two plates slide sideways past each other? A B C D 3. At which of the following sites does seafloor spreading result in rifts and possible volcanoes? A B C D Students want to determine the impact of soil erosion from the development of new housing. They plan to measure the density of a species of algae growing along the bottom of a river that flows through their town. The town is built in a heavily forested area, but a large area of trees along the river was recently clear-cut to allow for the construction of a new housing development, which has caused exposed soil to wash into the river. The river flows north to south through the town and is still forested both up- and downstream of the town. 4. Which of the following would be the best control sample for the study? A sample of water collected just downstream of the southern forest A sample of water collected just downstream of the housing development A sample of water collected just downstream of the northern forest A sample of distilled water 5. Which of the following is the dependent variable in the study? The tract of land that was clear-cut for the housing development A tract of land in a heavily forested area outside of town The density of a species of algae growing along the bottom of the river The flow rate of the river from north to south 6. Which of the following explains the variable that would be the best for students to measure to determine the direct impact of soil erosion caused by the construction project on the river? Water temperature, because a decrease in shading in the area would indicate an increase in soil erosion. Nutrient levels, because a decrease in nitrogen and phosphorus would indicate an increase in soil erosion. The pH level, because an increase in pH would indicate an increase in soil erosion. Turbidity, because a decrease in water clarity would indicate an increase in soil erosion. An environmental engineer wants to examine the permeability of different soils to determine the best natural containment system to protect groundwater from pollutants. The engineer tests four different soil samples, places them into a wet column, and pours of water over each sample. The engineer records the total amount of water that moves through the column as well as the total amount of time for the water to fully percolate through the soil. The data from the study are shown below. Sample Flow Time 1 2.7 seconds 2 2.2 seconds 3 15.8 seconds 4 20.6 seconds Total Volume of Water Recovered Permeability of Soil Sample 7. Which of the following best describes the independent variable in this research design? The sample of material chosen as the potential container material is the variable being tested, so it is the independent variable. The flow time, which is related to the porosity of each sample, is the variable that is measured, so it is the independent variable. The total volume of water recovered is most likely to be affected by human error and is the variable with the largest range of values, so it is the independent variable. The permeability of each soil sample, which is determined by dividing the total volume of water recovered by the flow time, is the variable that is calculated, so it is the independent variable. 8. Which of the following best describes why the engineer chose to calculate the permeability of the soil sample in the experimental design in order to evaluate a natural containment system to protect groundwater? Soils that have high permeability would best help protect groundwater because they would allow for faster recharge of the aquifer. Soils that have high permeability would best help protect groundwater because they have higher rates of nutrient and pesticide leaching. Soils that have low permeability would best help protect groundwater because the soil traps pollutants so that chemical and biological breakdown can occur. Soils that have low permeability would best help protect groundwater because the large pore spaces would provide space for pollutants to attach and would have rapid percolation of water. 9. Students sampled several different gardens near their school and measured the percentages of silt, sand, clay, and humus content present in each sample. Their results are shown in the table below. Sample Percent Component in Sample Percent Silt Percent Sand Percent Clay Percent Humus 30 30 10 30 40 10 15 35 30 30 10 20 20 25 45 5 Based on the data in the table above, which of the following samples would be the most prone to becoming waterlogged? Sample Sample Sample Sample 10. The graph below shows the altitude and temperature for different layers of Earth’s atmosphere. Based on the diagram, which of the following identifies a characteristic of the atmosphere between the stratopause and the tropopause? Cloud formation occurs in the stratosphere. The warmest air is found in the mesosphere. The ozone layer is in the stratosphere. The troposphere is the closest layer to the sun. 11. Which of the following correctly characterizes one of Earth’s atmospheric layers? Layer is the stratosphere, where meteors are found. Layer is the troposphere, where weather occurs. Layer is the stratosphere, where the ozone layer is found. Layer is the thermosphere, where auroras are found. 12. Based on the data in the diagrams, in which layer of the atmosphere would short wave radio signals be reflected? Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Exosphere The diagram below is an illustration of global atmospheric circulation. 13. Which of the following is a biome found at and as seen in the diagram? Rain forests Tundras Coniferous forests Deserts 14. Which of the following is the source of energy driving the circulation pattern labeled C in the diagram? The Coriolis effect Solar radiation Earth’s magnetic field The spinning core of Earth 15. Which of the following causes the air to rise high into the atmosphere in the areas labeled A, B, and C on the diagram? El Niño circulation patterns The rotation of Earth shifting the direction of the air upward Warm, moist air that is less dense than the surrounding air Rain shadows over mountain ridges 16. Hoover Dam is the largest dam in the United States, built on the Colorado River to supply hydroelectric power and flood control. Which of the following best describes a downstream environmental effect of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River watershed? The supply of inexpensive electricity led to population growth and industrial development in cities such as Phoenix and Los Angeles. The Lake Mead Recreation Area, formed by the reservoir behind Hoover Dam, is a popular tourist attraction for fishing, swimming, and boating. The drainage basin of the Colorado River includes 246,000 square miles and serves as a source of drinking water for over 40 million people. The damming of the Colorado River led to a change in stream flow, preventing river water and sediments from reaching the delta area. 17. Which of the following best describes why understanding a watershed and its boundaries is important in designing housing developments along a river? The water contained in a watershed is more likely to become polluted if the soil has high permeability, so it is important to locate all point sources to reduce contamination. Watersheds provide habitats for hundreds of marine species, so it is important to protect their feeding and nesting sites when designing housing for humans. Watersheds provide space for cultivating land to produce food and other products, so it is important to avoid locating a housing development on the most fertile land. Surface water and stormwater runoff will drain downstream within the watershed boundaries, so it is important to understand the flow of water through the watershed. 18. Which of the following should be included in a watershed map to best determine the non–point source of a pollutant, such as fertilizer, found in a river? The total volume of groundwater in the aquifer The total area and the average yearly precipitation of the watershed The land use upstream of the river and water quality indicators in streams that run downstream into the river The total volume of surface water of the river and the land use downstream of the river The axis of Earth in relation to the Sun is tilted at a 23.5 degree slant, as illustrated in the diagram below. Use the diagram below to answer the next three questions. 19. If the diagram illustrates Earth’s relative position on December 21 of a given year, which of the following statements would be correct? The Tropic of Cancer has a shorter day and higher solar radiation intensity because there is an inverse relationship between length of day and radiation intensity. The Tropic of Capricorn has a shorter day and higher solar radiation intensity because there is a direct relationship between length of day and radiation intensity. The equator has twelve hours of daylight and the greatest solar radiation intensity because there is no direct relationship between day length and radiation intensity. The Tropic of Cancer has a shorter day and lower solar radiation intensity because there is a direct relationship between day length and radiation intensity. 20. Which of the following areas receives the most intense solar radiation at the time of year shown in the diagram, and why? The Antarctic Circle, because it is closest to the Sun. The Tropic of Capricorn, because this latitude is nearly horizontal to incoming solar radiation. The equator, because it is the hottest region and therefore receives the most intense solar radiation. The Tropic of Cancer, because solar radiation spreads out over a wider area at this latitude. 21. Which of the following correctly describes the season and length of day at the Tropic of Cancer at the time of year shown in the diagram? The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun so it is winter at the Tropic of Cancer and daylight is less than twelve hours per day. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, so it is winter at the Tropic of Cancer and daylight is approximately twelve hours per day. The Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, so it is summer at the Tropic of Cancer and daylight is greater than twelve hours per day. The Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun so it is summer at the Tropic of Cancer and daylight is approximately twelve hours per day. 22. In the desert regions of the southwestern United States, daily high and low temperatures will frequently fluctuate by or more. Which statement below best explains the large variation in temperature? There are no bordering oceans or large bodies of water to provide a stabilizing humidity to the air. The nearby Rocky Mountain range provides a rain shadow effect in the evenings to the west. The flat, light-colored sand formations typical in deserts reflect light from the Sun during the day, but not at night. Desert plants have long tap roots that pull water from deep in the soil, cooling the desert at night. 23. Which of the following best explains why City B regularly receives less precipitation than City A? As air rises up the side of the mountain near City B, the temperature and the relative humidity increase, causing increased precipitation on the other side of the mountain over City A. Air that is forced upward on the side of the mountain near City B leads to the formation of stratospheric clouds. The urban heat island from City B causes a warmer climate that leads to reduced cloud formation. The rain shadow effect causes City B to be drier because the mountain blocks precipitation from reaching the city. 24. The shaded area in New York State, Pennsylvania, and Ohio in the northeast United States is referred to as a snowbelt. On average, this region receives much more snowfall than surrounding areas. Which of the following best explains why the shaded area receives more snowfall than the other parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio? Moisture-laden storms from the Gulf of Mexico release precipitation here because of the cool temperatures in the region. Air pollutants from power plants and industrial emissions in the Midwest increase snowfall rates. Moisture picked up from the warmer water in the Great Lakes is deposited as snow downwind. Sea spray from the Atlantic Ocean is carried westward by prevailing winds. El Niño and La Niña are natural phenomena associated with changing water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. The occurrence of these events can result in changes in global weather and ocean circulation patterns. 25. Which of the following changes in eastern Pacific Ocean food webs is typically associated with La Niña events? Decreased populations of squid Decreased populations of anchovies Increased phytoplankton concentrations Increased famine among sea lions and seals 26. Which of the following is a positive effect likely to result from an El Niño event? Increased droughts in Central and South America Reduced chance of winter floods in California and the Pacific Northwest Fewer hurricanes forming in the Central Atlantic basin Fewer heat waves in Australia 27. Which of the following is the most likely effect of a strong El Niño event on the weather patterns in the United States? Wetter weather and cooler temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and warmer temperatures with more snow in the northeastern states Drier weather in the western states and wetter weather in the eastern states Wetter weather and cooler than average temperatures in the southeastern states and warmer temperatures in the Pacific Northwest Overall warmer temperatures and drier conditions throughout the entire United States