1	Recent climate data suggests a global warming trend. Disruption of which natural cycle MOST LIKELYcontributes to this temperature increase?
	A phosphorus cycle B carbon cycle C nitrogen cycle D potassium cycle
Answer: B  SE: EVS.4(D)

2	In a biome, elements such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon move between living things and their environment. These transfers of matter are part of—
	F biogeochemical cycles G ecological succession H energy pyramids J symbiotic relationships
Answer: F  SE: EVS.6(E)

3	Which would be the BEST tools to measure the density of a small piece of limestone?
	A a temperature probe and a balance B a pH probe and a 500 mL beaker C a metric ruler and a balance D a graduated cylinder and a balance
Answer: D  SE: EVS.2(G)

4	Students studying the hydrologic cycle plan to use several rain gauges to compare average annual precipitation in several Texas state parks. Which of these variables should be the independent variable?
	F height of the gauge G brand of the gauge H size of the gauge J location of the gauge
Answer: J  SE: EVS.2(E)

5	A student made a model of the Earth and its atmosphere by covering a box with plastic wrap and placing thermometers inside and outside of the box. A heat lamp was shined on the box. The temperature inside the box increased at a faster rate than the outside temperature. This model best represents—
	A the effects of acid rain on temperature inversions B the role of carbon dioxide in trapping heat from radiation in the greenhouse effect C the role of convection creating the Coriolis Effect in the ocean D ozone depletion and its effect on global temperatures
Answer: B  SE: EVS.6(C)

6	Upwelling is caused by thermal energy flowing through ecosystems when—
	F offshore winds blow the warm top layer of the ocean southward, bringing cold water and nutrients from deeper regions to the surface by convection G northerly surface winds create offshore surface water to flow toward the land by conduction H radiation increases surface temperatures, causing water density to decrease and water to flow south J conduction from land to water in the summer increases surface water temperatures
Answer: F  SE: EVS.6(C)

7	In the wealthy, oil-rich United Arab Emirates near Dubai, a $14 billion dollar construction project is creating a series of man-made islands topped with beautiful, resort homes for the super wealthy. Most renewable and non-renewable resources will have to come from outside ecosystems. Which one does NOT?
	A energy B steel C lumber D food
Answer: A  SE: EVS.5(D)

8	A couple from Dallas wants to build a vacation home on the coast of Texas. Which renewable resource must be imported from an outside ecosystem to finish the construction?
	F water G gasoline H lumber J natural gas
Answer: H  SE: EVS.5(D)

9	Excerpt from Nature News: October 2005: Parts of the Amazon rainforest are enduring the worst drought in 40 years, prompting local government to declare several cities in the Brazilian state of Amazonas as disaster areas. Researchers say that rising sea temperatures in the North Atlantic, perhaps prompted by climate change, are probably to blame. The warm waters tend to encourage evaporation, leading to low pressure systems over the Atlantic. This creates storm conditions that carry water and energy towards the United States. This caused one of the worst hurricane seasons on record, that included Hurricane Katrina. But it also sets up high pressure systems over neighboring regions further south, such as the Amazon. High pressure systems tend to carry fewer clouds and provide less rainwater. Dry conditions in the rainforest could lead to fires and continued deforestation, which could only increase the rate of global climate change. How are the processes in the water cycle related to the strength and severity of hurricanes like Katrina in 2005?
	A Warmer than normal ocean surface temperatures cause clouds to lose moisture and energy to ocean currents, causing hurricane-force winds. B Warmer than normal ocean surface temperatures lead to an extreme amount of evaporation. This causes thick clouds of condensation to store huge amounts of energy and water vapor. C Cooler than normal ocean temperatures cause condensation and heavy precipitation along coastal areas. D Cooler than normal ocean surface temperatures cause strong winds to create heavy ocean evaporation. This leads to inland flooding.
Answer: B  SE: EVS.4(C)

10	On a field trip to a volcano that has recently erupted, your teacher asks you to classify the types of rock that you see and include them in a diagram of the rock cycle. You could expect to find samples of—
	F sedimentary rock, such as sandstone G metamorphic rock, such as slate H extrusive igneous rock, such as obsidian J all three types of rock would be found in equal amounts
Answer: H  SE: EVS.4(C)

11	Deep water ocean currents, sometimes called “conveyer belt currents,” flow as warm waters from the Gulfstream lose thermal energy, decrease in density, and sink in the Northern Atlantic. The waters then flow southward and eventually into the Pacific where they are heated again and rise. Energy flows through this system due to—
	A convection B conduction C radiation D deposition
Answer: A  SE: EVS.6(C)

12	Based on the diagram above, about what percent of the plant’s biomass is available to SECONDARY consumers who are predators of the caterpillar?
	F 17% G 33% H 53% J 100%
Answer: F  SE: EVS.6(E)

13	Inorganic phosphate is an important nutrient in the ecosystem which organisms need to produce nucleic acids and cell membranes. Which of the following pairs of biogeochemical cycles have the GREATEST interaction with the phosphorus cycle to bring inorganic phosphate to plants?
	A Nitrogen Cycle and Hydrologic Cycle B Carbon Cycle and Nitrogen Cycle C Carbon Cycle and Sulfur Cycle D Rock Cycle and Hydrologic Cycle
Answer: D  SE: EVS.4(C)

14	The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into layers based on temperature gradients. Which is the correct order of the layers (beginning at the Earth’s surface)?
	F Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Troposphere G Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere H Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere J Thermosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere
Answer: H  SE: EVS.6(A)

15	Currents carrying water past the continental shelves influence climate patterns. Currents such as the Gulf Stream in the Northern Hemisphere and the Brazilian Current in the Southern Hemisphere continually transport water heated by solar radiation from the equator toward the poles. Compared to inland areas at the same latitude, the coastal areas affected by these currents will—
	A be cooler in temperature B be warmer in temperature C have more storms D have a shorter growing season
Answer: B  SE: EVS.6(E)

16	Which components of the Earth’s systems are MOST CORRECTLYmatched with their related topics?
	F Biosphere: Earth’s mantle and core G Hydrosphere: Plate tectonics H Cryosphere: Glacier thickness J Geosphere: Ocean currents
Answer: H  SE: EVS.6(A)

17	Fresh water typically sits on top of seawater in estuaries where fresh water and salt water meet. This is due to seawater’s—
	A greater density B lower freezing point C greater mass D warmer temperature
Answer: A  SE: EVS.6(A)

18	Food waste in a compost bin gives off heat as it decomposes. What is the BEST explanation of this phenomenon?
	F As communities of decomposers break down waste, their cellular respiration gives off thermal energy. G As worms move through the soil, they generate heat due to friction. H Water in the compost pile heats as it evaporates. J Solar radiation causes the compost pile to heat faster than the surrounding area.
Answer: F  SE: EVS.6(E)

19	Farmers decide to stop growing legume crops. This reduces the number of nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria. How would this affect the nitrogen cycle?
	A After a few years, plant production would decrease and farmers would have to add more synthetic fertilizers to get the same crop yields. B Precipitation would increase, causing lightning to fix more nitrogen in the atmosphere. C Nitrates would accumulate in the soil. D The amount of atmospheric nitrogen would decrease.
Answer: A  SE: EVS.4(C)

20	Nation Electricity Production from Renewable Sources (in billion kilowatt hours per year in 2008) China 537 USA 393 Canada 390 Brazil 385 Russia 166 Norway 139 India 128 Data from National Geographic June 2011 pg 120 A developing nation wants to set goals to become one of the leaders in clean energy and sustainable electricity generation in the world. What is the MEDIAN renewable electricity production of the top seven nations listed above?
	F 305 G 385 H 409 J 537
Answer: G  SE: EVS.5(C)

21	A valid conclusion that is supported from these graphic organizers is that—
	A uranium mining wastes a tremendous amount of the stored energy in uranium B silicon solar cells are extremely energy efficient compared to nuclear power plants C nuclear waste is a terrible environmental problem that can be solved by using fossil fuels D solar and nuclear electricity generation have similar net efficiencies
Answer: D  SE: EVS.6(D)

22	An experiment was performed to determine the effect of different types of fertilizer on plant growth. Sixty pots containing identical plants were divided into three equal groups and placed in a well-lighted greenhouse. Each pot contained an unfertilized potting medium and one plant. Materials were then added to each experimental group of pots as shown. What should be added to the control group of pots?
	F only water G only water and organic fertilizer H only water and synthetic fertilizer J water and both organic and synthetic fertilizer
Answer: F  SE: EVS.2(E)

23	Nitrogen Cycle Diagram In the diagram above of the nitrogen cycle, the boxes marked X, Y, and Z should contain the following chemicals—
	A X = N2     Y= NO2-     Z= NH4+ B X = NO3-     Y= NO2-     Z= NH4+ C X = N2     Y= NH4+     Z = NO2- D X = NH4+     Y= NO2-     Z= NO3-
Answer: D  SE: EVS.4(C)

	Use the following information to answer the next two questions.

24	The graphic above shows biomass at each level of the energy pyramid. Based on these numbers, how many tuna could be supported by 1 X 107 kg of phytoplankton?
	F 10kg G 100kg H 1000kg J 10,000kg
Answer: H  SE: EVS.6(D)

25	Scientists have observed that ecosystems like the one shown rarely contain more than a few trophic levels. What is the BESTexplanation for this observation, based on the first law of thermodynamics?
	A Energy transfer efficiency is high because heat is stored at each trophic level. B Energy transfer efficiency is low because heat is released at each trophic level. C Energy amounts remain constant when transferred between levels. D Energy cannot be transferred through trophic levels.
Answer: B  SE: EVS.6(D)

26

Your company is developing an eco-resort that is built over a coral reef ecosystem. What challenges would you have in order to run a sustainable, green business? Name and EXPLAIN at least three. As you list these, consider: What energy source would you choose and why? What materials and resources must come from outside the ecosystem to make your project work? Challenge #1: Challenge #2:  Challenge #3:

Answer: 0 to 1  SE: EVS.5(C)

27

Aldo Leopold was a pioneering environmental ethicist. His advanced training in the environment profoundly influenced his moral vision of the natural world. Leopold was an ecologist, farmer, forester and conservationist who wrote explicitly about human moral duties to nature. He was the first to articulate a land ethic, or to describe moral responsibilities for land. As you reflect on the relationships that exist within the environment, what moral responsibilities do you think we as individuals have in relationship to the environment? Explain your answer.

Answer: 0 to 1  SE: EVS.9(I)

28	Identify and describe the interactions between the hydrosphere and the atmosphere as they play a role and how these interactions impact an ecosystem. Be sure to include the role solar energy plays in the interactions.
Answer: 0 to 1  SE: EVS.6(A)

29	The Caribbean Islands were formed as one plate was subducted under another plate. The subduction resulted in back-arc volcanism, which allowed for volcanic islands to form. How would the geological structure of the Caribbean Islands affect the type of natural resources it would have? What type of resources would the islands have to import, because they cannot be self-reliant?
Answer: 0 to 2  SE: EVS.5(D)

30	Should laws be created that mandate a community to recycle materials that are in high need? Justify your answer.
Answer: 0 to 1  SE: EVS.9(I)