Environmental Science, 10th Edition (Cunningham)

Chapter 2: Frameworks for Understanding: Science, Systems, and Ethics

Practice Quizzing

Your Results:

The correct answer for each question is indicated by a .

1			Which of the following is not a basic principle of science?
			A)	We can learn through observation.
			B)	Simpler explanations are preferable.
			C)	Nothing can be absolutely proven.
			D)	All of the above are basic scientific principles.
2			Which of the following does not apply to manipulative experiments?
			A)	Extraneous variables are held constant.
			B)	Most experiments are done in the laboratory.
			C)	They are useful for studying large scale geologic forces.
			D)	They can be affected by experimenter bias.
3			Inherent value refers to value
			A)	possessed by something merely because it exists.
			B)	earned through moral behavior.
			C)	deserved because of one's usefulness to others.
			D)	conferred only on those people that cannot be held responsible for their own behavior.
4			The ecofeminist view sees the role of humans in the world as
			A)	caregivers.
			B)	masters.
			C)	consumers.
			D)	destroyers.
5			Toxic colonialism occurs in a number of forms including:
			A)	attempts to locate waste dumps and other undesirable facilities on Native American reservations.
			B)	taking advantage of poor Third World countries by disposing of toxic wastes in such places.
			C)	use of environmentally risky technologies in poor countries but not in industrialized countries.
			D)	all of the above.
6			In science a theory is
			A)	simply someone's opinion.
			B)	a tentative explanation, comparable to a hypothesis.
			C)	an explanation supported by a substantial body of evidence.
			D)	speculation.
7			How can citizens make sense of all the information out there related to environmental issues?
			A)	They can apply critical thinking to what they read and hear.
			B)	They can seek further scientific information.
			C)	They can determine the authority of the source of the information.
			D)	All of the above.
8			The process of science is characterized by all of the following EXCEPT which one? Science
			A)	attempts to keep explanations as simple as possible.
			B)	normally provides absolute proof
			C)	attempts to be objective.
			D)	is inherently skeptical.
9			Scientific paradigms can be characterized by all of the following EXCEPT which one?
			A)	once agreed upon remain unchanged forever.
			B)	are broad patterns of thought that guide thinking.
			C)	influence how we interpret evidence.
			D)	determine which questions we understand to be relevant to issues at hand.
10			The process by which science works is useful to the general public as well as to scientists.
			A)	TRUE
			B)	FALSE
11			A person carefully gathering pieces of information to uncover a larger pattern is engaged in deductive reasoning.
			A)	TRUE
			B)	FALSE
12			Creating a generalization based on several observations is an example of deductive reasoning.
			A)	TRUE
			B)	FALSE
13			If something cannot be directly experimented upon it is not considered to be a part of science.
			A)	TRUE
			B)	FALSE
14			Statistical tests
			A)	provide us with raw numbers such as the number of people in a given city
			B)	focus on determining the probability that observed phenomena occurred by chance
			C)	Are only used in science to influence political decision-making
			D)	2 and 3 are correct
15			Manipulative experiments
			A)	are not useful to ecologists because they depend on the natural environment.
			B)	are most often conducted in a laboratory
			C)	do not allow the scientist to control variables
			D)	None of the above
16			Mathematical models can be
			A)	used to explain climate change
			B)	used to illustrate population dynamics
			C)	used to allow a researcher to manipulate variables without causing problems in the real systems
			D)	All of the above
17			In evaluating the value of a report on environmental issues, it is important to consider
			A)	the reliability of the sources
			B)	if the claims been verified
			C)	the position of the scientific community
			D)	all of the above
18			Ecological systems often undergo periodic disturbances
			A)	such as floods and fires
			B)	and show resilience when they recover quickly
			C)	only in arid environments
			D)	1 and 2 are correct
19			The Ohito Declaration
			A)	Included representatives from 9 major religions
			B)	was ratified by the President of the United States
			C)	outlined faith-based beliefs and responsibilities about protecting the environment
			D)	1 and 3 are correct
20			Environmental justice combines civil rights and environmental protection
			A)	True
			B)	False

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