TEST NAME: ENERGY
TEST ID: 194752
GRADE: 08
SUBJECT: Life and Physical Sciences
TEST CATEGORY: My Classroom
ENERGY
Page 1 of 50
Student: Class:
Date:
1. Which of the following is a renewable resource?
A.
coal
B.
minerals
C.
petroleum
D.
sunlight
2. The development of a nuclear power plant at an ocean site is expected to produce an enormous amount of
electric power for a large population. Ocean water will be used to cool the plant and then returned to the
ocean. What unintended consequence should be analyzed before starting construction?
A.
number of kilowatts produced per home
B.
the effect of warmed water on aquatic life
C.
the impact of other energy­producing resources
D.
energy use per person
3.
Which best describes a disadvantage of using wind power to generate
electricity?
A.
The technology used to generate electricity from wind is expensive.
B.
Much of the energy in wind power is lost when it is converted to
electricity.
C.
The source of wind needed to generate electricity is variable and
unpredictable.
D.
The amount of electrical energy produced from wind power is too
great for power lines to withstand.
4. Fossil fuels were made from specific kinds of ancient organisms. The fossilized remains of tiny ocean
organisms formed
A.
only coal.
B.
only natural gas.
C.
oil and coal.
D.
oil and natural gas.
5.
Solar batteries collect and store solar energy for conversion to electrical
energy. Which represents a major consequence of the use of solar
batteries?
A.
cost of the batteries
B.
disposal of the batteries
C.
lifespan of the batteries
ENERGY
Page 2 of 50
6. Research is being conducted on using energy from the Sun to split water molecules into hydrogen and
oxygen. The oxygen will be released into the environment, and hydrogen will be used for fuel. Which
statement describes how this technology will benefit the environment?
A.
The properties of hydrogen will be better understood.
B.
The availability of clean resources will increase.
C.
The atmosphere will be supplied with oxygen.
D.
The Sun’s abundant supply of energy will be used.
7. Twentieth­century research and development of vaccines significantly reduced the threat of
A.
polio.
B.
stroke.
C.
diabetes.
D.
osteoporosis.
8. How does acid rain most likely affect forests?
A.
Top soil loses all of its nutrients.
B.
Plants begin to grow deeper roots.
C.
Animals have more food sources.
D.
Trees become less healthy over time.
9.
Which is an example of conservation of energy resources?
A.
Niagara Falls, straddling both countries, produces electricity for
Canada and the U.S.
B.
Windmills in the Netherlands have been capturing wind power for
more than 2,000 years.
C.
In the U.S., households are replacing their incandescent light bulbs
with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
10.
Which is the most negative environmental consequence of building dams
for hydroelectric power?
A.
air pollution
B.
chemical spills
C.
water pollution
D.
habitat destruction
ENERGY
Page 3 of 50
11.
Greenhouse gases are often produced as a result of obtaining and using
fossil fuels. Which greenhouse gas most likely has the greatest impact
on global warming?
A.
carbon monoxide
B.
carbon dioxide
C.
methane
12.
Which best describes the consequences of an oil spill?
A.
Wildlife is immediately affected but recovers quickly.
B.
Wildlife is unaffected, and there are no long­term effects.
C.
Wildlife is not immediately affected, but there may be long­term
effects.
D.
Wildlife is immediately affected, and there are long­term, permanent
effects.
13.
What can citizens do to conserve current energy sources for the future?
A.
make disposable products
B.
install solar panels to generate electricity
C.
use new materials instead of recycled materials
D.
increase the amount of material used to package goods
14.
Which form of energy transformation would result in the emission of the
greenhouse gas methane?
A.
nuclear energy
B.
solar energy
C.
coal mining
15. Which of the following will reduce a home electric bill?
A.
using cloth napkins rather than paper towels
B.
drying clothes on a clothesline on sunny days
C.
keeping appliances plugged in when not in use
D.
using incandescent light bulbs in the lamps
ENERGY
Page 4 of 50
16. Human interaction with the environment has led to increasing amounts of acid rain. Which population have
humans adversely affected the most by contributing to the production of acid rain?
A.
frogs in a pond ecosystem
B.
fish in an ocean ecosystem
C.
bears in a tundra ecosystem
D.
lions in a grassland ecosystem
17.
Which is an environmental consequence of using biomass as a source of
energy?
A.
There are no environmental consequences for using biomass as a
source of energy.
B.
Biomass creates harmful emission of carbon and sulfur, and causes
massive cutting of trees.
C.
Biomass has a great impact on the temperature of fresh water and
the amount of dissolved oxygen.
18.
Why is solar energy seldom used as an environmentally safe energy
source in households to provide electricity?
A.
Solar energy can only be used with gasoline.
B.
Solar power facilities destroy animal habitats.
C.
Solar energy is difficult to capture and store for later use.
19. Which renewable resource is used with photovoltaic cells to produce electricity?
A.
hydrothermal energy
B.
solar energy
C.
geothermal energy
D.
nuclear energy
20.
Which best describes a renewable energy source?
A.
oil
B.
coal
C.
sunlight
21. Some power plants release heated water into rivers. This practice adds thermal energy to the river that
most likely
A.
increases the amount of nutrients in the river.
B.
provides a better environment for native organisms to grow.
C.
keeps the river at balance with nature.
D.
threatens the existence of aquatic organisms.
ENERGY
Page 5 of 50
22. In the Adirondack forests of New York, some trees have died. The change in the forest is thought to be
related to air pollution and rain. Which abiotic factor most likely has been changed as a result of the
pollution and rain which resulted in the death of the trees?
A.
a decrease in the amount of available oxygen
B.
an increase in the amount of sunlight
C.
a decrease in the pH of the soil
D.
an increase in the nutrients
23.
Which is most accurate in regards to energy resources ?
A.
Fossil fuels are limited, therefore it is important to conserve energy.
B.
Solar radiation is limited, therefore it is important to conserve
energy.
C.
Wind, water, and solar power generate pollution, therefore it is
important to conserve energy.
24.
Which best represents a consequence of an oil spill?
A.
Food webs are disrupted.
B.
Tourist visits to the area increase.
C.
Nuclear energy is less readily available.
D.
Inland reservoirs become contaminated.
25. Which of these renewable resources results in an increase in pollution when used to produce energy?
A.
water
B.
wind
C.
biomass
D.
geothermal
26. Acid rain can damage limestone buildings and marble statues. It can also harm organisms living in ponds
and other ecosystems. Which pollutant in the atmosphere causes most of the acid rain?
A.
fluorocarbons from aerosol spray cans
B.
nitrous oxide from volcanic eruptions
C.
sulfur dioxide from burning fossil fuels
D.
soil particles from the use of farm equipment
ENERGY
Page 6 of 50
27.
Which best explains why the use of biomass liquid fuels is limited?
A.
They do not generate enough energy.
B.
They are dangerous to collect and store.
C.
They are too expensive to mass produce.
D.
They produce too much pollution when burned.
28.
Why do many communities use resources other than windmills to obtain
energy?
A.
Windmills make small amounts of energy.
B.
Some areas have inconsistent winds.
C.
Windmills are visual pollutants.
29. Which would be the best method to use to dispose of cardboard boxes not utilized by a local grocery store?
A.
burn them once a month
B.
send them to be dumped in a remote area
C.
have them recycled for future paper products
D.
put them into a dumpster with the rest of the trash
30. Each morning Alex boils water in a kettle to make hot tea. He usually boils more water than he needs. He
purchased a new kettle that has measurements marked to show how much water is in it.
How will the new kettle most likely help Alex conserve energy?
A.
Using the new kettle will boil more water at a slower rate.
B.
The kettle will use solar energy and will not require electrical energy.
C.
The kettle will convert thermal energy into electrical energy more efficiently than a regular kettle.
D.
Using the correct amount of water will require less electrical energy to be converted to thermal energy.
ENERGY
Page 7 of 50
31.
Which is the best example of a nonrenewable energy resource?
A.
coal
B.
ethanol
C.
oxygen
32.
Which best explains why fossil fuels should be conserved?
A.
They are inexpensive.
B.
They are in limited supply.
C.
They are dangerous to handle.
D.
They do not cause pollution when used.
33.
Which is most likely the greatest impact on the environment when a dam
is built for hydroelectric power production?
A.
The dam destroys habitats by creating reservoirs of water that flood
lands upstream of the dam.
B.
The water cycle is disturbed by the building of a dam because water
is concentrated in new areas.
C.
Plant populations suffer from increased competition beyond the dam
because more land is available for cultivation.
D.
Animal populations increase rapidly in ecosystems upstream of the
dam because of more available water.
34.
Which practice should be used with nonrenewable energy resources until
affordable alternate energy options are developed?
A.
depletion
B.
stockpiling
C.
preservation
D.
conservation
ENERGY
Page 8 of 50
35.
Which pollutant is openly released into the atmosphere when coal is
burned to supply energy to power plants?
A.
lead
B.
mercury
C.
carbon dioxide
36. Fluorescent light bulbs use less energy than incandescent light bulbs use to produce the same amount of
light. Despite this advantage, many people continue to use incandescent light bulbs. Which fact most likely
causes some people to continue favoring incandescent light bulbs over fluorescent light bulbs?
A.
Fluorescent light bulbs last longer than incandescent light bulbs.
B.
Fluorescent light bulbs cost more to purchase than incandescent light bulbs.
C.
Fluorescent light bulbs cost less to operate than incandescent light bulbs.
D.
Fluorescent light bulbs produce less heat than incandescent light bulbs.
37. Scientists at a local university have been studying the impact that people have on Earth. One of the areas
being studied is how the burning of fossil fuels affects the environment. Which effect of fossil fuel burning
have the scientists most likely evaluated?
A.
the production of nitrogen­fixing bacteria
B.
the mechanical weathering of roads
C.
the formation of acid rain
D.
the increase in runoff
38. Which human activity contributes to the formation of acid rain?
A.
using too much fertilizer in agriculture
B.
cutting down large areas of tropical forests
C.
burning fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline
D.
using chemicals that destroy ozone in the stratosphere
39. Which of these groups would be most concerned with technological developments in insect control?
A.
paleontologists
B.
archaeologists
C.
agriculturists
D.
meteorologists
40.
Why is petroleum extracted from the earth described as a nonrenewable
energy source?
A.
After drilling, it is made into gasoline fuel.
B.
It takes millions of years to form.
C.
Oil reserves are plentiful.
ENERGY
Page 9 of 50
41. Which of these can be recycled in an attempt to conserve resources?
A.
gasoline
B.
sunlight
C.
aluminum
D.
natural gas
42.
Which is a major global energy source and is used as fuel to generate
electricity?
A.
oil
B.
sun
C.
thermal
43.
Which factor is most likely to cause the reduction of water resources that
could be used for energy production?
A.
increased pollution
B.
increased deforestation
C.
increased human population
D.
increased global temperatures
44.
Which could most likely release a high dose of radiation to the
environment?
A.
a nuclear energy power plant
B.
a coal­burning power plant
C.
a hydroelectric power plant
45.
Which form of energy production would most likely affect migration of
spawning salmon?
A.
coal
B.
wind
C.
nuclear
D.
hydropower
ENERGY
Page 10 of 50
46. How does a society that uses nuclear power to generate electricity most likely view the value of that
technology?
A.
It provides a resource for which no alternatives are available.
B.
The negative effects have been overstated and can be ignored.
C.
It has risks but its benefits outweigh these risks.
D.
Alternatives are available but carry a greater threat.
47.
An environmental impact statement describes the possible effects a
project might have on the environment. Which would most likely be
included in an environmental impact statement concerning drilling for oil
in Antarctica?
A.
the costs of setting up drilling equipment
B.
the effect of increased oil production on the economy
C.
the effect of oil spills on organisms living in Antarctica
D.
the estimated amount of oil sent to North America during the project
48.
Which energy source is best described as non­renewable?
A.
solar
B.
fossil fuels
C.
hydroelectric
49. What is the greatest contributor to air pollution in the United States?
A.
factories
B.
automobiles
C.
power plants
D.
burning waste
50.
Which energy resource creates the least amount of pollution when used
to generate electricity?
A.
oil
B.
coal
C.
wind
D.
natural gas
ENERGY
Page 11 of 50
51.
Which would most adversely affect hydroelectric power?
A.
frost
B.
drought
C.
shortage of uranium
52.
Which energy source would be the most threatened if fossil fuels were
suddenly depleted?
A.
wind
B.
trees
C.
uranium
53.
When wood is burned as an energy heat source, which best describes the
environmental consequences?
A.
thermal pollution and contamination of water resources
B.
excess oxygen and water vapor in the atmosphere
C.
deforestation and release of greenhouse gases
D.
soil contamination and acid precipitation
54.
Which is the most likely economic consequence of oil supplies becoming
scarce?
A.
The cost of energy produced from oil will increase.
B.
Scientists will develop ways to make oil in the laboratory.
C.
Oil companies will need to expand to search for oil in new places.
55.
Which is a nonrenewable ocean resource?
A.
oil
B.
salt
C.
fish
D.
water
ENERGY
Page 12 of 50
56. Which of these is a renewable resource found in Nevada?
A.
zinc metal
B.
gravel deposits
C.
petroleum products
D.
geothermal energy
57.
Which environmental consequence is most often associated with
obtaining energy from fossil fuels?
A.
air pollution
B.
noise pollution
C.
disruption of bird migration
D.
excessive use of valuable land
58.
Which would most likely occur if coal supplies were depleted?
A.
increased air pollution
B.
decreased air pollution
C.
increased water pollution
D.
decreased water pollution
59.
Which environmentally safe energy sources depend heavily on the sun?
A.
wind and solar
B.
nuclear and coal
C.
solar and nuclear
60.
Which method of energy production is most likely to have a negative
impact upon the environment?
A.
hydroelectric power plant
B.
coal­burning power plant
C.
wind turbine
D.
solar panel
ENERGY
Page 13 of 50
61. Which of the following could help to reduce a home heating bill in winter?
A.
replacing wood doors with aluminum doors
B.
using more insulation in the walls of the home
C.
using thick rugs and heavy curtains in the home
D.
painting the roof of the home white to reflect light
62.
Which best describes how the negative environmental impact of
transforming fossil fuels into energy can be reduced?
A.
find more efficient ways to use fossil fuels
B.
find a way to capture energy lost during transformation
C.
find a way to create more smoke and soot for the environment
63.
Which energy source would be most affected by the depletion of water
from rivers and streams?
A.
fossil fuel
B.
wind power
C.
hydroelectric
D.
nuclear power
64. A house is built in a desert, where there is no electricity and very little wind. Which action could lead to
operating the electrical appliances in the house that would cause the least amount of environmental
pollution?
A.
constructing a small hydroelectric plant
B.
placing solar panels on the roof of the house
C.
using gasoline generators
D.
burning coal or wood
65.
Which would most likely be the primary energy source to power large
cities if fossil fuels were depleted?
A.
solar power
B.
nuclear power
C.
hydroelectric power
ENERGY
Page 14 of 50
66.
The graph below shows power production by energy source for the year
2012.
Which statement is most likely to be true?
A.
The percentage for coal will increase over the next 100 years.
B.
The percentage for nuclear energy will decrease over the next 100
years.
C.
The percentages for petroleum and natural gas will remain the same
over the next 100 years.
D.
The percentages for hydroelectric power and other renewable energy
sources will increase over the next 100 years.
67.
Why are U.S. citizens most reluctant to allow oil drilling off coastal
shorelines?
A.
Oil rigs are unsightly.
B.
It will increase the use of fossil fuels.
C.
It will increase the profits of oil companies.
D.
It might lead to environmental damage from oil spills.
ENERGY
Page 15 of 50
68.
Which will most likely negatively impact the environment when coal is
burned for energy?
A.
iron
B.
water
C.
nitrogen D.
carbon dioxide 69. Of the choices listed, what is the best way to conserve water in a home?
A.
take long showers
B.
run a half full dishwasher
C.
let the water run while washing the dishes
D.
turn off the water while brushing your teeth
70. Oil used to lubricate automobile engines is not biodegradable. What is the best way of disposing of this used
oil?
A.
pour it down the drain so it can go to the water recycling plant
B.
use it to paint a wooden fence to make it water repellant
C.
take it to the local automotive parts store to be recycled
D.
put it on the weeds in a park to kill the weeds
71.
Which action has the most immediate environmental impact?
A.
drilling for oil
B.
erecting a windmill
C.
setting up a turbine near a river
D.
creating a nuclear plant in an existing building
72. Which upgrade to a school will most likely reduce the school’s consumption of nonrenewable resources?
A.
solar­collection panels
B.
high­speed computers
C.
wireless Internet connections
D.
biodegradable carpeting
73.
Although solar power is an excellent source of energy, why is
conservation still important?
A.
Solar power creates air pollution.
B.
Solar power creates water pollution.
C.
Solar power is limited by present technology.
ENERGY
Page 16 of 50
74. Students were investigating the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power.
Which statement best explains why a society would choose nuclear power despite its disadvantages?
A.
Nuclear power plants are less costly to build.
B.
Nuclear power plants produce large amounts of energy with little air pollution.
C.
Radioactive waste storage units have become available.
D.
Reactor malfunctions leading to environmental contamination are minimal.
75. Which factor can increase the amount of sulfur dioxide in the air?
A.
applying too much fertilizer to agricultural fields
B.
operation of coal­fired electric generating plants
C.
a hot summer day
D.
too much rain
76.
Which example of stewardship best describes the careful use of
resources?
A.
recycling
B.
conservation
C.
reforestation
77. The increasing use of internal combustion engines could eventually deplete which resource?
A.
wind energy
B.
petroleum
C.
uranium
D.
solar energy
78. Which of these statements best describes a possible environmental consequence in constructing a large­
scale wind farm to generate electricity?
A.
Wind farms alter the regional climate.
B.
Wind farms can disrupt migrating wildlife.
C.
Wind farms use a renewable energy source.
D.
Wind farms generate direct current electricity.
ENERGY
Page 17 of 50
79. The Nevada map below shows the locations of some of the state’s natural resources.
Which best describes the resources located in Washoe County, Nevada?
A.
mineral resources
B.
fossil fuel resources
C.
renewable resources
D.
petroleum resources
80. Ethanol is an alternative fuel made from corn and other agricultural products. This fuel produces less
carbon dioxide than gasoline. Which would most likely occur if more ethanol­burning vehicles were
produced and used by consumers in the United States?
A.
Nonrenewable energy sources would deplete at a faster rate.
B.
More greenhouse gases would pollute cities in the United States.
C.
Renewable energy sources would be used more for fuel sources.
D.
The United States would be dependent on other countries for fuel sources.
81. Coal is used for generating about 53% of the electrical energy in the United States. Which of these
environmental issues is directly contributed to by the burning of coal?
A.
beach erosion
B.
ozone depletion
C.
overfishing
D.
air pollution
82.
Offshore drilling is a common practice for obtaining supplies of oil. Which
best describes a concern with using offshore drilling to obtain oil?
A.
Offshore drilling is not cost effective, requiring specialized
equipment.
B.
Offshore drilling is not very efficient, requiring a large amount of
energy input to obtain a small amount of oil.
C.
Offshore drilling produces oil that cannot be used directly; it must be
further refined through several expensive processes.
D.
Offshore drilling can lead to oil spills and contamination of marine
ecosystems, threatening the organisms living in these ecosystems.
ENERGY
Page 18 of 50
83.
Which would most likely result from an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that
begins to leak crude oil?
A.
The leaking oil would permanently damage or destroy the ecosystems
of the Gulf.
B.
The water would easily dissolve the leaking oil before any damage
could be caused.
C.
The leaking oil would easily be cleaned up and no damage would be
done to the Gulf.
84.
What are the advantages of using renewable energy sources to generate
electricity?
A.
Chemicals are released into the atmosphere.
B.
It is expensive to maintain energy facilities.
C.
It is produced by sustainable substances.
85.
Which describes how energy is distributed after being generated?
A.
It dissolves into the air.
B.
It is released as heat.
C.
It seeps into the soil.
86.
Which is a disadvantage of using solar or wind energy to produce
electricity?
A.
They are controlled energy resources.
B.
These energy sources are nonrenewable.
C.
They are an expensive way to produce energy.
D.
Their ability to produce energy is inconsistent and variable.
87.
Which is the greatest negative effect of obtaining hydroelectric power?
A.
flooding
B.
air pollution
C.
radioactive waste
ENERGY
Page 19 of 50
88. Some used car oil was put in a container to take to a mechanic for proper disposal. The used oil is disposed
of this way so that
A.
the oil can be reused in other cars.
B.
the total amount of oil used by car owners will not increase.
C.
impurities in the oil can be studied to improve car engine design.
D.
the oil can be recycled to protect the environment.
89.
Which best explains why solar energy is an ineffective environmental
means of providing energy?
A.
Solar energy is a nonrenewable energy source.
B.
Solar energy is only available after daylight hours.
C.
The use of solar energy must involve systems to collect, concentrate,
and transport the energy.
D.
The use of solar energy only occurs when plants absorb light to be
used during photosynthesis.
90. A student is studying nonrenewable resources. Which of these resources could the student be studying?
A.
coal
B.
trees
C.
water
D.
wind
91.
Which energy resource would most likely cause gasoline prices to
increase if it were to become depleted?
A.
oil
B.
coal
C.
wood
D.
geothermal
92. Which resource when used causes the most pollution?
A.
solar
B.
coal
C.
wind
D.
water
ENERGY
Page 20 of 50
93.
Along with research to create new and better ways to produce energy,
citizens are also asked to conserve fossil fuels through all of the
following practices except what?
A.
not litter
B.
insulate houses
C.
use compact florescent light bulbs
94.
Which method of energy transformation has the least potential
environmental impact?
A.
Photovoltaic cells transform solar energy into electrical energy.
B.
Car motors transform electrical energy into mechanical energy.
C.
Power plants transform nuclear energy into electrical energy.
D.
Burning oil transforms chemical energy into thermal energy.
95.
Continued use of gasoline to fuel cars is depleting fossil fuels resources.
Which is the most reasonable alternate option?
A.
coal cars
B.
electric cars
C.
nuclear vehicles
D.
wind­powered vehicles
96.
Which best explains why energy transfer is not 100% efficient?
A.
Some energy cannot be transferred.
B.
Some energy is lost to the environment.
C.
Some energy is destroyed during the transfer.
97.
Which energy source is available indefinitely?
A.
coal
B.
solar
C.
natural gas
ENERGY
Page 21 of 50
98. Which of these is most necessary for the production of geothermal energy?
A.
hot rock
B.
fossil fuel
C.
thick crust
D.
warm climate
99. Which resource is more available due to improvements in deep­sea drilling technology?
A.
crude oil
B.
fresh water
C.
thermal energy
D.
salt reserves
100. Las Vegas has access to renewable resources for generation of electrical power, which includes
hydroelectric power. Which of these energy resources is renewable and available to generate electricity in
Las Vegas without degrading the environment?
A.
petroleum
B.
geothermal
C.
nuclear
D.
solar
101. Which of these best describes wind energy?
A.
limited
B.
renewable
C.
damaging
D.
inexpensive
102.
Which is the greatest disadvantage of using solar panels as a primary
source of energy?
A.
Resource is limited to daylight hours only.
B.
Solar energy is difficult to store for long­term use.
C.
Solar panels use too much land area to capture the needed energy.
103. Surface mining for coal involves removing all the vegetation and rock above the coal being mined. Which
two of Earth’s subsystems are most immediately affected by surface mining?
A.
lithosphere and atmosphere
B.
biosphere and hydrosphere
C.
lithosphere and biosphere
D.
atmosphere and hydrosphere
ENERGY
Page 22 of 50
104.
Which best describes a consequence of clearing woodland areas of
trees?
A.
The diversity of plant life will increase.
B.
The number of habitats for wild animals will increase.
C.
The amount of oxygen in the atmosphere will increase.
D.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase.
105.
Which best describes a potential environmental consequence of cutting
down large areas of forests?
A.
The amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will
increase.
B.
The amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will
decrease.
C.
The amount of oxygen in the atmosphere will decrease while the
amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase.
D.
The amount of oxygen in the atmosphere will increase while the
amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will decrease.
106. Silica sand is a resource used in large volume in Nevada. This resource is used to make which product?
A.
tar
B.
glass
C.
plastic
D.
electricity
107.
Which is the best example of the management of natural resources?
A.
drilling oil wells to produce more energy
B.
increasing the use of current energy resources
C.
limiting research of alternate energy resources
D.
managing and caring for current energy resources
108. In a recycling program, which materials can be reused many times?
A.
steel cans
B.
glass bottles
C.
paper containers
D.
plastic containers
ENERGY
Page 23 of 50
109.
Which is a major issue for transforming solar energy into electricity?
A.
Producing solar panels causes pollution.
B.
Back­up generators are needed during this process.
C.
The electrons that are released are harmful to the environment.
110.
Which will most likely occur if a limited energy resource is used without
conservation efforts?
A.
The cost of the resource will increase.
B.
The cost of the resource will decrease.
C.
The supply of the resource will increase.
D.
The cost and the supply of the resource will decrease.
111.
Which is most likely an environmental consequence of transporting large
amounts of oil on boats?
A.
The odor disturbs the fish populations below.
B.
The sounds disrupt the calls of nearby seabird populations.
C.
A spill would have short and long­term effects on marine organisms.
D.
A large amount of energy is required to steer the boat against ocean
currents.
112.
What would most likely happen to the cost of gasoline if the supply of
petroleum decreased?
A.
It would increase.
B.
It would decrease.
C.
It would stay the same.
113. Which widely used energy sources are nonrenewable and also a source of greenhouse gas emissions?
A.
wind turbines
B.
hydroelectric dams
C.
fossil fuels
D.
solar cells
ENERGY
Page 24 of 50
114. Wind farms use turbines to generate electricity without using fossil fuels.
What is one negative consequence of using wind turbines to generate electricity?
A.
Wind turbines change global weather patterns.
B.
Wind turbines produce excess carbon dioxide.
C.
Power is produced by wind farms using a nonrenewable resource.
D.
Developing and maintaining wind farms damages ecosystems.
115.
Which is a disadvantage of relying on solar energy?
A.
Solar energy is only available after the sun sets.
B.
Solar energy creates a large amount of air pollution.
C.
Solar energy can only be captured during daylight hours.
D.
Solar energy is weak and does not provide adequate energy.
116.
Which would most affect the ability of hydroelectric power plants to
supply energy to homes and businesses?
A.
drought
B.
high winds
C.
absence of wind
D.
high temperatures
ENERGY
Page 25 of 50
117.
Which best describes the main concern with using nuclear fission as an
alternative energy source?
A.
The number of accidents in power plants using nuclear fission is
higher than for other power plants.
B.
The raw materials for power plants using nuclear fission are more
expensive than for other power plants.
C.
The temperatures required for power plants using nuclear fission
cannot be easily achieved and controlled.
D.
The disposal of waste from power plants using nuclear fission is
potentially more hazardous than for other power plants.
118. Which statement identifies an energy source as renewable?
A.
Oil, because it is found underground.
B.
Wind, because it is always available.
C.
Water, because it is becoming scarce.
D.
Coal, because it was formed from plants.
119. Compared to similar­sized gasoline­powered vehicles, electric­gasoline­hybrid vehicles are primarily
designed to
A.
produce more horsepower.
B.
eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.
C.
operate independently of fossil fuels.
D.
provide better gas mileage.
120. A gasoline is advertised as “releasing fewer pollutants” when it is used in cars. For this claim to be
accurate, what has most likely happened to the gasoline?
A.
Its acidity has been increased.
B.
More oxygen has been dissolved in it.
C.
Impurities have been removed.
D.
Its molecules have higher chemical energies.
121.
Some organisms living downstream from a hydroelectric power plant
have recently died. Which best explains why these organisms died?
A.
The water coming downstream from the power plant is being
diverted to another stream.
B.
The water coming downstream from the power plant is
contaminated.
C.
There were too many organisms in the stream.
ENERGY
Page 26 of 50
122.
Which would most likely result from extremely hot water, used to cool a
nuclear reactor, being pumped into a local lake?
A.
a fish kill due to lowered dissolved oxygen
B.
more fish because of warmer water
C.
an algal bloom in the lake
123.
Scientists estimate that approximately 70 percent of the major fisheries
of the world have been overfished. Which best describes a way to
protect this food and energy source from being depleted?
A.
Manage fisheries by setting fishing limits and finding new sources of
fish.
B.
Only allow aquaculture to be sold for food.
C.
Use old fishing methods and techniques.
124.
Which is most likely an effect of the depletion of trees from an
environment?
A.
increased oxygen in the ecosystem
B.
increased flooding in the ecosystem
C.
increased water infiltration in the ecosystem
125.
Why is it globally important to conserve trees?
A.
Trees provide a food source for all animals.
B.
Trees are a convenient and renewable energy source.
C.
Trees record the history of environmental climate changes.
D.
Trees help filter the air and return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
126.
Which energy source is renewable?
A.
oil
B.
coal
C.
wind
ENERGY
Page 27 of 50
127. The large­scale development of personal automobiles started in the early 1900s. Which of the
following was a major cost associated with the efficient use of these automobiles?
A.
Road systems had to be expanded.
B.
Cities had to be built farther apart.
C.
Houses inside cities had to be built farther apart.
D.
Vehicle choices available to consumers had to be expanded.
128. Jamie read that the amount of fossil fuels that are available will eventually decline, leading to a short
supply of fuel for automobiles. What is the most likely effect of a fossil fuel shortage?
A.
More people would use airplanes for travel.
B.
The fossil fuels would be manufactured in factories.
C.
There would be more research on the use of alternate fuels.
D.
The technology will be focused on cars that do not use energy.
129. A family installs a new heating system in their home. Which is the most desirable result of the new heating
system?
A.
producing more noise pollution
B.
decreasing the amount of energy used
C.
increasing the use of natural resources
D.
increasing the time it takes to heat the home
130. Which of these is an environmental benefit of converting to solar energy?
A.
a decrease in air pollution
B.
an increase in the cost of energy
C.
an increase in the use of fossil fuels
D.
a decrease in electrical energy production
131. Which source of electricity would harm the environment the least?
A.
solar power
B.
diesel generator
C.
hydroelectric dams
D.
power lines
132. Which of these statements about nonrenewable resources is true?
A.
They are inexpensive.
B.
They help keep the air clean.
C.
They can take millions of years to form.
D.
They are used because they are easily removed from the ground.
133. Which of these reduces the need for people to use nonrenewable resources?
A.
recycling paper products
B.
watering the lawn once a week
C.
designing cars that are fuel efficient
D.
using coal to generate electricity
ENERGY
Page 28 of 50
134.
Which is the most likely reason wind energy is not widely used as a
replacement for fossil fuels?
A.
Energy from wind is too expensive to produce.
B.
Wind energy is an indirect form of solar energy.
C.
Producing energy from wind causes too much pollution.
D.
Few places are windy enough to produce sufficient energy.
135.
Which statement about energy is most correct?
A.
Oil is a renewable resource.
B.
Solar power is limited by the amount of solar radiation available.
C.
Hydroelectric power is an unlimited resource with no negative
effects.
D.
Wind energy is a nonrenewable resource because it is only available
when the wind blows.
136.
The burning of fossil fuels has been attributed to the accumulation of
greenhouse gases and rising global temperatures. Which best
explains this?
A.
Solar energy is collected during the burning of fossil fuels.
B.
Wind energy is produced during the burning of fossil fuels.
C.
Thermal energy is released during the burning of fossil fuels.
D.
Electrical energy is wasted during the burning of fossils fuels.
137.
Which best explains the environmental consequences associated with
generating hydroelectic power?
A.
Hydroelectric dams produce large amounts of oxygen.
B.
Reservoirs are also used for water sports and recreation.
C.
Reservoirs cause habitat disruption of surrounding areas.
D.
Hydroelectric dams produce large amounts of carbon dioxide.
ENERGY
Page 29 of 50
138. Gaseous sulfur dioxide is a compound that combines with water in the atmosphere to form acid rain. What
is the primary source of sulfur dioxide?
A.
volcanic emissions
B.
combustion of fossil fuels
C.
destruction of tropical forests
D.
mining and mineral extraction
139. Hydroelectric energy is being developed in many parts of the world as a renewable source of energy. Give one reason why hydroelectric dams could be beneficial.
Describe one way in which hydroelectric dams could be harmful.
140.
Which is considered to be an important source of energy worldwide
which may impact plant growth?
A.
biomass
B.
geothermal
C.
hydroelectricity
141. Which statement best explains why coal is used to generate electricity despite the amount of pollution
produced by burning coal?
A.
Compared to other fuels, coal produces more energy per kilogram.
B.
Compared to other fuels, coal is relatively cheap and plentiful.
C.
Coal burns without producing greenhouse gases.
D.
Coal is a renewable source of energy.
142.
Which industry would most likely be affected if coal resources were
depleted?
A.
agriculture
B.
construction
C.
transportation
D.
power production
143.
If an ash pond from a coal­fired power plant leaks ash into a local creek,
which is an environmental consequence?
A.
Plants and organisms in the creek will be unaffected.
B.
Plants and organisms in the creek may die out.
C.
Plants and organisms in the creek may increase.
ENERGY
Page 30 of 50
144. Carbon dioxide emissions have increased due to large numbers of automobiles and increased
industrialization. Which of the following has been most affected by the increase in carbon dioxide levels?
A.
the ability of farmers to plant crops
B.
the ability of scientists to study other planets
C.
the ability of Earth to continue recycling rocks
D.
the ability of Earth to maintain lower temperatures
145. Students were investigating the advantages and disadvantages of solar power.
According to the information in the chart, which statement describes an advantage of using fossil fuels
over solar power?
A.
Fossil fuel stations require less maintenance than solar panels.
B.
Fossil fuels are less costly to obtain.
C.
Fossil fuels are an abundant renewable resource.
D.
Fossil fuels are available regardless of the weather.
146.
When building a dam for a hydroelectric power plant, which best
describes a possible negative effect on the environment?
A.
flooding
B.
air pollution
C.
radioactive waste
147.
Which is least likely to be a limiting factor to the use of solar energy?
A.
cost
B.
source availability
C.
weather conditions
148. Automobile engines built today are designed to be gas efficient. Gas­efficient engines most likely affect a
city by reducing
A.
air pollution.
B.
heat pollution.
C.
noise pollution.
D.
light pollution.
ENERGY
Page 31 of 50
149. The burning of fossil fuels has added pollutants that contain sulfur atoms to the air. These pollutants have
contributed to which of the following?
A.
drought
B.
acid rain
C.
tornadoes
D.
temperature inversions
150. A country that has limited resources would most likely focus on the development of technology that
includes
A.
water treatment.
B.
space exploration.
C.
robotic automation.
D.
satellite communications.
151. Desalination removes salt from water. Removing salt from water can be risky because the process is
expensive and slow. Sometimes the technology does not work. A beach community’s surface and ground
water was decreasing. The community decided to construct a large­scale plant to remove salt from
the bay water. The plan to construct a salt­removing plant was accepted because the community
A.
needed increased resources.
B.
had access to advanced technology.
C.
had unlimited financial resources.
D.
needed to ease social pressures.
152. All of the following are renewable resources except
A.
minerals.
B.
trees.
C.
wind.
D.
water.
153. Which human activity has most negatively affected air quality?
A.
burning coal
B.
growing crops
C.
using solar energy cells
D.
constructing nuclear power plants
154.
Although solar power is a renewable energy source, why is conservation
of solar energy still important?
A.
It can be expensive to collect a large quantity of solar energy.
B.
Scientists do not understand how solar energy can be used.
C.
The supply of solar energy is extremely limited.
D.
Solar energy creates air and water pollution.
ENERGY
Page 32 of 50
155. Many communities in the United States use coal to produce electricity. One problem with using coal is that
A.
very little energy is produced.
B.
ecosystems can be damaged.
C.
it contains harmful bacteria.
D.
it is a very rare resource.
156. Which of these technologies helps a power company use renewable energy for the production of
electricity?
A.
hydroelectric power
B.
nuclear power plants
C.
natural gas generators
D.
coal­fired power plants
157. The United States has significant deposits of oil shale, and the technology exists to mine and refine the oil.
However, this technology has yet to be used on a large scale in this country. Which statement best
explains this delay?
A.
There are large shale oil deposits in other countries as well.
B.
The cost of obtaining and using this oil currently exceeds the benefit.
C.
Consumers in the United States have little demand for oil resources.
D.
Oil from shale requires more time underground before it can be used.
158.
Which will most likely occur if fossil fuels continue to be used globally
as the primary energy resource?
A.
The amount of available food will increase.
B.
The amount of pollution in the oceans will decrease.
C.
The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will increase.
D.
The amount of health concerns affecting the human population will
decrease.
159.
Why is it important to limit the use of fossil fuels such as coal and
natural gas?
A.
Fossil fuels are an unlimited resource on the Earth.
B.
Fossil fuels can be renewed in a matter of a few years.
C.
Fossil fuels can be replenished only after thousands of years.
160. Which process directly adds carbon into the atmosphere?
A.
increasing plant populations
B.
decreasing animal populations
C.
burning fossil fuels
D.
forming sedimentary rock
ENERGY
Page 33 of 50
161. Which of these is most likely an effect of releasing carbon dioxide pollution into the atmosphere?
A.
a reduction in the ozone layer
B.
a reduction in photosynthesis
C.
an increase in radioactive wastes
D.
an increase in the greenhouse effect
162.
Which industry would be most affected by the harvesting of more trees?
A.
automobile production
B.
building construction
C.
road construction
D.
steel production
163. A student examines a new watch design. The watch has a small solar cell on its face. The main function of
the solar cell is to
A.
reduce the cost of the watch.
B.
provide an energy source for the watch.
C.
make the watch more attractive.
D.
stop the watch from speeding up.
164. Before strip mining for coal, the topsoil in the area is removed and stored. After mining operations are
completed, the land is leveled and topsoil is replaced. The purpose of replacing topsoil is
A.
to prevent wind from weathering and eroding surface coal.
B.
to prevent radioactive elements from polluting water sources.
C.
to provide an environment for new coal formation.
D.
to restore the area to a natural condition.
165.
Which greenhouse gas released from the burning of fossil fuels most
impacts global temperatures?
A.
methane
B.
sulfur dioxide
C.
carbon dioxide
D.
carbon monoxide
166. Bioenergy comes from plants and plant products. Nevada only produces small amounts of bioenergy,
because
A.
the climate limits agricultural growth.
B.
there is limited technology for this type of resource.
C.
renewable energy sources cause too much pollution.
D.
solar power provides most of the energy for the region.
ENERGY
Page 34 of 50
167. Using solar panels to convert solar energy into electricity may help slow the depletion of which resource?
A.
sunlight
B.
water
C.
coal
D.
copper
168. Researchers at a science laboratory have found ways to make carbon nanotubes from recycled plastic
grocery bags. These nanotubes are then used as components of batteries. This approach best illustrates
the ability of technology to
A.
increase resource availability.
B.
improve existing products.
C.
deplete available resources.
D.
cause environmental degradation.
169.
Which long­term effect would the depletion of fossil fuels most
likely have on the environment?
A.
increased air quality
B.
decreased water quality
C.
increased global temperatures
D.
decreased plant and animal biodiversity
170.
A family builds an environmentally­friendly home. They want to use an
energy source that is the least dangerous to the environment. Which
source of energy should they use to heat their home?
A.
geothermal
B.
natural gas
C.
nuclear power
ENERGY
Page 35 of 50
171. A student created a table to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power plants.
Which statement best fits in the box labeled “X”?
A.
Nuclear power plants affect city economies.
B.
Disposal of nuclear waste can affect natural habitats.
C.
Nuclear power reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
D.
Conversion of nuclear energy to electricity is very efficient.
172. Fossil fuel and rechargeable batteries power most hybrid cars. Which of the following is the best reason to
consider using hybrid cars instead of conventional cars?
A.
Hybrid cars have less of a negative impact on the environment than conventional cars.
B.
Hybrid cars are less likely to have mechanical failure than conventional cars.
C.
Hybrid cars use new technology, so they are more convenient than conventional cars.
D.
Hybrid cars are less expensive than conventional cars.
173.
Which best explains the observed decrease in the population of fish in a
river near a power plant?
A.
The average river temperature increased, and the fish were unable to
live and reproduce in the warmer water.
B.
The amount of fishing near the power plant increased, decreasing
the number of fish remaining in the river.
C.
The noise from the power plant disturbed the fish, and they swam
away to another part of the river.
174.
Which organisms are most likely to be harmed by the building of wind
turbines?
A.
birds
B.
people
C.
insects
ENERGY
Page 36 of 50
175. Which statement describes the current situation about air pollution?
A.
Air pollution is a problem in every part of the world.
B.
Air pollution is a problem in certain spots over the ocean.
C.
Air pollution is a problem in countries with a lot of volcanoes.
D.
Air pollution is a problem in countries with industry and large populations.
176. Modern factories and industrial plants have filters that remove much of the sulfur from their emissions
before it reaches the atmosphere. This design feature helps most in reducing the contribution of factories
to which environmental problem?
A.
acid rain
B.
habitat loss
C.
coastline erosion
D.
algal growth in lakes
177.
Which form of energy production creates a radioactive waste product?
A.
coal combustion
B.
nuclear power
C.
wind turbines
D.
solar cells
178. Acid rain is the result of pollutants being released into the
A.
air.
B.
soil.
C.
rivers.
D.
oceans.
179. How has burning fossil fuels most caused a decline to the quality of air that people breathe?
A.
by adding particle pollution
B.
by creating a hole in the ozone layer
C.
by causing acid precipitation to fall
D.
by increasing the levels of carbon dioxide
180. Which is the most likely reason that using energy generated from wind is better for air quality than burning
fossil fuels?
A.
the equipment for harnessing wind is inexpensive
B.
wind produces less pollution than fossil fuels
C.
energy from wind power is easy to store
D.
wind is more efficient than fossil fuels
ENERGY
Page 37 of 50
181. Most electricity in the United States is generated using coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, or hydropower.
Which of these add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
A.
coal and natural gas
B.
natural gas and nuclear energy
C.
nuclear energy and hydropower
D.
hydropower and coal
182.
An oil spill in the ocean is an environmental consequence associated
with which form of energy production?
A.
hydroelectric
B.
fossil fuel
C.
nuclear
D.
wind
183. New technologies have allowed automobile manufacturers to market fuel­efficient hybrid cars, but
disposal of hybrid cars at the end of their service lives presents a problem. Which question represents a
disposal problem unique to hybrid vehicles?
A.
What will be done to recycle the batteries?
B.
What will be done with the refrigerant in the air conditioning system?
C.
What will be done with the fluids in the gas tank, the radiator, and the batteries?
D.
What will be done with the plastic materials in the vehicles?
184.
How will conservation most likely affect usable energy resources?
A.
Prices will increase indefinitely.
B.
Supply for public use will gradually increase.
C.
Government hoarding of sources will increase.
185. Which resource, abundant in Nevada, is nonrenewable?
A.
copper
B.
wind
C.
sunlight
D.
wood
186.
Which part of running a nuclear power plant causes the most harm to
the environment?
A.
mining for uranium ore
B.
storing nuclear waste
C.
releasing water vapor into the air
ENERGY
Page 38 of 50
187.
Which best describes an environmental impact of burning propane to
provide heat energy for a home?
A.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the environment will decrease.
B.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the environment will increase.
C.
The amount of methane in the environment will decrease.
188. Which of the following correctly identifies how a power plant changes the atmosphere?
A.
A plant powered by geothermal energy releases nitrogen oxides.
B.
A plant powered by nuclear energy releases sulfur dioxide.
C.
A plant powered by natural gas releases carbon dioxide.
D.
A plant powered by coal releases oxygen.
189. More sulfur dioxide is being added to the atmosphere. How will this most likely affect the hydrosphere?
A.
There will be a decrease in sea level.
B.
The acidity of the ocean will increase.
C.
There will be an increase in fresh water.
D.
The temperature of the oceans will decline.
190.
Which type of pollution is created from obtaining energy from wind
power?
A.
air
B.
soil
C.
noise
D.
water
191. A group of students have decided that the amount of electricity used by the school should be reduced. The
students want to develop a plan to solve this problem. What should the group do first?
A.
determine what materials should be used to implement the plan
B.
conduct research on energy conservation to form the plan
C.
improve the design of the plan
D.
test the validity of the plan
192.
Which best describes how hydroelectric power plants can be harmful to
the environment?
A.
air pollution
B.
habitat destruction
C.
increased carbon dioxide levels
ENERGY
Page 39 of 50
193.
Which best describes why fossil fuels are most often used for energy in
the United States?
A.
Fossil fuels are found everywhere in the world.
B.
Fossil fuels can be quickly replaced in nature.
C.
Fossil fuels are easy to transport and burn.
D.
Fossil fuels have no harmful waste products.
194. Which technology used to generate electrical power involves a trade­off between economical electricity
and long­term waste disposal problems?
A.
fossil fuel
B.
nuclear reactor
C.
solar collector
D.
wind turbine
195. A typical nuclear power plant uses about 113 million liters (30 million gallons) of ocean or river water per
hour for cooling. The water does not contact the nuclear material. It is taken in and surrounds the reactor
where it absorbs thermal energy. Some of the water is released as steam, and the rest is returned to the
source. Which subsystems are most affected by this use of water?
A.
atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere
B.
atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere
C.
hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere
D.
hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere
196. Which human activity will help decrease air pollution?
A.
burning crops
B.
driving a hybrid car
C.
burning household garbage
D.
using coal to produce energy
197. The construction of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River resulted in abundant freshwater and electrical
power for the region. Which of these is a disadvantage of the construction of Hoover Dam?
A.
an increase in flooding downstream
B.
an increase in regional humidity
C.
a decrease in the amount of river ecosystems
D.
a decrease in the amount of water for irrigation
198. Michael’s family is building a new house. They would like to use electricity generated by renewable
resources. Which of these power supplies would help the family accomplish its goal?
A.
gasoline engine
B.
solar roof panels
C.
coal power plant
D.
nuclear power plant
ENERGY
Page 40 of 50
199.
Which is the most significant enviromental issue associated with
offshore oil drilling?
A.
air and water pollution
B.
reversal of ocean currents
C.
global temperature increase
D.
expansion of marine habitat areas
200. In swamps, layers of dead plants can build up and form peat. Peat can get buried and over millions of years
can change into coal that can be burned to make energy.
Coal is considered to be which type of resource?
A.
nonrenewable
B.
renewable
C.
reusable
D.
biomass
201.
Which energy source causes both air and water pollution?
A.
fossil fuel
B.
nuclear
C.
solar
D.
wind
202. Which topic area would be the best to research to find ways of reducing environmental problems caused
by humans?
A.
converting sunlight into electricity
B.
looking for new coal reserves
C.
finding reservoirs that contain oil
D.
converting forests into farmland
ENERGY
Page 41 of 50
203.
Which would most likely be destroyed by the processes used to obtain
coal?
A.
atmosphere
B.
estuaries
C.
landforms
D.
ocean
204.
Which renewable energy source would most likely cause loss of habitat?
A.
hydroelectric
B.
geothermal
C.
nuclear
D.
solar
205. Scientists are collecting samples from sediment deposits in Biscayne Bay. Test results show that salinity
in the bay is increasing. Which human influence might have led to this environmental change?
A.
establishing the bay as a national park in 1980
B.
finding sunken ships resting on the floor of the bay
C.
collecting marine animals from the bottom of the bay
D.
developing power plants along the shoreline of the bay
206.
Fossil fuels are made up of organisms that died millions of years ago.
Which best describes this source of energy?
A.
Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy.
B.
Fossil fuels are renewable sources of energy.
C.
Fossil fuels are nuclear sources of energy.
207. Which is a good practice to help conserve energy?
A.
washing all clothes in warm water
B.
turning off the lights when not in use
C.
letting the water run when brushing teeth
D.
using bags made of plastic instead of paper
ENERGY
Page 42 of 50
208.
Which best describes a process that depletes an organic renewable
resource?
A.
a car producing emissions
B.
coal burning in a power plant
C.
a developer cutting down trees
209. Why does oil take so long to form in nature?
A.
The life cycle of the organisms that are fossilize into oil takes millions of years.
B.
The process of burying remains under deep sediment takes millions of years.
C.
The reactions that change biochemicals to shale take millions of years.
D.
The reactions that change shale to oil take millions of years.
210.
Which best describes an advantage of nuclear power plants over power
plants that burn fossil fuels?
A.
Nuclear power plants create less pollution.
B.
Nuclear power plants are not dangerous.
C.
Nuclear power plants are underground.
211.
Which best explains why some people are against the use of nuclear
energy?
A.
There is not enough oil available.
B.
There is not enough water available.
C.
There is a risk of reactors working too slowly, wasting time, and not
being cost­efficient.
D.
There is a risk of reactors losing control, spreading radiation, and
causing serious injuries.
212.
Which will most likely lead to an increase in the use of renewable
energy resources?
A.
conservation of fossil fuels
B.
decreased expense of fossil fuels
C.
development of more expensive energy collection technologies
D.
decision to choose energy resources that have less impact on the
environment
ENERGY
Page 43 of 50
213.
Why is renewable energy a better alternative to nonrenewable energy?
A.
Renewable energy is less expensive than nonrenewable energy.
B.
Renewable energy is readily available, while nonrenewable energy
supplies are limited.
C.
Renewable energy requires much less equipment maintenance than
nonrenewable energy.
D.
Renewable energy harms the environment, while nonrenewable
energy is environmentally friendly.
214. Sulfur scrubbers are devices installed in coal­fired power plants. Sulfur scrubbers reduce the emission of
sulfur dioxide. What environmental problem are sulfur scrubbers most likely trying to address?
A.
ozone
B.
erosion
C.
acid rain
D.
nutrient runoff
215.
Which is similar to composting?
A.
reducing the amount of waste
B.
recycling waste products
C.
reusing products
216.
When a computer, car, or another machine has been in use for a long
period of time, what can the loss of energy be attributed to?
A.
a foul odor
B.
moisture
C.
heat
217. Which of the following is an example of how the production of hydroelectric power could potentially harm
the environment?
A.
The dam causes silt and sediment buildup.
B.
The radioactive waste is a threat to wildlife.
C.
The dam changes the salt content of the water downstream.
D.
The generators make a loud noise that disrupts the migration patterns of birds.
ENERGY
Page 44 of 50
218.
Which best describes a nonrenewable resource?
A.
one that produces pollution
B.
one that is in limited supply
C.
one that is in unlimited supply
D.
one that does not produce pollution
219. The burning of fossil fuels affects the atmosphere by
A.
adding more heat and carbon dioxide.
B.
reducing the amount of necessary heat.
C.
taking water vapor out of the atmosphere.
D.
putting more oxygen in the atmosphere.
220.
Which will be a most likely effect of the depletion of fossil fuels?
A.
a decrease in air quality
B.
a decrease in manufacturing
C.
an increase in global temperatures
221. Wind is becoming more common as a source of energy. Wind farms require large open spaces for the
wind turbines. A negative consequence of this technology is wind turbines
A.
are an inexpensive source of energy.
B.
cause little pollution to the environment.
C.
may hurt the flying animals in the area.
D.
are a renewable source of energy.
222. Energy companies often produce electricity from a variety of sources. Using which resource
would improve air quality the most?
A.
oil
B.
gas
C.
coal
D.
wind
223.
Most automobiles depend on gasoline and oil. Which practice will best
conserve these fossil fuels for future generations?
A.
Drive at high speeds to make gasoline combustion more efficient.
B.
Change the oil in the car only once per year.
C.
Plan trips so that fewer miles are driven.
D.
Park unused cars in a shaded area.
ENERGY
Page 45 of 50
224.
Which resource would have the most negative impact on the
transportation industry if it were depleted?
A.
oil
B.
coal
C.
wood
D.
natural gas
225.
Which form of power is the most energy efficient?
A.
water turbines
B.
coal­fired plants
C.
combustion engines
226. Which of the following is a common renewable resource found in deserts?
A.
biodiesel
B.
uranium
C.
natural gas
D.
solar energy
227.
Which energy source would be most affected by the depletion of
uranium?
A.
fossil fuels
B.
wind power
C.
nuclear energy
D.
hydroelectricity
228. Why is it not a safe practice to place a fuel depot over an aquifer?
A.
Aquifers are too high up in the mountains.
B.
The weight of the depot is too great over the aquifer.
C.
The fumes escaping from the fuel depot are explosive.
D.
If the fuel leaks, the water in the aquifer will become contaminated.
229. Which of these human activities most likely helped in depleting the ozone layer?
A.
building hydroelectric plants
B.
runoff from fertilized farm fields
C.
burning of fossil fuels
D.
release of chlorofluorocarbons from aerosol cans
ENERGY
Page 46 of 50
230. Cars are powered by gasoline made from oil. Which is the best way to conserve gasoline?
A.
carpool to school
B.
ride a bus to school
C.
ride a bike to school
D.
drive alone to school
231.
Which is considered a disadvantage of using wind energy to create
electricity?
A.
A high amount of air pollution is created.
B.
Radiation is released into the atmosphere.
C.
The flight patterns of birds can be affected.
D.
Fewer clouds form in the upper atmosphere.
232. Use of nuclear fuel would most likely reduce human contributions to which environmental problem?
A.
ozone thinning
B.
landfill creation
C.
shoreline erosion
D.
greenhouse heating
233.
Which best describes a problem associated with burning fossil fuels?
A.
Fossil fuels produce air pollution.
B.
Fossil fuels renew oxygen levels in the air.
C.
Fossil fuels produce more fossil fuels as they burn.
234. Which best explains what scientists are referring to when they use the term conservation?
A.
nonliving parts of the environment
B.
living organisms in the environment
C.
health of the living organisms in the environment
D.
protection, management, and renewal of resources
235.
How does coal compare to natural gas?
A.
Both are renewable.
B.
Both are non­renewable.
C.
Coal is renewable, while natural gas is non­renewable.
ENERGY
Page 47 of 50
236.
Which best explains the consequence of burning high­sulfur coal in
power plants?
A.
The burning of sulfur­containing coal produces nuclear waste.
B.
Sulfur­containing pollutants in the air combine with moisture,
producing acid precipitation.
C.
Sulfur­containing pollutants are absorbed into the ground, killing the
vegetation and causing soil erosion. D.
The release of sulfur­containing pollutants in rivers, lakes, and
streams heats up the water, causing thermal pollution.
237. A potential negative impact of building a dam on a river is that the dam
A.
prevents sediment from flowing downstream.
B.
increases the amount of water available to farms.
C.
prevents seasonal downstream flooding.
D.
increases the rate of water loss from a lake.
238. Which energy resource is non­renewable?
A.
oil
B.
solar
C.
water
D.
wind
239.
In 1979, the U.S. Three Mile Island nuclear power plant experienced a
meltdown. The temperature of the core rose so high the materials
actually melted. In 1986, the Russian Chernobyl nuclear power plant had
a reactor explosion. What was the immediate danger to the public in
both incidents?
A.
radiation exposure
B.
intensive heat
C.
fire damage
240.
Which energy source needs to be conserved most carefully?
A.
oil
B.
wind
C.
water
ENERGY
Page 48 of 50
241. Below is an illustration of a machine that produces energy.
Describe the source of energy illustrated above.
Explain how using this energy source could be a benefit to the environment compared to other
energy sources.
Explain one potential problem with using this energy source.
242. The chart shows the sources of energy use of the United States for 2006.
Annual Energy Use
Review for 2006
Oil 40% Coal 23%
Natural gas 22%
Nuclear 8%
Hydroelectric 3% Biomass 3% Geothermal,
solar, wind 1% According to the chart, what percentage of energy came from renewable resources?
A.
85%
B.
30%
C.
15%
D.
7%
ENERGY
Page 49 of 50
243. Some regions produce large amounts of geothermal energy. This energy production indicates that the
crust in these regions
A.
has large oil reserves.
B.
reaches deep into Earth.
C.
is rich in precious metals.
D.
is heated by nearby magma.
244.
Which best describes the potential of solar power for future energy use?
A.
It is not likely to be used because it pollutes the environment and
contaminates drinking water supplies.
B.
It is likely to be used because its capture and storage does not
require special equipment.
C.
It is likely to be used because it is a renewable resource that is
indefinitely available.
D.
It is not likely to be used because it less expensive than fossil fuel
resources.
245.
The use of which energy source causes the most damage to the
environment?
A.
fossil fuels
B.
biomass
C.
wind
ENERGY
Page 50 of 50