ENV 101 Exam 2 V2 | ENV 101
Environmental Science | StraighterLine |
Q&A with Rationale (StraighterLine
ENV101 Exam 2)
1. In the context of the demographic transition model, which stage is characterized by high
birth rates and rapidly declining death rates?
A. Stage 1 (Pre-industrial)
B. Stage 3 (Industrial)
C. Stage 2 (Transitional)
D. Stage 4 (Post-industrial)
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 2 of the demographic transition model occurs as health care and
sanitation improve, leading to a significant drop in mortality. However, birth rates remain
high because cultural norms change more slowly than technology. This creates a period of
rapid population growth as the gap between births and deaths widens.
2. The I=PAT formula is used to estimate the environmental impact of human activities. What
does the ‘A’ in this formula represent?
A. Acreage
B. Affluence
,C. Atmospheric pressure
D. Acidity
Answer: B
Rationale: In the I=PAT model, ‘A’ stands for affluence, which measures the level of
consumption per person in a population. High levels of affluence typically lead to a greater
environmental impact due to increased resource use. This formula helps scientists
understand how population growth and technology interact with economic wealth to affect
the planet.
3. Which of the following represents the ‘replacement-level fertility’ rate required to keep a
population stable in developed nations?
A. 2.1
B. 1.0
C. 3.0
D. 5.2
Answer: A
Rationale: Replacement-level fertility is the number of children a couple must have to
replace themselves in the population. In developed countries, this number is approximately
2.1 to account for infant mortality and children who do not reach reproductive age. If the
Total Fertility Rate falls below this number, the population will eventually decline without
immigration.
, 4. Malthusian theory suggests that human population growth will eventually outpace which
of the following?
A. Technological innovation
B. Food production
C. Urbanization
D. Biological evolution
Answer: B
Rationale: Thomas Malthus argued that while human population grows exponentially,
food production only increases arithmetically. He predicted that this imbalance would
inevitably lead to famine, disease, or war, often referred to as ‘Malthusian checks.’
Contemporary environmental scientists still debate the validity of these limits in the face of
modern technology.
5. What is the primary characteristic of an ‘age-structure diagram’ that indicates a rapidly
growing population?
A. A column-like shape
B. A wide base that tapers at the top
C. An inverted pyramid shape
D. A uniform width across all age groups
Answer: B
Environmental Science | StraighterLine |
Q&A with Rationale (StraighterLine
ENV101 Exam 2)
1. In the context of the demographic transition model, which stage is characterized by high
birth rates and rapidly declining death rates?
A. Stage 1 (Pre-industrial)
B. Stage 3 (Industrial)
C. Stage 2 (Transitional)
D. Stage 4 (Post-industrial)
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 2 of the demographic transition model occurs as health care and
sanitation improve, leading to a significant drop in mortality. However, birth rates remain
high because cultural norms change more slowly than technology. This creates a period of
rapid population growth as the gap between births and deaths widens.
2. The I=PAT formula is used to estimate the environmental impact of human activities. What
does the ‘A’ in this formula represent?
A. Acreage
B. Affluence
,C. Atmospheric pressure
D. Acidity
Answer: B
Rationale: In the I=PAT model, ‘A’ stands for affluence, which measures the level of
consumption per person in a population. High levels of affluence typically lead to a greater
environmental impact due to increased resource use. This formula helps scientists
understand how population growth and technology interact with economic wealth to affect
the planet.
3. Which of the following represents the ‘replacement-level fertility’ rate required to keep a
population stable in developed nations?
A. 2.1
B. 1.0
C. 3.0
D. 5.2
Answer: A
Rationale: Replacement-level fertility is the number of children a couple must have to
replace themselves in the population. In developed countries, this number is approximately
2.1 to account for infant mortality and children who do not reach reproductive age. If the
Total Fertility Rate falls below this number, the population will eventually decline without
immigration.
, 4. Malthusian theory suggests that human population growth will eventually outpace which
of the following?
A. Technological innovation
B. Food production
C. Urbanization
D. Biological evolution
Answer: B
Rationale: Thomas Malthus argued that while human population grows exponentially,
food production only increases arithmetically. He predicted that this imbalance would
inevitably lead to famine, disease, or war, often referred to as ‘Malthusian checks.’
Contemporary environmental scientists still debate the validity of these limits in the face of
modern technology.
5. What is the primary characteristic of an ‘age-structure diagram’ that indicates a rapidly
growing population?
A. A column-like shape
B. A wide base that tapers at the top
C. An inverted pyramid shape
D. A uniform width across all age groups
Answer: B