ENR 2500 Final Review Test
Latest Update
Which of the following are explanations that have been provided for why we
over-consume:
a. we consume competitively because of social forces
b. we don't account for the value of ecological services
c. we are trapped into consuming through the work-spend cycle
d. all of the above
e. A and C - ANSWER All of the above:
- we consume competitively because of social forces
- we don't account for the value of ecological services
- we are trapped into consuming through the work-spend cycle
A "community" is typically defined by each of the following elements except:
a. the total number of people that live in an area
b. a geographic location or place
c. the organizations that provide regular interaction
d. social interactions on matters of common interest - ANSWER a. the total number of
people that live in an area
Which of the following was NOT listed by Dr. Brooks as one of the key concepts for
sustainability:
a. system thinking
b. time
c. collective action/social dilemmas
d. hope
e. none of the above - ANSWER e. none of the above
,all are listed as key concepts of sustainability
A recent article in Conservation Magazine suggested that while Compact Florescent
Light Bulbs (CFLs) use less energy, they also contain toxic metals like lead, mercury,
copper and zinc, and would be considered hazardous materials when disposed of. The
fact that CFL bulbs are good at conserving energy but could be harmful by other
environmental standards represents a ______________ between energy efficiency and
environmental pollution.
a. tradeoff
b. compromise
c. synergy
e. none of the above - ANSWER a. tradeoff
Which of the following statements about decoupling is most accurate from a long-term
sustainability perspective:
a. relative decoupling is critical because it means we have a healthy economy
b. absolute decoupling is required for us to maintain economic growth within ecological
limits
c. relative decoupling always leads to absolute decoupling in the long-term
d. absolute decoupling is more common than relative decoupling, which indicates a
positive trend for sustainability - ANSWER b. absolute decoupling is required for us to
maintain economic growth within ecological limits
Which of the combinations accurately categorizes the following resources as either a
stock or a flow:
i. sunlight
ii. underground aquifer
iii. soil
iv. rainfall
a. (i) stock, (ii) stock, (iii) flow, (iv) flow
b. (i) flow, (ii) stock, (iii) flow, (iv) flow
c. (i) flow, (ii) flow, (iii) flow, (iv) flow
d. (i) flow, (ii) stock, (iii) stock, (iv) flow
, e. (i) stock, (ii) stock, (iii) flow, (iv) stock - ANSWER d. (i) flow, (ii) stock, (iii) stock, (iv)
flow
Mrs. Thompson drives a Toyota Prius with energy label A with hybrid drive with a fuel
consumption of 40 mpg. Mrs. Thompson lives in the city and spends her leisure time
preferable in nature, in the mountains. In her leisure time, she covers a distance of
20,000 miles with her car per year. She uses her car only in her leisure time.
Mrs. Smith drives an SUV with energy label C with a fuel consumption of 20 mpg. Mrs
Smith lives in the city and spends her leisure time preferably in nature, in the mountains.
In her leisure time, she covers a distance of 9,000 miles with her car per year. She uses
her car only in her leisure time.
Which driver uses fewer gallons of fuel?
a. Mrs. Thompson
b. Mrs Smith
c. no answer text provided - ANSWER b. Mrs Smith
Several researchers have suggested that placing high value on materialism and wealth
and being in situations that can activate a consumer mindset are associated with:
a. depression
b. social disengagement
c. higher quality of life
d. both A and B - ANSWER a. depression
In the book, "Conundrum", author David Owen indicates that, while we've greatly
increased the efficiency of our airplanes, this has made flying cheaper so that we now
fly more often. That we use more fuel for flying even as airplanes have become more
efficient is an example of:
a. tradeoff
b. the rebound effect
c. time discounting
d. manufactured needs - ANSWER b. the rebound effect
The UNDP report of decoupling and dematerialization suggests that there is some
evidence of relative resource decoupling. This means that:
a. we are becoming more efficient at extracting resources to fuel our economic growth
b. overall levels of resource extraction are declining even as our economy grows
Latest Update
Which of the following are explanations that have been provided for why we
over-consume:
a. we consume competitively because of social forces
b. we don't account for the value of ecological services
c. we are trapped into consuming through the work-spend cycle
d. all of the above
e. A and C - ANSWER All of the above:
- we consume competitively because of social forces
- we don't account for the value of ecological services
- we are trapped into consuming through the work-spend cycle
A "community" is typically defined by each of the following elements except:
a. the total number of people that live in an area
b. a geographic location or place
c. the organizations that provide regular interaction
d. social interactions on matters of common interest - ANSWER a. the total number of
people that live in an area
Which of the following was NOT listed by Dr. Brooks as one of the key concepts for
sustainability:
a. system thinking
b. time
c. collective action/social dilemmas
d. hope
e. none of the above - ANSWER e. none of the above
,all are listed as key concepts of sustainability
A recent article in Conservation Magazine suggested that while Compact Florescent
Light Bulbs (CFLs) use less energy, they also contain toxic metals like lead, mercury,
copper and zinc, and would be considered hazardous materials when disposed of. The
fact that CFL bulbs are good at conserving energy but could be harmful by other
environmental standards represents a ______________ between energy efficiency and
environmental pollution.
a. tradeoff
b. compromise
c. synergy
e. none of the above - ANSWER a. tradeoff
Which of the following statements about decoupling is most accurate from a long-term
sustainability perspective:
a. relative decoupling is critical because it means we have a healthy economy
b. absolute decoupling is required for us to maintain economic growth within ecological
limits
c. relative decoupling always leads to absolute decoupling in the long-term
d. absolute decoupling is more common than relative decoupling, which indicates a
positive trend for sustainability - ANSWER b. absolute decoupling is required for us to
maintain economic growth within ecological limits
Which of the combinations accurately categorizes the following resources as either a
stock or a flow:
i. sunlight
ii. underground aquifer
iii. soil
iv. rainfall
a. (i) stock, (ii) stock, (iii) flow, (iv) flow
b. (i) flow, (ii) stock, (iii) flow, (iv) flow
c. (i) flow, (ii) flow, (iii) flow, (iv) flow
d. (i) flow, (ii) stock, (iii) stock, (iv) flow
, e. (i) stock, (ii) stock, (iii) flow, (iv) stock - ANSWER d. (i) flow, (ii) stock, (iii) stock, (iv)
flow
Mrs. Thompson drives a Toyota Prius with energy label A with hybrid drive with a fuel
consumption of 40 mpg. Mrs. Thompson lives in the city and spends her leisure time
preferable in nature, in the mountains. In her leisure time, she covers a distance of
20,000 miles with her car per year. She uses her car only in her leisure time.
Mrs. Smith drives an SUV with energy label C with a fuel consumption of 20 mpg. Mrs
Smith lives in the city and spends her leisure time preferably in nature, in the mountains.
In her leisure time, she covers a distance of 9,000 miles with her car per year. She uses
her car only in her leisure time.
Which driver uses fewer gallons of fuel?
a. Mrs. Thompson
b. Mrs Smith
c. no answer text provided - ANSWER b. Mrs Smith
Several researchers have suggested that placing high value on materialism and wealth
and being in situations that can activate a consumer mindset are associated with:
a. depression
b. social disengagement
c. higher quality of life
d. both A and B - ANSWER a. depression
In the book, "Conundrum", author David Owen indicates that, while we've greatly
increased the efficiency of our airplanes, this has made flying cheaper so that we now
fly more often. That we use more fuel for flying even as airplanes have become more
efficient is an example of:
a. tradeoff
b. the rebound effect
c. time discounting
d. manufactured needs - ANSWER b. the rebound effect
The UNDP report of decoupling and dematerialization suggests that there is some
evidence of relative resource decoupling. This means that:
a. we are becoming more efficient at extracting resources to fuel our economic growth
b. overall levels of resource extraction are declining even as our economy grows
