GEOG 1125E midterm questions and
answers with solutions 2025
Which statement best describes environmental science? - ANSWER It draws on the natural
sciences, social sciences, and humanities to help us understand the world and our place in it.
What does the environment, as studied by environmental scientists, include? - ANSWER one's
living surroundings and also the non-living surroundings
What is a question the humanities could ask about environmental science? - ANSWER How do
religion and tradition influence choices?
What type of science best describes environmental science? - ANSWER both an empirical and
an applied science
Which of the following would be an example of applied science? - ANSWER understanding the
potential energy of flowing water to harness its power to produce energy
Snow and particles can freeze and be trapped in ice, allowing scientists to find clues to the past.
What did the ice core samples tell the scientists about the history of the Vikings in Greenland? -
ANSWER The temperature of the area lowered greatly during the time the Vikings lived in
Greenland.
As the Viking settlement grew, the ecosystem of Greenland could not endure the pressure of so
many humans. What was one reason the ecosystem was so fragile? - ANSWER The growing
season was so short the land could not recover quickly.
What is environmental literacy? - ANSWER the ability to understand environmental problems
,Which of these is true of wicked problems? - ANSWER Their potential solutions almost always
come with trade-offs.
The triple bottom line considers the environmental, social, and ______ impact of our choices. -
ANSWER economic
What change did the Greenland settlers make that likely contributed to their demise? - ANSWER
focused on hunting sea mammals
What was one of the changes the Icelandic Vikings made to live more sustainably? - ANSWER
switched from eating beef to eating fish
What is sustainable development? - ANSWER meeting our present needs while still allowing
future generations to meet their own needs
How many goals do the United Nations present in their 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development? - ANSWER 17
The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development focuses on human concerns and
environmental issues. Which of the goals listed focuses on human concerns? - ANSWER
Eliminate poverty.
Many scientists suggest we have entered a new geologic time interval. What is the name of this
new time interval? - ANSWER Anthropocene
What is the Great Acceleration? - ANSWER a surge in resource use and pollution generation
What does the Planetary Boundaries framework identify? - ANSWER safe operating zones for
important Earth systems
,Which Planetary Boundary is beyond the zone of uncertanity? - ANSWER species extinction
In the Planetary Boundaries framework, where do the "tipping points" occur? - ANSWER beyond
the zone of uncertainty
Which UN Sustainable Development Goal addresses one of the characteristics of a sustainable
ecosystem? - ANSWER affordable and clean energy
Which of these is an example of acting sustainably? - ANSWER using resources at or below their
rate of replacement
Why is it important that sustainable ecosystems recycle matter resources? - ANSWER Earth gets
no appreciable amounts of new matter, so organisms have to keep using what is here.
What is NOT a way natural ecosystems are sustainable? - ANSWER using nonrenewable
resources
If we were to mimic the way nature uses energy resources, we would - ANSWER rely on
renewable energy sources.
What is true of nonrenewable resources? - ANSWER Their supply is finite or not quickly
replenished
Which of the following is an example of a nonrenewable resource? - ANSWER coal
Which statement best describes the tragedy of the commons? - ANSWER Individuals act in their
own personal interest when using a common resource.
, Suppose a law is passed restricting how many ocean fish can be harvested at one time. What
kind of approach to addressing social traps is this? - ANSWER regulation
Which of the following is an example of a commonly held resource that would be affected by
the tragedy of the commons? - ANSWER a river that flows through several states
Which of the following is true of worldviews? - ANSWER They are influenced by culture, religion,
and personal experience.
What is an environmental ethic? - ANSWER a personal philosophy that influences how one
interacts with their natural environment
Which of the following would a biocentric worldview most likely value? - ANSWER a bear,
because it is a living organism
A feral dog roams your neighborhood. The dog is friendly, but obviously in poor health. She
appears to have a contagious skin disease called mange and is suffering. Your mother says the
dog should be captured, and mercifully euthanized, so that she is not a danger to other pets in
the neighborhood. Your father argues that the animal has the right to live. He wants to take her
to the vet to see if she can be saved.
Your mother's view is _____ , while your father's view is _____. - ANSWER anthropocentric;
biocentric
Which of the following defines science? - ANSWER both a body of knowledge and the process
used to get the knowledge
Which of the following questions can be examined with empirical observations? - ANSWER Does
playing video games improve hand-eye coordination?
answers with solutions 2025
Which statement best describes environmental science? - ANSWER It draws on the natural
sciences, social sciences, and humanities to help us understand the world and our place in it.
What does the environment, as studied by environmental scientists, include? - ANSWER one's
living surroundings and also the non-living surroundings
What is a question the humanities could ask about environmental science? - ANSWER How do
religion and tradition influence choices?
What type of science best describes environmental science? - ANSWER both an empirical and
an applied science
Which of the following would be an example of applied science? - ANSWER understanding the
potential energy of flowing water to harness its power to produce energy
Snow and particles can freeze and be trapped in ice, allowing scientists to find clues to the past.
What did the ice core samples tell the scientists about the history of the Vikings in Greenland? -
ANSWER The temperature of the area lowered greatly during the time the Vikings lived in
Greenland.
As the Viking settlement grew, the ecosystem of Greenland could not endure the pressure of so
many humans. What was one reason the ecosystem was so fragile? - ANSWER The growing
season was so short the land could not recover quickly.
What is environmental literacy? - ANSWER the ability to understand environmental problems
,Which of these is true of wicked problems? - ANSWER Their potential solutions almost always
come with trade-offs.
The triple bottom line considers the environmental, social, and ______ impact of our choices. -
ANSWER economic
What change did the Greenland settlers make that likely contributed to their demise? - ANSWER
focused on hunting sea mammals
What was one of the changes the Icelandic Vikings made to live more sustainably? - ANSWER
switched from eating beef to eating fish
What is sustainable development? - ANSWER meeting our present needs while still allowing
future generations to meet their own needs
How many goals do the United Nations present in their 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development? - ANSWER 17
The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development focuses on human concerns and
environmental issues. Which of the goals listed focuses on human concerns? - ANSWER
Eliminate poverty.
Many scientists suggest we have entered a new geologic time interval. What is the name of this
new time interval? - ANSWER Anthropocene
What is the Great Acceleration? - ANSWER a surge in resource use and pollution generation
What does the Planetary Boundaries framework identify? - ANSWER safe operating zones for
important Earth systems
,Which Planetary Boundary is beyond the zone of uncertanity? - ANSWER species extinction
In the Planetary Boundaries framework, where do the "tipping points" occur? - ANSWER beyond
the zone of uncertainty
Which UN Sustainable Development Goal addresses one of the characteristics of a sustainable
ecosystem? - ANSWER affordable and clean energy
Which of these is an example of acting sustainably? - ANSWER using resources at or below their
rate of replacement
Why is it important that sustainable ecosystems recycle matter resources? - ANSWER Earth gets
no appreciable amounts of new matter, so organisms have to keep using what is here.
What is NOT a way natural ecosystems are sustainable? - ANSWER using nonrenewable
resources
If we were to mimic the way nature uses energy resources, we would - ANSWER rely on
renewable energy sources.
What is true of nonrenewable resources? - ANSWER Their supply is finite or not quickly
replenished
Which of the following is an example of a nonrenewable resource? - ANSWER coal
Which statement best describes the tragedy of the commons? - ANSWER Individuals act in their
own personal interest when using a common resource.
, Suppose a law is passed restricting how many ocean fish can be harvested at one time. What
kind of approach to addressing social traps is this? - ANSWER regulation
Which of the following is an example of a commonly held resource that would be affected by
the tragedy of the commons? - ANSWER a river that flows through several states
Which of the following is true of worldviews? - ANSWER They are influenced by culture, religion,
and personal experience.
What is an environmental ethic? - ANSWER a personal philosophy that influences how one
interacts with their natural environment
Which of the following would a biocentric worldview most likely value? - ANSWER a bear,
because it is a living organism
A feral dog roams your neighborhood. The dog is friendly, but obviously in poor health. She
appears to have a contagious skin disease called mange and is suffering. Your mother says the
dog should be captured, and mercifully euthanized, so that she is not a danger to other pets in
the neighborhood. Your father argues that the animal has the right to live. He wants to take her
to the vet to see if she can be saved.
Your mother's view is _____ , while your father's view is _____. - ANSWER anthropocentric;
biocentric
Which of the following defines science? - ANSWER both a body of knowledge and the process
used to get the knowledge
Which of the following questions can be examined with empirical observations? - ANSWER Does
playing video games improve hand-eye coordination?
