About this Study Set
This study set covers Environmental Science through
25 practice questions.
A comprehensive set of questions covering atmospheric science, ecology, and environmental chemistry. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 25 questions from the
Environmental Science Fundamentals study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer that absorbs the majority of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun?
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A
Troposphere
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B
Stratosphere
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C
Mesosphere
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D
Thermosphere
2
What is the primary process by which nitrogen gas is converted into ammonia by soil bacteria?
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A
Nitrogen fixation
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B
Denitrification
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C
Nitrification
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D
Assimilation
3
Which greenhouse gas is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in landfills and wetlands?
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A
Carbon dioxide
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B
Nitrous oxide
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C
Methane
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D
CFCs
4
The 'pH scale' measures the acidity of a solution. At what pH level is rain considered 'acid rain'?
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A
Below 5.6
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B
Exactly 7.0
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C
Above 8.2
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D
Between 9.0 and 10.0
5
Which biome is characterized by permafrost, low precipitation, and very short growing seasons?
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A
Taiga
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B
Temperate deciduous forest
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C
Tundra
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D
Chaparral
6
Which phenomenon describes the increase in concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain?
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A
Bioaccumulation
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B
Biomagnification
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C
Eutrophication
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D
Biodegradation
7
What is the largest carbon reservoir on Earth?
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A
The atmosphere
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B
The terrestrial biosphere
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C
The deep ocean
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D
Sedimentary rocks
8
Which chemical element is the primary limiting factor for plant growth in most freshwater ecosystems?
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A
Carbon
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B
Phosphorus
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C
Potassium
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D
Sulfur
9
What is the term for the variety of all living things and their interactions within a specific ecosystem?
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A
Ecological succession
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B
Biodiversity
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C
Carrying capacity
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D
Biomass
10
Which gas, when released into the atmosphere, is most directly responsible for the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer?
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A
Carbon monoxide
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B
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
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C
Sulfur dioxide
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D
Methane
11
What is the 'albedo effect' in the context of climate science?
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A
The absorption of heat by oceans
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B
The reflection of solar radiation by surfaces
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C
The trapping of infrared radiation
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D
The process of cloud formation
12
Which type of rock is formed through the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava?
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A
Sedimentary
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B
Metamorphic
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C
Igneous
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D
Conglomerate
13
In population dynamics, what term describes the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely?
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A
Biotic potential
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B
Carrying capacity
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C
Environmental resistance
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D
Growth rate
14
Which biome has the highest primary productivity and biodiversity on Earth?
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A
Tropical rainforest
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B
Savanna
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C
Coral reef
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D
Temperate grassland
15
What is the primary cause of ocean acidification?
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A
Increased solar radiation
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B
Absorption of excess atmospheric CO2
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C
Runoff of industrial fertilizers
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D
Oil spills
16
Which nutrient cycle does not have a significant gaseous phase?
-
A
Carbon cycle
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B
Nitrogen cycle
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C
Phosphorus cycle
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D
Oxygen cycle
17
What term refers to the process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients, inducing excessive growth of algae?
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A
Bioaccumulation
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B
Eutrophication
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C
Calcification
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D
Desalination
18
Which of the following is a primary air pollutant produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels?
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A
Carbon monoxide
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B
Nitrogen gas
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C
Water vapor
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D
Oxygen
19
What is the approximate percentage of nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere?
20
Which zone of a lake or ocean is the topmost layer where sunlight penetrates and photosynthesis can occur?
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A
Benthic zone
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B
Aphotic zone
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C
Photic zone
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D
Abyssal zone
21
What process involves the movement of water from the soil into plant roots and its subsequent evaporation from leaves?
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A
Infiltration
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B
Transpiration
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C
Percolation
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D
Condensation
22
Which type of organism is considered a 'decomposer' in an ecosystem?
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A
Herbivore
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B
Autotroph
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C
Fungi
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D
Carnivore
23
What is the definition of a 'keystone species'?
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A
The species with the highest biomass
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B
A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment
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C
The most abundant species in a community
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D
A species that is at the top of the food chain
24
Which of the following is a non-renewable energy source?
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A
Geothermal
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B
Nuclear fission
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C
Wind
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D
Biomass
25
What term describes the shift in climate patterns resulting from long-term changes in average temperatures and weather conditions?
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A
Weathering
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B
Climate change
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C
Meteorological drift
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D
Tectonic shift
