Ecological Footprint Quiz – Answers

The following is an environmental quiz that the Roper Institute (a leading polling institute) and the National Environmental Education Task Force administer on an annual basis to assess the environmental literacy of US citizens.

The correct answers are in bold. The average US citizen scores seven out of twelve correct answers.

1. There are many different kinds of animals and plants, and they live in many different types of environments. What is the word used to describe this idea? Is it...
   a. Multiplicity
   b. Biodiversity
   c. Socio-economics
   d. Evolution

2. Carbon monoxide is a major contributor to air pollution in the U.S. Which of the following is the biggest source of carbon monoxide? Is it...
   a. Factories and businesses
   b. People breathing
   c. Motor vehicles
   d. Trees

3. How is most of the electricity in the U.S. generated? Is it...
   a. By burning oil, coal, and wood
   b. With nuclear power
   c. Through solar energy
   d. At hydro electric power plant

4. What is the most common cause of pollution in streams, rivers, and oceans? Is it...
   a. Dumping of garbage by cities
   b. Surface water running off yards, city streets, paved lots, and farm fields
   c. Trash washed into the ocean from beaches
   d. Waste dumped by factories

5. Which of the following is a renewable resource? Is it...
   a. Oil
   b. Iron ore
   c. Trees
   d. Coal

6. Ozone forms a protective layer in the earth's upper atmosphere. What does ozone protect us from? Is it
   a. Acid rain
   b. Global warming
   c. Sudden changes in temperature
   d. Harmful, cancer-causing sunlight

7. Where does most of the garbage in the U.S. end up? Is it in...
   a. Oceans
   b. Incinerators
   c. Recycling centers
   d. Landfills

8. What is the name of the primary federal agency that works to protect the environment? Is it the...
   a. Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA)
   b. Department of Health, Environment, and Safety (the DHES)
   c. National Environmental Agency (the NEA)
   d. Federal Pollution Control Agency (the FPCA)

9. Which of the following household wastes is considered hazardous waste? Is it...
   a. Plastic packaging
   b. Glass
   c. Batteries
   d. Spoiled food

10. What is the most common reason that an animal species becomes extinct? Is it because...
   a. Pesticides are killing them
   b. Their habitats are being destroyed by humans
   c. There is too much hunting
   d. There are climate changes that affect them

11. Scientists have not determined the best solution for disposing of nuclear waste. In the U.S., what do we do with it now? Do we...
   a. Use it as nuclear fuel
   b. Sell it to other countries
   c. Dump it in landfills
   d. Store and monitor the waste

12. What is the primary benefit of wetlands? Do they...
   a. Promote flooding
   b. Help clean the water before it enters lakes, streams, rivers, or oceans
   c. Help keep the number of undesirable plants and animals low, or
   d. Provide good sites for landfills

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Upcoming Events:
 
Meeting the Sacred in Creation Retreats Offered in Hudson Valley, Pacific Northwest, Southeast in April, May, October 2007.
 
New Brunswick Environmental Health and Justice Tour, April 18, 2007.
 
Prof. Larry Rasmussen to Keynote April 23, 2007 Interfaith Environmental Conference with Drew Theological School.