Question

What is a nonrenewable resource?

A. a resource that can replace itself quickly
B. a resource that harms the environment when it is used
C. a resource that is in limited supply
D. a resource that is used for energy

Answer 1

Coal is a very useful rock that formed over millions of years from the remains of plants. Is coal a mineral?

A. no, coal is not a mineral because coal can be burned to produce electricity and heat
B. yes, coal is a mineral because all rocks are nonliving solid minerals
C. yes, coal is a mineral because all rocks that are useful to people are minerals
D. no, coal is not a mineral because coal is made of dead plants

Answer 2

Which is a negative aspect of fossil fuels?

A. they are difficult to find
B. they cause pollution on Earth
C. they take a long time to produce energy
D. they are difficult to transport

Answer 3

Which fossil fuel is considered the most abundant in the United States?

A. natural gas
B. petroleum
C. coal
D. oil

Answer 4

Which statement best explains an environmental outcome of using fossil fuels for energy?

A. fossil fuels release carbon dioxide which plants use to make food
B. fossils fuels produce waste that exposes humans to dangerous levels of radiation
C. when fossil fuels are burned hazardous ash is created and carried through the environment by wind and dropped into nearby lakes and ponds
D. when fossil fuels are burned, they release toxic gases into the air that cause pollution and increase globe warming

Answer 5

A farmer wants to properly manage her soil to prevent a situation like the Dust Bowl. What is the best way to manage the soil?

A. allow plants such as grass to root in it
B. remove humus from the soil
C. water the soil frequently
D. frequently dig the soil to get rid of unwanted plants

Answer 6

Why is soil considered a vital resource?

A. it provides the source of material for different landforms
B. it is hard to destroy and easy to make
C. it is the place where all nutrients on Earth are stored
D. it plays a variety of roles for plants and animals

Answer 7

Which describes a renewable energy resource?

A. it produces less pollutants than fossil fuels
B. it consists of carbon and hydrogen molecules
C. it is less expensive than fossil fuels
D. it is more prone to serious accidents

Answer 8

Edwin buys a water bottle, reuses it twice, and then recycles it. Eleanor buys a water bottle, reuses it twelve times, and then throws it away.

Which energy cost would apply to Edwin, but not to Eleanor?

A. the cost of transporting the bottle to the store
B the cost of producing the original bottle
C. the cost of transporting the bottle away from the house
D. the cost of producing the bottle after it was no longer used

Answer 9

Your class goes on a field trip to observe drilling machinery. The geologists at the drill site show you displays of drilled rocks to compare different types of drills and methods. The drilled holes in one rock display are significantly larger than the holes drilled in the display next to it. Given this information, which statement is correct?

A. the rock display with larger holes shows copper drilling, which is closer to the surface
B. the rock display with smaller holes shows copper drilling, which is deep underground
C. the rock display with smaller holes shows petroleum drilling, which is closer to the surface
D. the rock display with larger holes shows petroleum drilling, which is deep underground

Answer 10

Ocean waves are a source of energy. In 1–2 sentences, make and justify a claim about whether ocean waves are a renewable or nonrenewable resource.

Answer 11

In three to five sentences, explain the effects of acid rain on the environment.