Middle School Earth and Space Science : Middle School Earth and Space Science
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Middle School Earth and Space Science
All Middle School Earth and Space Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identify Human Impacts On The Environment
Which of the following will likely be an effect of climate change?
sea level rise
plants everywhere benefit from warmer weather
later arrivals of spring each year
greater biodiversity
sea level rise
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
Example Question #2 : Identify Human Impacts On The Environment
Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas?
nitrous oxide
chlorofluorocarbons
methane
carbon monoxide
carbon monoxide
The answer is "carbon monoxide."
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
Example Question #3 : Identify Human Impacts On The Environment
Which of these human actions will impact Earth's systems?
all of these
Using pesticides to produce higher yields in crops
Creating environmental regulations that protect and maintain Earth's natural state
overpopulation, pollution and construction of buildings
all of these
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
Example Question #4 : Identify Human Impacts On The Environment
Which of the following is a way that humans positively impact the environment?
overpopulation
introducing invasive species
burning fossil fuels
establishing wildlife preserves
establishing wildlife preserves
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
Example Question #5 : Identify Human Impacts On The Environment
How can humans best minimize their impact on Earth's systems?
Humans can utilize Earth’s resources freely without any negative impacts to Earth’s systems.
none of these
Humans must return to a time before modern technology was hurting the environment
Humans must utilize Earth’s resources in a way that creates a balance between man made structures and Earth’s systems.
Humans must utilize Earth’s resources in a way that creates a balance between man made structures and Earth’s systems.
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
Example Question #1 : Identify Human Impacts On The Environment
Which of the following practices allows humans to utilize water resources while preserving as much of the natural landscape as possible?
draining lakes for transport
diverting waterways into canals
building hydroelectric dams
restricting irrigation
restricting irrigation
The answer is "restricting irrigation."
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
Example Question #7 : Identify Human Impacts On The Environment
Which of the following practices would help reduce your impact on the environment most?
buying products on sale
riding a bike to school or work
buying a used car
throwing away old electronics
riding a bike to school or work
The answer is "riding a bike to school or work."
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
Example Question #41 : Weather And Climate
How does deforestation contribute to climate change?
decreasing atmospheric N2
increasing atmospheric CO2
decreasing atmospheric CO2
increasing atmospheric N2
increasing atmospheric CO2
The answer is "increasing atmospheric CO2."
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
Example Question #42 : Weather And Climate
The release of which group of chemicals into the atmosphere, used in hairsprays and refrigerator coolant in the 80s, is now thought to have majorly contributed to the thinning of the ozone layer?
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
carbon monoxide
carbon dioxide
hydrocarbons
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
The answer is "chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)."
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
Example Question #43 : Weather And Climate
Which of the following human activities has the greatest impact on the environment?
surfing
driving cars
going on hikes
fishing and hunting
driving cars
The answer is "driving cars."
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Most notably, human impacts have contributed to climate change. Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century to the human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include: Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The effects of this are difficult to predict but some effects are more certain:
-On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
-Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
-A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level. Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
-Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
Not all human impacts are negative. Ways in which people positively affect ecosystems around the world include:
-Recycling
-Establishing wildlife preserves and parks
-Creating green, open space laws
-Doing reforestation
-Creating environmental regulations
All Middle School Earth and Space Science Resources
