Roper Starch Environmental Knowledge Quiz

1.How is most of the electricity in the U.S. generated? Is it…

  1. By burning oil, coal, and wood
  2. With nuclear power
  3. Through solar energy, or
  4. At hydroelectric power plants?
  5. Don’t know

2.What is the most common cause of pollution of streams, rivers, and oceans? Is it…

  1. Dumping of garbage by cities
  2. Surface water running off yards, city streets, paved lots, and farm fields
  3. Trash washed into the ocean from beaches, or
  4. Waste dumped by factories?
  5. Don’t know

3.What do you think is the main cause of global climate change, that is, the warming of the planet Earth? Is it…

  1. A recent increase in oxygen in the atmosphere
  2. Sunlight radiating more strongly through a hole in the upper ozone layer
  3. More carbon emissions from autos, homes and industry, or
  4. Increased activity from volcanoes worldwide
  5. Don’t know

4.To the best of your knowledge, what percentage of the world’s water is fresh and available for use? Is it…

  1. 1%
  2. 5%
  3. 10%, or
  4. 33%
  5. Don’t know

5.The current worldwide reduction in the number of ocean fish is PRIMARILY due to which of the following…

  1. Pollution in coastal waters worldwide
  2. Increased harvesting by fishing vessels
  3. Changes in ocean temperature, or
  4. Loss of fishing shoals and other deep sea habitats
  5. Don’t know

6.What is the leading cause of childhood death worldwide? Is it…

  1. Malnutrition and starvation
  2. Asthma from dust in the air
  3. Auto and home accidents, or
  4. Germs in the water?
  5. Don’t know

7.What is the most common reason that an animal species becomes extinct? Is it because…

  1. Pesticides are killing them,
  2. Their habitats are being destroyed by humans,
  3. There is too much hunting, or
  4. There are climate changes that affect them?
  5. Don’t know

8.There are thousands of waste disposal areas – dumps and landfills – in the U.S. that hold toxic waste. The greatest threat posed by these waste disposal areas is…

  1. Chemical air pollution
  2. Contact with farm animals and household pets
  3. Contamination of water supplies, or
  4. Human consumption through contaminated food
  5. Don’t know

9.Many communities are concerned about running out of room in their community trash dumps and landfills. Is the greatest source of landfill material…

  1. Disposable diapers
  2. Lawn and garden clippings, trimmings and leaves
  3. Paper products including newspapers, cardboard and packaging or
  4. Glass and plastic bottles and aluminum and steel cans
  5. Don’t know

10.Some scientists have expressed concern that chemicals and certain minerals accumulate in the human body at dangerous levels. Do these chemicals and minerals enter the body primarily through…

  1. Breathing air
  2. Living near toxic waste dumps
  3. Household cleaning products, or
  4. Drinking water
  5. Don’t know