AP Environmental Science TEST
Ch. 12, 13, 14 Energy Resources
1) From the 1700s to the late 1800s the major source of energy in the United States was
A) coal.
B) crude oil.
C) natural gas.
D) nuclear power.
E) fire wood.
Answer: E
Diff: 1
2) In the early 1900s (1900 - 1920) the most used source of energy in the United States was
A) coal.
B) crude oil.
C) natural gas.
D) nuclear power.
E) fire wood.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
3) The Industrial Revolution came about because of the development of
A) the oil well.
B) the steam engine.
C) hydropower.
D) nuclear power plants.
E) saw mills
Answer: B
Diff: 1
4) A turbogenerator is a device that
A) is a power booster for car engines.
B) heats water to make high pressure steam.
C) creates wind and/or water currents on movie sets.
D) generates electricity.
E) propels aircraft.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
5) Which of the following is considered a secondary energy source?
A) coal.
B) oil.
C) natural gas.
D) water power.
E) electricity.
Answer: E
Diff: 1
6) The greatest demands on electrical power use are during
A) winter.
B) spring.
C) summer.
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D) fall.
E) Use of electricity is the same all year round.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
7) Fossil fuels are formed by
A) the compression of rocks.
B) the decay of dead organisms over millions of years.
C) volcanoes.
D) the decay of sewage over hundreds of years.
E) the decay of dead organisms over many decades.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
8) OPEC is comprised mainly of
A) countries of the Middle East.
B) countries of western Europe.
C) countries of North Africa.
D) countries of South America.
E) countries of Central America.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
9) Which of the fossil fuels releases the fewest pollutants (burns the cleanest)?
A) oil.
B) coal.
C) natural gas.
D) oil shale.
E) tar sands.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
10) Fossil fuels are a ________ energy source.
A) renewable
B) nonrenewable
C) clean
D) efficient
E) environmentally friendly
Answer: B
Diff: 1
11) The major environmental impact common to all fossil fuels is that they:
A) produce carbon dioxide.
B) are not found everywhere.
C) produce heat when burned.
D) usually have to be processed.
E) have to be transported.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
12) CAFÉ standards are government:
A) standards for motor vehicle fuel efficiency.
B) tax credits for fuel efficient cars.
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C) subsidies to the oil industry.
D) efficiency standards for kitchen appliances.
E) limits on oil production.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
13) From the 1800s to the present, total energy consumption in the United States
A) has grown dramatically except for a brief drop in the 1980s.
B) has grown very slowly but steadily.
C) has been more or less constant.
D) has declined steadily with conservation.
E) grew to a peak in the 1950s but has been downward since then.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
14) The largest single end-use category of petroleum/oil consumption in the United States is
A) industry.
B) transportation.
C) home heating.
D) hot water heating.
E) electrical generation.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
15) A major drawback in the production of oil from oil shale in the U.S. is that:
A) it is only theoretically possible to obtain oil this way.
B) it would compete with conventional oil.
C) there are no large oil shale deposits in the U.S.
D) large volumes of rock must be processed to produce oil this way.
E) the oil could not be used in transportation.
Answer: D
Diff:
16) Which of the following is a “demand-side” energy policy?
A) increasing CAFÉ standards.
B) opening up the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration.
C) increasing the number of coal fired electrical generating plants.
D) constructing a natural gas pipeline.
E) tax incentives for greater energy production from fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
17) Which of the following is true of Combined Heat and Power (cogeneration) systems?
A) they are illegal in the United States.
B) they waste large amounts of energy.
C) they increase energy efficiency by making use of waste heat.
D) the energy efficiency is about the same as conventional electrical production.
E) the technology has never been proven to work.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
18) Which of the following precipitated the oil crisis of 1973 and huge spikes in cost of oil in US?
A) an increase in U.S. crude oil production.
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B) a decrease in crude oil consumption.
C) a decrease in costs of crude oil.
D) an increase in oil imports.
E) a restriction in oil exports from OPEC countries.
Answer: E
19) Which of the following would have the greatest contribution to reducing consumption of
crude oil?
A) making cars with greater fuel efficiency.
B) using wind or solar power to produce electricity.
C) providing better insulation in buildings.
D) designing appliances with greater energy efficiency.
E) switching from coal to nuclear energy to produce electricity.
Answer: A
Diff:
20) The moderator-coolant in U.S. nuclear power plants is
A) very pure water.
B) graphite.
C) 238-U.
D) heavy water.
E) aluminum.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
21) The U.S. governmental agency that regulates and enforces standards for the operation of
nuclear power plants is the
A) Environmental Protection Agency.
B) Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
C) Atomic Corps of Engineers.
D) Electrical Power Agency.
E) U.S. Department of Electrical Energy.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
22) The period of time when the most construction of new nuclear power plants took place in
the United States was
A) 1960-1975.
B) 1945-1960.
C) 1950-1960.
D) 1975-1990.
E) 1990-1995.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
23) If you begin with 100 grams of a radioactive isotope; after 3 half-lives have passed, how
many grams of that original isotope remain?
A) 50
B) 100
C) 12.5
D) 33
E) 25
Answer: C
Diff: 1
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24) In 1987, the U.S. Congress selected this site for long term disposal of high level radioactive
waste and it is still being delayed due to public concern
A) Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
B) Hanford, Washington.
C) Carlsbad, New Mexico.
D) Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
E) Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania
Answer: A
Diff: 1
25) The element currently used in all nuclear power plants is
A) selenium.
B) uranium.
C) hydrogen.
D) plutonium.
E) carbon.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
26) The United States currently produces about ________ percent of its electricity by nuclear
fission power.
A) 10
B) 20
C) 30
D) 50
E) 80
Answer: B
Diff: 2
27) The splitting of a large atom of one element into smaller atoms of different elements is called
A) combustion.
B) nuclear fission.
C) nuclear fusion.
D) breeder reaction.
E) half life.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
28) In a nuclear reactor of a power plant the rate at which uranium atoms split is controlled by
A) inserting rods of neutron-absorbing material between rods of uranium fuel.
B) stacks of uranium pellets in fuel rods.
C) removal of waste heat by circulating water.
D) water from a nearby river or lake that is used to cool the reactor to maintain proper
temperature.
E) accumulation of fission products in the fuel rods.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
29) The hazards of radioactive wastes are that such elements
A) give off radio signals that are disruptive to radio, TV, and communications.
B) are extremely toxic in the same way that arsenic, lead and mercury are toxic.
C) give off high energy emissions that damage DNA and consequently may lead to
mutations, cancer, and birth defects.
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D) give off low energy emissions that damage DNA and consequently may lead to
mutations, cancer, and birth defects.
E) There is no hazard as long as they are buried properly.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
30) It is generally considered that radioactive material will decay to a safe level
A) in 10 years.
B) in 1,000 years.
C) in 2 half-lives.
D) in 10 half-lives.
E) never.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
31) The main reason that most utilities have been opting to build coal-fired as opposed to
nuclear power plants in recent years is that
A) there is a shortage of uranium.
B) coal-fired plants represent a less-risky investment for utilities.
C) coal-fired plants produce less pollution.
D) the demand for electricity has declined in recent years.
E) they are easier to build and don't cost as much.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
32) Producing more electricity through nuclear power plants instead of fossil fuel-fired plants
would:
A) eliminate the problems of future oil shortages.
B) help to moderate the greenhouse effect.
C) give us low-cost, risk-free electrical power for the rest of time.
D) increase the release of radiation into the environment surrounding the plants.
E) eliminate the need for fossil fuels.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
33) Which of the following is true concerning low doses of radiation?
A) they are generally considered safe because they are below a threshold level.
B) they cannot be measured and thus are considered safe.
C) the routine emissions from power plants are still higher than background radiation.
D) they can cause changes in cells that do not show up until many years later.
E) health effects of low doses radiation have never been observed.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
34) Enrichment of nuclear fuel refers to:
A) increasing the percent of fissionable U235.
B) decreasing the percentage of fissionable U235.
C) adding plutonium to uranium.
D) increasing the energy content of U235.
E) removal of non-uranium impurities.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
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35) Which of the following is a correct comparison of the mining impact of the coal and nuclear
industries?
A) coal mining results in a much larger impact.
B) they both involve about the same amount of mining.
C) uranium mining causes a much larger impact.
D) mining impacts are both small compared to the extraction of other fuels.
E) mining is not a part of the environmental impact of a fuel.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
36) In contrast to coal-fired power plants, the routine operation of nuclear power plants release:
A) more carbon dioxide.
B) more sulfur oxides.
C) less radioactive materials.
D) more acid rain forming materials.
E) a larger volume of solid waste.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
37) Reprocessing of spent fuel rods is a way to:
A) eliminate highly radioactive substances that are extremely hazardous.
B) recover plutonium and left over U 235 which can be used as fuel.
C) recycle the energy of the nuclear fuel.
D) reduce the half life of the nuclear waste.
E) make the wastes safe by removing all the radioactive materials.
Answer: B
Diff: 3
38) U-238 and U-235 differ from each other in their
A) number of protons.
B) number of energy levels (electron shells)
C) atomic mass.
D) number of electrons
E) number of protons and electrons.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
39) The explosion that occurred at Chernobyl that released large amounts of radioactive
materials into the environment was caused by:
A) a buildup of steam in the reactor core, causing steam explosion
B) a meltdown.
C) an uncontrolled chain reaction.
D) a nuclear explosion roughly the same size as Hiroshima’s bomb
E) terrorist actions.
Answer: A
Diff: 3
40) The “loss of coolant accident” (LOCA) that occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant
resulted in:
A) an uncontrolled chain reaction.
B) partial meltdown and release of radioactive gas.
C) a nuclear explosion.
D) deaths due to radiation sickness.
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E) nuclear fusion.
Answer: B
Diff: 3
41) High energy radiation that causes chemical changes in materials, including the formation of
charged atoms or molecules is called:
A) ionizing radiation.
B) X-rays.
C) Sievert units.
D) radioisotopes.
E) unstable isotopes.
Answer: A
Diff: 3
42) A conclusion from studies of people that were exposed to high levels of radiation in the
1930’s found that:
A) the incidence of cancer and leukemia was higher than in the general population.
B) the incidence of cancer and leukemia was lower than in the general population.
C) there was no relationship between exposure and health effects.
D) there were no health effects below the threshold dose.
E) it is impossible to establish a relationship between radiation and health effects.
Answer: A
Diff: 3
43) Which of the following best describes the world use of nuclear power today?
A) it is growing exponentially.
B) it has grown steadily over the last decade.
C) it is declining.
D) it is growing but only in developed countries.
E) it accounts for a declining share of electricity produced worldwide.
Answer: C
44) Which of the following is not an indirect form of solar energy?
A) wind.
B) firewood.
C) nuclear fission.
D) water power.
E) alcohol.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
45) Light radiation strikes a sandwich of two layers of silicon and dislodges electrons from one
layer which are then picked up by the other layer causing production of an electric current.
This best describes
A) Photosynthesis in plants.
B) active solar heating systems.
C) photovoltaic cells.
D) nuclear fusion.
E) passive solar systems.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
46) Digesting manure anaerobically (without oxygen) will yield mainly
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A) alcohol.
B) methane.
C) carbon dioxide.
D) oxygen.
E) cellulose.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
47) Biofuels made by fermenting sugars by microorganisms anaerobically (without oxygen) will
yield mainly
A) alcohol (ethanol).
B) methane.
C) carbon dioxide.
D) sugar cane.
E) cellulose.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
48) The primary economic limitation to tidal production of electricity is:
A) it has never been demonstrated.
B) there are few places with sufficient tidal energy to make it worthwhile.
C) it disturbs the migration of fishes.
D) it would compete with other ways to produce electricity.
E) electricity is lost when the tides go out.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
49) In terms of energy security how do renewable forms of energy differ from fossil fuels?
A) they are found primarily in the developed countries that have the highest energy
demand.
B) they are found primarily in developing countries.
C) they can transported easily from developed to developing countries.
D) they are distributed more equitably across the earth.
E) they are just as geographically concentrated as fossil fuels.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
50) Which of the following is true of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC),
which uses ocean temperature differences to produce power?
A) they are economical.
B) they are widely used today.
C) they are currently only experimental.
D) they would have no impact on the ecology of the ocean.
E) they can used to produce a variety of fuels.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
51) Falling water is considered an indirect form of solar energy because
A) solar energy causes evaporation of water and thus produces the water cycle.
B) solar energy purifies water.
C) solar energy causes the condensation of water in clouds.
D) plants produce water in photosynthesis.
E) like solar energy, it does not produce air pollution.
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Answer: A
Diff: 2
52) Which of the following is true concerning the production of electricity from solar energy?
A) it can only be produced by PV cells.
B) turbogenerators and PV cells can be used.
C) it is produced by both passive and active solar systems.
D) it uses electrolysis.
E) it uses fuel cells.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
53) Which of the following is true of ethanol production from corn?
A) large scale production would take land out of food production.
B) it has unlimited potential to supply the U.S. with liquid fuels for transportation.
C) There is potential for much air pollution from the fuels needed to concentrate the
alcohol through distillation.
D) it is very economical to produce even without government subsidies.
E) alcohol is more polluting than gasoline to burn.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
54) Which of the following is an environmental limitation of hydropower?
A) it is polluting.
B) it is non-sustainable.
C) it is non-renewable.
D) it changes the ecology of rivers.
E) it has little impact on stream-side communities.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
55) With 75,000 dams in the United States, only ________ of rivers are still free-flowing.
A) 2 percent
B) 8 percent
C) 12 percent
D) 19 percent
E) 27 percent
Answer: A
Diff: 2
56) Which of the following is not an element of passive solar heating?
A) large south-facing windows to let sunlight into a building.
B) heavy drapes to close at night in order to trap the heat inside the building.
C) interior brick or stone walls to store and release heat.
D) awnings or landscaping which shade the windows from the sun in summer.
E) pumps to move heated water to a storage tank.
Answer: E
Diff: 3
57) A carbon tax would be levied on:
A) all fuels based on the amount of carbon they produce when consumed.
B) fossil fuels.
C) gasoline.
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D) biofuels like biodiesel and ethanol.
E) non-renewable energy sources.
Answer: E
58) How is our current need to import oil related to transportation issues in the United States
today?
A) most of the oil we import is used for transportation.
B) very little of the oil we import is used for transportation.
C) transportation is a secondary use of energy.
D) imported oil is used for home heating; domestic oil is used for transportation.
E) increasing CAFÉ standards will eliminate our need to import oil.
Answer: A
Diff: 3
59) Which of the following is true concerning dams constructed for hydroelectric power?
A) little additional land is needed.
B) their construction has had little impact on river-side communities.
C) environmental impacts are only on downstream communities.
D) the ecology of the river both upstream and downstream is changed.
E) fish migrations are no longer a problem on most dams.
Answer: D
Fill in the Blank: Please write the numbers 60-65 on the backs of your scantron document
and then write in your short answer for each question.
60) Based upon trends in new discoveries and seismic searches for oil, most geologists believe
that with further exploration, many or few new big oil fields will be discovered in North
America. (Choose one)
Answer: FEW
Diff: 2
61) ________ is a method of coal extraction that uses large pieces of earth-moving equipment to
remove huge amounts of soil and rock from the surface to expose coal deposits.
Answer: Strip mining
Diff: 1
62) The letters of OPEC stand for _________________________________________.
Answer: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Diff: 1
63) ________ is the most abundant fossil fuel found in the continental United States.
Answer: Coal
Diff: 1
64) Given the quantity of fossil fuels found in Alaska it is likely the climate was at one time
warmer / colder. (Choose one) Explain why.
Answer: warmer
Diff: 1
65) The three primary fossil fuels are ________, ________, and ________.
Answer: coal, oil, natural gas
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