Part A. Multiple Choice – Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by suggested
answers or completions. Select the one that is best answers the question or completes the statement.
Mark the letter on the answer sheet that corresponds to your choice for that question number.
1. Based on the mass of its molecules, water should boil at temperatures well below 100oC. What
statement best describes why water has such a high boiling point? (UCSF.137.CO.06)
(A)
Mass of molecules of a substance does not affect its properties, such as the point at which it
boils.
(B)
The bonds between hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a water molecule are strong. This
requires a lot of energy to separate these atoms and reform the elemental substances.
(C)
Water molecules are highly polar which leads to strong attractions between its molecules.
This requires a lot of energy (high temperatures) to reach boiling.
(D)
Water molecules are small relative to other compounds. This requires more energy to
speed them up so that they collide more frequently and bubble out from the remaining
liquid state.
2. What are the three requirements for photosynthesis?
(A)
Sunlight, oxygen, and glucose
(B)
Sunlight, nitrogen, and water
(C)
Sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water
(D)
Sunlight, carbon dioxide, and glucose
(E)
Sunlight, oxygen, and water
3. Which of the statements about water on Earth is false? (UCSF.137.CO.07)
(A)
Most of the rain that falls on land enters streams and lakes.
(B)
About 25% of total global precipitation falls on land.
(C)
Most water flux occurs between the oceans and the atmosphere.
(D)
Most of the liquid water on Earth is contained in the oceans.
4. Given that direct measurements of Earth’s atmospheric temperatures over the last several
thousands of years were not made, how can scientists estimate past fluctuations in the
temperature? (UCSF.137.01)
(A)
Atmospheric temperatures do not fluctuate extremely from year to year, and so, we can
determine temperatures years ago based on taking measurements throughout current years.
(B)
Earth’s atmospheric temperatures from years ago can be determined by measuring the
atmospheric temperatures of younger planets. Changes in atmospheric temperatures are
directly correlated to planetary age.
(C)
Other sources of reliably collected data, such as measurements of compositions of ocean
and ice cores, allow for indications of valid estimations.
(D)
They cannot. The practice of science is grounded in rigid facts. No scientist would risk
making estimations.
5. A hypothesis can best be described as ________.
(A)
a proven fact
(B)
an explanation that has been tested many times
(C)
a proposed explanation based on observation
(D)
the science of asking questions and finding concrete answers
(E)
a comparison between groups with an explanation for differences
6. What is one barrier that makes it difficult for scientists to forecast environmental changes?
(A)
Simplicity of ecosystems
(B)
Unpredictable behavior of ecosystems that cause unpredicted environmental changes
(C)
The certainties of ecosystem function which humans ignore
(D)
The diversity of views based on cultural and religious differences
(E)
Environmental conflict that leads to ecosystem sustainability.
7. The Human body has the capacity to do work or engage in energy each day. When your body is at
rest prior to the race you muscles have ________ energy for movement.
(A)
potential
(B)
kinetic
(C)
chemical
(D)
nuclear
(E)
mechanical
8. Which of the following gases has the greatest global warming potential (GWP)?
(A)
CO2
(B)
CFC
(C)
CH4
(D)
N2O
(E)
O3
9. The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is a direct result of all of the following activities
except ________.
(A)
burning coal
(B)
cutting forests
(C)
burning oil
(D)
smoking
(E)
increasing natural gas emissions
10. What may be an ecological implication of global warming?
(A)
Plants and animals may not be able to move to a suitable habitat quickly enough.
(B)
In general, plants and animals will probably benefit from warmer temperatures.
(C)
Since farmland may be lost, the habitats of plants and animals will increase in area.
(D)
Since biodiversity is usually higher in warmer, milder climates, there will be little or no
ecological implications.
(E)
Plants and animals will adjust quickly to the changes in temperature and begin to replicate
and reproduces in new areas.
11. Ecosystems are connected by ________.
(A)
Water flow and weather patterns
(B)
the essential flow of water through the ecosystem
(C)
the flow of energy and matter through the ecosystem
(D)
individual species competing for space with other species in the ecosystem
(E)
the movement of pollutants between ecosystems
12. The first law of thermodynamics states that:
(A)
energy is always degraded in a chemical reaction
(B)
energy is always recycled in ecosystems
(C)
energy always has kinetic and potential characteristics
(D)
entropy always decreases in normal chemical reactions
(E)
the total amount of energy in a chemical reaction does not change
13. Imagine a dried out log in a forest. Carbon is one of the dominant elements comprising the log.
What was the source of the carbon in the log?
(A)
Soil
(B)
Groundwater
(C)
Atmosphere
(D)
Fertilizer
(E)
Sun
14. Total annual precipitation is ________ the total annual evaporation.
(A)
equal to
(B)
greater than
(C)
less than
(D)
condensed more than
(E)
condensed less than
Part B. Free Response - Please answer/solve the following questions on your answer sheet. Be sure to
show all work and/or provide explanations where necessary.
(1) Figure 1 – Age-structure pyramids
a) Examine the two graphs above. Describe a significant difference in the distribution of agestructure between the Canada and Ethiopia.
b) Formulate a hypothesis (or testable question) that relates median age from the age-structure
pyramids and population growth rate in the respective countries. Describe any additional data
you might need in order to answer test your hypothesis.
c) Below is a third age-structure pyramid from an unidentified country. Is this pyramid from a poor
or wealthy nation? Support your answer with a brief explanation.
(2) Our atmosphere has a certain percent composition of substances that for most of Earth’s “recent”
history has been relatively constant.
a) In what ways do trees help determine the composition of Earth’s atmosphere?
b) If many trees are cut down (as in deforestation areas), how will this affect the composition of the
Earth’s atmosphere?
c) How would such deforestation affect global temperatures?