UNIT 3 PRACTICE TEST
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____ 1. Which of the following factors makes life on earth possible?
a.
|
the earth's orbit is the correct distance from the sun
|
b.
|
the amount of oxygen present in the atmosphere is not too little or too much
|
c.
|
temperatures remain relatively stale despite an increased amount of energy emitted from the sun
|
d.
|
an ozone layer exists due to the evolution of plants
|
e.
|
All of the above.
|
____ 2. The fossil record is incomplete because
a.
|
not all fossils have been found.
|
b.
|
some fossils have decomposed.
|
c.
|
some life forms left no fossils.
|
d.
|
All of these answers.
|
e.
|
None of these answers.
|
____ 3. You are a fossil hunter. Which of the following are you least likely to find in a fossil?
a.
|
bone
|
b.
|
leaves
|
c.
|
teeth
|
d.
|
muscle
|
e.
|
shells
|
____ 4. Which of the following is false? Coevolution
a.
|
occurs when interacting species exert selective pressures on each other.
|
b.
|
occurs between plants and the herbivores that eat them.
|
c.
|
may play a role in the evolution of camouflage.
|
d.
|
leads to competitive relationships.
|
e.
|
All of these answers.
|
____ 5. Over the course of time, the change in the gene pool of one species may lead to the change of the gene pool of another species. This process is called
a.
|
coevolution.
|
b.
|
microevolution.
|
c.
|
convergent evolution.
|
d.
|
macroevolution.
|
e.
|
diversifying natural selection.
|
____ 6. Which of the following events have forced species to adapt to environmental conditions or go extinct?
a.
|
drastic heating and cooling of the earth
|
b.
|
meteorites and asteroids hitting the earth
|
c.
|
upheaval of the earth's crust
|
d.
|
a and b only
|
e.
|
All of the above.
|
____ 7. An ecological niche includes all of the following except
a.
|
the nutrient relationships with other species.
|
b.
|
the location where a species lives.
|
c.
|
the types of resource requirements.
|
d.
|
the range of tolerance to different physical and chemical conditions.
|
e.
|
the types of competitors.
|
____ 8. The process in which one species evolves into a variety of species is called
a.
|
coevolution.
|
b.
|
microevolution.
|
c.
|
divergent evolution.
|
d.
|
macroevolution.
|
e.
|
diversifying natural selection.
|
____ 9. A hummingbird would be considered a specialist species because
a.
|
it can only eat one certain type of food.
|
b.
|
it can live in a variety of habitats.
|
c.
|
it can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.
|
d.
|
Only a and c are true.
|
e.
|
All of the above are true.
|
____ 10. Geographic isolation is least likely to give rise to
a.
|
reproductive isolation.
|
b.
|
speciation.
|
c.
|
convergent evolution.
|
d.
|
divergent evolution.
|
e.
|
microevolution.
|
____ 11. Darwin's description of macroevolution as an accumulation of steady, small evolutionary changes is best described as
a.
|
dynamic equilibrium.
|
b.
|
a steady state hypothesis.
|
c.
|
a punctuated equilibrium hypothesis.
|
d.
|
a gradualist model of evolution.
|
e.
|
natural selection.
|
____ 12. Gould's view of macroevolution as long periods of relatively little change interrupted by short periods of relatively rapid change is best described as
a.
|
dynamic equilibrium.
|
b.
|
a steady state hypothesis.
|
c.
|
a punctuated equilibrium hypothesis.
|
d.
|
a gradualist model of evolution.
|
e.
|
natural selection.
|
____ 13. Patterns of speciation and extinction are least likely to be affected by
a.
|
climatic changes.
|
b.
|
continental drift.
|
c.
|
meteorites crashing into the earth.
|
d.
|
changes in the weather.
|
e.
|
human activity.
|
____ 14. Biodiversity is believed to be the result of
a.
|
divergent and convergent evolution.
|
b.
|
speciation and extinction.
|
c.
|
speciation and coevolution.
|
d.
|
extinction and coevolution.
|
e.
|
divergent evolution and coevolution.
|
____ 15. Features of weather include all of the following except
a.
|
temperature.
|
b.
|
barometric pressure.
|
c.
|
wind direction.
|
d.
|
ozone concentration.
|
e.
|
precipitation.
|
____ 16. The rain shadow effect refers to
a.
|
more light on the windward side of mountain ranges.
|
b.
|
more light on the leeward side of mountain ranges.
|
c.
|
drier conditions on the windward side of mountain ranges.
|
d.
|
drier conditions on the leeward side of mountain ranges.
|
e.
|
wetter conditions on the windward side of mountain ranges.
|
____ 17. Microclimates are least likely to be produced by
a.
|
mountains.
|
b.
|
bodies of water.
|
c.
|
cities.
|
d.
|
flat plains.
|
e.
|
sand dunes.
|
____ 18. The most probable chain of cause and effect contributing to patterns of earth's biomes is
a.
|
Incoming solar energy and the earth's geometry create climate patterns which create air and ocean currents that create biome patterns.
|
b.
|
Incoming solar energy and the earth's geometry create air and ocean currents that create climate patterns that create biome patterns.
|
c.
|
Incoming solar energy and the earth's geometry create climate patterns that create biome patterns that create air and ocean currents.
|
d.
|
Air and ocean currents determine incoming solar energy and the earth's geometry which create climate patterns that create biome patterns.
|
e.
|
Air and ocean currents determine incoming solar energy that create climate patterns which create biome patterns.
|
____ 19. In its broadest sense, geographical perspective helps us to understand ecology by helping us to make connections
a.
|
between abiotic and biotic factors.
|
b.
|
in time and space.
|
c.
|
between temperature and precipitation.
|
d.
|
between weather and climate.
|
e.
|
between time and weather.
|
____ 20. The two most important factors determining the climate of an area are
a.
|
temperature and ocean currents.
|
b.
|
precipitation and light.
|
c.
|
temperature and precipitation.
|
d.
|
light and temperature.
|
e.
|
ocean currents and light.
|
____ 21. Generally, the limiting factor that controls the vegetative character of a biome is
a.
|
light.
|
b.
|
precipitation.
|
c.
|
nutrients.
|
d.
|
soil type.
|
e.
|
temperature.
|
____ 22. Climate and vegetation vary with
a.
|
latitude only.
|
b.
|
altitude only.
|
c.
|
latitude and altitude.
|
d.
|
latitude and longitude.
|
e.
|
altitude and longitude.
|
____ 23. The biome most likely to be found on the top of a very tall tropical mountain is the
a.
|
desert.
|
b.
|
tundra.
|
c.
|
grassland.
|
d.
|
temperate deciduous forest.
|
e.
|
savanna.
|
____ 24. You are going on a scientific expedition from the equator to the North Pole. As you leave the coniferous forest behind, you anticipate next exploring
a.
|
gases captured in the ice.
|
b.
|
the fall leaves of New England.
|
c.
|
patterns of cone design in coniferous trees.
|
d.
|
the role of lichens and mosses in boggy ecosystems.
|
e.
|
germination patterns of tall-prairie grasses.
|
____ 25. Trees of wet tropical rain forests tend to be
a.
|
succulent plants.
|
b.
|
broad-leaf evergreen plants.
|
c.
|
broadleaf deciduous plants.
|
d.
|
coniferous evergreen plants.
|
e.
|
coniferous deciduous plants.
|
____ 26. Which of the following are examples of deciduous plants?
a.
|
maples and oaks
|
b.
|
algae and seaweed
|
c.
|
beech and spruce
|
d.
|
pines and cedars
|
e.
|
fir and hemlock
|
____ 27. Which of the following is not characteristic of some desert plants?
a.
|
widespread, shallow root systems
|
b.
|
deep root systems
|
c.
|
large leaves that droop in the bright sunlight
|
d.
|
succulent leaves or stems
|
e.
|
becoming dormant during dry periods
|
____ 28. Which of the following is not characteristic of the tropical desert?
a.
|
low diversity
|
b.
|
humid conditions
|
c.
|
low productivity
|
d.
|
few grazing animals
|
e.
|
dry conditions
|
____ 29. If you were exploring a desert ecosystem, which of the following species would you least expect to find?
a.
|
creosote bush
|
b.
|
maple tree
|
c.
|
saguaro cactus
|
d.
|
prickly pear
|
e.
|
Joshua tree
|
____ 30. If you were a National Geographic reporter assigned to cover large herds of grazing, hoofed animals, where would you most likely journey?
____ 31. The ____ is located in Europe.
a.
|
veldt
|
b.
|
steppes
|
c.
|
savanna
|
d.
|
pampas
|
e.
|
taiga
|
____ 32. Arctic tundra is perhaps earth's most fragile biome because of
a.
|
low rate of decomposition.
|
b.
|
shallow soil.
|
c.
|
slow growth rate of plants.
|
d.
|
bitter cold.
|
e.
|
All of these answers.
|
____ 33. Plants of the arctic tundra are adapted to
a.
|
moderate temperatures, lack of sunlight, and constant high winds.
|
b.
|
freezing temperatures, lack of water, and variable winds.
|
c.
|
freezing temperatures, lack of sunlight, and constant high winds.
|
d.
|
freezing temperatures, lack of water, and bright sunlight.
|
e.
|
freezing temperatures, lack of water, and lack of sunlight.
|
____ 34. You visit the Museum of Natural History. The curator shows you a burrow-dwelling small animal with thick fur. You predict that the animal came from the
a.
|
temperate grasslands.
|
b.
|
desert.
|
c.
|
tropical forest.
|
d.
|
arctic tundra.
|
e.
|
taiga.
|
____ 35. ____ can convert grasslands into desert.
a.
|
Overgrazing
|
b.
|
Urban sprawl
|
c.
|
Barbed-wire fencing
|
d.
|
Occasional short droughts
|
e.
|
None of these answers
|
____ 36. You are an ecologist on location in chaparral country. You would be surprised to find
a.
|
fires.
|
b.
|
very wet winters.
|
c.
|
evergreen shrubs.
|
d.
|
scrub oak.
|
e.
|
All of these answers.
|
____ 37. The primary limiting factor of the rain forest is
a.
|
water.
|
b.
|
soil nutrients.
|
c.
|
temperature.
|
d.
|
light.
|
e.
|
wind.
|
____ 38. Philodendrons and other office plants are most likely to come from which of the following layers of the tropical rain forest?
a.
|
emergent layer
|
b.
|
canopy
|
c.
|
shrub layer
|
d.
|
ground layer
|
e.
|
understory
|
____ 39. Most of the nutrients in the tropical rain forests are found in the
a.
|
living organisms.
|
b.
|
large rivers.
|
c.
|
deep, rich soil.
|
d.
|
thick atmosphere.
|
e.
|
shallow soil.
|
____ 40. Which of the following modes of pollination would you least expect to find in a tropical rain forest?
a.
|
butterfly
|
b.
|
bird
|
c.
|
bat
|
d.
|
wind
|
e.
|
insect
|
____ 41. Which of the following is not appropriate to use in describing a tropical rain forest?
a.
|
rapid decomposition
|
b.
|
rich soil
|
c.
|
stratified
|
d.
|
highly diverse
|
e.
|
low nutrient soil
|
____ 42. Which of the following is false? Temperate deciduous forests
a.
|
change significantly during four distinct seasons.
|
b.
|
are dominated by a few species of broadleaf trees.
|
c.
|
have trees that survive winter by dropping their leaves.
|
d.
|
have nutrient-poor soil.
|
e.
|
have nutrient rich soil.
|
____ 43. Animal species of the temperate deciduous forest often confine their life activities to a particular layer within the forest. Which of the following species, however, would be considered a "commuter" between the canopy and the forest layer?
a.
|
hawk
|
b.
|
fox
|
c.
|
woodpecker
|
d.
|
squirrel
|
e.
|
eagle
|
____ 44. If you were to make a census in a temperate deciduous forest in the United States, the most likely dominant mammal species would be
a.
|
deer.
|
b.
|
bear.
|
c.
|
fox.
|
d.
|
wildcat.
|
e.
|
coyote.
|
____ 45. Trees with needlelike leaves that are kept year round are especially abundant in which biome?
a.
|
tundra
|
b.
|
tropical rain forest
|
c.
|
coniferous forest
|
d.
|
temperate deciduous forest
|
e.
|
taiga
|
____ 46. There are fewer species in the coniferous forests than in the deciduous forests because few species can survive the
a.
|
bright sunlight.
|
b.
|
excessive moisture.
|
c.
|
alkaline soils.
|
d.
|
winters, when soil moisture is frozen.
|
e.
|
hot summers.
|
____ 47. Cone-bearing trees are characteristic of the
a.
|
taiga.
|
b.
|
tropical rain forest.
|
c.
|
temperate deciduous forest.
|
d.
|
savanna.
|
e.
|
desert.
|
____ 48. Humans have effected coniferous forests by
a.
|
clear-cutting for lumber.
|
b.
|
hunting predators.
|
c.
|
large-scale mining.
|
d.
|
All of these answers.
|
e.
|
None of these answers.
|
____ 49. If you are walking through a forest dense with oak and hickory trees and thick with leaf litter underfoot, you would probably assume you are in a
a.
|
tundra
|
b.
|
tropical rain forest
|
c.
|
coniferous forest
|
d.
|
temperate deciduous forest
|
e.
|
taiga
|
____ 50. If you find yourself in an extremely cold area covered primarily with spruce, fir, and cedar trees, you are most likely in a
a.
|
tundra
|
b.
|
tropical rain forest
|
c.
|
coniferous forest
|
d.
|
temperate deciduous forest
|
e.
|
taiga
|
____ 51. Which of the following biomes has been most disturbed by human activities?
a.
|
tundra
|
b.
|
tropical rain forest
|
c.
|
coniferous forest
|
d.
|
temperate deciduous forest
|
e.
|
taiga
|
____ 52. Humans impact the world's forests by
a.
|
clearing them for agricultural purposes.
|
b.
|
driving off-road vehicles and causing erosion.
|
c.
|
polluting forest streams.
|
d.
|
building cities.
|
e.
|
All of the above.
|
____ 53. Thriving coral reefs require
a.
|
cloudy water.
|
b.
|
cool water.
|
c.
|
dissolved oxygen and nutrients.
|
d.
|
salinity that fluctuates with the tides.
|
e.
|
cold water.
|
____ 54. Populations of organisms living in aquatic life zones may be limited by
a.
|
access to light.
|
b.
|
nutrient availability.
|
c.
|
dissolved oxygen.
|
d.
|
All of these answers.
|
e.
|
None of these answers.
|
____ 55. Oxygen in the water varies widely because of
a.
|
number of producers.
|
b.
|
number of decomposers.
|
c.
|
temperature.
|
d.
|
number of consumers.
|
e.
|
All of these answers.
|
____ 56. The major types of flora and fauna found in aquatic ecosystems are determined primarily by
a.
|
temperature
|
b.
|
salinity
|
c.
|
pH
|
d.
|
dissolved oxygen
|
e.
|
light
|
____ 57. Zooplankton are
a.
|
primary consumers.
|
b.
|
secondary consumers.
|
c.
|
tertiary consumers.
|
d.
|
a and b only.
|
e.
|
a, b, and c.
|
____ 58. You are scuba diving in the Atlantic Ocean and find a new diatom you classify as phytoplankton. One piece of your supporting evidence for this classification is that you found the diatom in the
a.
|
euphotic zone
|
b.
|
bathyl zone
|
c.
|
profundal zone
|
d.
|
disphotic zone
|
e.
|
benthic zone
|
____ 59. Oceans cover about ____ of the earth's surface.
a.
|
50%
|
b.
|
60%
|
c.
|
70%
|
d.
|
80%
|
e.
|
90%
|
____ 60. The ocean zone that covers the continental shelf is the
a.
|
estuary.
|
b.
|
coastal zone.
|
c.
|
littoral zone.
|
d.
|
benthic zone.
|
e.
|
abyssal zone.
|
____ 61. The ecosystems with the world's highest net primary productivities per unit area are found in the
a.
|
euphotic zone.
|
b.
|
abyssal zone.
|
c.
|
bathyal zone.
|
d.
|
coastal zone.
|
e.
|
benthic zone.
|
____ 62. Estuaries and coastal wetlands are important for all of the following reasons except
a.
|
spawning and nursery grounds for marine fish and shellfish.
|
b.
|
filtering out waterborne pollutants from swimming and wildlife areas.
|
c.
|
breeding grounds for waterfowl.
|
d.
|
providing coral for limestone production and the tourist trade.
|
e.
|
habitat for alligators.
|
____ 63. Which of the following trees is characteristic of tropical coastal wetlands?
a.
|
cypress
|
b.
|
coconut
|
c.
|
mangrove
|
d.
|
palm
|
e.
|
live oak
|
____ 64. In terms of biodiversity, the tropical rain forest is to land environments as ____ is to water environments.
a.
|
the abyssal zone
|
b.
|
the bathyal zone
|
c.
|
the euphotic zone
|
d.
|
the coral reef
|
e.
|
the benthic zone
|
____ 65. Researchers have estimated that more that more than ____ of the world's mangrove forests have been destroyed by human activities.
a.
|
1/4
|
b.
|
1/3
|
c.
|
1/2
|
d.
|
2/3
|
e.
|
3/4
|
____ 66. The least appropriate use of coastal wetlands is for
a.
|
spawning and nursery grounds.
|
b.
|
condominiums and disposal of landfill waste.
|
c.
|
food production.
|
d.
|
recreational diving.
|
e.
|
educational activities.
|
____ 67. The best long-range strategy to reduce beach erosion is
a.
|
building groins.
|
b.
|
preventing development on beach areas or allowing development only behind protective dunes.
|
c.
|
importing sand.
|
d.
|
extensive building on barrier beaches.
|
e.
|
building seawalls.
|
____ 68. The deepest part of the ocean is the
a.
|
abyssal zone.
|
b.
|
euphotic zone.
|
c.
|
estuary zone.
|
d.
|
bathyal zone.
|
e.
|
benthic zone
|
____ 69. Most photosynthesis in the open sea occurs in the
a.
|
euphotic zone.
|
b.
|
abyssal zone.
|
c.
|
bathyal zone.
|
d.
|
coastal zone.
|
e.
|
benthic zone.
|
____ 70. Depressions in the land that can be filled with water to form lakes may be formed by
a.
|
glaciation.
|
b.
|
earthquakes.
|
c.
|
volcanic activity.
|
d.
|
erosion.
|
e.
|
All of these answers.
|
____ 71. In lakes, large numbers of decomposers are found in the
a.
|
limnetic zone.
|
b.
|
benthic zone.
|
c.
|
littoral zone.
|
d.
|
profundal zone.
|
e.
|
abyssal zone.
|
____ 72. In lakes, the nutrient-rich water near the shore is part of the
a.
|
limnetic zone.
|
b.
|
benthic zone.
|
c.
|
littoral zone.
|
d.
|
profundal zone.
|
e.
|
abyssal zone.
|
____ 73. Lakes that have few minerals and low productivity are referred to as
a.
|
autotrophic.
|
b.
|
eutrophic.
|
c.
|
oligotrophic.
|
d.
|
mesotrophic.
|
e.
|
oligomesotrophic.
|
____ 74. A temperate lake is most likely to show thermal stratification and restriction on mixing of surface and deeper waters during the
a.
|
winter.
|
b.
|
spring.
|
c.
|
summer.
|
d.
|
early fall.
|
e.
|
late fall.
|
____ 75. A biologist studying biodiversity would most likely conduct research at a(an) ____ lake.
a.
|
autotrophic.
|
b.
|
eutrophic.
|
c.
|
oligotrophic.
|
d.
|
mesotrophic.
|
e.
|
oligomesotrophic
|
____ 76. An ecologist would expect to find a thermocline in a temperate lake in
a.
|
spring and summer.
|
b.
|
spring and fall.
|
c.
|
summer and winter.
|
d.
|
fall and summer.
|
e.
|
fall only.
|
____ 77. Lake overturns bring
a.
|
oxygen and nutrients to the surface.
|
b.
|
oxygen and nutrients to the lake bottom.
|
c.
|
oxygen to the surface and nutrients to the lake bottom.
|
d.
|
oxygen to the lake bottom and nutrients to the surface.
|
e.
|
oxygen to the surface.
|
____ 78. In which zone of a river would you most expect to find plants adapted to attach to rocks?
a.
|
first
|
b.
|
second
|
c.
|
third
|
d.
|
benthic
|
e.
|
fourth
|
____ 79. All of the following would be considered seasonal wetlands except
a.
|
flood plains
|
b.
|
bottomland hardwood swamps
|
c.
|
prairie potholes
|
d.
|
cypress swamps
|
e.
|
None of the above.
|
____ 80. Which of the following illustrations does not match the accompanying ecological concept.
a.
|
Coral reefs have high biodiversity.
|
b.
|
Estuaries have high productivity.
|
c.
|
Dissolved oxygen is a primary limiting factor in the upper layer of a stratified lake.
|
d.
|
The open ocean is the least productive of aquatic life zones.
|
e.
|
Littoral zones have high biodiversity.
|
Share with your friends: | 
