The Exam

My exams are designed to test more than just your ability to memorize the definitions of new terms and concepts (though, of course, that is important as well). Often I try to ask questions that test your ability to critically think about the relation between topics that we have discussed or to synthesize facts into a more complete whole. In short, I'm trying to get at not just your knowledge of geology, but more importantly your understanding of environmental geology. This is not always easy to do on a multiple choice exam. My multiple choice questions are intended to have one best answer, but often a number of plausible wrong answers. I am not trying to be tricky - rather I'm trying to get an idea of how fully you understand the material. The ability to think critically and synthesize ideas is the essence of good education. Keep this in mind as you study the material.

Also, please understand that this study guide is not intended to be exhaustive (read as: there will be material on the exam that is not specifically covered in this study guide). To best prepare for the exam I recommend that you:

• Read the assigned chapters in Environmental Geology. Make sure you understand the material (especially the concepts and terminology). Some students find it helpful to outline the material in the chapters.
• Review your lecture notes. Compare them with the lecture outlines on the class website. It may be useful to discuss the lecture material with a classmate and compare notes.
• Work through the entire Exam Study Guide. Look up things that you're not sure of. Break down the style of my exam questions and try to anticipate how I might vary these questions to cover different material.
• If there's anything that you don't fully understand then seek assistance. I'm happy to help during office hours or any other time you can find me to ask a question. E-mail me your questions if you like. There's also a free tutor available for the class. Contact the Kelly Center to schedule an appointment.

Some sample multiple choice questions: (there will be 40 on the test)

1. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is ______________.
   1. required for all commercial activities
   2. necessary to get any government contract
   3. an assessment of anticipated enviromnmental consequences of a proposed project
   4. meaningless government red tape
   5. all of the above

2. Which of the following anthropogenic greenhouse gasses is responsible for the greatest amount of warming?
   1. CO₂
   2. CH₄
   3. N₂O
   4. O₃
   5. chlorofluorocarbons

3. In a greenhouse, the glass ________________________.
   1. exists for the sole purpose of letting sunlight in
   2. exists for the sole purpose of letting visitors view the plants
   3. allows heat to pass through, but traps visible light inside
   4. allows visible light to pass through, but traps heat inside
   5. protects plants from the wind, primarily

4. Which of the following materials makes up the largest percentage of municipal waste?
   1. paper
   2. glass
   3. garden debris
   4. plastics
   5. Jimmy Hoffa

5. The impermeable liner in a sanitary landfill is supposed to ______________________.
   1. decontaminate rainwater before it infiltrates into the aquifer
   2. keep soil from being eroded
   3. prevent the odors of the landfill from escaping
   4. prevent contamination of groundwater by infiltration
   5. all of the above

6. The primary benefit of incinerating refuse is to _______________________.
   1. reduce its volume
   2. pollute the atmosphere
   3. generate heat which may be used to produce energy
   4. all of the above
   5. A & C only

7. ____________ require(s) the least expense and effort but are also the most unsightly and smelly.
   1. Incinerators
   2. Sanitary landfills
   3. Secure landfills
   4. Open landfills
   5. Ocean dumping

8. Which of the following types of air pollution are not derived from automobile emissions in a primary manner?
   1. carbon dioxide
   2. carbon monoxide
   3. ozone
   4. nitrogen dioxide
   5. hydrocarbons

In addition, here is a list of some topics that you should understand:

• Review the Summaries, Terms to Remember, and Exercises at the end of each chapter.
• What are the major issues in waste management? What is the difference between the concepts of social and environmental justice? What does IWM stand for?
• What are the historical ways of dealing with waste? Which of these are still used today, and which are not? What are the benefits and problems of each method?
• What are some methods of "materials management"? How realistic is the concept of "zero waste"? How is it related to industrial ecology?
• What types of materials make up solid waste? What are their relative abundances? Can things be done to reduce each type?
• What are the pros and cons of: on-site disposal, composting, incineration, open dumps, and sanitary landfills? Under what conditions would each be appropriate?
• Identify issues related to sanitary landfills. What is the environmental impact of each?
• What types of materials make up hazardous waste? What sort of environmental threats does hazardous waste pose? How can hazardous waste be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner?
• How are secure landfills different from sanitary landfills and open landfills? What are some alternatives to secure landfills for hazardous wastes? Why don't we just shoot it all into space?
• What happened at Love Canal? What was the cause and effect of the London Smog Crisis of 1952?
• What qualifies as an air pollutant? Are all air pollutants of human origin? Cite examples.
• What are the major types of air pollutants? What are their sources and effects? Why is breathing (asbestos/lead/cadmium) bad for you?
• How do meteorology and topography influence air pollution? What are the major contributing factors to urban air pollution? What are some common sources of indoor air pollution? How can they be controlled?
• What is the air quality index and how is it related to health effects? Is it worth cleaning up the air to absolute purity?
• What is Earth System Science? How do scientists study global climate change (past, present, and future)?
• Describe some of Earth's past climate changes. Is climate change a natural process? Can human activities affect the global climate?
• How is energy transfer balanced in the atmosphere? What is the greenhouse effect? What are greenhouse gasses, how do they work, and what are their sources?
• How has global surface temperature changed over the last: 160000 years, 1000 years, 100 years? How has carbon dioxide changed over these same time spans? How do scientists measure these variables?
• What natural factors can have an impact on Earth's climate? What anthropogenic factors can have an impact on Earth's climate? How can we discriminate between these effects?
• What is the "hockey stick" and what does it have to do with climate change? What do models and simulations tell scientists about the outlook on climate over the coming decades?
• What geologic evidence supports the contention that global climates have warmed over the last century? How does El Niņo play into climate change?
• What are the potential effects of global warming? What could be done about it?
• Why is it feared China might be on the edge of an environmental crisis? How does lead enter the environment? What health risks does it pose?
• What are some diseases that can be linked to geology or the environment? Can anything be done about these? What is radon and why is it a problem?
• What is involved in selecting sites in an environmentally friendly manner? What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)? How would an EIS have impacted the Kesterton Reservoir case?
• What are the steps of the land-use planning process? Give examples of sequential and multiple land uses.
• Describe the state of environmental law today. What federal body has primary monitoring and enforcement responsibilities? How does the Strom King Mountain case illustrate environmental law issues?
• What recommendations does Keller make for avoiding future environmental crises? Is sustainability a realistic goal for human society?