The Nonliving Environment
Practice Test
1.
Which of these is an energy source for chemosynthesis?
a.
moonlight
b.
sulfur molecules
c.
omnivores
d.
sunlight
Hint
2.
Rainfall patterns can be affected by __________.
a.
the availability of plant life
b.
clay in the soil
c.
the presence of mountains
d.
the abundance of animals
Hint
3.
One possible result of extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is __________.
a.
a decrease in the amount of nitrogen in the soil
b.
an increase in the number of carnivores on Earth
c.
a rise in average temperatures on Earth
d.
a decrease in the amount of water on Earth
Hint
4.
Which of these is part of the nitrogen cycle?
a.
Nitrogen is produced by living organisms.
b.
Nitrogen is removed from soil by animal wastes.
c.
Nitrogen goes from the atmosphere to the soil.
d.
Nitrogen is absorbed by plants when they die.
Hint
5.
Which of these is an abiotic factor?
a.
a raccoon
b.
a beetle
c.
sunlight
d.
a pine tree
Hint
6.
Which of these can add nitrogen to the soil?
a.
paper
b.
plastic
c.
glass
d.
compost
Hint
7.
Where would you find organisms that produce food by chemosynthesis?
a.
in deciduous rain forest biomes
b.
in treetops
c.
in desert biomes
d.
in a deep part of the ocean
Hint
8.
Trees at higher elevations usually are __________ than those at sea level.
a.
affected more by high temperatures
b.
taller
c.
filled with more fruit
d.
shorter
Hint
9.
DNA in organisms is formed by ___________.
a.
hydrochloric acid
b.
biotic factors
c.
acid-base reactions
d.
nucleic acids
Hint
10.
Non-living physical features of the environment are called ________.
a.
carbon cycles
b.
abiotic factors
c.
food chains
d.
biotic factors
Hint
11.
You pour a glass of water. After some time, drops of water appear on the outside of the cup. What is this an example of?
a.
condensation
b.
photosynthesis
c.
biotic factors
d.
the nitrogen cycle
Hint
12.
Which of these organisms is the first step in a food chain?
a.
mammals
b.
producers
c.
consumers
d.
amphibians
Hint
13.
A puddle is formed after a rainstorm. After two days of sunshine, the puddle disappears. What happened to the water?
a.
It became a biotic factor.
b.
It went through chemosynthesis.
c.
It oxidized.
d.
It evaporated.
Hint
14.
Which of these is the correct order of a food chain?
a.
A rabbit is eaten by grass, which is eaten by a wolf.
b.
Grass is eaten by a rabbit, which is eaten by a wolf.
c.
A rabbit is eaten by a wolf, which is eaten by grass.
d.
A wolf is eaten by grass, which is eaten by a rabbit.
Hint
15.
Consumers are organisms that cannot __________.
a.
photosynthesize
b.
evaporate
c.
survive
d.
reproduce
Hint
16.
What is created when colder air sinks below warmer air and pushes warmer air upward?
a.
omnivores
b.
precipitation
c.
humus
d.
air currents
Hint
17.
Grass uses photosynthesis to produce __________.
a.
fewer offspring
b.
water
c.
evaporation
d.
sugar molecules
Hint
18.
Features of the environment that are alive now or once were alive are called __________.
a.
abiotic factors
b.
nitrogen cycles
c.
biotic factors
d.
food webs
Hint
19.
Which of these affects the temperature of a region?
a.
the amount of humus in the soil
b.
photosynthesis
c.
latitude
d.
the number of carnivores
Hint
20.
Which group makes up the largest level of an energy pyramid?
a.
omnivores
b.
consumers
c.
carnivores
d.
producers
Hint
