Free DSST Environmental Science Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the DSST Environmental Science practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A researcher tests whether fertilizer affects algae growth. What distinguishes the control group from the treated group in a controlled experiment?

   1. A.The control group does not receive the fertilizer treatment.Correct answer: A
   2. B.The control group receives a larger fertilizer dose.
   3. C.The control group is measured with a different growth method.
   4. D.The control group receives fertilizer but no light.

   Explanation: OpenStax states: "The control group contains every feature of the experimental group except it is not given the manipulation that the researcher hypothesizes." Here the manipulation is fertilizer, so the control does not receive it.

   Reference: Biology 2e: The Science of Biology — Testing a Hypothesis

2. 2Which description identifies the abiotic components of a pond ecosystem?

   1. A.Its water, minerals, light, and other nonliving conditionsCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Its plants, fish, microbes, and other living organisms
   3. C.The population of each species living in the pond
   4. D.The genetic variation within one of its populations

   Explanation: "The ecosystem is composed of all the biotic components (living things) in an area along with the abiotic components (non-living things) of that area." Water, minerals and light are nonliving components.

   Reference: Biology: The Scope of Ecology — Ecosystem Ecology

3. 3In one year an area has 1,200 births and 900 deaths. What is its natural increase for that year?

   1. A.300 peopleCorrect answer: A
   2. B.900 people
   3. C.1,200 people
   4. D.2,100 people

   Explanation: "Births minus deaths." Subtracting 900 deaths from 1,200 births gives 300; migration is not part of natural increase.

   Reference: State & County Terms and Definitions — Natural Increase

4. 4Why are coal and petroleum classified as nonrenewable energy sources?

   1. A.Their extractable supplies are limited and form over long periods.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Their supplies replenish naturally as quickly as they are consumed.
   3. C.Their availability depends mainly on the daily cycle of sunlight.
   4. D.Their availability is determined mainly by seasonal winds.

   Explanation: "their supplies are limited to what we can mine or extract from the earth, and they take a very long time to form." Their formation is much slower than their use.

   Reference: Sources of Energy — Nonrenewable energy

5. 5Which principle expresses fair treatment in environmental justice?

   1. A.No group should bear a disproportionate share of environmental harms.Correct answer: A
   2. B.All groups should pay identical project costs regardless of exposure.
   3. C.Environmental burdens should be distributed solely by land value.
   4. D.Benefits should be equal even if one group bears disproportionate harm.

   Explanation: "no group of people, including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic group should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences" Fair treatment concerns how negative environmental consequences are distributed.

   Reference: Meaningful Involvement and Fair Treatment by Tribal Environmental Regulatory Programs — Chapter 2, defining fair treatment

6. 6A scientist applies a general ecological principle to predict a particular species' response to warming. Which reasoning pattern does this use?

   1. A.Inferring a general rule from many particular observations
   2. B.Deriving a specific prediction from a general principleCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Treating an observed association as proof of causation
   4. D.Assuming that a single observation represents all cases

   Explanation: OpenStax says: "Deductive reasoning is a form of logical thinking that uses a general principle or law to predict specific results." The scientist applies a general principle to a specific prediction.

   Reference: Biology 2e: The Science of Biology — Scientific Reasoning

7. 7Which level of ecological organization includes the different species in an area and their interactions?

   1. A.A biological communityCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A single population
   3. C.An individual organism
   4. D.A single species' genotype

   Explanation: "A biological community consists of the different species within an area, typically a three-dimensional space, and the interactions within and among these species." A population is one species, whereas a community includes multiple species.

   Reference: Biology: The Scope of Ecology — Community Ecology

8. 8An area gains 500 people through domestic in-migration and loses 350 through domestic out-migration. What is its net domestic migration?

   1. A.A gain of 850 people
   2. B.A gain of 150 peopleCorrect answer: B
   3. C.A loss of 150 people
   4. D.A loss of 850 people

   Explanation: "The difference between domestic in-migration to an area and domestic out-migration from the same area during a time period." In-migration minus out-migration is 150, a net gain.

   Reference: State & County Terms and Definitions — Net Domestic Migration

9. 9Which limitation can affect solar energy even though sunlight is renewable?

   1. A.Availability varies with sunlight at the location.Correct answer: A
   2. B.The energy source must be extracted from mineral ores.
   3. C.Sunlight replenishes only over geologic timescales.
   4. D.Supply depends on the quantity of underground fuel reserves.

   Explanation: "solar energy is only available during the day when the sun is shining." Renewability does not mean uninterrupted availability at a location.

   Reference: Sources of Energy — Renewable energy

10. 10What opportunity is part of meaningful involvement in environmental decisions?

    1. A.Affected residents can participate in decisions affecting their environment or health.Correct answer: A
    2. B.Only property owners can review decisions affecting their environment.
    3. C.Residents may comment only after all decisions are irreversible.
    4. D.Only technical experts may raise health concerns.

    Explanation: "potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health" Meaningful involvement includes an appropriate opportunity to participate.

    Reference: Meaningful Involvement and Fair Treatment by Tribal Environmental Regulatory Programs — Chapter 2, defining meaningful involvement