Question 1

Many of the new pollutants to which the world has been subjected are

Accepted Answer

Many of the new pollutants are less malodorous and less visible, making them harder to detect and control. This is due to advancements in technology and industry which have introduced new chemicals and emissions into the environment. While some of these pollutants may pose less immediate health risks than traditional pollutants like smog, they may still have long-term health implications and environmental impacts.

Question 2

Interest in environmental problems has intensified, perhaps because

Accepted Answer

Rising incomes often lead to increased concern for quality of life, including a cleaner environment, as people have more resources to focus beyond basic survival needs.

Question 3

The socialist countries of Eastern Europe have

Accepted Answer

The socialist countries of Eastern Europe had worse environmental problems than capitalist countries because they placed a higher priority on rapid industrialization and economic development over environmental protection. As a result, they had significant pollution and environmental degradation. While some improvements were made in later years, such as increased regulation and investment in renewable energy, the legacy of past pollution and environmental damage persists. Since the collapse of communism, there have been some improvements, but there are still many environmental challenges to address.

Question 4

Water quality in the United States has ____ in the past 25 years.

Accepted Answer

The Clean Water Act was passed in 1972 and has led to significant improvements in water quality in the United States over the past 25 years. This includes reductions in pollution levels and an increase in the number of bodies of water meeting federal water quality standards. While there have been some localized issues and challenges, overall water quality has improved.

Question 5

Global warming of the past century, and especially in the past decade, is at least partly a consequence of human activities that have increased ____ in the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "greenhouse gases" specifically refers to gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to global warming. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes have increased the levels of these gases in the atmosphere, leading to the warming observed in recent decades.

Question 6

The environmental problems of China is not caused by

Accepted Answer

The one-child policy of population control is not directly related to the environmental problems faced by China. The other options are all significant contributing factors to China's environmental issues.

Question 7

What is new about environmental problems today is

Accepted Answer

While environmental problems have existed for a long time, it is the increased attention and awareness given to these issues by the community that is new. The severity and scope of these problems have also grown, but this is not a new development. Option A is incorrect as environmental problems have been present throughout history. Option B is partially correct but doesn't reflect the complete picture. Option D is completely inaccurate as environmental problems with pollution and garbage disposal continue to persist.

Question 8

Environmentalists, politicians, and economists have different perspectives on what constitutes appropriate environmental policy.Which of the following statements was probably made by an economist?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Clean air and water are things we can buy-if the price is right" suggests that the speaker is an economist, as they tend to have a focus on economic costs and benefits when it comes to environmental policy.

Question 9

Serious environmental problems are

Accepted Answer

Serious environmental problems are experienced by both centrally planned and market-based economic systems. The mode of economic organization is not the only determinative factor in environmental issues. Factors such as population growth, resource use, and technology play significant roles in causing environmental problems.

Question 10

Which fact about recycling is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Recycling rates of commonly used materials in the United States and industrial countries have fallen" is incorrect. Recycling rates have generally increased over time, not decreased.

Question 11

Recycling in the United States in recent years

Accepted Answer

According to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency, the recycling rate in the United States has increased from 29% in 2000 to 35% in 2017, with increased rates for recycling materials such as paper, glass, and aluminum cans contributing to this increase.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of detrimental externality?

Accepted Answer

A trailer causing delay in the movement of other vehicles is an example of a detrimental externality as it imposes a cost on other drivers by reducing their speed and increasing their travel time.

Question 13

Some of the newer pollutants that have appeared

Accepted Answer

The given options state that newer pollutants are either more visible, easily reversible, or pose no long-term hazards. However, the passage does not support any of these options. Instead, it suggests that newer pollutants are more dangerous than older forms of pollution. Therefore, option D is the best-suited choice.

Question 14

The British economist A.C.Pigou did not do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A.C. Pigou did not suggest that increases in the human population would ultimately lead to the collapse of renewable resources.

Question 15

Since World War II,

Accepted Answer

Many new pollutants have been introduced or identified since World War II, such as lead, asbestos, and chlorofluorocarbons. This has led to new regulations and efforts to address these pollutants. The other choices are incorrect as air pollution has improved in some U.S. cities, the federal government has continued to use economic incentives to reduce pollution, and the United States does not pollute more per capita than China and India.

Question 16

Air quality in most U.S.cities has ____ since World War II.

Accepted Answer

The passage indicates that air quality in most U.S. cities has improved since World War II.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is incorrect about Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union?

Accepted Answer

Environmental policies set by the United States did not become the foundation of environmental rules in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Each country has developed their own environmental policies and regulations based on their unique circumstances and needs.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is not true?

Accepted Answer

The United States does not have the worst air quality during winter months. While winter air quality can be poor in some areas due to the use of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, there are other regions where air quality is much worse during other times of the year due to factors such as wildfires or high ozone levels in the summer.

Question 19

China, the last large communist society,

Accepted Answer

While China has made efforts to address its pollution problems, particularly in recent years, it still suffers from high levels of urban smog, particularly in cities like Beijing.

Question 20

Pollution problems

Accepted Answer

Pollution problems have existed for many centuries, including air pollution from fires and smelting in ancient civilizations and water pollution from dumping waste and sewage in rivers and oceans. While modern industrialization and the profit system have certainly exacerbated pollution problems, it is important to acknowledge that they have existed for a long time. Additionally, while some aspects of pollution have worsened in recent decades, there have also been significant strides in improving air and water quality through regulations and technological advancements.

Quiz 16: The Economics of the Environment, and Natural Resources