Environmental Literacy Survey

1. In general, how much do you feel you know about the following environmental issues? Do
you think you know a lot, a fair amount, only a little or practically nothing?
A
Fair
Only Practica
lot Amou a
lly
nt
Littl Nothing
e
A) Water
x
pollution
B) Air pollution

C) Biodiversity

D) Global
warming

D) Sustainability

E) Waste
Management

2. (A) How much of an effect do you think the environment has on human health? Would you
say,
A.
B.
C.
D.

A
A
A
A

very strong effect

strong effect
weak effect
very weak effect

3. (A) What is the most common cause of pollution of streams, rivers, and oceans?
A. Dumping of garbage by cities
B. Surface water running off yards, city streets, paved lots, and farm
fields
C. Trash washed into the ocean from beaches
D. Waste dumped by factories
E. Dont know

4. (C) Which of the following is a renewable resource?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Oil
Iron ore
Trees
Coal

E. Dont know

5. (B) There are many different kinds of animals and plants, and they live in many different types
of environments. What is the word used to describe this idea?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Multiplicity
Biodiversity
Socio-economics
Evolution
Dont know

6. (C) Carbon monoxide is a major contributor to air pollution in the U.S. Which of the following
is the biggest source of carbon monoxide?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Factories and businesses

People breathing
Motor vehicles
Trees
Dont know

7. (D) How is most of the electricity in the U.S. generated?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

By burning oil, coal, and wood

With nuclear power
Through solar energy
At hydroelectric power plants
Dont know

8. (D) Ozone forms a protective layer in the Earths upper atmosphere. What does the ozone
protect us from?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Acid rain
Global warming
Sudden change in temperature
Harmful, cancer-causing sunlight
Dont know

9. (D) Where does most of the garbage in the U.S. end up?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Oceans
Incinerators
Recycling centers
Landfills
Dont know

10. (C) What is the name of the primary federal agency that works to protect the environment?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

National Environmental Agency ( NEA)

Federal Pollution Control Agency (FPCA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Department of Health, Environmental, and Safety (DHES)
Dont know

11. (C) Which of the following household waste is considered hazardous waste?
A. Plastic bags

B.
C.
D.
E.

Glass
Batteries
Spoiled food
Dont know

12. (B) What is the most common reason that an animal species becomes extinct?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Pesticides are killing them

Their habitats are being destroyed by humans
There is too much hunting
There are climate changes that affect them
Dont know

13. (D) Scientists have not determined the best solution for disposing of nuclear waste. In the
U.S., what do we do with it now? Do we
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Use it as nuclear fuel

Sell it to other countries
Dump it in landfills
Store and monitor the waste
Dont know

14. (C) What is the primary benefit of wetlands?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Promote flooding
Help clean the water before it enters lakes, streams, rivers or oceans
Keep the number of undesirable plants and animals low
Provide good sites for landfills
Dont know

15. The next group of questions is about some of the things you may do in your daily life. For
each of the following actions please state whether you never do it, sometimes do it, or frequently
do it.
Nev Someti Freque Dont
er
mes
ntly
Know
A) Recycle things that can
X
be recycled
B) Buy products in
recycled, recyclable or
reusable packing
C) Use mass transit or
carpooling instead of
driving alone

D) Try to learn about the

environment or
environmental issues

E) Donate money to a
group or organization
working to protect the
environment

F) Volunteer to work with a

group or organization
working to protect the
environment

G) Consider a candidates
record on protecting the
environment when voting
H) Turn off lights and
appliances when not in
use?
I) Conserve water by
turning off water when
brushing your teeth?
J) Are a vegetarian or
vegan
K) Buy organic fruits and
vegetables
L) Buy locally grown fruits
and vegetables

X
X
X
X
X
X