11 mark
Which fossil fuel is most commonly used to generate electricity in the U.S.?
Crude oil
Natural gas
Peat
Uranium
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Fossil Fuels (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Exam Questions
10 mins10 questions
21 mark
What is a major environmental concern associated with the use of coal as an energy source?
Ozone depletion
High methane emissions
High particulate matter and sulfur dioxide emissions
Thermal pollution of groundwater
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31 mark
Which of the following is an advantage of using natural gas over coal?
Natural gas has higher sulfur content
Natural gas releases more carbon dioxide
Natural gas combustion emits fewer particulates and greenhouse gases
Natural gas cannot be transported or stored easily
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41 mark
Which of the following is a major drawback of extracting oil through hydraulic fracturing (fracking)?
It produces no greenhouse gas emissions
It causes immediate ozone layer depletion
It removes all carbon from fossil fuels
It risks contaminating groundwater with chemicals
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51 mark
Burning fossil fuels contributes to all of the following except:
Greenhouse gas emissions
Ocean acidification
Ground-level ozone formation
Ozone layer regeneration
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61 mark
Which of the following is a major drawback of extracting oil from tar sands?
Water pollution
Ozone depletion
Low greenhouse gas emissions
Cost effective
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71 mark
Which of the following pollutants is NOT released when fossil fuels are combusted?
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Oxygen (O2)
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81 mark
Which of the following best defines hydraulic fracturing?
A method used to extract oil from deep underground reservoirs without using water
A technique for injecting water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure to fracture rock formations and release natural gas or oil
A process of using high-pressure air to break apart rock layers and release trapped oil and gas
A method of using explosive devices to break up rock layers for mineral extraction
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91 mark
Which of the following statements about fracking is false?
Fracking reduces reliance on imported gas and improves energy security
Fracking requires large amounts of water, which can strain local water resources
Fracking has few environmental impacts
Fracking can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas
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101 mark
Which of the following is not a major environmental concern associated with tar sands extraction?
Increased greenhouse gas emissions due to the energy-intensive extraction process
Water contamination from toxic waste stored in tailing ponds
Increased frequency of earthquakes caused by drilling operations
Large-scale deforestation and habitat destruction in extraction areas
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