Sample Exam 4 Questions
Econ 350

1.         US policy toward water pollution has historically focused on
a)         toxic waste and its potential impact on water quality
b)        agricultural runoff of sediment and pesticides
c)         large point sources of pollution
d)        both (a) and (b)

 2.         The amendments to the Clean Water Act
a)         were designed to address toxic discharge by nuclear power facilities
b)         required all municipalities to develop and upgrade their sewage treatment facilities
c)         prohibit the use of federal funds in a fashion that might further threaten an endangered species
d)         both (a) and (c)

3.         Waste disposal sites generate environmental externalities.  These include
a)         a decline in the aesthetic value of landfill sites
b)         the potential for water to move up through the landfill and through rainwater runoff to contaminate surface and     groundwater.
c)         a decline in the quality of air surrounding the landfill
d)         all of the above

4.         A simple answer to why we generate so much waste is because
a)          Americans are not culturally sensitive to the issue
b)         the full cost of waste disposal is not reflected in the price of inputs in production and the price of goods in consumption
c)          marginal private extraction costs do not reflect future benefits
d)         the marginal private costs associated with waste disposal is greater that the marginal social cost associated with waste disposal.

5.         The potential problem with increasing the cost of legal waste disposal and with moving to marginal cost pricing of waste is that
a)          incentives develop for illegal dumping
b)         there will be a need to increase the expected penalties for illegal dumping
c)         marginal costs are difficult to determine
d)         both (a) and (b)

6.         Ozone in the stratosphere serves the critical function of
a)         producing oxygen
b)         blocking the penetration of ultraviolet light
c)         allowing the penetration of ultraviolet light
d)         both (a) and (b)

 7.         Chlorofluorocarbons are found in all of the following except
a)          refrigeration systems
b)         solvents for degreasing machines
c)          manufacturing of foam products
d)         hand pump hair spray

8.         Agricultural effects of global warming include:
a)         longer growing seasons and increased atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide.
b)         changes in growing patterns that no longer support current agricultural use.
c)         increase in weeds and pests.
d)         all of the above.

9.         The benefits of biodiversity are:
a)         that biodiversity promotes ecosystem stability.
b)         the economic value derived from the plants and animals within a system.
c)         the genetic storehouse within a diverse ecosystem.
d)         all of the above.

10.       Natural extinctions occur when the environment changes and species
a)         are displaced by new plants introduced by man.
b)         find themselves at a competitive disadvantage and are replaced by existing species.
c)         are hunted at higher levels than their reproduction rates.
d)         lose their habitat to industrial development

For examples of essay questions, look to the problem set answer key for those that have "I'll leave this for you to ponder" as the answer.

Answers: c, b, d, b, d, b, b, d, d, b