EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

PRACTICE 2
Questions 1 through 3 refer to the following graph
World Petroleum Consumption, 2003-2011
(Quadrillion Btus*)

Btus

180

5. The overall demand for water in the developed

nations is rising. But it is not rising as quickly as people
had predicted it would. In fact, the rate of water
consumption per person per year in developed nations
has actually dropped. This means that even though
population has increased and industrial output has
grown, the rate at which people withdraw water from
reservoirs, rivers, and aquifers has slowed.

175
170
165
160
155

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

Source US Energy Information Administration

Btus are British thermal units, a measure of energy

1.

2.

3.

Approximately how many quadrillion Btus of

petroleum were consumed in 2011?
A. 160
B. 170
C. 174
D. 177
Between its low point in 2003 and its high point
in 2011, the approximate range of the data
regarding world petroleum consumption was
___ quadrillion Btus?
10
14
176
Which of the following sentences best summarizes the information in the graph?
A. World petroleum consumption increased by
About 14 quadrillion Btus between 2003 and
2011.
B. World petroleum consumption fell by about4
quadrillion Btus between 2005 and 2009.
C. World petroleum consumption increased by
roughly 50 percent between 2003 and 2007.
D. World petroleum consumption fell by
roughly 50 percent between 2007 and 2009.
4. Which of the following proverbs best expresses the
views of a conservationist?
A. All that glitters is not gold.
B. Every cloud has a silver lining.
C. Oil and water dont mix.
D. waste not, Want not.

Which of the following is a likely reason for the drop in

per person consumption of water in developed
countries?
A. Vast new supplies of water have been found in
the developed nations.
B. Developed nations have started using water
more efficiently than they did in the past.
C. Developed nations are sharing water
resources with each other.
D. Some developed nations export fresh water to
other nations that lack it.
6. Soil erosion occurs when soil is worn away by the
natural action of wind, water, and ice or by
deforestation and poor farming practices. If soil erosion
continues for a long time, it can lead to the formation
of deserts. Some scientists estimate that the world lost
about 20 percent of its farm topsoil between 1950 and
1990. Contour plowing, planting trees to serve as
windbreaks, and other techniques can all reduce soil
erosion.
Which of the following statements is supported by the
information above?
A. All deserts originally formed as a result of soil
erosion.
B. Most soil erosion is caused by poor farming
practices.
C. Improved farming techniques can completely
halt soil erosion.
D. Soil erosion is caused by both natural forces
and the actions of people.