Environmental IQ Quiz

How much do you know about the environment around you? Here are 16 questions to test your environmental IQ!

Download: Student version | Teacher version

1. The average American consumes _____ times more energy than the world average.
   • Two
   • Four
   • Six
   Source: www.eia.doe.gov
2. Global warming focuses on an increase in the level of which gas in the atmosphere?
   • Ozone
   • Sulfur dioxide
   • Carbon dioxide
   • Nitrous oxide
   Source: www.timeforchange.org
3. Which of the following forms of energy is non-renewable?
   • Water
   • Coal
   • Solar
   • Wind
   Source: eia.doe.gov
4. What percent of plastic water bottles used in the US is not recycled?
   • 60%
   • 80%
   • 100%
   Source: Container Recycling Institute
5. How much petroleum do humans discharge into the world’s oceans on an annual basis?
   • 220,000 tons
   • 408,000 tons
   • 668,000 tons
   Source: Global Education Project
6. By the end of the 21st century, 12% of all known bird species may become extinct due to what?
   • Human activities
   • Disease
   • Weather changes
   Source: www.discoverychannel.com
7. A typical light bulb wastes what percent of electricity?
   • 30%
   • 50%
   • 70%
   • 90%
   Source: EPA
8. What percent of US morning traffic consists of students being driven to school?
   • 10%
   • 15%
   • 20%
   • 50%
   Source: EPA
9. Used oil from one oil change can contaminate how much fresh water?
   • None
   • 100 gallons
   • 10,000 gallons
   • 1 million gallons
   Source: EPA
10. What’s the number one trash item found on beaches?
    • Cigarette filters
    • Plastic bottles
    • Seaweed
    • Food bags
    Source: EPA
11. Shade trees around your house can reduce your air conditioning bill by how much?
    • 40%
    • 60%
    • 75%
    • 90%
    Source: EPA
12. What percent of US waste materials is potential compost?
    • 15%
    • 23%
    • 41%
    • 62%
    Source: EPA
13. What type of trash takes up the most space in landfills?
    • Plastic
    • Paper
    • Metal
    • Yard waste
    Source: EPA
14. Choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle can save you how much over the life of the vehicle?
    • $50
    • $500
    • $1,000
    • $1,500
    Source: EPA
15. You can save 20-40 gallons of water per shower by shortening your shower by how much time?
    • 2 minutes
    • 5 minutes
    • 8 minutes
    • 10 minutes
    Source: Santa Barbara County Water Providers
16. Recycling one glass bottle saves enough electricity to light a bulb for how long?
    • One hour
    • Two hours
    • Four hours
    • Six hours
    Source: Washington State Department of Energy