PRAXIS II Environmental Education Exam
This exam is designed for potential instructors of environmental education for grades K-12 in Pennsylvania, who have a bachelor's degree in education. You will have two hours to complete his 140 multiple-choice exam. There will be 25 questions regarding the principles of ecology, 12 questions regarding relevant principles from social sciences, 20 questions regarding the influence of decisions on human ecological interaction, 52 questions regarding the consequences of decisions and human ecological interactions, and 31 questions regarding appropriate instructional methodologies.
Principles of Ecology: Free of Human Influences
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of homeostasis, succession, the cycle of materials through an ecosystem, energy flow, environmental influences and limitations, interdependence and interaction between organisms, along with principles related to individuals and populations.
Relevant Principles from the Social Sciences
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of group dynamics, special interests, economic aspects, political aspects, legal aspects, cultural influences, public relations, personal values and how they influence decisions, philosophical and ethical aspects, attitudes toward new technology, and principles related to organization.
Human Ecological Interactions: Influences on Decisions
The section of the exam will assess your knowledge of the components that impact, human environmental decisions.
Human Ecological Interactions: Consequences of Decisions
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of awareness that consequences of decisions may be delayed and the impact of those decisions.
Appropriate Methodologies
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of the history of environmental education, safety and liability, implementation of outdoor activities, nature centers, zoos, and other environmental agencies.
PRAXIS II Environmental Education Practice Questions
1. Environmental scientists study:
A. the quality of the natural environment
B. the predicted impact of human activity
C. strategies developed to restore ecosystems
D. All of the above
2. Which of the following activities is not a responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration?
A. Testing products
B. Ensure the safety of food
C. Ban marketing and distribution of certain products
D. Review data from clinical trials
3. The Environmental Protection Agency issues reports on the condition of:
A. wetlands
B. watersheds
C. floodplains
D. All of the above
4. Which of the following is not a responsibility of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers?
A. Dams and dikes
B. Hazardous waste
C. Construction of artificial islands
D. Permits for waterway-related activities
5. The treatment of hazardous waste includes:
A. neutralizing the substance
B. recovering energy
C. preparing waste for disposal
D. All of the above
Answer Key For Environmental Education
1. Answer: D
Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study of the interactions of the physical, chemical, and biological parts of all living and nonliving things that occur naturally on earth. Sometimes referred to as the "natural environment" (as opposed to the human-influenced "built environment"), components include plants, animals, microorganisms, rocks, air, water, climate, energy, radiation, electric charge, and magnetism-in other words, anything that is not man-made or created from or a by-product of human activity.
Environmental scientists study and monitor the quality of the natural environment, try to interpret the current impact and predict the future impact of human activity. They then develop sensible strategies and potential solutions to prevent and/or restore damaged ecosystems. They work with architects and engineers to plan buildings, highways, and utility projects that protect water resources and do as little damage as possible to the affected land. They are concerned with climate change, conservation, biodiversity, groundwater and soil contamination, air and noise pollution, and waste management. Because they deal with man-made issues, they must also have knowledge of economics, the law, and the social sciences.
2. Answer: A
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its purpose is to ensure the safety, effectiveness, manufacturing, packaging, and labeling of food, medical, and cosmetic products used and/or consumed by humans, as well as food additives and drugs given to animals. The FDA has the power and authority to approve, ban, and control the marketing and distribution of these products. The agency charges fees to the manufacturers who have applied for approval. In return, the FDA is required to meet specific "performance benchmarks" during the approval process.
The FDA doesn't actually test products; that is the manufacturer's responsibility. The FDA reviews and verifies study data provided by the product's sponsor. FDA doctors, statisticians, chemists, pharmacologists, and scientists review the data from clinical trials, manufacturing specifications, drug stability, and labeling and packaging designs. The agency accepts and approves the product (benefits outweigh risks), declares it "approvable" (minor problems need to be addressed before final approval), or declares the product "not approvable" because of concerns about the safety and/or effectiveness of the product.
3. Answer: D
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues periodic reports on the condition of the nation's wetlands (areas that link land and water resources), watersheds (drainage basins where water, sediment and other material flows from a landmass into a body of water), and floodplains (a low area of land next to a body of water). One of the agency's missions is to preserve, protect, and maintain the quality of our water resources. They are accountable to the American people for the success or failure of their efforts.
The EPA is involved with various activities and works with other federal and state agencies, private industry, and environmental organizations to develop plans to protect the environment and manage water resources and the surrounding land by using a watershed protection approach. The EPA encourages integrated activities by:
- Developing guidelines to link wetlands protection with watershed planning
- Providing funding to the states for watershed projects
- Integrating watershed projects into the federal floodplain plans
- Supporting national and regional meetings to discuss wetlands and watershed planning programs
4. Answer: B
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a decentralized organization responsible for protecting navigation on the nation's waterways. The corps tries to keep controls, permits, and required paperwork to a minimum. They believe an applicant requesting a permit should receive a quick response. They are responsible for specific activities in U.S. waters including:
- Dams and dikes
- Excavation, dredging, and disposal activities
- Construction of artificial islands and installations on the continental shelf
- Dumping of dredged material into U.S. waterways
- Transporting dredged material for disposal in the oceans
- Issuing permits for some waterway-related activities
5. Answer: D
According to information on the web site of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), treatment of hazardous waste is any process that changes the physical, chemical, or biological character of waste to make it less of an environmental threat. The treatment can neutralize the substance, recover energy or natural resources, make the substance less toxic, or prepare the waste for transport, storage, or disposal.
A common treatment method is incineration, which destroys the dangerous components in the substance and reduces the amount of waste. Sometimes the resulting ash may need additional treatment before it can be put in a landfill. The EPA has developed rigid standards for approved treatment options for specific types of hazardous waste. These options are defined in the Technology Codes and Description of Technology-Based Standards.
