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Quizzes > Science

Natural resource quiz: test your knowledge of renewable and nonrenewable

Quick, free natural resources quiz with 15 questions. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Chelseigh HackerUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements of nature for Natural Resources Knowledge Quiz

This natural resources quiz helps you check what you know about renewable and nonrenewable resources. Answer 15 multiple-choice questions to review how they form, how we use them, and why conservation matters. When you are done, explore the sustainability quiz, ecology quiz, or earth science quiz to build deeper context.

Which of the following is a renewable resource?
Natural gas
Coal
Petroleum
Solar energy
Solar energy is continuously replenished by the sun and is considered renewable. The other options are fossil fuels formed over geological timescales and are nonrenewable resources.
Which of the following is a nonrenewable resource?
Wind
Biomass
Coal
Tidal power
Coal is a fossil fuel that takes millions of years to form and cannot be replenished on a human timescale. Wind, tidal power, and biomass are considered renewable resources.
Wind energy is considered what type of natural resource?
Renewable
Recyclable
Nonrenewable
Depletable
Wind energy is generated from air flow and is continuously available, making it a renewable resource. Nonrenewable and depletable resources cannot be replaced quickly enough.
Which of the following is a fossil fuel?
Natural gas
Wind power
Hydroelectric power
Geothermal energy
Natural gas is formed from ancient organic matter under heat and pressure and is classified as a fossil fuel. Hydroelectric, wind, and geothermal are renewable energy sources.
The Middle East region is best known for large reserves of which resource?
Uranium
Oil
Bauxite
Gold
The Middle East contains some of the world's largest proven oil reserves, making petroleum production a key economic activity. Other minerals are less abundant in that region.
What is a major environmental impact of strip mining?
Increased groundwater recharge
Reduced air pollution
Soil erosion and habitat loss
Improved biodiversity
Strip mining removes large areas of soil and vegetation, leading to severe erosion and destruction of wildlife habitats. It does not improve biodiversity or reduce pollution.
Which irrigation technique is most water-efficient?
Flood irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation
Drip irrigation
Furrow irrigation
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, minimizing evaporation and runoff. Flood and furrow methods are less efficient, and sprinklers lose water to wind drift and evaporation.
Which sustainable forestry practice allows timber harvest while maintaining ecosystem health?
Deforestation
Selective logging
Clear-cutting
Slash-and-burn
Selective logging removes only certain trees and preserves overall forest structure, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services. In contrast, clear-cutting and slash-and-burn cause widespread habitat loss.
Which method helps capture rainwater to replenish groundwater and reduce runoff?
Flood irrigation
Hydraulic fracturing
Crop rotation
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting collects and stores precipitation in tanks or recharge basins, allowing gradual infiltration into aquifers. Flood irrigation and crop rotation address farming, while hydraulic fracturing is a gas extraction technique.
Crop rotation chiefly benefits which aspect of sustainable agriculture?
Greenhouse gas emissions
Air pollution control
Soil fertility
Water quality
Rotating crops prevents nutrient depletion and breaks pest and disease cycles, maintaining soil fertility. While it can indirectly affect water quality, its primary benefit is soil health.
Australia is the leading producer of which mineral resource?
Bauxite
Iron ore
Copper
Gold
Australia has the world's largest bauxite reserves and is the top global producer. While it is also a major iron ore and gold producer, bauxite leads in production volume.
Which country is the largest coal producer in the world?
United States
India
Australia
China
China produces more coal than any other country, accounting for over half of global output. The U.S., India, and Australia follow but do not match China's production levels.
The primary environmental risk of deepwater oil drilling is:
Soil salinization
Deforestation
Thermal pollution
Oil spills
Deepwater drilling operations carry high risk of catastrophic oil spills that harm marine ecosystems. Deforestation and soil salinization are unrelated to offshore drilling.
Reforestation primarily contributes to which environmental service?
Increased soil salinity
Urban heat island effect
Carbon sequestration
Higher seismic activity
Reforestation pulls carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in biomass and soils, aiding in carbon sequestration. It does not increase salinity or seismic events.
Flood irrigation often leads to which soil problem?
Desertification
Acidification
Eutrophication
Salinization
Flood irrigation can raise the water table and bring salts to the surface, causing salinization. Desertification and acidification result from different processes, and eutrophication affects water bodies.
What is the main purpose of a life-cycle assessment (LCA) in resource management?
Evaluate environmental impacts across all stages of a product
Assess public opinion on resource use
Measure only the extraction costs
Determine market viability of a resource
An LCA comprehensively quantifies environmental impacts from raw material extraction through disposal or recycling. It does not focus solely on cost, market analysis, or social surveys.
Which scenario best illustrates a payment for ecosystem services (PES) program?
Companies pay carbon taxes on emissions
Consumers pay fees to recycle plastic bottles
Private firms purchase mining rights from the state
Government pays landowners to maintain forest buffers protecting a watershed
PES involves direct payments to land stewards for actions that maintain or enhance ecosystem services, such as watershed protection. Recycling fees and carbon taxes are different policy instruments.
Which practice enhances groundwater recharge in agricultural regions?
Managed aquifer recharge
Drip irrigation
Clear-cutting vegetation
Hydraulic fracturing
Managed aquifer recharge deliberately directs surplus surface water into underground aquifers, replenishing groundwater. Drip irrigation conserves water but does not recharge aquifers, and clear-cutting degrades them.
Which country holds the largest proven lithium reserves, important for battery technologies?
Chile
United States
China
Australia
Chile's salt flats contain the world's largest proven lithium reserves, making it a key supplier for battery manufacturing. Other countries have significant deposits but fewer proven reserves.
What form of carbon capture and storage involves injecting CO₂ into deep saline aquifers?
Saline aquifer sequestration
Ocean fertilization
Biochar burial
Mineral carbonation
Saline aquifer sequestration stores captured CO₂ in deep underground rock formations saturated with saltwater. Mineral carbonation and biochar are different storage methods, and ocean fertilization targets marine productivity.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify major renewable and nonrenewable natural resources
  2. Analyse the environmental impact of resource extraction methods
  3. Evaluate sustainable management practices for resource conservation
  4. Demonstrate understanding of resource distribution patterns globally
  5. Apply key concepts to real-world resource management scenarios

Cheat Sheet

Welcome resource wranglers! Are you ready to embark on a whirlwind tour of natural resources? From solar rays to deep-earth minerals, mastering these key points will make you a sustainability superstar. Each step below is packed with engaging tidbits and helpful links to guide your study journey. Imagine unlocking the secrets behind wind turbines, deforestation, and economic twists around the globe - all while flexing your critical thinking skills. Put on your explorer hat, grab a notepad, and let's dive deep into the world of renewable marvels and finite treasures. Feel free to bookmark these pages for quick review before quizzes or to challenge friends to a pop quiz. Ready, set, learn, and watch your environmental IQ soar!

  1. Understand the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources. Renewable resources, like solar and wind energy, bounce back naturally in days, months or years, while nonrenewable resources - think coal, oil and minerals - take millions of years to form and are limited. Grasping this distinction helps you make savvy choices about energy and materials. Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
  2. Recognize the environmental impacts of resource extraction. Mining and drilling for nonrenewables can leave behind pollution, habitat loss and hefty carbon footprints, whereas harvesting renewables usually leaves a gentler trace. Spotting these differences empowers you to evaluate which energy sources pack the biggest sustainability punch. How do renewable and nonrenewable resources affect the environment?
  3. Learn about sustainable management practices. Models like community-based forest management bring locals and ecosystems into harmony by sharing responsibility for conservation - and the economic rewards. Studying these strategies shows how teamwork can yield greener - and more prosperous - outcomes. Community Based Forest Management in the Philippines
  4. Study the global distribution of natural resources. Energy and minerals aren't spread evenly - countries like Saudi Arabia boast massive oil fields, while others rely on imports. Mapping this uneven terrain reveals why geopolitics and trade become so critical in global sustainability. Distribution of Natural Energy Resources
  5. Analyze case studies of resource management. Real-world examples - like the Philippine forest management model - show how local engagement, legal frameworks and science combine to protect biodiversity and local livelihoods. Digging into these stories gives you blueprints for success in other regions. Community Based Forest Management in the Philippines
  6. Understand the role of technology in resource management. From smart grids that balance power loads to drones that monitor forest health, tech innovations turbocharge our ability to use and protect resources more wisely. Keeping tabs on these breakthroughs can spark fresh ideas for sustainable solutions. Distribution of Natural Energy Resources
  7. Learn about the economic implications of resource distribution. Countries rich in oil, gas or minerals may see economic booms, but heavy reliance on nonrenewables can cause boom-and-bust cycles. Diversifying into renewables and value-added products builds resilience and long-term prosperity. Distribution of Natural Energy Resources
  8. Explore the impact of human activities on natural resources. Overharvesting, pollution spills and deforestation are prime examples of how our choices can degrade land, water and air. Understanding these pressures is the first step in crafting solutions to heal and protect our planet's assets. Natural Resources
  9. Study the principles of conservation and resource efficiency. Conservation focuses on using only what you need, while efficiency squeezes maximum benefit from every drop or watt. Both strategies are cornerstones of sustainable living and smart policy. Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
  10. Understand the concept of resource replenishment rates. Some resources refresh themselves within a human lifetime - think forests regrowing or rivers running - while others take eons to form. Balancing use with natural recovery rates is crucial for true sustainability. Distinguishing Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Resources: Key Differences and Impact on Sustainability
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