1. Soil, Agriculture and the Future of Food
Chapter 7

2. QUESTION: Review Which statement about agriculture is true?
a) The U.S. is now producing food sustainably
b) Population growth has exceeded food production in recent decades
c) We have much more land in reserve that can be converted to agricultural production
d) Modern agriculture uses fossil fuels, pesticides, and fertilizers to increase production
e) Although there are slight problems, the outlook for future agricultural production is good

3. QUESTION: Review Which statement about agriculture is true?
a) The U.S. is now producing food sustainably
b) Population growth has exceeded food production in recent decades
c) We have much more land in reserve that can be converted to agricultural production
d) Modern agriculture uses fossil fuels, pesticides, and fertilizers to increase production
e) Although there are slight problems, the outlook for future agricultural production is good
Answer: d

4. QUESTION: Review
Which of the following describes increased production of crops through the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other technologies?
The green revolution
Use of seed banks
Sustainable agriculture
Monocultures
Food security

5. QUESTION: Review
Which of the following describes increased production of crops through the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other technologies?
The green revolution
Use of seed banks
Sustainable agriculture
Monocultures
Food security
Answer: a

6. QUESTION: Review
Which term describes the practice of plowing fields perpendicularly across a hill?
Crop rotation
Contour farming
Intercropping
Shelterbelts
Conservation tillage

7. QUESTION: Review
Which term describes the practice of plowing fields perpendicularly across a hill?
Crop rotation
Contour farming
Intercropping
Shelterbelts
Conservation tillage
Answer: b

8. QUESTION: Review
Which of the following is NOT a problem with using pesticides?
Many species can become resistant to pesticides
Offspring of resistant species are also resistant
Pesticides kill many nontarget species
A pest’s predator is introduced into a field
Chemicals have to become more toxic to work

9. QUESTION: Review
Which of the following is NOT a problem with using pesticides?
Many species can become resistant to pesticides
Offspring of resistant species are also resistant
Pesticides kill many nontarget species
A pest’s predator is introduced into a field
Chemicals have to become more toxic to work
Answer: d

10. QUESTION: Review Which statement about GM food production is FALSE?
Scientists mix genes from different organisms
It involves working with genetic material in a lab
It closely mimics natural selection
Producing GM foods is a big business
Consumer advocates have overwhelmingly supported this technology

11. QUESTION: Review Which statement about GM food production is FALSE?
Scientists mix genes from different organisms
It involves working with genetic material in a lab
It closely mimics natural selection
Producing GM foods is a big business
Consumer advocates have overwhelmingly supported this technology
Answer: c

12. QUESTION: Review Which statement about factory farming is FALSE?
It is far more energy efficient than eating grains
Some species convert grain into meat more efficiently than other species
Much of the world’s grain is fed to livestock
More livestock can be produced in an area
Most U.S. meat is raised in feedlots

13. QUESTION: Review Which statement about factory farming is FALSE?
It is far more energy efficient than eating grains
Some species convert grain into meat more efficiently than other species
Much of the world’s grain is fed to livestock
More livestock can be produced in an area
Most U.S. meat is raised in feedlots
Answer: a

14. QUESTION: Review Which statement about organic agriculture is FALSE?
It uses no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
There are standards that must be met for labeling food as organically grown
Farmers must pay more to grow food organically, but they do so willingly
The main obstacle is its higher price for consumers
U.S. land devoted to organic agriculture is increasing

15. QUESTION: Review Which statement about organic agriculture is FALSE?
It uses no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
There are standards that must be met for labeling food as organically grown
Farmers must pay more to grow food organically, but they do so willingly
The main obstacle is its higher price for consumers
U.S. land devoted to organic agriculture is increasing
Answer: c

16. QUESTION: Weighing the Issues
The Green Revolution increased crop yields, but only by increasing fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and hybrid seed. Do you consider it a success?
Yes, because more people were fed, regardless of the price
Yes, because industrialized countries can help through education and technology
No, we will eventually pay the environmental costs of producing food in this way
No, it is only a short term fix and is ultimately unsustainable
It does not matter; I can buy food whenever I want

17. QUESTION: Weighing the Issues
The Green Revolution increased crop yields, but only by increasing fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and hybrid seed. Do you consider it a success?
Yes, because more people were fed, regardless of the price
Yes, because industrialized countries can help through education and technology
No, we will eventually pay the environmental costs of producing food in this way
No, it is only a short term fix and is ultimately unsustainable
It does not matter; I can buy food whenever I want
Answer: any

18. QUESTION: Weighing the Issues
Factory farming allows us to have lots of meat products. But the animals are often kept in undesirable, stressful conditions. Should the quality of the animals’ lives be considered when we decide how to raise food?
Yes, the quality of an animal’s life is important, too
Yes, but only if it does not interfere with access to meat
No, animals have no right to a quality of life
No, we should do whatever we can to get the most meat for the lowest cost
I don’t care; I’m not fond of cows or chickens

19. QUESTION: Weighing the Issues
Factory farming allows us to have lots of meat products. But the animals are often kept in undesirable, stressful conditions. Should the quality of the animals’ lives be considered when we decide how to raise food?
Yes, the quality of an animal’s life is important, too
Yes, but only if it does not interfere with access to meat
No, animals have no right to a quality of life
No, we should do whatever we can to get the most meat for the lowest cost
I don’t care; I’m not fond of cows or chickens
Answer: any

20. QUESTION: Interpreting Graphs and Data
If a person eats 3 kg of meat per week, how many kg of grain are required if the meat came from a cow?
a) 60 kg
b) 22 kg
c) 3 kg
12 kg
30 kg

21. QUESTION: Interpreting Graphs and Data
If a person eats 3 kg of meat per week, how many kg of grain are required if the meat came from a cow?
a) 60 kg
b) 22 kg
c) 3 kg
12 kg
30 kg
Answer: a

22. QUESTION: Interpreting Graphs and Data
What does this graph show about future sales of organic food in the United States?
Sales will continue to increase slowly
Sales increased, but not the dollar amounts
Acreage of organic crops has declined
Sales, dollar amounts, and acreage have all increased
Sales and acreage have decreased

23. QUESTION: Interpreting Graphs and Data
What does this graph show about future sales of organic food in the United States?
Sales will continue to increase slowly
Sales increased, but not the dollar amounts
Acreage of organic crops has declined
Sales, dollar amounts, and acreage have all increased
Sales and acreage have decreased
Answer: d