Test on Science, Society, and Ethical Implications

Question 1: Building a dam to produce electricity can lead to environmental issues, such as displacing some species due to changes in the local habitat.

A. Yes

B. No

Explanation: Scientific developments, such as building a dam for electricity production, are identified as potentially causing environmental issues by changing the local habitat, which can displace species. This is explicitly mentioned as an example of an environmental issue.

Question 2: A person might support alternative energy in general, but object if a wind farm, an example of scientific development, is built next to their house, which illustrates a personal issue.

A. Yes

B. No

Explanation: The study materials state under 'Personal issues' that 'Some decisions will affect individuals. For example, someone might support alternative energy, but object if a wind farm is built next to their house.' This directly supports the statement that a personal issue can arise even if the general development is supported.

Question 3: According to the study materials, which scenario primarily illustrates an economic issue arising from scientific developments?

A. Society's struggle to afford investments in recommended alternative energy sources without making cuts in other sectors.

B. The displacement of local species caused by the construction of a dam for electricity production.

C. An individual supporting alternative energy but opposing a wind farm built near their residence.

D. The debate over taxing fossil fuels more highly and its acceptable impact on lifestyles.

Explanation: The study materials explicitly state under 'Economic issues' that 'Society can't always afford to do things scientists recommend (e.g. investing in alternative energy sources) without cutting back elsewhere.' This directly aligns with option 0. The other options describe environmental, personal, and social issues, respectively.

Question 4: According to the study materials, which of the following is an example of a social issue that can arise from scientific developments?

A. The inability of society to afford investing in alternative energy sources without cutting back elsewhere.

B. An individual supporting alternative energy but objecting to a wind farm being built near their home.

C. Decisions regarding whether fossil fuels should be taxed more highly and the acceptable effect on people's lifestyles.

D. The displacement of species due to the construction of a dam for electricity production.

Explanation: The study materials define social issues as decisions based on scientific evidence that affect people, explicitly providing the example: 'e.g. should fossil fuels be taxed more highly? Would the effect on people's lifestyles be acceptable...'. The other options refer to economic issues (option 0), personal issues (option 1), and environmental issues (option 3) as described in the text.

Question 5: Science can determine whether you should add milk to tea before or after the tea itself.

A. Yes

B. No

Explanation: The study materials state that the question 'Tea to milk or milk to tea?' is 'Totally unanswerable by science' because 'Science can't tell you whether or not you should do something.'