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AP U.S. History Practice Quiz: The Environment and Natural Resources from 1968 to 1980

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 9 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 9

What was a primary catalyst for the growth of the environmental movement from 1968 to 1980?

All Questions (9)

What was a primary catalyst for the growth of the environmental movement from 1968 to 1980?

A) A series of environmental problems and accidents

B) The successful implementation of a national energy policy

C) A decrease in U.S. military involvement in the Middle East

D) The deregulation of federal environmental programs

Correct Answer: A

The provided text states, 'Environmental problems and accidents led to a growing environmental movement that aimed to use legislative and public efforts to combat pollution and protect natural resources.' This identifies environmental problems as the direct cause.

According to the text, oil crises in the Middle East during this period directly led to which of the following U.S. domestic policy developments?

A) The establishment of new federal programs to protect natural resources

B) The dismantling of the growing environmental movement

C) Attempts at creating a national energy policy

D) Increased legislative efforts to combat pollution

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly links events in the Middle East to domestic energy concerns: '...several oil crises in the region eventually sparking attempts at creating a national energy policy.' The other options were results of the environmental movement, not the oil crises.

The environmental movement from 1968 to 1980 primarily utilized which of the following methods to achieve its goals?

A) Focusing solely on international diplomatic pressure

B) Economic boycotts of polluting industries

C) Military intervention to protect natural resources

D) Legislative and public efforts

Correct Answer: D

The content specifies the tactics of the movement: it 'aimed to use legislative and public efforts to combat pollution and protect natural resources.' The other options are not mentioned in the provided text.

A significant outcome of the growing environmental movement between 1968 and 1980 was the

A) reduction of U.S. economic concerns in the Middle East.

B) establishment of new federal environmental programs and regulations.

C) privatization of natural resource protection.

D) successful resolution of regional oil crises.

Correct Answer: B

The text clearly states that as a result of the environmental movement's efforts, 'The federal government established new environmental programs and regulations.'

Which of the following best explains a major development in U.S. policy from 1968 to 1980 based on the text?

A) International economic pressures related to energy resources prompted domestic policy initiatives.

B) The federal government reduced its regulatory role in the environment in response to public demand.

C) Military concerns in the Middle East led to a decrease in attention to domestic environmental issues.

D) Environmental accidents were primarily addressed through international, rather than federal, legislation.

Correct Answer: A

This statement synthesizes the information that 'economic concerns shaped U.S. involvement in the Middle East' and that 'several oil crises in the region eventually sparking attempts at creating a national energy policy,' showing a direct link between international economic events and domestic policy.

U.S. involvement in the Middle East between 1968 and 1980 was shaped by a combination of

A) environmental, social, and cultural concerns.

B) legislative, judicial, and executive actions.

C) ideological, military, and economic concerns.

D) public, private, and non-profit initiatives.

Correct Answer: C

The text directly lists the factors shaping U.S. policy in the region: 'Ideological, military, and economic concerns shaped U.S. involvement in the Middle East...'

The development and changes in federal environmental policies from 1968 to 1980 can be best understood as a response to

A) a desire to reduce U.S. economic dependence on the Middle East.

B) the success of existing state-level environmental regulations.

C) growing public concern and activism spurred by environmental problems.

D) a decline in the availability of natural resources due to military conflicts.

Correct Answer: C

The text establishes a clear causal chain: 'Environmental problems and accidents led to a growing environmental movement that aimed to use legislative and public efforts...' which in turn led to the federal government establishing 'new environmental programs and regulations.' This option best summarizes that process.

The primary objective of the growing environmental movement described in the text was to

A) create a national energy policy independent of foreign oil.

B) promote U.S. ideological interests in the Middle East.

C) combat pollution and protect natural resources.

D) reverse the establishment of federal environmental regulations.

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly states the movement's goal: it 'aimed to use legislative and public efforts to combat pollution and protect natural resources.' The other options describe different, unrelated policy issues mentioned in the text.

The connection between U.S. foreign affairs and domestic policy during this era is best exemplified by

A) the environmental movement's use of public efforts to influence foreign policy.

B) oil crises in the Middle East sparking attempts to create a U.S. national energy policy.

C) federal environmental regulations being applied to U.S. military operations overseas.

D) public efforts to combat pollution leading to new ideological stances on the Middle East.

Correct Answer: B

This option directly reflects the link made in the text: '...several oil crises in the region [Middle East] eventually sparking attempts at creating a national energy policy.' This shows a foreign event directly influencing a domestic policy initiative.