Desert Spirituality :: Latest Quiz

What’s Your D-Q (Desert Quotient)?

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1. An area is considered to be desert if the average daily temperature is 75 degrees or higher.

False. Extreme aridity rather than temperature is the defining characteristic of a desert. A desert is a place where more water is lost through evaporation than is gained from precipitation. There are cold deserts, such as the Antarctic Desert—the largest desert in the world at 5.4 million square miles.

2. Less than 5% of the Earth’s landmass is desert.

False. Of the one-third of the Earth’s surface that is dry land, a third of that is considered desert or desert-like. Over two thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by water.

3. All the continents of the world have desert areas.

False. The continent of Europe has no desert regions.

4. The Sonoran Desert is over 8 million years old.

True. A long-term drying trend in the tropical forests of Mexico spurred the evolution of the plant and animal species that define the Sonoran Desert, which first appeared just over 8 million years ago.

5. Many desert plants have evolved the ability to “store” sunlight and perform photosynthesis at night.

True. This biochemical adaptation allows desert plants to conserve water more efficiently.

6. Reptiles are not commonly found in the world’s deserts.

False. Because they are cold-blooded, reptiles are very common in warm and hot deserts for much of the year. They hibernate in the cooler autumn and winter months.

7. Mammal-like reptiles, the earliest mammalian ancestors, first evolved in a desert environment.

True. The first archaeological evidence of these animals is from the sand dunes of an ancient desert.

8. In addition to the human species, other primates have adapted well to the desert.

False. As vegetarians that generally eat fruit, primates are not typically found in desert regions.

9. The desert has played a central role in the mystical experiences of many major spiritual leaders such as Moses, Jesus and Mohammed.

True. The vast deserts of the Middle East were prominent in the spiritual experiences of many key figures in western religion, including Moses, Jesus and Mohammed.

10.Cropland that turns into desert (desertification) has plagued civilization for thousands of years and continues to be a major problem today.

True. The region around Ur (in modern day Iraq), known as the original home as Abraham, experienced desertification of cropland about 3,800 years ago, perhaps 200 years after Abraham left.

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For additional information about the desert’s role in evolution, civilization and spirituality see “The Richest of Fare: Seeking Spiritual Security in the Sonoran Desert” by Phyllis Strupp.

Purchase "The Richest of Fare: Seeking Spiritual Security in the Sonoran Desert" at Amazon.com