AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE EXAM
TIPS FOR WRITING FRQ’s (Free Response Questions)
➢ You have three questions to complete in the ninety minutes that are worth 40% of score -- bring a watch!
o Question 1: Design an investigation (10 Points)
▪ Designing an experiment using the scientific method answers must include:
Problem, Hypothesis, control, independent variable, and dependent variable, data or description of
experiment and state how you will draw a conclusion. Be consistent throughout your discussion of the
experiment.
o Question 2: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution (10 Points)
o Question 3: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations. (10 Points)
▪ Math FRQ: Bring a calculator to the Exam!!! Show your work, show the proper units. Check the answer
to see if it has the correct units and if the answer makes sense.
Helpful hints!
1. Read the question carefully.
2. Write final answer in complete sentences. Outlines and diagrams, no matter how elaborate and accurate, are not essays and will
not get you much, if any, credit by themselves. The only prompts you do not have to write complete sentences for are: identify,
calculate, draw and label, graph the data, list, plot these data, show calculations, show the setup for calculations.,
Do’s
1. Use complete sentences.
2. Follow the directions exactly.
3. Write clearly and neatly.
4. Underline key words/terms and then explain them.
5. Use clear and concise explanations.
6. If you make an error in your answer, place one-line cross through the
error and then continue with the correction.
7. Use black or blue ballpoint pen.
Don’ts
1. Do not restate the question.
2. Do not bullet, make a list or create
an outline of the content.
3. Do not use buzz words without an explanation.
4. Do not use flowery, eco-babble or vague phrases.
3. Setting up your written answer on the APES exam:
Answer the question parts in the order called for. It is best not to skip around within the question. In the essay, you will hand-write the
answer making sure it is legible. Number your answers the same as the question.
4. The three questions do not have to be answered in any particular order. However, start with the one that you think you can gain
the most points from. To do this, you will need to read all the prompts first and start with the one you are most familiar with.
5. Answer the question thoroughly! Go into detail on the subject and to the point. Be sure to include the obvious. Remember that
no detail is too small to be included as long as it is to the point.
If you cannot remember a word exactly, take a shot at it-get as close as you can. If you don’t remember a name
for a concept, describe the concept.
6. Explain technical terms when you use them in an answer. For example, stating the word “bioaccumulation” without demonstrating
an understanding of the term will not earn any credit.
7. Carefully label your diagrams (they get no points otherwise) and place them in the written explanation at the appropriate place —
not detached at the end. Be sure to refer to the diagram in your essay.
8. Graphs: Set up graph with independent variable along the x-axis and the Dependent variable on the y-axis. Label your axes, put data
points in equal increments and label the graph with the proper labels. Plot point and attempt to sketch in curve (for a line graph).
Include an appropriate title for your graph
9. Understand that the exam is written to be hard. The average will be about 50% correct, or 5 out of a possible 10 on an essay. It is
very likely that you will not know everything that is expected, so relax and write thorough answers.
Key vocabulary to use to enhance your overall answers:
Answering long essay questions that are worth many points requires more sophisticated skills. In a long answer, you will include a great
deal of information and most of it should be specific, not general information. You will need to be precise and make sure that
everything you say is relevant to the question. For this you need two main abilities:
1) To be able to detect key words in the question
2) To know how to organize your ideas
Here are some key direction words used in essay exams.
1. Calculate: you are doing math and may use a calculator. SHOW YOUR WORK, and INCLUDE units. Your answer does NOT have to be
in a complete sentence.
2. Describe/ summarize: provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic.
– Write in complete sentences
– 2 or 3 sentences
– Use specific vocabulary and give examples
Example: Describe an ecological impact of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. (Do not simply list the ecological impact. Is it
positive or negative, why does it impact it ecologically? How does it impact it?)
3. Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using
evidence and/or reasoning to support or qualify a claim. Explain “how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern,
position, situation, or outcome; whereas explain “why” typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship,
process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.
Example: Explain how fertilizers impact oxygen in coastal estuaries.
4. Identify: Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or explanation.
This one does NOT require a complete sentence. Be quick and move on.
5. Justify: Provide evidence to support, qualify, or defend a claim and/or provide reasoning to explain how that evidence supports or
qualifies the claim. Be thorough with your answer, fully explaining it, and use complete sentences.
6. Make A Claim: Make an assertion that is based on evidence or knowledge. Use complete sentences and a fully developed idea.
Make sure your claim makes sense and is reasonable.
7. Propose a solution: Provide a proposed solution to a problem based in evidence or knowledge. Make sure your solution addresses
the problem and you thoroughly explain how it addresses the problem and provides a solution. Use complete sentences.
An understanding of these words will permit you to control what you say. To write an effective essay you must apply your
knowledge to the questions and stick to the point. It isn’t enough just to write down everything you know.
The following is a listing of terms and phrases to avoid:
1. “bad” for the environment / planet
2. “cause environmental degradation”
3. “cause global warming and pollution”
4. “change” (instead of specifying increase or decrease)
5. “destroy the environment”
6. “disrupt the environment”
7. “destroy the environment”
8. “disturb the environment”
9. “ecofriendly”
10. “good for the environment”
11. “greener”
12. “global solution”
13. “global catastrophe”
13. “global cooperation”
14. “harm the environment”
15. “harmful/dangerous chemicals
without being specific.
16. “help keep the habitat cleaner”
19. “incentivize” the system
20. “kill all the plants/animals/wildlife
21. “make it illegal” or “the water law” or the “thin air law”
without identifying any particular law.
22. “make it more/less expensive” (when referring to
incentives)
23. “mother nature”
24. “overconsumption of natural resources.
25. “pollute the environment”
26. “pollute the water/air/soil – without specifying.
27. “restore the environment”
28. “repair the damage”
29. “save the Earth”
30. “save the planet”
31. “stop global warming”
32. “sustainable (without elaboration)
33. “toxins, pollution, chemicals and health effects (without
specifying.
17. “human footprint”
18. “human impact”
34. “____________ the habitat (impact, change or alter)
35. “____________ the cology (destroy, restore, maintain
support harm, compromise or reinvent”
Indicator words to be aware of:
• Environmental Consequences
– Refer to specific Animals/Plants/Ecosystems/Abiotic factors
– Do NOT mention human health effects…
• Economic Consequences
– Money or Jobs
– Do NOT mention human health effects…
• Societal/Human Health Consequences
– People, Society, Toxicity, Aesthetics
• Government/Agency “Actions”
– Enforce, regulate, tax, educate, fine, provide incentives, etc.
– Use specific laws, if appropriate to do so
– If in doubt, EDUCATE!!!
Flowery and Vague Phrases to avoid on the APES Exam
Putting this list into action:
Weak: “Acid deposition hurts forests.”
Strong: “Acid deposition can hurt forests in several ways. One way is by
Reducing the topsoil’s ability to retain vital nutrients such as
calcium, magnesium and potassium which are needed by trees.”
Weak: “Runoff from farms can reduce water quality and harm the
environment.”
Strong: “Runoff from farms can reduce surface water quality by introducing
nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. These compounds promote
algae growth which can reduce water clarity. Further, when the algae
die their decomposition by aerobic bacteria can also reduce oxygen
levels.