Notes on the AP Environmental Science
Practice Exam
Multiple-Choice Section
Course Framework Alignment and Rationales
Question 1
Skill
1.B: Explain environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-1.B: Describe the
Terrestrial
global distribution and
Biomes
principal environmental
aspects of terrestrial biomes.
Incorrect. The composition of the typical subsoil of temperate
grasslands does not form a barrier to deep-rooted plants. Some
temperate grassland plants have roots that extend more than 4.5 m
deep.
Incorrect. While many taiga forest trees have shallow roots, this is
due to shallow soils and not to the composition or permeability of the
typical subsoil of taiga forests. The taiga also has precipitation that can
total over 80 inches per year.
Incorrect. While many rainforest trees have shallow roots, this is
often an adaptation to absorb nutrients more efficiently and not a
characteristic of the typical subsoil of rainforests. There is also no
permafrost in a tropical rainforest, and rainforests receive abundant
rainfall.
Correct. The underlying subsoil of tundra is permafrost, an
impermeable, permanently frozen layer that prevents water from
draining through it and roots from penetrating it. The tundra also
receives less than 4 inches of precipitation per year.
62 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 2
Skill
1.B: Explain environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-1.B: Describe the
Terrestrial
Biomes
global distribution and
principal environmental
aspects of terrestrial biomes.
Incorrect. Any trees in temperate grasslands, which are located primarily
between 20o and 40o N, are adapted to the relatively long growing season
of these latitudes. Grasslands are primarily grasses and not thick forests.
Correct. Taiga forests are located primarily between 50o and 60o N and
are dominated by coniferous trees that are well adapted to the relatively
short growing season of these latitudes.
Incorrect. Tropical rainforest trees are adapted to tropical latitudes.
The tropical rainforest biome has the longest growing season of any
terrestrial biome.
Incorrect. While tundra has the shortest growing season with most
of the biome above 60o N, trees are rare because of permafrost. Most
plants are small and close to the ground.
Question 3
Skill
1.B: Explain environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-1.B: Describe the
Terrestrial
global distribution and
Biomes
principal environmental
aspects of terrestrial biomes.
Incorrect. Temperate grassland has a net primary productivity of about
500 g C/m2/year, which is greater than biomes at high latitudes but not
as high as the net productivity of tropical rain forest.
Incorrect. Taiga forest has a net primary productivity of about
800 g C/m2/year, which is higher than tundra and temperate grasslands.
The net primary productivity is not as high as that of tropical rain forest
due largely to differences in temperature and incoming solar energy.
Correct. Tropical rain forest has a net primary productivity of about
2000 g C/m2/year. Net primary productivity is highest where
temperatures are consistently warm, water is abundant, and day length
is consistent all year. The tropical latitudes meet these conditions better
than the latitudes of the other biomes.
Incorrect. Tundra, with a short growing season and permafrost soils, has
a very low net productivity of only about 125 g C/m2/year.
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Question 4
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.C: Explain how environmental ENG-3.L: Describe the use Hydroelectric
concepts and processes
of hydroelectricity in power Power
represented visually relate to
generation.
broader environmental issues.
(A)
Incorrect. There is no evidence in the diagram that hydroelectric power
could be generated here. The reservoir will form behind the dam in the
figure, not in the city.
(B)
Incorrect. There is no evidence of a reservoir or a hydroelectric dam in
this area of the diagram.
(C)
Incorrect. This area is too far upstream from the reservoir and the dam to
be used in hydroelectric generation.
(D)
Correct. The water velocity slows as the river feeds into the reservoir
behind the dam. The water can be used to turn a turbine for
hydroelectric power generation or for recreation.
Question 5
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.C: Explain how environmental ENG-3.G: Describe the use Nuclear Power
concepts and processes
of nuclear energy in power
represented visually relate to
generation.
broader environmental issues.
(A)
Incorrect. This location is the downtown area of a city which is on land.
Thermal pollution occurs in water. Additionally, there is no evidence of
electricity generation occurring at this location.
(B)
Incorrect. This location consists of agricultural fields that are on land.
Thermal pollution occurs in water.
(C)
Correct. One environmental problem associated with nuclear power
generation is thermal pollution. Location C is downstream from the
power plant and likely has elevated water temperatures.
(D)
Incorrect. This location is upstream from the hydroelectric dam, before
the water is used in electricity generation.
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Question 6
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.C: Explain how environmental EIN-2.M: Describe the
Impacts of
concepts and processes
effects of urbanization on
Urbanization
represented visually relate to
the environment.
broader environmental issues.
(A)
Correct. This location is near a city consisting of impervious surfaces,
such as buildings, roads, and parking lots, that increase runoff during
a rain event and also typically have a low albedo and absorb more heat
than surrounding rural areas. Air temperatures in cities can be as much
as 12°C warmer than surrounding rural areas.
(B)
Incorrect. Agricultural areas do not have as many impervious surfaces
(roads, building, sidewalks, parking lots) as urban areas. Additionally,
urban heat islands occur in city centers and not in agricultural areas.
(C)
Incorrect. This area is in the water; it is not an impervious surface.
(D)
Incorrect. This area is in the water; it is not an impervious surface.
Question 7
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.C: Explain how environmental ERT-4.B: Describe the
Soil Formation
concepts and processes
characteristics and
and Erosion
represented visually relate to
formation of soil.
broader environmental issues.
Incorrect. Urban areas tend to have more impervious pavement (such as
(A)
sidewalks and roads) that cover soil, decreasing erosion rates. Generally
agricultural areas have more erosion than urban areas.
(B)
Correct. Agricultural areas have increased erosion from lack of ground
cover. The soil will erode and lead to increased suspended solids in the
stream, increasing the turbidity.
(C)
Incorrect. This location is the water in the river directly downstream
from a nuclear power plant. While rivers erode soil, the water itself is
not eroded.
(D)
Incorrect. This location is the water in the river directly upstream from a
dam. While rivers erode soil, the water itself is not eroded.
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Question 8
Skill
7.A: Describe environmental
problems.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.H: Explain the
Ocean
causes and effects of ocean Acidification
acidification.
_
Incorrect. Nitrates (NO3 ) do not significantly increase ocean acidity in
the open oceans.
Incorrect. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) do not increase ocean acidity in
the open oceans.
Incorrect. While nitrogen oxides (NOx) can lead to acid rain and
increase ocean acidity near coasts, its effect on open ocean acidity is
negligible, especially compared to CO2.
Correct. As more carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere,
it dissolves into the open ocean, increasing acidity of the ocean water.
Question 9
Skill
7.A: Describe environmental
problems.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-2.B: Explain the
Photochemical
causes and effects of
Smog
photochemical smog and
methods to reduce it.
_
Incorrect. Nitrates (NO3 ) are not one of the reactants in the formation
of photochemical smog in the troposphere.
Incorrect. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are not one of the reactants in
the formation of photochemical smog in the troposphere.
Correct. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) react with volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) and other compounds in the presence of sunlight to form
photochemical smog in the troposphere.
Incorrect. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is not one of the reactants in the
formation of photochemical smog in the troposphere.
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Question 10
Skill
7.A: Describe environmental
problems.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-3.F: Explain the
Eutrophication
environmental effects of
excessive use of fertilizers
and detergents on aquatic
ecosystems.
Correct. Nitrates are nutrients for algae and are found in fertilizer and
waste. When runoff contains excess fertilizer and waste, algal blooms
and subsequent cultural eutrophication can occur in streams.
Incorrect. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are not nutrients for algae that
can lead to algal blooms and cultural eutrophication in streams.
Incorrect. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are not nutrients for algae that can
lead to algal blooms and cultural eutrophication in streams.
Incorrect. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is not a limiting nutrient for algae that
can lead to algal blooms and cultural eutrophication in streams.
Question 11
Skill
7.A: Describe environmental
problems.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.A: Explain the
Stratospheric
importance of stratospheric
Ozone
ozone to life on Earth.
Depletion
_
Incorrect. Nitrates (NO3 ) are not one of the reactants in the destruction
of stratospheric ozone (O3).
Correct. When chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) reach the stratosphere,
UV light breaks them apart, liberating chlorine (Cl) atoms that then
break apart stratospheric ozone (O3) molecules. The Montreal Protocol
banned chlorofluorocarbons in all the countries that signed the
agreement.
Incorrect. While nitrogen oxides (NOx) are linked to the destruction of
stratospheric ozone (O3), there has not been a ban on their release.
Incorrect. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is not one of the reactants in the
destruction of stratospheric ozone (O3).
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Question 12
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.B: Explain relationships
ERT-4.B: Describe the
Soil Formation
between different characteristics characteristics and
and Erosion
of environmental concepts,
formation of soil.
processes, or models represented
visually. a. In theoretical
contexts. b. In applied contexts.
(A)
Incorrect. The O horizon is a thin layer at the top of a soil profile that is
rich in organic material such as leaves, needles, and organisms that are
beginning decomposition.
(B)
Incorrect. The A horizon contains decomposed organic material called
humus and mineral matter and is often referred to as the topsoil.
(C)
Correct. The B horizon, also known as the zone of accumulation,
has less organic material and is the layer in which soluble metals and
nutrients from overlying horizons accumulate.
(D)
Incorrect. The C horizon is a layer of poorly weathered rocks and often
resembles the parent material.
Question 13
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.B: Explain relationships
ERT-4.B: Describe the
Soil Formation
between different characteristics characteristics and
and Erosion
of environmental concepts,
formation of soil.
processes, or models represented
visually. a. In theoretical
contexts. b. In applied contexts.
(A)
Correct. The O horizon is a thin layer at the top of a soil profile that is
rich in organic material such as leaves, needles, and organisms that are
beginning decomposition.
(B)
Incorrect. The A horizon contains decomposed organic material called
humus and mineral matter and is often referred to as the topsoil.
(C)
Incorrect. The B horizon, also known as the zone of accumulation,
has less organic material and is the layer in which soluble metals and
nutrients from overlying horizons accumulate.
(D)
Incorrect. The C horizon is a layer of poorly weathered rocks and often
resembles the parent material.
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Question 14
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.B: Explain relationships
ERT-4.B: Describe the
Soil Formation
between different characteristics characteristics and
and Erosion
of environmental concepts,
formation of soil.
processes, or models represented
visually. a. In theoretical
contexts. b. In applied contexts.
(A)
Incorrect. The O horizon is a thin layer at the top of a soil profile that is
rich in organic material such as leaves, needles, and organisms that are
beginning decomposition.
(B)
Incorrect. The A horizon contains decomposed organic material called
humus and mineral matter and is often referred to as the topsoil.
(C)
Incorrect. The B horizon, also known as the zone of accumulation,
has less organic material and is the layer in which soluble metals and
nutrients from overlying horizons accumulate.
(D)
Correct. The C horizon is a layer of poorly weathered rocks and often
resembles the parent material.
Question 15
Skill
1.A: Describe environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
ENG-3.C: Identify types of
fuels and their uses.
Topic
Fuel Types and
Uses
Incorrect. Peat is limited in distribution to Northern Europe and similar
areas, so it would not be a commonly accessible fuel source for less
developed countries.
Incorrect. Oil is costly to extract and refine, so it is not an accessible fuel
source in less developed countries.
Correct. Wood is easily accessible, making it a reliable fuel source for
less developed countries.
Incorrect. Most anthracite coal is found in the United States and Russia,
so it is not commonly available in less developed countries. It is not as
accessible as wood.
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Question 16
Skill
7.B: Describe potential responses
or approaches to environmental
problems.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
STB-1.B: Describe methods
for mitigating problems
related to urban runoff.
Topic
Methods to
Reduce Urban
Runoff
Incorrect. Concrete structures are impervious, increasing the speed of
water runoff and increasing flooding.
Incorrect. Large flat roofs allow water to runoff quickly and will increase
the volume and speed of runoff.
Correct. The runoff speed and volume will be reduced as the water is
detained and seeps through the soil. The vegetation will capture and
slow the precipitation from hitting the ground, decreasing runoff.
Incorrect. Large drainage pipes that collect water from parking lots will
increase the speed of the runoff.
Question 17
Skill
7.A: Describe environmental
problems.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-2.F: Describe the
Indoor Air
effects of indoor air
Pollutants
pollutants.
Incorrect. Radon gas occurs in most environments in low levels, even
inside buildings. Radon poisoning does not cause the same harmful
acute symptoms as exposure to other radioactive substances.
Incorrect. Radon is a gas that is inhaled in the lungs. It is not passed
from mother to fetus.
Incorrect. There is no known association with developmental disorders
in children from radon gas exposure.
Correct. Radon is a radioactive isotope that can lead to lung cancer
when inhaled. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung
cancer in the United States.
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Question 18
Skill
7.A: Describe environmental
problems.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
STB-4.D: Identify the
sources and potency of the
greenhouse gases.
STB-2.A: Identify the
sources and effects of air
pollutants.
Topic
The
Greenhouse
Effect
Introduction to
Air Pollution
Incorrect. Chlorofluorocarbons that are used in foams and packing
materials can affect ozone formation and increase ozone destruction in
the stratosphere, but they are not directly linked to an increase in carbon
dioxide emissions.
Incorrect. Carbon dioxide can be released during construction of
a nuclear power plant as fossil fuels can be burned in engines of
construction vehicles, but the process of generating electricity in a
nuclear power plant does not release carbon dioxide.
Correct. Container ships primarily burn heavy fuel oil. This releases
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when combusted. Newer container
ships that use liquid natural gas still release carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere when it is combusted.
Incorrect. While some carbon dioxide may be released if machinery is
used, fast-growing crops will likely take more carbon dioxide out of the
atmosphere than is released.
Question 19
Skill
6.C: Calculate an accurate
numeric answer with appropriate
units.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
ENG-1.C: Determine how
the energy decreases as it
flows through ecosystems.
Topic
Energy Flow
and the 10%
Rule
Correct. Tertiary consumers are found on the third level of a food
web. According to the 10% rule, when you move up a level in a food
web, only 10% of that level’s energy becomes available to the next level,
therefore, 25 kcal/m2/yr would be the amount of energy available to a
tertiary consumer.
Incorrect. According to the 10% rule, 250 kcal/m2/yr would be the
amount of energy available to a secondary consumer. It is unlikely that
much energy would be available to the tertiary consumers.
Incorrect. According to the 10% rule, 2,500 kcal/m2/yr would be the
amount of energy available to a primary consumer. It is unlikely that
much energy would be available to the tertiary consumers.
Incorrect. Because of the second law of thermodynamics, some energy
is removed from the ecosystem as it is transferred from one level of the
food web to the next. Therefore, it is not possible for the same amount
of energy entering the food web with the producers to reach other
organisms higher in the food web.
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Question 20
Skill
1.C: Explain environmental
concepts, processes, or models in
applied contexts.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-1.A: Explain how the Introduction to
availability of resources
Ecosystems
influences species
interactions.
Incorrect. Predator-prey relationships exist when one organism eats
another organism. Neither bird species feeds on the other.
Correct. Resource partitioning has decreased competition between the
two species. This is an example of interspecific competition because two
different species are competing for the same resources.
Incorrect. Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship in which both
species live together and each benefits from the presence of the other.
This is not the most likely relationship based on the information.
Incorrect. Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship in which two
species live together and one species benefits and the other is harmed.
This is not the most likely relationship based on the information.
Question 21
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.A: Describe characteristics
EIN-2.B: Describe the
Clear Cutting
of an environmental concept,
effect of clear cutting on
process, or model represented
forests.
visually.
(A)
Incorrect. Fertilizers can run into streams causing pollution and
eutrophication, but will not increase the amount of sediment in the
river. There is also no evidence in the diagram that there is an increase
in fertilizers on the branch of the river with increased sediment load.
(B)
Incorrect. Effluent from a sewer treatment plant would cause pollution,
but not an increase in sediment in the river. There is also no evidence in
the diagram there is a sewage treatment plant on the branch of the river
with increased sediment load.
(C)
Correct. The increased amount of sediment is most likely related to
deforestation. The lack of trees and other vegetation along the river with
increased sediment load makes the soils susceptible to erosion. The
branch of the river with more trees has less sediment in the river.
(D)
Incorrect. Although construction can increase the amount of sediment
in a river, there is no evidence of construction in the diagram.
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Question 22
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
6.A: Determine an approach
ERT-3.F: Explain how
Population
or method aligned with the
resource availability affects Growth and
problem to be solved.
population growth.
Resource
6.B: Apply appropriate
Availability
mathematical relationships
to solve a problem, with work
shown (e.g., dimensional
analysis).
Incorrect. This calculation divides the change by the current population,
(A)
not the maximum population.
(B)
Correct. This calculation finds the difference between the maximum
and current population and divides it by the maximum population to
calculate the percent change. % change = (198,000 caribou –
500,000 caribou)/500,000 caribou × 100
(C)
Incorrect. This calculation incorrectly divides the current population
by the maximum population.
(D)
Incorrect. This calculation divides the change in the population size by
100. The change in population size should be divided by the maximum
and multiplied by 100.
Question 23
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
7.C: Describe disadvantages,
ENG-3.G: Describe the use Nuclear Power
advantages, or unintended
of nuclear energy in power
consequences for potential
generation.
solutions.
Incorrect. The reliability or capacity factor of nuclear energy is very
(A)
high. The energy can be produced consistently, unlike solar or wind
energy.
(B)
Incorrect. Nuclear power plants release steam that is relatively
contaminant free from their cooling towers.
(C)
Correct. Nuclear power plants use radioactive materials such as
uranium to produce steam that turns turbines. The half-life of the
nuclear waste that is generated can be very long, and therefore trying to
find a safe storage place for radioactive material is challenging.
(D)
Incorrect. Volatile organic compounds are a common water pollutant
from hydraulic fracturing, a method of petroleum extraction, but are
not common in nuclear power generation.
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Question 24
Skill
1.B: Explain environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
EIN-1.A: Explain age
structure diagrams.
Topic
Age Structure
Diagrams
Incorrect. The age structure diagram can indicate how many women are
in their reproductive years, but it does not indicate at which age women
give birth.
Incorrect. The total fertility rate is the average number of children born
to a woman during her reproductive years. The age structure diagram
can indicate how many women are in their reproductive years, but it
does not indicate the total fertility rate.
Correct. The population growth rate of country can be interpreted by
from looking at the different ages of the population of a country.
Incorrect. The carrying capacity is the maximum population that an
environment can sustain. The age structure diagrams does not tell you
the carrying capacity of a country.
Question 25
Skill
1.C: Explain environmental
concepts, processes, or models in
applied contexts.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-2.F: Describe
Ecological
ecological tolerance.
Tolerance
ERT-1.C: Describe the
Aquatic Biomes
global distribution and
principal environmental
aspects of aquatic biomes.
Incorrect. While a nearshore reef could experience a range of salinity,
an offshore reef would be continually covered with ocean water with a
relatively constant salinity.
Correct. The salinity of an estuary can vary widely daily (due to tides)
and seasonally (due to the amount of freshwater draining into the
estuary varying with the amount of rainfall upstream).
Incorrect. The ocean covering the abyssal plain is covering the deep
ocean floor and consists of ocean water with a relatively constant salinity.
Incorrect. The photic zone in the open ocean is the upper level of the
open ocean that receives enough sunlight to support photosynthesis and
consists of ocean water with a relatively constant salinity.
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Question 26
Skill
5.A: Describe patterns or trends
in data.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
EIN-2.N: Explain the
Ecological
variables measured in an
Footprints
ecological footprint.
Incorrect. Charlottetown has an ecological footprint of 4.0, which is not
the lowest of the cities.
Incorrect. Halifax has an ecological footprint of 7.5, which is not the
lowest of the cities.
Incorrect. Montreal has an ecological footprint of 4.3, which is not the
lowest of all the listed cities.
Correct. Ottawa has an ecological footprint of 3.5, which is the lowest
city shown on the graph.
Question 27
Skill
5.C: Explain patterns and trends
in data to draw conclusions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
EIN-2.N: Explain the
Ecological
variables measured in an
Footprints
ecological footprint.
Incorrect. The transportation footprint of most cities on the graph is
about the same; thus commuting is not the difference in their footprints.
Incorrect. The footprints for goods and services are the same for most
cities, indicating that these are not the main differences in footprints.
Incorrect. While the growing seasons are shorter, the food footprint
is not significantly different in Edmonton or Calgary compared to the
other cities.
Correct. The primary difference in the footprints of these cities is
housing, which is related to the energy needed to heat and provide
lighting during the winter.
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Question 28
Skill
7.D: Use data and evidence to
support a potential solution.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ENG-3.T: Describe
Energy
methods for conserving
Conservation
energy.
Correct. Higher efficiency standards would allow people to use less
gasoline and thus fossil fuels. This would decrease their ecological
footprint in the transportation category. This is a large part of the
footprint for all the cities shown in the graph.
Incorrect. Increased cost of public transportation would lead to fewer
people using it, opting to drive instead. As more people drive, the
ecological footprint would increase.
Incorrect. Although this policy could decrease the goods portion of the
footprint, this is a relatively small part of the ecological footprint for
each of the cities in the graph and would not have as much of an impact
as vehicle standards.
Incorrect. Although the cities of Edmonton and Calgary have high
housing footprints, the other cities in the graph have relatively low
housing footprints, so this policy would not likely have as much of an
impact as vehicle standards. Additionally, solar panels would not be as
effective in cities that are at high northern latitudes, such as Edmonton
and Calgary, especially during the cold winter months.
Question 29
Skill
3.A: Identify the author’s claim.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.E: Identify the
Global Climate
threats to human health
Change
and the environment
The Carbon
posed by an increase in
Cycle
greenhouse gases.
ERT-1.D: Explain the steps
and reservoir interactions
in the carbon cycle.
Incorrect. The rate of melting permafrost has increased as a result of
anthropogenic activities.
Incorrect. The article mentions ground sensors but does not evaluate
their efficacy.
Correct. The author is in support of using drones as an alternative to
other monitoring methods because of versatility, accessibility, and costs.
Incorrect. Alaska is used for data collection but is not compared to any
other locale to be ranked above anything else.
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Question 30
Skill
3.B: Describe the author’s
perspective and assumptions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.F: Explain how
Global Climate
changes in climate, both
Change
short- and long-term,
impact ecosystems.
Incorrect. The limitations of drones are not evaluated, nor are ground
sensors.
Correct. Drones are being used as an early detection system. Early
identification can allow for actions to be taken to decrease erosion in
areas likely to be heavily affected by permafrost loss.
Incorrect. The article does not discuss carbon dioxide emission by
drones or ground sensors, so there is no basis for this conclusion.
Incorrect. Using drones for overall air composition determination is not
discussed at all in the article.
Question 31
Skill
4.C: Describe an aspect of a
research method, design, and/or
measure used.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.F: Explain how
Global Climate
changes in climate, both
Change
short- and long-term,
impact ecosystems.
Correct. If the measurements of the drone are similar to measurements
obtained by established methods, the data can be considered reliable.
Incorrect. The measurements on the coast will not necessarily be similar
to those inland and cannot be used to validate the drone measurement.
Incorrect. Getting a reading from an area that has experienced erosion
does not mean the data are correct.
Incorrect. Comparing data is valuable, but a similar reading in another
location does not give reliable information on how accurate the drone's
data can be.
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Question 32
Skill
1.A: Describe environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-4.A: Describe the
Plate Tectonics
geological changes and
events that occur at
convergent, divergent, and
transform plate boundaries.
Incorrect. This describes a divergent plate boundary.
Correct. At a transform plate boundary two plates slide past one
another. The fracture zone is known as a transform fault. These
boundaries can result in earthquakes.
Incorrect. This describes a convergent plate boundary.
Incorrect. Plates can fuse when two pieces of continental crust collide,
but this is not a transform boundary.
Question 33
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.B: Explain relationships
ENG-1.D: Describe food
Food Chains
between different characteristics chains and food webs, and and Food Webs
of environmental concepts,
their constituent members
processes, or models represented by trophic level.
visually. a. In theoretical
contexts. b. In applied contexts.
(A)
Incorrect. According to the food web, there would be less competition
for plankton, so it is unlikely the jellyfish would experience local
extinction.
(B)
Correct. According to the food web, the jellyfish will have less pressure
from predators and less competition for plankton, so their population
sizes will likely increase. Also, the small fish feed on the jellyfish, so a
reduction in the number of small fish reduces the predation pressure on
the jellyfish.
(C)
Incorrect. There is no evidence in the food web to support this claim. It
is not likely the jellyfish would migrate based on the diagram.
(D)
Incorrect. The sea turtles are not directly connected to the small fish;
they do not feed on the small fish, so their population would not initially
be directly affected by the small fish decline. The number of tuna would
likely decrease (with fewer available food resources), so it is unlikely that
both top predator populations would increase because of a decrease in
small fish populations.
78 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 34
Skill
1.A: Describe environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-2.A: Identify the
Introduction to
sources and effects of air
Air Pollution
pollutants.
Incorrect. Uranium fuel used in nuclear power plants produces steam,
water, and radioactive waste but is considered a cleaner energy source
because it does not release air pollutants such as carbon dioxide.
Incorrect. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into energy without
releasing air pollutants during electricity generation.
Correct. Burning fuel oil has the highest levels of air pollutants of the
four sources. Oil releases a variety of air pollutants, including sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide.
Incorrect. Natural gas is considered the cleanest of the fossil fuels and
releases fewer sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions compared to
fuel oil. Natural gas has fewer impurities than fuel oil.
Question 35
Skill
7.C: Describe disadvantages,
advantages, or unintended
consequences for potential
solutions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ENG-3.M: Describe
Hydroelectric
the effects of the use
Power
of hydroelectricity in
power generation on the
environment.
Incorrect. While greenhouse gases will most likely be released from the
combustion of fossil fuels during the construction of the project, no
greenhouse gases are released as water released through the dam turns
the turbines to generate electricity.
Incorrect. The frequency of floods downstream will most likely decrease,
because the dam is used to control water flow.
Correct. Sediments that can be transported to the coastline downstream
in a free-flowing river settle out in the reservoir behind the dam. As a
result, erosion will most likely outpace deposition along the coastline,
leading to increased beach erosion.
Incorrect. The population of fish that migrate to areas upstream from
the hydroelectric dam project to breed will most likely decrease not
increase, as the dam will block their migration.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
79
Question 36
Skill
1.A: Describe environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
STB-2.D: Describe natural
sources of CO2 and
particulates.
Topic
Atmospheric
CO2 and
Particulates
Incorrect. The natural breakdown of uranium produces radon gas, not
carbon dioxide.
Correct. Oxygen-consuming bacteria decompose organic matter and
release carbon dioxide in the process.
Incorrect. Plants take in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and
release oxygen gas as a waste product.
Incorrect. The deposition of calcium carbonate as limestone sequesters
carbon dioxide in rocks. It does not release it.
Question 37
Skill
2.C: Explain how environmental
concepts and processes
represented visually relate to
broader environmental issues.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
ENG-3.D: Identify where
natural energy resources
occur.
EIN-2.K: Describe natural
resource extraction
through mining.
Topic
Distribution of
Natural Energy
Resources
Impacts of
Mining
Incorrect. There is not a history of coal mining in Maine, and the state
does not have known coal reserves.
Correct. The southern Appalachian Mountains are rich in bituminous
coal deposits and have been mined since the 1800s. Kentucky and West
Virginia have several active surface mining operations and produce
approximately 20% of the coal in the United States
Incorrect. There is not a history of coal mining in western Texas and
eastern New Mexico, and the area does not have known coal reserves.
Incorrect. Although minerals, such as gold, are mined in Nevada, the
area does not have known coal deposits and does not have coal mining
operations.
80 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 38
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
4.A: Identify a testable
ERT-2.F: Describe
Ecological
hypothesis or scientific question ecological tolerance.
Tolerance
for an investigation.
(A)
Incorrect. This hypothesis would test two independent variables at once
and there is no mention on testing water temperature in the information
provided. This is not the most likely hypothesis.
(B)
Correct. This hypothesis correctly links the independent variable
the student will test (concentration of nanosilver particles) with the
dependent variable (population chance of Daphnia Magna).
(C)
Incorrect. This hypothesis incorrectly does not include the correct
dependent variable. Based on the information provided, the survival
is affected. Additionally, since multiple generations are required for a
species to acquire new adaptions, the species would be unlikely to adapt
and become a new species during the timing of an experimental trial.
This is not the most likely hypothesis.
(D)
Incorrect. This hypothesis is not related to the scenario given, since
scientists are concerned that high levels of nanosilver have a detrimental
effect on Daphnia Magna, not on other organisms in the food chain.
This is not the most likely hypothesis.
Question 39
Skill
1.C: Explain environmental
concepts, processes, or models in
applied contexts.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
ENG-2.B: Describe how the
Earth’s geography affects
weather and climate.
Topic
Earth’s
Geography and
Climate
Correct. The Gulf Stream is an oceanic current that moves warm
oceanic water towards London. The warm ocean temperatures warm the
atmosphere in the United Kingdom region compared to Calgary.
Incorrect. London and Calgary at the same latitude, and therefore they
would receive about the same amount of solar radiation in December.
Incorrect. London and Calgary at the same latitude, and therefore they
are about the same distance from the North Pole.
Incorrect. The Hadley cell converges within the tropics and pushes
warm air into the atmosphere.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
81
Question 40
Skill
6.C: Calculate an accurate
numeric answer with appropriate
units.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.F: Explain how
Global Climate
changes in climate, both
Change
short- and long-term,
impact ecosystems.
Incorrect. This is the total change in Arctic sea height in from 1995 to
2015, according to the graph, but it is not the change per year.
Incorrect. This is the Arctic sea height in 1995, according to the graph. It
is not the change over time.
Incorrect. This value is determined by subtracting the initial Arctic sea
height in 1995 from the final height in 2015 and then dividing by the
initial value. This is not the change per year.
Correct. This answer results from taking the Arctic sea level in 2015
(70 mm) and subtracting the Arctic sea level in 1995 (10 mm) and
dividing by the change in years (2015-1995). (70 mm – 10 mm)/
(2015 – 1995) .
Question 41
Skill
1.C: Explain environmental
concepts, processes, or models in
applied contexts.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-2.H: Describe how
Adaptations
organisms adapt to their
Ecological
environment.
Tolerance
ERT-2.F: Describe
ecological tolerance.
Incorrect. Devils Hole is a geothermal pool with waters with naturally
occurring high temperatures. The heat in the pools is not a result of
climate change.
Incorrect. A thermal inversion is an atmospheric event and does not
affect the water temperature in Devils Hole.
Incorrect. There are very few fish species that can survive in the
conditions at Devils Hole, and there is no evidence in the information
that there was a trophic cascade.
Correct. Pupfish have evolved tolerance to the high heat and low
oxygen levels of Devils Hole, whereas many other fish species are unable
to survive in these conditions.
82 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 42
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
7.B: Describe potential responses STB-4.H: Explain the
Ocean
or approaches to environmental causes and effects of ocean Acidification
problems.
acidification.
Incorrect. Rotation of crops yearly helps with increasing soil fertility
(A)
in agriculture, but does not significantly decrease the carbon dioxide
emissions from agriculture that would contribute to ocean acidification.
(B)
Incorrect. Burning of biomass contributes carbon dioxide to the
atmosphere. Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would increase
ocean acidification.
(C)
Correct. Carbon dioxide is produced in the burning of coal for
electricity generation, but not in using fuel rods in nuclear generation.
Switching energy sources would decrease the amount of carbon dioxide
released, which would decrease ocean acidification.
(D)
Incorrect. Catalytic converters are an air pollution control device that
converts pollutants such as nitrous oxides into less harmful molecules
such as carbon dioxide and water. This would not decrease the amount
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Question 43
Skill
5.B: Describe relationships
among variables in data
represented.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.F: Explain how
Global Climate
changes in climate, both
Change
short- and long-term,
impact ecosystems.
Incorrect. There is a direct relationship between CO2 concentration
and Antarctic temperature since both variables increase and decrease
at approximately the same time. According to the data presented, a
decrease in CO2 concentration does not occur before an increase in
temperature.
Incorrect. There is a direct relationship between CO2 concentration
and Antarctic temperature since both variables increase and decrease
at approximately the same time. According to the data presented,
an increase in temperature does not occur before a decrease in CO2
concentration.
Correct. CO2 concentration and Antarctic temperature increase and
decrease at approximately the same time, but there is no additional
information to determine if one influences the other (causation).
Incorrect. An inverse relationship would indicate that one value
decreases when the other increases, but CO2 concentration and
Antarctic temperature increase and decrease at approximately the same
time, showing a direct relationship.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
83
Question 44
Skill
6.C: Calculate an accurate
numeric answer with
appropriate units.
(A)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.F: Explain how
Global Climate
changes in climate, both
Change
short- and long-term,
impact ecosystems.
Correct. The present-day CO2 concentration is approximately 400 ppm,
and the CO2 concentration from 200,000 years ago was approximately
250 ppm, so the correct calculation would be 1.6 times greater
400
= 1.6 .
250
(
(B)
(C)
(D)
)
Incorrect. This value reflects how many times greater the presentday CO2 concentration is than the lowest CO2 concentrations of
approximately 175 ppm.
Incorrect. This value reflects the CO2 concentration from 275,000 years
ago.
Incorrect. This is the current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere
and not the change in concentration.
Question 45
Skill
5.A: Describe patterns or trends
in data.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.F: Explain how
Global Climate
changes in climate, both
Change
short- and long-term,
impact ecosystems.
Incorrect. Rather than steadily decreasing values, the data show a
cyclical pattern to both CO2 concentrations and Antarctic temperatures
throughout history, with a slight trend upward. Also, the present-day
CO2 concentration is the highest (400 ppm) it has been in 800,000 years,
not the lowest.
Incorrect. Although the data do show a slight trend upward for both
CO2 concentrations and Antarctic temperatures throughout history,
the data also show a cyclical pattern to the high and low values. Also,
present-day CO2 concentration is the highest (400 ppm) it has been in
800,000 years, not the lowest.
Correct. Based on the data, the concentrations of CO2 and Antarctic
temperatures rise and fall approximately every 50,000 years, and the
present-day CO2 concentration is the highest (400 ppm) it has been in
800,000 years.
Incorrect. Although the data do show that the concentrations of CO2
and Antarctic temperatures rise and fall approximately every 50,000
years, the present-day Antarctic temperature is not the highest it has
been in 800,000 years. According to the graph, the highest Antarctic
temperature was about 4°C approximately 175,000 years ago.
84 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 46
Skill
1.B: Explain environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-4.C: Describe
Soil
similarities and differences Composition
between properties of
and Properties
different soil types.
Correct. Permeability is controlled by the connectedness of pores
in a material; larger-grained materials, like sand, have larger, more
connected pores compared to smaller-grained materials, like clay.
Incorrect. Soil erosion rates are linked to water, wind, and tillage on
agricultural lands and not directly to particle size.
Incorrect. Clay soils tend to be more dense since clay has the smallest
particle size of any soil type.
Incorrect. There is no direct relationship between the size of particles in
a soil and the soil’s organic content.
Question 47
Skill
5.C: Explain patterns and trends
in data to draw conclusions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
EIN-2.C: Describe changes
in agricultural practices.
Topic
The Green
Revolution
Incorrect. The grain yield from 1991 to 1993 was approximately
1,100 kg/hectare and from 1961 to 1963 it was approximately
900 kg/hectare.
Incorrect. The grain yield from 1991 to 1993 was approximately
2,400 kg/hectare and from 1961 to 1963 it was approximately
1,300 kg/hectare.
Correct. The grain yield in from 1991 to 1993 was approximately
2,800 kg/hectare and it was approximately 1,200 kg/hectare from
2,800 kg/hectare
1961 to 1963.
= 2.3
1,200 kg/hectare
Incorrect. The grain yield from 1991 to 1993 was approximately
1,800 kg/hectare and from 1961 to 1963 it was approximately
1,100 kg/hectare.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
85
Question 48
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
1.C: Explain environmental
ERT-2.I: Describe
Ecological
concepts, processes, or models
ecological succession.
Succession
in applied contexts.
(A)
Incorrect. Pioneer species are the first to colonize a damaged or
disrupted ecosystem. There is no indication that otters are a pioneer
species in this ecosystem.
(B)
Correct. Indicator species can be used to identify characteristics about
the ecosystem. The bioaccumulation of mercury in otters, leading
to their decline, provided information about the conditions of the
environment.
(C)
Incorrect. Otters as a keystone species are secondary or tertiary
consumers in this ecosystem. Primary consumers in this ecosystem
likely include fish and invertebrates that the otters feed on.
(D)
Incorrect. Survival strategy is not being assessed in this situation.
Furthermore, otters are more likely a K-selected species in this
ecosystem.
Question 49
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
1.C: Explain environmental
ENG-3.J: Describe the use Solar Energy
concepts, processes, or models in of solar energy in power
applied contexts.
generation.
(A)
Incorrect. Concentrated solar power uses mirrors to reflect and
concentrate solar energy into a single location. A concentrated solar
power plant produces heat that can then be used to generate electricity
by generating steam to turn a turbine. This does not use passive solar
heating.
(B)
Incorrect. Large trees that increase shading during the fall and the
winter would decrease the amount of sunlight that can provide space
heating. This would likely increase, rather than decrease electricity costs
to heat the home.
(C)
Correct. Passive solar energy can warm or cool a house through a
building design that either stores heat energy or reflects the solar energy
depending on the time of year. Passive solar design relies on a way to
collect the solar energy (south-facing windows) and a way for the solar
energy to be absorbed (hard and dark surfaces on the wall and/or floors)
so that the heat can be retained and stored.
(D)
Incorrect. Passive solar energy does not use photovoltaic solar cells.
Storing electricity in a battery is also not part of a passive system.
86 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 50
Skill
1.C: Explain environmental
concepts, processes, or models in
applied contexts.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
ERT-2.H: Describe how
organisms adapt to their
environment.
Topic
Adaptations
Incorrect. The moths were not isolated from a larger environment, such
as what happens on islands. The moths could move to other locations
where pollution did not affect the trees.
Incorrect. Primary succession occurs where an organism colonizes an
area that was previously devoid of other life and soil.
Correct. The moths were able to adapt to the new conditions through
natural selection involving incremental changes at the genetic level in
the population over time.
Incorrect. The moths did not change from a specialist species to a
generalist species because of the pollution. The moths were already
a generalist species that could adapt to changing environmental
conditions.
Question 51
Skill
5.A: Describe patterns or trends
in data.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-3.D: Describe carrying Carrying
capacity.
Capacity
Incorrect. The seal population is starting to increase at this point.
Incorrect. The seal population growth rate is increasing rapidly at this
point.
Correct. At approximately 7,500 individuals the seal population growth
rate oscillates above and below this value.
Incorrect. The population reaches this point in time, which was an
overshoot, but maintains around 7,500.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
87
Question 52
Skill
5.C: Explain patterns and trends
in data to draw conclusions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
ERT-3.B: Identify
differences between K- and
r-selected species.
Topic
K-Selected
r-Selected
Species
Incorrect. Type II survivorship refers to the relative survival rates of a
cohort in a population, not reproductive strategy.
Incorrect. A Type III curve represents the relative survival rates of
r-selected species but does not represent reproductive strategy.
Correct. K-selected species tend to have few offspring per reproduction
event and have a slower population growth rate than r-selected
species. The change in population over time results in a logistic curve.
K-selected species tend to have populations near or at carrying capacity.
Incorrect. r-selected species tend to have many offspring and a rapid
growth rate. The logistic growth shown in the graph is not indicative of
an r-selected species.
Question 53
Skill
5.E: Explain what the data
implies or illustrates about
environmental issues.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Topic
Population
Growth and
Resource
Availability
Correct. Increased food will allow for greater survival and reproductive
rates, which will allow for more rapid population growth.
Incorrect. Decreased resistance to parasites would likely decrease
survival rate over time.
Incorrect. Increased competition will decrease seal population growth.
Incorrect. A drop in the number of autotrophs would have a negative
impact on the harbor seal food chain, leading to fewer primary
consumers and less food for the harbor seal.
88 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Learning Objective
ERT-3.F: Explain how
resource availability affects
population growth.
Question 54
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
6.C: Calculate an accurate
STB-2.A: Identify the
Introduction to
numeric answer with appropriate sources and effects of air
Air Pollution
units.
pollutants.
Incorrect. This value was obtained by dividing the grams of NOX per
(A)
mile by the miles driven in one year.
(B)
Incorrect. This is the amount of NOX produced in one year, not during
the lifetime of the vehicle.
(C)
Incorrect. This value was obtained by dividing the grams of NOX by
the number of miles driven over 15 years. The grams of NOX per mile
should be multiplied by the total number of miles driven.
(D)
Correct. This equation multiplies the amount of NOX released
(1.39 grams per mile) by the number of miles the car is driven in a year
(22,000 miles) by the number of years the car was driven (15 years). The
total NOX released is 458,700 grams.
Question 55
Skill
1.A: Describe environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.H: Explain the
Ocean
causes and effects of ocean Acidification
acidification.
Incorrect. Carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean reacts with water
to form carbonic acid. As the ocean becomes more acidic, its pH will
decrease, not increase.
Incorrect. Increased carbon dioxide does not directly affect the solubility
of oxygen in the oceans. Increased carbon dioxide and increased global
temperature would lead to a decrease in solubility of oxygen.
Correct. Carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean reacts with water to
make carbonic acid. Carbonic acid will dissociate into hydrogen ions
+
+
(H ) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3–). The additional H binds with
carbonate ions, making these molecules less available for corals to use to
build their exoskeletons and other organisms to make their exoskeletons
or shells.
Incorrect. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide is linked to increasing,
not decreasing temperatures. In addition, the extra carbon dioxide in
the ocean could increase the amount of phytoplankton photosynthesis.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
89
Question 56
Skill
5.E: Explain what the data
implies or illustrates about
environmental issues.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
EIN-3.A: Define lethal dose
50% (LD50).
EIN-3.B: Evaluate dose
response curves.
Topic
Dose Response
Curve
Dose Response
Curve
Correct. The LD50 is determined by extending a line from the 50%
mortality level out to the graphed line. The concentration that
corresponds to that 50% mortality is the correct answer.
Incorrect. This graph identifies the percent mortality of a medium dose
of chemical X.
Incorrect. This graph incorrectly links the 50 percent mortality rate to a
medium dosage.
Incorrect. This graph shows a line connecting the 50% mortality rate to
a high dosage. This is not the LD50.
Question 57
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
1.A: Describe environmental
EIN-3.C: Identify sources
Pollution and
concepts and processes.
of human health issues that Human Health
7.A: Describe environmental
are linked to pollution.
problems.
(A)
Incorrect. Dysentery is an infection of the intestines that results in
severe diarrhea and is associated with contaminated drinking water.
(B)
Incorrect. Mesothelioma is a tumor that occurs in the lungs.
Mesothelioma is most often associated with the breathing in asbestos.
(C)
Correct. Respiratory problems such as asthma can occur when people
breathe in the pollutants associated with burning of plastics.
(D)
Incorrect. Cholera is a bacterial disease of the small intestine that is
typically contracted from infected water supplies.
90 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 58
Skill
3.A: Identify the author’s claim.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-4.G: Explain the
Ocean
causes and effects of ocean Warming
warming.
Incorrect. Even though the oceans are warming because of increased
greenhouse gas emissions, ocean waters outside of the tropics remain
too cold for hurricanes to form.
Incorrect. Stratospheric ozone depletion is not directly linked to global
climate change. Additionally, the article does not discuss stratospheric
ozone depletion.
Incorrect. The author does not mention how a rise in sea level will affect
the frequency of hurricanes.
Correct. This statement identifies the author’s claim that human-driven
climate change is causing wetter tropical cyclones. The additional heat
trapped by the anthropogenic greenhouse gases is being absorbed by
the ocean, causing it to warm, which studies correlate with increased
rainfall.
Question 59
Skill
3.B: Describe the author’s
perspective and assumptions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
EIN-2.M: Describe the
Impacts of
effects of urbanization on
Urbanization
the environment.
Incorrect. Growing cities will increase the number of impermeable
surfaces in the area, increasing the likelihood of local rivers flooding.
Flooding would increase the amount of damage and loss of life.
Correct. According to the article, the roads, sidewalks, and parking lots
that are characteristic of urban environments are impermeable. These
surfaces increase runoff, which increases the likelihood of flooding and
subsequent damage and loss of life.
Incorrect. The author discusses that hurricanes and tropical storms
intensify because of ocean warming and not because of localized
increased temperatures associated with urban areas.
Incorrect. The author never connects the use of climate model
simulations with urban planning and also states that even with
modifications to infrastructure in urban areas, it will be difficult to
eliminate all threats from flooding caused by hurricanes.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
91
Question 60
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
3.C: Describe the author’s
STB-4.G: Explain the
Ocean
reasoning (use of evidence to
causes and effects of ocean Warming
support a claim).
warming.
(A)
Incorrect. This statement inaccurately uses the 9% value mentioned in
the article. The article does not indicate how many hurricanes make
landfall in urban areas, but rather that when they do, the effects of the
hurricanes are greater.
(B)
Incorrect. Although this statement is true, it does not support the
author’s claim that ocean warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions
is creating wetter hurricanes.
(C)
Correct. According to the article, warmer ocean temperatures create
hurricanes that produce more rainfall. The increase in temperatures is
linked to the additional heat trapped by greenhouse gas emissions.
(D)
Incorrect. The amount of precipitation from a hurricane varies from
one storm event to another. The 50 inches mentioned in the article
was related to Harvey, which is the wettest hurricane on record. This
statement does not support that claim that hurricanes are getting wetter
over time because of climate change.
Question 61
Skill
7.B: Describe potential responses
or approaches to environmental
problems.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Topic
Methods to
Reduce Urban
Runoff
Correct. Installing permeable pavement and increasing green space
will allow water to infiltrate into the soil and be absorbed by plants to
decrease storm runoff.
Incorrect. Precipitation and floodwaters are not used directly in
irrigation systems, and it is not practical to transport the volume of
stormwater from a hurricane to agricultural areas.
Incorrect. During extreme storm events, combined storm and sewer
systems typically exceed the capacity of the treatment facility. Not only
would the excess water still have the potential to flood, but the overflow
would contain untreated waste, leading to possible human health issues.
Incorrect. Moving buildings closer to local rivers would increase
the number of people on the floodplain, which would increase the
likelihood of damage from excess rainfall in future hurricanes. In
addition, building closer to rivers would decrease the time it takes for
the runoff to reach the rivers, most likely increasing the chances of flash
flooding as a result of the excess rainfall from the hurricanes.
92 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Learning Objective
STB-1.B: Describe methods
for mitigating problems
related to urban runoff.
Question 62
Skill
1.C: Explain environmental
concepts, processes, or models in
applied contexts.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-3.A: Identify
Generalist
differences between
and Specialist
generalist and specialist
Species
species.
Incorrect. A keystone species is one that plays a significant role in the
community structure of an ecosystem. Feeding on insects does not
make the plant a keystone species.
Incorrect. The Venus flytrap is not considered a generalist species
because it can survive in only a narrow range of conditions.
Incorrect. The Venus flytrap is not an invasive species because it does
not cause ecological harm to an environment. Competing with other
plants is not sufficient evidence to support being labeled as an invasive
species.
Correct. The Venus flytrap is considered a habitat specialist species
because they are only found in certain areas of longleaf pine savannas
and have a narrow range of conditions where they thrive.
Question 63
Skill
1.B: Explain environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ENG-3.J: Describe the use Solar Energy
of solar energy in power
generation.
Incorrect. Water is not used in the cell. The cell is a solid device
consisting of wires and the semiconductor.
Incorrect. Air is not heated in the cell. The cell is a solid device
consisting of wires and the semiconductor.
Correct. The semiconductor releases electrons that flow as current
when sunlight strikes the surface of a photovoltaic cell.
Incorrect. The photons of light are used to create electricity from flowing
electrons.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
93
Question 64
Skill
5.C: Explain patterns and trends
in data to draw conclusions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ENG-3.H: Describe the
Nuclear Power
effects of the use of nuclear
energy on the environment.
Incorrect. This information cannot be determined from the data in the
graph.
Incorrect. This information cannot be determined from the data the
graph.
Correct. After 10 half-lives, radioactive waste may be safely disposed
of. From the data in the graph, the half-life of Cesium-137 can be
determined to be 30 years. From that information, it can be calculated
that in 300 years it can be safely disposed of.
Incorrect. This information would not be determined from the data in
the graph.
Question 65
Skill
7.C: Describe disadvantages,
advantages, or unintended
consequences for potential
solutions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ENG-3.I: Describe the
Energy from
effects of the use of biomass Biomass
in power generation on the Introduction to
environment.
Air Pollution
STB-2.A: Identify the
sources and effects of air
pollutants.
Incorrect. Burning biomass for energy production does not produce
radioactive waste that results from the combustion. This is a concern for
using nuclear energy, not biomass.
Incorrect. Burning biomass for energy production does not have a direct
relation to salinization in agricultural fields. Salinization most often
results from excessive irrigation.
Incorrect. Burning biomass for energy production releases modern
carbon, not fossil carbon (such as carbon in coal). Theoretically, if equal
masses of trees were burned and replanted, burning biomass for energy
production would be carbon neutral.
Correct. Trees can be overharvested in areas using biomass for energy
production, resulting in deforestation in those areas.
94 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 66
Skill
1.B: Explain environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-3.D: Describe carrying Carrying
capacity.
Capacity
Incorrect. Increased mortality of adults during mating season would
lead to fewer offspring. The result would be a population decrease,
keeping the population below carrying capacity.
Correct. The number of offspring born will depend on the food supply
during mating season. If the food supply decreases after the offspring
are born, the carrying capacity will decrease, and there will be increased
competition for food resources. This will lead to a population exceeding
its current carrying capacity.
Incorrect. Newborn offspring will be vulnerable to predators. An
increase in predation at this time will cause a population decrease,
keeping the population below carrying capacity.
Incorrect. A decrease in adult females will decrease the number of
offspring and keep the population below carrying capacity.
Question 67
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.B: Explain relationships
ENG-2.B: Describe how the Earth’s
between different characteristics Earth’s geography affects
Geography and
of environmental concepts,
weather and climate.
Climate
processes, or models represented
visually. a. In theoretical
contexts. b. In applied contexts.
(A)
Incorrect. Warm ocean currents would warm the atmosphere but
promote cloud formation and precipitation, making the climate wetter,
not drier, in Africa.
(B)
Incorrect. The question refers to climate in two separate locations at a
similar latitude, so they would both be at about equal distances from the
equator.
(C)
Correct. The cold ocean currents absorb heat from the atmosphere. The
cooler atmosphere does not promote cloud formation and precipitation,
leading to the difference in moisture.
(D)
Incorrect. Warm ocean currents, not cold, would evaporate more easily,
condense in the atmosphere, and release latent heat, warming the
atmosphere.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
95
Question 68
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.B: Explain relationships
ENG-2.C: Describe the
El Niño and La
between different characteristics environmental changes
Niña
of environmental concepts,
and effects that result
processes, or models represented from El Niño or La Niña
visually. a. In theoretical
events (El Niño-Southern
contexts. b. In applied contexts. Oscillation).
(A)
Incorrect. El Niño is a phenomenon that occurs when the central and
eastern Pacific sea-surface temperatures are warmer than average and
does not alter the directional flow of the Californian current. Current
flow is determined by the prevailing wind direction and the Coriolis
effect.
(B)
Incorrect. El Niño is a phenomenon that occurs when the central and
eastern Pacific sea-surface temperatures are warmer than average and is
not directly related to the speed of the Californian current.
(C)
Incorrect. El Niño is a phenomenon that occurs when the central and
eastern Pacific sea-surface temperatures are warmer than average, not
cooler.
(D)
Correct. El Niño is a phenomenon that occurs when the central and
eastern Pacific sea-surface temperatures are warmer than average,
partially caused by reduced upwelling of cool ocean water. The reduced
upwelling likely occurs because of a weakening of the trade winds.
Question 69
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
2.C: Explain how environmental STB-4.F: Explain how
Global Climate
concepts and processes
changes in climate, both
Change
represented visually relate to
short- and long-term,
broader environmental issues.
impact ecosystems.
(A)
Incorrect. The directional flow of the East Greenland current is
influenced by the prevailing winds and the Coriolis effect in the North
Atlantic and not by a rise in sea level.
(B)
Incorrect. Icebergs would not influence the direction of the Labrador
current. Currents are influenced by surface winds and density
differences in the ocean.
(C)
Incorrect. The warm oceanic currents would become cooler, but the
cool ocean currents would not become warmer because of an increase
in cold glacier water.
(D)
Correct. The warm Norwegian current would become cooler and less
salty due to the glacier water melting, because melting glaciers add fresh
water.
96 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 70
Skill
1.B: Explain environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-2.B: Explain the
Photochemical
causes and effects of
Smog
photochemical smog and
methods to reduce it.
Incorrect. These are the reactants for sulfuric acid formation in acid rain.
Incorrect. These are the reactants for cellular respiration.
Correct. Photochemical smog is created by the reaction of nitrogen
oxides with volatile organic compounds (which contain carbon and
oxygen) in the presence of sunlight to produce tropospheric ozone.
Incorrect. These are the reactants for photosynthesis.
Question 71
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
6.A: Determine an approach or
ENG-3.T: Describe
Energy
method aligned with the problem methods for conserving
Conservation
to be solved.
energy.
(A)
Incorrect. This calculation is the ratio between the maximum speed and
the average speed and not a measure of fuel efficiency.
(B)
Incorrect. This calculation is for the amount of time for the automobile
to travel the distance given.
(C)
Incorrect. This calculation is the ratio between the maximum speed and
the gallons consumed, which is not a measure of fuel efficiency.
(D)
Correct. This calculation is the measure of distance traveled per unit of
fuel (such as miles per gallon), which is fuel efficiency.
Question 72
Skill
Learning Objective
Topic
7.A: Describe environmental
EIN-2.M: Describe the
Impacts of
problems.
effects of urbanization on
Urbanization
1.C: Explain environmental
the environment.
concepts, processes, or models in
applied contexts.
(A)
Incorrect. Destruction of forests and increases in sediment in ocean
water in coastal lowlands do not have a direct impact on saltwater
intrusion into municipal water wells.
(B)
Incorrect. An increase in impervious surfaces reduces infiltration of
water and groundwater recharge, causes flooding of the surface, but it
will not cause saltwater intrusion into wells.
(C)
Incorrect. An increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase
the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean and decrease pH,
but this process will not influence the saltwater intrusion underground.
(D)
Correct. As a city on the coastline grows, the demand for freshwater
increases, leading to more groundwater use. If the wells are not
regulated, saltwater located underground near the ocean can
contaminate coastal aquifers.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
97
Question 73
Skill
6.C: Calculate an accurate
numeric answer with appropriate
units.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
EIN-1.C: Explain how
Human
human populations
Population
experience growth and
Dynamics
decline.
Correct. According to the rule of 70, a population’s doubling time is
calculated by dividing 70 by the annual growth rate. 70/1.07=65 years.
(2018 + 65 years = 2083).
Incorrect. This value was determined by adding 70 to 2018 to get 2088.
According to the rule of 70, 70 should be divided by 1.07.
Incorrect. This value was determined by multiplying 70 by 1.07 and
adding the result 74 years to 2018 to get 2092. According to the rule of
70, 70 should be divided by 1.07.
Incorrect. This value was determined by dividing 2018 by 1.07 rather
than 70. Then the result of 1884 was added 2018 to get 3904.
Question 74
Skill
7.D: Use data and evidence to
support a potential solution.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-3.F: Explain the
Eutrophication
environmental effects of
excessive use of fertilizers
and detergents on aquatic
ecosystems.
Correct. The Susquehanna River has the highest nitrogen level, a
component of inorganic fertilizer, that leads to eutrophication. Increased
regulation of the use of inorganic fertilizers would decrease nitrogen
runoff into the Chesapeake Bay.
Incorrect. The sediment levels in the Potomac River are high. While
eutrophication is most affected by nitrogen levels, switching to
impermeable surfaces would likely further increase the runoff reaching
the bay, potentially increasing the amount of eutrophication.
Incorrect. While replanting forests will decrease the high levels
of sediment entering the James River, sediment does not cause
eutrophication. Although forests can decrease nitrogen runoff as
well, the contribution from the James River is much lower than the
contribution from the Susquehanna River.
Incorrect. The nutrient and sediment levels in the Rappahannock River
are the lowest of the four rivers. So while improving wastewater release
will likely decrease eutrophication, it will not affect the nutrient levels
in the Chesapeake Bay to the same degree as improvements in the
Susquehanna River watershed would.
98 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 75
Skill
5.A: Describe patterns or trends
in data.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
EIN-3.B: Evaluate dose
response curves.
Topic
Dose Response
Curve
Incorrect. According to the graph, at concentrations of 50 g/cm3, the
pesticide has only a 25% mortality rate.
Incorrect. According to the graph, at concentrations of 500 g/cm3, the
pesticide has only a 30% mortality rate.
Incorrect. According to the graph, at concentrations of 1,000 g/cm3, the
pesticide has only a 30% mortality rate.
Correct. According to the graph, at concentrations of 1,500 g/cm3, the
pesticide has a 90% mortality rate.
Question 76
Skill
5.C: Explain patterns and trends
in data to draw conclusions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
EIN-3.B: Evaluate dose
response curves.
EIN-3.C: Identify sources
of human health issues that
are linked to pollution.
Topic
Dose Response
Curve
Pollution and
Human Health
Incorrect. At a concentration of 500 g/cm3, pesticide A will kill nearly
45% of crop pests.
Incorrect. At a concentration of 500 g/cm3, pesticide B will kill nearly
60% of crop pests.
Incorrect. At a concentration of 500 g/cm3, pesticide C will kill nearly
30% of crop pests.
Correct. At a concentration of 500 g/cm3, pesticide D will kill nearly
100% of crop pests.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
99
Question 77
Skill
7.C: Describe disadvantages,
advantages, or unintended
consequences for potential
solutions.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
EIN-2.G: Describe the
benefits and drawbacks of
different methods of pest
control.
STB-3.J: Describe the
effects of bioaccumulation
and biomagnification.
Topic
Pest Control
Methods
Bioaccumulation and
Biomagnification
Correct. Some pesticides can bioaccumulate in the food chain and
biomagnify within top predators as they consume organisms lower on
the food chain.
Incorrect. There is not a direct link between pesticide application and
rates of succession.
Incorrect. Organisms develop tolerance to or can have adaptations
against chemical pesticides, so removal is unlikely to be permanent.
Incorrect. While crops might grow faster without pests, the growth is
not fast enough to cause salinization of soils. Salinization is caused by
irrigation in arid climates.
Question 78
Skill
1.C: Explain environmental
concepts, processes, or models in
applied contexts.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
ERT-2.A: Explain levels
Introduction to
of biodiversity and their
Biodiversity
importance to ecosystems. Carrying
ERT-3.D: Describe carrying Capacity
capacity.
Incorrect. Carrying capacity refers to the number of organisms that
can be supported, not a process that changes genetic diversity in a
population.
Correct. When a population bottleneck occurs, a species genetic
diversity will be reduced because the number of individuals in the
population decreases as a result of environmental events or human
activities (such as the introduction of invasive species). Since all of the
individuals of robin are from the same female, there is limited diversity
in the population.
Incorrect. Population overshoot occurs when a population temporarily
exceeds the long-term carrying capacity of the environment. It results
from lack of available resources, not an environmental disaster.
Incorrect. Type I survivorship refers to the reproductive strategy of a
species. It does not address the decline in the robin population.
100 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Question 79
Skill
1.C: Explain environmental
concepts, processes, or models in
applied contexts.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
ENG-3.D: Identify where
natural energy resources
occur.
ENG-3.C: Identify types of
fuels and their uses.
Topic
Global Energy
Consumption
Fuel Types and
Uses
Incorrect: Limestone and other building materials are common from
the Cretaceous period, but these materials typically form from the
accumulation of the remains of marine organisms on the sea floor.
Correct: Coal forms from plant material that is heated and compressed.
Environments such as swamps produce significant amounts of plant
matter and typically generate coal.
Incorrect: Metals require significant heat and pressure to form. Plant
materials would not decay into metallic ores.
Incorrect: Uranium is concentrated over time in some environments.
However, plant materials would not decay into uranium.
Question 80
Skill
1.A: Describe environmental
concepts and processes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Learning Objective
Topic
STB-2.B: Explain the
Photochemical
causes and effects of
Smog
photochemical smog and
methods to reduce it.
Incorrect. Sunlight is a key component of photochemical smog
formation, and therefore smog is more prevalent in the summer months
when sunlight is more readily available.
Correct. The oxidizing compounds in photochemical smog have been
linked to a variety of negative health outcomes. Ozone, for example, is
known to irritate the lungs.
Incorrect. Tropospheric ozone, one of the secondary pollutants in
photochemical smog, is formed from nitrogen dioxide and VOCs, not
sulfur dioxide.
Incorrect. Both the primary and secondary pollutants in photochemical
smog are highly reactive.
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
101
Answer Key and Question Alignment to Course
Framework
Multiple-Choice Answer Skill Learning
Question
Objective
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
D
B
C
D
C
A
B
D
C
A
B
C
A
D
C
C
1.B
1.B
1.B
2.C
2.C
2.C
2.C
7.A
7.A
7.A
7.A
2.B
2.B
2.B
1.A
7.B
ERT-1.B
ERT-1.B
ERT-1.B
ENG-3.L
ENG-3.G
EIN-2.M
ERT-4.B
STB-4.H
STB-2.B
STB-3.F
STB-4.A
ERT-4.B
ERT-4.B
ERT-4.B
ENG-3.C
STB-1.B
17
18
D
C
7.A
7.A
19
20
21
22
A
B
C
B
23
24
25
C
C
B
6.C
1.C
2.A
6.A
6.B
7.C
1.B
1.C
STB-2.F
STB-4.D
STB-2.A
ENG-1.C
ERT-1.A
EIN-2.B
ERT-3.F
26
27
28
29
D
D
A
C
5.A
5.C
7.D
3.A
30
31
32
33
34
B
A
B
B
C
3.B
4.C
1.A
2.B
1.A
102 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
ENG-3.G
EIN-1.A
ERT-2.F
ERT-1.C
EIN-2.N
EIN-2.N
ENG-3.T
STB-4.E
ERT-1.D
STB-4.F
STB-4.F
ERT-4.A
ENG-1.D
STB-2.A
Topic
Terrestrial Biomes
Terrestrial Biomes
Terrestrial Biomes
Hydroelectric Power
Nuclear Power
Impacts of Urbanization
Soil Formation and Erosion
Ocean Acidification
Photochemical Smog
Eutrophication
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
Soil Formation and Erosion
Soil Formation and Erosion
Soil Formation and Erosion
Fuel Types and Uses
Methods to Reduce Urban
Runoff
Indoor Air Pollutants
The Greenhouse Effect
Introduction to Air Pollution
Energy Flow and the 10% Rule
Introduction to Ecosystems
Clear Cutting
Population Growth and
Resource Availability
Nuclear Power
Age Structure Diagrams
Ecological Tolerance
Aquatic Biomes
Ecological Footprints
Ecological Footprints
Energy Conservation
Global Climate Change
The Carbon Cycle
Global Climate Change
Global Climate Change
Plate Tectonics
Food Chains and Food Webs
Introduction to Air Pollution
Multiple-Choice Answer Skill Learning
Question
Objective
35
36
C
B
7.C
1.A
ENG-3.M
STB-2.D
37
B
2.C
ENG-3.D
EIN-2.K
38
39
40
41
B
A
D
D
4.A
1.C
6.C
1.C
42
43
44
45
46
C
C
A
C
A
7.B
5.B
6.C
5.A
1.B
ERT-2.F
ENG-2.B
STB-4.F
ERT-2.H:
ERT-2.F
STB-4.H
STB-4.F
STB-4.F
STB-4.F
ERT-4.C
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
C
B
C
C
C
C
A
5.C
1.C
1.C
1.C
5.A
5.C
5.E
EIN-2.C
ERT-2.I
ENG-3.J
ERT-2.H
ERT-3.D
ERT-3.B
ERT-3.F
54
55
56
D
C
A
6.C
1.A
5.E
57
C
58
59
60
61
D
B
C
A
1.A
7.A
3.A
3.B
3.C
7.B
STB-2.A
STB-4.H
EIN-3.A
EIN-3.B
EIN-3.C
62
D
1.C
ERT-3.A
63
64
65
C
C
D
1.B
5.C
7.C
ENG-3.J
ENG-3.H
ENG-3.I
STB-2.A
STB-4.G
EIN-2.M
STB-4.G
STB-1.B
Topic
Hydroelectric Power
Atmospheric CO2 and
Particulates
Distribution of Natural Energy
Resources
Impacts of Mining
Ecological Tolerance
Earth’s Geography and Climate
Global Climate Change
Adaptations
Ecological Tolerance
Ocean Acidification
Global Climate Change
Global Climate Change
Global Climate Change
Soil Composition and
Properties
The Green Revolution
Ecological Succession
Solar Energy
Adaptations
Carrying Capacity
K-Selected r-Selected Species
Population Growth and
Resource Availability
Introduction to Air Pollution
Ocean Acidification
Dose Response Curve
Dose Response Curve
Pollution and Human Health
Ocean Warming
Impacts of Urbanization
Ocean Warming
Methods to Reduce Urban
Runoff
Generalist and Specialist
Species
Solar Energy
Nuclear Power
Energy from Biomass
Introduction to Air Pollution
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
103
Multiple-Choice Answer Skill Learning
Question
Objective
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
B
C
D
D
C
D
D
73
74
75
76
A
A
D
D
1.B
2.B
2.B
2.C
1.B
6.A
7.A
1.C
6.C
7.D
5.A
5.C
77
A
7.C
78
B
1.C
79
B
1.C
80
B
1.A
104 AP Environmental Science Practice Exam
Topic
ERT-3.D
ENG-2.B
ENG-2.C
STB-4.F
STB-2.B
ENG-3.T
EIN-2.M
Carrying Capacity
Earth’s Geography and Climate
El Niño and La Niña
Global Climate Change
Photochemical Smog
Energy Conservation
Impacts of Urbanization
EIN-1.C
STB-3.F
EIN-3.B
EIN-3.B
EIN-3.C
EIN-2.G
STB-3.J
Human Population Dynamics
Eutrophication
Dose Response Curve
Dose Response Curve
Pollution and Human Health
Pest Control Methods
Bioaccumulation and
Biomagnification
Introduction to Biodiversity
Carrying Capacity
Global Energy Consumption
Fuel Types and Uses
Photochemical Smog
ERT-2.A
ERT-3.D
ENG-3.D
ENG-3.C
STB-2.B