2023 APES MCQ: AP Environmental Science Final Exam Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which watershed is expected to experience the greatest fluctuations in water volume due to varying precipitation levels?

Watershed I

Watershed III

Watershed II (correct)

Watershed IV

What is the primary purpose of hydraulic fracturing?

To pulverize the rock to let gas and oil rise through soil horizons

To reopen old mine shafts for gas and oil collection

To create seismic movement and artificial earthquakes

To create cracks in the rock to release gas and oil (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of watershed III?

Highest percentage of impervious surfaces

Excellent water quality due to nutrient abundance

Greatest fluctuations in water volume due to precipitation (correct)

Low dissolved oxygen levels

What is the primary problem affecting stream water quality in watershed I?

Inability of light to penetrate the forest canopy Signup and view all the answers

What is the decay rate of the radioactive substance in the graph above?

21 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of using nuclear power to generate electricity?

None of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which climatograph is most likely to represent a region with frequent fires and dry scrub?

D Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the decrease in electricity production from coal since 2008?

Increasing use of natural gas and renewable energy Signup and view all the answers

Why did the use of nuclear energy increase from 1970 to 2010?

Low cost of constructing nuclear power plants Signup and view all the answers

What is the trend in electricity production from renewable energy since 1970?

It has increased steadily Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a valid reason for the decrease in electricity production from coal?

Low cost of constructing nuclear power plants Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely reason for the difference in growth rates between renewable energy and nuclear energy since 1970?

Federal laws restricting wind farms Signup and view all the answers

What is the predicted outcome of the red pine distribution in the future?

Red pine distribution will shift northward into Canada Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the high number of bird extinctions in the period 1901-2000?

Increased environmental disturbances from human activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of power generation in a fuel cell vehicle?

Hydrogen conversion to electricity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the demographic changes in a country transitioning from a preindustrial to an industrial state?

Rapid population increase, declining birth rate, and decreasing death rate Signup and view all the answers

How many more mammal species became extinct in the period 1901-2000 compared to the period 1801-1900?

45 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy generation in a fuel cell vehicle?

Hydrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the least likely reason for the high number of bird extinctions in the period 1901-2000?

Adaptive radiation produced many new species of birds Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a fuel cell vehicle and a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle?

Method of energy generation Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely outcome of the switching from customary large-scale agricultural practices to no-till cultivation?

Reduced exposure of farmworkers to toxic chemicals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a factor contributing to the high number of bird extinctions in the period 1901-2000?

Widespread glaciation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a fuel cell vehicle?

Has an internal combustion engine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of human activities on tropical forests?

Loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a positive feedback loop in the Arctic due to anthropogenic climate change?

Arctic Ocean ice melts -> ocean surface water temperature increases -> more ice melts Signup and view all the answers

What type of data should the student collect to test the hypothesis about the impact of solar panels on creosote bush?

Mortality rates of creosote bush under shaded and unshaded conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential impact of the solar power plant on the local ecosystem?

Disruption of native plant species and increased mortality Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of collecting experimental data in this study?

To evaluate the environmental impact of the solar power plant on the desert ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying cause of the potential impact of the solar power plant on the creosote bush?

Shade cast by the solar panels and reduced light availability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Watersheds

Precipitation variations affect streams in watershed II the most.
Watershed III has the highest percentage of impervious surfaces.
The water quality of streams in watershed IV is excellent due to an abundance of nutrients.

Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the process of pumping pressurized water with sand and chemicals into boreholes to release gas and oil from rocks.

Radioactive Decay

The graph shows the decay rate of a radioactive substance, which has a half-life closest to 21 seconds.

Nuclear Power

An advantage of using nuclear power to generate electricity is not mentioned in the options.

Climatographs

Environment A is characterized by dry scrub with frequent fires.

Electricity Production

Electricity production from coal began to decrease in 2008 due to the increasing use of natural gas and renewable energy.

Red Pine Trees

Red pine distribution will shift northward into Canada due to environmental changes.

Extinctions

Approximately 45 more mammal species became extinct in the period 1901-2000 than in the period 1801-1900.
Human activities causing environmental disturbances led to the greatest number of bird species extinctions in the period 1901-2000.

Agricultural Practices

Switching to integrated pest management or using cover crops can reduce the exposure of farmworkers and nearby residents to toxic chemicals.

Fuel Cells

Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen to generate electricity that runs the motor.

Demographics

As a country transitions from a preindustrial state to an industrial state, population increases rapidly, birth rate declines, and death rate remains high.

Geographic Regions

Region C is experiencing the largest average annual temperature increase due to anthropogenic climate change.
Fragmentation of tropical forests due to human activities is leading to a significant loss of biodiversity in region E.

Arctic Climate Change

A positive feedback loop in the Arctic associated with anthropogenic climate change is: Arctic Ocean ice melts -> ocean surface water temperature increases -> more ice melts.

Experimental Design

To test the hypothesis that shade from solar panels will increase the mortality of creosote bush, the student should collect experimental data on creosote bush mortality before construction begins.

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Description

Take this AP Environmental Science practice exam to test your knowledge on topics such as climate, electricity production, and environmental systems. This 2023-24 final exam includes multiple-choice questions with answers. Prepare for your APES exam and assess your understanding of environmental science concepts.

AP Environmental Science Final Exam 2023-24

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