AP Environmental Science FRQ Room

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AP Environmental Science Free Response Questions

The best way to get better at FRQs is practice. Browse through dozens of practice AP Environmental Science FRQs to get ready for the big day.

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  • Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems (22)
  • Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity (23)
  • Unit 3: Populations (26)
  • Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources (26)
  • Unit 5: Land and Water Use (30)
  • Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption (20)
  • Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution (47)
  • Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution (25)
  • Unit 9: Global Change (31)
Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems

Altered Nitrogen Cycle in Agricultural Landscapes

In an agricultural region with heavy use of nitrogen fertilizers, a study recorded rising soil nitra

Medium

Assessing Nitrogen Fertilizer Impact on Ecosystems

Intensive agriculture in a watershed has led to doubling the available fixed nitrogen. A graph is pr

Extreme

Carbon Cycle Processes

Examine the processes that constitute the carbon cycle and evaluate the impact of human activities o

Medium

Carbon Sequestration in Forest Ecosystems

Researchers are comparing net carbon uptake in two forest ecosystems over a 120-day growing season:

Hard

Comparative Analysis of Coral Reef and Tropical Rainforest Ecosystems

Coral reefs and tropical rainforests are both highly productive but differ greatly in structure and

Medium

Comparing Productivity of Forest Biomes

Data in the following table shows the Net Primary Production (NPP) in grams per square meter per yea

Medium

Ecosystem Dynamics: Limiting Factors and Niches

Researchers conducted a field study in a small forest ecosystem. They collected data from several pl

Medium

Ecosystem Interactions and Niche Differentiation

A field study in a temperate forest examines two rodent species – a generalist and a specialist. The

Medium

Evaluating Ecosystem Services of Riparian Zones

Design an experimental study to quantify the benefits of riparian vegetation on water quality. Your

Easy

Generalists vs. Specialists in Ecological Niches

Discuss the differences between generalist and specialist species regarding their ecological niches

Easy

Groundwater Depletion and Aquifer Recharge

Long‐term groundwater extraction can lead to significant declines in aquifer water levels. Answer th

Hard

Impact of Climate Change on Alpine Tundra Species Distribution

A longitudinal study tracked species abundance at several elevational bands in an alpine tundra over

Hard

Land Use Change and Ecosystem Water Dynamics

A study comparing deforested regions with nearby intact forests shows significant differences in wat

Hard

Nitrogen Cycle Alterations and Ecosystem Effects

This question investigates the nitrogen cycle and the impact of increased anthropogenic nitrogen inp

Medium

Nitrogen Cycle Alterations Due to Agriculture

Intensive agriculture increases the input of fixed nitrogen into nearby water bodies. A table accomp

Hard

Nitrogen Cycling and Fertilizer Impact

Nitrogen is a critical nutrient in ecosystems and its cycle can be significantly altered by human ac

Medium

Nutrient Enrichment and Eutrophication in Aquatic Systems

Researchers studied the relationship between nutrient concentration and algal bloom intensity in a f

Medium

Nutrient Filtering Capacity in Simulated Wetlands

A researcher creates mesocosms designed to mimic wetland environments in order to study their capaci

Medium

Photosynthesis Rate Under Different Water Turbidity Levels

A laboratory experiment was conducted to examine how water turbidity affects the photosynthetic rate

Medium

Temperature Effects on Soil Respiration

A researcher is studying how soil respiration (the production of CO₂ through microbial decomposition

Medium

Trophic Cascades and Food Web Dynamics

In a forest ecosystem, a sudden change in the population of a keystone predator has been observed. T

Hard

Trophic Energy Transfer in a Forest Ecosystem

A study of a forest ecosystem provided the following measurements of energy (in kJ/m²/day) available

Easy
Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

Adaptations: Behavioral, Physiological, and Structural

Species adopt various adaptations to survive in different environments. Compare and contrast behavio

Easy

Analyzing Population Bottlenecks on Genetic Variability

Population bottlenecks can drastically reduce genetic variability and threaten long-term species via

Hard

Assessing Species Richness and Ecosystem Stability

Researchers conducted an experiment in a tropical forest by designating 10 one-hectare plots with va

Easy

Assessing the Impact of Urbanization on Air Quality and Indicator Species

Urban air pollution can be assessed indirectly by monitoring the health of indicator species such as

Medium

FRQ 1: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience

A researcher investigates the relationships among various factors affecting ecosystem biodiversity a

Medium

Generalists vs. Specialists: Responses to Habitat Loss

Compare how generalist and specialist species respond to habitat loss. Consider both behavioral and

Medium

Impact of Flooding on Ecosystem Stability

After a major flooding event, researchers collected data on the population densities of aquatic plan

Medium

Impact of Flooding on Soil and Plant Health

Flooding can profoundly affect soil conditions and plant survival in an ecosystem. Analyze these imp

Medium

Island Biogeography and Biodiversity

This question investigates the theory of island biogeography and its influence on species diversity

Medium

Island Biogeography and Species Richness

This FRQ investigates the principles of island biogeography and their influence on species richness.

Hard

Keystone and Indicator Species Roles in Ecosystems

The table below lists several species along with their roles and sensitivity indicators. Answer the

Easy

Keystone Species and Ecosystem Stability

A graph showing ecosystem species diversity over time was generated for two scenarios: one where a k

Hard

Levels of Biodiversity: Genetic, Species, and Ecosystem

Biodiversity exists at multiple levels. Explain how genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity are in

Easy

Natural Disruptions and Ecosystem Recovery

Analyze how different natural disruptions (flooding, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires) impact ecosy

Medium

Natural Disruptions and Ecosystem Stability

This question explores the ecological impacts of natural disruptions such as flooding, volcanic erup

Medium

Overfishing and Trophic Cascades

Overfishing disrupts marine ecosystems by reducing the biomass of key species. The logistic growth m

Medium

Population Bottleneck Analysis

A population of a species experienced a drastic reduction due to an environmental catastrophe. A gra

Hard

Population Bottleneck and Genetic Diversity Analysis

A catastrophic event causes a population bottleneck in a species resulting in altered allele frequen

Hard

Responses of Organisms to Environmental Stress

This question examines how organisms respond to environmental stress through various adaptive mechan

Medium

Role of a Keystone Species in Ecosystem Function

In a controlled mesocosm study, ecologists removed a species thought to be a keystone from a freshwa

Medium

Short-term vs. Long-term Adaptations

A study monitored trait changes in a species over two distinct time periods following environmental

Medium

Species Richness and Environmental Heterogeneity

This question involves analyzing species richness in relation to environmental heterogeneity using p

Medium

Wildfire Effects on Soil Nutrient Recovery

After a wildfire, the nutrient concentration in soil begins to recover over time. It is modeled by t

Medium
Unit 3: Populations

Analyzing Carrying Capacity Fluctuations

Explore the concept of carrying capacity and interpret the fluctuations depicted in the provided gra

Hard

Analyzing Global Fertility Trends and Policy Implications

Consider the following table presenting Total Fertility Rates (TFR) for various world regions. Answe

Medium

Analyzing Survivorship Curves

The following graph represents three types of survivorship curves from different species. Using the

Hard

Biotic Potential Analysis

Analyze the concept of biotic potential and its relation to environmental resistance by evaluating t

Medium

Calculating Doubling Time Using the Rule of 70

A biologist is studying a bacterial culture that grows rapidly. Answer the following:

Easy

Calculating Population Density

Utilize the provided data to calculate the population density of a species and discuss the ecologica

Easy

Carrying Capacity and Environmental Constraints

Analyze a graph showing fluctuations in population size around the carrying capacity of an environme

Medium

Climate Change and Population Dynamics

Analyze how global climate change can influence population dynamics and assess its impact on environ

Hard

Demographic Transition Model Analysis

Discuss the demographic transition model and analyze its implications for future population trends a

Medium

Demographic Transition Model Analysis

Analyze the demographic transition model and apply it to a hypothetical country's data.

Hard

Density-Dependent vs Density-Independent Factors

Examine how density-dependent and density-independent factors influence populations, particularly in

Hard

Evaluating the Role of Limiting Factors in Population Regulation

Discuss the concept of limiting factors and evaluate how density-dependent and density-independent f

Extreme

FRQ 1: Evaluating Algal Growth Under Variable Nutrient Conditions

An experiment was designed to investigate algal growth under different nutrient conditions. In this

Easy

FRQ 6: Analyzing Age-Structure Diagrams and Their Implications for Population Growth

A demographer provided data for three countries showing the distribution of age groups in their popu

Medium

FRQ 15: Analyzing Tree Survivorship Under Controlled Irrigation

An ecologist set up experimental forest plots to study tree survivorship over a period of five years

Medium

FRQ 15: Specialist Species and Extinction Risk

This question probes the relationship between specialized ecological niches and extinction risk thro

Medium

FRQ 16: Population Dispersal Patterns and Resource Distribution

A field study observed the dispersal patterns of organisms in three different plots. The following t

Easy

FRQ 20: Response to Environmental Constraints: Species Distribution Analysis

In a biogeographical study, two species (Alpha and Beta) were compared based on environmental tolera

Extreme

Generalists vs Specialists in Variable Environments

Discuss how the adaptations of generalist and specialist species affect their ability to cope with r

Medium

Global Total Fertility Rate (TFR) Analysis

Examine the concept of total fertility rate and analyze its variation across different countries.

Medium

Human Population Dynamics Through Historical Surges

Trace the major surges in human population growth through history, highlighting the primary technolo

Hard

Interpreting Total Fertility Rate (TFR) Data

Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is an important demographic indicator. Use the table provided below to an

Medium

Investigating Limiting Factors in Aquatic Ecosystems

Researchers have observed a decline in a fish population in a lake. They hypothesize that certain li

Medium

K-Selected and R-Selected Species Analysis

This question examines the contrasting life-history strategies of r-selected and K-selected species

Medium

Modeling Population Growth with Mathematical Equations

Using provided data, model the growth of a population mathematically and interpret the results in an

Medium

Urbanization and Demographic Change

Urbanization significantly influences demographic factors such as fertility rates and age structure.

Hard
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

Atmospheric Convection and Weather Patterns

Examine how atmospheric convection contributes to weather phenomena. Refer to the provided diagram s

Easy

CO2 Levels and Plant Growth

A recent report claims that rising atmospheric CO2 levels boost plant growth regardless of other env

Medium

Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics Analysis

Examine the evidence for continental drift and plate tectonics. The table provided summarizes severa

Easy

Correlation between Water Vapor and Weather Patterns

The table below summarizes average relative humidity and monthly rainfall for different regions: |

Medium

FRQ 3: Effect of Organic Matter on Soil Formation

Researchers seek to understand how the addition of organic matter affects soil formation rates. In a

Medium

FRQ 10: Land and Sea Breeze Temperature Study

An environmental scientist seeks to understand the formation of land and sea breezes by measuring te

Easy

FRQ 18: Soil pH and Nitrogen Availability

An agronomist is studying how soil pH affects the availability of nitrogen for plant uptake. Soil sa

Medium

FRQ 19: Upwelling and Coastal Productivity

Marine biologists are investigating how upwelling affects the primary productivity of coastal waters

Hard

Global Warming and its Effects on Coral Reefs

Rising ocean temperatures due to global warming are threatening coral reef ecosystems. Analyze the i

Extreme

Global Wind Patterns: Analyzing the Coriolis Effect

The lateral deflection of wind due to the Coriolis effect can be estimated using the formula: $$d =

Medium

Greenhouse Effect: Radiative Forcing due to CO₂ Increase

The radiative forcing due to changes in CO₂ concentration can be approximated by the formula: $$\Del

Medium

Greenhouse Gases and Earth's Atmosphere

This question evaluates your knowledge of atmospheric composition and the role of greenhouse gases.

Easy

Human Impacts: Soil Erosion and Sustainable Practices

Discuss how modern agricultural practices contribute to soil erosion and propose sustainable managem

Easy

Impact of Deforestation on Watershed Hydrology

Deforestation can profoundly alter watershed hydrology, leading to increased flooding and soil erosi

Easy

Impact of Organic Matter on Soil Nutrient-Holding Capacity

Design an experimental study to test the effect of organic matter (humus) on the nutrient-holding ca

Medium

Land and Water Use: Agricultural Impacts on Water Quality

Different land use practices affect nutrient runoff into nearby water bodies. The table below provid

Medium

Monsoon Strength and Rainfall Measurement Experiment

An environmental researcher set out to quantify monsoon wind strength and its correlation with rainf

Hard

Mountain Formation at Plate Boundaries

Using the example of the Cascade Mountain Range, this question requires you to explain mountain buil

Hard

Seafloor Spreading and Mid-Ocean Ridge Activity Analysis

A marine geologist collects magnetic data along a mid-ocean ridge, resulting in a graph of rock age

Medium

Soil Composition and Crop Suitability

A soil analysis at a particular field shows the following approximate composition: Gravel 20%, Sand

Easy

Soil Food Web Interactions and Nutrient Cycling

A soil ecosystem study details various organisms and their functions in nutrient cycling. The table

Medium

Soil Nutrient Holding Capacity Experiment

A researcher aimed to determine the nutrient-holding capacity of various soil types by mixing measur

Medium

Solar Radiation and Seasonal Temperature Variation

A hypothesis claims that the tilt of Earth's axis is the only factor causing seasonal variations in

Medium

Urbanization Impact on Localized Precipitation Experiment

An environmental scientist designed an experiment to assess the influence of urbanization on localiz

Hard

Watershed Management: Calculating Nutrient Runoff

Nutrient runoff from a watershed can be estimated by the equation $$L = C * Q$$, where $$C$$ is the

Medium

Wind Speed and Pressure Gradient Analysis

Wind patterns are driven by pressure gradients and modified by the Coriolis force. Analyze the relat

Hard
Unit 5: Land and Water Use

Agricultural Practices and Soil Degradation

This question examines the role of agricultural practices in soil erosion and degradation, including

Easy

Agricultural Revolution: Crop Yield Increase

During the Second Agricultural Revolution, technological improvements led to higher crop yields. Con

Easy

Assessing Ecological Footprint Dynamics in Urban Areas

A researcher compares the ecological footprint (expressed in global hectares per person) of high-den

Medium

CAFOs Impact on Water Quality Diagram Analysis

Examine the provided diagram depicting how waste from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

Hard

Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources

This question addresses how climate change affects water availability and quality, and asks you to p

Medium

Comparative Analysis of Drip and Flood Irrigation Diagrams

Examine the diagrams comparing drip irrigation and flood irrigation methods. Your response should (a

Easy

Comparing Tillage vs. No-till Agriculture on Soil Health

The table below compares soil organic matter and erosion rates between conventional tillage and no-t

Easy

Ecological Footprint and Resource Use

A researcher aims to quantify the ecological footprint of a city using the IPAT formula $$I = P \tim

Hard

Environmental Effects of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

Examine the environmental challenges posed by Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), partic

Hard

Environmental Impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

Studies claim that CAFOs contribute significantly to water pollution through nutrient runoff. Evalua

Medium

Evaluating Genetic Engineering's Impact on Crop Yields

A plant biologist evaluates a genetically modified (GM) crop designed for enhanced insect resistance

Medium

Experiment Analysis: Integrated Pest Management Versus Conventional Pesticide Use

An experiment was designed to compare the effectiveness of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with con

Medium

Experiment Analysis: Pesticide Resistance Evolution in Controlled Habitats

In a laboratory experiment designed to study pesticide resistance, researchers maintained a pest pop

Hard

Fossil Fuel Consumption, CO2 Levels, and Climate Change

This question explores the link between fossil fuel consumption and rising atmospheric CO2 levels. Y

Medium

Impact of Clear-Cutting on Forest Ecosystems

A researcher studies the environmental effects of clear-cutting on forest ecosystems. The study exam

Hard

Impact of Irrigation on Soil Salinization

An irrigated field experiences salinization, accumulating 0.5 kg of salt per m² during each rainfall

Medium

Impacts of Timber Harvesting on Biodiversity and Fragmentation

The table below compares the effects of different timber harvesting strategies on forest biodiversit

Medium

Investigating Mechanized Farming and Energy Efficiency

A study compares mechanized farming with traditional practices to determine their energy efficiency.

Medium

IPAT Equation and Sustainability Trade-offs

The table below lists three communities along with their population (P), affluence (A, in dollars/pe

Hard

Mining Methods and Environmental Consequences

Evaluate various mining techniques and analyze their environmental impacts with a focus on remediati

Extreme

Mining: Land Disturbance and Environmental Consequences

Assess the environmental impacts of mining by quantifying land disturbance and discussing related ec

Easy

Overfishing: Trends and Sustainable Quotas

Assess the long-term impacts of overfishing on fish stocks using trend analysis, and propose sustain

Medium

Overgrazing and Soil Degradation

It is claimed that overgrazing leads to accelerated soil degradation and can eventually contribute t

Medium

Pesticide Effects on Non-target Species

The use of certain pesticides is claimed to cause declines in non-target organism populations. Evalu

Hard

Soil Erosion from Slash-and-Burn Agriculture

Slash-and-burn agriculture is criticized for accelerating soil erosion and diminishing soil fertilit

Hard

The Impact of Invasive Species on Biodiversity

An invasive plant species has recently been introduced into a native grassland ecosystem, where it i

Medium

Tragedy of the Commons: Overexploitation Analysis

Analyze how unsustainable exploitation of shared resources can lead to environmental degradation, wi

Medium

Urban Runoff and Water Quality Improvement

Quantify improvements in water quality following urban runoff remediation and evaluate urban design

Easy

Urban Sprawl versus Smart Growth

Examine the contrasting urban development models: urban sprawl and smart growth.

Medium

Urbanization and Its Environmental Trade-offs

Examine the benefits and drawbacks of urbanization, focusing on urban runoff and water quality.

Medium
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

Comparative Analysis of Thermal and Nuclear Energy

A government agency is evaluating the merits of generating energy via combustion of fossil fuels (th

Extreme

Economic Analysis of Domestic Energy Production

Analyze the economic principles underlying domestic energy production, focusing on supply and demand

Hard

Economic and Environmental Analysis of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuel markets are influenced by both economic principles and environmental considerations. Exa

Extreme

Energy Unit Conversions in Environmental Engineering

Perform unit conversions to compare energy outputs and understand the different systems used to meas

Easy

Experimental Design: Measuring Efficiency of Cogeneration Plants

Review the schematic of a cogeneration (combined heat and power) plant. Answer the following:

Hard

Fuel Type Comparison: Renewable vs Nonrenewable

A policymaker is comparing various fuel types to determine their long‐term sustainability and enviro

Medium

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Production

Evaluate the impact of different energy production methods on greenhouse gas emissions and propose s

Medium

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Catalyst Experiment

Design an experiment to determine how the type of catalyst used in a hydrogen fuel cell affects its

Medium

Hydrogen Fuel Cells Performance Analysis

Hydrogen fuel cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy through chemical reactions. Using

Hard

Life Cycle Analysis of Energy Production Methods

This question engages you in a life cycle analysis (LCA) of different energy production methods, foc

Extreme

Long-Term Energy Resource Sustainability Model Experiment

A comprehensive computer simulation evaluates the long-term sustainability of various energy resourc

Extreme

Nuclear Fission Chain Reactions and Energy Output

This question examines the nuclear fission process, the concept of half-life, and the associated ris

Hard

Nuclear Fission Energy Release Calculation

When a nucleus of U-235 undergoes fission, approximately 200 MeV of energy is released per event. Gi

Hard

Nuclear Power and Safety

Nuclear power plants operate on the principle of nuclear fission but come with unique safety challen

Hard

Overall Efficiency of Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation

Electricity generation from fossil fuels involves multiple stages with the following efficiencies: f

Extreme

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy Sources

This question examines the differences between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and evaluat

Medium

Solar Thermal Collector Efficiency Analysis

A solar thermal collector with an area of 10 m² receives solar irradiance of 800 W/m² and operates a

Medium

Thermodynamics in Fluidized-Bed Combustion Systems

Analyze the role of thermodynamics in fluidized-bed combustion systems and discuss how these systems

Extreme

Wind Energy: Turbine Efficiency and Environmental Impact

Wind energy is one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources. Analyze wind turbine operation,

Medium

Wind Turbine Performance Variability

A wind turbine's energy output was recorded at various wind speeds. A graph is provided to illustrat

Medium
Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

Acid Deposition: Forest Impact Study

Researchers performed an experiment in a forest where plots were either treated with simulated acid

Hard

Acid Rain and Soil pH Effects

Design an experiment to evaluate the effects of acid rain deposition on soil pH levels and nutrient

Medium

Air Pollutants: Industrial Smog and Particulate Matter

Examine the formation process of industrial smog and the behavior of particulate matter in the atmos

Medium

Air Pollution and Urban Heat Islands

A study investigates the relationship between urban heat islands and air pollutant concentrations. A

Medium

Air Quality Trends in Urban Area

A researcher collects data on PM2.5 concentrations over a week from an urban monitoring station. The

Easy

Analyzing Photochemical Smog Formation

A researcher monitors nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations throughout the day in an urban area affe

Medium

Assessing Effectiveness of Government Policies on Air Quality Improvement

A retrospective study evaluated air quality data collected over a 10-year period before and after th

Medium

Assessing the Impact of Air Pollutants on Human Respiratory Health

Air pollutants such as particulate matter and ozone have significant effects on respiratory health.

Medium

Assessment of Asbestos Fiber Release in Indoor Environments

A laboratory experiment was designed to assess the release of asbestos fibers from building material

Easy

Assessment of Pollution Reduction Policies

Government policies and technological innovations play crucial roles in reducing air pollution. Cons

Easy

Carbon Monoxide Sources and Controls

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a common pollutant resulting from incomplete combustion. Identify the primar

Easy

Carbon Monoxide: Sources, Reactions, and Remediation

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous air pollutant resulting from incomplete combustion. This questio

Medium

Catalytic Converter Reaction Efficiency Calculation

Catalytic converters reduce harmful emissions in vehicles. (a) Using the equation $$CO_{out} = CO_{i

Easy

Comparing Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution Dynamics

Indoor and outdoor air pollution have distinct sources and characteristics. Compare these two types

Medium

Comparing Point Source and Non-point Source Pollution

Understanding the differences between point source and non-point source pollution is crucial for eff

Medium

Comparison of Point vs Non-Point Source Pollutant Dispersion

A research team uses a grid of sensors to measure the spatial distribution of a specific pollutant i

Hard

Comprehensive Air Pollution Mitigation Strategy Analysis

Develop an integrated plan to reduce air pollution that combines technological, legislative, and beh

Extreme

Designing an Experiment to Test Indoor Air Pollution Remediation Methods

Indoor air pollution can pose serious health risks. Considering pollutants such as formaldehyde, rad

Hard

Effects of VOCs in Indoor Environments

A building manager conducts a study of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a newly built office bui

Medium

Evaluating Photochemical Smog Formation

A simulated urban environment is used to study photochemical smog formation with hourly measurements

Extreme

Formation of Industrial Smog: Sulfur Dynamics Experiment

In this experiment, a researcher simulates the formation of industrial smog by burning a controlled

Medium

Impact Assessment of Catalytic Converters on Vehicle Emissions

Catalytic converters can greatly reduce harmful vehicle emissions. Use the table below to analyze th

Easy

Impact of Acid Deposition on Aquatic Ecosystems

Acid deposition from atmospheric pollutants can significantly alter aquatic ecosystems. Evaluate thi

Medium

Impact of Nitrogen Oxides on Ozone Formation

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) play a significant role in the formation of tropospheric ozone. Use your knowl

Medium

Impact of Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PANs) on Agriculture

A study investigates the influence of peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs) on agricultural crop yields. The ta

Hard

Impact of Renewable Energy on Local Air Quality

Design an experiment to assess the impact of transitioning to renewable energy sources on local air

Easy

Indoor Air Pollutants and Remediation Strategies

A commercial office building is experiencing reduced air quality, with occupants reporting symptoms

Medium

Indoor Air Quality: ‘Sick Building Syndrome’

Investigate the factors contributing to sick building syndrome (SBS) and evaluate the effectiveness

Medium

Integrated Assessment of Air Pollutants and Climate Change

Air pollutants not only affect human health but also contribute to climate change. Analyze the provi

Extreme

Investigating Ozone Formation in Urban Settings

A researcher studies ozone formation by exposing a mixture of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic c

Medium

Linking Urban Heat Islands to Pollution Concentrations

Urban heat islands can exacerbate air pollution problems. A graph is provided that shows modeled tem

Hard

Measuring Carbon Monoxide Emissions in Enclosed Chamber

An experiment is set up to measure carbon monoxide (CO) levels produced by the partial oxidation of

Easy

Noise Pollution and Urban Health Study

In a study conducted in various urban neighborhoods, researchers measured ambient noise levels and s

Easy

Noise Pollution from Transportation

This question addresses noise pollution from urban transportation and involves both calculations and

Hard

Photochemical Smog Formation Analysis

Photochemical smog formation involves a series of reactions influenced by sunlight and pollutant con

Hard

Photochemical Smog Formation Dynamics

A graph displays the formation of photochemical smog by tracking NO2 and O3 concentrations over the

Medium

Photochemical Smog: Formation, Components, and Timing

A city's environmental department is studying photochemical smog to better understand its formation

Hard

Policy Approaches to Reducing PMx Levels

Particulate matter (PMx) has significant environmental and health impacts. Answer the following: (a

Extreme

Reduction Strategies for Urban Air Pollution

This question examines various strategies for reducing air pollution in urban areas and their multi-

Medium

Remediation Strategies for Air Quality Improvement

Facing worsening air quality, a large city is considering an array of interventions ranging from tec

Hard

Sulfur Dioxide: Emissions and Air Quality Control

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is a major atmospheric pollutant from fossil fuel combustion. Answer the follow

Hard

Thermal Inversion and Air Pollution Concentration

This question examines the effect of thermal inversions on pollutant concentration in urban environm

Hard

Thermal Inversions and Air Pollution Accumulation

Thermal inversions can trap pollutants near the ground, exacerbating air quality issues in urban env

Medium

Thermal Inversions and Pollutant Trapping

Thermal inversions can trap pollutants near the ground, exacerbating air quality issues. A table bel

Medium

Thermal Inversions and Weather-Driven Pollution

Thermal inversions can trap pollutants near the Earth's surface, affecting air quality. Evaluate the

Medium

Urban Heat Islands and Air Pollutant Concentrations

Urban heat islands (UHIs) can influence air quality. Consider the following data, which shows urban

Hard

Volcanic Organic Compounds and Indoor Air Quality

Investigate the characteristics of volcanic organic compounds (VOCs) and their impact on indoor air

Medium
Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

Assessing the Efficiency of Drinking Water Treatments

Drinking water treatment processes are critical to reducing harmful contaminants. This question invo

Medium

Assessing the Efficiency of Water Treatment Methods

This FRQ examines the performance of water treatment methods in reducing bacterial contamination.

Easy

Assessing Water Quality Changes Due to Endocrine Disruptors

Endocrine disruptors in water can affect the development of aquatic organisms. Design an experiment

Hard

Assessment of Endocrine Disruptors in Municipal Water

This FRQ examines the monitoring and treatment efficiency for endocrine disruptors, specifically bis

Medium

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification in Terrestrial Food Chains

This FRQ investigates the processes of bioaccumulation and biomagnification within terrestrial food

Extreme

Comparative Analysis of Waste Solutions and Global Waste Trade

Evaluate global waste management practices by analyzing data on waste exports and recycling rates, a

Extreme

Comparison of Hazardous Waste Isolation Techniques

This FRQ requires a detailed analysis of methods used to isolate hazardous wastes. Address the follo

Extreme

Drinking Water Treatment Processes

A water treatment researcher is comparing different methods used in drinking water treatment. Answer

Easy

Effects of Temperature on Dissolved Oxygen in Aquatic Environments

Investigate how changes in water temperature affect dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in aquatic environm

Medium

Evaluating Drinking Water Treatment Methods

A municipal study compared various drinking water treatment methods based on their removal efficienc

Hard

Evaluating Water Treatment Processes: Filtration and Flocculation Sedimentation

A municipal water treatment facility uses a combination of filtration and flocculation sedimentation

Hard

FRQ15: Urban Stormwater and Pollutant Transport

Analyze the data from various storm events to understand urban stormwater pollutant transport. Use t

Medium

Impact of Oil Spills on Marine Ecosystems

This FRQ examines the ecological consequences of oil spills using both data analysis and quantitativ

Hard

Influence of pH on Water Quality and Heavy Metal Mobility

This question explores how water pH influences the solubility of heavy metals and overall water qual

Medium

Investigating Cultural Eutrophication and its Effects

A study measured nutrient levels, algal bloom intensity (on a scale from 1 to 10), and dissolved oxy

Easy

Measurement of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in Polluted Water

A laboratory experiment is conducted to measure the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of water samples

Medium

Mechanisms of Bioaccumulation in a Food Web

A researcher studies an aquatic food chain consisting of algae, small fish, and large fish to invest

Hard

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Environmental Contamination

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) pose serious risks due to their durability, bioaccumulation, an

Hard

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Transport and Accumulation

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that remain in the environment for extended perio

Extreme

Persistent Organic Pollutants and Bioaccumulation

This FRQ addresses the environmental persistence of organic pollutants (POPs) and their tendency to

Medium

Role of Anaerobic Digestion in Waste Management

Anaerobic digestion is a key process in converting organic waste into renewable energy. This questio

Medium

The Impact of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Researchers have collected data on plastic debris concentration and associated toxic chemical levels

Medium

Thermal Pollution and Its Impact on Freshwater Ecosystems

This FRQ examines the causes and consequences of thermal pollution in freshwater ecosystems and expl

Medium

Water Quality Testing and Experimental Design

Evaluate water quality data and design a controlled experiment to test the impact of a specific vari

Medium

Water Quality Testing: Field Assessment

A local environmental agency conducted field tests on a nearby lake to assess its water quality. The

Medium
Unit 9: Global Change

Adaptation Strategies in Response to Environmental Change

This question explores biological strategies such as adaptation and acclimatization in response to e

Medium

Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector

Different sectors contribute variably to global greenhouse gas emissions. The table provided summari

Hard

Analysis of Thermal Expansion and Sea Level Rise

Researchers conduct an experiment to measure the thermal expansion of water, simulating ocean warmin

Medium

Assessing Energy Supply and its Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

This question explores the significant impact of fossil fuel combustion for energy supply on greenho

Medium

Biodiversity Loss: Invasive Species Impact on Ecosystems

This question deals with the impact invasive species can have on native biodiversity and ecosystem s

Hard

CO2 Absorption by a Model Forest Ecosystem

A researcher creates a controlled model forest using potted trees inside a greenhouse to measure the

Hard

Comparative Analysis of Energy Sources

Using comparative data, analyze the trade-offs between fossil fuel and renewable energy sources in t

Medium

Conservation Strategies for Endangered Species

Analyze the effectiveness of various conservation strategies in protecting endangered species.

Medium

Deforestation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Deforestation significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. Examine the relationship

Medium

Economic Incentives for Biodiversity Conservation

Discuss the role of economic incentives in promoting the conservation of biodiversity and endangered

Easy

Evaluating Strategies to Protect the Ozone Layer

This question asks you to evaluate the effectiveness of various regulatory and market-based strategi

Easy

Experimental Design for Controlling Invasive Species

A researcher aims to control the spread of water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant, by testing var

Hard

Graphical Analysis of Thermal Expansion

A graph illustrates the relationship between time (in years) and sea temperature as a proxy for ther

Medium

Greenhouse Gas Atmospheric Concentration Trends Analysis

This question involves analyzing trends in atmospheric $$CO_2$$ concentrations and designing an expe

Medium

Habitat Restoration and Endangered Bird Nesting Success

A researcher assesses the impact of habitat restoration on the nesting success of an endangered bird

Medium

Halocarbon Effects on Stratospheric Ozone: Incomplete Ozone Degradation Account

A researcher simulates the impact of halocarbons on stratospheric ozone by exposing an ozone-rich ga

Hard

Health Impacts of Ozone Depletion

This question looks at the health implications of ozone depletion due to increased UV exposure.

Medium

Impact of International Environmental Protocols on Atmospheric Chemistry

International protocols such as the Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement have been

Medium

Impact of Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems

Investigate the process of ocean acidification and its effects on marine ecosystems. Explain the che

Medium

Investigating the Effects of Global Warming on Weather Patterns

Analyze how global temperature increases influence weather patterns, particularly storm frequency an

Hard

Ocean Acidification and Marine Ecosystem Impacts

Investigate the process of ocean acidification and its effects on marine organisms.

Medium

Ozone Formation Experiment with Incorrect UV Source

A researcher performs an experiment to simulate the formation of stratospheric ozone by exposing an

Easy

Pollinator Exclusion and Crop Yield Experiment

A researcher designs an experiment to assess the role of insect pollinators on crop yield by erectin

Medium

Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Energy Production

This question examines the calculation of CO₂ emissions from a coal-fired power plant and involves a

Medium

Regional Variations in Global Warming

Analyze why polar regions are experiencing faster warming compared to the global average.

Hard

Renewable Energy and CO₂ Reduction Analysis

This question involves analyzing the impact of renewable energy adoption on CO₂ emissions and discus

Easy

Statistical Analysis of Environmental Data: Greenhouse Gas Trends

This question requires you to apply statistical methods to analyze trends in greenhouse gas emission

Hard

Stratospheric Ozone Formation and Depletion Mechanisms

In the stratosphere, ozone is continually formed through reactions induced by ultraviolet radiation

Medium

Ultraviolet Radiation and Ozone Formation

This question explores the roles of different types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the formation o

Easy

Understanding the Coupled Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity

Climate change alters habitats and disrupts species interactions. Using a case study provided in the

Hard

UV Radiation Data Analysis

Analyze the relationship between ultraviolet radiation intensity and altitude in the stratosphere an

Hard

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FAQ

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Where can I find practice free response questions for the AP Environmental Science exam?
The free response section of each AP exam varies slightly, so you’ll definitely want to practice that before stepping into that exam room. Here are some free places to find practice FRQs :
  • Of course, make sure to run through College Board's past FRQ questions!
  • Once you’re done with those go through all the questions in the AP Environmental ScienceFree Response Room. You can answer the question and have it grade you against the rubric so you know exactly where to improve.
  • Reddit it also a great place to find AP free response questions that other students may have access to.
How do I practice for AP AP Environmental Science Exam FRQs?
Once you’re done reviewing your study guides, find and bookmark all the free response questions you can find. The question above has some good places to look! while you’re going through them, simulate exam conditions by setting a timer that matches the time allowed on the actual exam. Time management is going to help you answer the FRQs on the real exam concisely when you’re in that time crunch.
What are some tips for AP Environmental Science free response questions?
Before you start writing out your response, take a few minutes to outline the key points you want to make sure to touch on. This may seem like a waste of time, but it’s very helpful in making sure your response effectively addresses all the parts of the question. Once you do your practice free response questions, compare them to scoring guidelines and sample responses to identify areas for improvement. When you do the free response practice on the AP Environmental Science Free Response Room, there’s an option to let it grade your response against the rubric and tell you exactly what you need to study more.
How do I answer AP Environmental Science free-response questions?
Answering AP Environmental Science free response questions the right way is all about practice! As you go through the AP AP Environmental Science Free Response Room, treat it like a real exam and approach it this way so you stay calm during the actual exam. When you first see the question, take some time to process exactly what it’s asking. Make sure to also read through all the sub-parts in the question and re-read the main prompt, making sure to circle and underline any key information. This will help you allocate your time properly and also make sure you are hitting all the parts of the question. Before you answer each question, note down the key points you want to hit and evidence you want to use (where applicable). Once you have the skeleton of your response, writing it out will be quick, plus you won’t make any silly mistake in a rush and forget something important.