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.

  • View all (250)
  • Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems (24)
  • Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity (27)
  • Unit 3: Populations (28)
  • Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources (23)
  • Unit 5: Land and Water Use (21)
  • Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption (24)
  • Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution (52)
  • Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution (30)
  • Unit 9: Global Change (21)
Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems

Aquifer Depletion and Consequences

This question explores the structure and function of aquifers and the consequences of their depletio

Hard

Assessing Nitrogen Fertilizer Impact on Ecosystems

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

Extreme

Biomass and Energy Pyramids in Aquatic vs. Terrestrial Ecosystems

This question examines the structure of biomass and energy pyramids in different ecosystems and expl

Medium

Biomes: Adaptations in Terrestrial Environments

This question investigates how species adapt to extreme terrestrial biomes such as deserts and tundr

Medium

Ecosystem Interactions and Niche Differentiation

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

Medium

Ecosystem Response to Limiting Factors

A researcher is investigating the effect of nitrate concentration on the growth rate of a particular

Medium

Energy Flow in a Terrestrial Ecosystem Microcosm

A researcher constructs a small terrestrial microcosm that includes a primary producer (grass), a pr

Hard

Energy Flow in Food Webs and the 10% Rule

A researcher is investigating the flow of energy through a terrestrial food web. Measurements have b

Easy

Energy Transfer and the 10% Rule in Aquatic Ecosystems

A study in an aquatic ecosystem provides a table summarizing the energy content (in joules) at vario

Medium

Energy Transfer Efficiency in Ecosystems and the 10% Rule

The 10% rule is often used to describe energy transfer between trophic levels. Use the following par

Medium

Eutrophication and Algal Bloom Simulation

A researcher simulates eutrophication by adding controlled amounts of fertilizer to a series of fres

Medium

Evaluating Human Impact on Wetlands

The ecological services provided by wetlands are significantly affected by human activities. The tab

Hard

FRQ 6: Water Quality Trends and Aquifer Depletion Table Analysis

Examine the provided table that displays groundwater levels, pumping rates, and signs of aquifer dep

Medium

FRQ 9: Ecological Niches – Generalists vs. Specialists Diagram Analysis

Examine the provided table comparing traits of generalist and specialist species. Explain how these

Easy

Human Alterations to Nutrient Cycles

Assess how various human activities alter natural nutrient cycles such as carbon, nitrogen, and phos

Extreme

Human Impacts on the Carbon Cycle

Human activities such as deforestation and fossil fuel burning have significantly altered the carbon

Hard

Investigating Phosphorus Runoff Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems

Design an experiment to test the hypothesis that increased phosphate runoff leads to eutrophication

Hard

Nitrogen Cycle Alterations and Ecosystem Effects

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

Medium

Phosphorus Limitation and Crop Yields

Agronomists have investigated how soil phosphorus availability affects crop yields. The table below

Medium

Population Growth and Carrying Capacity in a Woodland Ecosystem

A population of deer in a forest follows logistic growth. The logistic growth model is given by $$P(

Medium

Primary Productivity: GPP vs. NPP

This question focuses on understanding primary productivity in ecosystems by comparing Gross Primary

Easy

Seasonal Turnover and Lake Stratification

A limnologist collected temperature data at various depths in a temperate lake during summer stratif

Medium

Temperature and Water Density: Lake Stratification

Water has its maximum density at 4°C. In a stratified lake, the epilimnion at 20°C has a density of

Medium

Water Cycle and Aquifer Sustainability

Discuss the processes of the water cycle and examine the factors that lead to aquifer depletion in m

Hard
Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

Anthropogenic Impacts on Biodiversity: Analysis and Remediation

This question explores the impact of human activities on biodiversity and requires analysis of a pro

Medium

Climate Change and Species Range Shifts

Climate change is influencing species distributions around the globe. In this context, it is importa

Medium

Comparative Insect Survival under Pesticide Exposure

In an experiment, two populations of insects are exposed to increasing concentrations of pesticides.

Hard

Ecological Succession in a Disturbed Ecosystem

Following a major disturbance, an ecosystem undergoes successional changes. Analyze the progression

Hard

Ecosystem Services Dependency on Biodiversity

The following table lists various ecosystem services and their dependency on biodiversity on a scale

Easy

Effects of Environmental Gradients on Species Abundance (Law of Tolerance)

Examine how environmental gradients influence species abundance and discuss the application of the L

Hard

Evolutionary Adaptation and Natural Selection Over Time

Analyze the process of evolutionary adaptation and natural selection in response to environmental ch

Extreme

Examining Genetic Diversity in a Botanical Garden

A researcher conducted a study in a botanical garden to measure genetic diversity among various plan

Medium

FRQ 4: Ecosystem Services Valuation

A researcher evaluates the ecosystem services provided by different land uses in a region, including

Medium

FRQ 7: Natural Disruptions – Impact on Ecosystems

A study examines how natural disruptions, such as flooding, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions, affec

Easy

Generalists vs. Specialists: Responses to Habitat Loss

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

Medium

Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Biodiversity

Examine the role that anthropogenic activities play in reducing biodiversity and discuss potential r

Medium

Impact of Invasive Plant Species on Local Biodiversity

An ecologist introduced a non-native plant species into a controlled plot to observe its effect on n

Hard

Island Biogeography and Species Diversity

This question explores the principles of island biogeography and how island size and isolation affec

Medium

Island Biogeography and Species Richness

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

Hard

Island Size and Species Richness Relationship

Island biogeography theory suggests a relationship between island area and species richness. A graph

Hard

Keystone Species and Food Web Stability

This question focuses on the role of keystone species in maintaining food web stability and requires

Medium

Natural Disruptions and Ecosystem Stability

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

Medium

Natural Disruptions in Ecosystems

This question examines the ecological impacts of natural disruptions such as flooding, wildfires, an

Hard

Population Bottleneck and Genetic Diversity

A population of organisms underwent a catastrophic bottleneck event, drastically reducing its number

Hard

Specialist vs. Generalist Species Adaptations

This question requires you to compare specialist and generalist species, discussing their adaptation

Medium

Species Richness Dynamics in Successional Communities

Examine the dynamics of species richness during ecological succession.

Medium

Succession Processes in Disturbed Ecosystems: Comparing Primary and Secondary Succession

Compare primary and secondary succession processes in disturbed ecosystems.

Hard

The Role of Keystone Species in Ecosystem Stability

Evaluate the significance of keystone species in maintaining ecosystem stability.

Hard

Tracking Ecological Succession in a Disturbed Forest

Ecological succession records the recovery of plant communities after a disturbance. Design a long-t

Hard

Urbanization Impact on Biodiversity

A study evaluated the impact of urbanization on biodiversity by comparing habitat fragmentation scor

Easy

Wildfire Recovery and Nutrient Cycling

A wildfire drastically affected a forest ecosystem. Over the subsequent years, scientists monitored

Medium
Unit 3: Populations

Analyzing Age-Structure Diagrams in Demographic Studies

Design an experimental study to analyze how variations in birth and death rates influence age-struct

Medium

Analyzing Global Fertility Trends and Policy Implications

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

Medium

Analyzing Human Population Growth Rate and Doubling Time

A demographer compares historical and current human population growth rates. In 1650, the growth rat

Medium

Assessing the Impact of a K-Selected Predator on Prey Population Dynamics

Design an experiment to investigate how a K-selected predator species affects the population dynamic

Medium

Biotic Potential: Factors and Impact

Define biotic potential and environmental resistance, and discuss how various factors interact to re

Easy

Calculating Doubling Time Using the Rule of 70

The Rule of 70 is a useful tool for estimating the doubling time of a population. Answer the followi

Medium

Carrying Capacity and Environmental Constraints

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

Medium

Climate Change and Shifts in Human Population Distribution

Analyze the relationship between climate change and human migration patterns using the provided grap

Extreme

Comparing r-selected and K-selected Reproductive Strategies

Discuss the differences between r-strategists and K-strategists in terms of their reproductive strat

Medium

Comparison of r-Selected and K-Selected Species

Analyze the differences between r-selected and K-selected species using the provided table, and disc

Medium

Density-Dependent vs Density-Independent Limiting Factors

Differentiate between density-dependent and density-independent factors and apply this understanding

Medium

Evaluating Biotic Potential and Environmental Resistance

Assess the roles of biotic potential and environmental resistance in population growth. Use the prov

Medium

Experimental Analysis of r-Strategists vs. K-Strategists

A researcher is studying differences between r-strategist and K-strategist species in fluctuating en

Medium

Feedback Loops in Ecosystem Dynamics

Evaluate the role of feedback loops in maintaining or disrupting ecosystem stability.

Medium

FRQ 5: Evaluating Biotic Potential in Annual Plants Under Fertilizer Treatment

A botanist performed an experiment to assess the biotic potential of an annual plant by comparing re

Medium

FRQ 9: Simulating Predator-Prey Dynamics with Feedback Loop Errors

A researcher used a computer simulation to model predator-prey interactions in a closed ecosystem ov

Extreme

FRQ 12: Assessing Urbanization Effects on Biodiversity in Field Plots

Researchers established three types of field plots in an urban environment to study the impact of ur

Medium

FRQ 13: Evaluating Deforestation Effects on Soil Nutrient Profiles

An experiment was set up to evaluate the impact of deforestation on soil nutrient levels. Researcher

Medium

FRQ 19: Comparative Analysis of Population Regulation Mechanisms in Two Ecosystems

A researcher compared population regulation in two ecosystems: a forest and a desert. The table belo

Medium

Generalists vs. Specialists: Adaptation and Survival

Discuss the differences between generalist and specialist species with emphasis on how these differe

Easy

Impact of Environmental Change on Generalists and Specialists

Analyze how climate change can differentially impact generalist and specialist species using the pro

Hard

Interpreting Age-Structure Diagrams

Examine age-structure diagrams to evaluate population stability and predict future trends.

Medium

Life History Strategies: r-Strategists vs K-Strategists

Explain the differences between r-strategists and K-strategists, and analyze how these strategies co

Medium

Limiting Factors in Ecosystem Dynamics

Discuss the concept of limiting factors in ecosystems with respect to Liebig’s law of the minimum, a

Medium

Modeling Population Growth with Mathematical Equations

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

Medium

Population Doubling Time Calculation

Use the Rule of 70 to analyze population doubling times.

Easy

Population Growth Models: J-Curves vs. S-Curves

Population growth can follow different models. Consider the two models below and answer the followin

Medium

Urbanization Effects on Carrying Capacity

Assess the impact of urbanization on ecosystem carrying capacity and propose sustainable urban plann

Medium
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

Analysis of Seafloor Spreading Data

A geologist examines the age of basaltic rocks at increasing distances from a mid‐ocean ridge. The t

Medium

Climate Moderation by Bodies of Water

A climatologist is investigating how large bodies of water influence the climate of adjacent land ar

Medium

Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics Analysis

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

Easy

Deforestation Impact on Soil Composition Experiment

A researcher investigated the impact of deforestation on soil composition by collecting soil samples

Medium

Global Climate Change: Impact of Surface Albedo on Absorbed Solar Radiation

Surface albedo affects the amount of solar radiation absorbed by Earth. Using the equation $$Q_{abso

Hard

Global Wind Patterns and the Coriolis Effect

The Coriolis Effect plays a crucial role in determining global wind patterns. Analyze its influence

Hard

Global Wind Patterns and the Coriolis Effect

A climatologist is investigating the role of the Coriolis Effect in shaping global wind patterns.

Medium

Global Wind Patterns Smoke Tracer Experiment

A team of researchers designed an outdoor experiment using smoke tracers to model global wind patter

Easy

Human Impact on Soil Erosion and Nutrient Cycling

This question examines the impact of human agricultural practices on soil erosion and nutrient cycli

Medium

Impact of ENSO Events on Marine Fish Populations

Design an experimental study to evaluate how El Niño and La Niña events influence marine fish popula

Extreme

Land and Sea Breezes Dynamics

This question investigates the mechanisms behind land and sea breezes and their environmental implic

Easy

Landslide Susceptibility and Slope Stability

A geologist is investigating factors that contribute to landslide occurrences in hilly terrains.

Medium

Monsoons and Regional Climate Variability

Monsoons drive seasonal weather changes and directly affect regional agriculture and water availabil

Hard

Ocean Upwelling and Marine Productivity

The claim under review is that enhanced upwelling invariably results in higher marine biodiversity a

Hard

Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift Analysis

Examine the theory of plate tectonics and its relationship to continental drift. Refer to the attach

Medium

Plate Tectonics and Seismic Activity

A researcher investigates the relationship between plate boundary types and seismic activity. This i

Medium

Rain Shadow Effects of Mountain Ranges

A claim states that the mere presence of a mountain range guarantees a rain shadow, ensuring arid co

Medium

Seismic Activity and Fault Lines Map Evaluation

Review the provided seismic activity map and answer the following questions regarding the relationsh

Hard

Soil Composition and Plant Growth

This question addresses soil components and their roles in supporting plant growth.

Easy

Soil Erosion Graph Analysis

Analyze the provided graph depicting soil erosion rates as influenced by rainfall intensity and answ

Medium

Tornado Formation and Wind Shear

A claim has been circulated stating that tornado formation is solely dependent on the intensity of v

Extreme

Vegetation and the Carbon Cycle: Feedback Mechanisms

Long-term data on atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and vegetation cover have been collected over sever

Extreme

Weather Patterns and Heat Energy Transfer

An urban meteorologist is analyzing how heat energy is transferred through the atmosphere and how th

Easy
Unit 5: Land and Water Use

Agricultural and Green Revolutions: Balancing Productivity and Sustainability

This question requires you to compare different agricultural revolutions and analyze their impacts o

Medium

Agricultural Practices and Desertification

Examine the effects of overgrazing on soil fertility and discuss strategies to mitigate desertificat

Medium

Assessing the Environmental Impact of Intercropping in Pest Management

Design an experiment to evaluate how intercropping affects pest populations compared to monoculture,

Medium

CAFO Emissions: Ammonia Output Calculation

A concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) has 1000 animal units, each emitting 0.2 kg of ammoni

Easy

CAFOs and Nutrient Pollution

Examine the environmental effects of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on water quality

Medium

Clear-Cutting and Bird Populations

A researcher examines the impact of clear-cutting on bird species diversity in forest ecosystems.

Medium

Clear-Cutting and Edge Effect Impact Calculation

A 10,000-hectare forest experiences clear-cutting of 20% of its area. In addition, the edge effect (

Hard

Deforestation Process Flowchart Analysis

Examine the provided flowchart that outlines the deforestation process and its resulting environment

Hard

Ecological Footprint Analysis and Global Sustainability

This question involves analyzing ecological footprints as a measure of sustainability by interpretin

Hard

Ecological Footprints and National Sustainability

The table presents data on the ecological footprint and biocapacity per person (in global hectares)

Medium

Green Revolution and GMO Yield Analysis

Evaluate the impact of the Green Revolution by comparing the performance of GMO and non-GMO crops. U

Medium

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Sustainable Agriculture

This question focuses on pest control strategies with an emphasis on sustainable practices through I

Medium

Market Incentives and Environmental Management

This question explores how market forces and private ownership can influence environmental outcomes,

Medium

Mining Methods and Their Environmental Impacts

Examine the environmental consequences of different mining techniques and the challenges associated

Hard

Mining Process Efficiency and Waste Generation

An open-pit mining operation extracts 5000 metric tons of ore with a recovery efficiency of 70%. Ans

Easy

Overfishing and Its Ecological Consequences

This question focuses on the impact of overfishing on marine ecosystems, including data interpretati

Medium

Pesticide Treadmill and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Investigate the concept of the pesticide treadmill and evaluate the potential of Integrated Pest Man

Medium

Tragedy of the Commons: Visual Analysis

Examine the provided diagram representing the Tragedy of the Commons. The diagram depicts how multip

Medium

Urban Sprawl and Traffic Emissions

In an urban sprawl area, 100,000 residents have an average commuting distance of 30 km per day per c

Hard

Urban Sprawl versus Smart Growth Schematic Comparison

Review the provided diagram that compares the features of urban sprawl with those of smart growth. I

Easy

Water Pollution from Urban Runoff

A mid-sized city has been experiencing increased flooding and water quality issues due to urban runo

Medium
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

Clean Coal Scrubber Efficiency Experiment

Design an experiment to test the efficiency of scrubbers in reducing the concentration of particulat

Medium

Clean Coal Technology Evaluation

The concept of "Clean Coal" involves using advanced technologies such as carbon capture and storage

Medium

Combined Heat and Power Systems (Cogeneration)

This question focuses on cogeneration systems, exploring their operational principles, energy calcul

Medium

Comparative Analysis of Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Compare renewable energy sources (such as wind, solar, and geothermal) with nonrenewable sources (su

Medium

Designing a Solar Photovoltaic System

Explore the principles behind photovoltaic energy conversion and estimate the power output of a sola

Medium

Effect of Solar Panel Angle on Energy Collection Efficiency

An experiment investigated how the angle of solar panels affects daily energy collection. The table

Medium

Energy Conversion Efficiency Analysis

This question addresses the conversion of energy from fossil fuels to electrical energy. Consider a

Medium

Energy Conversion in Biomass Combustion Experiment

A researcher investigates the energy conversion efficiency of biomass combustion using different typ

Hard

Energy Density Comparison between Coal and Biomass

Coal has an energy density of 24 MJ/kg while biomass has 18 MJ/kg. Answer the following:

Easy

Energy Efficiency in Residential Homes

This FRQ examines the impact of energy conservation measures on residential energy consumption. In a

Medium

Energy from Biomass and Environmental Impact

A study was conducted to evaluate energy production from different biomass feedstocks. The table bel

Medium

Experimental Design: Measuring Efficiency of Cogeneration Plants

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

Hard

Fossil Fuel Market Dynamics

This question focuses on the application of economic principles to fossil fuel markets, including su

Medium

Fossil Fuel Pricing and Demand Experiment

An economic simulation experiment is conducted to study the relationship between fossil fuel pricing

Easy

Future Energy Scenarios: Integrating Diverse Energy Sources

Looking forward, the global energy landscape is expected to become increasingly diversified. Evaluat

Extreme

Heat Engine Efficiency Determination

A heat engine operates between a high-temperature reservoir at 600 K and a low-temperature reservoir

Medium

Hydroelectric Dams: Energy Calculation and Ecological Impact

This question explores the energy potential of hydroelectric dams and the associated ecological trad

Medium

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Operation

Using the diagram provided, answer the following questions about hydrogen fuel cells:

Medium

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Performance

A set of experiments were conducted to assess the performance of a hydrogen fuel cell under differen

Medium

Passively-Managed Building Energy Efficiency Experiment

A passive solar heating design is implemented in a scaled building model to study its effect on indo

Easy

Technologies for Emission Control in Fossil Fuel Combustion

Advanced technologies aim to reduce pollutant emissions from fossil fuel power plants. Analyze how t

Hard

Thermal Energy Transfer and Insulation Effectiveness

This question involves calculating heat loss through a building wall and evaluating the effects of i

Easy

Thermodynamics in Fluidized-Bed Combustion Systems

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

Extreme

Wind Energy Production and Efficiency Calculation

Analyze how wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy and perform a ca

Hard
Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

Acid Deposition and its Environmental Effects

Acid deposition, including both wet and dry forms, poses serious environmental challenges by alterin

Hard

Acid Rain and Aquatic Ecosystem Impact

A researcher examines the impacts of acid deposition on freshwater ecosystems. The provided table sh

Hard

Air Pollution and Urban Heat Islands

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

Medium

Air Pollution Types and Sources Evaluation

This question asks you to evaluate the different types of air pollutants and their sources. You will

Easy

Air Sampling and Pollution Analysis

A research team conducted an experiment in two industrial areas – one dominated by a point source em

Easy

Aircraft Noise Reduction Technologies

This question explores technological advancements aimed at reducing aircraft noise and involves quan

Hard

Analysis of Air Quality Data

You have been provided with air quality data from urban and rural locations. Analyze the following d

Hard

Analysis of Ambient Ozone Using UV Triggered Reactions Experiment

A researcher measures ambient ozone formation by subjecting a mixture of nitrogen dioxide and oxygen

Medium

Analyzing Air Pollutant Types and Measurements

A city has compiled a table of air pollutants in ppm along with their classifications as primary or

Easy

Analyzing Photochemical Smog Formation

In an urban area, photochemical smog exhibits a distinct daily cycle. During early morning hours (6

Hard

Assessing Industrial Lead Emissions in a Simulated Furnace

In a laboratory simulation of industrial lead emissions, a researcher used a controlled furnace to v

Hard

Catalytic Converter Efficiency

Catalytic converters reduce harmful emissions in vehicles by catalyzing chemical reactions. Refer to

Hard

Catalytic Converter Efficiency Testing

A researcher is evaluating the efficiency of a catalytic converter by comparing the concentration of

Hard

Catalytic Converter Reactions

Catalytic converters play a crucial role in reducing harmful vehicular emissions. Explain the chemic

Medium

Catalytic Converters and Emission Control

Discuss the function of catalytic converters in reducing vehicular emissions and examine their limit

Medium

Catalytic Converters and Emission Reductions

Catalytic converters play a critical role in reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Using the informati

Medium

CO, Ozone, and Health Impacts

Discuss the health impacts of carbon monoxide and tropospheric ozone, and evaluate current measures

Medium

Comparative Study of Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollutants

Indoor environments often exhibit different pollutant concentrations compared to outdoors. Use the t

Medium

Comparing Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution Dynamics

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

Medium

Conversion and Calculation of Sulfur Dioxide Concentration

An urban monitoring station recorded a concentration of $$75$$ ppm of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the am

Medium

Detection and Impact of Gas Leaks: Carbon Monoxide Monitoring

A residential complex employed a fixed CO detection system to monitor CO levels throughout the day.

Easy

Determining the Role of Particulate Matter Sources

A study measured the contribution of various sources to suspended particulate matter (PM₁₀) in a met

Easy

Distinguishing Air Pollution Types

Air pollution encompasses various types of pollutants and sources. Using the information provided, d

Easy

Dynamics of Volatile Organic Compounds in Simulated Atmosphere Experiment

A research team investigates the behavior of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a simulated urban

Extreme

Evaluating Air Pollution Remediation Techniques

Different technological solutions are employed to reduce air pollution. Evaluate various remediation

Medium

Evaluating Impact of Non-Point Source Pollution on Ecosystem Health

A watershed study measured nitrogen oxide (NOx) deposition across sub-catchments subject to non-poin

Extreme

Evaluating Particulate Matter Settling

This question involves applying Stokes’ Law to calculate the settling velocity of particulate matter

Medium

Evaluating Remediation of Indoor Air Pollutants

This question focuses on designing an experiment to assess the efficacy of a new air purification sy

Hard

Evaluation of Pollution-Control Technologies

Compare and contrast different air pollution control technologies and determine their suitability fo

Medium

Formation of Industrial Smog: Sulfur Dynamics Experiment

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

Medium

FRQ 14: Renewable Energy and Air Pollution Reduction

Discuss the environmental benefits of shifting to renewable energy sources, particularly in relation

Easy

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 Renewable Energy Adoption on CO2 Emissions

A researcher assesses the impact of renewable energy integration on fossil fuel CO2 emissions in a r

Medium

Indoor Air Pollutants and Remediation Strategies

Indoor air quality is a major environmental concern affecting human health. Using the provided table

Easy

Indoor Air Quality and Sick Building Syndrome

This question requires analysis of indoor air pollutant levels and the development of remediation st

Medium

Indoor Air Quality: Formaldehyde Concentration Analysis Experiment

In an investigation of indoor air quality, a student deploys passive formaldehyde sampling devices t

Easy

Integrated Analysis of Air Pollutant Interactions and Environmental Feedbacks

Air pollutants interact in complex ways to influence environmental systems. Develop an integrated mo

Extreme

Interpreting Table Data on Particulate Matter

Environmental agencies have collected data on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) across several cit

Medium

Investigating Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollutant Exposure Levels

A study compared carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in an office building and in a nearby urban out

Easy

Noise Pollution Analysis

This question examines the quantitative change in sound intensity associated with an increase in dec

Easy

Noise Pollution Assessment in Urban Areas

Noise pollution can adversely affect health and well‐being. Use the table below to analyze the noise

Easy

Outdoor vs. Indoor Air Pollutant Sources

A researcher is tasked with comparing outdoor and indoor air pollution sources. This task involves d

Easy

Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PANs) and Urban Air Quality

PANs are secondary pollutants that can travel far from their urban origins. Use the provided data to

Medium

Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PANs) Effects

Investigate the formation and environmental implications of peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs) in urban atmo

Hard

Processing Industrial Smog

Industrial smog results from a series of chemical reactions during the combustion of fossil fuels. A

Hard

Reduction Strategies for Air Pollutants

This question compares different remediation strategies to reduce particulate matter pollution by in

Medium

Risk Assessment of Carbon Monoxide Exposure

A study measures carbon monoxide (CO) levels in different environments. The table below presents the

Easy

Role of Volcanic Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Air Quality

Volcanic Organic Compounds (VOCs) are natural emissions that can affect air quality. Explain the pro

Hard

Testing Air Purifier Efficiency for Indoor Pollutants

An environmental engineer designed a room-scale experiment to evaluate the efficiency of a portable

Medium

Thermal Inversion Effects on Pollutant Trapping Experiment

In this study, a researcher simulates a thermal inversion by cooling the air at the bottom of a tall

Hard

Volcanic Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Air Quality

This question focuses on volcanic organic compounds (VOCs), their physical properties, and their imp

Medium

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

Anaerobic Digestion as a Waste Management Strategy

A researcher examines anaerobic digestion as an alternative method for municipal waste management. A

Easy

Anaerobic Digestion Efficiency in Organic Waste Treatment

A researcher investigated the efficiency of anaerobic digestion for decomposing organic waste from m

Hard

Assessing Flocculation Efficiency in Stormwater Runoff

A researcher simulated stormwater runoff in the laboratory to evaluate the efficiency of a chemical

Medium

Assessing the Efficiency of Water Treatment Methods

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

Easy

Assessing Thermal Pollution Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems

A thermal pollution study monitored changes in water temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) over a 24

Hard

Bioaccumulation Measurement in Fish Tissue

A researcher conducted a 60-day experiment to measure the bioaccumulation of a synthetic pesticide i

Medium

Chemical Analysis of Oil Spills

Examine the environmental impacts of oil spills by analyzing data related to oil concentration and s

Medium

Comparative Analysis of Waste Treatment Methods

This question requires a comparative evaluation of different waste treatment methods used to manage

Extreme

Comparative Impacts of Industrial and Agricultural Pollution

A comparative study evaluated water pollution from industrial and agricultural sources. The table be

Extreme

Designing a Controlled Experiment to Test Adsorption Efficiency

A researcher aims to evaluate the efficiency of various adsorbent materials in removing heavy metals

Hard

Effects of Temperature on Dissolved Oxygen in Aquatic Ecosystems

A researcher conducts an experiment in which water temperature is gradually increased in laboratory

Hard

Endocrine Disruptors in Consumer Products

This FRQ explores the pathways by which endocrine disruptors, such as BPA and dioxins, enter the env

Medium

Evaluating Vegetative Buffer Zones for Nutrient Runoff Reduction

Buffer zones are often used to mitigate nutrient runoff. This question examines their effectiveness.

Hard

Examining the Effectiveness of Flocculation Sedimentation as a Water Treatment Method

A controlled laboratory experiment employs flocculation sedimentation to reduce suspended solids and

Easy

Exploring the Process of Anaerobic Digestion for Waste Treatment

This FRQ examines the biochemical process of anaerobic digestion and its application in waste treatm

Medium

FRQ10: Solid Waste Disposal and Landfill Design

Evaluate the design of a sanitary landfill based on the provided schematic diagram. Analyze its stru

Hard

FRQ18: Household Water Treatment Design

Evaluate the schematic diagram of a household water treatment system that uses adsorption, filtratio

Medium

Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Data Interpretation

Researchers are investigating the distribution of plastic debris in the North Pacific Gyre. The tabl

Medium

Human Impacts on Wetlands and Mangroves

This question investigates the ecological importance of wetlands and mangroves, and the effects of h

Medium

Impact of Agricultural Runoff on Nutrient Levels

A researcher is studying the impact of agricultural runoff on nutrient levels in a nearby stream. Th

Medium

Impact of Cultural Eutrophication on Lake Ecosystems

A rural lake has been experiencing frequent algal blooms and fish kills, likely resulting from cultu

Medium

Impact of Mining on Water Quality

Examine how mining operations affect water quality by evaluating heavy metal concentration data and

Hard

Impact of Oil Spills on Marine Ecosystems

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

Hard

Impacts and Remediation Strategies for Oil Spills

Oil spills have significant environmental impacts. In this question, you will detail both the immedi

Hard

Investigating Biomagnification in a Food Chain

A researcher designed a laboratory experiment to study the biomagnification of a contaminant through

Hard

Long-term Effects of Landfill Leachate on Water Systems

A landfill in operation for 30 years has been monitored for leachate composition. A graph shows chan

Hard

Urban Runoff and Its Impact on Water Quality

A city is experiencing water quality issues due to urban runoff. Answer the following parts using th

Medium

Water Quality Testing and Pollutant Identification

This question involves interpreting water quality test results to assess contamination issues and th

Medium

Water Quality Testing: pH and Buffering Capacity

This FRQ explores the role of buffering capacity in aquatic systems and how changes in bicarbonate c

Hard

Water Treatment and Drinking Water Safety

This FRQ examines water treatment processes aimed at ensuring safe drinking water, focusing on adsor

Easy
Unit 9: Global Change

Agricultural Methane Emissions Analysis

Agricultural practices contribute to methane (CH₄) emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. This problem

Easy

Biodiversity Loss and Habitat Destruction

Discuss how habitat destruction leads to a loss of biodiversity. Compare the vulnerabilities of plan

Easy

Climate Modeling and Predictive Equations

Examine the role of mathematical models in predicting climate change trends.

Extreme

Designing an Experiment: Measuring the Rate of Ozone Repair in the Stratosphere

Ozone repair processes are critical to the balance of the stratosphere. This question requires you t

Hard

Effects of Ozone Depletion on Human Health and Ecosystems

In this question, you will investigate the biological and ecological consequences of stratospheric o

Medium

Evaluating Legal and Economic Strategies to Reduce Ozone-Depleting Substances

In an effort to protect the ozone layer, a policymaker reviews strategies such as legislation, tarif

Hard

Experimental Design for Controlling Invasive Species

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

Hard

Experimental Design for Measuring Forest Carbon Sequestration

Forests act as significant carbon sinks. Develop an experimental design to measure the carbon seques

Medium

Experimental Design on Formation and Decomposition of Stratospheric Ozone

Ozone formation and its subsequent decomposition are dynamic processes in the stratosphere influence

Hard

Global Sea Level Rise and Its Consequences

Sea level rise is one of the measurable impacts of global climate change. This question uses simple

Easy

Greenhouse Effect and Energy Absorption

Discuss the role of greenhouse gases in trapping infrared radiation and how changes in atmospheric c

Easy

Greenhouse Gas Feedback Loops and Methane Emissions

This question investigates the concept of positive feedback in the context of methane emissions from

Extreme

Investigating the Effects of Global Warming on Weather Patterns

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

Hard

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

Population Genetics in Endangered Species

Analyze the genetic challenges faced by endangered species due to small population sizes and propose

Extreme

Simulation Study: CFC Impact on Ozone Breakdown

A research team simulates the impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on ozone breakdown by introducing

Hard

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis

This question examines the contributions of various sectors to greenhouse gas emissions and asks you

Medium

Stratospheric Ozone Formation and Depletion Mechanisms

This question explores the formation and destruction of stratospheric ozone. Consider the photolysis

Medium

Thermal Expansion of the Oceans

This question examines the effect of thermal expansion on sea-level rise by using a provided equatio

Hard

UV Radiation Data Analysis

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

Hard

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Tips from Former AP Students

FAQWe thought you might have some questions...
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.