FRQ Vocab

Define

Give a definition. Typically 1 sentence.

Identify / Provide

Give a definition or make a direct statement answering the question. 1 sentence.

Describe

Make a statement/definition AND give an example. 2 sentences.

Explain / Discuss

Make connections: A happens, therefore it leads to B, which causes C — show the relationship/chain. Typically 2-3 sentences.

Environmental / Ecological Benefit

Must relate to the environment and CANNOT benefit humans. Ex: trees provide oxygen to animals. No credit: trees provide oxygen for humans.

Ecosystem Services

Services from the ecosystem that benefit HUMANS (money or benefit). Ex: forests provide medicine to cure disease, timber for homes, clean water, fisheries.

Economic Benefit

Must involve money. Relate to jobs or tourism, and indicate a direction of change.

Environmental Impact

Default answer: habitat destruction that leads to a decrease in biodiversity.

Human Health Impact

Default answer: respiratory illness such as asthma.

How to Get People to Change Behavior

Subsidize/give tax credits for things you WANT people to do. Heavily tax things you DON'T want them to do. Outright bans aren't feasible. Public education/PSA always works.

Math Hack (FRQ)

If you don't know how to solve part A but need it for part B, make up a reasonable number for A (like 1 or 10) and plug it into B for partial credit.

How to Fix an Acidic Environment

Add a base, such as limestone or lime (works for acid mine drainage, acidic soil). Does NOT work for ocean acidification — the ocean is too big for it to be effective.

Showing Direction of Change

Never just say "it changed" — always specify whether it increased or decreased.

Identify — Sentence Note

Technically doesn't require a full sentence, but treat it like it does for safety.

Describe — Sentence Note

2 sentences doesn't guarantee full credit if it doesn't hit the right points; 3 focused sentences might score better than 2 vague ones. Avoid "word vomit" — extra unfocused sentences can cost you points.

Go-To Phrase: Environmental Impact

Habitat destruction (on that topic) that leads to a decrease in biodiversity.

Go-To Phrase: Economic

Relate to jobs and tourism, and indicate a change (increase or decrease).

Go-To Phrase: Fixing an Acidic Problem

Add a base such as lime (for acid mine drainage or acidic soil — NOT ocean acidification).

Go-To Phrase: Getting People Involved

Get them to recycle, provide education on the topic, PSA about effective irrigation practice.

Go-To Phrase: Changing Behavior

Tax things you don't want people to do; subsidize things you want them to do.

Go-To Phrase: Human Health Problem

Respiratory illness such as asthma.