Download Big APES Exam review questions for each unit

Big APES Exam review questions for each unit
Topic Review Questions
Ecology Unit
1. Describe the steps of the scientific process.
2. List the qualities that all scientific experiments must have to be valid.
3. Describe how the following field procedures are set up, in what experimental situations they
would be most useful, and the type of data that they measure: line transect; field quadrant; random
sampling; capture, mark, recapture; specimen collection; chemical analysis; biological analysis;
stream analysis; soil analysis and air sampling.
4. Describe the first and second laws of thermodynamics, then explain how each pertains to
environmental science.
5. Distinguish between the following words: biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere,
thermosphere, mesosphere, troposphere and stratosphere.
6. Name six different types of cycles that occur in nature. Describe or draw 3-4 transitions for each
cycle. Explain which portions of each cycle are altered by human activity.
7. From where does all energy on earth come? Does energy cycle on earth? Use facts and
examples to support your response.
8. Draw a food web connecting the following terms appropriately (making sure each arrow points in
the correct direction): carnivore/secondary consumer, decomposer, omnivore, detritivore,
scavenger, producer, herbivore/primary consumer. Choose a biome and write the common name of
each animal from that biome that is an example of each term in the web.
9. How much energy is lost at each trophic level? Where does the energy go? Use facts and
examples to support your response.
10. Give a complete example of microevolution and macroevolution to point out the differences and
similarities of these two processes.
11. Name three major extinctions that have occurred on earth. Describe what organisms were most
affected and the time period in which each occurred.
12. Using facts and examples, name three things that are different about the extinction that is
occurring currently.
Population Dynamics Unit
1. Of the following terms for population growth graphs, which are synonymous? Logistical,
logarithmic, exponential, sigmoidal, J-shaped, S-shaped.
2. Draw a labeled example graph of a population that is growing exponentially and one that is
growing logistically.
3. Describe the differences in situations that result in the two types of graphs drawn in the previous
question.
4. Predict outcomes of exponential population growth and logistic population
5. Draw a graph with the independent axis as “Latitude” and the dependent axis as the “Number of
Different Species.” What would the graph look like and why?
6. For any (or several different) region(s) of the earth, name a species that is non-native in each
category: river animal, terrestrial animal, terrestrial plant, terrestrial fungus. Describe how each
species was introduced, its niche, its survival strategy and the specific way(s) in which it has
impacted the local flora or fauna.
7. What is the difference between a keystone and an indicator species? Give an example of each.
8. Using an example, explain how competition between species and within a species is dealt with
over time.
9. Using an example, explain each term: symbiosis, predation, parasitism, mutualism, co-evolution,
mimicry and commensalism.
10. Explain succession by giving an example of the progression of an ecosystem from primary
succession into late secondary succession. How long would this process take and how would the
biotic and abiotic factors change over this time period?
11. Describe what is meant by carrying capacity. Explain how populations can exist far above or
below carrying capacity.
12. Name three density-dependent and three density-independent factors that affect carrying
capacity.
13. Give an aquatic and terrestrial example of a species that is an r-strategist, and list five
characteristics of the niche/survival strategy of each. Repeat the process for a K-selected species.
14. Graph the predicted growth patterns of an r-selected species and a K-selected species
introduced to a new environment. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each type of
species.
15. Name three fast-growing countries, one with a large population, one with a medium size
population and one with a relatively small population. Do the same for three slow-growing countries.
16. Define TFR and explain why it must drop below the replacement value in order to achieve ZPG.
17. Name five things (in order from the greatest to the least impact) that affect population growth.
Support your response with facts and examples.
18. Draw an age structure histogram for a country with rapid growth, zero growth, slow growth and
negative growth.
Kristen Daniels Dotti 2007, 2012 AP* Environmental Science Daily Lesson Plans
www.CatalystLearningCurricula.com This product is licensed to a single user. Water Issues Unit
1. Name five main factors that limit life in water. Describe each using facts and examples.
2. Using the appropriate terms for each body of water, explain how oceans and lakes are divided
into different life zones. What are the vertical and horizontal life zones based upon?
3. Compare and contrast the biotic and abiotic factors of oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes. Describe
the biotic and abiotic changes that would occur in a lake that goes from being oligotrophic to
eutrophic. Describe where you would expect to find an oligotrophic or a eutrophic lake. Can other
bodies of water be oligotrophic or eutrophic?
4. Draw the hydrologic cycle and label each transition process and all below-ground processes.
5. Name four ways to increase the amount of fresh water available for use in an area. Rank them in
order of practicality and environmental damage.
6. Describe three pros and three cons of building dams on existing waterways. Describe two pros
and two cons of constructing canals.
7. Name two ways fresh water may become saltier over time. Describe three solutions to reduce
salinity or maintain low levels of salinity over time.
8. Describe three methods used to reduce water consumption and waste in each of the following
situations: agriculture, industry and residences.
9. Name five categories of water pollution. Name an example pollutant and its source for each
category listed.
10. How is groundwater polluted? How can it be cleaned?
11. Give two examples of non-point source pollution and two examples of point source pollution.
Which type of pollution is harder to control?
12. Name five pollutants that are regularly dumped into the oceans.
13. Draw the process of sewage treatment. Describe what occurs in each step. Label each step
primary, secondary or tertiary.
Toxicity, Pesticides and Agriculture Unit
1. Compare and contrast the first and second “green” revolutions.
2. List seven things that can be done to increase agricultural production while reducing
environmental degradation. Explain each idea as needed.
3. Describe the main causes of world hunger and name several ways these problems can be
addressed.
4. What are the four greatest environmental problems associated with the harvesting of marine
organisms as a food source? Describe a solution to each problem.
5. Describe three practices that can be used to maintain sustainable rangeland for the use of
livestock animals.
Resources and Energy Unit
1. Draw the rock cycle. Label at least five different ways one rock can change into another type of
rock.
2. Draw and describe each process: subduction, oceanic plate divergence, continental/continental
plate collisions. Explain where on earth each process is most likely to occur.
3. Describe two characteristics of each soil horizon: 0, A, B and C.
4. Describe three characteristics of each soil component: sand, silt, gravel and clay.
5. Name the top three problems associated with soil degradation worldwide. Describe how each
can be slowed, reduced or resolved.
6. Name three different agricultural practices that can be used to enhance soil quality or quantity.
7. List ten non-renewable resources. Describe one use for each resource.
8. Describe five ways to increase our supply of non-fuel resources.
9. Name three commonly used types of fossil fuel. Give three advantages and three disadvantages
of using each type of fossil fuel.
10. Explain one mineral or fossil fuel extraction method in great detail.
11. Compare and contrast the structure and function of a fossil fuel powered electricity plant and a
nuclear energy powered electricity plant.
12. List ten ways to improve energy efficiency in agriculture, industry or residences.
13. Name five types of renewable energy. Describe three pros and three cons for each energy
source.
14. Using one type of renewable energy, explain how electricity can be generated.
15. Describe the arguments for decentralizing electricity production.
Biodiversity, Politics and Economics Unit
1. Name three people in history who have made a dramatic impact on the environmental laws or
policies in the U.S. Describe what each person did, during what time period they were most
influential and the effects of their actions on environmental history.
2. Name one law that you think has been the most important in the history of environmental politics
in the U.S., for each of the categories listed below (do not use any law twice). Describe each law,
give the date it was passed and the impact it has made since it was passed.
a. Water health
b. Air health
c. Soil health
d. Protection from toxic chemicals
e. Biodiversity
3. Contrast the philosophies of conservation and preservation and name a proponent of each.
4. In what parts of the world has biodiversity loss been greatest and the least? Describe why.
5. Describe the difference between local, commercial, ecological, and biological extinction. What is
the difference between “endangered” and “threatened”?
6. Name five reasons to limit extinction. Describe five ways to slow extinction rates.
7. List five ways non-native species have an advantage over the native organisms in an area.
8. How do biological corridors and the size and placement of biological reserves affect extinction
and breeding?
9. Name the four major divisions of the United States government that manage public land. Explain
how the management policies differ for each branch of service.
10. Describe how trees can be harvested sustainably.
11. Describe six problems facing publicly owned lands in the United States and abroad.
12. Name three aquatic species that are threatened or endangered. Explain the characteristics that
make it difficult for these species to maintain adequate populations.
13. Explain how international policies are important when dealing with issues of joint interest such
as oceans, the atmosphere or species biodiversity.
14. Make a compare-and-contrast chart that points out how urban and rural populations differ in the
following areas:
a. Energy and resources use.
b. Transportation demand.
c. Wealth.
d. Pollution concentration.
e. How urban and rural populations differ in developed and developing nations.
15. Name and describe five modes of urban transportation. Rank the five modes of transportation in
order of environmental impact.
16. List five ways to reduce pollution and increase biodiversity in urban areas.
17. Describe four examples of how economics control environmental decisions and practices.
18. Describe four examples of how politics control environmental decisions and practices.
19. What do you think is the most effective way a person who is [10 years old, 20 years old, 40
years old, 60 years old] can influence environmental changes in the world? Give the most effective
action a person can take at each of those ages to affect change.
20. Give an example of a grassroots organization and how the organization has influenced
environmental policy.
21. How do you think a person’s environmental worldview would change in the following situations:
a. As the person ages from youth to adulthood and old age.
b. If a person is born in a poor family in a poor country and suddenly becomes wealthy.
c. If a person is born in a wealthy family in a wealthy country and becomes poor in that wealthy
country.
d. As a person acquires an education based in biology, chemistry, ecology and other sciences.