Download APES Free Response Questions

Name___________________________________
Period______
APES Free Response
Questions
Directions: Answer the following FRQs as thoroughly and specifically as time permits. Where explanation or discussion is required,
support your answers with relevant information and/or specific examples. Please be sure to address all parts of the question. The suggested
tome to complete all parts of this FRQ is about 20 minutes.
FRQ 1 - Intro (Unit 1)
Chapter 1: Developed Countries have steadily become the largest consumers of resources and at the same time have been
wasting more resources than they actually need. This has led to an imbalance of resource utilization among the countries of
the world. The poor countries under-consume while the prosperous over-consume. This has led to a growing condition
known as affluenza.
a) Define what is meant by affluenza.
b) How can affluenza be implicated in having a negative effect on the environment?
c) How can affluenza be implicated in having a positive effect on the environment?
d) What would happen if the other countries of the world developed to have the same high level of consumption as the
U.S.?
FRQ 2 - Scientific Method (Unit 1)
Chapter 2: To help us develop sustainability, scientists work hard to find answers to today’s problems and issues. To be
credible, scientists must follow a series of steps during their investigations, a process known as the scientific method.
a) Why is it socially important that scientists be seen as credible sources of information?
b) Define the scientific method.
i.
Explain the steps utilized in “good science” methodology.
ii.
Explain the two steps of reasoning used by scientists.
iii.
Explain what is meant by a paradigm shift with respect to scientific thinking.
c) Explain the difference between a scientific hypothesis, scientific theory, and scientific law.
FRQ 3 – Sustainable Cities (Unit 1)
Chapter 22b: Recently a “breaking” news item appeared in bold, flashing letters at the City of West Marshall website. The
news item described the unanimous vote of the City Council to approve a new 10-story parking garage on a city-owned land
in Downtown. The item went on to say that the city will give he land to the developer for free along with other tax incentives
because the parking garage will help revitalize Downtown by encouraging more area residents to visit the City Center.
a) Give THREE reasons why sustainable living should be a worthy goal for any urban community.
b) Describe THREE strategies that can be used to make many existing cities more livable
c) Give TWO examples of American states, cities, or communities that have implemented one or more of the
sustainable urban development strategies, and describe what was actually done.
FRQ 4 - Worldviews (Unit 1)
Chapter 25: Recently, a controversy erupted over the efforts of the state of Maryland to rid the Chesapeake Bay area of a
large and growing population of non-native swan. The swan was said to be of European origin. The report did not say how or
when the swan arrived in the area. However, it was clear that they have adapted very well. Their population has increased
greatly, and they are said to be putting pressure on the local ecosystem, which is the reason the state embarked on the
program to rid the area of the swan. The chosen elimination approach involves inducing successive reproductive failure in the
birds by coating their eggs with cooking oil. The oil ensures that the eggs can’t breath, which ensures that they will not hatch.
While everyone agrees that the elimination approach is very humane, not everyone is happy with the elimination program
itself. Most environmental organizations in the area are very supportive of the state on this issue. However, one organization
is very upset with the program. Their spokesperson claims that its analysis of the state’s data showed that the swan has
adapted very well to the area, and that the bird has shown no significant impact on the local ecosystem.
a) Describe TWO environmental worldviews that could be the basis for those environmentalists who supported the
state on the issue.
b) Explain TWO other worldviews that cold be the basis of the opponents’ position.
c) Explain why is it possible for the two analysts to arrive at very different conclusions even though they were logically
examining the same data set.
FRQ 5 – Poverty Effects (Unit 1)
Chapter 23: Recently, there was a short feature story in one of the national newspapers about the country of Akoka. The
article discussed the recent democratic elections in the country and about how the poor and the homeless turned out in large
numbers to vote, especially in the shanty-towns that surround New City, the nation’s capital. The story went on to say that
one of the biggest problems of Akoka is unemployment and mass poverty. According to the newspaper, the United Nation’s
Development Program (UNDP) office in New City is concerned that democracy may not take hold in Akoka without a
sustained effort to deal with its twin problems of poverty and unemployment.
a) Give TWO reasons why poverty is a major economic, social, or political problem, and TWO reasons why it is an
environmental problem.
b) Describe THREE strategies that can be used to deal with poverty on a worldwide scale.
c) Explain TWO reasons why free trade has not succeeded in helping poor countries alleviate mass poverty.
d) Why is it in the best interests of developed nations to care about poverty in the developing world?
FRQ 6 – Earth Processes (Unit 2)
Chapter 14a: The Earth is made up of many dynamic internal and external processes. These processes of renewal and
destruction have shaped our Earth since its beginning. Natural geologic processes such as earthquakes and volcanoes can
cause mass destruction to the human population.
a) Identify and describe a type of chemical and physical weathering process that helps shape the planet.
b) i. Discuss what type of tectonic activity could lead to the formation of an earthquake.
ii. What is the difference in amplitude measured between two earthquakes of 7.0 and 4.0 on the Richter Scale.
iii. Identify TWO environmental or economic impacts earthquakes can have.
c) What geologic activity most likely occurred to form the Mariana’s Trench?
d) Discuss how tsunamis form and what natural barriers in the ecosystem help protect humans living in coastal areas.
FRQ 7 - Minerals (Unit 2)
Chapter 14b: Many people rely on mineral resources everyday and never realize it. From the jewelry they wear, to the soda
can they throw away, to the metal that makes the car they drive – all are products of mining extraction and manufacturing.
These products seem invaluable to us as a resource but leave a devastating mark on our Earth’s surface.
a) Explain THREE different methods of removing mineral deposits from the Earth.
b) List TWO types of minerals and their use in our society.
c) Discuss the difference between a high-grade ore and a low-grade ore.
d) Identify and explain THREE environmental effects that mining of resources has on the environment.
FRQ 8 – Rising Ocean Levels (Unit 2)
Chapter 19b: Many Scientists are worried about the increasing rate at which glaciers and the polar ice caps are melting. The
extra water that is being released back into the oceans could make the world’s ocean level raise a significant amount.
a) Discuss TWO environmental concerns assuming that the ocean level were to rise.
b) Discuss TWO economic concerns if ocean levels rise.
c) Discuss a piece of legislation or other governmental programs which would work to alleviate effects of global
climate change.
FRQ 9 - Ecosystems (Unit 3)
Chapter 3: Ecosystems are complex communities made up of a myriad of living organisms interacting with the non-living
environment. Each organism has a specific role in sustaining life within the ecosystem.
a) Identify the producers in a terrestrial ecosystem compared to those in an aquatic ecosystem.
b) Identify and describe the decomposers and their role in the ecosystem
c) Discuss, using the second law of thermodynamics, the quality of energy as it moves through the trophic levels of an
ecosystem
d) If a primary producer typically captures 5,000 units of energy from the sun, how much usable energy will be
available to a tertiary consumer in the ecosystem? Using the rule of ecological efficiency, explain how much useful
energy is typically available in the next trophic level of an ecosystem.
FRQ 10 - Biodiversity (Unit 3)
Chapter 4a: Scientists are alarmed at the drastic decline of amphibians in the last decade. In particular, frog populations seem
to be declining at an alarming rate. The population decline seems to be linked to effects of exposure to harmful factors that
occur at different points during this life cycle. Some of the environmental threats are natural while others are generated
through human activities. Frogs are also sensitive to pesticides that make their way into our soil, air, and water.
a) Other than pesticide poisoning, identify & describe TWO possible reasons for the frogs’ decline in the ecosystem.
b) Describe some reasons why the frog may be particularly susceptible to pesticide poisoning in the environment
c) Certain amphibians are considered indicators species for the ecosystem. Give an example of another indicator
species and explain the environmental threat that may give warning to.
d) Identify TWO characteristics of species who are specialists that make them more vulnerable to environmental
threats.
FRQ 11 – Species Role (Unit 3)
Chapter 4b: The Endangered Species Act is designed to preserve species who are on the brink of extinction. This means that
their numbers are sufficiently low and unless some action is taken, they will be lost forever. However, many scientists argue
that risk of extinction is not the only reason to save certain species. There are other compelling reasons to save species, such
as their role in the community and their ability to alter community structure.
a) Should we attempt to preserve indicator species? Why or why not?
b) Should we attempt to preserve keystone species? Why or why not?
c) Should we attempt to preserve early succession (pioneer) species? Why or why not?
d) Should we attempt to preserve predatory species? Why or why not?
e) Should we attempt to preserve invasive species? Why or why not?
FRQ 12 – Invasive Species (Unit 3)
Chapter 9: Due to increased globalization of technology and transportation, humans can travel almost anywhere in the world
quite freely. The same can be said, in many cases, for other species on the planet as well. Many organisms are non-native to
the areas they now frequently inhabit. Some non-native species have been deliberately introduced while others have been
introduced accidentally. All however, have lasting impacts on their new environment.
a) Identify what an invasive species is. Distinguish between how these species are accidentally introduced or
deliberately introduced into the new environment.
b) Give an example of an invasive species and the area they impact. Explain some characteristics of why invasive
species succeed in their new environment.
c) Explain why some ecologists call invasive species biotic pollution.
d) Discuss two ways we can reduce the negative invasive species problems.
FRQ 13 – Species Interactions (Unit 4)
Chapter 5a: Southern sea otters, an endangered species, are typically found along the southern shores of California. They feed
upon an abundant amount of clams, mussels, crabs and sea urchins that are common in the kelp forests they inhabit. Although
fur traders hunted that species to near extinction in the early 1900s, they have made a strong come back in the last 50 years.
a) Use the graph,
i. Determine in what year did the southern sea otter population in California reach 2,500?
ii. Based on the graph, how did the California sea otter population changed from 1997 to the year 2007?
iii. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the sea otter population will need to reach 8,400 individuals
before it should be removed from the endangered species list. If the population grows by 50 individuals a year,
how many years would it take to reach the USFW Service minimum population requirement?
b) Identify and describe TWO factors that may reduce the sea otter population.
c) Describe some reasons why organisms such as the southern sea otters, are often found in clumps in the environment
rather than random dispersion.
d) Sea otters are often considered keystone species. Discuss how their disappearance in a community would impact the
overall health of that ecosystem.
FRQ 14 - Population Control (Unit 4)
Chapter 5b: Humans have spent over 100 years and billions of dollars trying to drive various species of mosquito to
extinction. Despite the invention of pesticides, and the ensuing mass spraying of these chemicals, mosquitoes remain a
human health threat. In contrast, we are experiencing the near extinction of a variety of elephant species, despite our efforts to
conserve them. The primary reason for this contradiction is that the mosquito is an r-selected species and the elephant is a Kselected species.
a) How do the mosquito and elephant’s population growth rates differ?
b) What are the patterns of variation in population size for both creatures?
c) What are their frequencies of reproduction?
d) How many offspring do they both have, and what size are they?
e) How does this relate their present risk of extinction?
FRQ 15 – Human Population (Unit 4)
Chapter 6: Many researchers who are interested in controlling population growth have studied China and its population
policies. China has dropped its total fertility rate from 5.7 in 1972 to 1.6 in 2006. If this trend continues, the population of
China will eventually begin to decline. In contrast, the US has no official policy to decrease population growth and in fact
encourages immigration. However in 1957, the total fertility rate in the US was 3.7, as compared to approximately 2.1 in
2006. Based on this information, compare and contrast the population structure of China and the US.
a) What is the current estimated population size of both countries?
b) What are the growth rates of both countries? What factors make them different?
c) What types of family planning programs do each of the countries use?
d) What is the standard of living for each country and why?
e) What is the projected future age structure of each of the countries?
FRQ 16 Urbanization (Unit 4)
Chapter 22a: Today over 81% of Americans and 50% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Urban areas continue to
grow as populations sprawl pit to the edges of cities and towns. Combined, these urban and suburban areas use a large
portion of our resources. Urban planning must work toward a sustainable model of growth and development to protect our
natural capital and promote ecosystem health.
a) Give ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage that urbanization has when compared to rural areas.
b) Identify TWO factors that have led to the increase in urban sprawl in the US.
c) Give an economic disadvantage that cities may face as urban sprawls increase.
d) Discuss some negative impacts urban sprawl has on the environment.
e) Give TWO practices that would be emphasized when creating environmentally sustainable cities.
FRQ 17 Human Impact on Biomes (Unit 4)
Chapter 7b: Humans currently dominate the majority of the planet. Is it estimated that humans use, waste, and/or destroy up
to 55% of the net primary productivity of the planet’s terrestrial ecosystems and is increasing around the world.
a) What harmful impacts have humans had on the deserts that have caused concern? Give 3 reasons.
b) What harmful impacts have humans had on the grasslands that have caused concern? Give 2 reasons.
c) What harmful impacts have humans had on the forests that have caused concern? Give 2 reasons.
d) What harmful impacts have humans had on the mountains that have caused concern? Give 3 reasons.
FRQ 18 - Biomes (Unit 5)
Chapter 7a: Differences in average annual precipitation and temperature largely determine the location and lead to the
formation of our biomes. Desert biomes typically experience larger evaporation than precipitation. Annual precipitation in
desert ecosystems is low and often scattered unevenly during the year.
a) Describe how the rain shadow effect has played a role in forming some major desert ecosystems in the world.
b) Explain why desert ecosystems take a long time to recover from any environmental disturbance.
c) Identify some adaptations a plant and animal may utilize to be successful in the desert ecosystem.
d) Discuss TWO anthropogenic factors that lead to an increasing distribution of deserts globally.
FRQ 19 - Aquatic Biodiversity (Unit 5)
Chapter 8: There is much evidence to indicate that humans are a major factor in the extinction of species. Some researchers
estimate that one-fifth of the Earth’s current species will be extinct by 2030. Assume that you are an environmental scientist
employed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. You have been assigned to write a report examining the effect of four types
of human activity on the biodiversity of aquatic systems, both freshwater and saltwater. The report must include the type of
habitat affected and the specific effects of the human activity. Here are some areas to include.
a) How have agricultural activities affected fresh water and coastal zones?
b) How does tourism affect biodiversity and water quality?
c) How has increasing demand for shrimp, and therefore shrimp farms, impacted the coastal zones?
d) How does fishing affect biodiversity in: (i.) coastal zones, (ii.) open sea, (iii.) streams, (iv.) lakes
FRQ 20 - Forests (Unit 5)
Chapter 10a: Forests are an example of natural capital by providing many valuable economic services. However, due to
harvesting forests for these resources we have greatly reduced to important ecological services they also provide to the
ecosystem.
a) Identify TWO ecological services that forest ecosystems provide.
b) Explain how clear cutting is an example of a positive feedback loop for erosive processes.
c) Describe TWO environmental impacts deforestation practices have on the ecosystem.
d) Discuss how human activities are threatening to the survival of available forested area.
e) Identify a potential economic impact of losing our forests.
FRQ 21 - Deforestations (Unit 5)
Chapter 10b: There are very few old growth forests in the US, and approximately 95% of the original forests in the
continental US have been altered by human activities. Despite this loss in forest, most of the conservation efforts in forestry
are directed toward tropical rainforests, where only about 16% of the native forest has been altered by humans. Explain why
we see the difference in our attitudes about deforestation in the US and in tropical forests in Central and South America.
a) How does the rate of deforestation differ in both areas?
b) What are the causes of these differences?
c) How is the lumber used in both areas?
d) What are some potential solutions for reducing deforestation in both areas?
FRQ 22 – Aquatic Biodiversity (Unit 5)
Chapter 11: Coastal and inland wetlands serve important ecological and economic roles globally. Despite their value, the US
has lost over half of its wetland area in the last 100 years.
a) Identify and describe TWO important functions wetlands play in the environment both ecologically and
economically.
b) Describe TWO reasons why wetlands are on the decline globally and in the US.
c) Identify a major wetland area in the US including the state(s).
d) Discuss TWO solutions to protecting or restoring wetlands.
FRQ 23 - Food Production (Unit 5)
Chapter 12b: The continuous growth of the human population has led to an increase in large-scale industrial agriculture
globally. This type of agricultural practice has had profound effects on various levels of our ecosystem.
a) Identify and explain TWO environmental impacts food production has on the ecosystem.
b) Discuss ONE pro and con concerning the use of aquaculture to produce more food.
c) Identify TWO sustainable agricultural practices to food production.
d) Explain what integrated pest management is and a disadvantage to this method.
FRQ 24 - Dams (Unit 5)
Chapter 13: With increasing human population and increasing affluence comes an increase in the consumption of energy.
Typically, developed nations have relied on conventional fossil fuels to supply their growing electrical needs. However, with
the knowledge of environmental problems associated with conventional fuels nations are looking at “cleaner” sources of
electrical production, such as hydroelectric power.
a) Identify and describe THREE benefits of utilizing dams over the use of conventional fuels to address growing
electrical energy needs supplied by coal burning power plants.
b) Discuss THREE environmental problems associated with large dams
c) Identify and explain the function of two structural pieces to damn technology and how it produces electricity.
d) List ONE major dam that lies on the Colorado River and the reservoir it creates.
FRQ 25 - Groundwater (Unit 5)
Chapter 20a: Groundwater is an important resource as it supplies drinking water for about half of the US population and up to
95% of people who live in rural areas. Often we see urban and agricultural settings become sources of groundwater
contamination. Unfortunately, this type of pollution is difficult to detect and clean-up of aquifer systems is very costly.
a) Identify TWO sources of possible groundwater pollution. For each source give a description of how they enter the
groundwater system.
b) Explain why a groundwater system cannot cleanse itself as quickly as flowing surface waters can.
c) Discuss how MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) became a source of groundwater pollution in the US and the health
impact seen from this pollutant.
d) Identify ONE federal law used to regulate drinking water in the US.
FRQ 26 – Oil Consumption (Unit 6)
Chapter 15a: Freemont Daily News Article – The US dependency on oil has continued to rise each year as we consume 24%
of the world’s production of oil. According to local scientists, there is potentially vast oil and natural gas reserves that lie in
current US federal land or coastal waters. There is much debate recently as to the likelihood that these untapped resources
could provide enough energy to be worth the exploration and extraction costs. With the use of seismic imaging technology,
many geologists estimate that current primary recovery methods could not be used to extract these new reserves. Many
people fear that using new technology to recover this oil ill raise costs in the marketplace for oil-based products.
a) Describe the method that could be used in order to recover the new reserves of oil mentioned in the article.
b) i. Currently the US consumes 20 million barrels of oil a day. At a price of $120/barrel, how much does the US spend
on oil each day?
ii. The price of a barrel of oil is expected to increase by 50% due to recovery costs within the next 5 years. How
much more per day will the US spend on oil in 5 years compared to today (assuming consumption stays the same)?
iii. Give TWO economic impacts cause by increasing oil prices in the US.
iv. Discuss the possible environmental impacts of opening new oil exploration in coastal waters or federally
protected lands.
FRQ 27 – Energy Audit (Unit 6)
Chapter 15b: You are building an addition on a house. You need to decide whether to install a heating unit which uses natural
gas or one that uses electricity. Municipal electricity is purchased in kWh at a unit price of $0.11 a kWh. The heat content per
unit is 3,300 BTU. It takes one million BTU to heat the building per month.
a) Calculate the monthly cost to heat using electrical heaters.
b) Calculate the monthly cost to heat using natural gas.
c) Which choice would make the most financial sense? How much money would be saved?
d) Assuming that the town generated power using a coal burning power plant, compare the environmental impacts of
the choice for electrical verses gas heat generation. Name and discuss how either coal or natural gas is the better
environmental choice and why.
e) Discuss ONE environmental impact of the extraction of either source.
FRQ 28 –Energy Use (Unit 6)
Chapter 16a: Each year due to growing population and energy demands, the US faces increasing dependency on conventional
fossil fuels. However, in the past few decades renewable energy has begun to expand in both residential and commercial
sectors of the US.
a) i. The US uses roughly 4.0 million Gigawatt-hours per year in electricity. Currently 50% of our electricity come
from coal. If every 1.0 kilowatt-hours of coal burned releases 2 lbs of carbon dioxide, how much carbon dioxide is
released from burning coal for electricity each year in the US?
ii. If coal usage can be reduced by 15% by utilizing solar energy, how much carbon dioxide will be saved from
entering the atmosphere each year?
iii. Describe several disadvantages to using wind energy.
b) Identify and describe a type of active solar heating method.
c) Give ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage to the method you described above.
FRQ 29 – Ethanol Energy (Unit 6)
Chapter 16b: Freemont Times – The Maize Maze. Ethanol, the fuel made from the fermentation and distillation of sugars
from plants is no longer just the high-octane fuel reserved for NASCAR racers. With instability continuing in the Middle
East, and gas prices continuing to rise at the pump. American consumers are looking for options. The Midwest of the country
famous as American’s breadbasket grows about 17% the world’s grains. Only select varieties of sweet corn go to market to
be consumed as a summer favorite, ‘corn on the cob.’ The majority of the corn is frown to provide animal feed, as well as to
produce the ubiquitous ingredient “high fructose corn syrup” used to sweeten drinks, snacks, cereals, and almost all packaged
foods. Now with the growth of alternative fuel industry, many farmers are looking to sell their corn to produce ethanol.
However, will this change just shift our dependence on foreign oil to dependence on foreign food?
a) According to the article, what is the bulk of the current market for the corn grown in the US?
b) If farmers begin to sell their corn to ethanol producers, what will happen to the demand and therefore price of corn
on the national market?
c) i. How will your answer in question (b) affect the farmers’ economics?
a. How will it affect the economics of the consumer at the grocery store?
b. What types of products do you think will be most affected? Name and discuss TWO.
d) Discuss TWO environmental benefits of changing America into an ethanol verses gasoline culture?
e) Discuss TWO possible negative environmental impacts of an ethanol market?
FRQ 30 – Food and Health (Unit 7)
Chapter 12a:
a) Identify and describe a human health condition that arises from food or vitamin deficiencies.
b) Describe ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage to using genetically modified organisms as crops and food sources.
c) Discuss the connection between meat production and air pollution.
d) Describe and explain ONE environmental and societal disadvantage to using conventional pesticides.
FRQ 31 – Toxic Exposure (Unit 7)
Chapter 17a:
a) Describe how humans are exposed to mercury. Suggest solutions to reducing the risk of exposure to this type of
mercury.
b) Identify where human exposure to bisphenol A could be occurring. Describe a specific human health impact seen
due to exposure to this substance.
c) Give TWO chemical hazards that are known as hormonally active agents. Explain from what source they originate.
d) Discuss TWO factors that are taken into consideration when determining the toxicity of a substance.
FRQ 32 – DDT Exposure (Unit 7)
Chapter 17b: There is a long-standing debate over whether or not to have a global ban on the use of DDT. Once its negative
effects were uncovered in Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and other studies, developing countries had already gotten their
malaria outbreaks under control. Many developing countries, especially those with tropical climates and longer mosquito
seasons, are still losing 2 million people a year to this painful plasmodia disease. If West Nile Virus becomes more of a
threat, will countries want the option to change their mind on the moratorium as well?
a) Discuss ONE of the toxic effects of DDT on organisms
b) i. Explain how DDT moves through an environment
ii. Who is most affected, why?
c) How could DDT be used to alleviate malaria?
d) Argue your risk assessment of human health between the risks of DDT exposure and malaria exposure.
e) What are some other methods that could be used to control malaria that do not involve the use of chemical
pesticides?
FRQ 33 – Air Pollutants (Unit 7)
Chapter 18a: There are many sources of air pollutants both in urban or rural settings in today’s society. The pollutants have
numerous impacts not only on human health but also on our global ecosystem’s health. Many of these pollutants can form
harmful secondary pollutants such as acids. Acid deposition contributes to human respiratory disease as well as damages
buildings. However, there are also many ecological damages associated with acid deposition that may be harder to detect.
a) Identify TWO anthropogenic primary pollutants in an urban or rural area and describe the source of the pollution.
b) Choose TWO of the primary air pollutants listed from part a) and describe a method of reducing its emission
c) Describe the processes of acid deposition forming from primary air pollutants in the troposphere.
d) Discuss some environmental impacts that acid deposition nay have on the ecosystem.
FRQ 34 – Bus Pollution (Unit 7)
Chapter 18b: Freemont Times – Asthma on the Bus Goes Round and Round.
Diesel smoke that is visible drifting from the exhaust pipes of Big-rigs and busses is a mixture of more than 450
different chemical gases and fine particles from the more infamous NOx, SOx, CO2, CO, Benzene, H2S, and Formaldehydes
to over 40 chemicals considered toxic air contaminants by the state of California. According to the American Lung
Association and the EPA, exposure to this mixture may result in cancer, exacerbation of asthma, respiratory impairment, and
other health problems.
Diesel engines spew out 100 ties more particulates than comparable gasoline engines. As a result, diesel engines
account for an estimate 26% of the total hazardous particulate pollution (PM10) from fuel combustion sources in our air, and
66% of the particulate pollution from on-road sources. According to recent NRDC and UCSF study, the particles found in
diesel exhaust slip by our respiratory defenses and can remain deep in our lungs where they stimulate an immune response,
inflammatory changes, airway constriction, mucus production, and symptoms of asthma. Studies have also shown that diesel
fumes also have a synergistic effect, increasing susceptibility to lower levels of allergens. It does not come as a surprise when
the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reports that the number of individuals with asthma increased by 42% in the US
during the last decade. And yet school children stand by and sit in idling school buses every day.
a) According to the articles what is the connection that makes diesel engines more of a threat to asthma and respiratory
allergy sufferers than gasoline car pollution?
b) Name and explain TWO ingredients in diesel fumes that are a human health issue.
c) Name and discuss TWO other environmental issues that the exhaust from diesel engines would be linked to.
d) Describe TWO solutions which could help alleviate this school bus - asthma connection
FRQ 35 – Water Pollution (Unit 7)
Chapter 20b: Two years ago, there was a significant fish kill on a small tributary of one of the major rivers in the eastern part
of the USA. After investigating the problem for some time, officials of the State Environmental Protection Agency were
unable to pinpoint the source of the problem. Instead, they concluded that pollutants in the runoff from the spring rains were
the most likely the source of the problem.
a) Describe TWO man-made contributors and ONE natural contributor of non-point water pollution.
b) Describe FOUR strategies that can be used to control and manage water pollution from the non-point sources.
c) Give TWO reasons why it is harder to control water pollution from non-point sources than from point sources.
d) Name TWO contaminants that are more likely to come from non-point sources than from point sources.
FRQ 36 - Hazardous Waste (Unit 7)
Chapter 21a: A major problem facing the US today is how to deal with the growing amount of hazardous waste generated
each day. Hazardous waste is produced by various daily activities in every sector of our society. As the population continues
to grow, so does the amount of hazardous waste produced.
a) Identify TWO different types of hazardous waste and describe the source from which they originate.
b) Explain a current method of converting hazardous waste to a less hazardous substance.
c) Describe a current method of hazardous waste storage used in the US.
d) Discuss what an integrated pest management approach to dealing with hazardous waste would include.
e) Identify and describe ONE federal law that is used to regulate or remediate hazardous waste in the US.
FRQ 37 - Landfills (Unit 7)
Chapter 21b: The Poca County Commission voted a few years ago to authorize the development of a new landfill on countyowned land near the village of Avon. The vote was preceded by a preliminary engineering and geologic report that showed
that the Avon site would be suitable for a municipal landfill. At a public hearing held at the Avon Elementary School, the
vast majority of residents of Avon were opposed to the proposal, while most non-residents supported it.
a) Describe THREE important properties that must be present at a suitable landfill site.
b) Explain TWO advantages of using landfills for solid waste disposal.
c) Describe TWO disadvantages of landfills and explain how they can be minimized.
d) Why does it take so long for biodegradable landfill wastes to decompose?
FRQ 38 – Ozone Depletion (Unit 8)
Chapter 19a: Freemont Daily News - Scientists report that ozone-depleted air above Antarctica flows northward and lingers
over parts of Australia, New Zealand, South American, and South Africa. UV-B exposure in these areas has increased by as
much as 20%. New Zealand medical reports show a marked increase in skin cancer cases since the late 1970s. Typically
during this time period, 1600 people out of New Zealand’s 4 million inhabitants experienced some type of skin cancer,
However, due to increasing ozone loss in this areas over the last few decades, doctors expect to see a 30% increase in skin
cancer by the year 2012. New Zealand health officials are looking into possible ad campaigns to urge people to protect
themselves from the sun’s harmful rays.
a) Typically what percent of the New Zealand population was diagnosed with skin cancer in the late 1970s?
b) How many New Zealanders do they anticipate having skin cancer in the year 2012 due to the ozone loss experienced
in the last few decades?
c) List ONE ozone-depleting chemical and describe a possible source of its emission.
d) Identify TWO other possible human health impacts that people living in areas with ozone depletion may experience.
e) Give ONE economic and ONE environmental impact associated with ozone depletion.
FRQ 39 Political Strategies (Unit 8)
Chapter 24: Several years ago, representatives of most countries met in Kyoto, Japan to agree in principle on the basic
framework on how to deal with the problem of global warming. Unfortunately, the current US administration has steadfastly
refused to sign the protocol. As the largest contributor of greenhouse gases on Earth, the participation of the US is critical to
the success of any attempt at reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases and slowing down the rate of climate change.
However, several states and cities have enacted laws to implement their own climate change strategies. Many American
companies have also gotten into the act.
a) Describe FOUR political strategies that an individual can take to advance the cause of the global warming issue in
this country.
b) Outline FOUR steps that you can take in the immediate future to reduce your contribution of greenhouse gases.
c) Describe TWO tactics that the opponents of global warming have used to fight the adoption of responsible global
warming policies in the USA.