APES Review 2020 for COVID Online Test
Free Response Questions
Tips for FRQ Question 1: Designing an Experiment Must Dos:
1. Stating a hypothesis
a. Always use increasing and decreasing in your hypothesis.
b. State your hypothesis as an If/then statement.
i. For example: If the toxicity levels increase, then the
mortality rate will increase.
ii. Don’t Do: If toxic levels are at 10%, more fish will die.
This is not good for a few reasons. One, it is too specific. It is
only testing one thing (10%). Hypothesis should be written as a
relationship so if one thing goes up, the other goes down or vice
versa. Also be specific in your dependent variable. Fish dying is
not specific enough. Call it the mortality rate. Or reproduction
rates will decrease. Use the verbiage.
2. Describe the method you would use to test your
hypothesis.
a. Here is where you want to talk about how you want to set up
and run your experiment. Always have at least 3 groups you are
testing. One group that gets nothing, one group that gets a little
bit, and one group that gets more. If your hypothesis says that if
we increase or decrease something, then you need to have multiple
trials showing that you will be increasing or decreasing
something.
i. For Example: I would have one tank with no pesticides. I
would have another tank with 2% pesticides and one more tank with
5% pesticide. In each tank I will maintain the same water
temperature at 70 degrees F, the same water levels at 90% full
tank, and the same type of fish, goldfish. After 2 weeks of
testing, I will measure the mortality rate. To verify results, I
would run the same experiment again in one month to verify
outcomes.
ii. What is important here? I described 3 trials. I described 3
constants, notice how I made them very specific. I described how
long I plan to run the trial for and what I will look for in the
end. You need to always do these things. Note I have also indicated
that I will repeat the experiment in one month to verify
outcomes.
3. Identify your control.
A. The control is always the trial that does not get the
independent variable.
a. For example: If you are testing pesticides, then your control
is the group that gets NO pesticides.
b. For example: If you are testing fertilizers, then your
control is the group that gets NO fertilizer.
4. State your Dependent variable
A. Always state the dependent variable with units.
a. For example: Dependent variable is the mortality rate
measured in number died over 2 weeks.
b. For example: Dependent variable is the growth rate of plants
measured in cm.
5. State results that would contradict your hypothesis.
A. Here you must state results that would make your hypothesis
incorrect. Must be logical and refer to your hypothesis.
Note: Your experimental design needs to be at least
theoretically possible and it is very important that your
conclusions/predictions be consistent with the principles involved
and with the way you set up the experiment.
Tips for FRQ Question 2:
Must use complete sentences always or no points.
If you make a mistake, draw a line through it. This is
considered omitted and won’t be scored.
Calculate: Perform mathematical steps to arrive at a final
answer, including algebraic expressions, properly substituted
numbers, and correct labeling of units. Showing work is required OR
NO POINTS.
Show me the work, step by step. Don’t be messy. Rewrite work if
hard to follow. ALWAYS SHOW UNITS.
Describe: Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified
topic. 1 to 2 sentences with a “because”. Tell me what it is, then
give me a bit more.
Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship,
process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using
evidence and/or reasoning to support or qualify a claim. Explain
“how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process,
pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas, explain “why”
typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the
relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.
Also phrased as “give one reason”.
A paragraph of explanation. Be specific in what you are talking
about. Nothing fluffy.
Identify: Indicate or provide information about a specified
topic, without elaboration or explanation. 1 complete sentence
answer. Just tell me the answer with no because of further
explanation.
Justify: Provide evidence to support, qualify, or defend a claim
and/or provide reasoning to explain how that evidence supports or
qualifies the claim.
Give specific numbers or trends from data/graphs to support your
answer.
Make a claim: State an answer based on evidence or knowledge. 1
sentence.
Propose a solution: Provide a proposed solution to a problem
based on evidence or knowledge.
Environmental: Impacts on ecosystems (biotic and abiotic);
volcanic activity spews particulate matter and sulfur dioxide into
the air as it erupts, decreasing air quality for animals. NEVER
MENTION PEOPLE.
Ecological: Impacts on communities (biotic); volcanic activity
can destroy plant life as lava flows through established
ecosystems.
Social: Impacts on PEOPLE; earthquakes can be disastrous in high
populated areas. Many people have been killed because of collapsed
structures.
Economic: Impacts on people and nations; earthquakes can cause
major structural damage to buildings and interrupt both
transportation and communication networks vital to business. Repair
or rebuilding can be very expensive. Entire economies can be
disrupted. TALK ABOUT MONEY AND JOBS.
Environmental Legislation
Explanation
Clean Air Act
Clean Water Act
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA)
Montreal Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
Endangered Species Act
Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA)
Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems
Topic 1.1 Introduction to Ecosystems: Explain how the
availability of resources influences species interactions
Explain Predator-Prey
Explain Mutualism
Explain Commensalism
Explain Parasitism
Explain Competition
Explain Resource Partitioning
Explain Competitive Exclusion Principle
Explain Herbivory
Explain Ecosystem Engineer
1.2 Terrestrial Biomes: Describe the global distribution and
principal environmental aspects of terrestrial biomes
Define Biome
Define the precipitation, temperature, common flora and fauna of
a Taiga (Copy/paste a climatograph from google for the
temp/precipitation)
Define the precipitation, temperature, common flora and fauna of
a Tundra
Define the precipitation, temperature, common flora and fauna of
a Savanna
Define the precipitation, temperature, common flora and fauna of
a Desert
Define the precipitation, temperature, common flora and fauna of
a Temperate Grassland
Define the precipitation, temperature, common flora and fauna of
a Tropical Rainforests
Define the precipitation, temperature, common flora and fauna of
a Temperate Seasonal Forests
Define the precipitation, temperature, common flora and fauna of
a Temperate Rainforests
Define the precipitation, temperature, common flora and fauna of
a Shrubland
Describe how the distribution of biomes has changed in the past
and why it may change again in the future.
1.3: Aquatic Biomes: Describe the global distribution and
principal environmental aspects of aquatic biomes
Freshwater Biomes include...
Coral Reefs
Marshland
Estuaries
Describe the importance of Algae in the ocean.
1.4 The Carbon Cycle
Draw a model of the carbon cycle. Make sure to include all the
possible reservoirs, sinks, and ways carbon can move from place to
place.
1.5 The Nitrogen Cycle
Draw and explain the steps and reservoir interactions in the
nitrogen cycle.
1.6 The Phosphorus Cycle
Draw and explain the steps and reservoir interactions in the
phosphorus cycle.
1.7 The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
Draw and explain the steps and reservoir interactions in the
hydrologic cycle.
1.8 Primary Productivity
Define Primary Productivity
Define Gross Primary Productivity
Define Net Primary Productivity
Explain the units of productivity
How have photosynthesizers adapted to low light conditions in
aquatic environments?
1.9 Trophic Levels
Define Trophic Levels
Draw an example of a trophic pyramid.
What energy source drives all trophic levels?
1.10 Energy Flow and 10% Rule
Define the 10% rule when talking about trophic pyramids. Be able
to calculate the rule of 10 (energy “lost” when moving up a trophic
level)
Explain the 1st Law of Thermodynamics
Explain the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
Explain how the laws of thermodynamics apply to energy transfer
from one trophic level to the next.
1.11 Food Chains and Food Webs
Draw(copy/paste) an example of a food chain.
Draw(copy/paste) an example of a food web.
How does a food chain and a food web differ from one
another?
Define trophic cascade and provide an example of a trophic
cascade.
Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity
2.1 Introduction to Biodiversity
Define Species Richness
Define Species Evenness
Draw a community that is high in richness but low in
evenness
There are several ways evolution creates biodiversity. Explain
how mutations and recombination of genes can create diversity.
Define and give an example of artificial selection.
Explain the process of natural selection.
Explain the process of genetic drift.
Explain the process of bottleneck effect.
Explain the founder effect.
Explain the difference between allopatric and sympatric
speciation.
2.2 Ecosystem Services
There are 4 categories of ecosystem services:
· Provisioning
· Regulating
· Cultural
· Supporting
Define each type of service and provide 1 example.
2.3 Island Biogeography
Describe island biogeography and the role island biogeography
has in evolution.
2.4 Ecological Tolerance
Describe the difference between a generalist and a specialist
species. Provide an example of each.
Discuss the difference between a fundamental niche and a
realized niche.
All species have a range of tolerances that an organism can
endure before injury or death. What are different types of
conditions that limit the growth of species? Describe 4.
2.5 Ecological Succession
There are two main types of succession, primary and secondary.
Explain the difference between the two. What are all the steps in
primary and secondary succession?
Define a keystone species and provide 3 different examples. Make
sure to explain why your 3 examples are considered keystone
species.
Define an indicator species and provide 3 different examples.
Make sure to explain why your 3 examples are considered an
indicator species.
Describe what a pioneer species is and why it is important in
ecological succession.
Unit 3: Populations
3.1 K-Selected and r-selected species. List all the
characteristics of each type of species.
K-Selected Species
R-selected species
Define Biotic Potential.
Which species would be more affected by an invasion of invasive
species? Explain.
Are invasive species typically an r or k selected species?
Explain.
3.2 Survivorship curves
Draw a graph. Draw a Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 survivorship
curve.
Describe the difference between a species that is Type 1, Type
2, versus Type 3.
What survivorship curves usually represent K-selected
species?
Which survivorship curves usually represent r-selected
species?
3.3 Carrying Capacity
Describe what a carrying capacity for a population means.
Find a graph that describes carrying capacity and label the
graph there you can find the carrying capacity.
Describe 3 Density Independent Factors and what makes them
density independent.
Describe 3 Density Dependent Factors and what makes them density
dependent.
Describe the difference between exponential growth and logistic
growth..
Draw a graph of exponential growth and draw a graph of logistic
growth.
Describe whether a K or R selected species exhibits exponential
or logistic growth.
Describe a “corridor” and how it impacts population growth.
3.4 Age Structure Diagrams
Draw an age structure diagram of a country that is growing.
Draw an age structure diagram of a country where the population
is stable.
Draw an age structure diagram of a country where the population
is declining.
3.5 Total Fertility Rate
Define Total Fertility Rate
Define Crude Birth Rate
Define Crude Death Rate
Define Immigration
Define Emigration
Explain the rule of 70 in determining a doubling time for a
population.
Explain several different factors that would affect the total
fertility rate. (Think women, education, access to healthcare…)
3.5 Total Fertility Rate
Define Total Fertility Rate
Define Crude Birth Rate
Define Crude Death Rate
Define Immigration
Define Emigration
Explain the rule of 70 in determining a doubling time for a
population.
Explain several different factors that would affect the total
fertility rate. (Think women, education, access to healthcare…)
3.6 Demographic Transition
Draw a graph representing all phases of the demographic
transition. (find one online)
Explain Phase 1 and given an example of an age structure diagram
and country in Phase 1.
Explain Phase 2 and given an example of an age structure diagram
and country in Phase 2.
Explain Phase 3 and given an example of an age structure diagram
and country in Phase 3.
Explain Phase 4 and given an example of an age structure diagram
and country in Phase 4.
Explain several reasons why population and fertility rates
change due to family planning (Page 239)
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
4.1 Plate Tectonics
What is a convergent boundary and explain the types of
geological changes that can happen at those boundaries.
What is a divergent boundary and explain the types of geological
changes that can happen.
What is a transform boundary and explain the types of geological
change that can happen.
Find a global map showing the distribution of plate boundaries.
Pay close attention to the location of volcanoes, island arcs,
earthquakes, hot spots and faults. (use the internet to find a map
and familiarize yourself with it)
4.2 Soil Formation and Erosion
Explain how soil is formed over time from parent rock.
Explain the soil horizons (O, A, E, B, C) and what can be found
at each layer.
Explain how soils can be eroded.
Explain soil degradation.
Be able to identify a soil by using a soil triangle.
Explain which types of soils can retain more water than
others.
Explain the difference between porosity and permeability.
Describe 4 physical properties of soil. Describe 2 ways you can
test any of these physical properties.
Describe 4 chemical properties of soil. Describe 2 ways you can
test any of these chemical properties.
4.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Describe the types and amounts of gases in the atmosphere.
Memorize the layers of the atmosphere, especially pertaining to
the temperature gradients and certain events that happen in
different layers.
4.3 Global Wind Patterns
What is the source of energy that drives all wind patterns?
Explain adiabatic cooling.
Explain adiabatic heating.
Explain latent heat release.
Where can you find hadley, ferrel, and polar cells?
What is the ITCZ?
Explain the coriolis effect on how wind patterns are affected by
this on the northern and southern hemisphere.
Explain the formation of rain shadows.
4.4 Watersheds
What is a watershed?
Describe 5 characteristics that make up a watershed.
4.5 Solar Radiation and Earth’s Seasons
Explain albedo. Provide examples of how different surfaces have
different albedos.
Which latitudes receive the most solar radiation? Which
latitudes receive the least?
Explain how the Earth’s tilt causes the Earth’s seasons.
4.6 El Nino and La Nina
Describe how an El Nino forms, where it forms, and the
precipitation changes to that area.
Describe how a La Nina forms, where it forms, and the
precipitation changes to that area.
Explain upwelling and its importance to local fisheries.
Unit 5: Land Use and Resources
5.1 The Tragedy of the Commons
Explain the concept of the tragedy of the commons.
Provide 3 examples of commons that can experience this
tragedy.
Explain and provide an example of a positive externality.
Explain and provide an example of a negative externality.
5.2 Clear Cutting vs. Selective Cutting
Provide the pros and cons of clearcutting a forestested
area.
Provide the pros and cons of selective cutting a forested
area.
5.3 The Green Revolution (364-373)
Describe changes that occurred during the Green Revolution.
Describe the pros and cons of mechanization.
Explain the pros and cons of using organic vs. synthetic
fertilizers.
What is monocropping? Describe the pros and cons.
Explain insecticides.
Explain Herbicides.
Explain the difference between broad spectrum vs. selective
pesticides.
Explain the difference between persistent and nonpersistent
pesticides.
Explain the pesticide treadmill.
Explain 3 benefits of genetically engineering food.
Explain CAFOs. Explain pros and cons.
Explain how tilling, slash and burning, and the use of
fertilizers can cause environmental damage.
5.4 Irrigation Methods
Define drip irrigation. Explain the benefits and drawbacks of
using this method.
Define flood irrigation. Explain the benefits and drawbacks of
using this method.
Define furrow irrigation. Explain the benefits and drawbacks of
using this method.
Define spray irrigation. Explain the benefits and drawbacks of
using this method.
Explain how and why the Ogallala Aquifer in the central US has
been severely depleted overtime.
Explain when salinization occurs and why it is bad for
plants.
5.5 Meat Production Methods
Discuss the efficiency of emat production as compared to
agriculture.
Discuss the pros and cons of free range beef.
Discuss the impacts of overgrazing.
Explain desertification.
Fact to know: Less consumption of meat could reduce CO2,
methane, N20 emissions; conserve water; reduce the use of
antibiotics and growth hormones; and improve soil.
5.6 Overfishing
Describe the causes and problems related to overfishing.
5.7 Impacts of Mining
Define ore.
Define a reserve.
Describe strip mining.
Describe open pit mining.
Describe mountaintop removal.
Describe subsurface mining.
Compare and contrast the effects of surface and subsurface
mining on air, water, soil, biodiversity, and humans. (285)
5.8 Impacts of Urbanization
Describe the impacts of urbanization on the environment
(244).
Describe the causes and consequences of urban sprawl.
Describe the positive feedback loop of urban blight.
Explain the purpose of smart growth and explain 3 strategies to
ensure smart growth of an area.
5.9 Ecological Footprints
Explain what an ecological footprint measures.
Explain 2 ways to reduce your ecological footprint.
5.10 Introduction to Sustainability
Explain the concept of sustainability.
Explain the concept of sustainable yield.
5.11 Method to reduce urban runoff
Explain 3 methods to reduce the amount of runoff in urban
areas.
Permeable Pavement:
Planting Trees:
Increased us of public transportation:
5.12 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Describe the purpose of IPM and some of the main ways IPM is
used.
Explain crop rotation and its ability to hinder pests.
Explain intercropping and its ability to hinder pests.
Explain agroforestry and its ability to hinder pests.
5.13 Sustainable Agriculture
Explain contour plowing and its impacts on soil
conservation.
Explain windbreaks/shelterbelts and its impact on soil
conservation.
Explain Perennial crops and its impact on soil conservation.
Explain terracing and its impacts on soil conservation.
Explain no-till agriculture and its impact on soil
conservation.
Explain strip cropping/intercropping and its impact on soil
conservation.
Discuss how crop rotation can improve soil fertility in the long
run.
Discuss how rotational grazing of livestock can help avoid
overgrazing and benefit soil.
5.14 Aquaculture (382)
Describe the benefits and drawbacks of aquaculture.
5.15 Sustainable Forestry
Describe the purpose of prescribed burns and their use to reduce
the occurrence of natural fires.
Describe 3 ways to reduce the amount of deforestation.
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
6.1 Renewable and Non-renewable resources
Identify the differences between renewable and nonrenewable
resources.
6.2 Global Energy Consumption
Describe the most widely used sources of energy on Earth.
Describe which types of energy sources are used between
developed and developing countries.
Know which countries use the most energy and which types.
Identify where natural energy resources occur worldwide. Know
where ores, coal, crude oil and gas deposits are located in what
countries and relative amounts.
6.3 Fuel Types of Uses
Explain cogeneration
Explain the 3 types of coal: lignite, bituminous, and anthracite
and how they are formed.
Discuss the pros and cons of extraction of crude oil from
bitumen and tar sands.
Wood is commonly used as fuel in the form of firewood and
charcoal. Discuss the
Know that Peat is partially decomposed organic material that can
be burned as fuel.
6.4. Coal
Discuss the effects of the use of coal in power generation on
the environment.
Know that coal is still primarily used worldwide as the #1
energy source.
Be able to explain how a coal fired power plant produces
electricity. (We did this in class with a nice diagram)(406)
6.5 Natural Gas
Discuss the effects of the use of natural gas in power
generation on the environment.
Be able to explain the effects of hydraulic fracking on the
environment, especially with respect to water and emissions
released.
6.6 Nuclear Power
Discuss the effects of the use of nuclear energy in power
generation on the environment.
Be able to explain how a nuclear power plant produces
electricity. (We did this in class with a nice diagram)(419)
Know that nuclear power is non renewable and it does not release
air pollutants but does release hazardous waste and thermal
pollution.
Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima are three cases of
accidents. Discuss the short and long term effects from these
accidents. (Think economic , social, and environmental)
Know how to calculate the half life of an element.
Explain what a half life means.
6.7 Biomass/Biofuel (Wood, Charcoal, Manure and
Ethanol/Biodiesel)
Discuss the effects of the use of biomass in power generation on
the environment.
What are fuel sources considered to be biomass?
6.8 Solar
Discuss the effects of the use of solar in power generation on
the environment.
Describe how photovoltaic solar cells work.
Describe the difference between active and passive solar energy
systems and how they work.
6.9 Hydroelectric Power
Discuss the effects of the use of hydroelectricity in power
generation on the environment.
Describe how dams work to create electricity.
Describe how tidal energy can be used to create electricity.
6.10 Geothermal Energy
Discuss the effects of the use of geothermal in power generation
on the environment.
Describe how geothermal energy is obtained and used to generate
electricity.
6.11 Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Discuss the effects of the use of hydroelectricity in power
generation on the environment.
Describe how hydrogen fuel cells work and are used in generating
power.
6.12 Wind
Discuss the effects of the use of wind in power generation on
the environment.
Describe how wind turbines work and are used in generating
electricity..
6.13 Energy Conservation
Describe 4 ways to reduce energy conservation at home.
Describe 3 ways to reduce energy use on a large scale.
Describe 3 ways to design a passive solar house to reduce energy
usage.
Unit 7: Pollution
7.1 Sources and effects of air pollutants
Identify the sources and effects of different air pollutants
(see page 521 for table)
Describe the difference between a primary and secondary
pollutant.
Know that fossil fuels release SOx, NOx, and CO2 pollution.
Explain the Clean Air Act and its impact on air pollution.
7.2 Photochemical Smog
Explain how photochemical smog forms. (look at chalk
drawings)
Explain 2 methods to reduce photochemical smog.
Explain the health effects of photochemical smog.
7.3 Thermal Inversion
Describe how a thermal inversion happens and its effect on air
pollution. (529)
7.4 Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates
Explain the natural sources of CO2 and particulate matter in the
atmosphere.
7.5 Indoor Air Pollutants
Explain the source and health effects of VOCs.
Explain the source and health effects of Carbon Monoxide.
Explain the source and health effects of Asbestos.
Explain the source and health effects of Radon.
Explain sick building syndrome.
7.6 Reduction of Air Pollutants
Explain a vapor recovery nozzle on gas pumps.
Explain how a catalytic converter reduces pollutants in internal
combustion engines.
Explain how wet and dry scrubbers reduce particulates and
gases.
Explain how an electrostatic precipitator reduces air
pollution.
7.7 Acid Rain
Describe the formation of acid deposition (chalk drawing)
Describe the effects of acid deposition on the environment.
7.8 Noise Pollution
Describe sources of noise pollution in urban areas.
Describe effects of noise pollution on animals in ecological
systems.