Apes 2020 Practice Exam 2 Mcq

The AP Environmental Science (APES) exam can be daunting, and the 2020 Practice Exam 2 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are a crucial resource for preparation. Understanding the concepts behind each question, not just the correct answer, is key to mastering the material and achieving a high score. This in-depth guide will dissect each question, providing explanations, relevant background information, and strategies for approaching similar questions on the actual exam.

Dissecting the 2020 APES Practice Exam 2 MCQs

Here's a breakdown of how we'll approach each question:

• The Question: We'll state the question exactly as it appears on the 2020 APES Practice Exam 2.
• Correct Answer: We'll identify the correct answer choice.
• Explanation: A detailed explanation of why the correct answer is the best choice, including the relevant scientific principles.
• Why Other Answers are Incorrect: We'll analyze why each of the incorrect answer choices is wrong, helping you understand common misconceptions and traps.
• Key Concepts: We'll highlight the underlying environmental science concepts tested by the question.
• Strategies for Success: We'll offer tips and strategies for approaching similar questions on the actual exam.

Disclaimer: This analysis assumes you have access to the 2020 APES Practice Exam 2 MCQs. This document provides explanations and insights, not the questions themselves.

Let's begin! (Note: Since I do not have the actual questions, I will create representative questions that mirror the style and content typically found in APES exams. This will allow me to demonstrate the analytical approach described above.)

Representative Question 1:

The burning of fossil fuels releases several pollutants into the atmosphere. Which of the following is the MOST significant contributor to acid rain?

(A) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) (B) Methane (CH4) (C) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) (D) Particulate Matter (PM) (E) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

• Correct Answer: (C) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

• Explanation: Sulfur dioxide reacts with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid. This sulfuric acid, along with nitric acid formed from nitrogen oxides, is the primary component of acid rain. The burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, is a major source of sulfur dioxide emissions.

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (A) Carbon Dioxide (CO2): While CO2 is a greenhouse gas and contributes to climate change, it does not directly cause acid rain.
  • (B) Methane (CH4): Methane is a potent greenhouse gas but is not a significant contributor to acid rain.
  • (D) Particulate Matter (PM): Particulate matter can contribute to respiratory problems and reduced visibility, but it is not the primary cause of acid rain.
  • (E) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs contribute to the formation of smog and ground-level ozone, but they are not the main cause of acid rain.

• Key Concepts: Acid rain, air pollution, fossil fuel combustion, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides.

• Strategies for Success: Remember the primary pollutants that cause acid rain: sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Understanding the sources of these pollutants (e.g., coal-burning power plants) is also crucial.

Representative Question 2:

A population of deer in a forest ecosystem has exceeded the carrying capacity. Which of the following is the MOST likely consequence of this overshoot?

(A) Increased biodiversity of plant species due to deer grazing. (B) Improved health and vigor of the deer population. (C) A decrease in the carrying capacity of the environment. (D) A stable equilibrium between the deer population and the environment. (E) An increase in the population of predator species that prey on deer.

• Correct Answer: (C) A decrease in the carrying capacity of the environment.

• Explanation: When a population exceeds the carrying capacity, it consumes resources faster than they can be replenished. This leads to habitat degradation, resource depletion (e.g., food, water), and ultimately, a reduction in the environment's ability to support the population.

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (A) Increased biodiversity of plant species due to deer grazing: Overgrazing typically leads to a decrease in plant biodiversity, as certain species are preferentially consumed, and the overall vegetation cover is reduced.
  • (B) Improved health and vigor of the deer population: Exceeding carrying capacity leads to increased competition for resources, resulting in decreased health and vigor due to malnutrition and increased susceptibility to disease.
  • (D) A stable equilibrium between the deer population and the environment: Overshoot disrupts the equilibrium, leading to instability and fluctuations.
  • (E) An increase in the population of predator species that prey on deer: While predator populations might increase eventually, the more immediate consequence of exceeding carrying capacity is resource depletion and habitat degradation, which directly impacts the deer population's health and survival before significantly impacting predator populations.

• Key Concepts: Carrying capacity, population dynamics, overshoot, resource depletion, habitat degradation.

• Strategies for Success: Understand the concept of carrying capacity and the consequences of exceeding it. Think about the direct and immediate impacts on both the population and the environment.

Representative Question 3:

Which of the following is the MOST effective long-term solution for reducing the amount of plastic entering the ocean?

(A) Increasing the number of beach cleanup events. (B) Developing biodegradable plastics. (C) Expanding the capacity of existing landfills. (D) Implementing a global ban on single-use plastic bags. (E) Promoting the use of incineration for plastic waste disposal.

• Correct Answer: (D) Implementing a global ban on single-use plastic bags.

• Explanation: A global ban on single-use plastic bags directly addresses the source of the problem by preventing the production and consumption of a significant contributor to plastic pollution. While other options can help manage existing plastic waste, a ban prevents the waste from being generated in the first place.

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (A) Increasing the number of beach cleanup events: While helpful for removing existing plastic, it doesn't prevent more plastic from entering the ocean. It's a reactive, not proactive, solution.
  • (B) Developing biodegradable plastics: Biodegradable plastics can be helpful, but their effectiveness depends on proper disposal conditions (e.g., industrial composting facilities), which are not always available. Furthermore, some biodegradable plastics still break down into microplastics.
  • (C) Expanding the capacity of existing landfills: This only postpones the problem and doesn't address the root cause of plastic pollution. Landfills also have environmental impacts, such as leachate contamination.
  • (E) Promoting the use of incineration for plastic waste disposal: Incineration can release harmful air pollutants, including greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals, if not properly controlled.

• Key Concepts: Plastic pollution, source reduction, waste management, sustainability.

• Strategies for Success: Focus on solutions that address the root cause of environmental problems. Consider the long-term effectiveness and potential unintended consequences of different approaches.

Representative Question 4:

Which of the following biogeochemical cycles does NOT have a significant atmospheric component?

(A) The Carbon Cycle (B) The Nitrogen Cycle (C) The Phosphorus Cycle (D) The Water Cycle (E) The Sulfur Cycle

• Correct Answer: (C) The Phosphorus Cycle

• Explanation: The phosphorus cycle is primarily a sedimentary cycle. Phosphorus is mainly found in rocks and soil minerals. It is released through weathering and erosion and then absorbed by plants. While phosphorus can be transported in dust, there is no significant gaseous phase in the atmosphere.

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (A) The Carbon Cycle: Carbon exists in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).
  • (B) The Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen exists in the atmosphere as nitrogen gas (N2) and is converted into usable forms through nitrogen fixation and denitrification.
  • (D) The Water Cycle: Water exists in the atmosphere as water vapor (H2O).
  • (E) The Sulfur Cycle: Sulfur exists in the atmosphere as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

• Key Concepts: Biogeochemical cycles, phosphorus cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle, sulfur cycle, atmospheric components.

• Strategies for Success: Know the key processes and reservoirs in each of the major biogeochemical cycles. Understanding the atmospheric components of each cycle is particularly important.

Representative Question 5:

A country is experiencing rapid population growth. Which of the following is LEAST likely to contribute to a decrease in its total fertility rate (TFR)?

(A) Increased access to education for women. (B) Increased availability of family planning services. (C) Increased urbanization and economic development. (D) Increased infant mortality rate. (E) Increased cultural emphasis on large families.

• Correct Answer: (E) Increased cultural emphasis on large families.

• Explanation: Increased cultural emphasis on large families would likely increase the TFR, not decrease it. All the other options are factors that typically contribute to lower fertility rates.

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (A) Increased access to education for women: Educated women tend to have fewer children because they have more opportunities outside the home and are more likely to delay marriage and childbearing.
  • (B) Increased availability of family planning services: Access to contraception and family planning allows couples to control the timing and number of their children.
  • (C) Increased urbanization and economic development: Urban areas often have higher costs of living, and economic development can lead to greater access to education and employment opportunities, all of which tend to lower fertility rates.
  • (D) Increased infant mortality rate: While tragic, a high infant mortality rate can paradoxically lead to higher fertility rates as families have more children to ensure that some survive to adulthood. However, this is less direct than a cultural emphasis on large families.

• Key Concepts: Total fertility rate (TFR), population growth, demographic transition, factors affecting fertility rates.

• Strategies for Success: Understand the factors that influence population growth and fertility rates. Pay attention to the direction of the relationship (e.g., does factor X increase or decrease TFR?).

Representative Question 6:

The introduction of a non-native species into an ecosystem can have significant ecological consequences. Which of the following is the MOST likely negative impact of introducing an invasive species?

(A) Increased biodiversity and ecosystem stability. (B) Enhanced nutrient cycling and improved soil health. (C) Displacement of native species and disruption of food webs. (D) Increased resilience of the ecosystem to environmental changes. (E) Improved water quality and reduced erosion.

• Correct Answer: (C) Displacement of native species and disruption of food webs.

• Explanation: Invasive species often outcompete native species for resources (e.g., food, water, habitat), leading to a decline in native populations. They can also disrupt food webs by preying on native species, competing with them for food, or altering habitat structure.

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (A) Increased biodiversity and ecosystem stability: Invasive species typically decrease biodiversity and destabilize ecosystems.
  • (B) Enhanced nutrient cycling and improved soil health: While some introduced species might have positive impacts on nutrient cycling, the overall effect of invasive species is usually negative.
  • (D) Increased resilience of the ecosystem to environmental changes: Invasive species often reduce the resilience of ecosystems by simplifying food webs and making them more vulnerable to disturbances.
  • (E) Improved water quality and reduced erosion: Invasive species can sometimes worsen water quality and increase erosion by altering vegetation cover and soil structure.

• Key Concepts: Invasive species, non-native species, biodiversity, ecosystem stability, competition, predation, food webs.

• Strategies for Success: Remember that invasive species generally have negative impacts on ecosystems. Focus on the ways in which they disrupt native species and ecosystem processes.

Representative Question 7:

Which of the following is the MOST likely long-term consequence of deforestation on a watershed?

(A) Increased infiltration of water into the soil. (B) Decreased surface runoff and erosion. (C) Increased carbon sequestration by vegetation. (D) Increased flooding and sediment deposition in rivers. (E) Decreased nutrient levels in streams and rivers.

• Correct Answer: (D) Increased flooding and sediment deposition in rivers.

• Explanation: Deforestation removes the vegetation cover that intercepts rainfall, reduces soil erosion, and regulates water flow. Without trees, more water runs off the surface, leading to increased flooding. The lack of vegetation also increases soil erosion, resulting in more sediment being deposited in rivers.

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (A) Increased infiltration of water into the soil: Deforestation decreases infiltration because the soil is more compacted and exposed.
  • (B) Decreased surface runoff and erosion: Deforestation increases surface runoff and erosion.
  • (C) Increased carbon sequestration by vegetation: Deforestation decreases carbon sequestration because trees, which store carbon, are removed.
  • (E) Decreased nutrient levels in streams and rivers: Deforestation often increases nutrient levels in streams and rivers due to increased runoff and erosion.

• Key Concepts: Deforestation, watershed, erosion, runoff, flooding, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling.

• Strategies for Success: Understand the role of vegetation in regulating water flow and preventing soil erosion. Consider the long-term consequences of removing vegetation cover.

Representative Question 8:

Which of the following is the MOST significant environmental benefit of using nuclear energy compared to coal-fired power plants?

(A) Reduced greenhouse gas emissions. (B) Elimination of radioactive waste. (C) Decreased risk of nuclear accidents. (D) Lower cost of electricity production. (E) Reduced air pollution from particulate matter and sulfur dioxide.

• Correct Answer: (A) Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

• Explanation: Nuclear power plants do not burn fossil fuels, so they do not emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change. While nuclear energy has other environmental concerns (e.g., radioactive waste), its primary benefit is its reduced greenhouse gas footprint compared to coal.

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (B) Elimination of radioactive waste: Nuclear energy produces radioactive waste, which requires long-term storage.
  • (C) Decreased risk of nuclear accidents: Nuclear accidents, while rare, are a potential risk associated with nuclear power.
  • (D) Lower cost of electricity production: The cost of electricity production from nuclear power can be higher than from coal, depending on various factors.
  • (E) Reduced air pollution from particulate matter and sulfur dioxide: While nuclear plants don't emit these pollutants, the most significant benefit is the reduction in greenhouse gases, which has a global impact on climate change. Coal plants are major sources of both these pollutants.

• Key Concepts: Nuclear energy, coal-fired power plants, greenhouse gas emissions, radioactive waste, air pollution, climate change.

• Strategies for Success: Weigh the pros and cons of different energy sources. Focus on the most significant environmental impacts and benefits.

Representative Question 9:

Which of the following describes the process of eutrophication?

(A) The depletion of oxygen in a body of water due to excessive nutrient enrichment. (B) The acidification of ocean waters due to increased absorption of carbon dioxide. (C) The accumulation of toxins in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels. (D) The thinning of the ozone layer due to the release of chlorofluorocarbons. (E) The loss of biodiversity due to habitat fragmentation.

• Correct Answer: (A) The depletion of oxygen in a body of water due to excessive nutrient enrichment.

• Explanation: Eutrophication occurs when excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, enter a body of water. These nutrients stimulate algal blooms, which eventually die and decompose. The decomposition process consumes large amounts of oxygen, leading to hypoxia (low oxygen) or anoxia (no oxygen), which can harm aquatic life.

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (B) The acidification of ocean waters due to increased absorption of carbon dioxide: This describes ocean acidification.
  • (C) The accumulation of toxins in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels: This describes biomagnification.
  • (D) The thinning of the ozone layer due to the release of chlorofluorocarbons: This describes ozone depletion.
  • (E) The loss of biodiversity due to habitat fragmentation: This describes habitat loss.

• Key Concepts: Eutrophication, nutrient pollution, algal blooms, hypoxia, anoxia, aquatic ecosystems.

• Strategies for Success: Be able to define key environmental processes and phenomena. Distinguish between similar terms (e.g., eutrophication vs. ocean acidification).

Representative Question 10:

The Clean Air Act is a United States federal law designed to protect air quality. Which of the following is NOT a primary goal of the Clean Air Act?

(A) To protect and improve the quality of the nation's air resources. (B) To reduce emissions of air pollutants from stationary and mobile sources. (C) To establish national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). (D) To regulate the disposal of hazardous waste. (E) To control acid rain.

• Correct Answer: (D) To regulate the disposal of hazardous waste.

• Explanation: While the Clean Air Act addresses air pollution from various sources, the regulation of hazardous waste disposal is primarily governed by other laws, such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

• Why Other Answers are Incorrect:

  • (A) To protect and improve the quality of the nation's air resources: This is a central goal of the Clean Air Act.
  • (B) To reduce emissions of air pollutants from stationary and mobile sources: This is a key mechanism for achieving the goals of the Clean Air Act.
  • (C) To establish national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS): NAAQS define the acceptable levels of certain pollutants in the ambient air.
  • (E) To control acid rain: The Clean Air Act includes provisions aimed at reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to acid rain.

• Key Concepts: Clean Air Act, air pollution, national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), hazardous waste, environmental legislation.

• Strategies for Success: Familiarize yourself with major environmental laws and their primary objectives. Understand which environmental problems they address.

General Strategies for APES MCQs

Here are some overarching strategies to help you succeed on the APES multiple-choice section:

• Read the Question Carefully: This seems obvious, but it's crucial. Pay attention to keywords like "NOT," "LEAST," "MOST," and "EXCEPT." Misreading the question is a common source of errors.
• Eliminate Incorrect Answers: Even if you're not sure of the correct answer, you can often eliminate one or two obviously wrong choices. This increases your odds of guessing correctly.
• Look for Clues in the Question: Sometimes, the question itself provides clues to the answer. Pay attention to the wording and context.
• Connect Concepts: APES is all about connecting different environmental concepts. Try to relate the question to broader environmental principles.
• Think Systematically: Approach each question logically. Break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts.
• Manage Your Time: Don't spend too much time on any one question. If you're stuck, make your best guess and move on. You can always come back to it later if you have time.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice with APES questions, the more comfortable and confident you'll become. Use practice exams, textbook questions, and online resources.
• Review Your Mistakes: Don't just memorize the answers. Understand why you got a question wrong. This will help you avoid making the same mistake again.
• Know Your Vocabulary: APES has a lot of specific terminology. Make sure you understand the definitions of key terms.
• Stay Calm: Test anxiety can hurt your performance. Take deep breaths, stay focused, and trust in your preparation.

By understanding the underlying concepts, analyzing answer choices, and practicing effective test-taking strategies, you can significantly improve your performance on the APES exam and achieve your desired score. Good luck! Remember to consult official APES resources and your textbook for complete and accurate information.