AP® Environmental Science

Practice
Free Response
Assessments
Overview

    Unit 1 | The Living World: Ecosystems

    Explores how biotic and abiotic interactions shape ecosystems by examining energy flow and cycling of nutrients and the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers.

    Free Response

    Understanding ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, energy flow, biodiversity, and ecological interactions requires identifying, explaining, and analyzing key concepts and models.
    3 questions

    Of Otters and Orcas

    Freshwater Ecosystem Relationships

    Resource Transfer in Terrestrial Biomes

    Unit 3 | Populations

    Population dynamics are shaped by growth patterns, carrying capacity, fertility rates, age structure, and factors like human impact, resource availability, and environmental stressors.

    Free Response

    Analyze factors affecting population growth and decline, including age structure, fertility rates, and carrying capacity, using data and problem-solving skills to understand environmental impacts.
    1 question

    Koala Populations

    Unit 4 | Earth Systems and Resources

    Describes the interconnected nature of Earth's systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, and how they influence climate, weather, soil formation, and resource distribution.

    Free Response

    Construct well-supported, clear responses analyzing environmental concepts and processes using evidence, logic, and terminology specific to Earth systems and resources.
    3 questions

    Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

    Climate and the ITCZ

    California Geology and Biodiversity

    Unit 5 | Land and Water Use

    Explores the impacts and management of human activities related to land use, agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, and water resources on ecosystems and the environment.

    Free Response

    Analyze the comprehensive impacts of human utilization and management of land and water resources, emphasizing conservation strategies, resource depletion challenges, and sustainable practices.
    3 questions

    Foster Family Farm

    Freemont Aquaculture

    Recovery of the Aral Sea

    Unit 6 | Energy Resources and Consumption

    Explore the global distribution, accessibility, and environmental impact of different energy sources, analyzing the balance between interests, availability, and the need for sustainable energy solutions.

    Free Response

    Analyze environmental challenges of various energy sources and their consumption, understanding advantages, disadvantages, and effectiveness of potential solutions through a conceptual examination of problems and data.
    3 questions

    Photovoltaic Panels

    ICE vs. Hybrid

    Hybrid Vehicles

    Unit 7 | Atmospheric Pollution

    Atmospheric pollution involves the study of sources, effects, and mitigation of air pollutants, including smog, particulates, and greenhouse gases, along with their environmental and health impacts.

    Free Response

    Analyze sources of information related to atmospheric pollution and formulate effective responses with supporting evidence.
    2 questions

    Indoor Air Pollution

    Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

    Unit 8 | Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

    Aquatic and terrestrial pollution encompass various forms of contamination affecting ecosystems' health and biodiversity through pollutants like plastics, chemicals, and industrial waste, impacting organisms and natural resources.

    Free Response

    Evaluate environmental impacts and mitigation strategies for both aquatic and terrestrial pollution, focusing on their sources, effects, and potential solutions.
    2 questions

    Plastic Pollution Problem in Mongolia

    Spread of Disease

    Unit 9 | Global Change

    Global change involves understanding how natural and human-induced alterations affect Earth's systems and climate, impacting biodiversity, human health, and ecosystem services.

    Free Response

    Analyze and understand the global impacts of climate change, exploring causes, consequences, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation.
    2 questions

    Native, Invasive, and Indicator Species

    Elephant Poaching