Table of Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
About the Author xiii
Introduction: The Five-Step Program xv
Step 1 Set Up Your Study Plan
1 What You Need to Know About the AP Environmental Science Exam 3
The Advanced Placement (AP) Exams 4
Frequently Asked Questions About the AP Environmental Science Exam 5
2 How to Plan Your Time 9
Your Personalized Study Plan for the AP Environmental Science Exam 10
Three Timelines for Preparing for the AP Environmental Science Exam 10
Step 2 Determine Your Test Readiness
3 Take a Diagnostic Exam 15
AP Environmental Science Diagnostic Exam Answer Sheet 17
AP Environmental Science Diagnostic Exam 19
Answer Key and Explanations 37
Analyzing Your Performance on the Diagnostic Test 42
Step 3 Develop Strategies for Success
4 How to Approach Each Question Type 47
Multiple-Choice Questions 48
Free-Response Questions 48
Science Practices 50
Step 4 Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High
5 The Living World: Ecosystems 53
Introduction to Ecosystems 54
Terrestrial Biomes 55
Aquatic Biomes 56
Carbon Cycle 56
Nitrogen Cycle 57
Phosphorus Cycle 58
Hydrologie Cycle (Water) 59
Primary Productivity 59
Trophic Levels 60
Energy Flow and the 10 Percent Rule 60
Food Chains and Food Webs 60
Review Questions 62
Free-Response Question 64
Answers and Explanations 65
Rapid Review 65
6 The Living World: Biodiversity 67
Introduction to Biodiversity 68
Ecosystem Services 69
Island Biogeography 69
Ecological Tolerance 70
Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems 70
Adaptations 71
Ecological Succession 71
Review Questions 72
Free-Response Question 74
Answers and Explanations 74
Rapid Review 75
7 Populations 77
Generalist and Specialist Species 78
k-Selected and r-Selected Species 78
Survivorship Curves 79
Carrying Capacity 80
Population Growth and Resource Availability 80
Age-Structure Diagrams 81
Total Fertility Rate 82
Human Population Dynamics 82
Demographic Transition 83
Review Questions 84
Free-Response Question 86
Answers and Explanations 86
Rapid Review 87
8 Earth Systems and Resources 89
Plate Tectonics 90
Soil Formation and Erosion 92
Soil Composition and Properties 93
Earth's Atmosphere 95
Global Wind Patterns 95
Watersheds 96
Solar Radiation and Earth's Seasons 96
Earth's Geography and Climate 97
El Niño and La Niña 97
Review Questions 98
Free-Response Question 100
Answers and Explanations 100
Rapid Review 101
9 Land and Water Use 103
The Tragedy of the Commons 104
Clear-Cutting 104
The Green Revolution 105
Impact of Agricultural Practices 105
Irrigation Methods 106
Pest Control Methods 108
Meat Production Methods 108
Impact of Overfishing 109
Impact of Mining 109
Impact of Urbanization 110
Ecological Footprints 111
Introduction to Sustainability 111
Methods to Reduce Urban Runoff 111
Integrated Pest Management 111
Sustainable Agriculture 112
Aquaculture 114
Sustainable Forestry 114
Review Questions 115
Free-Response Questions 116
Answers and Explanations 116
Rapid Review 117
10 Energy Resources and Consumption 121
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources 122
Global Energy Consumption 122
Fuel Types and Uses 122
Distribution of Natural Energy Resources 123
Fossil Fuels 123
Nuclear Power 124
Energy from Biomass 125
Solar Energy 126
Hydroelectric Power 126
Geothermal Energy 126
Hydrogen Fuel Cell 127
Wind Energy 127
Energy Conservation 127
Review Questions 127
Free-Response Questions 128
Answers and Explanations 129
Rapid Review 129
11 Atmospheric Pollution 131
Introduction to Air Pollution 132
Photochemical Smog 133
Thermal Inversion 133
Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates 134
Indoor Air Pollutants 134
Reduction of Air Pollutants 134
Acid Rain (Acid Deposition) 135
Noise Pollution 135
Review Questions 136
Free-Response Question 137
Answers and Explanations 137
Rapid Review 139
12 Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution 141
Sources of Pollution 142
Human Impacts on Ecosystems 142
Endocrine Disrupters 144
Human Impacts on Wetlands and Mangroves 144
Eutrophication 144
Thermal Pollution 145
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 145
Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification 145
Solid Waste Disposal 147
Waste Reduction Methods 148
Sewage Treatment 148
Lethal Dose 50% (LD50) 149
Dose-Response Curve 149
Pollution and Human Health 150
Pathogens and Infectious Disease 150
Review Questions 151
Free-Response Question 152
Answers and Explanations 152
Rapid Review 153
13 Global Change 155
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion 156
Reducing Ozone Depletion 157
The Greenhouse Effect 157
Increases in the Greenhouse Gases 158
Global Climate Change 158
Ocean Warming 159
Ocean Acidification 159
Invasive Species 160
Endangered Species 160
Human Impacts on Biodiversity 160
Review Questions 161
Free-Response Question 163
Answers and Explanations 163
Rapid Review 164
Step 5 Building Your Test-Taking Confidence
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam 1 167
Multiple-Choice Questions Answer Sheet 167
Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions 169
Section II: Free-Response Questions 190
Answers and Explanations for the Multiple-Choice Questions 192
Explanations for the Free-Response Questions 197
Score Approximation 199
AP Environmental Science Practice Exam 2 201
Multiple-Choice Questions Answer Sheet 201
Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions 203
Section II: Free-Response Questions 226
Answers and Explanations for the Multiple-Choice Questions 228
Explanations for the Free-Response Questions 233
Score Approximation 236
Elite Student Edition: 5 Minutes to a 5
180 Activities and Questions in 5 Minutes a Day 237
