Chapter 1 Excelling on the AP Environmental Science Exam About This Book and TestWare®
This book, along with our companion TestWare® software, provides an accurate and complete representation of the Advanced Placement Examination in Environmental Science. REAs practice exams are based on the format of the most recently administered AP Environmental Science exam and each includes every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the real test. Following each of our practice tests is an answer key, complete with detailed explanations designed to clarify the material for you. By using the subject reviews, completing both practice tests, and studying the explanations that follow, you will put yourself in the best possible position to do well on the actual test.
Four practice exams are included in this book and two of the practice exams are also included on the enclosed TestWare® CD. The software provides timed conditions and instant, accurate scoring, which makes it all the easier to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses. Use them, along with the detailed explanations of answers, to help determine your strengths and weaknesses, and to prepare you to score well on exam day.
About the Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is designed to provide high school students with the opportunity to pursue college-level studies. The program consists of two components: an AP course and an AP exam. Students are expected to gain college-level skills and acquire college-level knowledge of environmental science through the AP course. Upon completion of the course, students take the AP exam. Test results are used to grant course credit and/or determine placement level in the subject when entering college. AP exams are administered every May. Additional information can be
requested from:
AP Services
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6671
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6671
Phone: (609) 771-7300 or (888) 225-5427
Fax: (609) 530-0482
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.collegeboard.com
About the AP Environmental Science Exam
The AP Environmental Science exam is three hours long. Each section in each exam is completed separately. You will have 90 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions, which are worth 60% of your final grade. Each correct answer is worth one point, and each incorrect answer takes away 1/4 point. The free response section is 90 minutes long and has four questions. The first question will ask you to make conclusions based on a set of data, the second question will be document-based, and the third and fourth questions are synthesis and evaluation questions. All four questions are weighted equally.
AP Environmental Science Exam Content
I. Interdependence of Earths Systems: Fundamental Principles and Concepts (25%)A. The Flow of EnergyB. The Cycling of MatterC. The Solid Earth
D. The Atmosphere
E. The Biosphere
II. Human Population Dynamics (10%)
A. History and Global Distribution
B. Carrying Capacity Local, Regional, Global
C. Cultural and Economic Influences
III. Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources: Distribution, Ownership, Use, Degradation (15%)
A. Water
B. Minerals
C. Soils
D. BiologicalE. EnergyF. Land
IV. Environmental Quality (2025%)
A. Air/Water/Soil
B. Impact on Human Health
V. Global Changes and their Consequences (1520%) A. First-order Eff ects (changes) B. Higher-order Interactions (consequences)
VI. Environment and Society: Trade-Offs and Decision Making (10%)
A. Economic Forces B. Cultural and Aesthetic Considerations
C. Environmental Ethics
D. Environmental Laws and Regulations (International, National, and Regional)
E. Issues and options (conservation, preservation, restoration, remediation, sustainability, mitigation)
About Our AP Course Review As mentioned earlier, this review is designed to prepare you for success on the AP Exam. Therefore, an entire years work has been distilled into the leanest preparation manual possible to ensure victory on exam day. This text is aimed at students serious about improving their likelihood of success through
hard work and attention to the key elements to be tested. This text will also help a student prepare for daily classroom success as well. Students have a variety of learning styles that are not always met by classroom teachers, so this text will serve well as a supplement to daily classroom learning. Components of this review have been field-tested in the classroom by students of varying capacity,
and all can attest to their improved performance both in the classroom, as well as on the exam.
Studying for your AP Exam
To best utilize your study time, follow our Study Schedule, which you will find in the front of this book. The schedule is based on a six-week program, but if necessary can be condensed to three weeks by collapsing each two-week period into one week. Use previous tests and quizzes to provide a study guide outline. Focus particular attention on questions that you got wrong. Do not repeat the same mistake.
Whenever possible, take as many practice tests as possible. Review errors with your teacher or other students. Again, past tests and quizzes are invaluable as a learning tool.
Test-taking Tips
This test has time limits. Do not dwell on any one question. For the multiple-choice sections, do not spend more than one minute on a question. Come back to it later if time permits. Be calm. If you have prepared properly, you are competent in the subject area and the test will prove it. Immediately write key formulae and models on the test cover. This may save you from simple errors as time constraints pressure you. Answer questions of a lower degree of difficulty first. The first time through, for example, complete definitions of biomes or different kinds of biodiversity. Circle the questions that require calculations or involve complicated reasoning, like calculating energy use over time.
Use the process of elimination when you are unsure of an answer. If you are unable to narrow a multiple-choice question to two possible right answers, pass on the question. You will be penalized 1/4 point for each wrong answer, but you will not lose any points for leaving it blank. However, do not overuse this method; leaving 15 or 20 questions blank is not advisable.
Devote an equal amount of time to each of the four free-response questions. All the free-response questions are weighted equally and are expected to take approximately an equal amount of time to answer.