ULTIMATE REVIEW PACKET PRACTICE TEST #2

Part A
Directions: Each set of lettered choices below refers to the numbered questions or statements immediately
following it. Select the one lettered choice that best answers each question or best fits each statement. A
choice may be used once, more than once, or not at all in each set.

Questions 1 - 3 refer to the terrestrial biomes listed below.

(A) Temperate rainforest

(B) Tropical grassland/savanna
(C) Desert
(D) Chaparral/shrubland

1. Biome that is characterized by a very low amount of annual precipitation.

2. Biome that would be found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

3. Biome that is found in the Mediterranean and Southern California.

Questions 4 - 7 refer to the diagram below, which illustrates components of a nuclear power plant.

Source: US EPA

4. This component contains material that must undergo nuclear fission in order to produce the heat to
create steam.

5. This component is responsible for providing water to cool the steam returning to the reactor.

6. This component includes specialized rods to control the nuclear reaction such that the core does not
overheat.

7. This component produces electricity using kinetic energy from the turbine.
Questions 8 - 11 refer to the chemical compounds listed below.

(A) PO43-
(B) VOCs
(C) CaCO3
(D) O3

8. Chemical compound that makes up the shells of marine organisms, which is susceptible to damage
from ocean acidification.

9. Chemical compound that can exacerbate the formation of photochemical smog.

10. Chemical compound responsible for hypoxic dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico.

11. Chemical compound that is broken down in the stratosphere by chlorofluorocarbons.

Questions 12 - 14 refer to the diagram of soil components below.

Source: US Department of Agriculture NRCS

12. Soil component that is found in the highest quantities in the C Horizon.

13. Soil component that is mixed into soil by burrowing animals and aids in decomposition.

14. Soil component that is also known as humus.

Part B
Directions: Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by four suggested answers or
completions. Select the one that is best in each case.

15. The majority of natural gas consists of which of the following?

(A) Carbon monoxide
(B) Propane
(C) Nitrogen dioxide
(D) Methane

16. Urban areas often face increased flooding following natural disasters such as hurricanes compared to
less populated areas. Which of the following would best mitigate the impacts of water runoff during
large rainstorms and hurricanes?
(A) Increased use of impermeable pavement when constructing new roads.
(B) Urban planning that builds vertically and maintains open areas
(C) Removal of trees and vegetation along highways and in neighborhoods
(D) Urban development over green spaces and open spaces

17. Which of the following is a human health impact associated with exposure to carbon monoxide that
results from the incomplete combustion of gasoline in generators or vehicle engines?
(A) Chronic lung conditions such as asthma or bronchitis
(B) Increased rates of lung cancer among the elderly
(C) Asphyxiation that can lead to death
(D) Developmental delays in infants that are exposed during pregnancy.

18. Which of the following is an environmental problem associated with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) when
found in the troposphere?
(A) Increased rates of drought in parts of the world due to higher temperatures and lower
precipitation.
(B) Degradation of the earth’s stratospheric ozone layer resulting in higher rates of skin cancer.
(C) Decreased pH of lakes and rivers due to acid deposition from excessive fossil fuel use.
(D) Decreased crop yields due to lower photosynthesis rates caused by photochemical smog.

19. Primary producers in a wetland ecosystem generate approximately 8800 kcal/m2/yr. Which of the
following most accurately represents the amount of energy available to secondary consumers in this
ecosystem?
(A) 8800 kcal/m2/yr
(B) 880 kcal/m2/yr
(C) 88 kcal/m2/yr
(D) 8 kcal/m2/yr

20. Moray eels are found in shallow waters along the continental shelf, often burrowing between rocks
while they hunt. Red rock shrimp have been known to eat parasites and dead skin from the eel, while
the eel ignores the shrimp. Which of the following relationships are the two species most likely
demonstrating?
(A) Predator-prey
(B) Parasitism
(C) Commensalism
(D) Mutualism
Question 21 refers to the photo of a forest below.

Source: United States Forest Service

21. In the photo, what human activity has most likely taken place in the outlined areas?
(A) Urbanization
(B) Acid deposition
(C) Defoliation
(D) Clearcutting

22. Which of the following best illustrates the correct method used to calculate the percent change of a
population over time?
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 − 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
(A) 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
𝑥 100
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
(B) 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
𝑥 100
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
(C) 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
𝑥 100
𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 − 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
(D) 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
𝑥 100

23. Which of the following represents the most common pollutant associated with electricity generated from
nuclear energy?
(A) CO2
(B) Eutrophication
(C) CH4
(D) Thermal pollution
24. Which of the following best describes the shape of an age-structure diagram for a developing country?
(A) Due to a larger population of older individuals, the age-structure diagram is shaped like an
inverted triangle.
(B) Due to a larger population of middle-aged individuals, the age-structure diagram is shaped like a
rectangle.
(C) Due to a larger population of both older and younger individuals, the age-structure diagram is
shaped like an hourglass.
(D) Due to a larger population of younger individuals, the age-structure diagram is shaped like a
pyramid.

25. Which of the following best explains why organisms may be at risk due to changing sea levels?
(A) Changing sea levels may alter the pH of water, increasing coral reef growth.
(B) Organisms living in freshwater may not be able to survive changes to salinity as ocean waters
invade freshwater ecosystems.
(C) Organisms living in the abyssal part of the ocean may be unable to survive when large amounts
of sunlight become present.
(D) Terrestrial organisms may increase in population due to more access to freshwater habitats.
Questions 26 - 28 refer to the graph below of the carbon footprint of transportation methods in the UK in 2018,
measured in grams of carbon dioxide equivalents per passenger kilometer. (“Petrol” refers to a
gasoline-powered vehicle using an internal combustion engine.)

Source: Our World In Data, used under CC BY 4.0.

26. According to the data in the graph, which method of transportation has a carbon footprint closest to 100
grams per passenger kilometer?
(A) Medium electric vehicle
(B) Medium car (petrol)
(C) Motorcycle
(D) Short-haul flight

27. According to the data in the graph, which of the following best explains the mode of transportation that
would have the biggest impact on carbon emissions if it stopped producing carbon emissions?
(A) Medium electric vehicles, because they produce the least carbon dioxide equivalent emissions
per passenger kilometer and have the same number of passengers as a medium car (petrol).
(B) Medium cars (petrol), because they produce the most carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per
passenger kilometer and have the least number of passengers.
(C) Motorcycles, because they produce the least carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per
passenger kilometer and have the least number of passengers.
(D) Air travel, because they produce the most carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per passenger
kilometer and carry the most passengers.

28. Based on the data, which of the following policies would most likely result in the greatest reduction in
the carbon footprint for transportation?
(A) Government rebates for individuals who purchase an electric vehicle.
(B) Programs to reduce the cost of fuel worldwide.
(C) A city increasing the cost of bus fares.
(D) Reduction in emissions standards for older vehicles.
Questions 29 - 31 refer to the article below.

The United States is one of the leading contributors of greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere. Most of these
greenhouse gasses come from fossil fuels - coal, oil, and natural gas. Most fossil fuel use is used to generate
energy, either electricity or transportation.

As the United States population and economy continues to grow, along with changing weather patterns that
require heating and cooling, more and more energy is consumed. While most of the energy required utilizes
fossil fuels, additional sources of energy such as renewable resources, as well as the US economic policies
contribute to the price and use of these resources.

Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United States has to continue to
meet emission requirements for greenhouse gasses. In fact, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) is
able to publish estimates for carbon-dioxide emissions by both fuel source, and by sector for each month.

In 2019, 80% of the US greenhouse gas emissions came from CO2 emissions. Of this, about 74% came from
the combustion of fossil fuels for energy. Other sources of CO2 emissions account for 6% of total greenhouse
gas emissions, and 8% of total CO2 emissions.

Other greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change include things such as methane that may be from
landfills, coal mines, natural gas production, and agriculture. N2O emissions can come from fertilizer use and
industrial processes. CFCs, which also contribute to ozone depletion in the stratosphere, may be extremely
potent greenhouse gasses when found in the troposphere.

Fossil fuels are often combusted and release heat, with CO2 and water becoming byproducts. Different types of
fuels release different amounts of carbon; because natural gas contains a higher hydrogen content, it releases
less CO2 than oil or coal. To generate the same amount of energy, natural gas releases about half as much
CO2 as coal.

Oil, or petroleum, continues to account for about 33% of the energy consumed in the US, and contributes
about 45% of the CO2 emissions. Natural gas is also about one third of the energy consumed, but contributes
merely 35% of the CO2 emissions. While coal is only 10% of the energy consumed in the US, it accounts for
almost 20% of CO2 emissions.

The transportation industry is responsible for emitting the most CO2 of any sector because transportation relies
almost exclusively on oil. When producing energy for electricity, more than half of all CO2 emissions can be
traced back to coal.

Credit: US Energy Information Administration

29. Which of the following best describes the author's claim?

(A) Due to a shrinking US population, the government can expect that greenhouse gas emissions
will continue to decline.
(B) Fossil fuels can be combusted to generate methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas the
influences climate.
(C) Oil is not readily used in transportation and therefore contributes small amounts to greenhouse
gas emissions.
(D) Fossil fuels, used for various types of energy, are the main contributors to greenhouse gas
emissions in the United States.
30. Based on the article, what is one assumption that can be made about the benefits of utilizing natural
gas as an alternative to coal or oil.
(A) Natural gas releases about half as much CO2 emissions as coal to generate the same amount
of energy.
(B) Oil releases about half as much CO2 emissions as natural gas to generate the same amount of
energy.
(C) Coal releases about half as much CO2 emissions as natural gas to generate the same amount
of energy
(D) Natural gas releases about twice as much CO2 emissions as coal to generate the same amount
of energy.

31. Which of the following research methods can best determine the accuracy of the article's claim about
CO2 emissions from fossil fuel sources?
(A) Measure the amount of CO2 released from landfills, swamps, and natural gas plants, and
compare it to the amount of CO2 released from oil in transportation.
(B) In a safe location, burn equal amounts of coal, oil, and natural gas and measure the amount of
CO2 released.
(C) Measure the amount of CO2 released from the combustion of anthropogenic gasses such as
CFCs.
(D) Measure the amount of CO2 and N2O released from machinery used to apply synthetic fertilizers
in industrial agriculture production.
 32. Tourists in Iceland can visit a National Park where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge can be viewed. This feature is
also known as a rift valley, which is caused by which type of tectonic boundary?
(A) Convergent boundary
(B) Divergent boundary
(C) Subduction zone
(D) Transform boundary

Question 33 refers to the food web from Lake Mead in Arizona.

Source: United States National Park Service

33. Based on the diagram, which of the following best describes a direct effect of a disturbance that
drastically reduced the population of Threadfin shad?
(A) The largemouth bass population will increase dramatically due to a reduction in competition for
food resources.
(B) The zooplankton population will increase because of a reduction in their predator.
(C) The bald eagle will increase the number of offspring produced in each brood, as more food will
be available for the eaglets.
(D) The common carp population will double in size due to a lack of competitors for food resources.
34. The Clean Air Act began the immediate phase-out of the use of which Criteria Air Pollutant?
(A) Carbon dioxide
(B) Carbon monoxide
(C) Lead
(D) Particulate matter

35. Which of the following accurately describes an economic benefit from the establishment of a
hydroelectric dam for electricity production?
(A) Reservoirs that become established behind dams can provide jobs in recreation and tourism.
(B) Hydroelectric dams may be able to control flooding of cities upstream from the location.
(C) Crop production downstream for the dam may increase due to increased nutrient rich sediment
flow.
(D) Reservoirs behind dams may release greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change.

36. Which of the following is a natural source of particulate matter in the atmosphere?
(A) Catalytic converters
(B) Forest fires
(C) Respiration
(D) Wet scrubbers
Question 37 refers to the map below, which illustrates fossil fuel deposits in the United States.

Source: United States Department of Energy, 2020

37. Which of the following states shown on the map is likely to have hydraulic fracturing (fracking)
operations?
(A) Oklahoma (OK)
(B) Oregon (OR)
(C) South Carolina (SC)
(D) Virginia (VA)

38. Researchers are attempting to determine the range of tolerance of pH and temperature for several
macroinvertebrate species. Each species is observed in tanks containing water from a local stream and
four collected populations of macroinvertebrates, and each species’ mortality rate is measured. Which
statement below is a testable hypothesis for the researchers’ experiment?
(A) When water pH increases, the population size of macroinvertebrate predators will also increase.
(B) When water temperature and pH both increase, the number of macroinvertebrate species will
decrease.
(C) When water temperature decreases, the mortality of macroinvertebrates will decrease, as
species will adapt to their new surroundings and become a new species.
(D) There is no relationship between pH and the mortality rate of macroinvertebrates.
 39. The Cascade mountains are found in the Pacific northwest of the United States. They begin in western
Canada and spread out in a southeastern direction through Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Winds
coming off of the Pacific Ocean blow eastward, leaving cities found on the western slope to be very lush
and green, with the mountains capped in snow. Cities found on the eastern side of the Cascade
mountains are dry and almost desert-like.

Which of the following statements best explains the vast differences between these two areas given
their close proximity to one another?

(A) Solar radiation reaching eastern Oregon is more direct and stronger than radiation reaching the
western portion.
(B) Winds from the Pacific hit the Cascade mountains causing a rainshadow effect.
(C) Western Oregon is closer to the equator than eastern Oregon.
(D) This portion of the earth is found in the intercontinental convergence zone where there are no
winds.

Question 40 refers to the graph below.

Source: US EPA

40. Which of the following represents the approximate increase in emissions of methane from 2000-2015?
(A) 8% increase
(B) 24% increase
(C) 32% increase
(D) 130% increase
41. Sloths are slow moving mammals found in the treetops of rainforests in Central and South America.
They survive on a diet of nutrient poor leaves and move so slowly that algae often grows on their fur,
resulting in their coats appearing almost green in color. Sloths have altered muscles and tendons which
allow them to efficiently hang from the tops of trees for long periods of time. Sloths rarely come down
from the treetops as they are prey for jaguars which also live in the rainforests.

Which of the following statements best explains why sloths are able to survive off of such nutrient-poor
foods?
(A) Habitat destruction in the rainforest has increased the population of other organisms in the area
which may occupy the same niche as the sloth, reducing competition.
(B) Removal of predators such as jaguars has caused a trophic cascade resulting in an overall
increase in biodiversity of the rainforests.
(C) Higher temperatures from climate change have resulted in more organisms migrating to the
rainforests expanding existing food chains and webs.
(D) Sloths have adapted slow metabolism and modified body structures which allows them to
effectively utilize what little energy they consume.

42. Which of the following accurately represents a solution to prevent further declining pH levels of the
oceans caused by carbon dioxide emissions by humans?
(A) Add a base such as limestone
(B) Establish coral reefs from recycled products such as Christmas trees or tires
(C) Utilize offshore wind farms for electricity production
(D) Limit the use of geothermal energy for heating or cooling.
Questions 43 - 45 refer to the graph below, which shows the mass of ice on Antarctica in gigatons from 2001 to
the present.

Source: NASA

43. Which of the following best describes the fluctuations in the mass of ice on Antarctica over the last
decade?
(A) Fluctuations in mass of ice in Antarctica is due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions
during the last decade.
(B) Fluctuations in mass of ice in Antarctica is due to seasonal temperature changes each year
during the last decade.
(C) Fluctuations in mass of ice in Antarctica is caused by similar fluctuations in local sea ice over
the last decade.
(D) Fluctuations in mass of ice in Antarctica is caused by an increase in the frequency of El Niño
events over the last decade.

44. According to the graph, which represents the approximate rate of change in the mass of Antarctic ice
from 2007 to 2021?
(A) 100 Gt per year
(B) 125 Gt per year
(C) 180 Gt per year
(D) 250 Gt per year

45. According to the graph, which of the following best describes the trend of Antarctic ice from
2001-present?
(A) Volume of Antarctic ice has increased over time.
(B) Mass of Antarctic ice has increased over time.
(C) Volume of Antarctic ice has decreased over time.
(D) Mass of Antarctic ice has decreased over time.
 46. Which property is best described by the ability of soil to retain minerals such as calcium and magnesium?
(A) Cation exchange capacity
(B) Humus concentration
(C) Permeability
(D) Porosity

Question 47 refers to the graph below.

Sources of growth in agricultural production, by country income group, 1961–2010

Source: United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization

47. According to the graph, which of the following best explains the trend in total productivity in world
agricultural production from 1961-2010?
(A) World agricultural productivity decreased by approximately 0.5 percent from 1961-2010 due to
declining world populations.
(B) World agricultural productivity increased by approximately 3.0 percent from 1961-2010 due to
increased crop production caused by a decrease in total land used for farming.
(C) World agricultural productivity decreased by approximately 2.1 percent from 1961-2010 due to
massive crop loss from disease.
(D) World agricultural productivity increased by approximately 1.0 percent from 1961-2010 due to
advancements in pesticide and fertilizer usage, which increased crop yield.
48. A research team monitoring local air pollution levels noticed that lichen species began to disappear
from local ecosystems, while the population of other producers stayed constant. Researchers were able
to determine that there were high levels of SO2 in the atmosphere. In this ecosystem, what role did the
lichens play?
(A) Keystone species
(B) K-selected species
(C) Endangered species
(D) Indicator species

49. A local city municipality would like to establish a large solar energy system in nearby undeveloped
desert habitat in order to supply electricity to homes and businesses. This solar energy system would
help provide low-cost electricity to homeowners, while lowering the city's overall carbon footprint. Which
of the following statements best explains one aspect of the development project the city may not be
considering?
(A) Solar energy systems may only be used for absorbing heat from the sun to warm warm water.
(B) Solar energy systems utilize microplastics which may runoff into local water sources.
(C) Establishing a solar energy system in the desert habitat may result in habitat fragmentation.
(D) Over time solar energy systems may become less efficient, resulting in increases in electricity
production.

50. Rock pocket mice are small mammals that live in the deserts of the southwestern United States. Much
of this area is dry and filled with brush that is brown in color. However, in the Valley of Fire in New
Mexico, some of the terrain is black due to volcanic eruptions that occurred one 1000 years ago. The
rock pocket mice have two variations of fur; mice are born with either black or tan fur. Mice are easy
prey for owls and hawks who live and hunt in the area.

Which of the following statements best explains why the populations of mice living in the Valley of Fire
might be different from those living elsewhere in the southwestern US?

(A) Hawks have evolved specialized eyesight that prevents them from being able to spot a black
colored mouse against the black rock.
(B) The mouse population has evolved tan fur that hawks can easily spot, but remains camouflage
for the owl against the brown brush of the desert.
(C) The population of mice in the Valley of Fire have adapted to having black fur in order to blend in
with the black colored rock to avoid predation.
(D) The population of mice in the Valley of Fire had adapted to having tan fur so that they are easy
for predators to spot against the black rock.
Questions 51 - 53 refer to the graph below.

A group of researchers are investigating growth of a yeast population over time. Their data is shown in the
graph below.

51. Based on the graph, what is the carrying capacity of the yeast population?
(A) 200
(B) 400
(C) 600
(D) 800

52. Which of the following statements best explains why yeast may be classified as an r-selected species?
(A) Yeast are small organisms and are able to reproduce early and quickly within their lifespan.
(B) Yeast have few offspring per reproductive event and therefore their populations grow slowly.
(C) Yeast provide parental care to their offspring therefore it may take awhile for populations to grow
large.
(D) Yeast engage in large competition for resources and therefore their population is unable to
rapidly reproduce

53. Which of the following statements best explains why the population of yeast grows rapidly between 6
hours and 12 hours?
(A) The yeast have reached their carrying capacity and are unable to reproduce
(B) There are a plethora of resources available and therefore their growth is not limited
(C) There is a struggle for resources and therefore the population begins to experience dieback.
(D) The population is limited by space and a growing buildup of waste, slowing their growth.
 54. A motorcycle can release 0.021 grams of particulate matter per mile driven. If the average motorcycle is
driven for 600 miles a month, how many grams of particulate matter would be released over a 7 year
period?
(A) 1.06
(B) 88
(C) 1,058
(D) 4,286

55. Which of the following is an accurate description of the impact of increasing carbon dioxide levels on
marine organisms that live in the world’s oceans?
(A) Coral reefs may show increased rates of reproduction and growth.
(B) Ocean pH levels may begin to increase beyond the organism's range of tolerance.
(C) The oceans will increase in temperature resulting in a decline in coral bleaching.
(D) There will be decreased amounts of calcium carbonate available for organisms.

Question 56 refers to the graph below.

To determine the effects of soil salinization on seed mortality, seven treatments were set up with five dishes,
each containing ten seeds. Over time, the mortality of the seeds was determined, and the results are graphed
below:

56. According to the data in the graph, which of the following best explains an environmental effect of soil
salinization?
(A) High salt concentrations can inhibit seed germination, which prevents plants from taking root,
decreasing local biodiversity.
(B) As salt concentrations increase, the ability of mature plants to take in water decreases.
(C) The mortality of plant seedlings increases exponentially as the concentration of salts in soil
increases linearly.
(D) Soil salinization has no effect on plant seeds, as salt concentrations only affect the ability of
mature plants to produce new shoots.
57. Which of the following human health conditions is correlated with increased exposure to tropospheric
ozone?
(A) Dysentery
(B) Asthma
(C) Mesothelioma
(D) Cholera
Questions 58 - 61 refer to the article below.

The impacts of global climate change are widely known, however, one area that is often overlooked includes
the increasing strength and duration of hurricanes due to warmer waters in the Atlantic Ocean. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that the climate has increased by 1.3 degrees
Celsius since the late 1800s. This has resulted in a number of factors that influence tropical cyclone activity.

One such factor includes rising sea levels. As temperatures occur, thermal expansion of water has increased
sea levels. Tropical cyclones may drive sea levels even higher on coastlines, inundating terrestrial habitats and
pushing organisms past their level of saltwater tolerance.

Researchers at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration) have found that recent tropical storms are projected to release more rainfall in coastal areas.
Tom Knutson of the NOAA/GFDL predicts that hurricanes may see up to 10-15% more rainfall.

This is especially problematic for cities such as Houston, Texas which are large sprawling megacities and
contain vast amounts of urban development, including parking lots, buildings, streets, and highways. These
urban cities often lack impervious surfaces and storm runoff may inundate and overwhelm treatment systems
and local water storage facilities. Rainfall from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 overwhelmed the city of Houston, but
runoff due to high amounts of cement and other impervious surfaces caused reservoirs to spill over their dams
for the first time in over a century.

In addition to increased amounts of rain, tropical storms are expected to increase in strength due to warmer
waters which contain more energy. Scientists predict that future storms may be the same size as recent
storms, although they may be more destructive. Additionally, scientists predict that severe storms, those that
reach Category 4 or 5 levels, are projected to increase. Models predict that the frequency of storms will say the
same, or even decrease.

Credit: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, NOAA

58. Which of the following best identifies the author’s claim in the article?
(A) Declining sea levels are the result of lower f oceanic temperatures caused by climate change.
(B) Inland cities should expect increased tropical storm activities and plan an appropriate response.
(C) Tropical storms will continue to dump more water and increase in severity in the future.
(D) Storm frequency is expected to increase in the future as the oceans have more energy.

59. Based on the information in the article, which of the following is an assumption the author makes about
urbanization and tropical storms.
(A) Rural areas may experience increased flooding as they have more open spaces that can flood.
(B) Urban areas have more impervious surfaces and therefore may deal with more storm runoff.
(C) Parking lots and highways may result in a decrease in runoff as water is able to recharge
aquifers.
(D) Urban areas with large amounts of vertical development may see increased amounts of runoff
than those with urban sprawl.

60. Which of the following statements best supports the author’s claim that coastlines may be more
impacted by hurricanes in the future?
(A) Due to rising sea levels from climate change, terrestrial biomes may be more frequently filled
with water that some organisms are unable to withstand.
 (B) Due to higher amounts of energy in ocean waters, storm severity is expected to decline in
upcoming years.
(C) Tropical storms gain energy from rising ocean temperatures which may lead to organisms
migrating toward the storm center in order to escape.
(D) Higher amounts of rain are expected to inundate coastal cities, however infrastructure such as
sea walls may be able to stop heavy rains.

61. Which of the following best describes an appropriate and realistic solution to storm runoff in urban
areas?
(A) Heavily taxing individual homeowners and businesses that install green roofs and rain barrels
around buildings.
(B) Educate city planners on the importance of building cities vertically and utilizing ground surfaces
that will allow rainwater to infiltrate.
(C) Subsidizing cement companies that install over 10,000 km2 of cement roads in cities in a one
year period.
(D) Banning housing developments from having open green spaces, parks, or sports fields.
 62. Monkey-faced orchids are rare plants that are able to survive in the humid canopy of the rainforest,
where their roots spread out to absorb nutrients and water while wrapping around tree trunks. They are
also able to store large amounts of water in their waxy leaves. Which of the following terms best
describes the Monkey-faced orchid?
(A) It is a consumer, because it absorbs nutrients from other organisms.
(B) It is an invasive species, because it spreads out through the rainforest.
(C) It is an indicator species, because it is sensitive to pollution.
(D) It is a specialist species, because it requires the humid canopy to absorb water.

63. Which of the following best explains how a home could utilize passive solar energy?
(A) Plant large, mature trees near windows that receive ample sunlight in the spring and summer.
(B) Install photovoltaic cells on the rooftop that are able to generate an electrical current to power
the home.
(C) Install a geothermal heating system underneath the home to lower electric heating bills.
(D) Install large mirrors on the roof to concentrate solar energy onto nearby photo-voltaic solar cells.

Question 64 refers to the graph below, which projects the net electricity generation by fuel source.

64. Which of the following statements best explains a trend presented in the graph?
(A) After a sharp decline, the use of coal in the United States is projected to increase exponentially
from 2030-2050, due to the availability and low cost of coal.
(B) Due to its extensive use as a transportation fuel, petroleum use is expected to increase steadily
from 2030-2050, in line with its usage since 1970 to produce electricity.
(C) Use of renewable energy sources will continue to increase through 2030, but will then level off
as materials and technology become too expensive for everyday use.
(D) Nuclear power is predicted to remain relatively stable, due to its steady usage and few new
power plants being built over time.
65. Which of the following is an unintended negative consequence to using ethanol as an alternative to
gasoline?
(A) Individuals utilizing ethanol instead of gasoline may be required to purchase hybrid vehicles.
(B) Production of ethanol requires the use of toxic substances such as PCBs.
(C) Ethanol requires extensive use of machinery, pesticides, and fertilizers to produce.
(D) Once ethanol is used it may not be recycled and must be stored in large underground tanks.

66. Which of the following best explains the consequences of a population exceeding its carrying capacity?
(A) The population will establish a new even larger carrying capacity allowing more organisms to be
born.
(B) The population will experience a dieback and will fall below the carrying capacity due to a
shortage of resources.
(C) The population will begin to experience biotic potential and will increase rapidly as there is
ample space and resources.
(D) The population will switch from being an r-strategist to being a K-strategist and begin to care for
their young.
Questions 67 - 69 refer to the diagram of ocean movement in the equatorial Pacific ocean.

Source: US National Weather Service

67. Based on the diagram, which of the following best describes the local climate in Lima, Peru?
(A) Rainy, warm, and windy.
(B) Dry, humid, and calm.
(C) Dry and cool.
(D) Rainy and cool.

68. Based on the diagram, which of the following best describes why equatorial Pacific upwelling is
suppressed during an El-Nino event?
(A) Trade winds that normally blow east to west weaken, and may even reverse directions.
(B) Warm water begins to cool and sinks to the bottom, suppressing the upwelling.
(C) Climate change alters the thermocline resulting in deep cold water remaining on the ocean floor.
(D) Cool air begins to sink back down toward the earth, preventing cold water from rising along the
coast of South America.

69. Which of the following best explains one way that climate change can affect the atmospheric conditions
shown in the diagram?
(A) As temperatures increase, more evaporation can take place in equatorial regions, which can
cause areas such as Darwin, Australia to see increased rainfall.
(B) As ocean temperatures change, Lima, Peru will see increased temperatures and increased
flooding events on a regular basis.
(C) As the temperatures at the poles increase dramatically, sea levels will increase across the
globe, causing more coastal flooding.
(D) As average global temperatures decrease, areas such as the equatorial Pacific ocean will see
an increase in severe weather and tropical storms.
70. Which of the following illustrates the products that result from the reaction of NO2 in the presence of
sunlight in the troposphere?
(A) NO2 + H2O → HNO3
(B) SO2 + H2O → H2NO4
(C) NO2 → N + O2
(D) O2 + O → O3

71. A lightweight truck is traveling at an average speed of 60 miles per hour (mph), but can go no faster
than 77mph. If it travels for 105 miles and consumes 5.6 gallons of gasoline, which of the following
could be used to calculate the fuel efficiency of the truck?
77 𝑚𝑝ℎ
(A) 105 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠
105 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠
(B) 5.6 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠
77 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠
(C) 5.6 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠
60 𝑚𝑝ℎ
(D) 77 𝑚𝑝ℎ

72. Saltwater intrusion occurs in coastal cities such as those in Florida, Georgia, and North and South
Carolina. Which of the following best describes the cause of saltwater intrusion in these areas?
(A) Overpumping of coastal aquifers below the water table causes them to fill with salt water.
(B) Increasing fossil fuel use results in lower ocean pH which causes water to move inland
(C) Development of nearby wetlands prevents these ecosystems from filtering out saltwater.
(D) Development of parking lots and roads causes polluted water to seep into aquifers.

73. Given the population in China in the year 2022, the country is expected to double in size by 2255. What
is the population growth rate in 2022?
(A) 0.03%
(B) 0.3%
(C) 3.0%
(D) 233%
Question 74 refers to the graph below, which shows the dissolved oxygen saturation in the Chesapeake Bay
from May to July, 2011.

Source: NOAA

74. Which of the following statements best describes a realistic solution to the decline in DO levels seen in
the Chesapeake Bay in mid July?
(A) Restrict fertilizer use between September and October
(B) Aerate the Chesapeake Bay during low saturation times
(C) Educate farmers on proper fertilizer use during the growing season
(D) Plant organisms with high potassium needs on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay to absorb
fertilizer.
Questions 75 - 77 refer to the data below.

Researchers studying the effects of an herbicide on various weed species set up an experiment with a control
group and six experimental groups. Their results are in the table below.

Dose (% solution) % Weed Mortality

0 0

20 0

35 10

50 40

65 75

80 100

100 100

75. A farmer is seeking to kill more than half of the weeds they find in their fields to ensure that their crop
yields are profitable. Based on the data provided, what is the minimum dose the farmer could apply to
ensure a profit?
(A) 10%
(B) 20%
(C) 50%
(D) 60%

76. The herbicide in the study is known to cause health effects in humans when applied at concentrations
above 50%. Which of the following is the best conclusion the researchers could make regarding the
maximum allowable concentration of the herbicide?
(A) Farmers should continue to apply the herbicide at concentrations necessary to ensure their
profits.
(B) The maximum allowable concentration of this pesticide should be set below that of a 50%
solution to avoid risks to human health.
(C) The researchers should suggest that farmers discontinue use of this herbicide immediately.
(D) The data for this study are inconclusive, and cannot be used to determine a maximum allowable
concentration for this herbicide.

77. Which of the following represents an unintended consequence of utilizing chemical pesticides to help
raise crop yields?
(A) Pesticides can result in an increase in crop yields resulting in food shortages around the world.
(B) Pesticides can release CFCs resulting in a thinning of the beneficial stratospheric ozone layer.
(C) Pesticide runoff can result in bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food chain resulting in
a decline in top predators.
(D) Pesticides can perpetuate from year to year, eliminating the need for farmers to reapply.
78. Black footed ferrets are one of the most endangered mammals in North America. They are native to the
grasslands and prairies in Colorado and other Western USA states. Black footed ferrets eat prairie
dogs, and following the elimination of prairie dogs during the 20th century, their numbers began to
decline to around 40 individuals. These ferrets are now part of a successful captive breeding program
in Colorado Springs as part of a project with Colorado Fish and Wildlife.

Which of the following is best illustrated in the decline of the Black footed ferret?
(A) Population bottleneck
(B) r-selected species
(C) Biotic potential
(D) Population dieback

79. Which of the following best describes why biomass is such a prevalent energy source in developing
nations?
(A) Wood can be burned to produce steam which can spin a turbine to produce electricity
(B) Wood is readily available and can be utilized for cooking and heating.
(C) Biomass is often produced utilizing machinery, pesticides, and fertilizers which are common in
developing nations.
(D) Developing nations are concerned about their carbon footprint so they encourage citizens to
utilize carbon neutral energy sources.

80. Which of the following statements best explains why photochemical smog is often more common in the
summer months?
(A) Photochemical smog is the result of primary and secondary pollutants that are not present in the
winter.
(B) Photochemical smog requires thermal inversions which exclusively happen in the summer
months.
(C) Photochemical smog can cause a decline in the photosynthetic activity of crops which are
growing during the summer months.
(D) Photochemical smog requires sunlight in order to catalyze the splitting of nitrogen dioxide, which
is more common in summer.