1. Overview of Test &
Experimental Design

2. Multiple Choice Strategies
100 Questions / 90 minutes
Terminology
Best suited
Least suited
Directly affected
Not directly affected
Direct cause of
Decrease
Increase
EXCEPT
Prevention
Clean up
Best describes
Positive impact
Negative impact
Result of
Best example
Serious immediate problem

3. MC Question Set
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 all in each set.

4. MC Question Set (cont.)
Questions 1-4 refer to the following energy sources.
Wind
Biomass
Sunlight
Nuclear fission
Movement of water
The source that produces long-lived hazardous wastes.
The source that is converted directly into electrical energy by photovoltaic cells.
The source whose use is a direct cause of deforestation.
The source that is not renewable.

5. Example MC Questions
Most data indicate that, during the past 100 years, climate change has:
decreased temperature by 5° C
decreased temperature by 0.5° C
stayed the same
increased temperature by 0.5° C
increased temperature by 5°C
Change really indicates that it probably has not stayed the SAME – eliminate that one
The other 2 that can be eliminated by just the casual observer are the decrease choices.

6. Example MC Questions (cont.)
If an incandescent light bulb used for lighting has an efficiency rating of 8%, then for every 1.00 joule of electrical energy consumed by the bulb, which of the following is produced? Notice, that you don’t need to know what a joule is to get the correct answer.
1.08 joules of light energy
1.08 joules of heat energy
0.08 joule of light energy
0.92 joule of light energy
0.08 joule of heat energy

7. Example MC Questions (cont.)
Fragmenting (one large park or preserve into many small parks with human habitation in between them) is most likely to lead to which of the following?
Reduction in species diversity
Stabilization of microclimates
Decrease in the transition zone
Increase in population size of top carnivore
Increase in the number of specialists

8. Multiple Choice Strategies
Phrases to look for:
Loss of habitat (decreasing)
Slow the population (increasing)
Invasion by nonnative species (increasing)
Increase/decrease use of fertilizers for agriculture
Global warming/climate change
Declining in fisheries
Acid Deposition

9. Free Response Questions (FRQ)
You will have 22 minutes to answer each FRQ.
10 points are possible for each question
Read through all 4 questions first. You do not have to answer the 1st FRQ before going on the second, third, or fourth FRQ. Answer the questions that you know the most about first.
Your free responses may be in a different order than what is presented here. You will have 2 synthesis and evaluation questions.
Some parts of a question may have calculations.
You will have a document-based question.
FRQ’s have more than one part. Each part is usually labeled with lower-case ii’s, or (a), (b). When you answer each part, label it. This makes it easier for the reader to find your answer. 4

10. Free Response Strategies
Terminology
The following phrases require complete sentences.
Account for the fact…
Compare…
Describe…
Describe and discuss…
Describe and explain…
Explain and defend or refute this statement…
Identify a….and the effect it would have on…
Justify your answer.
Make an argument for…
State clearly…
Summarize the pattern…

11. Free Response Strategies
Terminology (cont.)
These phrases do not require complete sentences:
A calculator may not be used on any part of the Environmental Science Test.
Calculate
Draw and label
Graph the data
List…
Plot these data
Show calculations to support your answer
Show the setup for the calculations

12. Example FRQs
Describe a connection between the weather change associated with a hurricane and the transmission of diseases. (On this type of question, use the words increase/decrease).
Example:

13. Example FRQs (cont.)
Describe an important environmental (economical) problem associated with a hurricane. (Here again, you can use the words increase/decrease). A(n) _____ in water temperature causes habitat destruction resulting in a _______ of biodiversity. Any time there is a problem in the question, you will need to give: the problem (habitat destruction) cause of the problem (_________ temperature) and the effect (________ biodiversity).

14. Example FRQs (cont.)
Describe a strategy to control ticks. (A strategy usually requires at least two methods. A third method may give you an elaboration point.) Ex. One method that can control ticks is to ____________. A second method that can control ticks is to ___________.

15. Example FRQs (cont.)
Identify and describe one way humans have degraded wetlands. (You are asked to do two things.) Ex. ______ ________ (identified) are one way humans have degraded wetlands. By ___________________________________ humans have caused habitat destruction (description). In order to get the point, both the identification and the description must be there.

16. Example FRQs (cont.)
Discuss one role that kelp forests play that is ecologically (economically) important. (This prompt requires two sentences, one for the role and the second for the discussion). Only the first role you list will be graded. Ex. Kelp forests provide a _________________________________________________________. This supports complex food webs (discussion).

17. Example FRQs (cont.)
Describe and discuss one problem associated with changes in temperature in a wetland. (Your answer must have a description using increase/decrease) This prompt requires two sentences. If temperature increases in the water, then there will be a ________ in plant growth (description). A ________ in plant growth will cause a loss of biodiversity (discussion).

18. Example FRQs (cont.)
Make an argument for diverting water for urban consumption and an argument for permitting the flow of water to natural areas. An argument is defined as, “A coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion”. Write all you know.
Example:

19. Example FRQs (cont.)
Explain one environmental policy that would have a positive impact on wetlands.
(An environment policy is defined as an official rule or regulation concerning the environment adopted, implemented and enforced by some governmental agency).
Ex. The Endangered Species Act

20. Example FRQs (cont.) Here are a few ways to look at legislation:
Many times government policies are not necessary. For example: Describe one incentive that the government of a country could offer its citizens that would favor a reduction in the growth rate of its population.
Answer: One incentive that a government could offer its citizens that would favor a reduction in the growth would be a…

21. Example FRQs (cont.)
Identify and describe one abiotic water test. (You are asked to do two things. Two sentences may be necessary)
Example:

22. US Government Policies
The proposal must include an action by the U.S. government and contain the mechanism for change +
Penalties:
Increase taxes for…
Remove subsidies for…
Increase tariff’s (taxes on imports) on…
Incentives:
Tax credits for…
Tax rebates for…
Subsidize loans for…
Subsidies for companies that… -

23. Important Environmental Laws and what they do:
Endangered Species Act – Protects the habitat of threatened and endangered species.
Lacey Act – Prohibits the transportation of protected species between states.
CITES Treaty – (Convention in International Trade of Endangered Species) It regulates international trade of protected species and their products.
Clean Water Act – Protects wetlands. Prevents habitat destruction. Regulates the discharge of pollutants in U.S. waterways.
Clean Air Act – Establishes ambient air standards for four primary pollutants.

24. Designing an Experiment the APES Way
Here is a guide to help you accumulate the most points from this type of question.
State a hypothesis. It must be a clear statement of a hypothesis. You must identify it as a hypothesis: “My hypothesis is...” Also, use an if/then statement. Such terms as: increase/decrease are important in your hypothesis. I would wait to formulate your hypothesis because as you create your experiment things may change. Keep it simple.
Specify a control. My control is ...

25. Designing an Experiment (cont.)
Identify and hold constant one experimental factor. My experimental factor is …
Describe what is being measured.
Explain how the data is collected. Somewhere here is a good place to write your hypothesis.
Identify your independent and dependent variable. Drawing a graph to show what will happen is a nice addition, however, don’t spend a lot of time here.

26. Designing an Experiment (cont.)
Must include two of the following:
A time line for the experiment. Ex. 24 hour period/ 2 growing seasons
Materials used (Provide a list)
Correlation to other experiments.
Specific sample size. Ex. Eight 2 ounce bottles. Two 10 gallon aquariums.
Specify size of area where the experiment is taking place. 8 ft./8 ft. square.

27. Designing an Experiment (cont.)
Must include one of the following: (This will give you an elaboration point)
Repeated experiments. I will repeat my experiment 2 more times to show validity.
How other variables are controlled or tested.
Correlation to other experiments.
How the experiment could be expanded or modified.
Relate to/discuss additional research.
Give expected results.