AP Environmental Science Unit 5 Practice Test: Land & Water Use

Our free AP Environmental Science Unit 5 practice test covers land and water use. This unit explores various ways that people utilize land and water to grow crops, mine resources, and build housing. Different methods of resource use are studied as a way to evaluate sustainable solutions.

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Question 1

If a deep well pumps water from an aquifer more rapidly than it can be regenerated, which of the following may form?

A	Cone of depression
B	Saltwater intrusion
C	Confined aquifer
D	Unconfined aquifer

Question 1 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). A cone of depression results when wells pump water at a rate faster than it can be renewed. When this happens, a depressed area, or “cone,” is formed due to the rapid withdrawal.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most efficient method of irrigation?

A	Drip
B	Flood
C	Spray
D	Furrow

Question 2 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). Drip irrigation is the most efficient form of irrigation because it utilizes a slowly dripping hose that is either laid on the ground or buried beneath the soil. It allows plants to absorb at a steady pace, rather than all at once, as in flood or furrow irrigation. The constant drip enables plants to maximize their water uptake, which leads to optimal growth.

Question 3

Deforestation can lead to:

A	Adverse soil erosion
B	Desertification
C	Extinction
D	All of the above

Question 3 Explanation:

The correct answer is (D). Deforestation is the removal of a forest to convert the area to non-forest use such as farmland or urban use. The elimination of a forest has several negative consequences including soil erosion, desertification, extinction, and changes to climatic conditions. Soil erosion results from the absence of tree roots, which serve to maintain the soil’s integrity. Desertification and changes to climatic conditions both result from the ground’s increased exposure to the sun, and the lack of plant life contributing to the carbon cycle. As many animals rely upon the forest habitat to survive, the loss of the forest inevitably results in extinctions.

Question 4

Which of the following is a disadvantage of mono-cropping?

I. Soil depletion

II. Large expanses of land can be planted and then harvested

III. Crops are more vulnerable to attacks by pests

A	I only
B	II only
C	I and II only
D	I and III only

Question 4 Explanation:

The correct answer is (D). Mono-cropping is an agricultural method that can lead to improved agricultural productivity by utilizing large plantings of a single species or variety. It allows for significant expanses of land to be planted and then harvested at the same time, increasing efficiency and productivity. However, it has several disadvantages including soil depletion and increased vulnerability to pests. This can result in a more fragile ecosystem with an increased dependence on pesticides and artificial fertilizers.

Question 5

What is bycatch?

A	A environmental problem caused by increased pesticide use.
B	Raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food.
C	Unwanted fish and other marine creatures caught during commercial fishing for a different species.
D	A common side effect of genetic engineering.

Question 5 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). Fish and other marine species that are incidentally captured often die in the process. Bycatch is one of the principal threats to marine biodiversity. There are two primary methods to reduce bycatch. One method is to ban fishing in areas where bycatch is unacceptably high. The other method is to use alternative fishing gear that can dramatically reduce the amount of bycatch.

Question 6

The phenomenon of urban blight has contributed to which of the following?

I. Degradation of the buildings and social environment of the city

II. Migration to the suburbs

III. Racial segregation

A	I only
B	II only
C	I and III only
D	I, II, and III

Question 6 Explanation:

The correct answer is (D). “Urban blight” refers to the degradation of urban facilities and social environments. It leads to the exodus of populations from the urban centers to the suburban areas. All of the answer choices are consequences of urban blight. Urban blight has historically contributed to racial segregation, as much of the population leaving cities for the suburbs in the middle of the 20th century were predominantly middle to upper income Caucasians. This resulted in a larger minority population in the urban centers.

Question 7

Which of the following is a benefit of contour farming?

A	Allows vegetation of different heights to act as windbreaks and catch soil that might otherwise blow away
B	Prevents the same nutrients from being removed from the soil year after year
C	Conserves soil and prevents erosion
D	Reduces carbon dioxide emissions

Question 7 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). Contour farming is the practice of plowing and harvesting parallel to the contours of the land. It helps prevent soil erosion by slowing the flow of water across the field.

Question 8

Which of the following is a benefit of genetic engineering?

A	Genetic engineering decreases the likelihood of an allergic reaction to a specific type of food
B	The favorable genes in the genetically modified organism will spread to wild varieties and increase their ability to resist disease
C	Genetically modified organisms are healthier because their genes have been selected to make the crop more nutritious for humans
D	Genetically modified organisms need less pesticides because the plants have been developed to resist pests

Question 8 Explanation:

The correct answer is (D). Genetically modified plants can be designed to resist pests. This means that GMOs may need less pesticides thus, ideally, reducing negative impacts to the environment.

Question 9

Abandoned coal mines can lead to which of the following environmental problems?

A	Increased photochemical smog from ozone seeping from the mine
B	Acid rain from increased SO₂
C	Acid leaching from leftover mine tailings
D	Released nutrients leading to eutrophication of nearby waterways.

Question 9 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). Abandoned mines often contain large amounts of acidic waste rubble that can slowly leach into the surrounding environment as they fill with rainwater over time.

Question 10

Which of the following is a reason why biological control methods are not favorable to traditional pesticides?

A	Biological controls tend to target only one species where pesticides can kill beneficial organisms.
B	Biological controls do not add harmful chemicals that can spread into the local waterways because of run-off.
C	Crop loss to pests with biological controls is typically higher than crop loss with traditional pesticides.
D	Pests tend to adapt and become more resistant to traditional pesticides over time.

Question 10 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). Biological controls are often not as effective at controlling a pest population as the predator/prey relationship will reach a balance based on the carrying capacity of both species. If the introduced predator were to eliminate the pest the predator would then starve out as well opening the door for the reintroduction of the pest.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT an environmental advantage of urbanization?

A	Less land is used per individual as compared to rural settings.
B	Lack of permeable surfaces causes a depletion of groundwater resources.
C	Individuals may be able to walk where they need to go or make use of public transportation to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
D	Less power is used per person as larger buildings are more efficient in retaining heat in the winter and cool in the summer.

Question 11 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). Urban areas tend to be dominated by blacktop and pavement that do not allow rainwater infiltration. This leads to reduced groundwater and increased runoff.

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