Chapter 15 AP® Environmental Science Practice Exam

Section 1: Multiple-Choice Questions

Choose the best answer for questions 1–19.

Questions 1–4 refer to the selections (a)–(e) below. Match the lettered item with the numbered descriptor.

  1. CO

  2. CH4

  3. NO2

  4. SO2

  5. PM10

Question 1

1. A pungent reddish-brown gas often associated with photochemical smog

Question 2

2. A corrosive gas from burning coal often associated with industrial smog

Question 3

3. A dangerous indoor air pollutant

Question 4

4. Emitted from both diesel and burning wood

Question 5

5. All of the following are examples of primary air pollutants except

  1. sulfur dioxide.

  2. carbon dioxide.

  3. tropospheric ozone.

  4. nitrogen oxide.

  5. particulates.

Question 6

6. The greatest emission of sulfur dioxide comes from

  1. on-road vehicles.

  2. biofuels.

  3. industrial processes.

  4. electricity generation.

  5. fires.

Question 7

7. The least amount of nitrogen oxide emissions comes from

  1. on-road vehicles.

  2. fossil fuel combustion.

  3. industrial processes.

  4. electricity generation.

  5. fires.

Question 8

8. The accumulation of tropospheric ozone at night depends mainly upon the atmospheric concentration of

  1. nitrogen dioxide.

  2. volatile organics.

  3. chlorofluorocarbons.

  4. sulfates and nitrates.

  5. nitric acid.

Question 9

9. Under natural conditions the pH of rainfall is closest to

  1. 8.5.

  2. 7.1.

  3. 5.6.

  4. 4.5.

  5. 3.1.

Question 10

10.The effects of acid deposition include all of the following except

  1. mobilization of metal ions from the soil into surface water.

  2. increased numbers of salamanders in ponds and streams.

  3. reduced food sources for aquatic organisms.

  4. erosion of marble buildings and statues.

  5. erosion of painted automobile finishes and metals.

Question 11

11.The World Health Organization estimates that over half of the deaths worldwide due to indoor air pollution occur among

  1. children less than 5 years old.

  2. elderly people over 65 years of age.

  3. people who work in office buildings.

  4. workers in the smelting industry.

  5. workers who manufacture asbestos.

Question 12

12.Two major factors involved in the conversion of primary pollutants into secondary pollutants are

  1. sunlight and water.

  2. sulfates and sunlight.

  3. water and volatile organics.

  4. nitrogen oxides and sulfates.

  5. sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid.

Question 13

13.The pollutant least likely to be emitted from a smokestack would be

  1. carbon monoxide.

  2. carbon dioxide.

  3. ozone.

  4. sulfur dioxide.

  5. particulates.

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Question 14

14.How might the increased use of insulation in a home affect air pollution?

  1. Some common insulation off-gasses sulfur dioxide.

  2. The production of insulation releases large amounts of particulate matter.

  3. Increased insulation can create indoor air pollution problems.

  4. Insulation prevents problems with radon in homes.

  5. Good insulation can help prevent sick building syndrome.

Question 15

15.The EPA identifies all of the following as reasons for sick building syndrome except

  1. faulty ventilation systems.

  2. emissions from carpets and furniture.

  3. contamination from outdoor air.

  4. contamination from molds and pollen.

  5. high levels of radon in the basement.

Question 16

16.Which statement regarding the decreased levels of stratospheric ozone is correct?

  1. Increased photosynthetic activity has been measured in the phytoplankton around Antarctica.

  2. The largest decrease in the level of stratospheric ozone over the Arctic region occurs between January and April.

  3. Although the Montreal Protocol led to a reduction in the use of CFCs, it will have little effect on stratospheric ozone levels in the long term.

  4. There is no correlation between the incidence of cataracts and skin cancers and the lower levels of stratospheric ozone.

  5. The global crop yields of wheat, rice, and corn have increased since the reduction in CFC use.

Question 17

17.Which is most strongly absorbed by ozone in the stratosphere?

  1. UV-A

  2. UV-B

  3. UV-C

  4. UV-B and UV-C

  5. UV-A and UV-B

Question 18

18.Natural sources of air pollution include all of the following except

  1. forest fires.

  2. volcanic eruptions.

  3. waterfalls.

  4. dust storms.

  5. conifer trees.

Question 19

19.A thermal inversion

  1. rarely occurs in cities but is common in rural areas.

  2. helps remove pollutants from the atmosphere.

  3. leads to decreased amounts of ground-level smog.

  4. occurs when a warm air layer overlies a cooler layer.

  5. occurs when a cool air layer overlies a warmer layer.

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Section 2: Free-Response Questions

Write your answer to each part clearly. Support your answers with relevant information and examples. Where calculations are required, show your work.

Question 1

1. The table below shows the ambient air data collected for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Examine the data and answer the following questions.

  1. Based on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the 2008 standard for ozone states that the average ozone levels are not to exceed 0.075 ppm (75 ppb) in any 8-hour period. Is Pittsburgh in compliance with this standard? Discuss how this NAAQS may not truly reflect the overall air quality. (2 points)

  2. Ozone is classified as a secondary pollutant. Identify the primary pollutants necessary for its formation and describe how tropospheric ozone is formed. (2 points)

  3. Identify two relationships between the data presented. Apply these relationships to your answer in (b) to explain the pattern of ozone levels in Pittsburgh. (4 points)

  4. Explain how the same ozone that is harmful in the troposphere is beneficial in the stratosphere. (2 points)

2008 Monthly Ambient Air Monitoring Report, Pittsburgh, PA

Month Monthly maximum ozone levels (ppb) Monthly average ozone levels (ppb) Monthly average solar radiation (watts/m3)
January 37 14 65
February 49 15 63
March 56 23 86
April 76 31 81
May 75 27 152
June 77 32 208
July 95 31 215
August 92 27 204
September 89 20 153
October 48 14 109
November 57 12 64
December 30 14 45

Source: http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/aq_apps/aadata/

Question 2

2. The following appeared in Medical News Today on November 28, 2003.

Ultraviolet light in ventilation system cures sick building syndrome

So-called sick building syndrome (SBS) is caused by the increasing use of air conditioning in modern offices. Bacteria can build up in the ventilation systems and leave office workers suffering from a range of problems, such as breathing difficulties, headaches, sore throats, stuffy noses and itchy eyes.. . .

Researchers from the Montreal Chest Institute in Canada tested three offices in the city where people suffered from SBS. They installed UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) in the ventilation systems of the buildings and compared reports of illness when the lights were turned on with sickness rates when they were off.

The lights resulted in a 20 percent reduction in all symptoms. There were 40 percent fewer complaints about respiratory problems and a 30 percent reduction in people complaining of stuffy noses. Muscular complaints also halved, according to the study.

Scientists said the UVGI killed the bacteria and molds in ventilation systems. Installing the systems would be relatively cheap and could save companies millions by reducing rates of sickness...

Source: Excerpted from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/4757.php

  1. According to the article, what is the cause of sick building syndrome and what are the advantages of this cure? (3 points)

  2. What other sources of indoor pollution contribute to sick building syndrome? Will ultraviolet light be effective against these sources? Suggest one additional control measure that would be effective against SBS. (4 points)

  3. Will the cure mentioned in the article be effective against indoor pollution in developing countries? Discuss why or why not. (3 points)