--- title: "AP Environmental Science Investigation Design FRQ Practice" description: "184 Design an Investigation questions written in the AP format, each scored part by part." canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-enviro/frqs/design-an-investigation" type: "frq-type-practice" subject: "AP Environmental Science" --- # AP Environmental Science Investigation Design FRQ Practice ## What the Investigation Design FRQ asks This is FRQ 1 on the AP Environmental Science exam. You get an environmental scenario with data or figures, analyze what the data show, and work through an investigation: its variables, its results, and what they mean. - **23 min**: suggested writing time - **10 points**: usually across parts A to H - **1/3**: of your FRQ points | Part | What it asks | Points | | --- | --- | --- | | A: Concept | Describe an environmental concept or process | 1 | | B: Explanation | Explain how a process works in the scenario | 1 | | C: Read the data | Identify a value from a figure | 1 | | D: Relationship | Describe a trend or relationship in the data | 1 | | E: Hypothesis | Describe how the data support a hypothesis or claim | 1 | | F: Investigation | Identify the investigation’s question or hypothesis and its independent variable | 2 | | G: Results | Explain the investigation’s results and what could change them | 2 | | H: Connection | Describe a related environmental effect | 1 | ## How Investigation Design FRQ practice works 1. **Read the full question.** The scenario, the figures, and every part, laid out the way the exam shows them. 2. **Write on a 23-minute timer.** The time to plan for on exam day. Pause it or turn it off, and your response saves as you go. 3. **Submit for a score out of 10.** Your response is scored against the scoring guidelines written for that question. Your first score is included. ## All 184 questions ### Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems (22) - [Energy loss in kelp-sea urchin food chain](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6977b2269162875467e8fa38&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Forest energy transfer through trophic levels](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698628eca547873167531a79&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient cycling and energy transfer in aquatic food webs](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69862a3da547873167531a8a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nitrogen cycling and phytoplankton distribution in lakes](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69862aefa547873167531a90&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy flow and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69862c85a547873167531aa2&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient availability and energy transfer in freshwater ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986300ba547873167531acb&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nitrogen cycling and nutrient availability in wetlands](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863222a547873167531adc&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient cycling in temperate deciduous forests](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698633fea547873167531aeb&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nitrogen cycling and plant nutrient limitation](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863b45a547873167531b18&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient availability, productivity, wetland energy transfer](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863e20a547873167531b2d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient availability and freshwater lake ecosystem productivity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3498f9c18c0902618d68&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient pollution effects on freshwater lake ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3579f9c18c0902618d6f&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Decomposition, nutrient cycling, temperate forest ecosystem](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e361bf9c18c0902618d73&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient cycling](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3817f9c18c0902618d80&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nitrogen cycling and trophic energy transfer](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e39f0f9c18c0902618d88&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient cycling and phytoplankton oxygen dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3c29f9c18c0902618d95&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Phosphorus cycling and agricultural runoff in streams](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3d11f9c18c0902618d98&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient availability and phytoplankton productivity in aquatic ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3dd1f9c18c0902618d9c&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient availability and energy transfer in aquatic food chains](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3f2bf9c18c0902618d9f&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy flow through freshwater trophic levels](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e4000f9c18c0902618da0&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Kelp forests, sea otters, energy flow dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f58a19023aa332583e1a8&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Tropical rainforest productivity and nutrient cycling](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f59549023aa332583e1ac&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) ### Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity (21) - [Ecosystem services, genetic diversity, island biogeography](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6977c208af005db48b031452&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Lodgepole pine adaptation and post-fire succession](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863100a547873167531ad4&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Island size, distance, species diversity patterns](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863568a547873167531af4&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Primary succession and island biogeography patterns](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986362ca547873167531afa&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Forest fragmentation and bird species diversity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986380ca547873167531b07&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Pollinator populations in fragmented forest ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698639b8a547873167531b11&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Forest fragmentation effects on species biodiversity patterns](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863bb2a547873167531b1a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Island biogeography and secondary forest succession](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863cfba547873167531b24&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Forest fragmentation and bird species diversity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863ee2a547873167531b33&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Bird species diversity and island habitat characteristics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863faca547873167531b3a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Habitat patch size and pollinator species diversity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698640d9a547873167531b44&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Habitat fragmentation effects on bird species diversity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864401a547873167531b5b&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Habitat fragmentation impacts on bird species diversity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3446f9c18c0902618d65&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Habitat fragmentation impacts on monarch butterfly populations](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e369ff9c18c0902618d77&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Forest fragmentation, genetic diversity, and ecosystem services](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e37a4f9c18c0902618d7e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Habitat fragmentation, bird diversity, ecosystem services](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3867f9c18c0902618d82&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss in forest ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e39aef9c18c0902618d87&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Habitat fragmentation effects on forest biodiversity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3a64f9c18c0902618d8c&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Habitat fragmentation and bird biodiversity in forest patches](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3c70f9c18c0902618d97&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Mangrove forests, ecosystem services, juvenile fish survival](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f58919023aa332583e1a7&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Island biogeography, species richness, immigration rates](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f59349023aa332583e1aa&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) ### Unit 3: Populations (19) - [Moose population dynamics and carrying capacity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6977b6de4d1493123d923e25&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [White-tailed deer population dynamics and survivorship curves](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863321a547873167531ae2&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [White-tailed deer population dynamics and resource availability](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698636a9a547873167531aff&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Invasive silver carp and native paddlefish competition](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863a97a547873167531b15&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [White-tailed deer population dynamics and resource availability](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863bc1a547873167531b1b&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Resource availability and population dynamics in ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863ee6a547873167531b34&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Eutrophication, algal blooms, oxygen depletion dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986406ca547873167531b40&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [White-tailed deer generalist feeding and population dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864114a547873167531b47&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Forest fragmentation effects on K and r-selected species](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864262a547873167531b4f&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Generalist versus specialist feeding strategies and environmental stability](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698644cca547873167531b61&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Rodent population dynamics and resource availability](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3489f9c18c0902618d67&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Invasive zebra mussels and native Great Lakes mussels](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e372af9c18c0902618d7a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [White-tailed deer population dynamics and browse biomass](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3ac1f9c18c0902618d8f&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Generalist species habitat adaptability and carrying capacity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3c08f9c18c0902618d94&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Deer population dynamics and resource availability](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3e7ff9c18c0902618d9e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Forest fragmentation effects on deer populations](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e4030f9c18c0902618da1&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Sea otter population effects on kelp forest ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e4138f9c18c0902618da2&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [White-tailed deer, coyotes, prairie ecosystem dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f58849023aa332583e1a6&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Invasive zebra mussels disrupting Great Lakes food webs](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f5bcb9023aa332583e1b1&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) ### Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources (20) - [Rock weathering, mountain formation, soil composition](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6977b2549162875467e8fa39&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Climate-driven soil formation differences across mountain ranges](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698633b6a547873167531ae7&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil formation in different climate and geological zones](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986364fa547873167531afb&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil properties, water retention, watershed systems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698637cba547873167531b04&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Watershed precipitation, soil infiltration, convergent boundaries](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863bd6a547873167531b1e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil formation, climate, and watershed erosion patterns](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863f32a547873167531b36&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil formation, characteristics, and water infiltration rates](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864145a547873167531b49&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Plate boundaries, geological features, climate influence](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864203a547873167531b4d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil formation at divergent plate boundaries and climates](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698642dda547873167531b54&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil formation, plate tectonics, orographic precipitation](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698643d7a547873167531b59&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil formation, watershed precipitation, tectonic processes](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698645a9a547873167531b67&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Watershed characteristics, soil infiltration, water quality impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698647e6a547873167531b76&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil horizons, watersheds, and organic matter dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864983a547873167531b82&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Watershed soil development, parent material age differences](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3467f9c18c0902618d66&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil formation, weathering, and watershed infiltration rates](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e35baf9c18c0902618d70&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Watershed characteristics, soil texture, water infiltration](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e375bf9c18c0902618d7c&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil type and water infiltration rates](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3901f9c18c0902618d83&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Watershed characteristics, soil formation, nutrient availability](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3abff9c18c0902618d8e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Plate boundaries, weathering, soil formation processes](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3bb9f9c18c0902618d91&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil horizons, organic matter, water infiltration](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3daaf9c18c0902618d9b&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) ### Unit 5: Land and Water Use (22) - [Environmental impacts and efficiency of irrigation methods](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6977b31c9162875467e8fa3d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Groundwater depletion and irrigation method impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863684a547873167531afd&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Irrigation methods, soil salinity, crop sustainability](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698638baa547873167531b0a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Irrigation methods, soil salinity, agricultural sustainability](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863a46a547873167531b13&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural water use and groundwater depletion](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863d4ba547873167531b27&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Riparian buffers reducing agricultural nutrient runoff](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863e44a547873167531b2e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural sustainability: tillage, irrigation, pest management](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863f47a547873167531b37&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Groundwater depletion, irrigation water loss, soil erosion](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986401ba547873167531b3e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Irrigation methods and soil salinity impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698640bea547873167531b42&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural soil erosion and water quality impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698641e8a547873167531b4c&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Irrigation methods and soil salinity in arid agriculture](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698642a2a547873167531b50&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Conventional agriculture: monocropping, erosion, salinity](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e342df9c18c0902618d64&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural practices and watershed soil erosion rates](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e34cff9c18c0902618d6a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil erosion, agricultural practices, water pollution](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e35cff9c18c0902618d71&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Irrigation water application and soil salinity impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e367ef9c18c0902618d75&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural practices and soil quality impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e376ef9c18c0902618d7d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil salinization from furrow irrigation practices](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3814f9c18c0902618d7f&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural methods and environmental impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e39f2f9c18c0902618d89&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Groundwater depletion and agricultural irrigation sustainability](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3aa5f9c18c0902618d8d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Soil salinity and sustainable irrigation practices](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3be5f9c18c0902618d92&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Farming systems and environmental sustainability impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3d5cf9c18c0902618d9a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Monoculture farming, soil health, water pollution](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f58579023aa332583e1a5&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) ### Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption (20) - [Renewable versus nonrenewable energy carbon emissions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6977b25b9162875467e8fa3a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source comparison and climate impact](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863481a547873167531aef&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy sources, emissions, and renewable transition](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698635c8a547873167531af7&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source transition: nonrenewable versus renewable resources](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863686a547873167531afe&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source comparison and carbon emissions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698638bda547873167531b0b&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Greenhouse gas emissions and energy source comparison](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986398ca547873167531b0e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy sources and carbon dioxide emissions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863be9a547873167531b20&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source transition and environmental impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863d05a547873167531b25&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Algae cultivation for biofuel production optimization](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863fafa547873167531b3b&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source evaluation and environmental impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698642b9a547873167531b53&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Renewable versus nonrenewable energy source comparison](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864465a547873167531b5d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source efficiency and environmental impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986472da547873167531b70&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source transitions and environmental impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3571f9c18c0902618d6d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source transition and carbon emissions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3646f9c18c0902618d74&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [U.S. energy consumption sources and environmental impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e373cf9c18c0902618d7b&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coal dependency, renewable energy transition impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3957f9c18c0902618d86&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source capacity factors and carbon emissions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3a63f9c18c0902618d8b&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Energy source transition and climate impact reduction](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3b17f9c18c0902618d90&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coal versus solar energy production and efficiency](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3c03f9c18c0902618d93&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Fossil fuel emissions and renewable energy alternatives](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f59409023aa332583e1ab&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) ### Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution (17) - [Ground-level ozone formation and nitrogen oxide sources](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6977b3339162875467e8fa3e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Urban air pollution: highway proximity and seasonal variation](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698636aca547873167531b00&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Urban air pollution, ozone formation, atmospheric conditions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698637f7a547873167531b05&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ground-level ozone formation from vehicular emissions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863bd1a547873167531b1d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Photochemical smog formation and ground-level ozone concentration](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864078a547873167531b41&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Air pollution sources, health effects, atmospheric conditions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864381a547873167531b57&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ground-level ozone formation and summer air quality](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698645fba547873167531b69&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Acid deposition effects on aquatic ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864764a547873167531b73&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Photochemical smog formation in urban thermal inversions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864993a547873167531b84&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ground-level ozone formation and respiratory health effects](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864affa547873167531b91&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Photochemical smog formation and atmospheric conditions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986506ea547873167531bc2&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Photochemical smog formation and urban air pollution](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3566f9c18c0902618d6c&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ground-level ozone formation and urban air quality patterns](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e367ef9c18c0902618d76&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Photochemical smog formation and ground-level ozone dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e391cf9c18c0902618d84&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Urban air pollution from traffic emissions](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3c2cf9c18c0902618d96&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Industrial air pollution, thermal inversions, ozone formation](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f5ad29023aa332583e1b0&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ground-level ozone formation and urban air pollution](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f5dea9023aa332583e1b2&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) ### Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution (21) - [Atrazine runoff and agricultural nonpoint source pollution](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6977c3876735c29427d7aa58&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Lake ecosystem pollution and dissolved oxygen dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698635e1a547873167531af8&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Freshwater lake ecosystem pollution and dissolved oxygen dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986370ca547873167531b01&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Aquatic pollution, nutrients, dissolved oxygen levels](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863808a547873167531b06&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural runoff, thermal pollution, dissolved oxygen dynamics](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863a3da547873167531b12&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient and thermal pollution in freshwater ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863c33a547873167531b22&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Persistent pollutant bioaccumulation in aquatic food webs](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863d5fa547873167531b28&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural runoff, eutrophication, dissolved oxygen depletion](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863e12a547873167531b2c&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient pollution and dissolved oxygen decline in freshwater ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863edaa547873167531b31&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Eutrophication, thermal pollution, aquatic ecosystem stress](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863f8ca547873167531b38&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Freshwater lake pollution sources and water quality impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698640ffa547873167531b46&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Aquatic pollution sources and eutrophication effects](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986420ea547873167531b4e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Nutrient pollution and dissolved oxygen depletion](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986446ca547873167531b5e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Eutrophication and dissolved oxygen depletion in freshwater ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864519a547873167531b63&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural runoff, eutrophication, thermal pollution impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986462ba547873167531b6a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Fertilizer runoff effects on freshwater lake ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698648e7a547873167531b7d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural runoff, eutrophication, dissolved oxygen depletion](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e342cf9c18c0902618d63&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Endocrine disruptors, amphibian development, agricultural pollution](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3508f9c18c0902618d6b&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural runoff, eutrophication, dissolved oxygen depletion](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e35ecf9c18c0902618d72&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Agricultural runoff, endocrine disruption, frog reproduction](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e36def9c18c0902618d78&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Atrazine endocrine disruption in freshwater lake ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698f592f9023aa332583e1a9&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) ### Unit 9: Global Change (22) - [Coral bleaching, zooxanthellae loss, ocean acidification](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6977c40ea3af965d1b7b3b19&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral reef symbiosis and ocean acidification impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698638a3a547873167531b09&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral reef bleaching and ecosystem services](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863963a547873167531b0d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral-zooxanthellae symbiosis and ocean acidification](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863b28a547873167531b17&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ocean acidification and coral skeleton formation](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863edba547873167531b32&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral-zooxanthellae mutualism and ocean acidification effects](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69863f8ea547873167531b39&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral bleaching, zooxanthellae symbiosis, climate impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698640eca547873167531b45&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral reefs, ocean acidification, and marine ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698644e9a547873167531b62&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral bleaching, ocean acidification, symbiotic relationships](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698645b1a547873167531b68&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral bleaching, ocean acidification, symbiotic relationships](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=6986466fa547873167531b6d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ocean acidification impacts on coral reef ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864a2fa547873167531b8a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral reef ecosystem services and symbiosis](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864b20a547873167531b93&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ocean acidification impacts on coral reef ecosystems](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864e8ba547873167531bb4&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral reef symbiosis and ocean acidification impacts](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=69864f67a547873167531bba&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral reefs, ocean acidification, ecosystem services](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e34a1f9c18c0902618d69&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ocean acidification and coral calcification effects](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3571f9c18c0902618d6e&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral reef ecosystems and ocean acidification](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e370bf9c18c0902618d79&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Ocean acidification effects on marine organisms](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3822f9c18c0902618d81&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral bleaching, mutualistic relationships, ecosystem services](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e392ff9c18c0902618d85&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral reef ecosystem services and ocean acidification](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3a56f9c18c0902618d8a&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral-zooxanthellae symbiosis and ocean acidification effects](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3d3bf9c18c0902618d99&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) - [Coral reef biodiversity and calcification processes](/ap-enviro/frq-practice?id=698e3e12f9c18c0902618d9d&type=frq-1-design-an-investigation) ## Sample question **Energy loss in kelp-sea urchin food chain** Kelp forests are highly productive marine ecosystems found in cold, nutrient-rich coastal waters. These underwater forests support diverse food webs, with kelp as the primary producer converting solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Sea urchins are primary consumers that graze on kelp, while sea otters are secondary consumers that prey on sea urchins. Part A (1 point): Prompt: **Describe** one way that energy is lost as it flows from kelp to sea urchins in this food chain. Verb: describe Part B (1 point): Prompt: **Explain** how the increase in sea urchin population density could affect the amount of solar energy captured by the kelp forest ecosystem. Verb: explain Figure 1: Type: line_graph Caption: Figure 1. Kelp biomass and sea urchin density URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-enviro/dceeea85-2b83-445b-ad17-6ee58c4728e7_fig1.jpg Placement: before-part Part Letter: C Part C (1 point): Prompt: Based on the data in Figure 1, **identify** the kelp biomass in May. Verb: identify Figure 2: Type: line_graph Caption: Figure 2. Dissolved nitrate in kelp forest water URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-enviro/dceeea85-2b83-445b-ad17-6ee58c4728e7_fig2.jpg Placement: before-part Part Letter: D Part D (1 point): Prompt: Based on the data in Figure 2, **describe** the trend in dissolved nitrate concentration from January to June. Verb: describe Part E (1 point): Prompt: Scientists hypothesized that seasonal upwelling patterns control nutrient availability in kelp forests. **Describe** one way that the data in Figure 2 support this hypothesis. Verb: describe Data Table for Part F: Headers: Treatment | Nitrate added (mg/L) | Phosphate added (mg/L) | Algae density after 7 days (cells/mL) Control (lake water only) | 0 | 0 | 2,400 Lake water + nitrate | 10 | 0 | 8,900 Lake water + phosphate | 0 | 5 | 9,200 Lake water + nitrate + phosphate | 10 | 5 | 24,600 Part F (2 points): Context: Nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff can impact aquatic ecosystems. A group of students investigated how nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers affect algae growth in freshwater lakes. They collected water from a local lake and divided it into four treatment groups. The students added different combinations of nitrate and phosphate to the water samples, then measured algae density after 7 days. All samples were kept at the same temperature and light conditions. Verb: identify i. **Identify** the independent variable in the students' investigation. (1 pt) ii. **Identify** the dependent variable in the students' investigation. (1 pt) Part G (2 points): Context: The data from the student investigation are shown in the following table. Verb: explain i. **Explain** why the students included a control treatment with no added nutrients in their experimental design. (1 pt) ii. **Explain** how the results would differ if students had conducted the experiment in water with very low dissolved oxygen levels rather than well-oxygenated lake water. (1 pt) Part H (1 point): Prompt: **Describe** one effect that increasing ocean temperature could have on the kelp forest ecosystem described in the passage. Context: Climate change is causing ocean temperatures to rise in many coastal regions where kelp forests exist. Verb: describe Image URLs (2): - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-enviro/dceeea85-2b83-445b-ad17-6ee58c4728e7_fig1.jpg - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-enviro/dceeea85-2b83-445b-ad17-6ee58c4728e7_fig2.jpg ## Questions **How many responses can I get scored?** You can read every question without a plan. Your first scored response is included. A plan unlocks unlimited scoring. **What does the investigation part ask?** On most questions, parts F and G describe an investigation. You identify its question or hypothesis and its independent variable, then explain its results. **How specific should my variables be?** Name what is measured and how, with units. “Dissolved oxygen in mg/L” earns more than “water quality.” **How is FRQ 1 different from FRQ 2?** FRQ 1 centers on an investigation: its hypothesis, variables, and results. FRQ 2 asks you to interpret quantitative data, then propose and justify a solution. **Are these real College Board questions?** No. We wrote them in the AP format, with the same parts, and wrote scoring guidelines for each one. ## Related - [Investigation Design FRQ exam guide](/ap-enviro/ap-environmental-science-exam/ap-enviro-frq-experimental-design/study-guide/ap-enviro-frq-experimental-design) - [AP Environmental Science Data Analysis FRQ practice](/ap-enviro/frqs/data-analysis) - [AP Environmental Science Calculation FRQ practice](/ap-enviro/frqs/calculations) - [AP Environmental Science FRQs](/ap-enviro/frqs) - Any question by id: the `get_frq` tool on the [Fiveable MCP server](/mcp/docs) ## About This Document Canonical Fiveable pages are available as Markdown at the same path plus `.md`. - [llms.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms.txt): index of Fiveable's sections and URL patterns - [llms-full.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms-full.txt): complete subject and unit listing - [MCP server](https://fiveable.me/mcp): call Fiveable as tools instead of fetching pages (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp`) - [MCP server for AP teachers](https://fiveable.me/mcp/teachers): a teacher's classes, assignments and AP-rubric grading (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp/teacher`)