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What's on the AP Environmental Science Unit 9 practice test

The standard version takes about 70 minutes and follows the timing and directions of the AP exam, sized to one unit:

  • 20 Multiple Choice Questions (23 minutes)
  • 1 FRQ – FRQ 1 – Design an Investigation (23 minutes)
  • 1 FRQ – FRQ 2 – Analyze and Interpret Quantitative Data (23 minutes)

Questions are drawn from 3426 multiple-choice questions and 49 FRQs written for Unit 9, Global Change.

Sample AP Environmental Science Unit 9 question

Researchers investigating the relationship between livestock farming practices and atmospheric methane levels collected air samples monthly from above 12 dairy farms and 12 grain farms in the same region over two years. All farms had similar soil types and climate conditions. Which of the following best describes the research method used in this study?

Observational field study comparing methane emissions across different agricultural practices

Correct answer

Controlled laboratory experiment testing the effect of livestock diet on methane production

Longitudinal study tracking individual animals to measure their personal methane contributions

Comparative survey using self-reported farm management data to estimate methane emissions

Explanation

Recognizing this as an observational study requires identifying that researchers measured naturally occurring differences in farming practices rather than manipulating variables. The study compares two groups (dairy vs. grain farms) selected for their existing practices, with careful matching of confounding variables (soil, climate), which is characteristic of observational field research designed to identify correlations between agricultural type and methane emissions.

Practice AP Environmental Science Unit 9 FRQs

Answer the unit's free-response questions one at a time and get a score on every part.

Review Unit 9 before you start

Other AP Environmental Science unit tests