UPDATED FOR 2026. Below is every single AP Environmental Science FRQ from 2015-2025 sorted by topic.
At the end is the predicted FRQs for the upcoming 2026 exam. Good luck!
PRO TIP: Links open in FRQ Atlas — You find the FRQ and upload your working for free, instant AI grading based on scoring guidelines.
FRQ Types
Drill down into the 3 specific FRQ formats used on the APES exam.
Design an investigation
Requires creating a valid experiment from a scenario. Tip: Explicitly name your independent/dependent variables and control group.
10 Questions
Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution
Focuses on cause-and-effect relationships. Tip: When proposing a solution, ensure it is economically and environmentally viable.
25 Questions
Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations
Combines concept application with math. Tip: Always show your work, including units, to get full credit.
15 Questions
Skills
Explore the specific scientific practices tested across all questions.
Concept Explanation
Total: 91 Questions
1.A: Describe concepts
Focus on definitions and basic characteristics. (44)
1.B: Explain concepts
Connect the “how” and “why” of processes. (31)
1.C: Apply concepts
Apply knowledge to specific real-world scenarios. (16)
Visual Representations
Total: 21 Questions
2.A: Describe visuals
Interpret maps, diagrams, and models directly. (13)
2.B: Explain relationships
Identify connections between visual elements. (6)
2.C: Relate to issues
Connect models to broader environmental problems. (2)
Scientific Experiments
Total: 32 Questions
4.A: Identify hypothesis
Formulate testable questions or hypotheses. (10)
4.B: Identify method
Pinpoint research methods and variables. (10)
4.C: Describe design
Explain specific aspects of experimental setups. (6)
4.E: Modify procedure
Predict how changes alter experimental outcomes. (6)
Data Analysis
Total: 36 Questions
5.A: Describe patterns
Identify trends in graphs and tables. (15)
5.B: Describe relationships
Connect variables within data sets. (8)
5.C: Draw conclusions
Use patterns to support scientific claims. (4)
5.D: Interpret results
Relate data back to the hypothesis. (6)
5.E: Explain implications
Connect data to broader environmental issues. (3)
Mathematical Routines
Total: 29 Questions
6.B: Apply math
Set up mathematical relationships and show work. (14)
6.C: Calculate answer
Compute accurate answers with correct units. (15)
Environmental Solutions
Total: 92 Questions
7.A: Describe problems
Identify specific environmental issues. (21)
7.B: Describe responses
Outline potential approaches to solve problems. (22)
7.C: Evaluate solutions
Weigh pros, cons, and unintended consequences. (16)
7.E: Propose solution
Make a claim proposing a specific solution. (17)
7.F: Justify solution
Support proposals with evidence and advantages. (16)
Units
Browse questions sorted by the 9 distinct units of the APES curriculum.
Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems
Often paired with biomes and biogeochemical cycles; look for questions linking climate to ecosystem structure. (16)
Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity
High frequency unit; emphasizes ecosystem services, island biogeography, and succession in experimental designs. (26)
Unit 3: Populations
Frequently appears in calculation questions involving growth rates, rule of 70, and demographic transitions. (11)
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
Focuses on El Niño, soil composition, and plate tectonics as drivers for broader environmental conditions. (14)
Unit 5: Land and Water Use
The most tested unit; critical for proposing solutions in agriculture, forestry, mining, and urbanization scenarios. (34)
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
Essential for math-based FRQs comparing renewable vs. nonrenewable energy efficiency and emissions. (18)
Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution
Targets air pollutants (NOx, SOx, PM), photochemical smog, and acid deposition mechanisms. (13)
Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
Heavy on eutrophication, bioaccumulation, solid waste, and point vs. nonpoint source pollution analysis. (24)
Unit 9: Global Change
Integrates concepts from all units to address climate change, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss. (23)
Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems
- 2025 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Ant biodiversity, habitat type, nonnative plants.
- 2025 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — El Niño, urban flooding, biome comparison.
- 2025 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Serengeti ecosystem, tectonic features, highway impact.
- 2024 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Stream DO, BOD zones, macroinvertebrates.
- 2024 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Land use data, urbanization, bobcat conservation.
- 2024 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Drought solutions, prescribed burns, water volume.
- 2023 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mine restoration, plant recovery, soil runoff.
- 2023 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Manatee movement, thermal pollution, seagrass.
- 2023 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Asian carp, invasive species, Great Lakes.
- 2022 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mercury pollution, turtle nesting, soil changes.
- 2021 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Amphibian richness, deforestation, land development.
- 2021 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Habitat fragmentation, specialist species, land area.
- 2019 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Piping plovers, barrier islands, nesting habitat.
- 2019 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Ocean acidification, CO2 trends, pH levels.
- 2018 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Arctic food web, sea ice, polar bears.
- 2015 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Everglades water diversion, phosphorus, restoration.
Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity
- 2025 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Ant biodiversity, habitat type, nonnative plants.
- 2025 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Common Tern, wading birds, sea level rise.
- 2025 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — El Niño, urban flooding, biome comparison.
- 2025 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Serengeti ecosystem, tectonic features, highway impact.
- 2024 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Stream DO, BOD zones, macroinvertebrates.
- 2024 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Ecological succession, watershed diagram, clear-cutting.
- 2024 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Land use data, urbanization, bobcat conservation.
- 2024 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Nuclear power, natural gas, CO2 emissions.
- 2024 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Drought solutions, prescribed burns, water volume.
- 2023 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — GMO beans, runoff, ecological succession.
- 2023 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mine restoration, plant recovery, soil runoff.
- 2023 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Manatee movement, thermal pollution, seagrass.
- 2023 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Asian carp, invasive species, Great Lakes.
- 2022 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mercury pollution, turtle nesting, soil changes.
- 2022 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Lizard abundance, island biogeography, sugarcane.
- 2021 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Pesticide resistance, IPM, wildlife impact.
- 2021 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Amphibian richness, deforestation, land development.
- 2021 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Habitat fragmentation, specialist species, land area.
- 2019 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Piping plovers, barrier islands, nesting habitat.
- 2019 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Oil sands, bitumen extraction, forest ecology.
- 2018 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Arctic food web, sea ice, polar bears.
- 2017 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Microbeads, plastic pollution, nitrate wastewater.
- 2017 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Deforestation, Haiti ecosystem services, demographics.
- 2017 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Hydroelectric dams, keystone species, beavers.
- 2016 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — White Nose Syndrome, bats, infectious disease.
- 2015 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Everglades water diversion, phosphorus, restoration.
Unit 3: Populations
- 2025 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Ant biodiversity, habitat type, nonnative plants.
- 2025 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal mining, population growth, biodiversity.
- 2024 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Animal protein, land use, mealworms.
- 2023 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — GMO beans, runoff, ecological succession.
- 2023 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Manatee movement, thermal pollution, seagrass.
- 2022 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal ash, population change, water use.
- 2021 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Soil erosion, sediment runoff, straw bales.
- 2021 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Habitat fragmentation, specialist species, land area.
- 2017 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Elephant population, K-strategists, decline rate.
- 2017 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Deforestation, Haiti ecosystem services, demographics.
- 2016 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — White Nose Syndrome, bats, infectious disease.
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
- 2025 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — El Niño, urban flooding, biome comparison.
- 2025 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Serengeti ecosystem, tectonic features, highway impact.
- 2024 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Stream DO, BOD zones, macroinvertebrates.
- 2024 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Ecological succession, watershed diagram, clear-cutting.
- 2024 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Animal protein, land use, mealworms.
- 2023 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mine restoration, plant recovery, soil runoff.
- 2022 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mississippi watershed, dead zone, riparian buffers.
- 2022 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Lizard abundance, island biogeography, sugarcane.
- 2022 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Urban heat island, solar panels, efficiency.
- 2022 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal ash, population change, water use.
- 2021 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Soil erosion, sediment runoff, straw bales.
- 2017 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Deforestation, Haiti ecosystem services, demographics.
- 2017 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Hydroelectric dams, keystone species, beavers.
- 2016 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Soil horizons, degradation, acid deposition.
Unit 5: Land and Water Use
- 2025 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Ant biodiversity, habitat type, nonnative plants.
- 2025 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Common Tern, wading birds, sea level rise.
- 2025 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — El Niño, urban flooding, biome comparison.
- 2025 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Serengeti ecosystem, tectonic features, highway impact.
- 2025 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal mining, population growth, biodiversity.
- 2024 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Ecological succession, watershed diagram, clear-cutting.
- 2024 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Animal protein, land use, mealworms.
- 2024 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Land use data, urbanization, bobcat conservation.
- 2024 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Drought solutions, prescribed burns, water volume.
- 2023 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — GMO beans, runoff, ecological succession.
- 2023 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mine restoration, plant recovery, soil runoff.
- 2023 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Manatee movement, thermal pollution, seagrass.
- 2023 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Asian carp, invasive species, Great Lakes.
- 2023 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Crude oil, gold mining, ore extraction.
- 2023 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Methane emissions, landfills, beef production.
- 2022 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mercury pollution, turtle nesting, soil changes.
- 2022 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mississippi watershed, dead zone, riparian buffers.
- 2022 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Fracking methane, groundwater overuse, saltwater intrusion.
- 2022 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Lizard abundance, island biogeography, sugarcane.
- 2022 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Urban heat island, solar panels, efficiency.
- 2022 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal ash, population change, water use.
- 2021 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Soil erosion, sediment runoff, straw bales.
- 2021 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Pesticide resistance, IPM, wildlife impact.
- 2021 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Amphibian richness, deforestation, land development.
- 2021 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Habitat fragmentation, specialist species, land area.
- 2019 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Piping plovers, barrier islands, nesting habitat.
- 2019 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Oil sands, bitumen extraction, forest ecology.
- 2018 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Green renovation, carbon footprint, native landscaping.
- 2017 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Deforestation, Haiti ecosystem services, demographics.
- 2017 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Hydroelectric dams, keystone species, beavers.
- 2016 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Iron ore, steel production, mine waste.
- 2016 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Soil horizons, degradation, acid deposition.
- 2015 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Everglades water diversion, phosphorus, restoration.
- 2015 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Urban sprawl, smart growth, petroleum.
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
- 2025 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Air pollution, gas mileage, energy efficiency.
- 2025 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal mining, population growth, biodiversity.
- 2024 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Nuclear power, natural gas, CO2 emissions.
- 2024 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Drought solutions, prescribed burns, water volume.
- 2023 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Manatee movement, thermal pollution, seagrass.
- 2023 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Crude oil, gold mining, ore extraction.
- 2022 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Fracking methane, groundwater overuse, saltwater intrusion.
- 2022 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Urban heat island, solar panels, efficiency.
- 2022 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal ash, population change, water use.
- 2021 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Solar panels, hydroelectric power, reservoir impacts.
- 2021 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal vs gas, PM2.5, health impacts.
- 2019 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Oil sands, bitumen extraction, forest ecology.
- 2018 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Green renovation, carbon footprint, native landscaping.
- 2018 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Offshore wind, energy generation, revenue.
- 2017 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Hydroelectric dams, keystone species, beavers.
- 2015 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — E-waste, gold recovery, mobile devices.
- 2015 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Oil spill data, cleanup methods, substitutes.
- 2015 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Urban sprawl, smart growth, petroleum.
Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution
- 2025 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — El Niño, urban flooding, biome comparison.
- 2025 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Air pollution, gas mileage, energy efficiency.
- 2025 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal mining, population growth, biodiversity.
- 2024 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Nuclear power, natural gas, CO2 emissions.
- 2023 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Manatee movement, thermal pollution, seagrass.
- 2023 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Crude oil, gold mining, ore extraction.
- 2022 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Fracking methane, groundwater overuse, saltwater intrusion.
- 2022 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal ash, population change, water use.
- 2021 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal vs gas, PM2.5, health impacts.
- 2019 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Park visibility, air pollutants, visitor impact.
- 2018 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Green renovation, carbon footprint, native landscaping.
- 2018 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Indoor air, biomass burning, ventilation.
- 2016 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Soil horizons, degradation, acid deposition.
Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
- 2025 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Common Tern, wading birds, sea level rise.
- 2024 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Stream DO, BOD zones, macroinvertebrates.
- 2024 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Ecological succession, watershed diagram, clear-cutting.
- 2024 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Animal protein, land use, mealworms.
- 2024 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Nuclear power, natural gas, CO2 emissions.
- 2023 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Manatee movement, thermal pollution, seagrass.
- 2023 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Crude oil, gold mining, ore extraction.
- 2023 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Methane emissions, landfills, beef production.
- 2022 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mercury pollution, turtle nesting, soil changes.
- 2022 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Mississippi watershed, dead zone, riparian buffers.
- 2022 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Coal ash, population change, water use.
- 2021 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Soil erosion, sediment runoff, straw bales.
- 2021 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Pesticide resistance, IPM, wildlife impact.
- 2019 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Ocean acidification, CO2 trends, pH levels.
- 2018 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Green renovation, carbon footprint, native landscaping.
- 2018 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Indoor air, biomass burning, ventilation.
- 2017 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Microbeads, plastic pollution, nitrate wastewater.
- 2016 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — White Nose Syndrome, bats, infectious disease.
- 2016 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Iron ore, steel production, mine waste.
- 2016 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — MSW trends, incineration, composting.
- 2015 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Everglades water diversion, phosphorus, restoration.
- 2015 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — E-waste, gold recovery, mobile devices.
- 2015 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Oil spill data, cleanup methods, substitutes.
- 2015 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Urban sprawl, smart growth, petroleum.
Unit 9: Global Change
- 2025 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Ant biodiversity, habitat type, nonnative plants.
- 2025 Set 2 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Common Tern, wading birds, sea level rise.
- 2025 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Serengeti ecosystem, tectonic features, highway impact.
- 2024 Set 1 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Animal protein, land use, mealworms.
- 2024 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Land use data, urbanization, bobcat conservation.
- 2024 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Nuclear power, natural gas, CO2 emissions.
- 2023 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — GMO beans, runoff, ecological succession.
- 2023 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Asian carp, invasive species, Great Lakes.
- 2023 Set 2 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Methane emissions, landfills, beef production.
- 2022 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Lizard abundance, island biogeography, sugarcane.
- 2021 Set 1 Q1 (Design an investigation) — Solar panels, hydroelectric power, reservoir impacts.
- 2021 Set 2 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Amphibian richness, deforestation, land development.
- 2021 Set 1 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Habitat fragmentation, specialist species, land area.
- 2019 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Piping plovers, barrier islands, nesting habitat.
- 2019 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Ocean acidification, CO2 trends, pH levels.
- 2019 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Park visibility, air pollutants, visitor impact.
- 2018 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Green renovation, carbon footprint, native landscaping.
- 2018 Q3 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Arctic food web, sea ice, polar bears.
- 2017 Q2 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations) — Elephant population, K-strategists, decline rate.
- 2016 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — White Nose Syndrome, bats, infectious disease.
- 2016 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Soil horizons, degradation, acid deposition.
- 2015 Q1 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Everglades water diversion, phosphorus, restoration.
- 2015 Q4 (Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution) — Urban sprawl, smart growth, petroleum.
2026 FRQ Topics Prediction
We used Phy AI + the frequency of topics above to make an educated guess on what you might see on the upcoming 2026 AP Environmental Science Exam FRQ:
- Unit 5: Land and Water Use — 34 appearances. Prepare for a complex scenario involving agriculture (pest control/meat production) or urbanization (heat islands/runoff) that requires proposing a realistic sustainable solution.
- Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity — 26 appearances. Expect an experimental design question focused on ecosystem services or island biogeography, likely asking you to identify variables or control groups.
- Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution — 24 appearances. Pollution remains a high-yield topic; look for questions linking point/nonpoint sources to human health impacts or eutrophication in aquatic systems.
- Unit 9: Global Change — 23 appearances. Climate change impacts are increasingly tested; anticipate a question connecting rising global temperatures to biodiversity loss or ocean acidification mechanics.
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