APES practice test multiple choice
with complete solutions11
1. Choose the process below that best fits the following: the rapid rate
of this process in tropical forests results in low-nutrient soils. - ANSWERS-Decomposition
2. Defining characteristics of a wetland involve which of the following?
I. Hydrology
II. Soil type
III. Species composition - ANSWERS-I, II, and III
3. The rain shadow effect that occurs along the mountain ranges through California are
characterized by - ANSWERS-lack of precipitation and semiarid conditions on the leeward side
of the mountain range
4. The great concentrations of DDT, a once commonly-used pesticide, in predatory birds such as
the peregrine falcon is an example of - ANSWERS-biomagnification
5. Drip irrigation promises to: - ANSWERS-increase efficiency and crop yields
6. Of the following, which is the primary method of waste disposal in the United States? -
ANSWERS-Landfilling
7. In Mediterranean climate regions like portions of California, a wetter-than-normal winter
often leads to greater severity of fires the following summer. This seeming paradox occurs
because increased rain leads to - ANSWERS-greater accumulation of chapparal biomass
, 8. People who believe that wild species have an inherent right to exist generally believe that
species have - ANSWERS-intrinsic value.
9. The heat island effect can be counteracted by:
I. planting more vegetation
II. establishing higher energy efficiency standards
III. painting roofs and other surfaces lighter colors - ANSWERS-I, II and III
10. A one-hectare pond is sampled in early September. The sample yields 1 small catfish as well
as 17 benthic (bottom-dwelling) invertebrates that represent 10 different species. Which of the
following can be estimated from the sample for the invertebrates in the pond? - ANSWERS-The
species richness
11. The water cycle:
I. Is powered by energy from the sun and gravity
II. Involves only liquid and gaseous phases
III. Is expected to cease due to global warming - ANSWERS-I only
12. Withdrawal of fresh water from streams, lakes, and underground sources has resulted in
which of the following?
I. Intrusion of ocean salt water into groundwater
II. Groundwater depletion
III. Alteration of water quality and consequently changing ecological processes - ANSWERS-I, II,
and III
13. Base your answer to the following question on the following processes.
(A) Decomposition
(B) Assimilation
with complete solutions11
1. Choose the process below that best fits the following: the rapid rate
of this process in tropical forests results in low-nutrient soils. - ANSWERS-Decomposition
2. Defining characteristics of a wetland involve which of the following?
I. Hydrology
II. Soil type
III. Species composition - ANSWERS-I, II, and III
3. The rain shadow effect that occurs along the mountain ranges through California are
characterized by - ANSWERS-lack of precipitation and semiarid conditions on the leeward side
of the mountain range
4. The great concentrations of DDT, a once commonly-used pesticide, in predatory birds such as
the peregrine falcon is an example of - ANSWERS-biomagnification
5. Drip irrigation promises to: - ANSWERS-increase efficiency and crop yields
6. Of the following, which is the primary method of waste disposal in the United States? -
ANSWERS-Landfilling
7. In Mediterranean climate regions like portions of California, a wetter-than-normal winter
often leads to greater severity of fires the following summer. This seeming paradox occurs
because increased rain leads to - ANSWERS-greater accumulation of chapparal biomass
, 8. People who believe that wild species have an inherent right to exist generally believe that
species have - ANSWERS-intrinsic value.
9. The heat island effect can be counteracted by:
I. planting more vegetation
II. establishing higher energy efficiency standards
III. painting roofs and other surfaces lighter colors - ANSWERS-I, II and III
10. A one-hectare pond is sampled in early September. The sample yields 1 small catfish as well
as 17 benthic (bottom-dwelling) invertebrates that represent 10 different species. Which of the
following can be estimated from the sample for the invertebrates in the pond? - ANSWERS-The
species richness
11. The water cycle:
I. Is powered by energy from the sun and gravity
II. Involves only liquid and gaseous phases
III. Is expected to cease due to global warming - ANSWERS-I only
12. Withdrawal of fresh water from streams, lakes, and underground sources has resulted in
which of the following?
I. Intrusion of ocean salt water into groundwater
II. Groundwater depletion
III. Alteration of water quality and consequently changing ecological processes - ANSWERS-I, II,
and III
13. Base your answer to the following question on the following processes.
(A) Decomposition
(B) Assimilation
