AP Environmental Science Practice Quiz: K-Selected r-Selected Species
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 11 questions to check your progress.
Question 1 of 11
All Questions (11)
A) Many offspring
B) Short life span
C) Large body size
D) Low competition
Correct Answer: C
According to the provided content, K-selected species tend to be large, have few offspring, long life spans, and experience relatively high competition.
A) Reproduction more than once
B) Living in a stable environment
C) High competition
D) Early maturation
Correct Answer: D
The provided text states that r-selected species tend to mature early, be small, have many offspring, and have short life spans.
A) have longer life spans.
B) experience higher levels of competition.
C) have many offspring.
D) are larger in size.
Correct Answer: C
The content specifies that r-selected species tend to have many offspring, whereas K-selected species tend to have few offspring.
A) K-selection.
B) r-selection.
C) biotic potential.
D) environmental stability.
Correct Answer: C
The content directly defines biotic potential as 'the maximum reproductive rate of a population in ideal conditions.'
A) Most invasive species are K-selected, which allows them to outcompete r-selected species.
B) r-selected species are more adversely affected by invasive species than K-selected species.
C) Most invasive species are r-selected, and they tend to adversely affect K-selected species.
D) There is no relationship between a species' reproductive strategy and its potential to be invasive.
Correct Answer: C
The content explicitly states that 'K-selected species are typically more adversely affected by invasive species than r-selected species' and 'Most invasive species are r-selected species.'
A) A large mammal that gives birth to a single offspring every few years.
B) A bird that lays a small clutch of eggs and cares for its young until they mature.
C) An insect that lays hundreds of eggs, which mature quickly with no parental care.
D) A large tree that grows for decades before producing a small number of seeds.
Correct Answer: C
This scenario aligns with the traits of an r-selected species: many offspring, early maturation, and likely a short life span. The other options describe K-selected traits.
A) an r-selected species.
B) a K-selected species.
C) an invasive species.
D) a species with high biotic potential.
Correct Answer: B
The provided text lists stable environments, long life spans, and high competition as characteristics of K-selected species.
A) Because K-selected species have few offspring and cannot reproduce quickly enough to compete against rapidly reproducing invasive species.
B) Because K-selected species are smaller and are physically outmatched by larger invasive species.
C) Because K-selected species live in environments with low competition and are not adapted to new competitors.
D) Because K-selected species reproduce only once in their lifetime, making them susceptible to population collapse.
Correct Answer: A
The text states K-selected species have few offspring and are adversely affected by invasive species, which are typically r-selected (many offspring). The low reproductive rate of K-selected species is the primary reason for their vulnerability to fast-reproducing invaders.
A) small body size.
B) many offspring.
C) long life spans.
D) may reproduce only once.
Correct Answer: C
The content explicitly states that r-selected species tend to have short life spans. Long life spans are a characteristic of K-selected species.
A) An environment with low competition.
B) A newly formed volcanic island with abundant, uncolonized space.
C) An environment that is stable and predictable.
D) An environment that experiences frequent, unpredictable disturbances.
Correct Answer: C
The characteristics described (few offspring, reproduce more than once) belong to K-selected species. The content states that K-selected species tend to live in stable environments.
A) Competition is high for r-selected species and low for K-selected species.
B) Competition is relatively high for K-selected species and relatively low for r-selected species.
C) Competition is typically low for both strategies.
D) Competition is typically high for both strategies.
Correct Answer: B
The content directly states that for K-selected species, 'Competition is usually relatively high,' and for r-selected species, 'Competition is typically relatively low.'