AP Environmental Science Practice Quiz: Fossil Fuels
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 14 questions to check your progress.
Question 1 of 14
All Questions (14)
A) A generator spins a turbine, which boils water into steam, and the steam is burned.
B) Burning fuel generates heat, which turns a turbine, spinning a generator to create steam.
C) Burning fuel generates heat, which turns water into steam, and the steam turns a turbine that spins a generator.
D) Steam turns a generator, which spins a turbine, boiling water and burning fuel.
Correct Answer: C
The content states that burning fuels generates heat, which turns water into steam. That steam then turns a turbine, which spins a generator to produce electricity. This matches the sequence in option C.
A) Oxygen and water
B) Carbon dioxide and water
C) Fuel and oxygen
D) Steam and volatile organic compounds
Correct Answer: B
The text explicitly states that the combustion of fossil fuels is a chemical reaction that 'yields carbon dioxide and water and releases energy.'
A) To cool the generator
B) To turn a turbine
C) To be released as a byproduct
D) To directly create an electrical charge
Correct Answer: B
The content describes the process as: '...which then turns water into steam. That steam turns a turbine...'. The purpose of the steam is to provide the force to spin the turbine.
A) Increased atmospheric oxygen levels
B) Depletion of the ozone layer
C) Contamination of groundwater
D) Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions
Correct Answer: C
The provided text states that 'Hydrologic fracturing (fracking) can cause groundwater contamination and the release of volatile organic compounds.'
A) Spinning a generator
B) Turning a turbine
C) Burning the fuel
D) Converting water to steam
Correct Answer: C
The text begins the description of the process with 'Energy from fossil fuels is produced by burning those fuels to generate heat...'. This is the first step.
A) Volatile organic compounds
B) Oxygen
C) Water vapor
D) Carbon dioxide
Correct Answer: D
The text describes the chemical reaction of combustion as yielding 'carbon dioxide and water'. Of these, carbon dioxide is a major atmospheric pollutant contributing to environmental effects.
A) It burns the fuel to create heat.
B) It is spun by a turbine to produce electricity.
C) It pumps water to be turned into steam.
D) It captures carbon dioxide emissions.
Correct Answer: B
The content specifies that the steam-turned turbine 'spins a generator, producing electricity.'
A) The production of excess steam
B) The release of carbon dioxide
C) The release of volatile organic compounds
D) The generation of excess heat
Correct Answer: C
The text explicitly mentions two effects of fracking: 'groundwater contamination and the release of volatile organic compounds.'
A) Water
B) Carbon Dioxide
C) Nitrogen
D) Oxygen
Correct Answer: D
The text states, 'The combustion of fossil fuels is a chemical reaction between the fuel and oxygen...'
A) The fuel is mixed directly with water, causing a reaction that spins the generator.
B) The combustion of fuel creates electricity, which powers a motor to spin the generator.
C) The combustion of fuel creates heat, which produces high-pressure steam to turn a turbine.
D) The fuel is fractured, releasing pressure that directly spins the turbine.
Correct Answer: C
The text describes a multi-step energy conversion. Chemical energy is released as heat through combustion. This thermal energy is transferred to water, creating steam (thermal/pressure energy). The steam's force provides the mechanical energy to turn the turbine, which then spins the generator.
A) Steam
B) Heat
C) Electricity
D) Carbon Dioxide
Correct Answer: C
The text describes the entire process, concluding with '...which spins a generator, producing electricity.' While other items are part of the process or byproducts, electricity is the intended final product.
A) Energy from fossil fuels is produced by burning those fuels to generate heat.
B) That steam turns a turbine, which spins a generator, producing electricity.
C) The combustion of fossil fuels is a chemical reaction... that yields carbon dioxide and water.
D) Hydrologic fracturing (fracking) can cause groundwater contamination.
Correct Answer: C
The claim is that no new substances are created. The text explicitly states that the chemical reaction of combustion 'yields carbon dioxide and water,' which are new substances formed from the reactants (fuel and oxygen).
A) Carbon dioxide from combustion has dissolved in the water supply.
B) The power plant's steam has condensed and entered the aquifer.
C) The fracking process has led to groundwater contamination.
D) Excess heat from the power plant has altered the water chemistry.
Correct Answer: C
This is an application question. The text directly links hydrologic fracturing (fracking) with the potential for 'groundwater contamination.' This is the most plausible explanation for well water becoming unsafe near a fracking site.
A) Kinetic energy from the turbine
B) Electrical energy from the generator
C) Chemical energy from the water
D) Heat energy from burning fuel
Correct Answer: D
The text states that energy is produced by 'burning those fuels to generate heat, which then turns water into steam.' This indicates that heat is the energy that causes the phase change of water.