AP Environmental Science Practice Quiz: Acid Rain

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 15 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 15

The formation of acid deposition is primarily attributed to which two atmospheric pollutants?

A)Carbon dioxide and methaneB)Ozone and particulate matterC)Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxidesD)Volatile organic compounds and lead

All Questions (15)

The formation of acid deposition is primarily attributed to which two atmospheric pollutants?

A) Carbon dioxide and methane

B) Ozone and particulate matter

C) Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides

D) Volatile organic compounds and lead

Correct Answer: C

The provided text explicitly states that 'Acid rain and deposition is due to nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides from anthropogenic and natural sources in the atmosphere.'

According to the provided text, what is the major anthropogenic source of sulfur dioxide (SO₂)?

A) Motor vehicles

B) Agricultural fertilizers

C) Coal-burning power plants

D) Natural volcanic eruptions

Correct Answer: C

The text identifies that 'Sulfur dioxides (SO₂) come from coal-burning power plants.' While motor vehicles are a source of other pollutants, they are not listed as a source for SO₂.

Which of the following are identified in the text as major anthropogenic sources of nitric oxides (NOx)?

A) Industrial solvents and aerosols

B) Motor vehicles and coal-burning power plants

C) Agricultural runoff and livestock

D) Natural forest fires and lightning

Correct Answer: B

The content specifies that 'Nitric oxides (NOx) come from motor vehicles and coal-burning power plants.'

Acid deposition poses a significant threat to historical monuments and buildings made of marble or limestone. This is a direct result of which effect mentioned in the text?

A) Eutrophication of nearby water bodies

B) Increased ground-level ozone

C) Corrosion of human-made structures

D) The greenhouse effect

Correct Answer: C

The text states that 'Acid rain and deposition can lead to the... corrosion of human-made structures.' Marble and limestone are particularly susceptible to this acidic corrosion.

A geographic region with which of the following characteristics would be best equipped to naturally neutralize the effects of acid deposition?

A) A high concentration of motor vehicles

B) Bedrock composed primarily of granite

C) Soils and bedrock rich in limestone

D) Numerous coal-burning power plants

Correct Answer: C

The text indicates that 'Regional differences in soils and bedrock (e.g., limestone bedrock) affect the impact that acid deposition has on the region.' Limestone is an alkaline rock that can buffer or neutralize acid.

Emissions from coal-burning power plants are a major contributor to acid deposition. Which of the following environmental problems is a direct consequence of these emissions as described in the text?

A) Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer

B) Increased water temperature in lakes

C) Acidification of soils and bodies of water

D) An increase in atmospheric carbon monoxide

Correct Answer: C

The text links coal-burning power plants to both sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide emissions, which cause acid deposition. It then states that acid deposition leads to 'the acidification of soils and bodies of water.'

An ecosystem located downwind from a dense urban area with many vehicles and coal power plants is experiencing a decline in fish populations in its lakes. The region's geology is primarily granite-based. What is the most likely explanation for the decline in fish?

A) The granite bedrock is neutralizing the acid deposition, protecting the fish.

B) The lakes are becoming acidified by deposition, and the granite bedrock provides little buffering capacity.

C) Natural sources of sulfur are causing the acidification, unrelated to the urban area.

D) The fish are migrating due to increased water temperatures from climate change.

Correct Answer: B

The urban area produces NOx and SO₂, leading to acid deposition. Acidification of lakes harms fish. The text notes that geology matters; unlike limestone, granite (an igneous rock) has very low buffering capacity, making the ecosystem highly vulnerable to the acid deposition's effects.

The text states that the precursors to acid rain come from both anthropogenic and natural sources. Which of the following is an example of an anthropogenic source mentioned in the text?

A) Volcanic eruptions

B) Lightning strikes

C) Motor vehicles

D) Decomposition in wetlands

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly lists 'motor vehicles' as an anthropogenic (human-caused) source of nitric oxides, a precursor to acid rain. The other options are examples of natural sources.

Which of the following lists contains only effects directly caused by acid deposition as described in the text?

A) Soil acidification, eutrophication, and ozone depletion.

B) Corrosion of structures, global warming, and soil erosion.

C) Acidification of water bodies, corrosion of structures, and soil acidification.

D) Increased UV radiation, acidification of soils, and water contamination with heavy metals.

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly mentions 'acidification of soils and bodies of water and corrosion of human-made structures' as the effects of acid deposition. The other options include effects not mentioned in the provided content.

Why might a forested region in an area with limestone bedrock be less affected by acid deposition than a similar forest in a region with granite bedrock?

A) The trees in the limestone region are naturally more resistant to acid.

B) The limestone has a chemical composition that can neutralize the acid, providing a buffering effect.

C) The granite bedrock releases pollutants that intensify the effects of acid deposition.

D) Acid deposition does not occur in regions with limestone bedrock.

Correct Answer: B

The text highlights that 'Regional differences in soils and bedrock (e.g., limestone bedrock) affect the impact'. Limestone is alkaline and neutralizes acids, thus buffering the ecosystem from its harmful effects, an impact granite cannot provide.

Based on the provided information, which statement accurately distinguishes the sources of acid rain precursors?

A) Only motor vehicles release nitric oxides.

B) Coal-burning power plants release sulfur dioxide but not nitric oxides.

C) Both motor vehicles and coal plants release nitric oxides, but only coal plants are listed as a source of sulfur dioxide.

D) Sulfur dioxide is released by motor vehicles, while nitric oxides are released by coal plants.

Correct Answer: C

The text states NOx comes from both 'motor vehicles and coal-burning power plants,' while it only lists 'coal-burning power plants' as a source for SO₂. This option is the most accurate summary of the provided information.

Which of the following best describes the phenomenon of acid deposition?

A) The process by which carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater to form weak carbonic acid.

B) The deposition of acidic pollutants, formed from nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, from the atmosphere onto the Earth's surface.

C) The accumulation of heavy metals in soil and water due to industrial runoff.

D) The natural weathering of acidic rocks like granite, which lowers soil pH.

Correct Answer: B

This option accurately summarizes the core concept described: pollutants (NOx and SOx) from the atmosphere are deposited on the surface, causing acid rain and other forms of deposition.

A government aims to specifically reduce the formation of acid deposition caused by sulfur dioxide. Based on the provided text, which industry should be the primary focus of new regulations?

A) The automotive manufacturing industry

B) The agricultural industry

C) The coal-burning power generation industry

D) The commercial airline industry

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly states that 'Sulfur dioxides (SO₂) come from coal-burning power plants.' Therefore, to reduce SO₂, regulations should target this specific industry.

Which of the following sequences correctly illustrates a cause-and-effect pathway described in the text?

A) Motor vehicle emissions → increased atmospheric sulfur dioxide → acidification of soils.

B) Coal-burning power plants → emission of nitrogen and sulfur oxides → corrosion of a marble statue.

C) Limestone bedrock → acidification of lakes → decline in fish populations.

D) Acidification of soils → increased emissions from motor vehicles → corrosion of structures.

Correct Answer: B

This option correctly links a source (coal plants), the pollutants they emit (NOx and SOx), and one of the resulting environmental effects (corrosion of structures like a marble statue).

A student argues that if two different regions receive the exact same amount of acid deposition, the environmental damage will be identical in both. Which statement from the text provides the strongest counterargument to this claim?

A) Acid deposition is due to both anthropogenic and natural sources.

B) Nitric oxides come from motor vehicles and coal-burning power plants.

C) Acid deposition can lead to the corrosion of human-made structures.

D) Regional differences in soils and bedrock affect the impact of acid deposition.

Correct Answer: D

This statement directly refutes the student's claim by explaining that local geology (soils and bedrock) can alter the impact of acid deposition, meaning identical amounts of deposition can lead to different outcomes in different regions.