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AP Environmental Science Practice Quiz: Endangered 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

According to the provided text, which of the following is a primary reason a species might become threatened with extinction?

All Questions (11)

According to the provided text, which of the following is a primary reason a species might become threatened with extinction?

A) The ability to adapt to a changing climate.

B) A highly varied and flexible diet.

C) Being extensively hunted by humans.

D) The legal protection of its natural environment.

Correct Answer: C

The content explicitly lists being 'extensively hunted' as one of the factors that can lead to a species becoming threatened with extinction.

A species of marsupial feeds only on the leaves of a single type of eucalyptus tree and lives only in a small, specific forest region. Based on the text, why is this species particularly vulnerable to extinction?

A) It is likely to be outcompeted by invasive species.

B) It has limited diet and habitat requirements.

C) It is unable to adapt to selective pressures.

D) It is not protected by anti-poaching legislation.

Correct Answer: B

The text states that having 'limited diet/habitat requirements' is a factor that can lead to a species becoming threatened. This scenario describes a species with both a specialized diet and a specific habitat.

Which characteristic would make a species LESS likely to face extinction when faced with environmental changes?

A) Having a very specific and limited food source.

B) The ability to move to a new, more suitable environment.

C) Living in a habitat that is being encroached upon by an invasive species.

D) Being a popular target for illegal poaching.

Correct Answer: B

The content specifies that species 'that are able to move to a new environment are less likely to face extinction.' The other options are all factors that increase the risk of extinction.

The introduction of a new predator into an ecosystem that preys on a native species is an example of what concept described in the text?

A) A strategy to protect animal populations.

B) A selective pressure.

C) A form of habitat protection.

D) A successful adaptation by the native species.

Correct Answer: B

The text defines selective pressures as 'any factors that change the behaviors and fitness of organisms within an environment.' A new predator directly impacts the fitness of the native species.

Which of the following is explicitly mentioned as a strategy to protect animal populations?

A) Introducing new food sources.

B) Promoting captive breeding programs.

C) Protecting animal habitats.

D) Relocating invasive species.

Correct Answer: C

The provided content lists three strategies to protect animal populations: criminalizing poaching, protecting animal habitats, and legislation.

A government passes a law that establishes a large nature preserve and makes it illegal to hunt the endangered wolves within it. This action best exemplifies which two strategies mentioned in the text?

A) Protecting habitats and criminalizing poaching.

B) Limiting diet requirements and adapting to change.

C) Outcompeting invasive species and legislation.

D) Moving to a new environment and protecting habitats.

Correct Answer: A

Establishing a nature preserve is a form of 'protecting animal habitats.' Making it illegal to hunt is 'criminalizing poaching.' Both are listed as protection strategies.

A non-native vine is introduced to a forest. It grows rapidly, blocking sunlight from reaching native saplings and preventing them from growing. This situation describes a threat to the native trees due to which factor?

A) Extensive hunting.

B) Limited diet requirements of the vine.

C) Being outcompeted by an invasive species.

D) The criminalization of poaching.

Correct Answer: C

The text identifies being 'outcompeted by invasive species' as a factor that can lead to a species becoming threatened. The non-native vine is an invasive species outcompeting the native saplings for sunlight.

All of the following are identified as factors that can lead to a species becoming threatened EXCEPT:

A) Competition from invasive species.

B) The ability to adapt to environmental changes.

C) Having a limited diet.

D) Being extensively hunted.

Correct Answer: B

The text explicitly states that the ability to adapt to changes makes a species *less* likely to face extinction. The other three options are listed as causes of endangerment.

A rapid increase in global temperatures forces many species to migrate to cooler climates. According to the text, this temperature increase acts as a:

A) Legislative action.

B) Habitat protection strategy.

C) Selective pressure.

D) Method for criminalizing poaching.

Correct Answer: C

The temperature change is a factor that 'changes the behaviors (migration) and fitness of organisms within an environment,' which is the definition of a selective pressure provided in the text.

Which of the following pairs correctly identifies a vulnerability factor for a species and a strategy to mitigate a threat, based on the text?

A) Vulnerability: Ability to move; Strategy: Protecting habitats.

B) Vulnerability: Limited habitat; Strategy: Legislation.

C) Vulnerability: Being hunted; Strategy: Introducing an invasive species.

D) Vulnerability: Adaptation; Strategy: Criminalizing poaching.

Correct Answer: B

Having a 'limited habitat' is a vulnerability factor. 'Legislation' is a strategy used to protect species, which can include laws that protect those limited habitats.

A species of generalist predator is able to switch its food source from fish to small mammals when a drought reduces river levels. Based on the principles in the text, this species is less likely to face extinction because it:

A) is being outcompeted by invasive species.

B) has been protected by new legislation.

C) is able to adapt to changes in its environment.

D) has a limited and specialized diet.

Correct Answer: C

The text states that 'species that are able to adapt to changes in their environment... are less likely to face extinction.' The predator's ability to switch food sources is a direct example of this adaptation.