AP Environmental Science Practice Quiz: Global Climate Change
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) Satellite imagery from the last 50 years
B) Written historical records from ancient civilizations
C) Data from CO2 levels recorded in ice cores
D) Annual tree ring growth patterns
Correct Answer: C
The text explicitly states that major shifts in global temperatures throughout geologic time are 'recorded with CO2 data and ice cores.' The other options are either not mentioned or represent much shorter timescales.
A) Decreased volcanic activity
B) Expansion of the ozone layer
C) Rising sea levels
D) Increased biodiversity in polar regions
Correct Answer: C
The text identifies several effects of climate change, including 'rising temperatures, melting permafrost and sea ice, rising sea levels, and displacement of coastal populations.' The other options are not mentioned as effects in the provided content.
A) The atmosphere is thinner at the poles, allowing more solar radiation to penetrate.
B) Ocean currents carry more warm water to the poles than to temperate regions.
C) The poles have less landmass to absorb and retain heat.
D) The reflection of energy by ice and snow creates a positive feedback loop when they melt.
Correct Answer: D
The text states that polar regions show faster response times because 'ice and snow in these regions reflect the most energy back out to space, leading to a positive feedback loop.' When the ice melts, less energy is reflected, and more is absorbed, accelerating the warming.
A) Melting ice releases large amounts of trapped carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
B) As ice melts, the darker ocean surface absorbs more solar energy, increasing water and air temperature.
C) The freshwater from melting ice changes ocean salinity, which traps heat at the surface.
D) The loss of ice cover reduces cloud formation, allowing more direct sunlight to reach the surface.
Correct Answer: B
This is a classic example of a positive feedback loop related to albedo. The text explains that ice and snow reflect energy. As the reflective ice is replaced by darker, more absorbent ocean water, the rate of warming increases. The release of greenhouse gases is associated with thawing tundra (permafrost), not sea ice.
A) It allows for the growth of dark-colored vegetation that absorbs more heat.
B) It releases large quantities of stored greenhouse gases like methane.
C) It causes the ground to subside, bringing it closer to the warmer sea level.
D) It increases the amount of freshwater runoff, which warms the Arctic Ocean.
Correct Answer: B
The text specifies that the Arctic's response time is due to 'positive feedback loops involving... thawing tundra, and the subsequent release of greenhouse gases like methane.' Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that further accelerates warming.
A) increase in the availability of fresh water.
B) displacement of coastal populations.
C) creation of new shipping routes through the Arctic.
D) decrease in the frequency of major storms.
Correct Answer: B
The text lists the 'displacement of coastal populations' as one of the effects of climate change, directly linking it to consequences like rising sea levels.
A) Climate change exclusively impacts marine ecosystems.
B) Ecosystems are impacted by both short-term and long-term changes in climate.
C) Only long-term climate changes have a measurable effect on ecosystems.
D) Ecosystems have remained stable despite historical climate change.
Correct Answer: B
The first point of the content states, 'Explain how changes in climate, both short- and long-term, impact ecosystems.' This directly supports the idea that both timescales of change are significant.
A) Rising temperatures -> Permafrost thaws -> Methane is released -> Warming is accelerated
B) Sea ice melts -> Sea level rises -> Coastal populations are displaced -> Greenhouse gas emissions decrease
C) More energy is reflected by ice -> The Arctic cools -> More sea ice forms -> More energy is reflected
D) Methane is released -> The atmosphere warms -> More snow falls -> Energy reflection increases
Correct Answer: A
The text describes a positive feedback loop involving thawing tundra and the release of methane. Option A correctly sequences this process: an initial warming thaws the permafrost, which releases methane (a greenhouse gas), which in turn causes more warming. Option C describes a negative (stabilizing) feedback loop.
A) The rapid melting of modern-day sea ice.
B) The displacement of current coastal populations.
C) The existence of recorded periods of warming and cooling found in ice cores.
D) The accelerated response time of polar regions to current warming.
Correct Answer: C
The text explicitly states that 'The Earth has undergone climate change throughout geologic time, with major shifts in global temperatures causing periods of warming and cooling as recorded with CO2 data and ice cores.' The other options describe effects of current, not historical, climate change.
A) A negative feedback loop that stabilizes the polar climate.
B) Increased absorption of solar energy and further warming.
C) A decrease in sea level as the water is absorbed by the land.
D) The release of CO2 from the ice, but not methane.
Correct Answer: B
The text explains that ice and snow 'reflect the most energy back out to space.' When this reflective surface melts, it is replaced by darker, less reflective water or land, which absorbs more energy. This leads to further warming, which is a positive feedback loop.
A) Both are examples of negative feedback loops that will slow the rate of global warming.
B) Phenomenon (1) is a positive feedback loop, while phenomenon (2) is a negative feedback loop.
C) Both are examples of positive feedback loops that are accelerating the rate of climate change in the region.
D) Phenomenon (2) is a positive feedback loop, but phenomenon (1) has no significant effect on global temperature.
Correct Answer: C
The provided text identifies both phenomena as components of positive feedback loops in the Arctic. (1) Decreasing sea ice reduces reflectivity, increasing energy absorption and warming. (2) Thawing tundra releases methane, a greenhouse gas that enhances warming. Both processes amplify the initial change, thus accelerating regional climate change.