APES FRQ; How to answer the question that is asked?

• ​The maximum number of points you can get on each FRQ is 10 points. 

• After you have answered all the FRQ’s go back and see if you can “find” where the points come from. 

• If you only get to 8 or 9 points, chances are you forgot to respond to some part of some question.  See if you can find what you forgot!  

• Make sure you show all your work on any math questions…even if that work could be done in your head! 

  • No work = No credit

• All answers must be in complete sentences!  No credit for incomplete sentences!

​Keys to FRQs Success!

Know the Rules of the Game

​Rules to the Game!

​Free Response Questions (FRQs) are NOT an essay!

• It is more like a short answer.

• It is technical/ scientific writing.

• DO NOT restate the question.

​Rules to the Game!

• Each question has multiple parts.

• When you write your answer, SKIP SPACES and LABEL!

  ​1 a) ......

  ​

  1 b)​ ......

  ​

• Do not answer an FRQ in one giant “super paragraph"!

​Rules to the Game!

• DO write in complete sentences!

  • Example:

    • Identify the products of photosynthesis.

      • carbohydrate and oxygen (0 pts)

      • The products of photosynthesis are carbohydrate and oxygen.  (2 pts)

People that are grading don't know what you are thinking unless you are specific.

​The test is TIMED!

• Identify

• Describe

• Discuss

• Explain

• Calculate

Tasks

• Environmental

• Ecological

• Economical

• Social/Societal

• Human Health

Topics

​APES FRQ Language

Poll

Give an example of how abiotic factors affect the biotic factors in an ecosystem.

• Climate change caused by the increase of greenhouse gasses due to human activities is an abiotic factor that is affecting many ecosystems. In polar regions, polar bears are having problems hunting their prey due to the changes in the ice caps. If ice caps continue to melt, the polar bear must either adapt, or it will become extinct.

• Acid rain is a man-made abiotic factor that affects many ecosystems. Gases released into the atmosphere by industries that burn fossil fuels, including coal and oil react with water and oxygen in the atmosphere to create acid rain. Fish populations in lakes and rivers may decline because of the increased acidity in the water.

• Natural disasters - such as earthquakes, volcanoes, fires, hurricanes and tsunamis - can impact the species that live in an ecosystem. These disasters are difficult to predict and may alter or destroy an ecosystem. Species that are already endangered may not be able to recover from a loss of habitat or population caused by natural disasters.

​TOPICS

​Environmental

​Talk about biotic and abiotic factors in the environment/ ecosystem.

Never mention people!​

Some text here about the topic of discussion

• Plants

• animals

• soil

• water

• air quality

• temperature

​Ecological

​Talk about biotic factors in the environment/community.

Never people!​

Some text here about the topic of discussion

• Plants

• animals

• fungi

• bacteria​

​Economic

• ​Talk about how the topic affects money and jobs.

• Include the words “money” and “jobs” in your answer to ensure you get the point.

• Never mention plants or animals here!

​

Show me the MONEY!!!! $$$$$$$$

​Social/Societal

• ​Talk about HUMANS!!

  • Buildings

  • Crops

  • Human diseases

  • Laws

  • Human birth and deaths rates

  • Population

​

Show me the MONEY!!!! $$$$$$$$

​Human Health

• ​Talk about human diseases

  • Respiratory damage

  • Lung cancer

  • Skin cancer

  • Nervous system damage/diseases

  • Reproductive disorders 

​TASKS

​Identify

• ONE IDEA

• Example: When is Prom?

  • Prom is May18.

• Be careful! Do not continue on and answer incorrectly. You will lose the point.

  • Prom activities start tomorrow. Everyone is getting ready for it. This is going to be the best Prom the school has had!

  • NICE, but NO POINT!

Multiple Choice

Example: Identify an environmental problem that results from elevated atmospheric carbon concentrations.

• Climate change will occur with increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which can cause a big hole in the ozone layer.

• Elevated atmospheric carbon concentration creates carbonic acid which forms from mixing CO2 with water. Extra carbonic acid makes rain more acidic which can cause oceans to become more acidic.

​Describe

• ONE IDEA; ONE PROCESS

• Must communicate all the information about the process including all steps/parts.

• Example: 

  • Describe how you would purchase a homecoming ticket.

    • When, where, how much, payment method

Open Ended

Describe a biological process by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and converted to organic molecules. 

​Describe a biological process by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and converted to organic molecules.

• ​Photosynthesis fixes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into sugars (glucose).

​

Must say Carbon Dioxide

​Discuss

• Similar to “describe” except these questions are more related to cause and effect, pros/cons, positive/negative outcomes rather than processes. 

• Often one point is  awarded if the cause and the effect linked.  In these cases, you must have both parts in your answer to earn the one point.

Multiple Choice

Discuss both one advantage and one disadvantage of using chemical dispersants to clean up an oil spill.

• The advantage of using chemical dispersants is that they break down oil into smaller droplets.

• An advantage is chemical dispersants break down oil into smaller droplets. A disadvantage is that they may be harmful to marine organisms.

• One disadvantage of using chemical dispresants is that they may be harmful to marine organisms.

​Explain

• Explain questions must have three parts-

  • Identify the idea/process - "What"

  • Explain the “how” the process works

  • Give the “why” the process is significant or the outcome

Match

Explain one way in which an increase in phosphorus levels can adversely affect the Everglades ecosystem. Match the following.

• What?

• How?

• Why?

Lead to harmful algal blooms.

Decreasing oxygen levels and causing aquatic organisms to die.

Increased phosphorus causes eutrophication

• Lead to harmful algal blooms.

• Decreasing oxygen levels and causing aquatic organisms to die.

• Increased phosphorus causes eutrophication

​If you can identify the three parts, you get the point. +1

​Calculate

• You must show your work on math calculations to get a point for a correct answer.

  • 1 + 1 = 2

• To get both points, the set-up must be shown with labeled numbers

  • DON'T FORGET THE UNITS!

• Dimensional analysis is the best way to ensure you have the correct set-up. 

Hints for Success!

• Use descriptive terms (qualifiers and temporal language).

  • Example: During an earthquake, increased pressure cause the plates slide past each other rapidly. 

• ​Use chemical equations to describe a process. 

  • Ozone depletion/formation - ClO + O = Cl + O2

  • Ocean acidification - CO2 + H2O -> (H+) + (HCO3-)

  • Photosynthesis/Cell respiration

    • 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

    • Carbon dioxide molecules and water molecules, are converted by light energy into a sugar molecule and oxygen molecules.

Hints for Success!

• NEVER answer more than what is asked.  

  • If it asks for two reasons, give two reasons not three.

  • The reader can not award points for your third reason even if it is correct. 

• Answer the question asked!

Multiple Choice

identify ways to reduce use of electricity.  

• Solar power is an energy alternative to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

• Changing to nuclear power can drastically reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

• Turning off the lights ensure less comsumption of electrical energy.

Hints for Success!

• NEVER answer more than what is asked.  

  • If it asks for two reasons, give two reasons not three.

  • The reader can not award points for your third reason even if it is correct. 

• Answer the question asked!

Attacking a Question!

• BOX the task

  • Identify, Explain, Describe or Discuss

• BOX the topic

  • Environmental, Ecological, Human Health, Social and Economic 

• CIRCLE the amount of answers

  • One, two or three

• UNDERLINE- academic vocabulary that helps you answer the question

Draw

BOX - Task BOX- Topic

CIRCLE - one, two or three UNDERLINE- academic vocabulary

Hints for Success!

• Do not answer a question with “it is bad for the environment” or "it will harm biodiversity”.  These are too vague. 

• You need to explain

  • HOW it is bad for the environment or

  • HOW it will harm biodiversity.  

• Don’t say it will cause “pollution”

  • Be specific

  • Name a particular chemical, etc. 

• Show the grader that you know science facts!