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AP®Environmental ScienceCollege BoardExam QuestionsUnit 5: Land & Water UseIrrigation Methods

Irrigation Methods (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Exam Questions

8 mins8 questions
11 mark

Which of the following describes drip irrigation?

  •  A method where water is sprayed over plants using high-pressure sprinklers.

  • A system that delivers water directly to the plant root zone through slow, even application using plastic tubing.

  • An irrigation technique that relies on natural rainfall without supplemental watering.

  • A process of flooding fields to ensure water reaches all plants uniformly.

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21 mark

Which of the following describes the primary cause of soil salinization?

  • Excessive rainfall leading to nutrient leaching

  • Application of organic fertilizer

  • Over-irrigation with insufficient drainage

  • Crop rotation with legumes.

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31 mark

Based on the data in the graph, which of the following would be the best strategy to reduce overall water use? 

Bar chart showing water withdrawal from 1900 to 2025, divided by agriculture, domestic use, and industry. Agriculture is the largest segment.

  • Provide loans to farmers to replace spray irrigation systems with drip irrigation.

  • Offer rebates to homeowners to replace inefficient toilets with low flow toilets.

  • Government sponsored tax incentives to industry to install on site wastewater treatment facilities.

  • Produce public service announcements educating individuals on methods to reduce water consumption.

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41 mark

What of the following shows the correct mathematical routine to calculate the change in water withdrawal for agriculture from 1900-2025?

Bar graph showing water withdrawal from 1900 to 2025 by agriculture, domestic use, and industry in cubic kilometres per year, with trends increasing.

  • 3000 km3/yr + 500 km3/yr

  • fraction numerator 3000 space k m cubed divided by y r over denominator 500 space k m cubed divided by y r end fraction

  • fraction numerator 3000 space k m cubed divided by y r minus 500 k m cubed divided by y r over denominator 500 space k m cubed divided by y r end fraction cross times 100 percent sign

  • fraction numerator 3000 space k m cubed divided by y r space plus space 500 k m cubed divided by y r over denominator 125 space y e a r s end fraction

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51 mark

Which of the following describes a problem associated with over pumping of groundwater in coastal areas?

  • Increased soil fertility due to higher water availability

  • Decreased risk of drought in inland areas

  • Saltwater intrusion contaminating freshwater supplies

  • Expansion of wetlands due to rising water tables

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61 mark

Which of the following best describes a cause of waterlogging in agricultural fields?

  • Excessive irrigation leading to oversaturation of the soil

  • Reduced groundwater levels caused by over-pumping

  • Increased evaporation rates due to high temperatures

  • The use of drought-resistant crops that require minimal water

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71 mark

Which of the following correctly describes a major impact of waterlogging?

  • Decreased dissolved oxygen in streams, reducing growth of aquatic vegetation. 

  • Increased  soil fertility due to excessive drainage of nutrients.

  • Decreased oxygen availability in the soil, leading to root rot and poor plant growth.

  • Increased soil aeration, allowing for deeper root penetration and access to nutrients.

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81 mark

Which of the following correctly pairs an irrigation method with an impact?

  • Flood irrigation – Increases water efficiency by minimizing evaporation and runoff.

  • Drip irrigation – Causes significant soil erosion due to excess water application.

  • Spray irrigation – Uses minimal energy and is the most water-efficient method available.

  • Furrow irrigation – Can lead to waterlogging and increased soil salinity over time.

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