AP®︎ Environmental Science: Topic 5.5 Practice Test
Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with focused practice questions on Topic 5.5 of AP Environmental Science – Irrigation Methods.
Questions List
Topic 5.5
Question 1 Easy
This question tests the following: EIN-2.E
What is the primary purpose of irrigation?
What You’re Being Tested On:
Explore the learning objectives taken directly from the College Board’s AP® Environmental Science Curriculum. Ensure you’re prepared for the exact topics covered on the AP® exam, in-class tests, and quizzes, and gain confidence in your mastery of the material.
Topic 5.5: Irrigation Methods
Learning Objective: EIN-2.E
Describe different methods of irrigation.
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.E.1
The largest human use of freshwater is for irrigation (70%).
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.E.2
Types of irrigation include drip irrigation, flood irrigation, furrow irrigation, drip irrigation, and spray irrigation.
Learning Objective: EIN-2.F
Describe the benefits and drawbacks of different methods of irrigation.
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.F.1
Waterlogging occurs when too much water is left to sit in the soil, which raises the water table of groundwater and inhibits plants’ ability to absorb oxygen through their roots.
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.F.2
Furrow irrigation involves cutting furrows between crop rows and filling them with water. This system is inexpensive, but about 1/3 of the water is lost to evaporation and runoff.
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.F.3
Flood irrigation involves flooding an agricultural field with water. This system sees about 20% of the water lost to evaporation and runoff. This can also lead to waterlogging of the soil.
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.F.4
Spray irrigation involves pumping groundwater into spray nozzles across an agricultural field. This system is more efficient than flood and furrow irrigation, with only 1/4 or less of the water lost to evaporation or runoff. However, spray systems are more expensive than flood and furrow irrigation, and also requires energy to run.
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.F.5
Drip irrigation uses perforated hoses to release small amounts of water to plant roots. This system is the most efficient, with only about 5% of water lost to evaporation and runoff. However, this system is expensive and so is not often used.
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.F.6
Salinization occurs when the salts in groundwater remain in the soil after the water evaporates. Over time, salinization can make soil toxic to plants.
Essential Knowledge: EIN-2.F.7
Aquifers can be severely depleted if overused for agricultural irrigation, as has happened to the Ogallala Aquifer in the central United States.
