2011 AP environmental science free-response Questions?

m123 Asked: 2011 AP environmental science free-response Questions?

Shown above is a graph of the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita versus the annual electrical energy
consumption per capita for nine countries in 2009.
(a) Icelands position on the graph is due in part to its access to geothermal energy sources. Describe how
electricity is generated from a geothermal source.
(b) Despite its low GDP per capita and low annual electrical energy consumption per capita, China has become
the worlds largest emitter of CO2 . Explain this apparent contradiction.
(c) In addition to contributing to increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations, China is facing other air pollution
issues related to the generation of electricity. Identify one such issue and describe the impact it has on
human health.
(d) Two countries shown on the graph have developed domestic energy sources: sugarcane in Brazil and tar
sands in western Canada.
(i) Choose EITHER sugarcane or tar sands, then briefly describe the process of fuel production from that
energy source.
(ii) Describe TWO disadvantages of using the energy source that you chose in part (d)(i).
(iii) Which of the two energy sources is more sustainable? Justify your answer with an explanation.