RevisionDojo Guide for AP Environmental Science Students
One of the trickiest parts of the AP Environmental Science (APES) Free-Response Questions (FRQs) is the “propose a solution” style prompt. These questions test your ability to apply environmental science concepts to real-world problems and recommend viable, scientifically sound solutions.
If you’ve ever been stumped on how specific, realistic, or detailed your solutions need to be, this guide will walk you through exactly what the College Board expects — and how to craft high-scoring responses every time.
Understanding the “Propose a Solution” FRQ
These questions often appear as a multi-part prompt within FRQ 2 or FRQ 3. They typically ask you to:
- Identify an environmental problem (already given in the scenario)
- Propose one or more specific solutions
- Justify your proposed solution using science-based reasoning
- Sometimes: explain a potential drawback of the solution
Example from a past APES FRQ:
“Propose ONE economic incentive that could encourage sustainable forest management and describe how it would work to reduce deforestation.”
Notice that the question doesn’t just want a vague idea — it asks for a specific incentive and an explanation of its mechanism.
Step 1 – Understand the Problem Context
Before you start proposing solutions, you must fully understand:
- The scope of the problem (local, national, global)
- The environmental impact involved (e.g., air pollution, water scarcity, biodiversity loss)
- The stakeholders (government, industries, communities)
Pro Tip from RevisionDojo: Misreading the question is the #1 reason students lose points. Spend 30 seconds underlining key parts of the prompt.
Step 2 – Choose a Specific, Actionable Solution
Vague answers like “reduce pollution” or “pass laws” rarely get full credit. Instead, provide concrete actions:
- “Implement a government subsidy for solar panels to reduce fossil fuel use”
- “Introduce a tiered water pricing system to encourage conservation”
- “Ban single-use plastic bags and require compostable alternatives in retail stores”
The more measurable and targeted your solution, the better.
Step 3 – Justify Using Environmental Science Principles
You must explain why your solution works based on APES concepts. Tie your reasoning to:
- The nitrogen, carbon, or water cycle
- Biodiversity preservation
- Ecological footprint reduction
- Renewable resource management
Example:
“Banning single-use plastic bags reduces plastic entering waterways, preventing harm to aquatic organisms and reducing microplastic pollution, which disrupts marine food webs.”
Step 4 – Address Feasibility & Potential Drawbacks
Some FRQs will ask for a downside to your proposed solution. Show balanced reasoning:
- Solar panel subsidies may require high initial government spending
- Tiered water pricing could disproportionately affect low-income households
- Bans on plastic may increase reliance on paper bags, impacting forests
You don’t have to solve the drawback — just acknowledge it.
Step 5 – Use the APES FRQ Structure
Scorers look for organized, direct answers. Follow this simple structure:
- Restate the solution (in one clear sentence)
- Explain the mechanism (how it works to solve the problem)
- Connect to science principles (ecology, sustainability, cycles)
- If asked, give one drawback
Example High-Scoring Response
Question: Propose ONE specific agricultural practice that would reduce soil erosion and explain how it works.
Sample Answer:
“Implement contour plowing, where farmers plow along the natural contours of hills. This slows water runoff and allows more water to infiltrate the soil, reducing the removal of topsoil. By minimizing erosion, the practice maintains soil fertility and prevents sedimentation in nearby waterways, improving aquatic ecosystem health.”
Why it scores high:
- Specific solution named
- Mechanism explained
- Science principle (water infiltration, sedimentation) applied
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Giving generic solutions without specifics
- ❌ Forgetting to explain how the solution works
- ❌ Ignoring the prompt’s specific instruction (economic vs ecological solution)
- ❌ Writing in bullet points when the question requires full sentences
Practice With Past APES FRQs
The best way to improve is to work with real College Board questions. Use:
- AP Classroom → “Free Response Questions” section
- College Board APES Past Exam Questions archive (free online)
- RevisionDojo’s APES FRQ Practice Library (includes model answers)
Time yourself on at least two “propose a solution” FRQs per week in the month before the exam.
FAQs About “Propose a Solution” FRQs
Q: Can I list more than one solution?
A: Only if the question asks for more than one. If it says “propose ONE,” extra solutions won’t earn extra points.
Q: How long should my answer be?
A: Typically 3–5 sentences per part is enough if each is specific and justified.
Q: Do I need to mention costs?
A: Only if the question specifies economic considerations.
Final RevisionDojo Exam Day Tips
- Read every word of the prompt carefully
- Choose the most specific, feasible solution you can think of
- Always connect to environmental science concepts
- Practice explaining how your solution works in under 60 seconds
Master these steps, and “propose a solution” questions will go from point-losing traps to guaranteed scoring opportunities.
Ready for more? Check out the full RevisionDojo AP Environmental Science FRQ Master Guide to see breakdowns, scoring rubrics, and high-scoring sample responses for every type of APES FRQ you’ll face.
