Analyze and interpret quantitative data

A state's changing electricity mix

Unit 6
10 points
About 23 minutes

You can use a calculator on this question, just like on exam day.

You read values and trends from a data table or described graph, explain what the data show about an environmental problem, and propose and justify a solution. On the exam: Question 2 of 3 in the 70-minute free-response section (Section II is 40% of the exam score).

The question and its sources

Table 1 shows the percentage of a state's electricity that came from each energy source in three years. The state's total electricity generation stayed about the same over the period.

Table 1: Share of electricity generated by source (%)

Source	2005	2015	2025
Coal	52	34	14
Natural gas	18	33	41
Nuclear	20	20	18
Wind	1	6	15
Solar	0	1	7
Hydroelectric	7	5	4
Other	2	1	1

Source: Hypothetical data

Suggested time: 23 minutes

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Part (a)

1 point

Identify the energy source that generated the largest share of the state's electricity in 2025.

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Part (b)

1 point

Describe the trend in coal's share of electricity generation from 2005 to 2025.

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Part (c)

1 point

Identify the renewable energy source whose share increased the most from 2005 to 2025.

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Part (d)

1 point

Describe one environmental benefit of generating electricity from natural gas instead of coal.

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Part (e)

1 point

Much of the state's natural gas is extracted by hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Describe one environmental problem associated with fracking.

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Part (f)

1 point

Explain why the state cannot rely only on wind and solar power to meet its electricity demand without additional technology.

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Part (g)

1 point

Describe one environmental drawback of large solar farms.

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Part (h)

1 point

Nuclear power provided a steady share of the state's electricity. Describe one environmental concern associated with nuclear power plants.

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Part (i)

1 point

Propose one realistic action an individual household could take to reduce its electricity use.

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Part (j)

1 point

Use the data in Table 1 to explain how the action you proposed in part (i) would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this state.

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