IGBC AP Free Mock Test-13: Prepare for the Exam with Confidence

Instructions

Read each question carefully and select the most appropriate answer.
Choose only one option for each question.

Q: Which of the following strategies can help reduce water consumption in buildings?
a) Using low-flow plumbing fixtures
b) Increasing lawn irrigation
c) Installing traditional toilets
d) Ignoring water recycling
Answer: a) Using low-flow plumbing fixtures
Explanation: Low-flow plumbing fixtures such as faucets, toilets, and showers are designed to reduce water consumption, helping conserve water and reduce utility costs in buildings.

Q: What is “Biophilic Design” in sustainable building?
a) A design principle that emphasizes mechanical ventilation
b) A design approach that connects building occupants with nature through the inclusion of natural elements
c) Using only synthetic materials in building interiors
d) Maximizing the use of artificial lighting
Answer: b) A design approach that connects building occupants with nature through the inclusion of natural elements
Explanation: Biophilic design incorporates natural elements such as plants, natural light, and organic forms to improve occupant well-being and connection to nature, often resulting in improved mental health and productivity.

Q: What is the purpose of “Commissioning” in green building practices?
a) To certify the aesthetic appearance of the building
b) To verify that building systems are designed, installed, and functioning according to the owner’s requirements and design intent
c) To reduce the number of green features in a building
d) To only monitor building systems after two years of operation
Answer: b) To verify that building systems are designed, installed, and functioning according to the owner’s requirements and design intent
Explanation: Commissioning ensures that a building’s systems (e.g., HVAC, lighting, plumbing) perform as intended, which is critical for achieving energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Q: What does the term “Embodied Energy” refer to in the context of green building?
a) The operational energy of a building
b) The total energy used to extract, process, transport, and install materials for a building
c) The energy used by the building occupants
d) Energy used only in heating and cooling systems
Answer: b) The total energy used to extract, process, transport, and install materials for a building
Explanation: Embodied energy refers to the cumulative energy consumed by all processes associated with the production of a building’s materials, which is an important consideration for minimizing the building’s overall environmental impact.

Q: What is “Net-Zero Energy” in the context of sustainable buildings?
a) A building that produces as much energy as it consumes over a year
b) A building with no energy-saving features
c) A building that consumes more energy than it produces
d) A building with no connection to the electrical grid
Answer: a) A building that produces as much energy as it consumes over a year
Explanation: A net-zero energy building generates renewable energy on-site (or purchases renewable energy) to offset the total energy it consumes, resulting in a balance of energy usage and production over the course of a year.

Q: Which of the following is an example of an “Active Solar” energy system?
a) Solar thermal panels for water heating
b) South-facing windows for passive solar heating
c) Skylights to bring in daylight
d) Increasing insulation thickness
Answer: a) Solar thermal panels for water heating
Explanation: Active solar energy systems use mechanical devices, such as solar thermal panels, to capture and convert solar energy into usable heat or electricity.

Q: What is a “Living Roof” also known as?
a) A roof covered in concrete
b) A roof designed with a large number of chimneys
c) A green roof with vegetation planted over a waterproof membrane
d) A roof made entirely of glass
Answer: c) A green roof with vegetation planted over a waterproof membrane
Explanation: A living roof, or green roof, is covered with soil and vegetation to help insulate the building, manage stormwater, and improve air quality while providing aesthetic and environmental benefits.

Q: What does “Occupancy Sensors” in lighting control systems help achieve?
a) Keep lights on at all times
b) Turn lights off automatically when a space is unoccupied, reducing energy use
c) Only control heating and cooling systems
d) Operate lights based on pre-set time schedules
Answer: b) Turn lights off automatically when a space is unoccupied, reducing energy use
Explanation: Occupancy sensors detect the presence of people in a room and automatically turn off the lights when the space is unoccupied, helping to conserve energy.

Q: What is the primary focus of “Indoor Environmental Quality” (IEQ) in green building?
a) Enhancing aesthetic appeal
b) Ensuring the use of synthetic materials indoors
c) Promoting a healthy indoor environment by improving air quality, lighting, and acoustics
d) Increasing energy consumption indoors
Answer: c) Promoting a healthy indoor environment by improving air quality, lighting, and acoustics
Explanation: Indoor Environmental Quality focuses on creating healthy and comfortable indoor spaces by improving factors such as air quality, natural light, ventilation, and noise control, which can have significant impacts on occupant well-being and productivity.

Q: What is the benefit of “Permeable Pavement” in sustainable site design?
a) Reducing infiltration of stormwater
b) Allowing rainwater to penetrate the surface and recharge groundwater
c) Absorbing heat from the sun to warm buildings
d) Promoting runoff to nearby water bodies
Answer: b) Allowing rainwater to penetrate the surface and recharge groundwater
Explanation: Permeable pavement allows water to pass through its surface, reducing stormwater runoff and promoting groundwater recharge, which helps prevent flooding and water pollution.

Q: What is the main advantage of using “Photovoltaic (PV) Panels”?
a) They store solar energy in batteries
b) They convert sunlight directly into electricity
c) They provide shade for outdoor spaces
d) They reduce water consumption in buildings
Answer: b) They convert sunlight directly into electricity
Explanation: Photovoltaic panels generate electricity by converting sunlight directly into electrical energy using semiconducting materials, helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower energy costs.

Q: What does the term “Carbon Footprint” refer to?
a) The total water usage of a building
b) The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organization, or product
c) The aesthetic design of a building
d) The amount of concrete used in construction
Answer: b) The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organization, or product
Explanation: A carbon footprint represents the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted, usually measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent, and is used to assess environmental impact.

Q: What is the primary benefit of “Geothermal Energy” in building systems?
a) Using sunlight for energy
b) Harnessing the Earth’s natural heat for heating and cooling systems
c) Utilizing wind power
d) Capturing rainwater for energy production
Answer: b) Harnessing the Earth’s natural heat for heating and cooling systems
Explanation: Geothermal energy systems tap into the constant temperatures beneath the Earth’s surface to provide efficient heating and cooling for buildings, significantly reducing energy consumption.

Q: What is a key advantage of using “Insulated Concrete Forms” (ICFs) in building construction?
a) Reduced structural stability
b) Improved thermal insulation and energy efficiency
c) Increased weight and difficulty in construction
d) Decreased resistance to natural disasters
Answer: b) Improved thermal insulation and energy efficiency
Explanation: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) provide superior thermal insulation, which helps reduce heating and cooling loads, thus improving the overall energy efficiency of a building.

Q: What does “VOC” stand for, in the context of indoor air quality?
a) Ventilation and Outdoor Cooling
b) Variable Oxygen Circulation
c) Volatile Organic Compounds
d) Vaporized Outdoor Chemicals
Answer: c) Volatile Organic Compounds
Explanation: VOCs are harmful chemicals found in paints, finishes, and other building materials. They can off-gas into the air, affecting indoor air quality and potentially causing health problems.

Q: What is the purpose of a “Rain Garden” in sustainable landscaping?
a) To use synthetic turf for decoration
b) To divert rainwater away from a building into storm drains
c) To collect and filter rainwater through plants and soil, reducing runoff
d) To create a water feature for aesthetic purposes
Answer: c) To collect and filter rainwater through plants and soil, reducing runoff
Explanation: Rain gardens are designed to capture and filter rainwater, reducing runoff and improving water quality by allowing stormwater to be absorbed into the ground.

Q: What is “Carbon Neutrality” in the context of sustainability?
a) Generating excess carbon emissions
b) Reducing carbon emissions to zero through offsetting and renewable energy use
c) Increasing the use of fossil fuels
d) Ignoring greenhouse gas emissions
Answer: b) Reducing carbon emissions to zero through offsetting and renewable energy use
Explanation: Carbon neutrality means balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal or offsetting, often achieved by using renewable energy and purchasing carbon offsets.

Q: What is the function of a “Heat Recovery Ventilation” (HRV) system?
a) Cooling without ventilation
b) Ventilating a building without recovering any energy
c) Transferring heat from outgoing air to incoming fresh air,

reducing energy demand
d) Increasing heat loss during ventilation
Answer: c) Transferring heat from outgoing air to incoming fresh air, reducing energy demand
Explanation: HRV systems capture heat from the exhaust air to pre-heat incoming fresh air, reducing the energy needed for heating while ensuring proper ventilation.

Q: What is a “Greywater” system used for in buildings?
a) Collecting and reusing rainwater for drinking
b) Reusing wastewater from showers, sinks, and laundry for non-potable purposes like irrigation and flushing toilets
c) Redirecting wastewater to the sewage system
d) Recycling blackwater for potable use
Answer: b) Reusing wastewater from showers, sinks, and laundry for non-potable purposes like irrigation and flushing toilets
Explanation: Greywater systems capture and reuse wastewater from non-sewage sources, helping to reduce overall water consumption in a building.

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