USGBC LEED-GA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

USGBC LEED-GA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 231:

  Which of the following strategies encourages a building's users to use alternative transportation?

  A. Locate building in a rural area
  B. Provide bicycle storage and shower facilities
  C. Locate building near restaurants and theaters
  D. Provide preferred parking for business owners
  B. Provide bicycle storage and shower facilities

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  One of the goals of the LEED rating system is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by encouraging alternative modes of transportation that are less dependent on fossil fuels. Providing bicycle storage and shower facilities is a strategy that encourages a building's users to use bicycles as a means of transportation, which can reduce vehicle miles traveled, fuel consumption, air pollution, traffic congestion, and parking demand. This strategy can also promote physical activity and health benefits for the users ..

  References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide

• Question 232:

  The LEED reviewer advised a project team that an inappropriate rating system was chosen for a newly constructed school in operation for one year and undergoing minor improvements. What should the project team have done differently to avoid this error?

  A. Allow the LEED Project Administrator sole responsibility to review the appropriate rating system for the project
  B. Select LEED for Schools New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System, as this project is classified as a school
  C. Select LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Rating System, as the Operational and Maintenance phase has begun
  D. Review the appropriate rating system and determine the best adaptation to use with consultation from U.
  E. Green Building Council
  C. Select LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Rating System, as the Operational and Maintenance phase has begun

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  The project team should have selected LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Rating System, as the operational and maintenance phase has begun for a newly constructed school in operation for one year and undergoing minor improvements. The LEED rating systems are designed to address the specific needs and characteristics of different types of buildings and projects. The project team should choose the most appropriate rating system for their project based on the scope, scale, and goals of the project..The LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Rating System is intended for buildings that are already in use and want to improve their performance and sustainability through best practices in operation, maintenance, renovation, and occupant engagement...

  References: LEED v4 Green AssociateCandidate Handbook1, LEED v4 O+M Reference Guide

• Question 233:

  LEED encourages compact communities because they provide

  A. better internet access for the region
  B. more surface area available for parking
  C. shared culture and lifestyle in a city or district
  D. reduction in travel associated with reaching services
  D. reduction in travel associated with reaching services

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  LEED encourages compact communities because they provide reduction in travel associated with reaching services. Compact communities are communities that have high-density development patterns, mixed land uses, walkable streets, and diverse transportation options. Compact communities reduce the need for driving long distances to access various services, such as work, education, health care, recreation, or shopping. This reduces fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, traffic

  congestion, and infrastructure costs. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the intents of the Location and Transportation category is to "reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT)" [1, p. 12]..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Compact Communities | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development]

• Question 234:

  Which of the following three phases comprise the Integrative Process?

  A. Discovery, design and construction
  B. Design, construction and feedback
  C. Discovery, implementation and feedback
  D. Study, execution and operation
  A. Discovery, design and construction

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  The Integrative Process includes Discovery (gathering data), Design and Construction (implementing strategies), and Feedback (evaluating performance). This collaborative approach maximizes building performance.

• Question 235:

  A building owner is considering developing an undeveloped urban site. What characteristic of the location is most relevant to LEED?

  A. Access to quality transit
  B. Proximity to renewable energy array
  C. Proximity of the site to a landfill
  D. Location of a local U.S. Green Building council (USGBC) office
  A. Access to quality transit

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  Access to quality transit is one of the criteria for the LEED v4 Location and Transportation category, which aims to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of transportation and promote sustainable site selection..By developing an urban site that is well-served by public transportation, the building owner can reduce the reliance on private vehicles, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage alternative modes of travel. LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide1, page 25 LEED v4 Credit Tutorials: Location and Transportation (BD+C/ID+C)2 LEED v4 Q+A: Location and Transportation3

• Question 236:

  During the charrette, the project team is discussing strategies for improving the indoor environmental quality Which strategy will help attain points toward certification?

  A. Daylighting
  B. Night lighting
  C. Installing indoor plants
  D. Installing inoperable windows
  A. Daylighting

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  Daylighting is a strategy that involves designing buildings to maximize the use of natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting1..Daylighting can improve the indoor environmental quality by enhancing the visual comfort, mood, and productivity of the occupants2..Daylighting can also help attain points toward LEED certification by contributing to the credits in the Energy and Atmosphere and Indoor Environmental Quality categories1. Night lighting, installing indoor plants, and installing inoperable windows are not strategies that directly improve the indoor environmental quality or help attain points toward LEED certification.

• Question 237:

  Who completes and signs the credit templates for a project pursuing LEED certification?

  A. The Commissioning (Cx) agent
  B. The specified team member
  C. The certified LEED Reviewer
  D. The local authorities having jurisdiction
  B. The specified team member

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  The credit templates are the online forms that document the achievement of the LEED credits for a project pursuing LEED certification. The credit templates are completed and signed by the specified team member who is responsible for the credit, such as the architect, engineer, contractor, or owner..The teammember must provide the required information, calculations, narratives, and supporting documentation for each credit13..

  References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide3

• Question 238:

  Which project location best supports stormwater management goals?

  A. A fully paved site
  B. A site with natural vegetated cover
  C. A site with steep impervious slopes
  D. A site next to industrial runoff zones
  B. A site with natural vegetated cover

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  Vegetated sites naturally infiltrate stormwater and mimic pre-development hydrology.

• Question 239:

  According to the LEED Minimum Program Requirements (MPR) specifying minimum occupancy rates, a project must serve how many occupants?

  A. One or more Full Time Equivalents (FTEs)
  B. Five FTEs for six months
  C. 50% of occupancy based on code
  D. At least two FTEs, no later than SIX months after Commissioning (Cx)
  A. One or more Full Time Equivalents (FTEs)

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  According to the LEED v4 Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs), there is no minimum required number of occupants or full-time equivalents (FTEs) for which a building must be designed to be considered eligible to pursue certification1..However, the project must serve at least one FTE, which is based on an 8-hour day2. The other options are not part of the MPRs. Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs) - U.S..Green Building Council1 LEED 101: MPRs (Minimum Program Requirements)2

• Question 240:

  Which of the following concepts uses drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants to promote water conservation?

  A. Bioswales
  B. Xeriscaplng
  C. Monoculture
  D. Weather-based irrigation
  B. Xeriscaplng

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  Xeriscaping is a landscaping practice that uses drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants to reduce water use and maintenance. Xeriscaping also incorporates other strategies such as mulching, efficient irrigation, soil improvement, and appropriate design and zoning. By using xeriscaping, projects can conserve water, protect natural habitats, reduce stormwater runoffand pollution, and enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of the site..

  References: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p..123.1; [Xeriscape Colorado website]