USGBC LEED-GA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

USGBC LEED-GA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 251:

  The protection and restoration of natural vegetation, wetland areas and bodies of water through building footprint consolidation helps to

  A. minimize hardscape
  B. prevent light pollution
  C. support conservation programs
  D. preserve open space and sensitive areas
  D. preserve open space and sensitive areas

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  The protection and restoration of natural vegetation, wetland areas and bodies of water through building footprint consolidation helps to preserve open space and sensitive areas, which are important for maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being. Building footprint consolidation refers to the strategy of minimizing the area of land that is occupied by a building and its associated infrastructure, such as roads, parking lots, and utilities. By reducing the building footprint, project teams can

  avoid or minimize the impacts of development on natural habitats, wetlands, and water bodies, which often provide critical functions such aswater quality improvement, flood control, wildlife habitat, and recreation..LEED v4.1 recognizes and rewards this strategy in the Sensitive Land Protection credit1, which aims to conserve existing natural areas and restore damaged areas to provide habitat and promote biodiversity2..

  References: LEED Link: Sensitive Land Protection, section "LEED v4.1 BD+C: Sensitive Land Protection";.Sensitive Land Protection | U.S. Green Building Council, section "Intent"

• Question 252:

  Energy and Atmosphere Credit encompasses

  A. site selection, site design and environmental concerns
  B. integrative process, building loads and EQ
  C. building loads, energy performance management and EQ
  D. building loads, energy performance management and environmental concerns
  C. building loads, energy performance management and EQ

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  The Energy and Atmosphere Credit in LEED encompasses building loads, energy performance management, and environmental quality (EQ). Building loads refer to the amount of energy consumed by a building's systems, such as heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment. Energy performance management involves strategies to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency. Environmental quality refers to the conditions inside the building, including air quality, thermal comfort, and access to daylight and views..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

• Question 253:

  When the project team develops the project and building construction budget, which of the following should be incorporated?

  A. Green power purchased from the local power company
  B. Time in the schedule for unique materials and systems
  C. Contingency allowances for additional research and analysis of options
  D. The future environmental impact of building maintenance operations
  B. Time in the schedule for unique materials and systems

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  When developing the project and building construction budget, the project team should incorporate time in the schedule for unique materials and systems. This is because some green building strategies may require materials or systems that are not readily available or familiar to the local market. For example, using recycled or salvaged materials may require more time for sourcing and delivery. Similarly, installing renewable energy systems or high-performance HVAC systems may require more time for design and commissioning. Therefore, the project team should plan ahead and allocate sufficient time for these aspects of the project..

  References: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Integrative Process, page 28

• Question 254:

  Open grid pavement tends to reduce

  A. native habitat
  B. heat island effects
  C. rainwater infiltration
  D. parking space requirements
  B. heat island effects

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  Open grid pavement, also known as permeable pavement, allows water to drain through it, reducing runoff and recharging groundwater supplies. It also tends to be lighter in color than traditional asphalt, which means it absorbs less heat from sunlight. This helps to reduce the urban heat island effect, which is a phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

• Question 255:

  Which action promotes pedestrian access to a project site?

  A. Placing a low speed limit in the parking lot around the building
  B. Providing shuttle access between the project site and a local transit center
  C. Designating parking spaces closest to the building for exclusive use by carpooling vehicles
  D. Utilizing an existing community nature path connecting the building to surrounding buildings
  D. Utilizing an existing community nature path connecting the building to surrounding buildings

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  Utilizing an existing community nature path connecting the building to surrounding buildings is an action that promotes pedestrian access to a project site. Pedestrian access is the ability of people to walk to and from a project site safely and comfortably. A community nature path is a type of pedestrian infrastructure that provides a pleasant and scenic route for walking, as well as environmental benefits such as habitat creation, stormwater management, and heat island reduction. The other options are not

  actions that promote pedestrian access to a project site.Placing a low speed limit in the parking lot around the building is an action that enhances pedestrian safety within the project site, but does not improve pedestrian access to the project site. Providing shuttle access between the project site and a local transit center is an action that encourages alternative transportation, but does not promote pedestrian access to the project site. Designating parking spaces closest to the building for exclusive use by

  carpooling vehicles is an action that reduces vehicle trips and emissions, but does not promote pedestrian access to the project site..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 30; USGBC, [Location and Transportation], page 3.

• Question 256:

  Building and material reuse contribute to the sustainability goals of a project by

  A. reducing the use Of raw materials
  B. saving time during the material selection phase
  C. lowering the overall construction budget ot the project
  D. utilizing waste-to-energy as an alternative to fossil fuel extraction
  A. reducing the use Of raw materials

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  Building and material reuse contribute to the sustainability goals of a project by reducing the use of raw materials, which can save energy, water, and natural resources, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and environmental impacts. By reusing existing buildings or materials, project teams can avoid the extraction, processing, transportation, and disposal of new materials, which can have significant environmental and social costs..LEED v4.1 recognizes and rewards multiple strategies for building and material reuse in the Building-Life Cycle Impact Reduction credit1.

• Question 257:

  What is the intent of the Location Valuation Factor?

  A. Reward locally extracted and manufactured products
  B. Increase VOC thresholds
  C. Allow higher waste disposal
  D. Increase zoning restrictions
  A. Reward locally extracted and manufactured products

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  LEED doubles the value of materials sourced within 100 miles to reduce transportation impacts.

• Question 258:

  Which of the following is an Environmental Concern when referring to Energy and Atmosphere?

  A. Ventilation levels
  B. Occupant comfort
  C. Resource depletion
  D. Use of native species
  C. Resource depletion

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  Resource depletion is a major environmental concern related to energy use. The extraction and use of non-renewable energy resources (such as fossil fuels) can lead to their depletion over time. This is why strategies that reduce energy use or utilize renewable energy sources are important in green building practices..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

• Question 259:

  Which of the following plans is implemented after occupancy?

  A. Green Cleaning
  B. Value Engineering
  C. Fundamental Commissioning (cx)
  D. Stormwater Pollution Prevention
  A. Green Cleaning

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  Green Cleaning is a plan that is implemented after occupancy to ensure that the building is maintained in a way that reduces the environmental and health impacts of cleaning products, equipment, and practices..Green Cleaning is part of the LEED v4 Operations and Maintenance rating system, and it includes credits for purchasing sustainable cleaning products and materials, using green cleaning equipment, implementing an indoor integrated pest management program, and developing a green cleaning policy1. LEED v4: Operations and Maintenance Guide1, pages 36-41

• Question 260:

  Which of the following practices ensures that building systems are designed efficiently, installed appropriately and operate as intended?

  A. Positive feedback loop
  B. Negative feedback loop
  C. Building commissioning
  D. Building retrocommissioning
  C. Building commissioning

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  Building commissioning is a quality assurance process that begins during the design phase and continues through construction, occupancy, and operation of the building. It ensures that the building's systems are designed efficiently, installed correctly, and operate as intended. The commissioning process involves a series of inspections, tests, and adjustments of building systems, followed by a review of the system design and operation with the building's operations team..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources