USGBC LEED-GA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

USGBC LEED-GA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 301:

  Which describes the difference between graywater and blackwater?

  A. Graywater includes storm water and potable water, whereas blackwater Includes stormwater and Irrigation
  B. Graywater may be used for irrigation or drinking, but blackwater should only be used as a source of process water
  C. Graywater includes wastewater from lavatory faucets, whereas blackwater includes waste water from toilets and urinals
  D. Graywater is approved for human consumption and may be supplied from wells or municipal water systems, whereas blackwater is comprised of wastewater from toilets and urinals
  C. Graywater includes wastewater from lavatory faucets, whereas blackwater includes waste water from toilets and urinals

  ---

  Graywater includes wastewater from lavatory faucets, whereas blackwater includes wastewater from toilets and urinals. This describes the difference between graywater and blackwater according to LEED. Graywater is wastewater that has been used for non-potable purposes, such as washing hands or dishes, but does not contain human or animal waste. Blackwater is wastewater that has been contaminated with human or animal waste from toilets or urinals. Graywater can be reused for certain purposes

  after minimal treatment, such as irrigation or toilet flushing, whereas blackwater requires more advanced treatment before reuse or disposal. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving water efficiency is to "use non-potable water (graywater) for sewage conveyance" [1, p. 14]..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Graywater vs Blackwater | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]

• Question 302:

  Which impact category is weighted the most in the LEED rating systems?

  A. Biodiversity
  B. Human Health
  C. Climate Change
  D. Water Resources
  C. Climate Change

  ---

  Climate change is weighted the most in the LEED rating systems because it is considered the most urgent and significant environmental challenge facing humanity. Climate change is caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which trap heat and alter the global climate patterns. Climate change can have severe consequences for human health, biodiversity, water resources, food security, and social equity. LEED projects can help mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from building operations and materials, as well as enhancing resilience and adaptation to climate impacts..The LEED impact categories andpoint allocation process assigns 35% of the total points to climatechange..

  References: LEED v4 Impact Category and Point Allocation Process Overview2; LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Introduction, page 9

• Question 303:

  Which strategy can be used to reduce the amount of construction waste?

  A. Encourage recycling
  B. Specify regional materials
  C. Increase the use of recycled content
  D. Institute an off-site composting program
  A. Encourage recycling

  ---

  Recycling is a strategy that can be used to reduce the amount of construction waste that is sent to landfills or incinerators. Recycling involves collecting, sorting, processing, and reusing or selling materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste..Recycling can save natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and lowerdisposal costs1...

  References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, EPA's Recycling Basics

• Question 304:

  Which of the following locations best minimizes transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions?

  A. Rural farmland
  B. Suburban commercial zone
  C. Transit-rich urban core
  D. Light industrial district
  C. Transit-rich urban core

  ---

  Transit-rich urban areas reduce vehicle miles traveled and support walking, biking, and public transit--key intent areas of the Location and Transportation category.

• Question 305:

  LEED for Neighborhood Development encourages

  A. development on federally regulated wetlands
  B. employment of Fair Trade Certified day laborers
  C. development within and near existing communities or public transportation infrastructure
  D. development in rural areas within 1 mi. (1.60 km) of public transportation, and 3/4 mi. (1.20 km) from a school, medical facility, park and shopping center
  C. development within and near existing communities or public transportation infrastructure

  ---

  LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) is a rating system that aims toinspire and help create better, more sustainable, well-connected neighborhoods1..It looks beyond the scale of buildings to consider entire communities1..One of the main goals ofLEED ND is to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the location and design of neighborhoods that are accessible by foot or public transportation234. Therefore, LEED ND encourages development within and near existing communities or public transportation infrastructure, which is option C. LEED certification forneighborhood development LEED for Neighborhood Development - Wikipedia LEED. for Neighborhood Development - Grow Smart RI LEED for Neighborhood Development - s3.amazonaws.com

• Question 306:

  Which of the following results from incorporating sustainable landscape design?

  A. Decreased maintenance costs
  B. Encouraged use of exotic plants
  C. Restored and regenerated habitat
  D. Increased use of pesticides and irrigation
  C. Restored and regenerated habitat

  ---

  Sustainable landscape design aims to create landscapes that are in harmony with the local environment, conserve natural resources, and provide ecological benefits. One of the outcomes of sustainable landscape design is restoring and regenerating habitat for native plants and animals, which enhances biodiversity and ecosystem services.

  LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction, p. 582

  LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, p. 11

  Should non-design team stakeholders be included in design charrettes?

  No, because it may increase legal liability

  Yes, because it may help to reduce future litigation

  No, because they lack the expertise to contribute design ideas

  Yes, because they enhance understanding of community concerns

  Correct Answer: D

  Design charrettes are collaborative sessions where stakeholders brainstorm and generate design solutions for a project. Non-design team stakeholders, such as community members, clients, users, and regulators, can provide valuable input and feedback on the project goals, needs, challenges, and opportunities. Including them in design charrettes can help to create more sustainable, inclusive, and responsive design outcomes that meet the expectations and requirements of all parties involved..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 14;.LEED Green Associate | U.S. Green Building Council, section "LEED v4 Rating Systems"

• Question 307:

  Which impact categories have been identified as most important for a LEED project to accomplish?

  A. Increase return on investment, promote human scale development
  B. Protect biodiversity and ecosystem services, improve business efficiency
  C. Reduce contribution to climate change, enhance human health and well-being
  D. Increase return on investment, promote sustainable and regenerative material cycles
  C. Reduce contribution to climate change, enhance human health and well-being

  ---

  The LEED rating system is designed to address the most important environmental impacts and human benefits of green building. The impact categories are based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's TRACI method (Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts), which evaluates the potential environmental effects of a product or process over its life cycle. The impact categories are: reverse contribution to global climate change; enhance individual human health and well-being; protect and restore water resources; protect, enhance and restore biodiversity and ecosystem services; promote sustainable and regenerative material cycles; build a greener economy; enhance social equity, environmental justice, community health and quality of life. Among these categories, reducing contribution to climate change and enhancing human health and well-being have been identified as the most important ones for a LEED project to accomplish..

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

• Question 308:

  LEED certification steps generally proceed in which of the following order?

  A. Project Registration, Application Preparation, Submission, Application Review, Certification
  B. Application Preparation, Application Review, Project Registration, Submission, Certification
  C. Select LEED rating system, Submission, Application Review, Project Registration, Certification
  D. Application Preparation, Project Registration, Application Review, Submission, Certification
  A. Project Registration, Application Preparation, Submission, Application Review, Certification

  ---

  This is the correct order of the LEED certification process for most projects1..The first step is to register the project on LEED Online and pay the registration fee2..The second step is to prepare the application by collecting and uploading the required information and documents according to the chosen rating system and credits2..The third step is to submit the application and pay the certification fee2..The fourth step is to undergo the application review by a LEED accredited third party, which may request clarifications or corrections2..The final step is to receive the certification decision and the LEED plaque and certificate. Life-cycle cost analysts of a new construction includes consideration of cost of purchasing window glazing cost of adding accessible parking cost of challenging a real estate tax assessment cost of subsidizing the use of public transportation

  Correct Answer: A Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is a method for assessing the total cost of owning a facility or running a project..It considers all the costs associated with obtaining, owning, and disposing of an investment1..The cost of purchasing window glazing is one of the initial costs that affects the energy performance and thermal comfort of a building. Therefore, it is included in the LCCA of a new construction. https://www.usgbc.org/credentials/leed-green-associate

• Question 309:

  The purpose of a life-cycle assessment in LEED is to evaluate the potential

  A. cost impacts Of a building through its life-cycle
  B. safety impacts of a material through its life-cycle
  C. human impacts 0t a material through its lite-cycle
  D. environmental impacts of a building through its life-cycle
  D. environmental impacts of a building through its life-cycle

  ---

  The purpose of a life-cycle assessment (LCA) in LEED is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a building through its life-cycle, from the extraction of raw materials, to the manufacturing, transportation, installation, use, maintenance, and disposal or recycling of building materials and products1..LCA can help project teams to compare different design options and select the ones that minimize the environmental impacts of the building, such as global warming potential, ozone depletion potential, acidification potential, eutrophicationpotential, and smog formation potential12..LCA can also help projects earn points for the LEED v4 Building Design and Construction category under the Building Life-Cycle Impact Reductioncredit, which rewards projects for reducing the life-cycle impacts of their structure and enclosure by at least 10% compared to a baseline

• Question 310:

  ASHRAE 189.1 is an alternative compliance path to what building code?

  A. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
  B. International Green Construction Code (IGCC)
  C. ASHRAE 90.1
  D. California's Title 24
  B. International Green Construction Code (IGCC)

  ---

  ASHRAE 189.1 is a standard for the design of high-performance green buildings that covers various aspects of sustainability, energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and more. It is an alternate compliance path for the IGCC, which is a model code that contains minimum requirements for green building design and construction..In jurisdictions that adopt the IGCC, a builder has the option to design and construct a building in accordance with the provisions of ASHRAE 189.1 rather than those of the IGCC123. ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2014: Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings (ASHRAE 189.1) | US EPA Smart Growth1 ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2014 - Trane Heating and Air Conditioning2 IgCC and ASHRAE Standard 189.1 Technical Provisions3