USGBC LEED-GA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

USGBC LEED-GA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 61:

  What type of water is generally acceptable for toilet flushing?

  A. Blackwater untreated
  B. Potable water only
  C. Non-potable water such as graywater
  D. Drinking fountain discharge
  C. Non-potable water such as graywater

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  Graywater and other non-potable sources reduce potable demand per LEED Indoor Water Use Reduction.

• Question 62:

  When considering water conservation and water-efficient landscaping, which two types of water would be most useful for landscape irrigation?

  A. Blackwater
  B. Potable water
  C. Rainwater
  D. Clean water
  C. Rainwater

  ---

  The Guide specifies:

  "Use nonpotable water for irrigation such as captured rainwater, graywater or municipally reclaimed

  wastewater..."

  Potable water use is discouraged, and blackwater cannot be used unless treated.

• Question 63:

  Which of the following terms is used when describing a site which may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants?

  A. Greenfield
  B. Brownfield
  C. Infill development
  D. Previously disturbed
  B. Brownfield

  ---

  A brownfield is a property that has been previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and may be contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants12..Brownfields can pose environmental and health risks and require remediation before redevelopment3..Examples of brownfields include abandoned factories, gas stations, dry cleaners, etc

• Question 64:

  Which of the following is an effective way to identify occupant comfort issues in a space based on LEED best practices?

  A. Install energy meters in the building
  B. Discuss potential issues with building owner
  C. Conduct an occupant comfort survey with all building occupants
  D. Wait for occupants to alert facilities management team of issues
  C. Conduct an occupant comfort survey with all building occupants

  ---

  Conducting an occupant comfort survey with all building occupants is an effective way to identify occupant comfort issues in a space based on LEED best practices. An occupantcomfort survey is a tool that collects feedback from building occupants about their satisfaction with various aspects of their indoor environment, such as thermal comfort, lighting quality, acoustic quality, air quality, ergonomics, and aesthetics. An occupant comfort survey can help identify areas of improvement and potential solutions

  for enhancing occupant comfort and well-being. The other options are not effective ways to identify occupant comfort issues in a space based on LEED best practices. Installing energy meters in the building is a strategy that measures energy performance, but does not directly address occupant comfort. Discussing potential issues with building owner is a subjective and limited way of gathering information, as the building owner may not represent the views and experiences of all building occupants. Waiting

  for occupants to alert facilities management team of issues is a passive and reactive way of addressing occupant comfort, as some occupants may not voice their concerns or may have already suffered from discomfort..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 25; USGBC, [Guide to LEED Certification: Commercial], page 13.

• Question 65:

  What is the primary purpose of using low-emitting partitions in office buildings?

  A. To reduce CO# levels
  B. To increase thermal comfort
  C. To increase spread of daylight
  D. To reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) levels
  D. To reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) levels

  ---

  Low-emitting materials, including partitions, are intended to:

  "...reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants that can damage air quality, human health, productivity,

  and the environment."

  VOCs are a major indoor air contaminant addressed under the Indoor Environmental Quality category.

• Question 66:

  The result of proper design and operation of buildings and neighborhoods is an increase in energy

  A. supply
  B. demand
  C. efficiency
  D. consumption
  C. efficiency

  ---

  The result of proper design and operation of buildings and neighborhoods is an increase in energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is the ratio of useful output to energy input for a system or process. Energy efficiency can be improved by using less energy to perform the same function or by using renewable or low-impact energy sources..Energy efficiency can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy costs, and dependence on fossil fuels1...

  References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, EPA's Energy Efficiency

• Question 67:

  Which of the following represents a unit of carbon dioxide equivalent that is reduced, avoided, or sequestered to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere?

  A. Calculator
  B. Carbon offsets
  C. Demand response
  D. Renewable energy
  B. Carbon offsets

  ---

  The LeadingGreen Study Guide defines carbon offsets as:

  "Alternatively a project can purchase carbon offsets to reduce scope 2 emissions, as one carbon offset is equal

  to one carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases".

  Additionally, LEED recognizes carbon offsets as a method to:

  "...compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere."

  Hence, the correct and verified answer isCarbon offsets.

• Question 68:

  Which of the following statements regarding non-potable water is true?

  A. Blackwater can only be used for flush fixtures
  B. Stormwater runoff can be treated and used in a facility's cooling towers
  C. Captured rainwater must be treated before it can be used to irrigate landscaping
  D. can be used for any household purpose as long as it is not consumed
  B. Stormwater runoff can be treated and used in a facility's cooling towers

  ---

  Stormwater runoff can indeed be treated and used in a facility's cooling towers. This is an example of using non-potable water (water that is not of drinking quality) for purposes that do not require potable water. Other uses for treated stormwater might include toilet flushing or irrigation..

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

• Question 69:

  In which LEED rating category does Built Project fall into?

  A. LEED for Operations and Maintenance
  B. LEED for Interior Design and Construction
  C. LEED for Building Design and Construction
  D. LEED for Neighborhood Development
  D. LEED for Neighborhood Development

  ---

  The "Built Project" falls under LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND), which focuses on sustainable community development and infrastructure.

• Question 70:

  A project that does not meet a prerequisite in one credit category

  A. does not qualify for certification
  B. forfeits all points in the same credit category
  C. must tile a CIR D. may substitute a prerequisite from an alternative rating system
  A. does not qualify for certification

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  LEED prerequisites are the minimum requirements that a project must meet in order to be eligible for LEED certification. Prerequisites are mandatory for all projects and cannot be substituted or waived..If a project does not meet a prerequisite in one credit category, it does not qualify for certification, regardless of how many points it earns in other categories123. A project that does not meet a prerequisite in one credit category does not forfeit all points in the same credit category, as points are awarded for meeting optional credits, not prerequisites. A project cannot file a CIR (Credit Interpretation Request) to seek clarification or exception for a prerequisite, as CIRs are only applicable for credits..A projectcannot substitute a prerequisite from an alternative rating system, as prerequisites are specific to each rating system and reflect the minimum standards for that system