Free 30 Question LEED Green Associate

Sample Exam
Pages 1-2: Introduction
Pages 3-10: 30 Questions – Blank
Pages 11-26: 30 Questions – Correct Answers + Explanations

About This Document

GBES.com is known for amazing, realistic LEED practice tests. We have been, since
our start in 2007. Our team has pulled out 30 LEED Green Associate sample
questions (with explanations later) so that you will understand how the exam
questions are formatted, the level of detail for your studies, and that this is an
exam you can pass and advance your career. Our questions are pulled from the
Knowledge Domains (i.e. LEED Process, Sustainable Sites, Energy & Atmosphere,
etc.) and simulate the real LEED exam and include Recall, Application, and
Analysis samples. All of this will help you prepare for and pass the 100-question
(2-hour) multiple-choice exam.

How to Use These 30 Sample Questions

Take the 30 question sample exam we have included. Maybe you are just getting
into your studies or you are taking the exam in a couple weeks. Either way, see
where you are at. We have included not only the correct answers later in this
document, but explanations for why that answer. Our practice exams are tricky,
like the real exam. You have to train yourself to select the “best” answers – which,
yes, is frustrating. But, all things considered, when you are in a question, what is
the greenest answer and overall makes the most/best sense?

**You are encouraged to use this guide on-screen but If you print this out to take the sample exam, be
sure to use recycled paper and once you ace the real exam, re-gift this guide to a colleague or friend**

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 1
About GBES.com

Green Building Education Services (GBES) was founded in 2007 (back then we
were www.greenexamprep.com) and created the original LEED practice tests as
the LEED movement was growing. Our co-founders brought together real
estate/construction/green building experience as well as professional
credentialing and exam prep systems. The perfect match. Our mission is to help
people advance their careers in the green building movement. After our LEED
practice tests, we added courses and additional study tools. LEED went through
major changes in 2009 (to v3) and multiple new LEED credentials were available
(that was a busy year for us to make practice tests and courses for each LEED
credential). Then, we built out a 100+ continuing education course (LEED CMP)
library that also doubles for AIA hours. Now, we’re all-in on WELL, a program we
really enjoy. We are proud to be the leading provider of online LEED Green
Associate and LEED Accredited Professional (AP) exam preparation solutions. All
of our trainers have taken and passed the new LEED credential exams.

Resources
LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook
(learn where questions are pulled from, the exam format/types of questions, and how to sign up
for the real exam)

LEED BD+C: New Construction (v4) Checklist/Scorecard

(for the LEED GA exam, most of your questions will come from LEED NC v4. Only study the
first tab on this excel file and don’t worry about memorizing how many points each credit is
worth and which category each fits into)

LEED Green Associate Practice Tests

(access to GBES 600 tried + tested LEED GA practice test questions to help you pass this
professional credential exam and advance your career)

LEED Green Associate 1-Hour Study Session

(FAQ and LEED GA Exam Tip Webinar)

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 2
 ------------- 30 Questions -------------

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 3
QUESTION 1

What are the roles of GBCI? Choose 3.

A. Administration of the LEED exams

B. Overseeing LEED credential maintenance
C. Third-party technical reviews of registered LEED projects
D. Approving the LEED Rating Systems
E. Promoting the triple bottom line
F. Auditing USGBC Member Companies

QUESTION 2

How many of the 110 possible LEED points can be earned for addressing regionally specific environmental
issues?

A. 10
B. 1
C. 2
D. 4

QUESTION 3

In what instances would a project team submit a Credit Interpretation Request (CIR)? Choose 2.

A. When the reference guide does not address a specific issue

B. When the person registering the project has a question about the registration process
C. When a conflict in a credit or prerequisite requires resolution
D. When appealing a credit that has been denied

QUESTION 4

What is the purpose of having a LEED AP on a project?

A. For building commissioning

B. To submit all project data
C. To serve as the project administrator
D. To streamline the LEED process

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 4
QUESTION 5

Which of the following does not aid in the identification of sensitive habitats?

A. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

B. The NatureServe Heritage Program
C. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
D. FEMA
E. ACEEE

QUESTION 6

What standard might need to be used to measure building energy performance?

A. ASHRAE 90.1
B. ISO 14020
C. Green-e
D. SMACNA

QUESTION 7

Selecting which of the following sites would have the greatest positive environmental impact?

A. An old building
B. A previously undeveloped site
C. Parkland near diverse uses
D. Locating the project near public parking

QUESTION 8

Which of the following site types is considered high-priority?

A. Historic district
B. Previously developed land
C. Land with endangered habitat
D. Area on or within fifty feet (fifteen meters) of a wetland

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 5
QUESTION 9

Which of the following is NOT a type of diverse use?

A. An ATM
B. A barber shop
C. A police station
D. A public park

QUESTION 10

What type of plants should be used on a green roof to promote biodiversity?

A. Monocultures
B. Tall plants that provide shade
C. Native plants
D. Plants with high watering needs

QUESTION 11

Which of the following can happen as a result of increased rainwater runoff?

A. Eutrophication
B. Increased heat islands
C. Increased potable water use
D. Decreased energy performance

QUESTION 12

What information is needed to calculate the SRI of a material?

A. Emissivity
B. Reflectance
C. Thermal gradient
D. Thickness of the material

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 6
QUESTION 13

Potable water is defined as:

A. Untreated house-hold wastewater which has not come into contact with toilet waste or kitchen sinks
B. Water that is not treated to drinking water standards and is not meant for human consumption
C. Water that meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water standards
D. Wastewater from bathroom sinks, laundry machines, kitchen sinks and dishwashers

QUESTION 14

Which of the following are strategies for conserving potable water?

A. Increasing the infiltration of runoff

B. Installing an onsite septic system
C. Installing a bioretention pond
D. Installing a dual flush toilet

QUESTION 15

Submeters are a strategy to reduce outdoor water use by:

A. Providing water consumption tracking and leak identification

B. Billing tenants based on their portion of building occupancy
C. Preventing irrigation runoff
D. Providing weather-based irrigation control

QUESTION 16

During a LEED project when does commissioning take place?

A. Discovery phase
B. Pre-design phase
C. Schematic design phase
D. Substantial completion phase

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 7
QUESTION 17

An owner wants to install a photovoltaic system on the building's rooftop and sell the excess electricity
back to the utility company. Which of the following would be aided by this strategy?

A. Demand response
B. On-site renewable energy
C. Green power
D. Carbon offsets

QUESTION 18

A project is located in an area with a demand-response program and on a site that has enough room for a
wind-turbine to allow for on-site renewable energy. If the project implements both of these strategies,
which of the following will occur?

A. The project's energy costs will decrease

B. The project's renewable energy production will decrease
C. The project's minimum energy performance will decrease
D. The project's energy demands will decrease

QUESTION 19

To qualify for LEED, carbon offsets must be which of the following?

A. Green-e Energy certified (or equivalent)

B. Green-e Climate certified (or equivalent)
C. ENERGY STAR labeled
D. Purchased and used within the same state or locale.

QUESTION 20

What statement is true regarding ChloroFluoroCarbons (CFCs) and HydroChloroFluoroCarbons (HCFCs)?

A. CFCs are being phased-out under the Montreal Protocol while HCFCs are banned under the Montreal
Protocol
B. CFCs have a greater global warming potential (GWP) than HCFCs
C. The ozone depletion potential (ODP) of HCFCs and CFCs is about the same
D. LEED encourages replacing CFC or halon-based fire suppression systems with HCFCs

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 8
QUESTION 21

For what purpose would a project team do a life-cycle assessment?

A. To understand the trade-offs of material selection and energy performance

B. To compare the raw materials of different products
C. To measure the VOC content between different paints
D. To calculate a project's indoor baseline water use

QUESTION 22

Which of the following materials, if reused, would be considered pre-consumer recycled content?

A. Walnut shells
B. Sunflower seed hulls
C. Sawdust
D. Construction and demolition debris
E. Milk jugs

QUESTION 23

What is FSC Certified wood?

A. Wood that has been sourced (extracted, manufactured, purchased) within 100 miles (160 km) of the
project site
B. Composite wood that contains post-consumer recycled wood, usually from construction and
demolition debris
C. Composite wood that does not contain any urea formaldehyde
D. Wood that has been procured from well managed forests

QUESTION 24

A project has construction debris that is nonrecyclable waste. Which of the following actions can the
project team take with the waste that will help the project with construction waste management?

A. Waste-to-energy
B. Bury it on site
C. Exclude it from the credit calculations
D. Send it to a landfill

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QUESTION 25

A building design in a cool climate includes daylighting, natural ventilation, operable windows, and
individual lighting controls. What else can be included in the design to improve occupant comfort and
control?

A. Ergonomic desks
B. Walk off mats in all emergency exits
C. Bicycle racks near the building entrance
D. Discounted transit passes

QUESTION 26

Which of the following should a green cleaning policy include?

A. Standards for selecting products and technologies and certification of cleaning equipment
B. Measures to prevent against unwanted pests and the amount of waste to divert from the waste stream
C. A waste stream audit of recyclable materials and instructions for calibrating indoor air quality sensors
D. The replacement of Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) filters and the selection of low VOC
materials, furniture, and finishes

QUESTION 27

A project owner wants to create a healthy work environment for employees. To help ensure indoor air
quality, which of the following should be monitored?

A. Outdoor airflow
B. Carbon-dioxide levels
C. Wind speed and direction
D. Daylighting levels
E. Submetering of the HVAC system

QUESTION 28

If a project team increases the ventilation in a building and adds quality views to occupant spaces what
will be the result?

A. Improved productivity of the occupants

B. Decreased air quality for the occupants
C. Increased resource use for the project
D. Decreased first costs

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QUESTION 29

A developer for an office building will lease out spaces to tenants. What is the value to the developer for
certifying the building?

A. Certified green office buildings rent for 2% more than comparable buildings
B. Certified green office buildings have guaranteed grants from local governments
C. Certified green office buildings do not have to go through the permitting process
D. Certified green office buildings receive 0% interest loans

QUESTION 30

What is the most impactful way that a project can help to reverse contribution to climate change?

A. Reducing fossil-fuel based energy consumption

B. Using salvaged materials
C. Choosing healthy building materials
D. Locating the project near diverse uses

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 11
 ------------- 30 Questions – Correct Answers + Explanations -------------

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 12
QUESTION 1
What are the roles of GBCI? Choose 3.
A. Administration of the LEED exams
B. Overseeing LEED credential maintenance
C. Third-party technical reviews of registered LEED projects
D. Approving the LEED Rating Systems
E. Promoting the triple bottom line
F. Auditing USGBC Member Companies
EXPLANATION:
GBCI administers the LEED certification program, performing third-party technical reviews and
verification of registered projects to determine if they have met the standards set forth by the LEED
rating system.

QUESTION 2
How many of the 110 possible LEED points can be earned for addressing regionally specific environmental
issues?
A. 10
B. 1
C. 2
D. 4
EXPLANATION:
LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect their potential
environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally
specific environmental issues. All rating systems with 100 baseline points and 10 bonus points. Of the 10
bonus points 4 are for regional priority.

QUESTION 3
In what instances would a project team submit a Credit Interpretation Request (CIR)? Choose 2.
A. When the reference guide does not address a specific issue
B. When the person registering the project has a question about the registration process
C. When a conflict in a credit or prerequisite requires resolution
D. When appealing a credit that has been denied
EXPLANATION:
A. CIRs should be used when you can't find the answer in the reference guide.
B. Projects that haven't been registered do not have access to submit a CIR.
C. CIRs should be used when there are conflicts in a credit/prerequisite.
D. CIRs are not used to appeal a credit.

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 13
QUESTION 4
What is the purpose of having a LEED AP on a project?
A. For building commissioning
B. To submit all project data
C. To serve as the project administrator
D. To streamline the LEED process
EXPLANATION:
A. A LEED AP will not necessarily commission the building.
B. Any project team member can submit project data.
C. The project administrator does not have to be a LEED AP.
D. The purpose (or intent) of having a LEED AP on the project is to 'support and encourage the design
integration required by LEED to streamline the application and certification process'.

QUESTION 5
Which of the following does not aid in the identification of sensitive habitats?
A. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
B. The NatureServe Heritage Program
C. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
D. FEMA
E. ACEEE
EXPLANATION:
A. The Fish and Wildlife Service keeps a list of threatened and endangered species.
B. NatureServe Heritige Program classifies species and ecological communities under different ratings.
C. This defines prime farmland.
D. FEMA is used to defined floodplains.
E. ACEEE is the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. ACEEE publishes an annual list of green
cars.

QUESTION 6
What standard might need to be used to measure building energy performance?
A. ASHRAE 90.1
B. ISO 14020
C. Green-e
D. SMACNA
EXPLANATION:
A. ASHRAE 90.1 is used to measure building energy performance in the Energy and Atmosphere category.
B. The ISO 14021 series standards, Environmental Labels and Declaration, are communication tools that
convey information on environmental aspects of a product or service to the market.
C. Green-e is a program established to promote green electricity products and provide consumers with a
nationally recognized method to identify those products.
D. Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor's National Association (SMACNA) guidelines play a key
role in construction activity pollution prevention. The standard provides an overview of air pollutants
associated with construction, control measures, construction process management, quality control,
among other things.

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 14
QUESTION 7
Selecting which of the following sites would have the greatest positive environmental impact?
A. An old building
B. A previously undeveloped site
C. Parkland near diverse uses
D. Locating the project near public parking
EXPLANATION:
A. Redeveloping (or reuse) of an existing building significantly minimizes the project's impact on the
environment. It also provides the project team opportunity to reuse existing infrastructure.
B. This is a greenfield site and would not be the best choice for building on.
C. Parkland is open space (though not for the project) and should be avoided for building on.
D. Locating the project near public parking may reduce the project's parking needs but this is not the best
answer choice.

QUESTION 8
Which of the following site types is considered high-priority?
A. Historic district
B. Previously developed land
C. Land with endangered habitat
D. Area on or within fifty feet (fifteen meters) of a wetland
EXPLANATION:
A. High priority sites include:
• Historic districts
• Priority designation sites (Federal Empowerment Zones, EPA National Priorities List, etc.)
• Brownfield
B. This is incorrect.
C. This is considered sensitive land.
D. This is considered sensitive land.

QUESTION 9
Which of the following is NOT a type of diverse use?
A. An ATM
B. A barber shop
C. A police station
D. A public park
EXPLANATION:
A diverse use is "a distinct, officially recognize business, nonprofit, civic, religious, or governmental
organization, or dwelling units (residential use) or offices (commercial office use). It has a stationary
postal address and is publicly available. It does not include automated facilities such as ATMs, vending
machines, and touchscreens." - USGBC

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QUESTION 10
What type of plants should be used on a green roof to promote biodiversity?
A. Monocultures
B. Tall plants that provide shade
C. Native plants
D. Plants with high watering needs
EXPLANATION:
A. Monocultures are a single species of plant such as turf grass. Monocultures do not promote
biodiversity.
B. The roof doesn't really need to be shaded. The vegetation addresses the heat island effect.
C. The vegetation for a green roof should use native plants, just like the rest of the project landscape.

Native (or indigenous) plants are those that grow naturally in an area, or that have been in an
area for many years. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. These plants
can be trees, shrubs, flowers, or grasses. Adaptive plants are non-native plants that perform well
in the local climate. Native and adaptive plants require less water, and are more disease resistant
because they are suited to the region's usual rainfall, soil, and temperature.

D. The plants should have low watering needs.

QUESTION 11
Which of the following can happen as a result of increased rainwater runoff?
A. Eutrophication
B. Increased heat islands
C. Increased potable water use
D. Decreased energy performance
EXPLANATION:
Eutrophication is the ecosystem response to the addition of artificial or natural substances, such as
nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers or sewage, to an aquatic system. Additional hardscapes can
contribute to eutrophication and harm aquatic ecosystems and species.

Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water acquires a high concentration of nutrients,
especially phosphates and nitrates. These typically promote excessive growth of algae. As the algae die
and decompose, high levels of organic matter and the decomposing organisms deplete the water of
available oxygen, causing the death of other organisms, such as fish. Eutrophication is a natural, slow-
aging process for a water body, but human activity greatly speeds up the process.

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 16
QUESTION 12
What information is needed to calculate the SRI of a material?
A. Emissivity
B. Reflectance
C. Thermal gradient
D. Thickness of the material
EXPLANATION:
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates a material's ability to reject solar heat and is the combined value of
reflectivity and emittance. Measurements vary from 100 (standard white surface, most reflective) to 0
(standard black surface, least reflective). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for
paving. The higher the SRI number the more the sunlight the material can reflect. For example, black
asphalt has an SRI of 0.
A. SRI is calculated by using emissivity and solar reflectance values.
B. SRI is calculated by using emissivity and solar reflectance values.
C. This is outside the scope of LEED. Thermal gradient is the rate of temperature change with distance;
for example, its increase with depth below the surface of the earth.
D. The thickness of a material is not part of the SRI calculation.

QUESTION 13
Potable water is defined as:
A. Untreated house-hold wastewater which has not come into contact with toilet waste or
kitchen sinks
B. Water that is not treated to drinking water standards and is not meant for human consumption
C. Water that meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water standards
D. Wastewater from bathroom sinks, laundry machines, kitchen sinks and dishwashers
EXPLANATION:
A. This is graywater.
B. This is the definition of non-potable water.
C. Potable water meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water standards. Potable water can be used for any
purpose, though the intent of the water efficiency credits is to reduce the use of potable water.
D. Water that has come in contact with food through kitchen sinks and dishwashers is usually classified as
blackwater.

QUESTION 14
Which of the following are strategies for conserving potable water?
A. Increasing the infiltration of runoff
B. Installing an onsite septic system
C. Installing a bioretention pond
D. Installing a dual flush toilet
EXPLANATION:
A. Increasing the infiltration of runoff does not reduce potable water use. It only improves the quality of
the runoff.
B. A septic system does not reduce potable water use. It reduces the quantity of wastewater that must
be treated by municipal sewage plants.
C. A bioretention pond helps with rainwater management by slowing the rate at which rainwater leaves
the site.
D. A dual flush toilet has two different flow rates depending on the type of waste. These toilets can use
less potable water than a standard toilet.

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 17
QUESTION 15
Submeters are a strategy to reduce outdoor water use by:
A. Providing water consumption tracking and leak identification
B. Billing tenants based on their portion of building occupancy
C. Preventing irrigation runoff
D. Providing weather-based irrigation control
EXPLANATION:
A. Designing an efficient irrigation system is the first step towards outdoor water savings. Metering and
monitoring allow the operations team to verify the system is working as it was designed. Overwatering is
more typical than under watering but both can lead to problems. Only through metering and analysis will
the real benefits be realized of the design.
B. This is incorrect.
C. A submeter does not prevent irrigation runoff. A submeter only tracks water use.
D. Submeters do not provide weather based control.

QUESTION 16
During a LEED project when does commissioning take place?
A. Discovery phase
B. Pre-design phase
C. Schematic design phase
D. Substantial completion phase
EXPLANATION:
Commissioning is "the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and
assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's
project requirements." - USGBC

The systems cannot be commissioned until they are installed. The process takes place prior to occupancy
(usually) when the building is substantially completed. For example, all of the HVAC systems are in, the
building has water and power, etc. Things that don't need to be in place are painting, carpets, tile, etc."

QUESTION 17
An owner wants to install a photovoltaic system on the building's rooftop and sell the excess electricity
back to the utility company. Which of the following would be aided by this strategy?
A. Demand response
B. On-site renewable energy
C. Green power
D. Carbon offsets
EXPLANATION:
Net metering is the term for selling excess electricity back to the grid. Net metering can only be done
when on-site renewable energy systems are present.

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 18
QUESTION 18
A project is located in an area with a demand-response program and on a site that has enough room for a
wind-turbine to allow for on-site renewable energy. If the project implements both of these strategies,
which of the following will occur?
A. The project's energy costs will decrease
B. The project's renewable energy production will decrease
C. The project's minimum energy performance will decrease
D. The project's energy demands will decrease
EXPLANATION:
A. Demand-response programs usually include financial incentives during demand response events. The
utility company asks the building to use less electricity, the building agrees, and the building owner is
rewarded with a price break. In turn, the utility company saves money by spending less money on
additional transmission lines and power plants.
B. The renewable energy production doesn't decrease if the project is also in a demand-response
program.
C. The minimum energy performance for the project would remain the same. On-site renewables do not
count toward reducing the minimum energy required to run the building.
D. The energy demands remain constant for this project. The wind turbine will offset the need for grid-
supplied energy. The demand response participation will curb the building's energy use during peak
times.

QUESTION 19
To qualify for LEED, carbon offsets must be which of the following?
A. Green-e Energy certified (or equivalent)
B. Green-e Climate certified (or equivalent)
C. ENERGY STAR labeled
D. Purchased and used within the same state or locale.
EXPLANATION:
A. Green-e Energy certification is for qualifying RECs for LEED.
B. Green-e Climate certification is for qualifying carbon offsets for LEED.
C. ENERGY STAR labels are not related to carbon offsets.
D. In the U.S., offsets must come from GHG emissions reductions projects within the U.S. (not the state).

QUESTION 20
What statement is true regarding ChloroFluoroCarbons (CFCs) and HydroChloroFluoroCarbons (HCFCs)?
A. CFCs are being phased-out under the Montreal Protocol while HCFCs are banned under the
Montreal Protocol
B. CFCs have a greater global warming potential (GWP) than HCFCs
C. The ozone depletion potential (ODP) of HCFCs and CFCs is about the same
D. LEED encourages replacing CFC or halon-based fire suppression systems with HCFCs
EXPLANATION:
A. CFCs were banned under the Montreal Protocol in 1995. HCFCs are being phased-out under the
Montreal Protocol with a 90% phase-out in 2015 and a 100% phase-out by 2030.
B. CFCs do have a greater global warming potential (GWP) compared to HCFCs.
C. HCFCs have much smaller ODP values than CFCs, but their ODP values are not zero. HCFCs do less than
2% ozone damage compared to CFC-11.
D. LEED promotes using fire-suppression systems that do not contain CFCs, HCFCs, or halons.

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 19
QUESTION 21
For what purpose would a project team perform a life-cycle assessment?
A. To understand the trade-offs of material selection and energy performance
B. To compare the raw materials of different products
C. To measure the VOC content between different paints
D. To calculate a project's indoor baseline water use
EXPLANATION:
A. One reason to do an LCA of a building is to be able to compare different material choices and see how
they impact the project over the building's life.
B. This is a different LEED credit than LCA.
C. MSDS would be compared for this.
D. This is done by using the baseline flush and fixture rates along with calculating FTE.

QUESTION 22
Which of the following materials, if reused, would be considered pre-consumer recycled content?
A. Walnut shells
B. Sunflower seed hulls
C. Sawdust
D. Construction and demolition debris
E. Milk jugs
EXPLANATION:
Post-consumer material - recycled material generated from the waste of household, commercial,
industrial, or institutional end-users

Postconsumer recycled content - is the percentage of material in a product that was consumer waste.
The recycled material was generated by household, commercial, industrial, or institutional end-users and
can no longer be used for its intended purpose. It includes returns of materials from the distribution
chain. Examples include construction and demolition debris, materials collected through recycling
programs, discarded products (e.g., furniture, cabinetry, decking), and landscaping waste (e.g., leaves,
grass clippings, tree trimmings). (ISO 14021)

Pre-consumer content - formerly known as post-industrial content, is the percentage of material in a

product that is recycled from manufacturing waste. Examples include planer shavings, plytrim, sawdust,
chips, bagasse, sunflower seed hulls, walnut shells, culls, trimmed materials, print overruns, overissue
publications, and obsolete inventories. Excluded are materials such as rework, regrind, or scrap generated
in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it (ISO 14021).

A. Walnut shells are a type of pre-consumer recycled content. The walnut shells are taken from the
walnut processing line at the food plant and shipped somewhere else to be turned into composite wood
products such as cabinetry.
B. Sunflower seed hulls are a type of pre-consumer recycled content.
C. Sawdust can be taken from a lumber mill and sent to another manufacturer where they turn it into
medium density fiberboard (MDF).
D. Construction and demolition debris is a post-consumer material. For example wood and steel scraps
that are left over from installation can be recycled and turned into something else.
E. Any curbside pickup material is a post-consumer material. If you recycle soda cans at your house, or
newspapers, cereal boxes, cardboard, milk jugs - those materials are sent to a recycling plant, sorted and
resold to manufacturers that turn them into something else.

© 2017 WWW.GBES.COM 20
QUESTION 23
What is FSC Certified wood?
A. Wood that has been sourced (extracted, manufactured, purchased) within 100 miles (160 km)
of the project site
B. Composite wood that contains post-consumer recycled wood, usually from construction and
demolition debris
C. Composite wood that does not contain any urea formaldehyde
D. Wood that has been procured from well managed forests
EXPLANATION:
A. This is an example of a locally sourced product. In LEED v4 products sourced (extracted, manufactured,
purchased) within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site are valued higher than those that are not.
For LEED v2009 projects the distance is 500 miles.
B. This type of material is not certified.
C. This type of wood is not certified.
D. Wood that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is acceptable for LEED credits.
FSC Certified wood comes from well managed forests that use responsible logging practices.

QUESTION 24
A project has construction debris that is nonrecyclable waste. Which of the following actions can the
project team take with the waste that will help the project with construction waste management?
A. Waste-to-energy
B. Bury it on site
C. Exclude it from the credit calculations
D. Send it to a landfill
EXPLANATION:
A. Waste-to-energy is "the conversion of nonrecyclable waste materials into usable heat, electricity, or
fuel through a variety of processes, including combustion, gasification, pyrolization, anaerobic digestion,
and landfill gas (LFG) recovery"
It's quite popular and Europe and becoming more common. When strict air-quality guidelines are
followed, it's a good way to dispose of trash and generate energy in the process.
B. This doesn't help earn the credit.
C. All waste must be accounted for in LEED as part of construction waste management.
D. Sending it to a landfill doesn't help earn the credit.

QUESTION 25
A building design in a cool climate includes daylighting, natural ventilation, operable windows, and
individual lighting controls. What else can be included in the design to improve occupant comfort and
control?
A. Ergonomic desks
B. Walk off mats in all emergency exits
C. Bicycle racks near the building entrance
D. Discounted transit passes
EXPLANATION:
A. Ergonomic furniture and workstations are a way to improve occupant comfort.
B. Walk off mats at building entrances help keep dust and dirt out of the building for better indoor air
quality (IAQ).
C. Bicycle racks help encourage alternative transportation
D. Discounted public transportation helps encourage alternative transportation

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QUESTION 26
Which of the following should a green cleaning policy include?
A. Standards for selecting products and technologies and certification of cleaning equipment
B. Measures to prevent against unwanted pests and the amount of waste to divert from the
waste stream
C. A waste stream audit of recyclable materials and instructions for calibrating indoor air quality
sensors
D. The replacement of Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) filters and the selection of
low VOC materials, furniture, and finishes
EXPLANATION:
A. A green cleaning policy should include:

1. The standards used to select products and technologies such as Green Seal or California Code of
Regulations.
2. Certification of cleaning equipment from the carpet and rug institute.

B. This is part of a waste-stream policy and integrated pest management (IPM).

C. This is part of a waste-stream policy and improving indoor air quality.
D. Replacing MERV filters is part of operations and maintenance to improve air quality. Selection of low
VOC materials, furniture, and finishes during the building process helps improve indoor air quality of the
occupants.

QUESTION 27
A project owner wants to create a healthy work environment for employees. To help ensure indoor air
quality, which of the following should be monitored?
A. Outdoor airflow
B. Carbon-dioxide levels
C. Wind speed and direction
D. Daylighting levels
E. Submetering of the HVAC system
EXPLANATION:
A. Ventilation takes fresh outdoor air and pushes it inside. The monitors on the outside measure how
much air the system is moving to make sure it is adequate.
B. Carbon-dioxide monitoring indicates the quality of the air in a space. If there is too much CO2, the
system can increase airflow to improve quality.
C. Projects don't measure wind speed and direction (unless it's an airport).
D. Daylight levels are unrelated to indoor air quality.
E. Submetering will show the energy use of the system, not if the system is keeping the air clean.

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QUESTION 28
If a project team increases the ventilation in a building and adds quality views to occupant spaces what
will be the result?
A. Improved productivity of the occupants
B. Decreased air quality for the occupants
C. Increased resource use for the project
D. Decreased first costs
EXPLANATION:
A. Research shows by improving indoor air quality, adding daylighting and views, occupant productivity
goes up.
B. Increasing ventilation improves air quality.
C. These design decisions do not impact resource use.
D. Additional ventilation may increase energy demand. Adding views is probably not going to decrease
costs.

QUESTION 29
A developer for an office building will lease out spaces to tenants. What is the value to the developer for
certifying the building?
A. Certified green office buildings rent for 2% more than comparable buildings
B. Certified green office buildings have guaranteed grants from local governments
C. Certified green office buildings do not have to go through the permitting process
D. Certified green office buildings receive 0% interest loans
EXPLANATION:
A. Studies show on average a green building can charge higher building rents (2% on average) and have
less empty tenant spaces than non-green buildings.
B. Grants may be available but they aren't guaranteed.
C. The permitting process may be expedited but it would not be skipped.
D. Loans may be discounted but would not be free.

QUESTION 30
What is the most impactful way that a project can help to reverse contribution to climate change?
A. Reducing fossil-fuel based energy consumption
B. Using salvaged materials
C. Choosing healthy building materials
D. Locating the project near diverse uses
EXPLANATION:
A. Reversing contribution to global climate change is one of the LEED impact categories. Because of the
large quantities of energy buildings consume, reducing their energy use (and thus their fossil-fuel based
energy consumption) has the most impact on climate change.
B. Reusing materials helps conserve resources.
C. Healthy building materials addresses occupant health.
D. Locating near diverse uses is intended to promote walkability and reduce automobile use. However the
building uses far more energy than automobiles.

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