You will NOT be allowed to copy a draft essay into a bluebook. One strategy for prepping: prepare an argument and outline the major facts to support it. Memorize the outline. If your command of the subject is good, you should be able to launch into the essay from there. Between now and the final, you may ask the prof and TAs for clarifications and advice about the question topics, but many questions should best be answered by reviewing the course readings (including articles available over the Internet via the 120b web site) and lecture notes.
Questions:
(1) Describe how the evolutionary history of living organisms has both reflected and effected changes in the Earth's environmental conditions.
(2) Describe the factors (geological, chemical, physical, biological) that govern the cycling of carbon in the Earth system (atmosphere, ocean, solid earth). Identify which factors are most important in assessing the near-term future (100 years) of global temperature, and justify your choices.