A question from ballast
Please see the picture. I chose C but it's not the answer. 
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A. Upgrading mechanical does not solve heating and cooling loss issues.
B. Removing storefront wall system and replacing with insulated wall system would solve the thermal loss problem but compromises the integrity of the space (no more daylighting, outdoor views).
C. Installing blinds does not insulate heat from making its way into space during summer. Blinds also don't stop heat loss during winter. Typical blinds are don't add much insulation value.
D. Planting deciduous trees will block heat from reaching the space during summer month but are not much help with heat loss during winter months.
My guess is D since its the only answer that meets design criteria and solves half the thermal problem. Curious what Ballast has as the answer....
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Questions like this are really frustrating because the answer depends on information not given. In this case, *why* the heat gain and heat loss are considered problematic by the client. Do they really value energy and the environment? Or perhaps the space is currently unacceptably uncomfortable for their employees? And how good or bad is the existing storefront system?
I’d guess A because that’s what we typically do in professional practice: for better or worse, we assign thermal comfort primarily to the mechanical engineer and just do whatever we want architecturally. Joel is right that that doesn’t “solve” heat gain/loss issues, but it does (mostly) address the comfort component.
Options C and D each only (partially) address heat gain, but I’d vote for D as more effective if given only those two choices (because preventing heat gain on the exterior is always more effective). Neither option addresses wintertime heat loss.
As for B, that option takes care of everything… except that people quite like windows.
Kara, I know how much this stuff has been stressing you out — I am so sympathetic. Hang in there. And know that it’s not your English (you mentioned it’s a second language for you in another post)— a lot of these questions really are ambiguous and too vague to answer properly.
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Thank you for your reply and your time. The answer is D. The reason I choose C is "I think install blind will create a layer of air as insulation between the blind and the window. And the layer of air insulation will help to solve the problem."
Remember when we do the calculation of thermal question, a layer of air is regarded as a layer of insulation. I don't know why it doesn't apply here.
I feel I am always hesitating between 2 options and one of it is the correct answer. But the correct answer is not clearly correct.
It is so hard.
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Kara Zhang You are correct in thinking that a layer of air helps provide some thermal insulation. The problem with typical window blinds is that they do not "seal" off the air layer from the office space and allows the heated (or cooled) air to circulate freely into the office.
Christine is correct in that this is a frustrating question due to lack of information and none of the provided answers fully solves the problem they pose. For what it's worth, in my experience, the questions in the ARE have not been this confusing. They typically have clear-cut answers that either solve or don't solve the problem.
If you are going to study using the Ballast questions, I would recommend thinking about what each answer does and does not do to solve the question and pick the best answer. This tactic will benefit you the most while taking the ARE.
You are asking great questions and keep it up! The best way to learn is to ask why and get colleague's input. Believe me, this doesn't stop once you pass all of your exams. You will be confused and learning your entire profession!
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