|
Public release items have appeared on MSA forms and then are released for public viewing and use. Releasing items is one step to ensuring that schools, districts, and other stakeholders understand how the content standards are assessed on the MSA.
| (1) Selected Response Public Release |
Chemical pesticides are sometimes sprayed on crops to kill insects
that eat the crops. People have different viewpoints about the use of
pesticides on crops.
What might be a concern about using pesticides on the crops?
- Will the food ripen?
- Will the food stay fresh?
- Will the food harm humans?
- Will the food harm bugs in the home?
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_058.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (2) Selected Response Public Release |
Animals use resources in the environment to survive.
Which of the following resources does an animal use for energy?
- air
- food
- shelter
- water
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_4_018.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (3) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the passage 'Hazy Summer Days and Air Pollution' to answer the following question.
Alison Davis states that air quality has been improving because of the Clean Air Act.
What evidence would help support her statement?
- a decrease in breathing disorders
- a decrease in the height of trees in forests
- an increase in the number of cars on the road
- an increase in the number of days with air that appears brown
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_059.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (4) Selected Response Public Release |
Particle air pollution most likely increases when
- heavy rainfall occurs
- more factories are making products
- the number of green plants increases
- the number of small cars on roads decreases
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_060.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (5) Brief Constructed Response Public Release |
Explain why this decrease may have occurred. In your explanation, be sure to include
- how ozone pollution is produced
- specific reasons that may have caused a decrease in the ozone level
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_061.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (6) Selected Response Public Release |
Glaciers are slow-moving sheets of ice found on land.
What process occurs when glacial ice is heated to 5° Celsius?
- evaporation
- freezing
- melting
- precipitation
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_062.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (7) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students placed 250 milliliters of water in three identical containers. Container 1 had a tightly sealed lid and was placed on a classroom counter.
Container 2 had no lid and was placed on a classroom table. Container 3 had no lid and was placed on a table outside in the shade. The students measured the amount of water in each container at the end of each day for four days. Their results are shown in the data table below.
VOLUME OF WATER IN THREE CONTAINERS
What question is this investigation designed to answer?
- How do water levels affect evaporation?
- Which container best holds evaporating water?
- Does evaporation of water affect the atmosphere?
- In which environment does water evaporate the fastest?
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_063.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (8) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students placed 250 milliliters of water in three identical containers. Container 1 had a tightly sealed lid and was placed on a classroom counter.
Container 2 had no lid and was placed on a classroom table. Container 3 had no lid and was placed on a table outside in the shade. The students measured the amount of water in each container at the end of each day for four days. Their results are shown in the data table below.
VOLUME OF WATER IN THREE CONTAINERS
Which process changes evaporated water into liquid water?
- competition
- condensation
- erosion
- precipitation
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_064.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (9) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Two students met at a local park. Student 1 lives farther from the park than does Student 2. Both students left their houses at 10:00 A.M. and arrived at
the park at 10:20 A.M. While at the park, the students played on the swings, slide, and merry-go-round.

Which of these statements best explains how the two students arrived at the park at the same time?
- Student 1 took a longer route.
- Student 1 walked faster than Student 2.
- Student 2 walked faster than Student 1.
- Student 2 took more short-cuts than Student 1.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_065.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (10) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Two students met at a local park. Student 1 lives farther from the park than does Student 2. Both students left their houses at 10:00 A.M. and arrived at
the park at 10:20 A.M. While at the park, the students played on the swings, slide, and merry-go-round.

Each student has a different mass, yet they both reached the same height while swinging.
Which of these statements explains why the students reached the same height while swinging?
- The students had the same speed while on the swing.
- The students used different amounts of force while swinging.
- The students were on the swing for the same amount of time.
- The students used the same amounts of force while swinging.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_066.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (11) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Two students met at a local park. Student 1 lives farther from the park than does Student 2. Both students left their houses at 10:00 A.M. and arrived at
the park at 10:20 A.M. While at the park, the students played on the swings, slide, and merry-go-round.

Both students played on the slide. Student 1 wore shorts, and Student 2 wore long pants.
Which of these explanations best identifies why Student 2 moved down the slide more smoothly than Student 1?
- less gravity
- less friction
- more weight
- more acceleration
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_067.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (12) Selected Response Public Release |
Some metal tools used for cooking have wooden handles.

Which property of wood makes it a good material for the handle on a
cooking tool?
- Wood is a natural material.
- Wood is unaffected by metal.
- Wood does not conduct heat well.
- Wood does not conduct electricity well.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_068.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (13) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
A scientist studied an estuary, the area where fresh water from a river
empties into salty ocean water. The scientist classified nine estuary
organisms into the three groups shown below.

The physical features of an animal are described in the table below.
Which animal best fits this description?
- blue crab
- hard clam
- laughing gull
- sallow sedge
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_4_019.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (14) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
A scientist studied an estuary, the area where fresh water from a river empties into salty ocean water. The scientist classified nine estuary organisms into the three groups shown below.

Some young fish develop in estuaries. While these fish develop, they hide in water plants. When the fish reach a certain age, they leave for the ocean.
If the water plants were removed from the estuary, the young fish would
- decrease in number
- move to a new estuary
- find another food source
- swim to the ocean earlier
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_4_020.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (15) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
A scientist studied an estuary, the area where fresh water from a river empties into salty ocean water. The scientist classified nine estuary organisms into the three groups shown below.

Which organism in the estuary relies on the sun to make food?
- horseshoe crab
- hard clam
- salt grass
- osprey
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_069.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (16) Selected Response Public Release |
A student leaves a bucket of water outside on a warm, sunny day.
Which process most likely happens to the water in the bucket?
- melting
- freezing
- evaporation
- condensation
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_070.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (17) Brief Constructed Response Public Release |
Magnets can be toys or tools to do work.
Explain how two magnets react when placed near each other. In your explanation, be sure to include
- the properties of magnets
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_4_021.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (18) Selected Response Public Release |
People use water in different ways.
Which of these activities wastes water?
- filling a glass with water
- leaving a faucet on
- soaking vegetables in water to clean them
- adding cups of water as directed by a recipe
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_071.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (19) Selected Response Public Release |
In October, the constellations Gemini and Orion appear in the sky
after midnight. In January, Orion appears at sunset.
At which time will Gemini most likely appear in January?
- at noon
- at sunset
- after midnight
- before sunrise
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_4_022.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (20) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Sunlight enters a room through an open window. The sunlight shines on the
wood table, area rug on the floor, and the plane mirror and metal spoon on
the table. A spot of light appears on the wall opposite the window.

Which object in the room is the best conductor of heat?
- the area rug
- the wood table
- the plane mirror
- the metal spoon
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_4_023.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (21) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Sunlight enters a room through an open window. The sunlight shines on the
wood table, area rug on the floor, and the plane mirror and metal spoon on
the table. A spot of light appears on the wall opposite the window.

An image of the ceiling fan appears in the plane mirror on the table.
How does the image of the fan in the mirror compare to the actual fan on the ceiling?
- larger
- smaller
- reversed
- upside down
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_072.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (22) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Sunlight enters a room through an open window. The sunlight shines on the
wood table, area rug on the floor, and the plane mirror and metal spoon on
the table. A spot of light appears on the wall opposite the window.

Which tool should be used to measure the length of the table?
- a balance
- a stopwatch
- a spring scale
- a centimeter ruler
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_073.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (23) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Many natural resources are found in Maryland and the surrounding area.
Some of these natural resources are renewable and some are
nonrenewable. People use both kinds of resources in daily activities. Using
natural resources often produces waste products.
Which of these natural resources found in Maryland is
nonrenewable?
- coal
- soil
- water
- wood
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_074.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (24) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Many natural resources are found in Maryland and the surrounding area.
Some of these natural resources are renewable and some are
nonrenewable. People use both kinds of resources in daily activities. Using
natural resources often produces waste products.
Recycling centers are where people take materials that may be
reused to make new products.
How does recycling paper positively affect the environment?
- reduces air pollution
- increases soil erosion
- reduces trees that are cut
- increases habitat destruction
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_075.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (25) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Many natural resources are found in Maryland and the surrounding area.
Some of these natural resources are renewable and some are nonrenewable. People use both kinds of resources in daily activities. Using natural resources often produces waste products.
Burning fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and gasoline produces pollution.
Which type of pollution is most often produced by burning fossil fuels?
- air pollution
- land pollution
- noise pollution
- water pollution
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_076.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (26) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students investigated the reaction that occurs when mixing baking soda
and vinegar. The procedure for the investigation is shown below.The
students recorded their observations in the data tables below the diagram.

Which observation shows that a chemical reaction took place when
the baking soda was mixed with the vinegar?
- The flask stays cool.
- The liquid is cloudy at first.
- The bubbles form in the liquid.
- The liquid becomes clear over time.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_077.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (27) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students investigated the reaction that occurs when mixing baking soda
and vinegar. The procedure for the investigation is shown below.The
students recorded their observations in the data tables below the diagram.

The students conducted the same investigation, but doubled the
amount of baking soda and the amount of vinegar used.
What change in the results did the students most likely observe?
- The flask became warm.
- The balloon inflated more.
- The vinegar remained cloudy.
- The baking soda did not dissolve.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_078.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (28) Selected Response Public Release |
All living things need energy to survive.
What is the primary source of energy for all living things?
- plants
- the sun
- water
- the wind
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_079.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (29) Selected Response Public Release |
Rocks and minerals are common materials found on Earth.
Which property do most rocks and minerals share?
- They are pure.
- They are solid.
- They are liquid.
- They are magnetic.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_080.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (30) Selected Response Public Release |
On Earth, water can be a solid, a liquid, or a gas.
Which energy source has the greatest influence on the state of matter of water?
- the sun
- the wind
- ocean currents
- the metal core
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_081.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (31) Selected Response Public Release |
The data table below compares four characteristics of the inner planets.
Which of these statements best explains why Earth is the only inner planet that supports life?
- The other planets have too much mass.
- The other planets are too close to the sun.
- The other planets are either too hot or too cold.
- The other planets are either too big or too small.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_082.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (32) Selected Response Public Release |
Why is plastic a good material to use to insulate icebergs?
- Plastic is expensive.
- Plastic conducts electricity well.
- Plastic does not conduct heat well.
- Plastic increases friction with the water.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_4_024.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (33) Selected Response Public Release |
Increased temperatures from global warming affects the availability of drinking water on Earth by
- causing rain to become more acidic
- causing all surface water to evaporate
- melting frozen reservoirs of fresh water
- slowing the entire water cycling process
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_083.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (34) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the passage 'Glaciers and People' and the picture to answer the following question.
Some researchers think using icebergs as a source of fresh water is not a good idea.
Why are these researchers most likely against moving the icebergs?
- Using boats to haul glaciers is a waste of fuel.
- The natural environment of glacier areas is changed.
- The water in glaciers is so old it would not taste good.
- People should not live in places where there is not enough water.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_084.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (35) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
The diagram below shows water moving through the environment.

Which of these statements best describes the purpose of the arrows in the diagram?
- The arrows show how clouds form.
- The arrows show how erosion occurs.
- The arrows show the processes of the water cycle.
- The arrows show the movement of water to the ocean.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_085.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (36) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
The diagram below shows water moving through the environment.

Which number in the diagram represents condensation?
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_086.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (37) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
The diagram below shows water moving through the environment.

Which of these statements describes a change to the surface of Earth that is caused by water moving through the environment?
- Water transports soil.
- Dew forms on grass.
- Ocean tides follow a pattern.
- Tropical storms remain over the ocean.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_087.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (38) Selected Response Public Release |
The snowshoe hare was once common in Maryland. In 1986, researchers in the state noted that the snowshoe hare was no longer found in Maryland.
Which statement best explains why the snowshoe hare is no longer found in Maryland?
- Water quality has improved.
- There are too many trees.
- The temperature is too cold.
- Housing developments have replaced fields.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_088.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (39) Selected Response Public Release |
The building of houses in Maryland uses many different materials.
Which building material is made of a renewable natural resource?
- copper wire
- steel beams
- wood boards
- plastic siding
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_089.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (40) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
A student is investigating changes in the states of matter. The student fills a graduated cylinder with 50 milliliters of packed snow. The graduated cylinder has a mass of 50 grams when empty and 95 grams when filled with the snow.
The packed snow changes to liquid water when the snow is put in a warm room.
Which statement best describes this process?
- Cooling causes the snow to melt.
- Cooling causes the snow to freeze.
- Heating causes the snow to freeze.
- Heating causes the snow to melt.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_090.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (41) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
A student is investigating changes in the states of matter. The student fills a graduated cylinder with 50 milliliters of packed snow. The graduated cylinder has a mass of 50 grams when empty and 95 grams when filled with the snow.
During which process in the water cycle does snow fall to the ground?
- classification
- condensation
- evaporation
- precipitation
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_091.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (42) Brief Constructed Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
A student is investigating changes in the states of matter. The student fills a graduated cylinder with 50 milliliters of packed snow. The graduated cylinder has a mass of 50 grams when empty and 95 grams when filled with the snow.
Explain how snow changes to form water vapor (gas). In your explanation, be sure to include
- changes in the state of matter
- the processes needed to change the states of matter
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_092.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (43) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information and pictures below to answer the following.
Wild ponies have lived on Assateague Island for about 300 years.The
ponies have become well adapted to the harsh environment, including
extreme temperatures in summer and winter. The ponies mainly eat salty
marsh grasses and grow thick fur in winter. Domestic horses are larger
than the ponies. An Assateague pony drinks twice as much fresh water as a
domestic horse does. Other organisms on the island include rodents, birds,
small foxes, marsh grasses, mussels, and deer.

The ponies drink so much more fresh water than domestic horses in other habitats that the ponies appear fat.
What is the most likely reason the ponies drink so much fresh water?
- Their thin fur makes them lose water.
- They have many predators on the island.
- Their food contains a large amount of salt.
- They have small bodies that lose water quickly.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_4_025.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (44) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information and pictures below to answer the following.
Wild ponies have lived on Assateague Island for about 300 years.The
ponies have become well adapted to the harsh environment, including
extreme temperatures in summer and winter. The ponies mainly eat salty
marsh grasses and grow thick fur in winter. Domestic horses are larger
than the ponies. An Assateague pony drinks twice as much fresh water as a
domestic horse does. Other organisms on the island include rodents, birds,
small foxes, marsh grasses, mussels, and deer.

During the summer, flies and ticks bite the ponies. The cattle egret is a bird that sometimes eats the flies and ticks from the ponies.
This relationship between the pony and the egret helps
- only the pony
- the flies and ticks
- only the cattle egret
- the pony and the cattle egret
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_4_026.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
| (45) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information and pictures below to answer the following.
Wild ponies have lived on Assateague Island for about 300 years. The
ponies have become well adapted to the harsh environment, including
extreme temperatures in summer and winter. The ponies mainly eat salty
marsh grasses and grow thick fur in winter. Domestic horses are larger
than the ponies. An Assateague pony drinks twice as much fresh water as a
domestic horse does. Other organisms on the island include rodents, birds,
small foxes, marsh grasses, mussels, and deer.

Why have the ponies developed a coat of thick fur?
- to stay warm
- to help them swim
- to prepare them to find mates
- to protect them from predators
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_093.xml
|
View scoring information |
|
 |