School Improvement in Maryland

Public Release Item: Public Release items have appeared on HSA 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 core learning goals are assessed on the HSA.

Goal 3 Geography

Expectation 3.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of cultural and physical geographic factors in the development of government policy.

Indicator 3.1.2 The student will evaluate the role of government in addressing land use and other environmental issues.

Assessment Limits:

  • National, state, and/or local issues.
  • Issues will include urban sprawl and government policy regarding growth and land use/zoning.

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

Read the scenario below.

At last night's city council meeting, environmentalists objected to plans for building a new shopping center. The environmentalists said that many native species of plants and animals found at the proposed site would become endangered if the land were developed. Developers say the shopping center will provide new jobs.

What problem does the scenario present for the city government?

  1. assessing the safety of building codes
  2. balancing opposing opinions about land use
  3. settling a conflict between competing private businesses
  4. determining the responsibilities of local and state agencies
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_312_gov39.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

Read the newspaper headlines below.

These headlines are all related to government involvement in

  1. regulating the use of land
  2. supporting the majority viewpoint
  3. conducting state and local elections
  4. encouraging development of private businesses
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_312_gov12.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Which of these government actions would be most effective in protecting the environment?

  1. establishing wildlife management areas
  2. reducing regulations on industrial pollution
  3. encouraging development of farmland
  4. building highways and bridges
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_312_gov02.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Maryland's Smart Growth Areas Act of 1999 encourages the building of new homes in vacant city lots.

Which of these is a reason Maryland's government passed this law?

  1. to eliminate the use of unsanitary water
  2. to prevent over-development of rural areas
  3. to encourage farmers to produce larger crops
  4. to encourage more people to own small businesses
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_312_gov43.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

Recently, the State of Maryland chose to make more decisions regarding land use state-wide.

Which of these actions is least likely to be part of this new role?

  1. encouraging preservation of open space
  2. limiting the growth of development
  3. taking money away from conservation projects
  4. helping counties preserve farmland
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_312_gov28.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

Environmentalists have most often opposed government policies that

  1. lease public lands to mining companies
  2. set aside lands for preservation in national forests
  3. protect natural resources through recycling programs
  4. regulate economic development to stop deforestation
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_312_gov34.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2004

The population of Maryland's state bird, the Baltimore oriole, has decreased due to the destruction of its habitat.

  • Describe some ways the Maryland government can help preserve the species.
  • Which way do you think will be most effective? Explain your choice.
  • Include details and examples in your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_312_gov10.xml

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Which of these public agencies usually decides local land-use issues?

  1. zoning board
  2. treasurer's office
  3. police department
  4. transportation department
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_312_gov33.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Which of these is the most effective way for a state government to reduce pollution in a river?

  1. limit the number of fish that can be taken from the river each day
  2. encourage volunteers to pick up trash in the most polluted areas of the river
  3. offer tax breaks to industries that decrease the amount of pollutants released into the river
  4. sell land along the banks of the river owned by the state government to businesses and individuals
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_312_gov41.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

When proposing new projects such as airports and highways, federal agencies are required to

  1. increase user fees
  2. seize private property from citizens
  3. conduct public opinion polls
  4. provide environmental impact statements
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_312_gov13.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

The Clean Alternative program was developed by the Maryland state government to encourage businesses, such as taxicab companies, to switch to cars that use new technologies that are less harmful to the environment.

Which of these government actions would support the goal of this program?

  1. reducing the costs of gasoline
  2. improving the condition of state highways
  3. building more parking areas in crowded communities
  4. providing tax credits for the purchase of low-pollution cars
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_312_gov47.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

Maryland lost approximately 10,000 acres of forest land each year between 1985 and 1990. Which of these government actions would have done the most to reduce the loss?

  1. eliminating zoning laws
  2. limiting the development of real estate
  3. reducing funds for environmental studies
  4. decreasing the number of wildlife preservation areas
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_312_gov55.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Which of these best explains why local governments create zoning laws?

  1. to require builders to pursue creative designs
  2. to increase the number of jobs in a community
  3. to encourage businesses and citizens to recycle more goods
  4. to control the use of buildings and land within a community
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_312_gov03.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Which of these environmental issues would be the least likely topic for joint action by the United States and Canada?

  1. air pollution
  2. wildlife migration
  3. water quality
  4. residential development
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_312_gov51.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2008

The state of Maryland purchased a large tract of open space from a housing developer.

Which of these is most likely the reason for this purchase?

  1. to provide jobs
  2. to preserve the land
  3. to increase tax revenues
  4. to encourage industrial growth
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_312_gov41.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2009

Read the headline below.

County implements new residential zoning laws

Which of these issues is most likely being addressed by the headline?

  1. pollution
  2. redistricting
  3. urban sprawl
  4. reapportionment
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2009_312_gov11.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2009

Which of these possible actions by the Baltimore City government would probably attract the largest number of new residents to the city?

  1. zoning for industrial expansion
  2. raising property taxes on apartment buildings
  3. protecting historic landmarks
  4. funding the construction of single-family homes
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2009_312_gov48.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2009

Read the information below.

Counties in the Baltimore region signed an agreement to stop algae growth in area reservoirs. Algae growth can cause problems with the taste and odor of drinking water.

This agreement is an example of

  1. the actions by a local government to implement state policy
  2. the establishment of federal guidelines to address local issues
  3. regulations from the state government to improve public services
  4. cooperation among local governments to address a common issue
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2009_312_gov54.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2009

Read the excerpt below.

EPA REVIEWS POLLUTION LIMITS The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to monitor levels of pollutants found in drinking water. Research has shown that high levels of pollutants can contribute to long-term health problems. The EPA is currently reviewing pollution limits for the mining and smelting industries, which contribute to the pollution. Industry officials assert however, that the extra cost associated with reducing water pollution will force some companies to shut down.

Which of these statements is best supported by the excerpt above?

  1. Government agencies have little interest in private industry.
  2. Government policy must balance health and economic concerns.
  3. The government should help fund mining and smelting industries.
  4. The government should allow industries to set their own environmental regulations.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2009_312_gov72.xml

Correct Answer:
B