School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Science, Grade 5

Skills and Processes | Earth/Space | Life | Chemistry | Physics | Environmental

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Standard 1.0 Skills and Processes

Topic C. Communicating Scientific Information

Indicator 1. Recognize that clear communication is an essential part of doing science because it enables scientists to inform others about their work, expose their ideas to criticism by other scientists, and stay informed about scientific discoveries around the world.

Objective a. Make use of and analyze models, such as tables and graphs to summarize and interpret data.

Selected Response Item

Read the passage 'Free Fall' to answer the following.

Which graph best shows the motion of a car in a free-fall ride as the car drops?

  1. Answer Option
  2. Answer Option
  3. Answer Option
  4. Answer Option
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_003.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item

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?

  1. The arrows show how clouds form.
  2. The arrows show how erosion occurs.
  3. The arrows show the processes of the water cycle.
  4. The arrows show the movement of water to the ocean.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_085.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item

Students measured the change in height of a plant during a 25-day period. The graph below shows their data.

How many centimeters did the plant grow from Day 10 to Day 25?

  1. 3 centimeters
  2. 8 centimeters
  3. 16 centimeters
  4. 19 centimeters
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_103.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item

Use the information below to answer the following.

Students used two textbooks and a board to make a ramp. The students rolled Ball 1 down the ramp. They measured the distance the ball traveled in 10 seconds. The students repeated the investigation, using Ball 2. The students calculated the average speed of each ball after five trials and recorded the information in the data table below.

Which of the following statements best compares the balls in the investigation?

  1. Ball 2 traveled slower than Ball 1.
  2. Ball 2 traveled farther than Ball 1.
  3. Ball 1 had more mass than Ball 2.
  4. Ball 1 rolled more seconds than Ball 2.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_115.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item

Use the information below to answer the following question.

The maps below show information about the air quality for one day in June, as reported from different air quality stations.

Question Image

Which of the following regions of the United States had the worst air quality on this day?

  1. Gulf Coast
  2. Chicago Area
  3. Eastern Coast
  4. Los Angeles Area
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_141.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item

Use the passage 'Space Shuttle Re-entry' to answer the following question.

The graph below shows two possible speeds of a space shuttle as it re-enters the atmosphere. The solid line represents the likely speed of the space shuttle as it passes through air molecules in the atmosphere. The dotted line represents the likely speed of the space shuttle if there were no air molecules in the atmosphere.

Question Image

Explain how air molecules affect the space shuttle during re-entry. In your explanation, be sure to include

  • the relationship between air molecules and forces acting on the space shuttle

Write your answer in the space provided.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_129.xml

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