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 3.0 Life Science

Topic A. Diversity of Life

Indicator 1. Explain the idea that in any particular environment, some kinds of plants and animals survive well, some less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Objective a. Identify and describe features and behaviors of some of the plants and animals living in a familiar environment and explain ways that these organisms are well suited to their environment.

Selected Response Item

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?

  1. to stay warm
  2. to help them swim
  3. to prepare them to find mates
  4. to protect them from predators
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Correct Answer:
A