School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Science, Grade 5

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

Public Release Items: 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.

Standard 3.0 Life Science

Topic E. Flow of Matter and Energy

Indicator 1. Recognize that some source of energy is needed for all organisms to grow and survive.

Objective a. Identify the sun as the primary source of energy for all living organisms.

Selected Response Item

The drawing below shows a field habitat.

Question Image

Which of these organisms is a producer in the field habitat?

  1. bird
  2. butterfly
  3. grass
  4. mouse
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_015.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item

The drawing below shows a field habitat.

Question Image

What is the main source of energy in the field habitat?

  1. the sun
  2. the plants
  3. the butterfly
  4. the soil
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_016.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item

Most organisms are made of many different types of cells. Each type of cell has a special role within the organism.

Question Image

Which of these cells uses sunlight to produce food?

  1. leaf cell
  2. skin cell
  3. nerve cell
  4. muscle cell
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_034.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item

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?

  1. horseshoe crab
  2. hard clam
  3. salt grass
  4. osprey
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_069.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item

All living things need energy to survive.

What is the primary source of energy for all living things?

  1. plants
  2. the sun
  3. water
  4. the wind
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_079.xml

Correct Answer:
B