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 6.0 Environmental Science

Topic A. Natural Resources and Human Needs

Indicator 1. Recognize and explain how renewable and nonrenewable natural resources are used by humans in Maryland to meet basic needs.

Objective a. Identify and compare Maryland's renewable resources and nonrenewable resources.

Selected Response Item

How do coal and the sun compare as sources of energy?

  1. Coal is renewable, and the sun is renewable.
  2. Coal is renewable, and the sun is nonrenewable.
  3. Coal is nonrenewable, and the sun is renewable.
  4. Coal is nonrenewable, and the sun is nonrenewable.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_013.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item

Coal and trees are resources found in Maryland.

Both resources are used for

  1. making paper
  2. making pencils
  3. building houses
  4. producing heat
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_039.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item

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?

  1. coal
  2. soil
  3. water
  4. wood
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_074.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item

Use the information below to answer the following.

Homes that are built to be environmentally friendly because they use energy more efficiently than other homes are called “green” homes. “Green” homes often have reflective roofs and walls made of recycled materials. The windows in these energy-saving homes are double-paned, meaning each window has two pieces of glass. Double-paned windows have a layer of air between the window panes. This layer is a barrier against extreme temperatures and saves energy.

A solar panel on a "green" home uses

  1. chemical energy
  2. mechanical energy
  3. a renewable energy source
  4. a nonrenewable energy source
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_112.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item

Use the information and table below to answer the following question.

A group of students investigated natural resources and the products humans make from these natural resources. The students recorded their findings in the table below.

NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural Resources Renewable or Nonrenewable Products
Trees Renewable Paper, furniture
Plants (cotton, corn) Renewable Clothing, food
Fossil fuels (oil, coal) Nonrenewable Gasoline, electricity, plastics
Metals (iron, aluminum) Nonrenewable Steel, cans
Lakes, rivers Renewable Drinking water

Which product is made mainly from a nonrenewable resource?

  1. a paper bag
  2. a wool sweater
  3. a cardboard box
  4. a plastic wrapper
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_135.xml

Correct Answer:
D