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 b. Describe how humans use renewable natural resources, such as plants, soil, water, animals.

Selected Response Item

Trees are a renewable natural resource.

Which of these industries has the least need for trees?

  1. automobile manufacturing
  2. home building
  3. landscaping
  4. newspaper
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_014.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item

The building of houses in Maryland uses many different materials.

Which building material is made of a renewable natural resource?

  1. copper wire
  2. steel beams
  3. wood boards
  4. plastic siding
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_089.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item

People use water in different ways.

Which of these activities wastes water?

  1. filling a glass with water
  2. leaving a faucet on
  3. soaking vegetables in water to clean them
  4. adding cups of water as directed by a recipe
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_071.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item

Use the information below to answer the following.

All natural resources on Earth are either renewable or nonrenewable. Whether a resource is renewable or nonrenewable depends on how fast or slow the resource is replaced. If the resource is used faster than it is replaced, then the resource will, in time, disappear.

Which statement describes the use of a renewable natural resource?

  1. A home burns natural gas for heat.
  2. A city burns coal to generate electricity.
  3. A farmer plants different types of crops to protect the soil.
  4. A construction crew builds a road from rock, sand, and gravel.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_107.xml

Correct Answer:
C

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.

Which action uses a renewable natural resource?

  1. using steel beams to support a house
  2. using wood chips to decorate a garden
  3. using copper pipes to bring water to a house
  4. using plastic over windows to keep out cold air
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_113.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item

Wind is a natural resource that benefits the southeastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

How could these winds best benefit humans?

  1. The winds could blow oil spills into the bay.
  2. The winds could be converted to fossil fuel.
  3. The winds could blow air pollution toward land.
  4. The winds could be converted to electrical energy.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_133.xml

Correct Answer:
D

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

Humans do not use cows

  1. for milk
  2. for meat
  3. to make paper
  4. to make leather
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_136.xml

Correct Answer:
C