School Improvement in Maryland

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 B. Environmental Issues

Indicator 2. Recognize and describe that consequences may occur when Earth's natural resources are used.

Objective a. Explain how human activities may have positive consequences on the natural environment.

Selected Response Item

In 2004, Maryland recycled more than 35% of all of the waste the state produced.

Which of these benefits does recycling provide to Maryland?

  1. fewer wild animals
  2. decreased farm crops
  3. less trash sent to landfills
  4. decreased use of electricity
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_science_5_021.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item

Students are learning about the natural resources in Maryland. One group of students researches information about renewable natural resources in the state. The other group researches information about nonrenewable natural resources in the state. The resources the students investigate include plants, animals, soil, minerals, water, coal, and oil.

Aluminum is a nonrenewable natural resource.

Which of these methods of aluminum disposal is best for the environment?

  1. burning it
  2. recycling it
  3. burying it in landfills
  4. crushing it before throwing it away
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_science_5_030.xml

Correct Answer:
B