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 B. Environmental Issues

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

Objective c. Identify and describe that an environmental issue affects individual people and groups of people differently.

Selected Response Item

Use the information below to answer the following.

A Green Community

Many cities in the United States are developing “green communities.” A green community is intended to reduce the use of energy and consists of houses, apartments, and nearby businesses. Grocery stores, restaurants, and movie theaters are all within walking distance of the homes in the community. People travel shorter distances to their schools and jobs.

Many of the buildings in a green community are made of renewable and recycled materials. Solar energy keeps the buildings at a comfortable temperature. Natural landscape features, such as trees and plants, are carefully located to provide shade and to control temperatures. Community gardens allow residents to grow food and flowers.

Most people in green communities reduce their use of fossil fuel products.

What group is most negatively affected by green communities?

  1. oil production workers
  2. local restaurant owners
  3. people who ride public transportation
  4. people concerned about the environment
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_120.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item

Chemical pesticides are sometimes sprayed on crops to kill insects that eat the crops. People have different viewpoints about the use of pesticides on crops.

What might be a concern about using pesticides on the crops?

  1. Will the food ripen?
  2. Will the food stay fresh?
  3. Will the food harm humans?
  4. Will the food harm bugs in the home?
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_058.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item

Maryland air quality is reported daily using the color codes from the data table below.

AIR QUALITY
Color Code Condition Suggested Action
Green Good None
Yellow Moderate Very sensitive people should limit outdoor exercise.
Orange Unhealthy for sensitive people People with trouble breathing should limit being outdoors for long periods.
Red Unhealthy Everyone should limit outdoor exercise.

Which group of people would most likely be affected when the color code is yellow?

  1. adults who exercise regularly
  2. athletes in good physical shape
  3. teenagers who play soccer and football
  4. young children with breathing problems
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_5_094.xml

Correct Answer:
D