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 A. Natural Resources and Human Needs

Indicator 1. Recognize and compare how different parts of the world have varying amounts and types of natural resources and how the use of those resources impacts environmental quality.

Objective e. Identify possible solutions to problems associated with obtaining, using, and distributing natural resources.

Selected Response Item

The map shows a site for a proposed housing development near a town. A wastewater treatment plant for the housing area will be built along the stream, between the proposed development and the landfill. The stream flows through a saltwater marsh and into a river. The river empties into an estuary, similar to the Chesapeake Bay.

Question Image

Which of these solutions best describes how to reduce the negative environmental effects of the proposed development?

  1. Develop wetlands to absorb chemicals in the runoff.
  2. Plant larger lawns around houses in the development.
  3. Build concrete drainage streams to help water flow faster.
  4. Construct several small roads instead of a few large ones.
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_science_6_006.xml

Correct Answer:
A