School Improvement in Maryland

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Standard 6.0 Environmental Science

Topic B. Environmental Issues

Indicator 1. Recognize and explain that human-caused changes have consequences for Maryland's environment as well as for other places and future times.

Objective a. Identify and describe a range of local issues that have an impact on people in other places.

Selected Response Item

Hydroelectric dams use falling water to generate electricity. Dams affect river organisms, including the American shad, a common fish in waterways. Shad live in the ocean but swim up rivers to reproduce (spawn). Engineers have built elevators on dams for the shad and other fish. The fish swim into the elevator below the dam and are raised into the water above the dam.

Question Image

What might be a likely consequence of dams to the environment downriver?

  1. reduced pollution
  2. increased flooding
  3. reduced fish populations
  4. increased drinking water
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Correct Answer:
C