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BENCHMARK TEST: ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following is not a need that must be met by an organism's habitat?
A food
B shelter
C water
D reproduction
2. A population is made up of organisms that
A are members of many different species.
B are all members of the same species.
C represent several different levels in an energy pyramid.
D represent at least three links in a food chain.
3. A change in which of the following factors could reduce the size of a fish population?
A kind of predators
B potential mates
C food supply
D height of tides
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 4.
4. Identify a biotic factor in the diagram.
A water
B fish
C sunlight
D rocks
5. A behavior or physical characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce is called
A a mutation.
B a selection.
C a variation.
D an adaptation.
6. Which of the following might restrict the growth of a population?
A mild winters
B increased predation
C increased numbers of prey
D ample rainfall
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BENCHMARK TEST: ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE (continued)
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7. A farmer decides to leave a certain field alone, and never use it for crops again. Over time, she notices that one type of plant begins to grow, and then is slowly replaced by another type. What is this replacement of communities over time called?
A a food chain
B an energy pyramid
C succession
D a competitive community
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 8.
8. In the relationship shown in the diagram above, both the bee and the flower benefit. What benefit does the flower gain from the bee?
A The flower gains food.
B The flower is pollinated.
C The flower’s seeds are dispersed.
D The flower receives growth hormones.
9. A heavy rainstorm washed fertilizer from a farm field into a pond, causing an increase in the amount of algae. What is the best explanation for this sudden growth?
A The pond ecosystem contained too few consumers.
B The runoff contained a nutrient for the pond ecosystem.
C The pond ecosystem included few producers.
D The algae were living in the runoff before it entered the pond.
10. During which part of the water cycle does water return to Earth?
A runoff
B evaporation
C condensation
D precipitation
11. Which of these organisms plays a major role in both the carbon cycle and the water cycle?
A animals
B mushrooms
C trees
D bacteria
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Progress Monitoring and Benchmark Assessments
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BENCHMARK TEST: ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE (continued)
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Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 12.
12. In the energy pyramid shown, which abiotic factors does the bass depend upon for survival?
A water and sunlight
B turtles and eelgrass
C small fish and turtles
D carnivores and insects
13. Which land biome is extremely cold and dry?
A rainforest
B tundra
C grassland
D mountains
14. Which of the following is a characteristic of deep ocean ecosystems?
A pounding waves
B continental shelf
C little sunlight
D sudden changes in water levels
15. A new species moves into an area without physical barriers. The new habitat has the right sort of climate for the species. Which of the following would most likely limit the spread of the species in the new area?
A continental drift
B dispersal
C competition with native species
D habitat fragmentation
16. A town is debating over which type of power plant to build. To make the best possible decision, the town council should
A find out which type of plant the mayor prefers.
B always choose the cheapest plant.
C consider the costs and benefits of each type of plant.
D look only at the short-term benefits of each type of plant.
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BENCHMARK TEST: ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE (continued)
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17. Which of the following best describes a renewable resource?
A a natural resource that is not replaced as it is used up
B a natural resource that is supplied continually
C a natural material that can be burned for energy
D a natural material that is used by people
18. Sustainable forestry harvests trees without reducing the future supply. Which is one method that is part of sustainable forestry?
A cutting oaks
B clear-cutting
C selective cutting
D cutting regularly
19. Some renewable resources, such as the fish we eat, must be used carefully. Which is a way fisheries can manage a sustainable yield?
A protest aquaculture
B fishing of new species
C increase amount of fishing
D habitat destruction
20. If pond X is home to 20 different species of living things and pond Y is home to 10, then
A X has more niches than Y.
B Y has more niches than X.
C Y is a less stable ecosystem than X.
D X is a more stable ecosystem than Y.
21. What is the major cause of extinction?
A pollution
B exotic species
C illegal poaching
D habitat destruction
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 22.
22. The Clark County commissioners want to reduce the amount of refuse sent to the local landfill. Which of the following suggestions has the potential to result in the greatest reduction of waste?
A recycling glass, plastic, and metals
B composting food wastes
C reusing rubber, leather, and textiles in new products
D recycling paper and paperboard
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BENCHMARK TEST: ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE (continued)
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23. Fertile soil is an important resource for humans because
A it is necessary for mining minerals.
B most food plants need soil to grow.
C it supports paved roads better than infertile soil.
D it can never be reclaimed if it is lost.
24. If a farmer plants the same crop in a field year after year, the soil becomes less fertile. What causes this decrease in fertility?
A erosion
B drought
C desertification
D nutrient depletion
25. Which is the best way to be sure there will be enough aluminum for future needs?
A dig more mines for aluminum ore
B buy more aluminum from other countries
C recycle and reuse aluminum containers
D search for more sources of aluminum
26. Which of the following is not a major source of freshwater pollution?
A human and animal wastes
B industrial wastes
C treated sewage
D agricultural chemicals
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 27.
27. Mariah has done some research on carbon monoxide emissions for a class project. Which statement best describes the conclusion that Mariah can make from her research?
A Industrial and solid waste disposal are the main sources of emissions.
B Alternative transportation options should be considered to decrease motor vehicle emissions.
C The number of diesel motor vehicles should be drastically reduced.
D Emission standards for airplanes, trains, and boats should be strengthened to regulate carbon monoxide emission.
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BENCHMARK TEST: ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE (continued)
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28. One benefit of the ozone layer in the stratosphere is that ozone absorbs energy from the sun, which warms our atmosphere. Which of the following is another benefit of the ozone layer?
A It reflects radio signals back to Earth.
B It burns up meteoroids before they strike land.
C It shields Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
D It relays telephone and television communications.
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 29.
29. How might the human activities in the diagram affect an ecosystem?
A Nutrients in the smoke increase the bird population.
B Chemicals entering the river kill fish.
C Hot water entering the river attracts reptiles from warmer climates.
D The factory building increases the number of homes available to wild animals.
30. The oceans are a source of many natural resources, both renewable and nonrenewable. Which of the following is a renewable food resource that has become available through the use of aquaculture?
A nodules
B natural gas
C abundant fish
D drinking water
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 31.
31. According to the data shown, what would happen if coal were no longer available to produce electricity?
A No change in electrical production would occur.
B Petroleum used for electrical production would decrease.
C The primary source of electric power would be eliminated.
D Nuclear power would no longer be used to generate electricity.
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BENCHMARK TEST: ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE (continued)
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32. Why is oil considered a nonrenewable resource?
A It takes millions of years to form.
B It produces pollution when burned.
C It cannot be used to generate electricity.
D It formed from the remains of living things.
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 33.
33. The diagram shows a region where one crustal plate slides under another. Which letter in the diagram indicates the best place to generate electricity with geothermal energy?
A A
B B
C C
D D
34. The nitrogen cycle in an ecosystem would stop without
A lightning.
B carnivores.
C fertilizers.
D decomposers.
35. Which of the following is the most recently-discovered source of energy for humans?
A wind
B fossil fuel
C water
D wood
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BENCHMARK TEST: ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE (continued)
Short Response
Write an answer for each of the following.
36. Describe two factors that affect the growth of the human population and allow people to live longer.
37. How are wind and sunlight valuable as energy sources?
Directions: Use the diagram below to answer question 38.
38. Point G in the diagram above is the entrance to a bay. Explain how pollutants that enter the river at point B diagram affect ocean pollution.
39. Describe the process and dangers of nuclear power.
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Progress Monitoring and Benchmark Assessments