Unit 3 Test

During a science class, Arjun was asked to identify which of the following is not a category of aquatic ecosystems. Can you help him?

• aquifer

• estuary

• freshwater

• saltwater

During a biology class, Luna asked her teacher about a plant she noticed rapidly spreading in the local park and outcompeting the native flora. What is this type of plant species called?

• a plant with a large population

• a native plant that colonizes bare ground

• an exotic plant that displaces native plants

• an exotic plant that is farmed commercially

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

During a biology class field trip, Aria and Daniel observed a pond that seemed to be undergoing natural eutrophication. How does this process affect the pond ecosystem?

• it causes nutrients to build up

• it causes temperature to rise

• it causes the pond to become deeper

• it causes a change in the flow of water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Ava is studying different biomes for her geography project. She wants to know which biome has the least variation in temperature throughout the year. Can you help her?

• taiga

• tundra

• tropical rain forest

• temperate deciduous forest

Olivia is studying different ecosystems for her biology project. She wants to know which ecosystem most likely has the greatest biological diversity?

• a tank that includes several goldfish

• a tundra region that has many penguins

• a pine tree in which three groups of birds live

• a rain forest that has many different types of plants and animals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Mia and David are studying different aquatic ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them. Which of the following does NOT correctly pair an aquatic ecosystem with an organism that lives there?

• estuary: seagull

• freshwater: lake trout

• marine: frog

• saltwater: shark

Hannah and Grace are planning a trip to the polar regions. Which biomes will they encounter there?

• tundra and taiga

• deserts and grasslands

• coniferous and deciduous forest

• tropical and temperate rain forests

In a recently cleared area of a forest, what role do pioneer species play in the ecosystem?

• they prevent primary succession from occurring

• they help prevent invasive species from becoming established

• they dominate the ecosystem after secondary succession

• they colonize and prepare bare ground for other species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Ava and Zoe are studying a forest area that was cleared by a wildfire. They observe the regrowth of plants over time. How can they tell that this is an example of secondary succession rather than primary succession?

• no plants exist when the process begins

• soil is present at the beginning of the process

• the process ends with the growth of large trees

• the sizes of the plants generally increase over time

Grace is studying a local forest ecosystem and wants to understand what biodiversity indicates about it. What does biodiversity tell her?

• the location of the ecosystem

• the overall size of the ecosystem

• the ability of the ecosystem to survive change

• the identity of the organisms that began ecological succession in the ecosystem

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5