VA Resources

What is a watershed?

• A building on a river

• A special type of river

• All of the land that drains water into a river (or bay etc.)

• An inlet of the sea smaller than the bay

Answer explanation

A watershed is defined as all the land that drains water into a river, bay, or other body of water. This makes the correct choice 'All of the land that drains water into a river (or bay etc.)', as it accurately describes a watershed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which watershed does the arrow on the map show?

• Atlantic Ocean

• North Carolina sounds

• Chesapeake Bay

• Great Lakes

Answer explanation

The arrow on the map indicates the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which is a significant area that drains into the bay. The other options, such as the Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes, do not correspond to the specific watershed shown.

If a chemical spill occurred in Richmond, what river would be affected the most?

• James River

• Potomac River

• Roanoke River

• New River

Answer explanation

The James River runs through Richmond, making it the most directly affected by a chemical spill in that area. The other rivers listed are located further away and would not be impacted as significantly.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Use this pie chart below to answer the question. What uses the most water in Virginia?

• Country wells

• People who live in the city

• Power plants

• Coal mining

Answer explanation

The pie chart indicates that power plants use the most water in Virginia, surpassing other categories like country wells, city residents, and coal mining. This highlights the significant water demand from energy production.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which of these natural resources is a source of lumber for home building?

• Cotton

• Coal

• Trees

• Grasses

Answer explanation

Trees are the primary source of lumber used in home building, as they can be cut down and processed into wood. Cotton, coal, and grasses do not provide lumber.

According to the bar graph on land use in Virginia, which conclusion is true?

• Most of Virginia’s land is covered by forests.

• Virginia has more farmland than forests.

• More land in Virginia is covered by water than by farmland.

• Most of Virginia’s land is occupied by cities.

Answer explanation

The bar graph indicates that forests cover the majority of land in Virginia, making the statement 'Most of Virginia’s land is covered by forests' the correct conclusion, as it surpasses other land uses like farmland and urban areas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Why are trees important to Virginia?

• They provide thousands of wood products.

• They provide habitat for wildlife.

• They help cleanse the air.

• All of these answers are correct.

Answer explanation

Trees are vital to Virginia as they provide wood products, habitat for wildlife, and help cleanse the air. Therefore, all the listed benefits are correct, making 'All of these answers are correct' the right choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What can planting trees on the side of a hill stop from happening?

• Food being produced

• Erosion

• Plants from growing

• Making it more pretty

Answer explanation

Planting trees on the side of a hill helps to anchor the soil, preventing erosion. Erosion can lead to loss of soil and nutrients, which is detrimental to the environment, while the other options do not directly relate to this benefit.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

A student is creating a poster with suggestions on how kids who live in our watershed can help to keep the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem healthy. She has included the following tips: - Pick up pet waste - Don’t use fertilizers and pesticides - Don’t pour anything with chemicals down the drain Which of the following tips should the student add to improve her poster’s information?

• Clean your driveway often

• Water your lawn every day

• Plant grass and trees to filter runoff

• Wash your car in the grass instead of the street or driveway

Answer explanation

Planting grass and trees helps filter runoff, reducing pollutants entering the Chesapeake Bay. This tip complements the existing suggestions by promoting natural solutions to protect the ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which of the following two options can be the biggest sources of pollution for a watershed?

• precipitation

• trees

• farms

• factories

• mountains

Answer explanation

Farms and factories are significant pollution sources for watersheds due to runoff of fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial waste, which can contaminate water bodies. Precipitation, neighborhoods, and mountains contribute less directly.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4