NWEA Science Practice Test 2

Ecosystems Question 1: What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

• To provide energy to the producers in the ecosystem

• To hunt and consume other organisms for energy

• To break down dead organisms and organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil for other organisms to use.

• To regulate the population of other organisms in the ecosystem

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Ecosystems Question 2: How do plants and animals depend on each other in an ecosystem?

• Plants provide food and oxygen for animals, while animals help in pollination and seed dispersal for plants.

• Plants and animals compete for the same resources in an ecosystem

• Plants provide food and oxygen for animals, while animals provide shelter for plants

• Plants and animals do not depend on each other in an ecosystem

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Ecosystems Question 3: What are the different levels of a food chain in an ecosystem?

• producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers

• mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians

• predators, prey, decomposers, parasites

• herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, scavengers

Ecosystems Question 4: How do human activities impact the balance of an ecosystem?

• Human activities only have a positive impact on the balance of an ecosystem

• Human activities can only impact the balance of an ecosystem in one specific way

• Human activities have no impact on the balance of an ecosystem

• Human activities can impact the balance of an ecosystem in various ways such as habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and overexploitation of natural resources.

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Energy transfer Question 1: Explain the process of photosynthesis and its role in energy transfer.

• Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll. It plays a crucial role in energy transfer as it converts light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

• Photosynthesis only occurs in animals

• Photosynthesis has no role in energy transfer

• Photosynthesis is the process of converting glucose into light energy

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Energy transfer Question 2: Describe the different forms of energy and how they are transferred in an ecosystem.

• Nuclear, kinetic, and light energy; transferred through processes such as nuclear reactions, movement, and light reflection.

• Solar, chemical, and heat energy; transferred through processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and heat exchange.

• Wind, electrical, and sound energy; transferred through processes such as wind turbines, electrical circuits, and sound waves.

• Geothermal, magnetic, and potential energy; transferred through processes such as geothermal power, magnetic fields, and potential energy storage.

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Energy transfer Question 3: What is the role of producers, consumers, and decomposers in energy transfer within an ecosystem?

• Producers convert soil into energy through photosynthesis, consumers obtain energy by consuming decomposers, and decomposers break down living organisms to release energy back into the ecosystem.

• Producers convert water into energy through photosynthesis, consumers obtain energy by consuming rocks, and decomposers break down living organisms to release energy back into the ecosystem.

• Producers convert air into energy through photosynthesis, consumers obtain energy by consuming sunlight, and decomposers break down non-living materials to release energy back into the ecosystem.

• Producers convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, consumers obtain energy by consuming producers or other consumers, and decomposers break down dead organisms and waste to release energy back into the ecosystem.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

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Weather and climate Question 1: What are the factors that influence weather patterns?

• Amount of daylight, phases of the moon, and distance from the sun

• Types of vegetation, distance from the equator, and ocean currents

• Population density, elevation, and time of day

• Temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind, and precipitation

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Weather and climate Question 2: Explain the difference between weather and climate.

• Weather is hot, climate is cold

• Weather is predictable, climate is unpredictable

• Weather is short-term, climate is long-term

• Weather is related to seasons, climate is related to time of day

Weather and climate Question 3: How do human activities contribute to changes in climate?

• By releasing greenhouse gases

• By using renewable energy sources

• By planting more trees

• By reducing air pollution

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