Science Benchmark

A large forest of trees was recently cut down. Which of the following effects, relating only to

photosynthesis, is most likely to occur in this area as a result?

• a. An decrease in carbon dioxide in the air.

• b. An increase in sunlight.

• c. A decrease in oxygen in the air.

• d. An increase in glucose (sugar) in the area.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The food chain shown is from a desert.

Which of these organisms undergoes cellular respiration? Select all that apply.

• a. Fox

• b. Squirrel

• c. Plant

• d. None of the organisms in the food chain

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NGSS.MS-LS1-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Part of the food web from a local pond is shown in the pictures below. If all of the snakes were

removed from the pond, what effect would this have on the ecosystem?

• a. There would be an increase in the turtle population, which would cause an increase in the

  slug population.

• b. There would be an increase in the number of turtle eggs, but the slug and plant populations

  would remain the same.

• c. There would be a decrease in the turtle population, which would cause an increase in both

  the slug and plant populations.

• d. There would be an increase in the turtle population, which would cause a decrease in both

  the slug and plant populations.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Part of the food web from a local pond is shown in the pictures below. If all of the slugs were

removed from the pond, what effect would this have on the ecosystem?

• a. All of the turtles and snakes would die.

• b. Snakes and turtles would need to eat more plants to maintain their populations.

• c. The turtles would eat the same amount of plants that they always ate, but no slugs, so there

  would be fewer turtles and snakes.

• d. The turtles would rely on only plants to survive, but there would be more plants available.

  Depending on the change in the plant population, turtle and snake populations might be

  affected.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Barberfish swim alongside hammerhead sharks eating dead skin, fungi, and parasites off

of the sharks’ skin. Which statement describes the relationship between barberfish and

hammerhead sharks?

• a. predation, because the barberfish is eating part of the hammerhead shark

• b. mutualism, because both the barberfish and the hammerhead shark benefit

• c. parasitism, because the barberfish eats parasites from the hammerhead shark’s skin

• d. commensalism, because the barberfish benefits but the hammerhead shark does not

  benefit

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Cattle egrets are birds that follow behind grazing cattle. The egrets eat the bugs that fly out of

the grass as the cattle walk through. Which statement describes the relationship between the

cattle egrets and the cattle?

• a. predation, because the cattle egrets eat the bugs

• b. mutualism, because both the cattle egrets and the cattle benefit

• c. commensalism, because the cattle egret benefits, but the cattle neither benefits nor

  is harmed

• d. parasitism, because the bugs might have bit the cattle egrets or the cattle and caused

  them harm

In a forest ecosystem, skunks eat mice, while coyotes eat both mice and skunks. Do these two

facts provide enough evidence to predict what will happen to the coyote population if the skunks

all die?

• a. Yes; with the skunks gone, there will be too few mice, and the coyote population will decrease.

• b. No; with the skunks gone, there will be many more mice, but this does not affect the coyote

  population.

• c. Yes; with the skunks gone, there will be many more mice, and they will chase off the coyote

  population.

• d. No; since the skunks also eat the mice, there may or may not be enough mice for the coyotes

  to maintain their population.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The three plants shown are all the same species and the same age. Select the statement below

that gives the most likely explanation for the difference in their sizes.

• a. The plant of medium height was grown indoors.

• b. The tallest plant received the most water.

• c. The shortest plant received the most sunlight.

• d. The shortest plant received little water and sunlight.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

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Plants rely on the process of photosynthesis to grow and reproduce. What resources do they

need for this process?

• a. energy from the sun, water, and carbon dioxide in the air

• b. matter from the sun, water, and carbon dioxide in the air

• c. matter from the sun; energy from water and carbon dioxide in the air

• d. energy from the sun; matter from water and carbon dioxide in the air

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

This energy pyramid shows the flow of energy in an aquatic food chain. Choose the statement

that correctly describes the flow of energy in this diagram.

• a. Consumers in the pyramid transfer their energy back to the sun after they die.

• b. Plants at the bottom of the pyramid get their energy from the soil they grow in.

• c. As you move up the pyramid, there is less energy at each level.

• d. Each level of consumer needs to make up for the decrease in energy by absorbing energy

  from the sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3