Scope Assessment: Ecosystems and Fossils

Which is an example of migration?

• Butterflies flying south at the beginning of the dry season

• A hedgehog’s heart rate and breathing slowing down

• A duck making a nest

• A frog burying itself in the mud

Which is an example of a plant becoming dormant in winter?

• Roots growing to find water

• Plants growing a lot of flowers to take in sunlight

• The leaves on a tree starting to change color

• Leaves closing at nighttime

A flood can have both positive and negative effects on an ecosystem. Which answer below is a positive effect it can have?

• Deer will have to leave their home because it is now covered in water.

• Trees perish because they have too much water.

• The soil is replenished with nutrients found in the floodwater.

• So much extra water can cause algal blooms, which block sunlight from reaching other underwater plants.

Zebras are herbivores and are grazing animals. They need grass to live and survive. What would happen to zebras if the area they live in had a drought and the grass was not able to grow?

• The zebras would become carnivores and eat only meat.

• They would become omnivores and eat meat and plants.

• They could stay where they are because the grass will grow at some point.

• They would have to move to a new place with enough food or they would perish.

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Fishers exceed their limit on catching crabs during crab season, which means there aren’t as many crabs in the area as there should be. How will this affect the food chain shown below?

• A. The sea ducks will not have enough food.

• B. Algae will not get enough sunlight to survive.

• C. The sea urchins will have more food.

• D. The coyote will have more food.

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Looking at this simple food chain, which organisms are consumers? Select two correct answers.

• A. Giraffe

• B. Sun

• C. Lion

• D. Tree

• E. There are no consumers in this food chain.

The table below shows parts of a food chain. Which of the following options correctly constructs a food chain that shows the correct order of the flow of energy?

• Grass -> Rabbit -> Fox

• Fox -> Rabbit -> Grass

• Rabbit -> Grass -> Fox

• Grass -> Fox -> Rabbit

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Which model shows how energy flows in a food chain?

• A

• B

• C

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A food chain is very fragile. If any part of it is changed, there can be severe consequences. Analyze the food chain below. Which of the following changes could happen in this ecosystem that would affect the food chain?

• Introduction of a new predator

• Increase in plant population

• Stable weather conditions

• Decrease in water pollution

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What if tropical plant fossils were found in Antarctica? What would scientists infer about the way the environment may have looked millions of years ago? 

• 1. It has always been very cold in Antarctica. 

• 1. Animals would carry the plants on their backs to Antarctica. 

• 1. The environment used to be a tropical environment.  

• 1. The ice in Antarctica catches plant leaves.

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