Ohio Graduation Test for Science– March 2005
Annotated Item 1
Standard and Benchmark Assessed:
Standard:
Benchmark:
Earth and Space
E. Explain the processes that move and shape Earth's surface.
Multiple Choice Question:
Use the diagram to answer question 1.
GS0000ESEXR0106C
1. Scientists believe that forces in Earth’s mantle move Earth’s crustal plates. What do the
arrows in the diagram represent?
A. ocean currents
B. gravity
C. convection currents
D. wind patterns
Commentary:
This multiple choice question asks students to identify what arrows, suggesting circular motion
within the mantle of Earth’s interior, represent. Students must access their knowledge of Earth’s
interior structure and the processes that move and shape it. Students must demonstrate an
understanding of the concept of thermal energy transfer from Earth’s core to the fluid mantle,
creating movement in the fluid mantle, and resulting in the movement of the crustal plates atop
the mantle. Large volumes of dense, lower temperature materials in the upper levels of the
mantle sink toward the Earth’s core. As the thermal energy conducted from the core increases
the temperature of these materials, they expand, decrease in density, and push upward the fluid
mantle materials. This characteristic circulation of the fluid mantle transfers both thermal energy
and large amounts of Earth materials. Answer choice C is the correct answer because the
previously described process results in convection currents within Earth’s mantle. Two incorrect
answer choices, A and D, represent Earth processes that occur on the surface of the Earth
rather than within Earth’s interior. Since the diagram clearly shows that the arrows lie under
Earth’s crust, they cannot represent any surface process. While gravity does act on Earth
materials, answer choice B cannot be correct since all of the arrows clearly do not align to point
in the same downward direction, as would be necessary if gravity were being represented.
Source: Ohio Department of Education
July 05
Ohio Graduation Test for Science– March 2005
Annotated Item 1
This question is classified as Recalling/Identifying Accurate Science because this task requires
students to recall previously learned facts regarding the interior structure of Earth. Students
must use a conceptual understanding of the processes that operate below Earth’s crust to
correctly identify an accurate description of the underlying concept.
Performance Data:
The percent of public school students selecting answer choice C for question 1 on the March
2005 Ohio Graduation Test was 81%.
Keywords:
convection, Earth, mantle, crustal plates
Source: Ohio Department of Education
July 05