Performance Benchmark N.12.A.6
Students know organizational schema can be used to represent and describe relationships of
sets. E/S
Sample Test Questions
1st Item Specification: Recognize that each branch of science has developed classification
systems based on observable characteristics.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. Which group of terms is in the correct order from the most general to most specific when
classifying organisms?
A. Kingdom, phylum, genus, species
B. Species, phylum, genus, kingdom
C. Genus, species, kingdom, phylum
D. Phylum, kingdom, species, genus
2. Which statement BEST illustrates a classification system?
A. A glacier melts at the rate of one meter per year.
B. Ocean depths are measured by using sonar.
C. Snowfall predictions for winter storms vary.
D. Stars are grouped according to their color.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
3. Which property was most likely used to classify the substances below?
Group A
water
gasoline
alcohol
A.
B.
C.
D.
Group B
aluminum
ice
iron
Abundance within the Earth
Specific heat
State (phase) of matter
Chemical composition
Group C
water vapor
air
oxygen
4. The USDA soil classification chart below is used to classify soils based on particle size. Use
this diagram to answer the following question.
(From http://www.organicrosecare.org/articles/soils_primer.php?continued=yes)
What type of soil has 50% clay, 30% silt, and 20% sand?
A. Loam
B. Silt loam
C. Clay
D. Silty clay loam
2nd Item Specification: Explain that scientists use various classification systems to organize
information.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
5. A student is given a set of objects and is asked to construct a classification scheme to explain
the relationship between the objects. A classification system should be based on
A. interpretations.
B. observations.
C. hypotheses.
D. inferences.
6. The diagrams below represent various geologic cross sections.
(From ExamGen 4.3)
Which of the following skills will a scientists use to organize information like the geologic
cross sections above?
A. Classification
B. Prediction
C. Observation
D. Measurement
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
7. Keys are used by biologists to accurately classify unknown organisms such as the
unidentified female mosquito shown in the diagram below. These keys are designed to
categorize organisms according to structural characteristics. The key shows various
characteristics used to identify the difference between Anopheles, Deinocerites, Culex,
Psorophoro and Aedes mosquitoes.
From ExamGen 4.3
According to the key, which characteristic distinguishes a male from a female mosquito?
A. Antennae appearance
B. Palp length
C. Leg scales
D. Abdomen points
8. The Periodic Table of known elements is a tool used by chemists that exhibits many levels of
organization. Use the periodic table to answer the following question.
(From http://www.bpc.edu/mathscience/chemistry/history_of_the_periodic_table.html )
Electronegativity is a value that expresses the ability of an atom to pull electrons towards
itself. A periodic pattern of electronegativity is expressed as follows:
1. Electronegativity increases as you go across the periodic table.
2. Electronegativity decreases as you go down the periodic table.
Which of the following elements has the highest electronegativity?
A. Sulfur (S)
B. Chlorine (Cl)
C. Selenium (Se)
D. Bromine (Br)
3rd Item Specification: Explain that classification systems can be modified over time to
account for new information.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
9. Classification tools, like the periodic table or binomial nomenclature, are
A. generally accepted by all scientists who are experts.
B. modified if necessary as new data and observations are collected.
C. not modified once completed if based on careful experimentation.
D. generally only accepted if scientists agree with collected data.
10. While conducting careful experimentation, a chemist discovered a new element. Chemists
would
A. ignore the new data because it did not fit into the generally accepted periodic table.
B. create a new classification system with the new information.
C. disagree on how to incorporate the new data and create many classification systems
based on personal preference.
D. modify the current periodic table to include the new data.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
11. The table provides a fictional scheme to classification of four Orders of animals. Use this
fictional scheme to answer the following question.
Order
Food source
Number limbs
Teeth
Reproduction
Temperature
regulation
Outer layer
A
B
C
D
Herbivore
4
Rounded
Live birth
Endotherm
Carnivore
2
Sharp
Eggs
Endotherm
Herbivore
2
Rounded
Eggs
Ectotherm
Omnivore
0
None
Live birth
Ectotherm
Hair
Feathers
Scales
Scales
A wildlife biologist discovers an animal that is an herbivore with four limbs, has sharp teeth,
lays eggs, is endothermic, and has scales. Which order does this animal belong to?
A. Order B because the animal has sharp teeth, lays eggs, and is endothermic.
B. Order C because the animal is an herbivore, lays eggs, and has scales.
C. A new order named B/C was created to better describe the new animal.
D. A new order named C/D was created to better describe the new animal.
12. Dimitri Mendeleev proposed the following periodic table in 1869. This periodic table
arranged the known elements (in 1869) by increasing atomic mass and then by physical
properties.
(From http://www.unit5.org/chemistry/christjs/Develop%20Periodic%20Table.htm)
A chemist discovers an element with an atomic mass of 210. Which of the following
proposes a likely placement into Mendeleev’s periodic table?
A. Group III, Period 9
B. Group VII, Period 10
C. Group I, Period 12
D. Group VI, Period 11
Performance Benchmark N.12.A.6
Students know organizational schema can be used to represent and describe relationships of
sets. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. A, DOK Level 1
2. D, DOK Level 1
3. C, DOK Level 2
4. C, DOK Level 2
5. B, DOK Level 1
6. C, DOK Level 1
7. A, DOK Level 2
8. B, DOK Level 2
9. B, DOK Level 1
10. D, DOK Level 1
11. C, DOK Level 2
12. D, DOK Level 2