HASS – Assessment Task 1
Name: ______________________________
Assessment Type: Biomes Research Report
Task Distributed:
Task Due:
Weighting:
Task Outline:
As you have been learning in class, there are a number of different biomes around the world. You are to
write a report about one of these major world biomes. Your work will be displayed around the school so
it is important to consider this when presenting your work. You will have two periods for Library research.
The rest of the assessment must be completed as homework.
Task Process:
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Choose one biome (e.g. tropical rainforest, desert, wetlands, etc.)
Use the internet, books, encyclopedias and other information sources to gather and record
information about your chosen world biome
Use your notes and information to write a report about your biome.
Submit your assessment as a written report, information poster or booklet.
You need to include subheadings in your report.
Include photographs, climate graphs, maps, statistics and any other relevant data in your report.
You must include a bibliography. List of all of the places you use to find and record information.
Submit all notes and draft paragraphs with your final report.
Research Topics & Questions:
These are the topics you will need to research and write paragraphs about. Guiding questions are included,
but remember that the more information you include in your report, the better the score you can earn.
To help stay organised, you should write each of the topics at the top of a piece of paper. You can then
take notes and write your rough draft paragraphs on those pages. You will need to organise your report in
a way that makes sense.
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Location
Where is this biome found in the world? This page should include a map that is labelled with the areas
where the biome is found and a short paragraph telling about it.
Climate
What is the temperature, weather, precipitation, etc. in this biome? How does the climate change with
the seasons? Include a climate graph with your written paragraph.
Geography
Describe the physical features (land) of this biome. What types of landforms/bodies of water are in this
biome? Are there different parts/layers to the biome?
Vegetation
What plants grow in this biome? What adaptations do these plants have in order to survive in this
biome?
Animals
What major groups of animals live in this biome? What physical adaptations do these animals have in
order to survive in this biome? What behavioral adaptations do these animals have in order to survive in
this biome?
Food Web
What are the feeding relationships among the plant and animal species? This page should include a
flow diagram that is labelled with what eats what and a short paragraph telling about it.
Human Impacts and Threats
How have human activities altered the biome? What are the main threats to the plants and animals?
Other Interesting Facts
What else is important or interesting to know about this biome?
Assessment Task 1
Name: ______________________________
Assessment Type: Biomes Research Report
Weighting:
Task Distributed:
Due:
Marking key for Assessment Task 1:
Description
Marks
 Selects a wide range of appropriate sources to gather information
 Consistently organises and records all relevant information/notes
 Develops a detailed, organised report about a chosen biome which includes all
relevant topics and subheadings
 Includes all relevant photographs, climate graphs, maps, statistics, etc. to support and
enhance written paragraphs
 Consistently uses relevant subject-specific terminology and concepts in the
appropriate context
 Includes a detailed bibliography of 5+ information sources used
9–10
 Selects appropriate sources to gather information
 Organises and records most relevant information/notes
 Develops a report about a chosen biome which includes most relevant topics and
subheadings
 Includes most relevant photographs, climate graphs, maps, statistics, etc. to support
and enhance written paragraphs
 Uses relevant subject-specific terminology and concepts in the appropriate context
 Includes a bibliography of 3-4 information sources used
7–8
 Selects mostly appropriate sources to gather information
 Organises and records some relevant information/notes
 Develops a report about a chosen biome which includes some relevant topics and
subheadings
 Includes some relevant photographs, climate graphs, maps, statistics, etc. to support
and enhance written paragraphs
 Uses some relevant subject-specific terminology and/or concepts in the appropriate
context
 Includes a bibliography of 2 information sources used
5–6
 Shows limited recording of information/notes
 Develops a brief report about a chosen biome which includes some relevant topics but
lacks subheadings
 Includes a few photographs, climate graphs, maps, statistics, etc. to support and
enhance written paragraphs
 Shows limited use of subject-specific terminology and/or concepts
 Includes a bibliography of only 1 information sources used
3–4
 Does not record any information/notes
 Develops a basic report about a chosen biome
 Does not include photographs, climate graphs, maps, statistics, etc. to support and
enhance written paragraphs
 Does not use subject-specific terminology and/or concepts
 Does not include a bibliography
1–2
Total
/10
Bibliography
Books
Last Name
First Name
Title of Book
Place of
Publication
Publisher
Copyright
Year ©
Encyclopaedia Articles
Last Name
First Name
Title of Article
Name of
Encyclopaedia
Copyright Volume Pages
Year ©
Number
Internet Articles
Last
Name
First Name
Title of Article
Date of
Internet
Publication
http://address/filename
Date of
Document/
Download
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Location
Where is this biome found in the world? This page should include a map that is
labelled with the areas where the biome is found and a short paragraph telling
about it.

Climate
What is the temperature, weather, precipitation, etc. in this biome? How does the
climate change with the seasons? Include a climate graph with your written
paragraph.

Geography
Describe the physical features (land) of this biome. What types of
landforms/bodies of water are in this biome? Are there different parts/layers to
the biome?

Vegetation
What plants grow in this biome? What adaptations do these plants have in order
to survive in this biome?

Animals
What major groups of animals live in this biome? What physical adaptations do
these animals have in order to survive in this biome? What behavioral
adaptations do these animals have in order to survive in this biome?

Food Web
What are the feeding relationships among the plant and animal species? This
page should include a flow diagram that is labelled with what eats what and a
short paragraph telling about it.

Human Impacts and Threats
How have human activities altered the biome? What are the main threats to the
plants and animals?

Other Interesting Facts
What else is important or interesting to know about this biome?