Ohio Graduation Test for Science – Spring 2008
Annotated Item 8
Standard and Benchmark Assessed:
Standard:
Science and Technology
Benchmark:
B. Explain that science and technology are interdependent; each drives the
other.
Multiple Choice Question:
Commentary:
This multiple choice question asks students to identify the statement that correctly describes
how concerns over environmental effects of DDT affected the field of agricultural science.
Students need to recognize that the popularity of DDT was due to its effectiveness and the
decline in use of DDT was due to the discovery that DDT was harmful to humans and the
environment. The logical affect of the concern over potentially harmful environmental effects
was the development of more effective, potentially less harmful, alternative pesticides. Answer
choice C is the correct answer. Answer choice A is incorrect because after the realization that
DDT was harmful to humans and the environment, the impact of pesticides would be more
closely monitored and other, equally harmful, pesticides would not be developed. Answer choice
Source: Ohio Department of Education
July 08
Ohio Graduation Test for Science – Spring 2008
Annotated Item 8
B is incorrect because the negative environmental impact of DDT was motive for farmers not to
violate the ban on DDT. Answer choice D is incorrect because while reducing the number of
crops grown in a field would reduce the amount of a pesticide used, the concern over the
potentially harmful environmental effects of DDT resulted in the ban of its use.
The cognitive demand of this question is Communicating Understanding / Analyzing Science
Information because the task requires students to analyze the scenario described in the
question and identify the logical conclusion of how the concern over the potentially harmful
environmental effects of DDT affected the field of agricultural science.
Performance Data:
The percent of public school students selecting answer choice B for question 8 on the March
2008 Ohio Graduation Test for Science was 76%.
Keywords: DDT, pesticide, harmful environmental effects
Source: Ohio Department of Education
July 08