NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
INTERMEDIATE SCIENCE
Grade 9
Instructions:
Students must complete the Data Analysis section and ONE Case Study.
There is a Glossary provided with the Case Studies to help with some of the
terms.
Scientific Literacy Assessment
June 2014
Student Name: ____________________
Homeroom:
___________
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
Data Analysis - All students are required to do this section.
Read the following situation and answer all questions in the space provided.
(10 points)
Rocket Science
Most of the mass of a space vehicle at lift off is fuel because a massive amount of fuel is
needed to get space vehicles through Earth’s atmosphere and into orbit. Space vehicles
use different methods of obtaining the necessary speed to launch into space.
The Space Shuttle was
used to carry astronauts
and materials into
Earth’s orbit. The first
stage of liftoff used solid
rocket boosters which
then separated and fell
back to earth, the
second stage dropped
the external fuel tank
then the shuttle
continued into space.
The Saturn V Rocket was
used to send astronauts to
the Moon. The launch
sequence had three or four
stages; each stage would
burn its engines until it was
out of fuel and would then
separate from the rocket.
The engines on the next
stage would fire, and the
rocket would continue into
space leaving the previous
stage behind.
The data table shows the total mass of the Space Shuttle and Saturn V Rocket for the first
120 seconds of the launch.
Time (s)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Mass (x 100000 Kg)
Space
Saturn V
Shuttle
20
33
18
28
15
22
13
17
11
11
9
6
9
4
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
Use the information and table of data to answer the following questions:
____
1. Which is the independent (manipulated) variable? (1 Point)
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
Altitude
Mass
Speed
Time
2. Which is the dependent (responding) variable? (1 Point)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Altitude
Mass
Speed
Time
3. Create a fully labelled line graph of the data in the table. Use a legend with different colours
or symbols to identify the two different rockets. (4 Points)
Title: ____________________________________
.
____
4. Which time are the masses of both space vehicles equal? (1 Point)
A.
B.
C.
D.
40 s
60 s
80 s
100 s
5. Which space vehicle used the most fuel? How do you know? (1 Point)
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
6. Which space vehicle would you choose to explore space? Why? (2 Points)
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
Students are required to do ONE of the Case Studies.
DNA: It’s All Relative
http://biology.phillipmartin.info/biology_dna.html
http://www.clipartbest.com/twin-baby-clipart
Everything in your body is made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Every one of your
cells contains your DNA. “DNA” stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. Like other nucleic acids,
DNA is a long chain of nucleotides, which are three-part molecules composed of a sugar, a
phosphate, and a base. Police officers and crime scene investigators have been collecting
and using DNA evidence to convict criminals for a number of years. Blood, hair, sweat and
skin cells are often left behind by criminals and provide DNA samples. All of your cells
contain the same DNA.
Although 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in every person, there are tiny
differences in the order of the DNA bases that make each of us unique. These differences
are called genetic markers. When investigators find hair or blood at a crime scene, they
can extract DNA and try to match its genetic markers to other samples they have on file or
to a sample taken from the suspect. Scientists are very confident in the DNA techniques
used to identify individuals. However, there is a one-in-a-billion chance that a DNA test will
match two different unrelated people. By pure chance, these two people would share all of
the genetic markers analyzed by the test.
The chance of an incorrect result also increases if samples get mixed up or damaged.
Police officers and detectives often work closely with laboratory personnel to make sure
evidence isn't contaminated. This involves wearing gloves and using disposable
instruments. While collecting evidence, officers are careful to avoid touching areas where
DNA evidence could exist. They also avoid talking, sneezing and coughing over evidence
or touching their face, nose or mouth. When investigators find a piece of evidence, they
place it in a paper bag or envelope, not in a plastic bag. This is important because plastic
bags retain moisture, which can damage DNA. Direct sunlight and warmer conditions may
also damage DNA, so officers try to keep materials at room temperature. They label the
bags with information about what the material is, where it was found and where it will be
transported.
Things get more complicated for investigators when close relatives are involved. Families
share more genetic markers which is why we often look like our parents. A test that
examines more markers would be more reliable, but it would also cost more and take
longer to perform. Furthermore, the DNA of identical twins is identical, which makes it
impossible to determine which twin was present at a crime scene using a DNA test.
For example, in July 2013, there was crime in New Brunswick where some men entered a
home. DNA evidence, found on a mask and some gloves left at the scene, was traced to a
pair of identical twins. Unable to determine which of the twins was involved using DNA
testing, the police charged both of them. “The DNA is not of any assistance here because it
is uncertain if it was from one brother or the other — or from both. They can’t tell from the
DNA who did what,” said the lawyer representing one of the twins. Most cases do not rest
entirely on DNA evidence; other evidence, including eyewitness accounts, and fingerprints
are used. In the example here both men were at the crime scene and both men were found
guilty. Although identical twins share the same DNA they have different fingerprints. While
you were growing inside of your mother, you touched the amniotic sac. When you touched
it during weeks 6-13, the patterns of your fingerprints were changed. This is why identical
twins have different fingerprints. Fingerprinting is also more accurate than DNA analysis.
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
So the next time you sneak the last piece of cake or cookie remember that some of your
DNA has probably been left behind at the scene. But fear not! DNA test results could very
well result in an unfortunate family member getting the blame, especially if you have an
identical twin. Just remember that fingerprint analysis is far more accurate than DNA
testing. So wear some gloves!
Adapted From: Kershaw, Rob. Twin trouble: Why DNA evidence isn’t always reliable.
http://www.explorecuriocity.org/Content.aspx?contentid=2707
Glossary:
DNA: a set of unique instructions for creating you.
Genetic Markers: DNA sequence having a known location on a chromosome and
associated with a particular gene or trait
Amniotic sac: The sac in which the fetus develops
____
7. Which is a building block of DNA? (1 Point)
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
8. Which person would you share the most genetic markers? (1 Point)
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
Amniotic Fluid
Fat
Nucleus
Phosphate
Aunt
Cousin
Neighbour
Parent
9. Which of the following is a disadvantage of DNA testing? (1 Point)
A. Different cells have different DNA
B. DNA evidence is difficult to obtain at crime scenes
C. It takes a longtime to complete
D. There is a high probability someone else has the same DNA as you
10. Why is the DNA test less conclusive for people that are closely related? (1 Point)
11. Give two reasons why we should use other types of evidence besides DNA in all cases, not
just those of identical twins. (2 Points)
12. Why is it necessary for crime scene investigators to be careful when collecting DNA
evidence? Give two reasons. (2 Points)
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
13. Based on the available scientific evidence do you think the police were correct to charge
both brothers with the crime? Give specific examples. (2 Points)
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
Students are required to do ONE of the Case Studies.
Hydrogen: A basic element with powerful possibilities
Hydrogen is the most basic of the chemical elements, which are the building blocks of all
matter. Other atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons, but a hydrogen atom
only has a single electron and a single proton. It's also the most abundant element, making
up about three quarters of all matter in the universe.
Hydrogen is a colourless, odourless gas. In its most common form, it’s extremely
combustible. This tendency to burst into flame is what makes hydrogen both a very
dangerous and a very useful resource. Hydrogen quickly and violently reacts with oxygen.
The reaction takes molecules of hydrogen and oxygen and combines them together to form
H2O (water). This reaction also releases a lot of heat energy: in other words, fire.
2H2 + O2 = 2H2O + Heat
Past uses
Along with its flammability, scientists also observed that hydrogen is less dense than air.
Just like helium, the second most basic element, hydrogen is great at lifting things like
balloons. In fact, it is even better at this than helium, so people began designing
hydrogen-filled balloons for transportation. By the early 1900s, large airships that used
hydrogen as their lifting gas had become a popular form of air travel.
However, the hydrogen-filled airship craze didn’t last long. In 1937, the airship Hindenburg
caught fire and exploded in New Jersey, killing 36 people. Airship designers had known that
hydrogen was flammable and that helium was the safer choice, but helium was rare and
expensive, so they had gone with the more dangerous option anyway. After the Hindenburg
disaster, it didn’t take long for hydrogen to be abandoned as a lifting gas.
Recent uses
You’ve probably seen videos of the Space Shuttle launching from the Kennedy Space
Center or docking at the International Space Station. Until the program was canceled in
2011, the Shuttle was the main way for NASA astronauts to get into space. Ever wonder
what powered those impossibly huge engines? It was hydrogen.
The Space Shuttle's main engine was powered by burning liquid hydrogen and liquid
oxygen because it provides so much power. The NASA engineers also understood just how
dangerous hydrogen could be. However, they decided to be extra cautious and take
advantage of all that raw power anyway.
Future uses
Lately, people have been increasingly concerned about the environment. Among other
things, that means moving away from burning gasoline to power cars. The advantage of
using hydrogen to fuel cars instead of gasoline is that the waste product isn't a greenhouse
gas: it’s water! That is why there has been so much interest in recent years in developing
hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars. For example, Toyota plans to start selling a
hydrogen-powered sedan in California in 2015.
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
Unlike the Hindenburg, hydrogen-powered cars store the fuel as a solid rather than as a
gas. While the material might burn as a result of an accident, it would be unlikely to explode.
The risk is about the same as with a gasoline-powered car. This new way of using solid
hydrogen rather than hydrogen gas makes it much safer to use as an energy-source. On
the other hand, there are still some problems with replacing gasoline with hydrogen. One of
the main problems is storage. Hydrogen has less energy by volume than gasoline. That
means that you need a pretty big tank of hydrogen to drive your car a reasonable distance
before refueling. In addition, hydrogen is very expensive and time-consuming to produce.
Only time will tell if this remarkable element will be the principal fuel to power the cars of
tomorrow.
Adapted from:
Hydrogen: The element that destroyed the Hindenburg could power your car
http://www.explorecuriocity.org/Content.aspx?ContentID=2805
Glossary:
abundant: very common
combustible: easily catches fire
____ 14. Why is hydrogen “the most basic of the chemical elements”? (1 Point)
A.
B.
C.
D.
It contains only one electron and one proton.
It is colourless and odourless.
It weighs more than any other element.
It is a very useful element.
____ 15. Which property makes hydrogen one of the most useful and dangerous resources in the
universe? (1 Point)
A.
B.
C.
D.
It contains electrons, protons and neutrons.
It is highly combustible.
It is less dense than air.
It is the most abundant element.
____ 16. Which element would have been a similar, safer choice for airship designers to use as their
lifting gas instead of hydrogen? (1 Point)
A.
B.
C.
D.
gasoline
helium
oxygen
water
17. Why was hydrogen abandoned as a lifting gas shortly after 1937? (1 Point)
18. Even though airship designers and NASA scientists knew the dangers of hydrogen's
flammability, name ONE (1) reason why hydrogen was chosen to lift airships and ONE (1)
reason why hydrogen was chosen to lift space shuttles. (2 Points)
Airship
Space Shuttle
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
19. Name ONE (1) advantage and ONE (1) disadvantage of using hydrogen to fuel cars
instead of gasoline. (2 Points)
Advantage
Disadvantage
20. How has the change in the storage of hydrogen fuel made it safer? Explain.
(2 Points)
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
Answer Section
1. ANS: D
Time is the independent variable
PTS: 1
2. ANS: B
DIF:
Level 1
OBJ: 109, 208
TOP: Variables
DIF:
Level 1
OBJ: 109, 208
TOP: Variables
DIF:
Level 3
OBJ: 209, 210
TOP: Graphing
DIF:
level 2
OBJ: 210
TOP: Interpreting Data
OBJ: 208, 210
TOP: Interpreting Data
Mass is the dependent variable
PTS: 1
3. ANS:
line graph
title = .5
legend = .5
axes = 1
plot = 2
PTS: 4
4. ANS: C
at 80 seconds
PTS: 1
5. ANS:
The Saturn V uses the most fuel.
.
PTS: 1
6. ANS:
DIF:
Level 2
The Space Shuttle is the most efficient, uses less fuel.
.
.
PTS: 1
DIF:
TOP: Decision Making
7. ANS: D
phosphate
Level 2
OBJ: 111, 112, 423, 425, 333
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
PTS: 1
8. ANS: D
A parent
DIF:
Level 1
TOP: Literacy
PTS: 1
DIF: Level 1
TOP: Literacy
9. ANS: C
DNA testing is a time-consuming process.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level 1
10. ANS:
They share more genetic markers.
OBJ: 113
TOP: Literacy
PTS: 1
DIF: Level 2
OBJ: 113, 210, 429
TOP: Literacy
11. ANS:
There is a small chance someone else shares all your genetic markers.
DNA samples can become damaged easily.
DNA samples can become contaminated easily.
DNA maybe present at the crime scene for unrelated reasons.
PTS: 2
DIF: Level 2
OBJ: 210, 113, 429
TOP: Literacy
12. ANS:
It can be damaged by heat, light, contaminated by others during collection and analysis. It
can also be lost if not labelled properly.
.
.
PTS: 2
DIF: Level 2
OBJ: 113, 210
TOP: Literacy
13. ANS:
Yes, because both brothers also look identical and could not be identified by witnesses.
Also, they have different fingerprints which could be found at the scene.
No may be counted as correct if supported.
PTS: 2
DIF: Level 3
OBJ: 113, 206, 210, 428, 429
TOP: Literacy
14. ANS: A
It has only one electron and one proton
PTS: 1
DIF: Level 1
15. ANS: B
It is highly combustible (catches fire)
OBJ: 113
PTS: 1
DIF: Level 2
OBJ: 434
16. ANS: B
Helium is a safer choice because it is not combustible
TOP: Literacy
TOP: Literacy
PTS: 1
DIF: Level 2
OBJ: 434
TOP: Literacy
17. ANS:
The hydrogen-filled airship, the Hindenburg, exploded in 1937, killing 36 people. Hydrogen
was the cause of the explosion.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level 2
TOP: Literacy
18. ANS:
Some possibilities:
Airship
- It is less expensive and more
OBJ: 110, 204, 434
Space Shuttle
- It is very lightweight
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NLESD Grade 9 Science Literacy Common Assessment June 2014
abundant than helium
- It is very lightweight
- It is very powerful
PTS: 2
DIF: Level 2
OBJ: 434, 210,113
TOP: Literacy
19. ANS:
Advantages: no harmful by-products, environmentally friendly (non-toxic), abundant
Disadvantages: storage, expensive
.
PTS: 2
DIF: level 2
OBJ: 113, 423, 434
TOP: Literacy
20. ANS:
Cars store hydrogen as a solid, which is less combustible (unlikely to explode) than
hydrogen gas, as was used in the Hindenburg.
.
PTS: 2
TOP: Literacy
DIF:
Level 3
OBJ: 434, 423, 210, 113, 112
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