6th Grade Science
Sample Assessment Items S6E6b.
S6E6b. Identify renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Students made a list of energy resources available in their state.
They want to sort the resources into those that are easily replaced and
those that are not. Which question will BEST help them sort the
resources? [DOK 2]
A. Are they unlimited?
B. Are they renewable?
C. Are they pollution-free?
D. Are they naturally occurring?
Item from the GaDOE 6th grade Assessment Guide
Explanation of Answers: The correct answer is choice (B) Are they renewable? Renewable energy
resources are resources that are easily replaced. These resources include hydroelectric, solar,
biomass, and wind. Choice (A) is incorrect. Biomass is limited. However, it can be replenished at a
sustainable level. Choice (C) is incorrect. Both renewable and nonrenewable resources have the
potential to cause pollution. Choice (D) is incorrect because both renewable and nonrenewable
resources can be natural resources.
Scientists are interested in the influence of the Sun on Earth. They study the temperatures of the
air and ground in the larger geographic area surrounding a wind farm (an area with many windmills
used to generate electricity). Earlier in the year, there was a 20 degree difference between the
temperatures on the ground and the temperatures in the air. However, their recent measurements
show only a 10 degree difference.
What might this MOST LIKELY mean for the local winds that power the farm? [DOK 3]
A. The local winds will stop moving because the Sun is no longer fueling the wind.
B. The local winds will be stronger because the temperature difference has dropped.
C. The local winds will increase in intensity because there is unequal heating of the land and air.
D. The local winds will decrease in intensity because the Sun is heating the ground and the air
more uniformly.
Item from the GaDOE 6th grade Assessment Guide
Explanation of Answers: The correct answer is choice (D) The local winds will decrease in intensity
because the Sun is heating the ground and the air more uniformly. Choice (A) is incorrect. As long
as a discrepancy exists, the local winds will be produced. Choice (B) is incorrect. It will decrease
the wind intensity. Choice (C) is incorrect. Since the temperature
difference has decreased, the local winds will also decrease in intensity.
6th Grade Science
Sample Assessment Items S6E6b.
A new electricity company claims that the electricity it provides is generated completely through the
use of renewable resources. However, a visit to the company’s plant reveals that it uses coalpowered generators to power the machines that extract geothermal energy from the ground.
Which of these is the BEST reason why an environmental group might dispute the electricity
company’s claims? [DOK 2]
A. Geothermal energy is nonrenewable. Therefore, the company cannot claim it uses only
renewable resources to generate electricity.
B. Coal is a nonrenewable resource. Therefore, the company cannot claim it uses only
renewable resources to generate electricity.
C. Electricity can only be generated using nonrenewable resources. Therefore, the company
cannot claim it uses only renewable resources.
D. Electricity can only be generated using renewable resources. Therefore, the company
cannot be producing electricity if it uses coal-powered generators.
Item from the GaDOE 6th grade Assessment Guide
Explanation of Answers:
The correct answer is choice (B) Coal is a nonrenewable resource. Therefore, the company cannot
claim it uses only renewable resources to generate electricity. The company is not relying on only
renewable resources. Choice (A) is incorrect because geothermal energy is renewable. Coal is the
resource that is nonrenewable. Choices (C) and (D) are incorrect because electricity can be
generated using both renewable and nonrenewable resources.
A student suggested that fossil fuels should be considered renewable resources because they
were formed by natural processes that still take place today.
Which of these BEST describes the main problem with the student’s suggestion? [DOK 3]
A. The plants and animals whose bodies became fossil fuels are now extinct.
B. It takes millions of years for fossil fuels to form from dead and decaying matter.
C. Sedimentation rates are lower today than in the past, so very few fossils are preserved.
D. High levels of atmospheric oxygen cause organic material to decay rather than form fossils.
Item from the GaDOE 6th grade Assessment Guide
Explanation of Answers:
The correct answer is choice (B) It takes millions of years for fossil fuels to form from dead and
decaying matter. Choice (A) is incorrect because fossil fuels could still be generated from the
remains of animals living today. Choice (C) is incorrect because fossil formation takes place over a
very long period of time and sedimentation rates would not affect development of fossil fuels.
Choice (D) is incorrect because the animal and plant remains that would become fossil fuels are
those that would be buried rather than exposed to oxygen in the atmosphere.