Environmental Changes – Content Assessment
1. Which of the following is the most destructive way that people directly affect the environment?
6.0.B.2.b
A.
B.
C.
D.
dumping grass clippings in the woods
dumping trash in the woods
weeding the garden
weeding the school yard
2. In 2004, Maryland recycled more than 35% of all of the waste the state produced.
Which of these benefits does recycling provide to Maryland? 6.0.B.2.a
A.
B.
C.
D.
fewer wild animals
decreased farm crops
less trash sent to landfills
decreased use of electricity
3. Students are learning about the natural resources in Maryland. One group of students researches
information about renewable natural resources in the state. The other group researches information
about nonrenewable natural resources in the state. The resources the students investigate include
plants, animals, soil, minerals, water, coal, and oil.
Aluminum is a nonrenewable natural resource.
Which of these methods of aluminum disposal is best for the environment? 6.0.B.2.a
A.
B.
C.
D.
burning it
recycling it
burying it in landfills
crushing it before throwing it away
4. The piping plover is a bird that builds its nest on sand dunes along the Atlantic Ocean.
Which of these actions most likely damages the nests of the piping plover? 6.0.B.2.b
A.
B.
C.
D.
people fishing from a boat
children playing in the ocean waves
children digging holes along the sand dunes
people walking on a sidewalk along the sand dunes
5. The snowshoe hare was once common in Maryland. In 1986, researchers in the state noted that the
snowshoe hare was no longer found in Maryland.
Which statement best explains why the snowshoe hare is no longer found in Maryland?
6.0.B.2.b
A.
B.
C.
D.
Water quality has improved.
There are too many trees.
The temperature is too cold.
Housing developments have replaced fields.
6. Which of the following activities would most harm Maryland’s forests? 6.0.B.2.b
A.
B.
C.
D.
hunting forest animals
tree farming on a farm
mining coal under the forest
protecting rivers in the forest
7. Maryland air quality is reported daily using the color codes from the data table below.
AIR QUALITY
Color
Code
Condition
Suggested Action
Green Good
None
Yellow Moderate
Very sensitive people should limit outdoor exercise.
Orange Unhealthy for sensitive people
People with trouble breathing should limit being
outdoors for long periods.
Red
Everyone should limit outdoor exercise.
Unhealthy
Which group of people would most likely be affected when the color code is orange? 6.0.B.2.c
A.
B.
C.
D.
adults who exercise regularly
athletes in good physical shape
teenagers who play soccer and football
young children with breathing problems
8. Chemical pesticides are sometimes sprayed on crops to kill insects that eat the crops. People have
different viewpoints about the use of pesticides on crops.
What might be a concern about using pesticides on the crops? 6.0.B.2.c
A.
B.
C.
D.
Will the food ripen?
Will the food stay fresh?
Will the food harm humans?
Will the food harm bugs in the home?