Ohio Graduation Test for Science – March 2006
Annotated Item 30
Standard and Benchmark Assessed:
Standard:
Benchmark:
Earth and Space Sciences
B. Explain that many processes occur in patterns within the Earth’s systems.
Multiple Choice Question:
Use the inf ormation and graph to answ er questions 29 and 30.
Biomes
The following graph shows the ranges of temperature and precipitation for six American
biomes, two of which are identified by name.
30. Which two biomes share the most similar precipitation ranges?
A.
biome W and biome X
B.
the temperate forest and biome Y
C. biome Z and the coniferous forest
D. the coniferous forest and temperate forest
Source: Ohio Department of Education
July 05
Ohio Graduation Test for Science – March 2006
Annotated Item 30
Commentary:
This multiple choice question asks students to select two biomes from the graph that have the
most similar precipitation ranges. Students must analyze the graph to determine similarities and
differences between the biomes represented paying particular attention to the precipitation
ranges. Answer choice D is correct because the temperate forest and the coniferous forest both
have precipitation ranges from approximately 50 cm to 255 cm. The temperate forest has a
smaller precipitation range than the coniferous forest but these two biomes are the most similar
on the graph. Answer choice A is incorrect because biome W is characterized by a narrow
range of low precipitation and biome X has a higher and wider range of precipitation than biome
W. These two regions have precipitation ranges that do not overlap to any great degree and so
are dissimilar. Answer choice B is incorrect because the temperate forest receives less annual
precipitation than biome Y which is characterized by a wider precipitation range. These two
biomes have precipitation ranges that overlap very little making them not similar. Answer
choice C is incorrect because biome Z is characterized by a low precipitation range while the
coniferous forest receives more annual precipitation.
This question is classified as Communicating Understanding / Analyzing Science Information
because this task requires students to analyze a graph illustrating the temperature and
precipitation ranges of various biomes and make valid comparisons between the biomes to
select biomes that have similar characteristics.
Performance Data:
The percent of public school students selecting answer choice D for question 30 on the March
2006 Ohio Graduation Test was 72%.
Keywords:
biome, precipitation
Source: Ohio Department of Education
July 05