Ohio Graduation Test for Science – March 2007
Annotated Item 4
Standard and Benchmark Assessed:
Standard:
Benchmark:
Life Sciences
E. Explain how evolutionary relationships contribute to an understanding of the
unity and diversity of life.
Multiple Choice Question:
Use the information to answer questions 2 – 5.
In 1859, European rabbits were introduced into Australia. The rabbits ate agricultural crops and
native plants. The wild rabbit population expanded rapidly, numbering in the hundreds of
millions. To control the rabbit population, the Australian government introduced the myxoma
virus. Transmitted by a mosquito, this virus caused disease in the European rabbits. Each
exposure to the virus led to an epidemic, and the following mortality rates were observed in the
wild rabbit population.
Chart 1
Epidemic
1st
2nd
3rd
Wild Rabbit Mortality Rate
99.8%
90%
40 – 60%
Australian scientists kept laboratory populations of the original virus and rabbits that were never
exposed to the virus. They also maintained populations of rabbits and strains of the virus
collected from the wild at different times after the original introduction of the virus. The scientists
then exposed each group of rabbits to a different strain of the virus. The diagram below
summarizes their data.
Source: Ohio Department of Education
August 07
Ohio Graduation Test for Science – March 2007
Annotated Item 4
4. Surviving rabbits had traits that became more common in the rabbit population because
rabbits with these traits
A.
B.
C.
D.
changed habitats.
ate differently.
produced offspring.
developed parasites.
Commentary:
This multiple choice question asks students to identify why the traits of the surviving rabbits
became more common in the population. Students must recall that traits are transmitted from
parent to offspring through genetic material (DNA) when they reproduce. Organisms that
successfully produce large numbers of offspring ensure the extension of their genetic material
and their traits into the future. Answer choice C is correct since surviving rabbits would produce
offspring that had their traits. Answer choices A, B and D are incorrect because while these
factors (i.e., habitat, diet or disease) may impact the survival of individuals in the population,
none of these factors directly impacts the transmission of traits to offspring.
This question is classified as Recalling/Identifying Accurate Science because the task requires
students to accurately recall how traits are passed from one generation to the next and to apply
their understanding of the mechanisms of natural selection to a population.
Performance Data:
The percent of public school students selecting answer choice C for question 4 on the March
2007 Ohio Graduation Test was 68%.
Keywords:
heredity, natural selection
Source: Ohio Department of Education
August 07