“So What “ Test on Ecology.
Applying what you’ve learned.
Question #1 Persuasive Essay
Traditional burial involves filling the body with preservative fluids, placing it in a sealed coffin and
putting the coffin in a sealed sarcophagus (a bigger box) in the ground. A “green” burial would be
wrapping the body in a biodegradable (able to rot) cloth and burying it in the dirt.
Explain which is better for an ecosystem by comparing the two burial methods. Include the matter
cycle(s), energy, and food webs in your answer.
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**Structure your answer effectively using the writing structure of your choice, such
as PEE, RAP, or any other you have learned!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rubric
1=no, 2=minimally, 3= somewhat, 4=mostly, but with either errors or some part missing, 5=yes
Your assessment
1. Is there a clearly stated thesis?
2. Are there at least three
ecologically beneficial reasons
given to support the thesis?
3. Does each reason have an
example of how the ecosystem
would benefit from it?
4. Is there sufficient and accurate
detail to show knowledge of the
topic?
5. Does the conclusion sum up
the argument?
6. Grammar and Form: Are words
correctly spelled? Paragraphs
indented? Sentences complete?
Do the sentences and the
argument overall make sense? Is
the work legible and neat?
My assessment
Helpful format you can use (or not, if you have your own way to answer)
PEE!!!!!!!
Point
1. Restate the question in the form of a thesis statement:
“A _________ burial is better for the ecosystem because….”
2. State three or more reasons why a __________ burial is better than a _________ one to finish the sentence.
Explanation and Example
3. Explain what you mean by your first reason (From #2) and give an example in nature.
3. Explain what you mean by your second reason (From #2) and give an example in nature.
3. Explain what you mean by your third reason (From #2) and give an example in nature.
Conclusion
“Based on the evidence above, __, ___, and ____, a _____________ burial is better for the ecosystem.”
Question #2 – Informational Essay
All ecosystems need to cycle (transfer from one part to another) matter and energy to survive.
Specifically, they need water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, as well as energy.
Explain how these cycles happen by using your terrarium (or any terrarium) as an example. Specifically,
explain how each of those types four of matter and the energy are transferred from one part of that tiny
ecosystem to another.
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**Structure your answer effectively using the writing structure of your choice, such
as PEE, RAP, or any other you have learned!
Rubric
1=no, 2=minimally, 3= somewhat, 4=mostly, but with either errors or some part missing, 5=yes
Your assessment
1. Is there a clearly stated thesis?
2. Are all four matter cycles and
the energy cycle explained?
3. Does each cycle have an
example of how it goes from one
part of the ecosystem to another?
4. Is there sufficient and accurate
detail to show knowledge of the
topic?
5. Does the conclusion sum up
the argument?
6. Grammar and Form: Are words
correctly spelled? Paragraphs
indented? Sentences complete?
Do the sentences and the
argument overall make sense? Is
the work legible and neat?
My assessment
Helpful format you can use (or not, if you have your own way to answer)
PEE!!!!!!!
Point
1. Restate the question in the form of a thesis statement:
“Matter and energy are transferred from one part of an ecosystem to another. This can be seen even in an
ecosystem as small as a terrarium.”
2. State which cycles you are going to explain.
Explanation and Example
3. Explain what the water cycle is and give an example of how water cycles in a terrarium.
4. Explain what the carbon cycle is and give and example of how carbon cycles in a terrarium.
5. Explain what the oxygen cycle is and give and example of how oxygen cycles in a terrarium.
6. Explain what the nitrogen cycle is and give and example of how nitrogen cycles in a terrarium.
7. Explain what the phosphorous cycle is and give and example of how phosphorous cycles in a terrarium.
Conclusion
“Even in an ecosystem as small as a terrarium, the cycles of matter and energy can be seen. These cycles
happen through various means, including __________, ______________, and ______________. (Fill in some of the
processes you described in 3-7 above.)