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PSSA SCIENCEPREP ENVIRONMENT &
ECOLOGY
CLASS OPENER:
Which event explains what most likelyhappened at the beginning of Month 3?
A. More predators of species X were introduced.
B. The prey of species X decreased in number.
C. A disease that affected species X was
introduced.
D. A competitor of species X decreased in
number.
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TODAYS OBJECTIVES:
Explain biogeochemical cycles within an ecosystem. Explain how biological diversity relates to the viability of an ecosystem.
Describe how an ecosystem can change over time to become a different type of
ecosystem (i.e.., lake to pond to wet meadow succession).
Identify and explain a watershed and stream order.
Describe natural and human factors that impact water quality in wetlands andwatersheds.
Explain the primary functions of a wetland.
Explain how a scientist can analyze a freshwater system to check for water quality
in the environment.
Describe how renewable and non-renewable resources provide for human needs
and how the use of these impact the environment.
Explain how plants and animals are used in the United States based upon specific
growing climates and soil conditions.
Describe Best Management Practices (BMPs) used in agriculture to reduce
environmental impacts due to farming.
Explain various ways how organisms come to a point of extinctionwhat impactsan organisms ability to successfully replenish its population.
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OVERALL FOCUS OF THE DAY:
TESTTAKING STRATEGIES
REMEMBER your test taking
strategies!Read the question! what is it
asking?
Read the answers!use POE to
get rid of obvious wrong answers!Take your time!dont change an
answer unless you KNOW it is wrong!
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O
penEn
dedQuestions
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SAMPLE PSSA OPEN-ENDED
ITEMThe Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is
over 19 million acres of land. Its unique habitatsupports at least 45 species of land and marine
animals, 36 species of fish, and 180 species of
birds. Some people want to drill for oil in parts of
the refuge. Scientists estimate the total amount of
recoverable oil in the refuge is between 5 and 16
billion barrels. PART A
Describe an environmental problem that could
be caused by drilling for oil in Alaska.
PART B
Describe a regional benefit of drilling for oil in
Alaska.
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Possible CORRECT Answers
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION #1
A small lake has an algae bloom,
and the water is very green.Which change is most likely the
cause of the algae growth?
A. An increase in the amount of
fertilizer used near the lake.
B. An increase in the amount of
fresh water flowing into the lake
C. An increase in the number of
people fishing in the lake
D. An increase in the number of
boats using the lake
Answer on Next Slide..
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION #1
A small lake has an algae bloom,
and the water is very green.Which change is most likely the
cause of the algae growth?
A. An increase in the amount of
fertilizer used near the lake.
B. An increase in the amount of
fresh water flowing into the lake
C. An increase in the number of
people fishing in the lake
D. An increase in the number of
boats using the lake
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 2 Which statement correctly describes an energy source and
its effect on the environment?
A.Fossil Fuel, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,
generates greenhouse gases.
B.Solar Power, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,
generates greenhouse gases.
C.Nuclear Energy, which comes from a non-renewable resource, generatesdangerous waste.
D.Hydroelectric Power, which comes from a non-renewable resource
generates dangerous waste.
Answer on Next Slide..
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 2 Which statement correctly describes an energy source and
its effect on the environment?
A.Fossil Fuel, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,
generates greenhouse gases.
B.Solar Power, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,
generates greenhouse gases.
C.Nuclear Energy, which comes from a non-renewable resource, generatesdangerous waste.
D.Hydroelectric Power, which comes from a non-renewable resource
generates dangerous waste.
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 3
A developer plans to clear a forest to make room for a
shopping mall. How will this building project most likely
affect the forest ecosystem?
A. It will destroy the habitat of forest organisms.
B. It will cause a drought that damages vegetation
C. It will cause overharvesting of the forest animalsD. It will decrease the reproduction rates of forest organisms
Virgin Forest
1620
Virgin Forest
1920
Virgin Forest
1850
Virgin Forest
TODAY
Answer on Next Slide..
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 3
A developer plans to clear a forest to make room for a
shopping mall. How will this building project most likely
affect the forest ecosystem?
A. It will destroy the habitat of forest organisms.
B. It will cause a drought that damages vegetation
C. It will cause overharvesting of the forest animalsD. It will decrease the reproduction rates of forest organisms
Virgin Forest
1620
Virgin Forest
1920
Virgin Forest
1850
Virgin Forest
TODAY
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 4
Which statement describes how recycling aluminum cans
positively affects the environment?
A. Recycling uses energy.
B. Recycling makes solid waste.
C. Recycling conserves mineral resources.
D. Recycling produces air pollution.
Answer on Next Slide..
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 4
Which statement describes how recycling aluminum cans
positively affects the environment?
A. Recycling uses energy.
B. Recycling makes solid waste.
C. Recycling conserves mineral resources.
D. Recycling produces air pollution.
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 5 Which type of moving water provides the best environment
for organisms that decompose dead organic matter?A. A steep mountain stream that flows when snow melts in the
spring
B. A shallow river with cold, clear water and a sandy bottom
C. A slow-moving river with a wide, open channel
D. A rapidly moving stream with a narrow, steep channel
Answer on Next Slide..
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 5 Which type of moving water provides the best environment
for organisms that decompose dead organic matter?A. A steep mountain stream that flows when snow melts in the
spring
B. A shallow river with cold, clear water and a sandy bottom
C. A slow-moving river with a wide, open channel
D. A rapidly moving stream with a narrow, steep channel
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 6 This diagram is an example of a biogeochemical cycle.
How does this cycle contribute to watersheds?A. The Water Cycle is how water enters a watershed and how
water flows through the watershed.
B. The Water Cycle does not contribute to watersheds.
C. Watersheds are made up of land only.
D. The Water Cycle only occurs in the atmosphere.
Answer on Next Slide..
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 6 This diagram is an example of a biogeochemical cycle.
How does this cycle contribute to watersheds?A. The Water Cycle is how water enters a watershed and how
water flows through the watershed.
B. The Water Cycle does not contribute to watersheds.
C. Watersheds are made up of land only.
D. The Water Cycle only occurs in the atmosphere.
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 7 The Everglades are a wetland ecosystem. Humans blocked the flow
of water from Lake Okeechobee to build human dwellings.
Recently, the flow has be partially restored. Which of the following isnot a reason the flow to the Everglades was restored?
A. To restore the natural water filtration of the Everglades to the
ecosystem.
B. To protect the native wildlife and plant populations.
C. To provide flood control and water supply for a growing population.
D. To increase the invasive species populations in the wetland.
Answer on Next Slide..
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SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 7 The Everglades are a wetland ecosystem. Humans blocked the flow
of water from Lake Okeechobee to build human dwellings.
Recently, the flow has be partially restored. Which of the following isnot a reason the flow to the Everglades was restored?
A. To restore the natural water filtration of the Everglades to the
ecosystem.
B. To protect the native wildlife and plant populations.
C. To provide flood control and water supply for a growing population.
D. To increase the invasive species populations in the wetland.
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In Agriculture, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are what farmers
use to make environmentally sound decisions in managing which
aspects of the farming business?
A. BMPs are for engineers not farmers.
B. BMPs are only used with crops.
C. BMPs are only used with farm animals.
D. BMPs apply to all aspects of the farming business.
EXIT TICKET
Answer on Next Slide..
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In Agriculture, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are what farmers
use to make environmentally sound decisions in managing which
aspects of the farming business?
A. BMPs are for engineers not farmers.
B. BMPs are only used with crops.
C. BMPs are only used with farm animals.
D. BMPs apply to all aspects of the farming business.
EXIT TICKET