The following question refers to shadows created by sunlight. 1. If you measured your shadow at noon during the summer and at noon during the winter, would the Explain your answer.
Question 1 Scoring Guide Score & Description Complete Student response states that the length of the shadow will be different in the winter because during winter the Sun is lower in the sky, or because the Sun's rays hit the Earth at a different angle. Partial Student response states that the length of the shadow will be different in the winter, but continues with an explanation that is correct, but incomplete. Unsatisfactory/Incorrect Student states that the length of the shadow will be different or the same in the winter, with an explanation that shows a lack of understanding of how shadows change on a seasonal basis. Complete - Student Response Scorer Comments: Student response correctly states that the length of the shadow would be different in the winter, and provides a correct explanation that the Sun's position is higher in the summer.
Scorer Comments: Student response correctly states that the length of the shadow would be different in the winter, and provides a correct explanation that the Sun's rays strike the Earth at a more direct angle in the summer. Partial - Student Response Scorer Comments: Student response correctly states that the length of the shadow would be different in the winter. It provides a partial explanation regarding the Earth's tilt, without specifically stating how the tilt would affect the Sun's height above the horizon or the angle at which the Sun's rays strike the Earth.
Scorer Comments: Student response correctly states that the length of the shadow would be different in the winter, and provides a partial explanation regarding the angle at which the Sun's rays strike the Earth without stating specifically how the angles are different in the two seasons. Unsatisfactory/Incorrect - Student Response Scorer Comments: Student response correctly states that the length of the shadow would be different in the winter, but provides an erroneous explanation.
Scorer Comments: Student response correctly states that the length of the shadow would be different in the winter, but provides an erroneous explanation.
2000 National Performance Results Score Percentage of Students Unsatisfactory/incorrect 79% Partial 15% Complete 2% Omitted 3% Off task 1% Note: These results are for public and nonpublic school students. Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. The Fields of Science: Earth & Space Sciences (Sub content classification: Earth in Space) Knowing and Doing Science : Practical Reasoning
The Fields of Science Earth & Space Sciences This question measures basic knowledge and understanding of the following: Earth in Space setting of the Earth in the solar system; setting and evolution of the solar system in the universe (not in grade 4); tools and technology that are used to gather information about space; apparent daily motions of the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the stars; rotation of the Earth about its axis, and the Earth's revolution around the Sun; tilt of the Earth's axis that produces seasonal variations in climate; and earth as a unique member of the solar system that may be approximated in other galaxies in the universe, and that evolved at least 4.5 billion years ago. Knowing and Doing Science Practical Reasoning Practical reasoning probes students' abilities to use and apply science understanding in new, realworld applications.