Life Science
Final Exam: Part II
Essay Response
As you know, your group presentations counted for 50% of your final assessment. The other 50% will bean in-class essay on the day of your science exam – Tuesday, June 7th.
You will have the class period to write, and the essay must be submitted to me before you leave. You will have the option to handwrite the essay (in cursive) OR type itin MLA format on your iPad.
I want your essay to be thoughtful. It is meant to tie together our units on botany and ecology with your presentations on pollution. To achieve this, I want you to take your normal “studying” time as brainstorming and outlining time.You are permitted to come to class on Tuesday with your ideas and notes written on one index card (front and back). This way, when you get to class, you do not have to spend any time thinking; you can get writing right away!
Essay prompt:
In our unit on ecology, we learned about the different roles that both biotic and abiotic factors play in an ecosystem. We also discussed the complex interactions among organisms for survival. Even in your plant experiments, many of you explored the effect that watering seeds with different liquids had on growth (vinegar simulates the effects of acid rain!).
In light of all you learned about ecology, think now about pollution (primarily water, air, and soil/land). In a three-paragraph essay, discuss how pollution might affect the delicate balance in different ecosystems. Include the following:
- A brief introduction demonstrating your understanding of how ecosystems function and how one small change could have a drastic effect on the entire ecosystem.
- One paragraph on how water, air, and soil pollution could negatively affect a particular ecosystem. You may choose a land ecosystem (think about the different biomes) or a water ecosystem (marine or freshwater). Be specific in your examples.
- One paragraph that explainswhy it is important, then, that humans work to reduce the amount of pollution on Earth. Questions to consider:
- Why is it important that we protect land and water ecosystems?
- How do pollution and the effect it has on ecosystems affect our lives?
- How do we contribute to this problem?
- What can YOU do to reduce the amount of pollution and protect the environment?
Brainstorm your ideas here first! Then write your final thoughts/outline on your index card to bring to class on Tuesday.
Introduction
How water, air, and soil pollution could negatively affect a particular ecosystem
Why it’s important that humans work to reduce the amount of pollution