Study Guide

Field 008: Earth Science 
Sample Constructed-Response Assignment

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Test Directions for the Constructed-Response Assignment

This section of the test consists of one constructed-response assignment. You will be asked to prepare a written response of approximately 300–600 words on the assigned topic.

Read the assignment carefully before you begin your response. Think about how you will organize your response. You may use the erasable sheet(s) to make notes, write an outline, or otherwise prepare your response.  start bold and italics However, your final response to the assignment must be either: end bold and italics 

  1. typed into the on-screen response box,
  2. written on a response sheet and scanned using the scanner provided at your workstation, or
  3. provided using both the on-screen response box (for typed text) and a response sheet (for calculations or drawings) that you will scan using the scanner provided at your workstation.

 start bold Instructions for scanning your response sheet(s) are available by clicking the "Scanning Help" button at the top of the screen. end bold 

As a whole, your response must demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge and skills of the field. In your response to the assignment, you are expected to demonstrate the depth of your understanding of the content area through your ability to apply your knowledge and skills rather than by merely reciting factual information.

Your responses to the assignments will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

 start bold PURPOSE: end bold  the extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
 start bold SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE: end bold  appropriateness and accuracy in the application of subject knowledge
 start bold SUPPORT: end bold  quality and relevance of supporting evidence
 start bold RATIONALE: end bold  soundness of argument and degree of understanding of the subject area

The constructed-response assignment is intended to assess subject matter knowledge and skills, not writing ability. However, your response must be communicated clearly enough to permit valid judgment of the scoring criteria. Your response should be written for an audience of educators in this field. The final version of your response should conform to the conventions of edited American English. Your response must be your original work, written in your own words, and not copied or paraphrased from some other work.

Be sure to write about the assigned topic. You may not use any reference materials during the test. Remember to review your work and make any changes you think will improve your response.

Any time spent responding to the assignment, including scanning the response sheet(s), is part of your testing time. Monitor your time carefully. When your testing time expires, a pop-up message will appear on-screen indicating the conclusion of your test session. Only response sheets that are scanned before you end your test or before time has expired will be scored. Any response sheet that is not scanned before testing ends will  start uppercase NOT end uppercase  be scored.

Sample Constructed-Response Assignment

subarea roman numeral 1 
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry

 start bold Use the information below to complete the exercise that follows. end bold 

A researcher has been hired by a paper company to collect water samples from three locations along a river that flows by the company's production facility. Several industrial contaminants have been reported at hazardous concentrations in an outflow pipe that directs the facility's wastewater into a culvert that drains into the river. The samples collected from the river will be tested for the same contaminants. The researcher's proposed investigative procedures are described below.

  1. Prepare for sampling of contaminated surface water by cleaning glass jars with soap and water.
  2. Identify three locations for sampling of river water that are all downstream of the paper company facility.
  3. Wade into the water at each location with a large bucket and carefully collect enough water with the bucket to fill one  500 milliliter  sample jar, making sure not to spill the potentially contaminated water on skin or clothing.
  4. Repeat the procedure at the two other downstream locations.
  5. Bring the samples to the lab and label them according to which location they came from and the tests that will be conducted.
  6. For each test to be conducted, fill a jar with tap water as a blank for verifying testing accuracy.
  7. Until all testing is completed, store all samples in a locked closet.
  8. Perform necessary tests for various contaminants first on the sample and then on the blank.
  9. Report results to the company.

Using your knowledge of the principles and appropriate procedures for scientific investigations (e.g., data analysis, experimental design, sampling, dependent and independent variables), prepare a response in which you:

Sample Strong Response to the Constructed-Response Assignment

 start bold Please note: The sample response provided below is for review purposes only and should not be used in a response on an operational exam. Use of the exact words and phrases presented in this sample response will result in a score of "U" (Unscorable) due to lack of original work. end bold 

After reviewing the procedures used by the researcher in collecting and testing samples of water contaminated with hazardous chemicals, I found the proposed procedures were flawed throughout. Safety, accuracy, and accountability are of paramount importance when dealing with suspected or known hazardous materials in the environment. Since cases of industrial contamination involve serious legal issues, the lack of accuracy and accountability becomes a legal matter that may involve federal and state environmental agencies, public health officials, and the courts. Aside from the risk to public health from inaccuracies in the assessment of the contamination problem, an important safety issue is the lack of protective clothing worn by the person collecting the samples. Minimally, gloves, boots, and safety glasses would be worn and, depending on the identity and concentration of the hazardous substances, a protective jumpsuit might be used.

The whole endeavor would be compromised if precautions are not taken to collect, label, store, and test the samples using strict laboratory protocols. From the start, the design of the collection and testing procedure is flawed. Collection jars are not sterilized, data on samples is not recorded properly, and collection locations are not justified or recorded accurately.

Initially, background research should be conducted to determine the most appropriate locations for sample collection and on the behavior of the particular contaminants as they enter the riverine environment. No samples are taken from a location upstream of the suspected discharge point, an essential step to verify the background quality of the river water and to identify any other possible sources of contaminant discharge. Specific locations of sample collection should be recorded and justified in terms of the concerns raised about the particular contaminants involved. Contamination that may be from nonpoint source locations should be researched and taken into account as well (e.g., agricultural and urban runoff, storm drains, residential pesticide use).

It is appropriate to collect a separate sample for each test. Samples should be collected directly from the outflow pipe leaving the industrial facility to verify the kinds of contaminants leaving the facility and their concentration as a reference to compare with upstream and downstream readings. The precise location (i.e., the latitude and longitude, the depth of collection within the stream, distance from shoreline) and character of the stream bed and banks should be recorded. Weather conditions should also be recorded. Care should be taken not to disturb the stream bed as some contaminants (e.g., heavy metals) may be concentrated in the sediments. These observations and recordings should be recorded in a field notebook that may be considered a legal document. Two samples for each test should be collected just in case something happens to a sample. Samples should be labeled at the time they are collected to minimize the possibility of a mix-up. Each sample should be labeled with the time, date, location, collector's name, and the contaminant to be tested for. Any field analysis that is possible should be conducted at the time of collection. This might include recording the temperature, pH, and conductivity of the water. To ensure accuracy of the results it is also important that all samples be stored at a constant cool temperature not accessible to nonprofessionals and are processed in a timely manner by a state-certified laboratory.

Testing blanks should be filled with distilled water, not tap water, and their identity should not be known to the person conducting the testing. Ultimately, to ensure the accuracy of the whole process, a state-certified lab that is independent of the company should be used so the results will be reliable and unbiased should the matter end up in court. The final report summarizing the data collected, background research, investigative protocol, and any associated maps, field notes, and photographs should be completed and delivered to the client and the relevant state agencies.

The reasons I feel this research is important to society are that as a society we must protect our freshwater resources and protect the health of the public, while also planning strategies for identifying and cleaning up contaminants in the environment. Achieving a greater understanding of how contaminants move through the environment is also an important part of the ongoing identification and cleanup of waste sites, hazardous spills, and the unregulated discharge of pollutants.

Performance Characteristics

The following characteristics guide the scoring of responses to the constructed-response assignment.

Characteristics that guide the scoring of responses
Purpose The extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
Subject Matter Knowledge The accuracy and appropriateness in the application of subject matter knowledge
Support The quality and relevance of supporting details
Rationale The soundness of argument and degree of understanding of the subject matter

Scoring Scale

Scores will be assigned to each response to the constructed-response assignment according to the following scoring scale.

Score Scale with description for each score point.
Score Point Score Point Description
4  start bold The "4" response reflects a thorough knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. end bold 
  • The purpose of the assignment is fully achieved.
  • There is a substantial, accurate, and appropriate application of subject matter knowledge.
  • The supporting evidence is sound; there are high-quality, relevant examples.
  • The response reflects an ably reasoned, comprehensive understanding of the topic.
3  start bold The "3" response reflects a general knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. end bold 
  • The purpose of the assignment is largely achieved.
  • There is a generally accurate and appropriate application of subject matter knowledge.
  • The supporting evidence generally supports the discussion; there are some relevant examples.
  • The response reflects a general understanding of the topic.
2  start bold The "2" response reflects a partial knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. end bold 
  • The purpose of the assignment is partially achieved.
  • There is a limited, possibly inaccurate or inappropriate application of subject matter knowledge.
  • The supporting evidence is limited; there are few relevant examples.
  • The response reflects a limited, poorly reasoned understanding of the topic.
1  start bold The "1" response reflects little or no knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. end bold 
  • The purpose of the assignment is not achieved.
  • There is little or no appropriate or accurate application of subject matter knowledge.
  • The supporting evidence, if present, is weak; there are few or no relevant examples.
  • The response reflects little or no reasoning about or understanding of the topic.
U The response is unscorable because it is illegible, not written to the assigned topic, written in a language other than English, or lacking a sufficient amount of original work to score.
B There is no response to the assignment.