Assessment Development: Lillian Meyer and Stephanie Nicholson
Biomes: Forest, Desert, Arctic/Tundra, Ocean
Part 1: Selected-Response and Constructed-Response Assessment
For each of the following questions, choose which one of the four options are the correct answer.
Mark the correct answer by circling it.
Problem Set 1:
1. Where does a squirrel live?
a. The Desert
b. The Ocean
c. The Forest
d. The Arctic/Tundra
2. Which of the following is the coldest?
a. The Forest
b. The Desert
c. The Ocean
d. The Arctic/Tundra
3. Where do cactuses grow?
a. The Forest
b. The Desert
c. The Ocean
d. The Arctic/Tundra
4. Which​ of the following ​does not live in the ocean?
a. A Moose
b. A Dolphin
c. An Octopus
d. A Fish
5. Which of the following has the most leafy trees?
a. The Forest
b. The Desert
c. The Ocean
d. The Arctic/Tundra
Problem Set 2:
1. If squirrels live in a biome where there are lots of trees, then they must live in the ______
biome.
a. Arctic
b. Ocean
c. Forest
d. Desert
2. Mark was sorting animals into their correct biomes during a science project for school.
He has sorted the polar bear into the arctic biome. How did Mark know the polar bear
belongs in the arctic biome?
a. Polar Bears smile, and only cold animals know how to smile.
b. Polar Bears have lots of heavy fur and blubber that keep them warm within the
cold arctic biome.
c. Polar Bears have large feet
d. Polar Bears don’t eat the same fish as a Grizzly Bear.
3. When octopuses wake up in the morning, they move all their eight legs fluidly. They
look around their home and see lots of coral and other fish. Based on what the octopuses
see, what biome do you think they live in?
a. Ocean
b. Desert
c. School
d. Arctic
4. If moose require lots of grass and trees along with rivers and streams, what biome do you
think best fits their needs?
a. Desert
b. Arctic
c. Forest
d. Ocean
5. Great Horned Owls need tall trees to build their nests in. Because Great Horned Owls live
in these tall trees, they must live in what type of biome?
a. Forest
b. Arctic
c. Ocean
d. Desert
Problem Set 3:
For each of the following questions, circle either True or False as the correct response.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
True or​ False​: Many sharks live in the desert.
True​ or False: Polar bears live in the arctic/tundra.
True​ or False: People often go fishing in the ocean for food.
True or ​False​: There are no animals in the desert.
True or ​False​: Forests are made of lots of big and small cactuses.
Problem Set 4:
Draw a line from the animal to it’s matching biome.
FOREST
RATTLESNAKE
GRIZZLY BEAR
DESERT
WALRUS
ARCTIC
SHARK
OCEAN
Problem Set 5:
Choose an answer from the word bank below to finish the following sentences.
WORDBANK
Forest
Desert
Arctic/Tundra
Ocean
City
Grasslands
1. The _____________ is often dry, hot, and has plants that don’t need much water, like
cactuses.
2. The _____________ is a big part of our world, has lots of water, and fish.
3. The _____________ has lots of trees, plants, and animals.
4. The _____________ is often very cold, has few plants, and the animals there are
specially made for cold weather.
5. The _____________ has tall trees with streams and rivers for Grizzly Bears to hunt.
Problem Set 6
Using the following pictures to answer the following questions.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Images from iClipart for Schools
1. Which list of animals would live in a place like what is shown in Image 1?
a. A whale, a walrus, and a tuna
b. A kangaroo, a tarantula, and a hare
c. A polar bear, a seal, and a moose
d. A squirrel, a deer, and a cougar
2. Which list of objects would you find at a place like what is shown in Image 2?
a. Sand, a seashell, and a starfish
b. Sand, a cactus, and a tumbleweed
c. Dirt, leaves, and branches
d. Snow, rocks, and ice
3. Where is a porcupine most likely to live?
a. Image 1
b. Image 2
c. Image 3
d. Image 4
4. What type of environment does image 4 show?
a. The Forest
b. The Desert
c. The Ocean
d. The Arctic/Tundra
Problem Set 6:
Answer the following questions with at least one sentence.
1.
If your friend told you they were moving to a desert, what would you expect them to see
around their new house?
2. If you went on vacation to see the ocean, what are some of the things you would hope to
see on the beach?
3.
If you live somewhere with lots of trees and rain, do you live in the desert? Please
explain why or why not.
Performance Assessment: Making Biomes in Groups
Instructions:
The class will be divided into 4 groups. Each group will be assigned a biome; Forest, Desert,
Ocean, or Arctic/Tundra. As a group, you will build a diorama of your assigned biome. The
materials for the biomes will be set up on a table in the middle of the room so everybody has
access to all of the supplies. You will have 45 minutes to complete your diorama. Your team
should label the top or side of your diorama with the biome you were assigned to create. Your
diorama should include the ground, plants, and animals one would expect to see in your assigned
biome. Your team should take their time, there is no need to rush. Your diorama should be neat
and thought out.
Tasks
0
1
2
Biome
Is not assigned
biome
Is assigned
biome
Is assigned
biome
Has incorrect
ground and/or
background
Has incorrect
ground or
background
Has correct
ground and
background
Has no plants
Has some
correct plants,
some wrong
plants
Has all correct
plants
Has some
correct animals,
some incorrect
animals
Has all correct
animals
Few items
placed
mindfully, not
very neat, not
well thought out
Items placed
with care, scene
well thought out
Plants
Has all wrong
plants
Animals
Has no animals
Has all incorrect
animals
Neatness
All items tossed
in
No care shown
in work
Totals:
Total