Difference between revisions of "MS-LS2-4"
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| Level4 = Construct an argument, supported by empirical evidence, that supports the claim that human activities cause changes to physical and biological components of an ecosystem, which affect populations. | | Level4 = Construct an argument, supported by empirical evidence, that supports the claim that human activities cause changes to physical and biological components of an ecosystem, which affect populations. | ||
| Level3 = Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. | | Level3 = Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. | ||
| − | | Example3 = [[Questions:Behavior and Evolution of Guppies#q4|Spring 2025 · Q50]] | + | | Example3 = <span class="pld-chip pld-chip-ms">[[Questions:Behavior and Evolution of Guppies#q4|Spring 2025 · Q50]]</span> |
| Level2 = Identify the empirical evidence that supports the argument that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. | | Level2 = Identify the empirical evidence that supports the argument that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. | ||
| − | | Example2 = [[Questions:Ecosystem of the Eastern Bluebird#q4|Spring 2024 · Q47]] | + | | Example2 = <span class="pld-chip pld-chip-ms">[[Questions:Ecosystem of the Eastern Bluebird#q4|Spring 2024 · Q47]]</span> |
| Level1 = Identify an argument that describes how a change in a physical or biological component of an ecosystem will have an effect on a population. | | Level1 = Identify an argument that describes how a change in a physical or biological component of an ecosystem will have an effect on a population. | ||
| − | | Example1 = [[Questions:Ammonia and the Nitrogen Cycle#q4|Spring 2026 · Q28]] [[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes#q4|Spring 2026 · Q47]] [[Questions:The Lake Erie Ecosystem#q2|Spring 2025 · Q11]] [[Questions:Respiration#q4|Spring 2024 · Q42]] | + | | Example1 = <span class="pld-chip pld-chip-ms">[[Questions:Ammonia and the Nitrogen Cycle#q4|Spring 2026 · Q28]]</span> <span class="pld-chip pld-chip-ms">[[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes#q4|Spring 2026 · Q47]]</span> <span class="pld-chip pld-chip-ms">[[Questions:The Lake Erie Ecosystem#q2|Spring 2025 · Q11]]</span> <span class="pld-chip pld-chip-ms">[[Questions:Respiration#q4|Spring 2024 · Q42]]</span> |
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Latest revision as of 09:45, 18 October 2026
Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on recognizing patterns in data and making warranted inferences about shifts in populations due to changes in the ecosystem.
Grade 8 Science Test Questions
Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS2-4 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.
Vocabulary
Terms from the Middle School Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 8 Science Test questions that assess it.
- argument
- biological component
- claim
- data
- disruption
- ecosystem
- empirical evidence
- human activity
- inference
- physical component
- population
- shift in population
- warranted inference
- algae – Spring 2025
- algal bloom – Spring 2025
- altitude – Spring 2024
- average temperature – Spring 2024
- bacteria – Spring 2026
- blue-green algae – Spring 2025
- bottom feeder – Spring 2025
- cellular respiration – Spring 2024
- climate – Spring 2024
- climate change – Spring 2026
- competition – Spring 2026
- cyanobacteria – Spring 2025
- disease – Spring 2026
- energy – Spring 2025
- environment – Spring 2024
- evidence – Spring 2025, Spring 2024
- food – Spring 2026, Spring 2025
- genetic variant – Spring 2024
- geographic range – Spring 2026
- global temperature – Spring 2024
- graph – Spring 2025
- habitat – Spring 2026
- high altitude – Spring 2024
- interaction – Spring 2026
- investigation – Spring 2025
- mitigation – Spring 2024
- natural selection – Spring 2024
- nitrogen-fixing bacteria – Spring 2026
- numerical evidence – Spring 2025
- nutrient – Spring 2026
- organism – Spring 2025
- overgrowth – Spring 2025
- parasitize – Spring 2026
- photosynthetic organism – Spring 2025
- phytoplankton – Spring 2025
- plant growth – Spring 2026
- plateau – Spring 2024
- predator – Spring 2025
- prediction – Spring 2025
- root – Spring 2026
- root nodule – Spring 2026
- soil – Spring 2026
- species – Spring 2026, Spring 2024
- species range – Spring 2024
- summit – Spring 2024
- sunlight – Spring 2025
- survival – Spring 2026, Spring 2024
- temperature – Spring 2024
- toxin – Spring 2025
- underwater plant – Spring 2025
- usable nitrogen – Spring 2026
- variant – Spring 2024
- wildlife hunting – Spring 2026
- zooplankton – Spring 2025
Performance Level Descriptions
Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-LS2-4 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS2-4.
NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation MS-LS2-4 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
- LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
- Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their characteristics can vary over time. Disruptions to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations.
- Stability and Change
- Small changes in one part of a system might cause large changes in another part.