5-PS3-1 | Energy Flow · NYS standard · Grade 5 test questions

Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the Sun.

Clarification statement: Emphasis should be on plants converting light energy by photosynthesis into usable energy. Examples of models could include diagrams and flow charts.

Grade 5 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 5 science test questions that assess 5-PS3-1 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam	Cluster	Question
Spring 2025 Grade 5 Test	The Albany Pine Bush Ecosystem	Question 22

Vocabulary

Terms from the Elementary Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 5 Science Test questions that assess it.

From this standard

animal
body repair
body warmth
diagram
energy
energy from the Sun
energy transfer
evidence
flow chart
food
growth
light energy
model
motion
photosynthesis
plant
usable energy

From released test questions

environment – Spring 2025
light – Spring 2025
matter – Spring 2025
motion energy – Spring 2025
non-living environment – Spring 2025
recycling – Spring 2025
soil – Spring 2025
source of energy – Spring 2025

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 5 Science Test question on 5-PS3-1 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Identify the evidence in a model that shows that energy in animals’ food was once energy from the Sun. Spring 2025 Question 22

Level 2: Use a model to describe the evidence that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair or growth or motion or to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the Sun.

Level 3: Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the Sun.

Level 4: Develop and use a model to show that energy in animals’ food was once energy from the Sun, how photosynthesis plays a role in this transfer of energy, and how this energy is used by animals for body repair, growth, motion and to maintain body warmth.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of 5-PS3-1.

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Page contributors: Conrad Richman

Grades 3–5 science standards | 5. Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems