MS-LS2-2 | Interactions in Ecosystems · NYS standard · Grade 8 test questions

From NY Science Standards Wiki
Revision as of 08:09, 18 October 2026 by Conrad (talk | contribs) (PLD table: list all released questions at each level, matching the questions-by-performance-level pages)
← MS-LS2-4
MS-LS2-5 →

Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms in a variety of ecosystems.

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on predicting patterns of interactions such as competition, predation, mutualism, and parasitism in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships among and between organisms.

Grade 8 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS2-2 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam Cluster Question
Spring 2026 Grade 8 Test Cowbirds Question 1
Cowbirds Question 2
Cowbirds Question 5
Ammonia and the Nitrogen Cycle Question 27
Spring 2025 Grade 8 Test The Lake Erie Ecosystem Question 10
Spring 2024 Grade 8 Test Ecosystem of the Eastern Bluebird Question 44
Ecosystem of the Eastern Bluebird Question 45
Ecosystem of the Eastern Bluebird Question 46

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.

From this standard
  • competition
  • competitive interaction
  • ecosystem
  • environment
  • explanation
  • interaction
  • interdependent relationship
  • mutualism
  • mutually beneficial interaction
  • negative interaction
  • organism
  • parasitism
  • pattern of interaction
  • positive interaction
  • predation
  • predator
  • predatory interaction
  • species
  • survival
From released test questions
Implied by this standard
  • symbiosis and commensalism – implied by "competition, predation, mutualism, and parasitism" and "mutually beneficial interactions"

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-LS2-2 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Identify the type of interaction (interdependent relationship) from those provided, between two different organisms in an ecosystem. Spring 2026 Question 27, Spring 2026 Question 1, Spring 2024 Question 44
Level 2: Given a pattern of interaction (interdependent relationship) in an ecosystem, identify which organisms display this interaction. Spring 2026 Question 2, Spring 2026 Question 5, Spring 2025 Question 10, Spring 2024 Question 45
Level 3: Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms in a variety of ecosystems. Spring 2024 Question 46
Level 4: Construct an explanation that predicts multiple patterns of interactions, both positive and negative, among organisms in a variety of ecosystems.
Notice: PLD levels!

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS2-2.

Pixel beaver This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.


NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-LS2-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices
  • Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
    • Construct an explanation that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables that predict phenomena.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
  • LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
    • Similarly, predatory interactions may reduce the number of organisms or eliminate whole populations of organisms. Mutually beneficial interactions, in contrast, may become so interdependent that each organisms requires the other for survival. Although the species involved in these competitive, predatory, and mutually beneficial interactions vary across ecosystems, the patterns of interactions of organisms with their environments, both living and nonliving, are shared.
Crosscutting Concepts
  • Patterns
    • Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships.
Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard, Shirley Shameen
MS | MS. Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Retrieved from "https://nyssls.info/index.php?title=MS-LS2-2&oldid=6882"

About Us • Privacy Policy • Contact Us • Terms of Use