Q2 L1 · Quiz
Weekly quiz · Measuring Plant Height: Protocol, Calibration, and Measurement Error
Assessment Appendix — AP Environmental Science · Week 10 Quiz
Quarter 2, Week 1 · Lessons 2.1–2.2 · Measuring Plant Height: Protocol, Calibration, and Measurement Error; Environmental Sensors: Measuring the Garden Microclimate
| # | Item | Answer / look-fors / scoring | Pts | Lesson · standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Which term best matches this description? Unpredictable variation (leaf movement, eye angle) that averages out with more measurements. | (C) random error. | 1 | L2.1 · CED Skill 4.B, 4.C, 4.D (no CED topic claimed) |
| 2 | Which term best matches this description? Consistent bias in one direction (ruler offset, always pressing into soil); it does not average out and can create a false treatment difference if applied to one cell. | (A) systematic error. | 1 | L2.1 · CED Skill 4.B, 4.C, 4.D (no CED topic claimed) |
| 3 | Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence: Good data come from a consistent, written protocol. Random error is reduced by replication; ________ must be prevented by design. | (A) systematic error. | 1 | L2.1 · CED Skill 4.B, 4.C, 4.D (no CED topic claimed) |
| 4 | Students test how compost (0%, 10%, 20%) affects harvest mass in garden beds. Which of the following is the dependent variable? | (C) harvest mass. The dependent variable is what is measured: harvest mass. | 1 | L2.1 · CED Skill 4.B, 4.C, 4.D; item skill 7.A (no CED topic claimed) |
| 5 | In a soil jar test from the school garden, the settled layers measured 3.0 cm sand, 2.4 cm silt, and 1.2 cm clay. What percentage of the soil is sand? (Illustrative data.) | (B) 45%. % sand = 3.0 ÷ 6.6 × 100 ≈ 45%. | 1 | L2.2 · CED Topic 4.3, 4.7; LO ERT-4.C, ENG-2.A; Skill 4.D, 5.A, 4.E; item skill 6.B |
| 6 | Short Free Response: Answer each part using evidence from this week’s garden investigations. | 4 | L2.1, 2.2 · CED Skill 4.B, 4.C, 4.D (no CED topic claimed); CED Topic 4.3, 4.7; LO ERT-4.C, ENG-2.A; Skill 4.D, 5.A, 4.E | |
| (a) Explain the difference between accuracy and precision. | Accuracy = near true; precision = repeatable. | 1 | ||
| (b) Describe one systematic error you prevented today. | Systematic examples: ruler offset, measuring to a different leaf. | 1 | ||
| (c) Record the tallest plant in each cell. | Heights recorded with units. | 1 | ||
| (d) Report one reading for each cell. | Look for: Look for real values with units, a reasoned judgment, and a fix such as shade cloth on all cells or randomization noted in limitations. | 1 |