1. Unit Assessment

Assessment

Unit A Assessment

Unit A: Check What You Know

 

Before moving on to the final unit assignment, you will review what you have learned. In order to do so, you will form a study group consisting of from two to four group members. With your group, you will complete the listed questions from the “Unit 1 Review” on pages 68 to 71 in your textbook. Have each member save a copy of your group’s final work in his or her electronic portfolio.

 

Assigned Questions: 1, 4 to 6, 10 to 13, 16, 19, 24, 28 to 33

 

Submit a copy of your work to your teacher. Once every group has submitted its responses, your teacher will post an answer key in the discussion area. Compare your group’s answers to those in the answer key. If you are unsure about a particular response, contact your teacher.

 

Unit A—Apply What You Know

 

Your final evaluation for this unit will be in the form of a written response question similar to what would be found in a diploma exam. For full marks, your response must address all aspects of the question. Descriptions and/or explanations of concepts must include pertinent ideas and diagrams. Your response must be presented in a well-organized manner using complete sentences. Relevant scientific, technological, and/or societal concepts and examples must be identified and made clear.

 

Global threat posed by “Asian brown cloud”


A heavy blanket of polluted air over central and eastern China has been spotted by satellite images. This air is so dense with pollution that the coastline near Shanghai virtually disappears from the satellite images. This toxic mix of ash particles is called the “Asian brown cloud.” The particles result from the burning of coal, wood, or animal dung for heating and cooking in millions of eastern-Asian homes. Other ashes result from nitrogen oxides from car and factory emissions, sulfates and soot from industries, and from fires set to clear jungles for farming.

 

This phenomenon was identified by scientists five years ago. And scientists now estimate that this pollution has reduced the sunlight that reaches the ground by from 10 to 15%.

 

Researchers have determined that the “Asian brown cloud” reaches altitudes high enough into the atmosphere to join the fast-moving jet stream on the way east to North America. When the winds are at their strongest in April and May, this pollution can reach across the Pacific Ocean in as few as four days. This can result in serious and lasting ecological effects all over Earth.

 



Write a unified response that addresses the following aspects relating to the ”Asian brown cloud.”

  • Name two biogeochemical cycles that would be affected by the ”Asian brown cloud” and describe how it would upset their state of equilibrium. (4 marks)

  • Using the laws of thermodynamics, explain how the reduction in available sunlight in a closed system would affect an energy pyramid. (2 marks)

  • Make a prediction about one ecological impact (effect on the ecosystem) the cloud may have in southeast Asia and one ecological impact the cloud may have in the Arctic. Use relevant knowledge of biological processes to support your predictions. (4 marks)

  • Hypothesize one meteorological (weather) impact the cloud may have in southeast Asia and one meteorological impact the cloud may have in the Arctic. Use relevant knowledge of energy flow to support your predictions. (4 marks)

  • Propose two solutions to reduce further ecological and meteorological impacts on the environment. Explain how these solutions would work. (4 marks)

Keep in mind that your response needs to focus on energy flow and the cycling of matter in the biosphere.

 

Essay Question: Is the Asian brown cloud a global threat?



Student Name:

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Organization

The information is very organized with

well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings.

The information is organized with

well-constructed paragraphs.

The information is organized, but the paragraphs are not well-constructed.

The information appears to be disorganized.

Amount of Information

All topics are addressed and all questions are answered with at least four sentences about each topic.

All topics are addressed and most questions are answered with at least three sentences about each topic.

All topics are addressed and most questions are answered with two sentences or less about each topic.

One or more topics were not addressed.

Quality of Information

The information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.

The information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides one or two supporting details and/or examples.

The information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.

The information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.

Scientific Knowledge

18 marks

The student will receive a mark out of 12 points based on the scientific knowledge they presented throughout the essay and based on the accuracy of the information presented.

 

See the question for the allocation of these marks.

Total

__________ / 30