The fifth grade 2008 Science Assessment consisted of 2 inquiry scenarios, 3 system scenarios, and 2 stand alone items. There were 21 multiple choice items (MC), 10 short answer items (SA), and 2 extended response items (ER) for a total of 49 points. The points were equally balanced between physical, Earth/space, and living systems.

INQUIRY SCENARIOS *
Scenario Description	Item Description	Item Type **	Cognitive Complexity ***	State Performance +	Released Item
Investigation into a physical system	What was one variable kept the same (controlled) in their investigation?	MC		68%
	What was the changed (manipulated) variable in their investigation?	MC		75%
	Write a conclusion to their investigation.	SA		0.95
	When does a form of energy change in their system?	MC		89%
	What is the function of a part in their system?	MC		76%
	Describe a possible solution to a human problem in their system.	SA		0.87
	Plan a new investigation to answer a new question.	ER		1.94
Investigation into an Earth system	What was the changed (manipulated) variable in their investigation?	MC		59%	Click here
	What was the measured (responding) variable in their investigation?	MC		82%	Click here
	What is a reason for using a model to investigate a phenomenon in their system?	MC		63%	Click here
	What is an energy transformation in their Earth system investigation?	MC		87%	Click here
	Write a conclusion to their investigation.	SA		1.0	Click here
	Plan a new investigation to answer a new question.	ER		1.6	Click here

SYSTEM SCENARIOS *
Scenario Description	Item Description	Item Type **	Cognitive Complexity ***	State Performance +	Released Item
Description of a living system	What form of energy does an organism get from the Sun in their system?	MC		93%	Click here
	What is a property of the soil in their system?	MC		88%	Click here
	What is the reason for the differences in the growth of an organism over time?	MC		85%	Click here
	What question could help gather information to solve their problem?	MC		75%	Click here
	What group of organisms could be used to classify a specific plant in their system?	MC		95%	Click here
	Describe the life function of a part of a living thing in their system.	SA		0.8	Click here
	Describe the life cycle of a plant in their system.	SA		1.0	Click here
Description of a Earth system	Why is a component of the Earth system important to the system?	MC		79%
	What can a fossil show about the past of their Earth system?	MC		84%
	Describe the effects of humans on the health of their ecosystem.	SA		0.63
	Which observation of their Earth system is a scientific fact?	MC		83%
	Describe the water cycle in their Earth system.	SA		1.22
Description of a living system	What form of energy is present in their living system?	MC		96%
	What is the role of an organism in their living system?	MC		88%
	Describe possible solutions to a problem in living their system.	SA		1.03
	Describe how different organisms in their living could be sorted into two groups.	SA		0.63
	What question was being answered in a similar investigation?	MC		85%
	Describe the effects of humans on the health of their ecosystem.	SA		1.08