Science: Grade 7 (2023)

1

Which one of these best explains how a fast-growing vine could cause the death of an otherwise healthy tree?

Kudzu produces excess carbon dioxide, preventing the tree from performing photosynthesis.

Kudzu outcompetes the tree for sunlight, preventing the tree from performing photosynthesis.

Kudzu outcompetes the tree for pollinators, preventing the tree from reproducing effectively.

Kudzu adds excess weight to the tree, preventing it from remaining rooted and upright in the soil.

1

Kudzu has a competitive relationship within the ecosystems where it has spread. Which one of these observations best explains this statement?

Insect populations decrease because of predation on kudzu leaves.

Deer populations increase because of the availability of leaves to forage on.

Bacteria populations increase because kudzu is very efficient at fixing nitrogen.

Native grass populations decrease because of a reduction in available soil water

4

The preceding article gives the impression that we should not be greatly concerned about kudzu as an invasive species. The map, however, makes it seem as if kudzu is a major problem all across the South.
Part A
Cite specific information from the article that supports a claim that kudzu does not pose a major problem for ecosystems not currently infested with kudzu.
Part B
Explain what additional information would be needed in order to make a decision about whether an effort needs to be made to control kudzu. How would this information help you make a decision?

1

Hannah wondered how people might be able to control kudzu in those places where it is a problem. She read about different methods that have been proposed to eliminate kudzu from infested areas.
Which methods of kudzu control should a community choose in order to minimize unwanted impacts on the environment?
Select the TWO best answers.

Using goats and cattle to eat the vine

Spraying the vines with oil and burning them

Infecting the plant with a disease that kills it

Spraying chemical weed killers on the vines while they are actively growing

Repeatedly mowing down newly sprouted vines until the roots finally die because of the lack of leaves to perform photosynthesis

1

Which one of these best describes a relationship where both kudzu and another organism benefit?

Trees provide a structure for the vines to grow on.

Insects spread the pollen and consume the nectar

Consumer organisms eat the leaves and gain nutrients.

Decomposer organisms recycle the dead leaves and increase their population.

1

Which one of these best describes a relationship where both kudzu and another organism benefit?

Trees provide a structure for the vines to grow on.

Insects spread the pollen and consume the nectar

Consumer organisms eat the leaves and gain nutrients.

Decomposer organisms recycle the dead leaves and increase their population.

1

Hannah wondered about other nonnative species. She learned that many of them are considered invasive because of their effect on the native ecosystem.
Which one answer best explains how ecosystem interactions could be used to identify a species as invasive?

The interactions with the species are primarily competitive, with the native species outcompeting the nonnative species.

The interactions with the species are primarily competitive, with the nonnative species outcompeting the native species.

The interactions with the species are primarily beneficial, with the nonnative species helping to increase the success of both species.

The interactions with the species are primarily beneficial, with the nonnative species helping to increase the success of the native species.

1

Using the Criteria for Success and Constraints on Implementation from the table, select the TWO best reasons below why government agencies refuse to remove kudzu by spraying oil and burning the plant.

Solution should reduce the invasive population as much as possible.

Solution should have minimal or no impact on the ecosystem.

Solution should last as long as possible before needing to be repeated.

Solution should have lowest cost possible.

Solution should be as attractive as possible.

1

Hannah reads the different plans and considers which ones best meet the criteria and constraints for success.
Which one combination of criteria for success and constraints on implementation does the plan that calls for “preventing spreading only” best meet?

The solution should have minimal or no impact on the ecosystem, and the solution should have the lowest cost possible.

The solution should reduce the invasive population as much as possible, and the solution should be as attractive as possible.

The solution should reduce the invasive population as much as possible, and the solution should require the least amount of labor.

The solution should have minimal or no impact on the ecosystem, and the solution with significant effects on the ecosystem can’t be considered.

Which one of these best explains how a fast-growing vine could cause the death of an otherwise healthy tree?

Kudzu has a competitive relationship within the ecosystems where it has spread. Which one of these observations best explains this statement?

Which one of these best describes a relationship where both kudzu and another organism benefit?

Which one of these best describes a relationship where both kudzu and another organism benefit?

Hannah wondered about other nonnative species. She learned that many of them are considered invasive because of their effect on the native ecosystem.Which one answer best explains how ecosystem interactions could be used to identify a species as invasive?

Using the Criteria for Success and Constraints on Implementation from the table, select the TWO best reasons below why government agencies refuse to remove kudzu by spraying oil and burning the plant.

Hannah reads the different plans and considers which ones best meet the criteria and constraints for success.Which one combination of criteria for success and constraints on implementation does the plan that calls for “preventing spreading only” best meet?

Which one of these best explains how a fast-growing vine could cause the death of an otherwise healthy tree?

Kudzu has a competitive relationship within the ecosystems where it has spread. Which one of these observations best explains this statement?

Which one of these best describes a relationship where both kudzu and another organism benefit?

Which one of these best describes a relationship where both kudzu and another organism benefit?

Hannah wondered about other nonnative species. She learned that many of them are considered invasive because of their effect on the native ecosystem.Which one answer best explains how ecosystem interactions could be used to identify a species as invasive?

Using the Criteria for Success and Constraints on Implementation from the table, select the TWO best reasons below why government agencies refuse to remove kudzu by spraying oil and burning the plant.

Hannah reads the different plans and considers which ones best meet the criteria and constraints for success.Which one combination of criteria for success and constraints on implementation does the plan that calls for “preventing spreading only” best meet?

Hannah wondered about other nonnative species. She learned that many of them are considered invasive because of their effect on the native ecosystem.
Which one answer best explains how ecosystem interactions could be used to identify a species as invasive?

Hannah reads the different plans and considers which ones best meet the criteria and constraints for success.
Which one combination of criteria for success and constraints on implementation does the plan that calls for “preventing spreading only” best meet?

Hannah wondered about other nonnative species. She learned that many of them are considered invasive because of their effect on the native ecosystem.
Which one answer best explains how ecosystem interactions could be used to identify a species as invasive?

Hannah reads the different plans and considers which ones best meet the criteria and constraints for success.
Which one combination of criteria for success and constraints on implementation does the plan that calls for “preventing spreading only” best meet?