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This page shows questions in the Energy Sources and the Environment public release module at MSDE. 5th Grade MISA
"Energy Sources and the Environment"

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A student observed that some power plants and vehicles release smoke into the air, and some do not. The student began researching the energy sources that might make this difference possible and what effect these sources of energy might have on the environment.

The research stated that depending on where people live, electricity is produced using biomass, fossil fuel, hydroelectricity, nuclear power, solar energy, or wind power. The student found that most vehicles are powered by fossil fuels, but some now run on electricity. The research also stated that some stoves use natural gas, while others use electricity, and that the burning of fossil fuels releases warming gases that contribute to climate change.

The student constructed a table from the research about how energy is produced from the different energy sources, including some facts about each energy source, shown as follows.

Energy Source How Energy Is Produced Facts about Using the Resource
Biomass Household garbage, logging and farming leftovers, and food crops are processed into fuels for transportation and to produce electricity.
  • Less waste makes it to landfills.
  • More land is needed for crops.
  • Burning biomass releases fewer warming gases than burning fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels Coal, oil, and natural gas are burned to produce electricity and power transportation and other engines.
  • A large amount of energy is contained in a small amount of fuel.
  • The fuel takes millions of years to occur naturally.
  • Warming gases are released when burned.
Hydroelectricity Water behind a dam pours through an opening to spin turbines to produce electricity.
  • Areas where water can be trapped by a dam are limited.
  • Animals in the water can be harmed near the dam.
  • No warming gases are produced.
Nuclear Heat from mined nuclear material boils water. Steam spins turbines to produce electricity.
  • Enough electricity is produced to power large cities.
  • Nuclear waste is very dangerous and must be disposed of by the government.
  • No warming gases are produced.
Solar Solar cells formed into panels change sunlight directly into electricity.
  • The sun needs to be out to make electricity.
  • No warming gases are produced.
Wind Blowing wind spins large windmills connected to electric generators.
  • Wind must be blowing to produce electricity.
  • Birds may be harmed by spinning blades.
  • No warming gases are produced.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

The student used the information in the research to conclude that wind energy is cleaner than fossil fuel energy.

The evidence that wind energy is cleaner than fossil fuel energy is that wind energy is

  1. A.
    a renewable energy source that reduces local air quality.
  2. B.
    a renewable energy source that improves local air quality.
  3. C.
    a nonrenewable energy source that reduces local air quality.
  4. D.
    a nonrenewable energy source that improves local air quality.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select several options.

Identify the positive effects the use of solar panels has on the environment.

Select three.

  1. A.
    conserves nonrenewable resources
  2. B.
    increases the need for renewable energy
  3. C.
    improves the quality of air in the atmosphere
  4. D.
    increases the use of nonrenewable resources
  5. E.
    generates electricity from a renewable resource

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

The student listed energy sources that would be best to power schools and homes.

Identify the energy source that has the greatest negative effect on the atmosphere.

  1. A.
    nuclear
  2. B.
    biomass
  3. C.
    fossil fuels
  4. D.
    hydroelectricity

This is a question with 2 parts, including a question with drop-down menus from which you must select an option to fill in the blank.

The student determined that a hydroelectric dam would have a positive effect on the environment because it would use resources that  
  but would have a negative effect on  
 

This is a question with 2 parts, including a multiple choice question that allows you to select several options, and, a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

Part A

The student’s research included the use of fossil fuels to power homes and vehicles.

Identify words or phrases that describe fossil fuels.

Select three.

  1. A.
    renewable
  2. B.
    nonrenewable
  3. C.
    sources of energy
  4. D.
    made from rock layers
  5. E.
    removed from the ground

Part B

The use of fossil fuels negatively affects the environment by

  1. A.
    increasing pollution in the air.
  2. B.
    decreasing the need for power plants.
  3. C.
    increasing available energy resources.
  4. D.
    decreasing the need to use wind energy.

This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.

Identify the positive and negative effects of using nuclear energy to power large cities.