Your Task

Question

In the questions that follow, you will construct an explanation to determine and then explain factors that lead to changes in the red squirrel population.
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Question 3

Which statement describes the trend from Graph 4 about the frequency and how often the red squirrels give birth.

(1 point)
Responses

A. Births are become less frequent.
A. Births are become less frequent.

B. Births are becoming more frequent.
B. Births are becoming more frequent.

C. Birth are staying the same
C. Birth are staying the same
Question 4
Question 4

Based on the information in Reading 1, Reading 2, Graph 1, Graph 2, and Graph 3 complete each of the sentences describing the change that is occurring and if this change could affect the birth rate of squirrels.


(9 points)
Graph 1 is showing that the average
is
. This
be causing an effect on the birth rate of squirrels.

Graph 2 is showing that the average
is
. This
be causing an effect on the birth rate of squirrels.

Graph 3 is showing that the average
is
. This
be causing an effect on the birth rate of squirrels.

Question 5
Question 5

Complete a CER (Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning) on the impact of environmental changes on red squirrels. Choose one correct answer for each part (A-C).

Part A: Choose your claim.

(1 point)
Responses

A. Environmental changes have no effect on red squirrels.
A. Environmental changes have no effect on red squirrels.

B. Environmental changes have caused red squirrels to reproduce later in the year.
B. Environmental changes have caused red squirrels to reproduce later in the year.

C. Environmental changes have caused red squirrels to reproduce earlier in the year.
C. Environmental changes have caused red squirrels to reproduce earlier in the year.

D. Environmental changes have eliminated red squirrels’ primary food source.
D. Environmental changes have eliminated red squirrels’ primary food source.
Question 6
Part B: Select the evidence to support your claim. (1 point)
Responses

A. The abundance of spruce cones has been decreasing.
A. The abundance of spruce cones has been decreasing.

B. Warmer springs have shifted the timing of white spruce cone production.
B. Warmer springs have shifted the timing of white spruce cone production.

C. Red squirrels have been observed eating a variety of foods, not just cones.
C. Red squirrels have been observed eating a variety of foods, not just cones.

D. Red squirrels were studied near Kluane Lake for over 30 years.
D. Red squirrels were studied near Kluane Lake for over 30 years.
Question 7
Part C: Choose the statement that connects the evidence with the claim.(1 point)
Responses

A. Earlier spruce cone production gives red squirrels more food in the fall, leading to earlier births.
A. Earlier spruce cone production gives red squirrels more food in the fall, leading to earlier births.

B. The timing of spruce cone production affects how red squirrels select nesting sites.
B. The timing of spruce cone production affects how red squirrels select nesting sites.

C. Changes in spruce cone production have no measurable effect on red squirrel reproduction.
C. Changes in spruce cone production have no measurable effect on red squirrel reproduction.

D. Earlier spruce cone production reduces food availability, so red squirrels give birth earlier.

Answer 1

Question 3

The trend from Graph 4 about the frequency of how often the red squirrels give birth can be described as:

A. Births are becoming less frequent.

Question 4

Based on the information provided in Reading 1, Reading 2, Graph 1, Graph 2, and Graph 3, complete the sentences as follows:

Graph 1 is showing that the average temperature is increasing. This may be causing an effect on the birth rate of squirrels.

Graph 2 is showing that the average number of spruce cones produced is decreasing. This may be causing an effect on the birth rate of squirrels.

Graph 3 is showing that the average population of red squirrels is declining. This may be causing an effect on the birth rate of squirrels.

Question 5

Part A: Choose your claim.

B. Environmental changes have caused red squirrels to reproduce later in the year.

Question 6

Part B: Select the evidence to support your claim.

B. Warmer springs have shifted the timing of white spruce cone production.

Question 7

Part C: Choose the statement that connects the evidence with the claim.

A. Earlier spruce cone production gives red squirrels more food in the fall, leading to earlier births.

This connection emphasizes how changes in the timing of spruce cone production, due to environmental changes, could impact the reproductive behavior of red squirrels.