Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

2018, High School Biology

Question 12: Open-Response

Reporting Category: Evolution and Biodiversity
Standard: 5.1 - Explain how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from the fossil record, comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of natural selection.

View Reading Selection

After studying the finch diagram, a student concluded that the cactus finch, sharp-beaked finch, small ground finch, and medium ground finch are more closely related to each other than to the other four finch species shown.

Describe the evidence from the diagram the student used to come to this conclusion.

The student hypothesized that the sharp-beaked finch, small ground finch, and medium ground finch are more closely related to each other than to the cactus finch.

Identify one type of scientific evidence, other than physical characteristics, that would help the student evaluate the hypothesis, and describe specifically how that evidence could support the hypothesis.

The finches on the Galápagos Islands share many physical characteristics; however, not all organisms with similar physical characteristics are closely related.

Explain how two organisms that are not closely related could evolve similar physical characteristics.

Scoring Guide and Sample Student Work

Select a score point in the table below to view the sample student response.

Score	Description
4	The response demonstrates a thorough understanding of how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of natural selection. The response clearly describes the evidence from the diagram used to conclude relatedness among the finches. The response correctly identifies another type of evidence that would help to evaluate relatedness among the finches and clearly describes what the evidence would show. The response also clearly explains how two organisms that are not closely related could evolve similar physical characteristics.
4
3	The response demonstrates a general understanding of how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of natural selection.
2	The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of natural selection.
1	The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of natural selection.
0	The response is incorrect or contains some correct work that is irrelevant to the skill or concept being measured.

Note: There are 2 sample student responses for Score Point 4.

High School Biology

Question 12: Evolution and Biodiversity

Question 23: Anatomy and Physiology

Question 32: Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Question 44: Ecology

Question 45: Genetics

Return to the MCAS 2018 Student Work Directory

Last Updated: March 11, 2024