5th Grade Science Quiz: Photosynthesis

Grade Level: 5th Grade | Standard: NGSS 5-LS1-1 | Total Points: 50
Time Estimate: 25-30 minutes

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Student Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

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SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE (32 points - 4 points each)

Directions: Choose the BEST answer for each question. Circle the letter of your choice.

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1. What is photosynthesis?

a) The process plants use to breathe
b) The process plants use to make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
c) The process plants use to absorb food from the soil
d) The process plants use to grow roots

[DOK 1 - Recall]

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2. Where does most of a plant’s mass (weight) come from?

a) Soil and minerals
b) Water alone
c) Air (carbon dioxide) and water
d) Sunlight

[DOK 2 - Application]

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3. Which of these is NOT needed for photosynthesis to occur?

a) Sunlight
b) Carbon dioxide
c) Soil
d) Water

[DOK 1 - Recall]

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4. Where does photosynthesis mainly take place in a plant?

a) In the roots
b) In the stem
c) In the leaves
d) In the flowers

[DOK 1 - Recall]

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5. What gas do plants release into the air during photosynthesis?

a) Carbon dioxide
b) Nitrogen
c) Oxygen
d) Hydrogen

[DOK 1 - Recall]

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6. A student places a healthy plant in a dark closet for two weeks. The plant begins to wilt and turn yellow. Why did this happen?

a) The plant did not have enough soil
b) The plant could not perform photosynthesis without sunlight
c) The closet was too warm
d) The plant needed fertilizer

[DOK 2 - Application]

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7. Which statement correctly describes how energy flows in photosynthesis?

a) Plants create energy from nothing
b) Plants capture light energy from the sun and store it as food (sugar)
c) Plants get energy from the soil
d) Sunlight becomes part of the plant’s body

[DOK 2 - Application]

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8. Why are plants called “producers”?

a) They produce carbon dioxide
b) They produce seeds
c) They produce their own food through photosynthesis
d) They produce soil

[DOK 2 - Application]

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SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER (18 points - 6 points each)

Directions: Answer each question in 2-4 complete sentences. Use your best handwriting.

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9. A student says, “Plants get their food from the soil, just like how we eat food from our plates.” Explain why this statement is incorrect, and describe where plants actually get the materials they need to grow.

[DOK 3 - Analysis]

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10. Explain why animals, including humans, depend on photosynthesis even though we cannot perform photosynthesis ourselves.

[DOK 3 - Analysis]

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11. Imagine you are a carbon dioxide molecule floating in the air. Describe your journey as you enter a plant leaf and become part of the plant through photosynthesis. What happens to you?

[DOK 3 - Analysis/Synthesis]

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ANSWER KEY

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SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. B - The process plants use to make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
Explanation: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants produce glucose (sugar) for energy using light, water, and CO₂. Option (c) is a common misconception—plants do not absorb food from soil.

2. C - Air (carbon dioxide) and water
Explanation: Most of a plant’s mass comes from carbon dioxide taken from the air and water absorbed by roots. This is a key concept in NGSS 5-LS1-1. Students often incorrectly believe mass comes from soil.

3. C - Soil
Explanation: Photosynthesis requires sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. While plants get nutrients from soil, soil is not required for photosynthesis itself.

4. C - In the leaves
Explanation: Leaves contain chlorophyll (the green pigment) and are the primary site of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll captures light energy.

5. C - Oxygen
Explanation: Oxygen is released as a byproduct of photosynthesis. This is why plants are important for producing the oxygen we breathe.

6. B - The plant could not perform photosynthesis without sunlight
Explanation: Without light, plants cannot perform photosynthesis to make food. Without food, the plant weakens and dies.

7. B - Plants capture light energy from the sun and store it as food (sugar)
Explanation: Light energy is transformed into chemical energy stored in glucose. Sunlight provides energy but does not become part of the plant’s mass—carbon dioxide does.

8. C - They produce their own food through photosynthesis
Explanation: Producers make their own food, while consumers must eat other organisms. Plants are the base of most food chains.

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SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER

9. Sample Exemplar Response:
This statement is incorrect because plants do not get their food from the soil. Plants make their own food through photosynthesis. They use carbon dioxide from the air, water from the soil, and energy from sunlight to produce sugar (glucose) in their leaves. While plants do absorb water and some minerals from the soil, these are not “food”—the food is made by the plant itself.

Grading Rubric:

• 6 points: Clearly explains the misconception is wrong AND correctly identifies that plants make their own food AND mentions carbon dioxide from air and water as materials
• 4 points: Explains plants make their own food but incomplete explanation of materials
• 2 points: Shows partial understanding but with significant gaps or errors
• 0 points: Incorrect or no answer

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10. Sample Exemplar Response:
Animals depend on photosynthesis because it produces the food and oxygen we need to survive. When plants perform photosynthesis, they make food (sugar) that stores energy from the sun. Animals eat plants (or eat animals that ate plants) to get this energy. Also, photosynthesis releases oxygen into the air, which all animals need to breathe. Without photosynthesis, there would be no food or oxygen for animals.

Grading Rubric:

• 6 points: Explains BOTH food/energy connection AND oxygen production; shows understanding of food chain
• 4 points: Explains either food/energy OR oxygen connection clearly
• 2 points: Shows partial understanding with incomplete explanation
• 0 points: Incorrect or no answer

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11. Sample Exemplar Response:
As a carbon dioxide molecule, I float through a tiny hole called a stoma in the leaf. Inside the leaf, I enter a cell and find the chloroplast where photosynthesis happens. The green chlorophyll uses sunlight energy to combine me with water molecules. I am changed into part of a sugar (glucose) molecule. Now I am no longer a gas—I am part of the plant’s food and can be used to build the plant’s body or give it energy!

Grading Rubric:

• 6 points: Describes entering the leaf, being combined with water using light energy, and being transformed into sugar/glucose
• 4 points: Describes the transformation process with some details missing
• 2 points: Shows basic understanding but missing key steps
• 0 points: Incorrect or no answer

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GRADING SUMMARY

Section	Points Possible
Section A: Multiple Choice (8 questions × 4 pts)	32 points
Section B: Short Answer (3 questions × 6 pts)	18 points
TOTAL	50 points

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GRADE SCALE

Grade	Points	Percentage
A	45-50	90-100%
B	40-44	80-89%
C	35-39	70-79%
D	30-34	60-69%
F	Below 30	Below 60%

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TEACHER NOTES

Standards Alignment:

• NGSS 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water

DOK Distribution:

• DOK 1 (Recall): 4 questions (Questions 1, 3, 4, 5) - 16 points (32%)
• DOK 2 (Application): 4 questions (Questions 2, 6, 7, 8) - 16 points (32%)
• DOK 3 (Analysis): 3 questions (Questions 9, 10, 11) - 18 points (36%)

Common Misconceptions Addressed:

• Question 2 & 9: Addresses the misconception that plants get mass from soil
• Question 3: Clarifies soil is not needed for photosynthesis
• Question 6: Tests understanding that light is essential
• Question 7: Addresses misconception that sunlight becomes plant mass

Accommodations:

• For struggling readers, questions may be read aloud
• Extended time may be provided for short answer section
• Word bank could be provided for short answer questions if needed