| Q 7 |
| (2) |
| Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll to capture light energy |
| MS-LS1-6 |
| 1 |
| Q 6 | Q 10 | (2) | Anaerobic respiration releases ATP without using oxygen | MS-LS1-7 | 1 |
| Q 7 | Q 1 | (3) | Core purpose: convert food chemical energy into usable ATP | MS-LS1-7 | 1 |
| Q 8 | Q 3 | (2) | Muscle cells produce lactic acid via anaerobic fermentation | MS-LS1-7 | 1 |
| Q 9 | Q 8 | (2) | Carbon dioxide and water are aerobic respiration waste products | MS-LS1-7 | 1 |
| Q 10 | Q 5 | (2) | Light energy is required for photosynthesis in plant leaves | MS-LS1-6 | 1 |
17 / 17 100% (Level 4)
15–16 88–94% (Level 4)
13–14 76–82% (Level 3)
11–12 65–71% (Level 3)
9–10 53–59% (Level 2)
0–8 < 50% (Level 1)
Proficiency Benchmark: Raw Score of 11 (65%) or higher indicates proficiency on NYS P-12 standards MS-LS1-6 and MS-LS1-7.
NYS Grade 8 Science • Scoring Guide & Rating Key (Forms X & Y) Page 1 of 2 [OVER]
Unified Criteria for Form X & Form Y (7 Credits Total)
NYS ILS Scoring Standards
Part II Item Crosswalk: Form X: Q11–13 (Aquarium), Q14–16 (Yeast), Q17 (Plant Argument) Form Y: Q11–13 (Yeast), Q14–16 (Aquarium), Q17 (Plant Argument)
Form X: Q11 Form Y: Q15 [1 Credit] — MS-LS1-6 Aquarium System
Acceptable Responses (1 credit): Oxygen, oxygen gas, O₂.
Do NOT accept: Air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapor.
Form X: Q12 Form Y: Q14 [1 Credit] — MS-LS1-7 Aquarium System
Acceptable Responses (1 credit): Carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide gas, CO₂.
Do NOT accept: Carbon monoxide, oxygen, nitrogen, waste.
Form X: Q13 Form Y: Q16 [1 Credit] — MS-LS1-6 Aquarium System
Acceptable Responses (1 credit): Chloroplast or chloroplasts.
Do NOT accept: Chlorophyll (pigment, not an organelle), mitochondrion, cell wall, nucleus.
Form X: Q14 Form Y: Q11 [1 Credit] — MS-LS1-7 Yeast Investigation
Acceptable Responses (1 credit): Carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide gas, CO₂.
Do NOT accept: Oxygen, alcohol, yeast gas, steam, air.
Form X: Q15 Form Y: Q12 [1 Credit] — MS-LS1-7 Yeast Investigation
Acceptable Responses (1 credit): Anaerobic respiration, fermentation, alcoholic fermentation.
Do NOT accept: Aerobic respiration, photosynthesis, reproduction, digestion.
Form X: Q16 Form Y: Q13 [2 Credits] — MS-LS1-7 Energy Comparative Analysis
[1 credit] for identifying aerobic respiration (or muscle cells / aerobic pathway) as yielding more usable ATP energy.
[1 credit] for providing a scientifically valid explanation:
• Aerobic respiration completely oxidizes glucose with oxygen yielding ~36 ATP, whereas anaerobic fermentation only partially breaks down glucose yielding only 2 ATP per glucose.
• Note: Exact numerical values are not required; recognizing complete vs. incomplete breakdown or substantially higher energy yield earns full credit.
Form X: Q17 Form Y: Q17 [2 Credits] — MS-LS1-6 & MS-LS1-7 Scientific Argumentation
[1 credit] for identifying that the student statement is incorrect (false / inaccurate).
[1 credit] for supporting with a valid scientific explanation:
• Photosynthesis creates stored food (glucose); plant cells must perform cellular respiration via mitochondria to break down that food and release usable ATP energy for life functions.
Do NOT accept: Stating "correct" (0 credits for question); or confusing respiration with breathing without mentioning energy release.
Common Student Misconception Alert: Students frequently assume "plants do photosynthesis and animals do respiration." Reinforce that plant cells carry out both processes: photosynthesis to synthesize chemical energy, and cellular respiration in mitochondria 24/7 to release usable ATP.
NYS Grade 8 Science • Scoring Guide & Rating Key (Forms X & Y) Page 2 of 2 • END OF RATING GUIDE
(2) photosynthesis
(3) transpiration
(4) enzymatic digestion
NYS Grade 8 Science • Cellular Energy Assessment • FORM Y Page 1 of 3 [OVER]
Part I (Continued) & Part II — Form Y NYS Intermediate-Level Science Test • FORM Y
(1) nucleus
(2) chloroplast
(3) vacuole
(4) cell membrane
(1) glucose and water
(2) carbon dioxide and water
(3) oxygen and glucose
(4) nitrogen and oxygen
(1) succession and extinction
(2) photosynthesis and cellular respiration
(3) crystallization and evaporation
(4) fertilization and pollination
(1) Anaerobic respiration requires carbon dioxide, while aerobic requires oxygen.
(2) Anaerobic respiration releases energy without using oxygen.
(3) Anaerobic respiration occurs only in photosynthetic organisms.
(4) Anaerobic respiration produces significantly more ATP energy than aerobic.
Directions: Record your answers in the spaces provided below.
Base your answers to questions 11 through 13 on the investigation described below and on your knowledge of science.
An 8th-grade science class investigated gas production by living yeast cells. Students dissolved 5 g of baker's yeast and 10 g of sugar into 150 mL of warm water (35°C) inside an Erlenmeyer flask. They immediately sealed the flask with a deflated rubber balloon. After 20 minutes at room temperature, the balloon expanded and stood upright, filled with gas bubbles from the liquid.
Yeast + Sugar Sol.
Gas:
Process:
NYS Grade 8 Science • Cellular Energy Assessment • FORM Y Page 2 of 3 [OVER]
Part II (Continued) — Ecological Systems & Scientific Reasoning NYS Intermediate-Level Science Test • FORM Y
Base your answers to questions 14 through 16 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of science. The diagram represents a balanced, sealed glass aquarium containing an aquatic plant (Elodea) and a freshwater fish exposed to continuous sunlight.
Sunlight Aquatic Plant Fish Gas A → ← Gas B
Gas B:
Gas A:
Organelle:
Part I Score ______ / 10
Part II Score ______ / 7
Total Exam Score ______ / 17
Aligned to NYS P-12 Science Learning Standards MS-LS1-6 and MS-LS1-7 • Form Y Examination Booklet.
NYS Grade 8 Science • Cellular Energy Assessment • FORM Y Page 3 of 3 • END OF EXAMINATION
