Earth Patterns Unit Test
Texas STAAR Redesign Format • Grade 6 Social Studies
World Geography Unit Assessment
Unit 1: Introduction to Physical & Human Geography
STAAR Form A
Student Name:
Date:
Period:
Score:
Directions: Read each question carefully. Select or record the best answer for each item. Section 1: Geographic Tools & Place
1 Inline Choice Item
TEKS 6.3A / 6.21B
Directions: Choose the correct answer from each drop-down options box to complete the statements about geographic tools and coordinate systems. Circle the correct term inside each box.
A geographer identifying Cairo at the exact grid coordinates of 30° N latitude and 31° E longitude is describing its [ Blank 1: absolute location | relative location | functional region ] . Lines of latitude, also called parallels, measure angular distance north or south of the [ Blank 2: Prime Meridian | Equator | International Date Line ] , which divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
2 Drag and Drop Item
TEKS 6.3A / 6.4A
Directions: Geographers examine both physical and human characteristics to define a place. Write the letter of each item from the Answer Bank into the appropriate drop target in the table below. Each letter may be used once.
Answer Bank
A. Spanish language
B. Andes mountain range
C. Hydroelectric dam
D. Arid desert climate
E. Catholic cathedral
F. Amazon river basin
Physical Characteristics (Landforms & Climate)
Drop Target 1:
Drop Target 2:
Drop Target 3:
Human Characteristics (Culture & Built Environment)
Drop Target 4:
Drop Target 5:
Drop Target 6:
Grade 6 Social Studies • Unit 1 Page 1 of 3 Continue to Page 2 →
World Geography Unit Assessment • Grade 6 Page 2 • Items 3–4
3 Multi-Select Item
TEKS 6.4A / 6.6B
Which TWO physical geography factors have historically provided the strongest incentives for human populations to establish permanent settlements and agricultural societies? Select TWO correct answers.
A. Rugged mountain terrain providing high-altitude military defense
B. Proximity to reliable freshwater rivers for drinking, irrigation, and transport
C. Arid desert climates that discourage pest populations and seasonal blights
D. Fertile alluvial floodplains enriched with mineral-dense river sediment
E. Dense tundra permafrost that preserves natural underground resources
Geographic Stimulus & Profile Use for Questions 4 and 5
The Indus River Basin: Environmental Adaptation & Settlement
The Indus River originates in the Himalayan glaciers and flows across arid plains before emptying into the Arabian Sea. The region experiences extreme summer monsoons followed by prolonged winter droughts.
To farm effectively, communities built extensive irrigation canals to divert river water onto crops. To survive seasonal flooding, inhabitants constructed earthen levees along the banks and situated permanent towns on elevated terraces above flood lines.
Physical Systems:
• Glacial melt & monsoons
• Semi-arid floodplains
Human Adaptation:
• Canal irrigation for farming
• Levees & elevated villages
4 Multi-Part Item
TEKS 6.5A / 6.5B
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A: Based on the stimulus, which statement best describes how humans in the Indus Basin modified their physical environment?
A. Moved to mountain summits to escape high summer temperatures.
B. Constructed irrigation canals and levees to redirect river flow.
C. Ceased agricultural planting to prevent seasonal soil erosion.
D. Drained the Arabian Sea coastline to expand farmland.
Part B: Which excerpt from the text directly supports the answer to Part A?
A. "...originates in the Himalayan glaciers and flows across arid plains..."
B. "...experiences extreme summer monsoons followed by prolonged droughts."
C. "...built extensive irrigation canals to divert river water onto crops."
D. "...situated permanent towns on elevated terraces above flood lines."
Grade 6 Social Studies • Unit 1 Page 2 of 3 Continue to Page 3 →
World Geography Unit Assessment • Grade 6 Page 3 • Item 5 (Constructed Response)
5 Short Constructed Response (SCR)
2-Point Item • TEKS 6.5A
Directions: Read the question carefully. Refer back to the Geographic Stimulus & Profile on Page 2. Write your response in the lined box provided below.
Explain how ONE physical process described in the Indus River Basin (such as seasonal monsoon rains or glacial river discharge) directly impacts the economic activities or settlement patterns of the people living there. Provide specific evidence from the text to support your explanation.
STAAR Short Response Checklist
Identifies 1 physical process
Explains effect on humans
Cites specific text evidence
Record your written response below: Maximum Score: 2 Points
Check that all five test items have been answered before submitting.
STOP • Assessment Complete
Grade 6 Social Studies • Unit 1 Page 3 of 3 END OF TEST
Earth Patterns Answer Guide
Teacher Scoring Guide & Alignment Key
Earth Patterns Unit Assessment
Unit 1: Introduction to Physical & Human Geography • Grade 6 Social Studies
Teacher Key
Total Test Points: 9 Points Primary TEKS: 6.3(A), 6.4(A), 6.5(A)(B), 6.6(B), 6.21(B) Redesign Item Types: 5 Formats
Item 1 Inline Choice (Drop-Down Simulation)
TEKS 6.3(A), 6.21(B) • 1 Point
Correct Answers:
• Blank 1: absolute location
• Blank 2: Equator
Scoring Rule: 1 point if both blanks are correctly identified. 0 points if either blank is incorrect or omitted.
Teacher Rationale: Absolute location specifies an exact coordinate position via latitude and longitude, whereas relative location describes a place in relation to landmarks. The Equator (0° latitude) separates Northern and Southern Hemispheres; the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) separates Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Item 2 Drag and Drop (Categorization Grid)
TEKS 6.3(A), 6.4(A) • 2 Points (Partial Credit)
Physical Characteristics (Landforms & Climate):
• B. Andes mountain range
• D. Arid desert climate
• F. Amazon river basin
Human Characteristics (Culture & Built):
• A. Spanish language
• C. Hydroelectric dam
• E. Catholic cathedral
STAAR Scoring Rule: 2 pts: All 6 items placed correctly. | 1 pt: 4 or 5 items placed correctly. | 0 pts: 3 or fewer items placed correctly.
Item 3 Multi-Select (Select TWO Answers)
TEKS 6.4(A), 6.6(B) • 2 Points (Partial Credit)
Correct Answers: B and D
• B. Proximity to reliable freshwater rivers for drinking, irrigation, and transport.
• D. Fertile alluvial floodplains enriched with mineral-dense river sediment.
STAAR Scoring Rule:
• 2 pts: Both B & D selected, no incorrect answers.
• 1 pt: Exactly one correct answer (B or D) selected.
• 0 pts: Neither correct, or student selects 3+ choices.
Distractor Analysis:
• A, C, E: Extreme landforms (mountains, deserts, permafrost) act as historical geographic barriers that hinder agriculture and density.
