Science Assessment ~ Topics ~ Interdependence in Ecosystems ~ Item IE038006 ~ Student Performance

Horses and cows are living in the same fenced pasture. The grass is the only source of food available to the horses and cows. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

The cows compete with other cows, the horses compete with other horses, but the cows and horses do not compete with each other for the grass.
The cows do not compete with other cows, the horses do not compete with other horses, and the cows and horses do not compete with each other for the grass.
The cows compete with other cows, the horses compete with other horses, and the cows and horses compete with each other for the grass.
The cows do not compete with other cows, the horses do not compete with other horses, but the cows and horses compete with each other for the grass.

Distribution of responses
Answer Choice		Overall	Grades		Gender		Primary Language
		n = 2875	6–8 n = 1606	9–12 n = 1261	Male n = 1367	Female n = 1458	English n = 2532	Other n = 271
A.	The cows compete with other cows, the horses compete with other horses, but the cows and horses do not compete with each other for the grass.	10%	11%	9%	11%	10%	10%	12%
B.	The cows do not compete with other cows, the horses do not compete with other horses, and the cows and horses do not compete with each other for the grass.	15%	16%	15%	17%	14%	15%	18%
C.	The cows compete with other cows, the horses compete with other horses, and the cows and horses compete with each other for the grass.	62%	58%	66%	59%	64%	63%	56%
D.	The cows do not compete with other cows, the horses do not compete with other horses, but the cows and horses compete with each other for the grass.	13%	14%	10%	13%	12%	12%	14%

Science Assessment

Item IE038006: Organisms of the same species (horses or cows) and of different species (horses vs. cows) compete for resources.