Science Assessment ~ Items ~ ME159001

Is water a source of food for plants and animals? Why or why not?

A. Yes, because food is anything that is needed by plants and animals, and water is needed by plants and animals

B. Yes, because food is anything that provides energy to plants and animals, and water provides energy to plants and animals

C. No, because liquids cannot be food for plants and animals, and water is a liquid

D. No, because food must contain molecules that have carbon atoms linked to other carbon atoms, and water molecules do not have carbon atoms linked to other carbon atoms

Details
Performance
NGSS

Topic: Matter and Energy in Living Systems
Correct Answer: D
Misconceptions

Distribution of Responses

Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item ME159001

Students Responding Correctly

Group	Correct	Total	Percent
Overall	475	1810	26%
Grades
6–8	114	727	16%
9–12	358	1075	33%
Gender
Male	239	893	27%
Female	221	882	25%
Primary Language
English	427	1605	27%
Other	32	150	21%

View data table

NRC Framework: MS LS1.C In most animals and plants, oxygen reacts with carbon-containing molecules (sugars) to provide energy and produce carbon dioxide...

Science Assessment

Item ME159001: Water is not a souce of food for plants and animals because food must contain molecules that have carbon atoms linked to other carbon atoms, and water molecules do not have carbon atoms linked to other carbon atoms.