Science Assessment ~ Items ~ SP002002

Meadowlarks are small birds that live across North America. Scientists studying these birds have identified two types of Meadowlarks that look alike but make different songs. They want to find out if these two types of Meadowlarks are different species. Which of the following is the most convincing evidence that the two types are actually different species?

One type eats berries and the other type eats seeds.
The two types cannot reproduce with each other.
Genetic tests show that the two types have a common ancestor.
One type lives mostly in eastern North America and the other type lives mostly in western North America.

Details
Performance
NGSS

Topic: Evolution and Natural Selection
Correct Answer: B
Misconceptions

Pre-Test

Pre-Test

Post-Test (Control)

Post-Test (Control)

Post-Test (Treatment)

Post-Test (Treatment)

Distribution of Responses

Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item EN002002

Points Earned

Group	Correct	Total	Percent
Overall	284	558	51%
Grades
6–8	10	25	40%
9–12	256	498	51%
Gender
Male	124	243	51%
Female	142	274	52%
Primary Language
English	255	502	51%
Other	10	19	53%

View data table

Distribution of Responses

Points Earned

Group	Correct	Total	Percent
Overall	198	294	67%
Grades
6–8	18	23	78%
9–12	161	247	65%
Gender
Male	75	109	69%
Female	113	171	66%
Primary Language
English	177	264	67%
Other	5	9	56%

View data table

Distribution of Responses

Points Earned

Group	Correct	Total	Percent
Overall	217	281	77%
Grades
6–8	2	3	67%
9–12	200	257	78%
Gender
Male	95	132	72%
Female	114	140	81%
Primary Language
English	198	254	78%
Other	9	11	82%

View data table

Notes: NGSS does not include the idea that what determines if two types of organisms are from different species is their inability to reproduce with each other.

Science Assessment

Item SP002002: If individuals from two populations of birds (Meadowlarks) cannot reproduce with each other, that is evidence that they are two different species.