NZASE UNIT STANDARD ITEM BANK QUESTIONS

Each of the following questions is stand-alone and can be used to assess the element below:

The intention of this item bank is for assessors to develop assessment tasks by choosing complete
questions.

Note: If combining parts of questions, you must make sure all Performance Criteria for an element
are included in the assessment task.

Unit Standard 18979

Number

Unit Standard Title Demonstrate knowledge of chemical processes in the context of

the environment.

Element 4 Describe pollution.

Range One of - air, water, soil.

PC 4.1 The description identifies a named cause of pollution.

PC 4.2 The description outlines an effect of the pollution.

QUESTION A:

You have studied the following type of pollution.

___________________________________________________________
(teacher to fill in before test)

1. What is the cause of this type of pollution?

Insert 1 line

4.1
2. Describe an effect of the pollution
Insert 3 lines
4.2

QUESTION A:
PC Evidence Judgement
4.1 Eg burning coal. One cause of pollution correct
4.2 Eg Acid rain dissolves the limestone One effect correct
in buildings.
QUESTION B:
Read the following information.

Soil pollution happens when we destroy the thin layer of healthy and productive soil,
which covers the earth's surface. Most of the world's food is produced using this resource
and if we don't protect it the World’s farmers will be unable to grow enough food to
support the worlds people.
Healthy soil depends on bacteria, fungi, and small animals (such as worms) to break
down wastes in the soil and release its nutrients which help plants grow. The over use of
fertilizers and pesticides can limit the ability of soil organisms to process wastes, which
in turn makes the soil less productive, useless or even poisonous.

Source: Adapted from http://www.iol.ie/~foeeire/soilpollution.html

1. What is the cause of the soil pollution outlined in the information?

Insert 3 lines
4.1

2. Describe an effect of the pollution outlined in the above information.

Insert 3 lines

4.2

QUESTION B:
PC Evidence Judgement
4.1 Eg over use of fertilizers OR One cause of pollution identified
over use of pesticides

4.2 Eg Farmers will be unable to grow One effect correct

enough food to support the worlds
people.
Makes the soil less productive.
Makes soil useless.
Makes soil poisonous.

QUESTION C:
1 Use the words in the list to complete the paragraph:
cigarette lungs fossil statues road

Burning a) __________________ fuels or motor fuels produces dangerous fumes which

can affect our breathing.

b) ________________ fumes contain carbon monoxide, nicotine and tar which affect our

c) _________________ and heart.

Pollutant gases in the air dissolve in water to make acid rain, which damages

d) _________________.

Plants and animals living in our streams are damaged by e) ___________________ and
farmland runoff.
4.1
4.2

QUESTION C:
Q PC Evidence Judgement
C1 4.1 a = Fossil One cause of pollution correct
b = Cigarette
4.2 c = Lungs One effect correct
d = Statues/lungs
e = Road
QUESTION D:

Passive smoking causes a number of deaths of New Zealanders each year.

1. Name the pollution that causes passive smoking.

Insert 1 line
4.1
2. Before it causes death this form of pollution causes a number of effects on people.
Name an effect of this type of pollution on people.
Insert 1 line
4.2

QUESTION D:
PC Evidence Judgement
4.1 Cigarette smoke One cause of pollution correct
4.2 Eg Lung cancer, heart disease, One effect correct
respiratory illness, asthmatic attacks,
middle-ear disease in children.