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Copyright © 2012-2019 Stephanie Elkowitz

Terms of Use
Licensing Terms:
By purchasing this product, the purchaser receives a limited individual license to reproduce the product for
individual single classroom use only. This license is not intended for use by organizations or multiple users,
including but not limited to school districts, schools, or multiple teachers within a grade level. This resource is not
to be shared with colleagues, used by an entire grade level, school, or district without purchasing the proper
number of licenses.

Copyright Terms:
No part of this product may not be uploaded to the internet in any form, including classroom/personal websites
or network drives, unless the site is password protected and can only be accessed by students. Placing any part of
this product on the internet outside of these terms is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
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Credits:
Fonts by KG Fonts Stephanie
Clipart by Stephanie elkowitz, MyCuteGraphicS & SWEETCLIPART
 ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
Task cards are an important tool to use in your classroom. They can be used to assess your students or for students to assess
themselves. Task cards can be used at science centers, set up in a room-circuit format and/or given to students for independent study
or review. These task cards cover concepts that should be understood by upper elementary and/or middle school students according
to most state science standards and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

These task cards are differentiated and tiered. A colored shape is denoted on each task card to help you differentiate the concepts. A
“signal strength” is also denoted on each task card to help you probe lower, mid and higher order thinking.

Concepts are differentiated by a color and shape code:

Cards with a green circle deal with basic key ideas and understandings meant for upper elementary (grade 3-5)
students. These concepts can or should be reviewed with intermediate/middle school (grade 6-8) students.

Cards with a blue square deal with intermediate key ideas and understandings meant for middle school students. These
concepts may be appropriate for high-achieving upper elementary students
Cards with a black diamond cover advanced, traditionally high school, concepts. Some of these concepts may be
appropriate for your intermediate students.

Questions are tiered by a “signal strength” code:

Cards with a “low” signal strength assess students on the 1st and 2nd level of Bloom’s taxonomy (knowledge and
comprehension). These questions assess the ability of students to remember, recall and understand facts.
Cards with a “medium” signal strength assess students on the 3rd and 4th level of Bloom’s taxonomy (application and analysis).
These questions assess the ability of students to apply information to new situations and examine information in detail.
Cards with a “high” signal strength assess students on the 5th and 6th level of Bloom’s taxonomy (synthesis and evaluation).
These questions assess how students use information. They assess the ability of students to make predictions using their
knowledge and evaluate, judge or interpret new information using their knowledge.

Important Note: For best printing, select ”Actual size” in the Paper Sizing & Printing Menu and “Auto portrait/landscape” in the
Orientation menu. This will center the task cards on the paper with a nice, even border.

© Stephanie Elkowitz
Natural Resources Question Breakdown
Q Level Tier Answer Q Level Tier Answer

1 Natural Resources 21 Effects of Uneven Distribution

2 Natural Resources 22 Effects of Uneven Distribution
3 Natural Resources 23 Effects of Uneven Distribution
4 Natural Resources 24 Effects of Uneven Distribution
5 Renewable Resources
6 Nonrenewable Resources
7 Synthetic Products
8 Synthetic Products
9 Natural vs. Man-Made
10 Renewable vs. Nonrenewable
11 Renewable Resources
12 Synthetic Product
13 Renewable Resources
14 Nonrenewable Resources
15 Distribution of Natural Resources
16 Distribution of Natural Resources
17 Distribution of Natural Resources
18 Distribution of Natural Resources
19 Effects of Uneven Distribution
20 Distribution of Natural Resources
 1 2
What is a natural resource? What are three ways we use natural
A. A nonliving substance found in the resources?
environment
B. A living thing found on Earth
C. A living or nonliving thing that
exists “naturally” in the world
D. A material that is not normally
found in the environment
© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz

3 4
Complete the statement. _________ Which of the following is NOT a
resources are made from natural natural resource?
resources. A. Clothing
A. Living B. Cotton
B. Synthetic C. Water
C. Organic D. Rocks
D. Nonrenewable

© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz

 5 6
What type of resource can be Which of the following is a
regenerated or replenished by nonrenewable resource?
biochemical cycles? A. Bacteria
A. All natural resources B. Minerals
B. Synthetic resources C. Plants
C. Renewable resources D. Water
D. Nonrenewable resources

© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz

7 8
What are synthetic products? What synthetic product can be made
A. Materials that exist in very small from petroleum (crude oil)?
quantities in the environment A. Plastic
B. Materials found on other planets
B. Polyester
C. Products made by physically changing
C. Nylon
natural resources
D. Products made by chemically changing
D. All of the above
natural resources
© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz
 9 10
Compare and contrast natural and What is the difference between a
synthetic (man-made) resources. renewable and nonrenewable
resource?

© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz

11 12
What can happen if a renewable Give an example of at least one
resource is used up faster than it can synthetic product made from:
be replenished? • Plants
• Animals
• Petroleum (crude oil)

© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz

 13 14
There is growing concern that we are using Recycling means to discard a product
fossil fuels at such a fast rate that there in a way so that it can be used again
won’t be any left for future generations. If (for the same or new purpose). Why
we lessen our use of fossil fuels, could we
should we recycle products such as
“save” fossil fuels for future generations?
plastic containers and metal cans?
Argue why we should or should not curb
(lessen) our use of fossil fuels. Defend your
How would life on Earth change if we
argument with scientific facts. didn’t recycle these products?

© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz

15 16
How are natural resources distributed on Minerals and metals are most often
Earth? found:
A. They are most often found near the A. near large bodies of water
equator
B. in the ocean
B. They are concentrated in hot climates
C. near tectonic plate boundaries
C. They are evenly distributed over Earth
D. They are unevenly distributed across
D. at high elevations
the planet
© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz
 17 18
Fertile soil is most often found: What are biodiversity “hotspots?”
A. along the equator A. Where biodiversity is very low, such as
B. where temperatures are relatively in deserts
B. Where biodiversity is very high, such as
mild and precipitation is relatively
in tropical rain forests
high
C. Warm regions that are “unstable” due
C. where it’s hot and dry to lack of biodiversity
D. in higher elevations D. Locations that are unstable despite
© Stephanie Elkowitz
having high biodiversity © Stephanie Elkowitz

19 20
Humans tend to settle: According to the map, what resources are
A. where fossil fuels are abundant abundant in the United States?
B. in regions of high biodiversity
C. in regions rich in resources we need
to survive (ex. fertile land, water)
D. where it is hot and dry throughout
the year Oil Uranium Biodiversity
Coal Fertile land Gold
Natural Gas
© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz
 21 22
How can uneven distribution of Explain how distribution of resources
resources lead to conflict or wars? impacts the economic activities of a
country and a country’s wealth or
prosperity.

© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz

23 24
Can a country compensate for having In the past, countries have fought with
very little natural resources? How other countries for regions that were
would a country compensate for lack rich in resources such as fertile land
of resources in the past? How can they and metals or minerals. What natural
“compete” with countries that have resource(s) do you think countries
abundant reserves of natural might fight over in the future? Where
resources today? might these conflicts take place?

© Stephanie Elkowitz © Stephanie Elkowitz

Name: ___________________________________________ Natural Resources Task Card Answer Sheet
Date: ________________________ Level Questions Only
1. ______ 13. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
3. ______ 14. ________________________________________________
4. ______ ________________________________________________
5. ______ ________________________________________________
6. ______ ________________________________________________
7. ______
8. ______
9. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
10. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
11. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
12.
Plants

Animals

Petroleum
(Crude oil)

© Stephanie Elkowitz
Name: ___________________________________________ Natural Resources Task Card Answer Sheet
Date: ________________________ All Questions
1. ______ 13. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
3. ______ 14. ________________________________________________
4. ______ ________________________________________________
5. ______ ________________________________________________
6. ______ ________________________________________________
7. ______ 15. ______
8. ______ 16. ______
9. ________________________________________________ 17. ______
________________________________________________ 18. ______
________________________________________________ 19. ______
________________________________________________ 20. ________________________________________________
10. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ 21. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
11. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ 22. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
12. ________________________________________________
Plants 23. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Animals ________________________________________________
24. ________________________________________________
Petroleum ________________________________________________
(Crude oil) ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
© Stephanie Elkowitz
 Natural Resources Task Card Answer Sheet
KEY
1. C
______ Answers will vary. Example: Yes, we should curb our fossil
13. ________________________________________________
2. Answers may vary. Example: We use natural resources for
________________________________________________ fuels use because they are always being formed but at a
________________________________________________
food, for energy and to make or build things.
________________________________________________ VERY slow rate. If we lessen our use, we could save some for
________________________________________________
________________________________________________ future generations.
________________________________________________
B
3. ______ These products are nonrenewable (or made from
14. ________________________________________________
A
4. ______ nonrenewable) resources. If we recycle, we help ensure that
________________________________________________
C
5. ______ these materials are available for future generations.
________________________________________________
B
6. ______ ________________________________________________
D
7. ______ D
15. ______
D
8. ______ C
16. ______
Natural resources exist in the environment “naturally.” Man-
9. ________________________________________________ B
17. ______
made resources are made by humans. They are not
________________________________________________ B
18. ______
naturally found in the environment.
________________________________________________ C
19. ______
________________________________________________ Gold, Coal, Natural Gas, Fertile Land
20. ________________________________________________
A renewable resource can be regenerated (if alive) or
10. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
replenished by chemical cycles. A nonrenewable resource
________________________________________________ Countries can fight over resource-rich lands. If countries do
21. ________________________________________________
exists in a finite amount on Earth.
________________________________________________ not have certain natural resources, they will have to trade
________________________________________________
________________________________________________ for them or obtain territory that is rich in them.
________________________________________________
It can become a nonrenewable resource.
11. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ A country’s economic activities often depend on natural
22. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________ resources in that country. Economic activities impact a
________________________________________________
________________________________________________ country’s wealth., therefore, natural resources impact a
________________________________________________
12. country’s wealth.
________________________________________________
Medicine, food, makeup, lotion, Yes. In the past, countries would take over smaller/weaker
23. ________________________________________________
Plants
cosmetics countries for resources. Today, countries can use technology
________________________________________________
and make products in exchange for natural resources or
________________________________________________
Animals Food, medicine, clothing wealth.
________________________________________________
Fossil fuels, such as oil or natural gas. Eventually these
24. ________________________________________________
Petroleum Plastic, nylon, polyester, gasoline, resources will run out. These conflicts could take place in
________________________________________________
(Crude oil) waxes, tar, lubricants fossil fuel-rich areas such as the Middle East, Canada or
________________________________________________
Russia.
________________________________________________
© Stephanie Elkowitz