Social Studies Unit 5 Test: Economics: Needs, Wants & Choices
Directions for the grown-up
You may read every item, every choice and every reading box aloud to your child. This test checks social studies ideas, not reading, so reading aloud is always fine. Your child can answer by writing, drawing, circling or telling you while you write the words. Items that say "Answers vary by family" ask about your own home, town or state; check these against what you know is true. Give short breaks between sections if your child needs them. Use the scoring notes for each section, add up the points, and find the level at the end. If your child misses more than half of the points in a section, go back to the weeks listed for that section. Your child may use coins, beans or scrap paper to work out the money questions.
Part 1: Needs & Wants (8 points)
Standards: D2.Eco.1.K-2
- Which one is a need?Answer: a warm coat · 2 points
- Shelter is a need. What is shelter?Answer: a safe place to live, like a home · 2 points
- Sam says a video game is a need. Is Sam right? Tell why.Answer: No. A video game is a want, because people can live without it. · 2 points
- A child in a cold place and a child in a hot place both need ________, but the kinds are different.Answer: clothing (also accept shelter) · 2 points
Scoring: 2 points for each correct answer. For the video game item, give 1 point for "no" with no reason.
Reteach: Week 25
Part 2: Goods & Services (8 points)
Standards: D2.Eco.3.K-2, D2.Eco.4.K-2
- A dog walker walks your dog. Is this a good or a service?Answer: service · 2 points
- A box of crayons. Is this a good or a service?Answer: good · 2 points
- A farmer sells eggs at a market. Ana buys the eggs. Who is the consumer?Answer: Ana · 2 points
- A baker needs flour, an oven and hours of work to make bread. Why does bread cost money?Answer: Answers vary. Look for: the producer uses resources (flour, an oven) and work to make it. · 2 points
Scoring: 2 points for each correct answer. For the last item, give 1 point for naming only resources or only work.
Part 3: Money & Choices (8 points)
Standards: D2.Eco.1.K-2, D2.Eco.2.K-2, D2.Eco.10.K-2
- Can you buy the bookmark and the sticker sheet? Tell why or why not.Answer: No. 4 + 5 = 9 cents, and that is more than 8 cents. · 2 points
- You buy the pencil and the eraser. How many cents do you have left?Answer: 3 cents (3 + 2 = 5, and 8 - 5 = 3) · 2 points
- You can pick the sticker sheet or the bookmark, but not both. You pick the sticker sheet. What did you give up?Answer: the bookmark · 2 points
- A puzzle costs 15 dollars. Sam saves 3 dollars each week. How many weeks will it take to save enough?Answer: 5 weeks (3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15) · 2 points
Scoring: 2 points for each correct answer. Give 1 point when the work is right but the last step is wrong (for example, adds 3 + 2 = 5 but does not subtract), or when the answer is right with no reason on the first item.
Part 4: Short Response (8 points)
Standards: D2.Eco.1.K-2, D2.Eco.2.K-2, D2.Eco.14.K-2
- What does scarcity mean? Tell about a time you could not have everything you wanted. What did you choose, and what did you give up?Answer: Answers vary. Look for: scarcity means there is not enough money, time or stuff to have everything we want; a real choice; the thing given up; a reason. · 4 points
- Why do people trade with people in other places? Why does money make trading easier than swapping things?Answer: Answers vary. Look for: no one can make or grow everything they need, so people trade (for example, bananas or rice from far away); money is easier because everyone accepts it, so you do not have to find someone who wants your exact thing. · 4 points
Scoring: Each item is worth 4 points. Item 1: 1 point each for what scarcity means, the choice, the thing given up, and a reason. Item 2: 2 points for why people trade, 2 points for why money makes trade easier. Accept spoken answers you write down.
| Level | Points |
|---|---|
| D · Developing | 0–15 |
| A · Approaching | 16–22 |
| P · Proficient | 23–28 |
| E · Exemplary | 29–32 |