Biomes are broad regional areas with defined flora and fauna. Which one of the following choices correctly identifies the biomes shown plotted in the graph of precipitation versus temperature?

Question

A.  Tropical Rain forest = 1; Desert = 2; Tundra = 3; Grassland = 4

B.  Tropical Rain forest = 1; Desert = 3; Tundra = 4; Grassland = 2

C.  Tropical Rain forest = 3; Desert = 4; Tundra = 1; Grassland = 2

D.  Tropical Rain forest = 3; Desert = 1; Tundra = 2; Grassland = 3



Clarify Question

· What is the key concept addressed by the question?

· What type of thinking is required?



Gather Content

· What do you already know about biomes?



Choose Answer

· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?



Reflect on Process

· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

A.  Tropical Rain forest = 1; Desert = 2; Tundra = 3; Grassland = 4

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses biomes.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about biomes?
        o Temperature and moisture often determine biomes. Average annual temperature and rainfall, as well as the range of seasonal variation, determine different biomes. Eight major types of biomes are recognized:
        o Tropical rainforests are highly productive equatorial systems.
        o Savannas are tropical grasslands with seasonal rainfall.
        o Deserts are regions with little rainfall.
        o Temperate grasslands have rich soils.
        o Temperate deciduous forests are adapted to seasonal change.
        o Temperate evergreen forests are coastal.
        o Taiga is the northern forest where winters are harsh.
        o Tundra is a largely frozen treeless area with a short growing season.
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o The graph shows temperature on the vertical axis, and precipitation (rainfall) on the horizontal axis.
        o So the biome graphed at the top right (1) would have high temperature and high precipitation. Which biome is hot and wet? The tropical rainforest.
        o The biomegraphed at the top left (2) would have high temperature and low precipitation. Which biome is hot and dry? The desert.
        o The biome graphed at the bottom left (3) would have low temperature and low precipitation. Which biome is cold and dry? The tundra.
        o The biome graphed at the bottom right (4) would have moderate temperature and moderate precipitation. Which biome is warmwith moderate rainfall? The grassland.
        o So the correct order is: 1. Tropical Rain forest; 2. Desert; 3. Tundra; 4. Grassland
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o The question required you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
        o Did you recognize that each biome has a unique combination of temperature and rainfall?