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 18984

Number

Unit Standard Title Demonstrate knowledge of plants and plant production.

Element 3 Describe the effects of the physical environment on

plant growth.

PC 3.1 The description identifies environmental factors that affect plant

growth.
Range: three of – shelter, light, water, temperature, growing
media.
PC 3.2 The description outlines the effects of two environmental factors
on plant growth.
QUESTION A:
1 A glasshouse is old and has broken glass panels in it. A big tree shades part of the
glasshouse for some of the day. The automatic watering system only works well at the
entrance.

Tree

Dripping Water System

Broken Glass

Pere grew some Geranium cuttings in the glasshouse. She found that some grew better
and had flowered earlier than others grown in other places in the glasshouse. State four
environmental factors that could have affected the growth of the plants. Say how each
factor could affect the growth.

Environmental Factor Effect

1
2
3
4

3.1 3.2

Assessment Schedule Question A

Q PC Evidence Judgement
1 3.1 Light/shade, temperature, Three factors given
shelter/wind, water, soil
1 3.2 Eg less light - lack of: less Effect on plant growth given for TWO
photosynthesis /less growth factors
Eg shade - less photosynthesis
/growth
eg temperature - higher temp:
more growth, lower temp: less
growth
eg shelter - by broken
windows/more air movement:
more water loss
eg water - less water: less growth,
over water: less growth
QUESTION B:
Below is the diagram of a tree
1 In the boxes below give 3 environmental factors that affect the growth of the tree.
A
C

3.1

2 Chose two of the factors named above and describe how the factors chosen affect
plant growth.

Factor: ________________________

Description _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Factor: ________________________

Description _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
3.2

Assessment schedule Question B

Q B PC Evidence Judgement
1 3.1 3 of shelter, water, sunlight, 3 correct things required
growing media, temperature
2 3.2 Eg 2 correct reasons
Shelter = protects growing plant
Light = allows photosynthesis
Water = necessary for growth
Media = soil good for nutrients /
water
Temperature = necessary for
growth
QUESTION C

Jocelyn grew a house plant in her bedroom. The plant was in a shaded corner of the room
and she continually forgot to water the plant. After a while the plant died.

Describe three (3) factors that plants require that Jocelyn did not give to the plant and
give the reason why these factors are essential for plants.

Factor 1 ____________________________________

Reason _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Factor 2 ____________________________________

Reason _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Factor 3 ____________________________________

Reason _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

3.1

3.2
Assessment schedule Question C
Q C PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Factors 3 correct factors required
3 of shelter, water, sunlight,
growing media, temperature
2 3.2 Eg
Shelter = protects growing plant 2 correct reasons
Light = allows photosynthesis
Water = necessary for growth
Media = soil good for nutrients /
water
Temperature = necessary for
growth