Question: On January 15th, there were 10 hours and 24 minutes of daylight in Jacksonville, Florida. On the same day, there were only 9 hours and 37 minutes of daylight in New York City. Why did New York have fewer hours of daylight than Florida?

Choices:
A. because gravity pulls Earth toward the Sun
B. because the Moon reflects sunlight onto Earth
C. because Earth rotates
D. because Earth tilts on its axis


Question: A euglena has a flagellum and a paramecium has cilia. Both types of organelles help these organisms move through the water. However, a paramecium can also use its cilia to perform another task. What is this task?

Choices:
A. obtain food
B. attach to a surface
C. defend the cell
D. perform conjugation

local Hugging Face dataset card: ai2_arc/README.md


Question: Which characteristic of wolves is most likely learned?

Choices:
A. social behavior
B. eyesight
C. fur color
D. litter size


Question: Which would most help pollinators find flowers that are pollinated at night?

Choices:
A. shape
B. color
C. fragrance
D. size


Question: A solar eclipse occurs when

Choices:
A. Earth blocks the Moon from the Sun.
B. the first four planets in the solar system are aligned.
C. the Moon blocks the Earth from the Sun.
D. Earth's shadow falls on the Sun.


Question: Which process turns a large rock into a pile of smaller stones?

Choices:
A. weathering
B. deposition
C. sedimentation
D. fossilizing


Question: Where are the active volcanoes most likely to be found?

Choices:
A. where tectonic plates meet
B. where oceans are deepest
C. where land and water meet
D. where rivers form


Question: During its lifetime, a star will evolve through several stages. In which stage does a star spend most of its life?

Choices:
A. main sequence
B. red giant
C. red dwarf
D. white dwarf


Question: Which of the following elements is best able to combine with itself and hydrogen [H] to form large molecules?

Choices:
A. carbon [C]
B. lithium [Li]
C. sulfur [S]
D. sodium [Na]


Question: Which of the following is designed to transform an electromagnetic wave into a mechanical wave?

Choices:
A. a television screen
B. a portable radio
C. a computer monitor
D. a mercury thermometer


Question: Four students tried to find out which magnet was the strongest. They each shared one idea. Which idea shows scientific thinking?

Choices:
A. We can pick the longest magnet.
B. We can vote for the magnet that we think is the strongest.
C. We can pick the heaviest magnet.
D. We can measure the strength of the magnets.

We can measure the strength of the magnets.


Question: Energy is transferred in an electrical circuit through

Choices:
A. static electrons.
B. static protons.
C. moving electrons.
D. moving protons.


Question: The life cycle of a star includes formation, life, and death. In the Universe, where do new stars originate?

Choices:
A. in radiation from black holes
B. from fusion in red giants
C. from large fragments of antimatter
D. in molecular clouds of gas


Question: What would be the initial result if a DNA molecule did not replicate accurately?

Choices:
A. incorrect protein synthesis
B. increase in reproduction rate
C. immediate death of the organism
D. infertility of the organism


Question: Photosynthesis and respiration are both parts of which cycle?

Choices:
A. rock cycle
B. nitrogen cycle
C. carbon cycle
D. phosphorous cycle


Question: Earth is tilted as it travels around the Sun. The tilt changes the amount of energy each area gets from the Sun, which makes some months of the year warmer than others. What are the four main temperature changes in a year called?

Choices:
A. climate
B. weather
C. seasons
D. quarters


Question: If your hands are cold, you can warm them by rubbing them together. The heat energy that you produce is caused by

Choices:
A. conduction.
B. insulation.
C. magnetism.
D. friction.


Question: Large amounts of industrial gases are released into the atmosphere every day. What happens to those gases?

Choices:
A. They are converted into nitrogen and oxygen.
B. They are broken down by ultraviolet light from the Sun.
C. They remain in the atmosphere for long periods of time.
D. They rise through the atmosphere and go into outer space.

They remain in the atmosphere for long periods of time.


Question: In which way is a prokaryotic cell different from a eukaryotic cell?

Choices:
A. A prokaryotic cell has a cell membrane.
B. A prokaryotic cell is larger.
C. A prokaryotic cell has no nucleus.
D. A prokaryotic cell can reproduce itself.


Question: What is a primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Choices:
A. They eliminate matter by taking nitrogen from the ecosystem.
B. They cycle matter by returning oxygen and other matter to the ecosystem.
C. They cycle matter by returning carbon and other matter to the ecosystem.
D. They eliminate matter by taking phosphorus from the ecosystem.

They cycle matter by returning carbon and other matter to the ecosystem.


Question: What chemical symbol represents the element copper?

Choices:
A. Cp
B. Co
C. C
D. Cu


Question: Meteorologists study weather. Which of the following should meteorologists know about?

Choices:
A. types of circuits
B. types of fossils
C. types of adaptations
D. types of fronts


Question: The crews of two boats at sea can communicate with each other by shouting. Why is it impossible for the crews of two spaceships a similar distance apart in space to do this?

Choices:
A. There is no air in space for the sound to travel through.
B. The sound is reflected more in space.
C. The spaceships are traveling faster than sound.
D. The pressure is too high inside the spaceships.

There is no air in space for the sound to travel through.


Question: Which liquid most likely contains a dissolved gas?

Choices:
A. mud puddle
B. house paint
C. whole milk
D. carbonated soda


Question: Silica sand is a resource used in large volume in Nevada. This resource is used to make which product?

Choices:
A. plastic
B. tar
C. electricity
D. glass


Question: Which of these best describes the function of the skeletal system?

Choices:
A. breaks down food into a form that cells can use
B. supports and protects tissues and organs
C. transports oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
D. removes harmful wastes from the cells of the body

supports and protects tissues and organs


Question: A student wants to find out how many different kinds of birds are found in a park. In addition to a bird identification book, the student should use ___.

Choices:
A. binoculars
B. goggles
C. a microscope
D. a hand lens


Question: Nevada mines produce greater quantities of a particular resource than any other state. What resource is produced from these mines?

Choices:
A. lead
B. zinc
C. gold
D. copper


Question: A student throws a ball. Which of these best describes the moving ball?

Choices:
A. The ball is transferring sound energy to the air.
B. The ball has light energy.
C. The ball is transferring light energy to the air.
D. The ball has kinetic energy.


Question: During which process does genetic material come from two parents?

Choices:
A. asexual reproduction
B. sexual reproduction
C. photosynthesis
D. respiration


Question: Which of these is a threat to the survival of an ecosystem?

Choices:
A. a shrinking variety of animal and plant species
B. competition among some consumer populations
C. less biomass at higher levels of the food web
D. predator-prey population cycles

a shrinking variety of animal and plant species


Question: Which human organ system produces most of the hormones that regulate body functions?

Choices:
A. muscular
B. nervous
C. digestive
D. endocrine


Question: The complex, three-dimensional structure of a protein is sensitive to heat because the structure is maintained by

Choices:
A. covalent bonds.
B. Brownian motion.
C. magnetic fields.
D. hydrogen bonds.


Question: A few types of birds live in the same ecosystem. Which of these characteristics would most likely affect how they compete with each other for food?

Choices:
A. the lengths of their tails
B. the types of nests they build
C. the shapes of their beaks
D. the colors of their feathers


Question: Most of the United States is a part of which tectonic plate?

Choices:
A. South American Plate
B. Pacific Plate
C. North American Plate
D. Eurasian Plate


Question: At one time, scientists believed that living organisms came from nonliving objects. This theory was revised through

Choices:
A. evidence from experiments.
B. changes in popular belief.
C. information published in books.
D. advances in the scientific method.


Question: The human body is composed of different systems made of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Each of these structures has a specific function that aids in the survival of the human species. What is the primary function of the excretory system?

Choices:
A. to eliminate waste
B. to enable movement
C. to help in defense
D. to digest food


Question: Which is the best tool for measuring the temperature of lake water?

Choices:
A. Thermometer
B. Meter stick
C. Balance
D. Graduated cylinder


Question: The teeth of a carnivore are MOSTLY -

Choices:
A. pointed
B. rounded
C. wide
D. flat


Question: Panels of solar cells are used to collect energy from the Sun and convert it into energy for use in homes. Into what type of energy is the solar energy converted?

Choices:
A. hydroelectric
B. chemical
C. electrical
D. geothermal


Question: A student wants to estimate the number of dandelion plants growing in a field. He counts the number of plants in a 5 square meter section of the field. What other information should he obtain to make his estimate?

Choices:
A. energy and nutrient requirements of dandelions
B. all the organisms living in the field
C. average rainfall in the area
D. the total area of the field


Question: Overuse of which water resource tends to cause land to subside?

Choices:
A. aquifer water
B. river water
C. lake water
D. ocean water


Question: Students are preparing to determine the boiling points of several aqueous solutions. In addition to proper lab attire, what devices or instruments will the students need to conduct this experiment?

Choices:
A. hot plate, beaker, masking tape
B. thermometer, hot plate, beaker
C. matches, beaker, thermometer
D. balance, hot plate, thermometer


Question: One solar day on Jupiter lasts only 9 hours and 50 minutes. What causes a solar day?

Choices:
A. rotational speed of the planet
B. diameter of the orbit of a planet around the sun
C. diameter of the planet
D. speed of a planet in orbit around the sun


Question: The finest-grained soils are richest in

Choices:
A. humus.
B. clay.
C. sand.
D. iron.


Question: Wind and water are examples of renewable energy sources because

Choices:
A. they are always available to produce energy.
B. they were formed millions of years ago.
C. they take millions of years to start producing energy.
D. they will stop producing energy.

they are always available to produce energy.


Question: Gregor Mendel contributed to the study of biology by the careful, objective study of

Choices:
A. heredity.
B. bacteria.
C. pedigrees.
D. environment.


Question: Which statement describes the most likely effect of transformation on bacteria such as E. coli?

Choices:
A. Transformed bacteria express a new protein product.
B. Transformed bacteria reproduce more quickly.
C. Transformed bacteria become a new species.
D. Transformed bacteria have multiple chromosomes.

Transformed bacteria express a new protein product.


Question: A metal pan will heat up quickly when placed over a gas or electric burner. The metal pan is a good

Choices:
A. insulator.
B. resistor.
C. conductor.
D. accelerator.


Question: Which is a fact rather than an opinion about earthquakes?

Choices:
A. Earthquakes occur along fault lines.
B. Earthquakes always cause major damage to homes.
C. Earthquakes are worse than hurricanes.
D. Earthquakes are bad for all local businesses.


Question: Which statement best describes the development of a human embryo?

Choices:
A. Many cells combine to form one cell.
B. Each cell has a different function.
C. All the cells have the same function.
D. A single cell becomes many cells.


Question: Which of these natural disasters is least likely to cause major damage to a prairie ecosystem?

Choices:
A. an earthquake
B. a hurricane
C. a tornado
D. a flood


Question: The life cycle of a beetle is similar to the butterfly. Which process changes the beetle from larva to adult?

Choices:
A. metamorphosis
B. molting
C. migration
D. photosynthesis


Question: Which adaptation helps a bird fly?

Choices:
A. hollow bones
B. longer beaks
C. larger feet
D. bigger eyes


Question: Scientists are able to correlate time and the amount of difference between homologous genes when studying the divergence of two species because scientists have reliable estimates for which value?

Choices:
A. pressure of selection on base pairs
B. rate of genetic mutations
C. number of bases in species' genomes
D. survival benefit of specific genes


Question: Which of the following is a part of the process of sexual reproduction?

Choices:
A. fragmentation
B. pollination
C. budding
D. regeneration


Question: Why are diseases transmitted through the bites of infected animals not considered contagious diseases?

Choices:
A. Humans do not become sick from animal diseases.
B. The person in direct contact is the only one infected.
C. The diseases are treatable with antibiotics.
D. The infected animals do not show symptoms.

The person in direct contact is the only one infected.


Question: Scientists theorize that the original atmosphere of Earth was stripped away by the solar wind shortly after the formation of the planet. The Jovian planets are far enough from the Sun that the solar wind has less of an impact. Studies of the Jovian planets suggest the early atmosphere of Earth was mainly composed of which two gases?

Choices:
A. sulfur dioxide and water vapor
B. carbon dioxide and nitrogen
C. oxygen and argon
D. hydrogen and helium


Question: Which human body systems work directly together to allow locomotion?

Choices:
A. circulatory, excretory, and respiratory
B. skeletal, muscular, and nervous
C. skeletal, digestive, and respiratory
D. circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive


Question: Which is the best evidence for the theory of continental drift?

Choices:
A. fossils of the same species found on widely separated continents
B. cases where a species exists in only one isolated place
C. earthquakes at boundaries where one plate slides past another
D. the appearance of volcanoes at the boundaries where plates collide

fossils of the same species found on widely separated continents


Question: Students go on a field trip to observe salmon spawning in a river. For safety reasons, the students should not

Choices:
A. bring water.
B. explore alone.
C. listen to instructions.
D. take notes.


Question: Which of the following involves a learned behavior?

Choices:
A. laying eggs to reproduce
B. having hollow, light-weight bones
C. having white feathers on the throat
D. avoiding insects that taste bad


Question: Which of the following colors of visible light has the longest wavelength?

Choices:
A. red
B. orange
C. green
D. blue


Question: Which is an example of a form of electrical energy?

Choices:
A. lightning
B. windmill
C. radio waves
D. sound waves


Question: Which of the following lists units of length from smallest to largest?

Choices:
A. light-year, astronomical unit, kilometer, angstrom
B. kilometer, angstrom, light-year, astronomical unit
C. astronomical unit, angstrom, kilometer, light-year
D. angstrom, kilometer, astronomical unit, light-year

angstrom, kilometer, astronomical unit, light-year


Question: Each layer of Earth has different properties. Which statement best describes the mantle of Earth?

Choices:
A. The mantle temperature is lower than the crust temperature.
B. The mantle lies below the core.
C. The mantle is composed of hot gases.
D. The mantle lies between the core and the crust.

The mantle lies between the core and the crust.


Question: Which of these is the best example of sexual reproduction?

Choices:
A. fragmentation
B. binary fission
C. budding
D. fusing gametes


Question: Which of these events during a storm at sea can add oxygen from the atmosphere to ocean water?

Choices:
A. lightning
B. temperature change
C. high winds
D. pressure change


Question: Which layer of Earth is the thinnest?

Choices:
A. Outer core
B. Inner core
C. Mantle
D. Crust


Question: Based on the Periodic Table of the Elements, which of these elements has properties most similar to calcium (Ca)?

Choices:
A. carbon [C]
B. barium [Ba]
C. manganese [Mn]
D. sodium [Na]


Question: As a river enters a larger body of water, sediments are deposited over a wide area. Which of these landforms is likely to be formed at the site of deposition?

Choices:
A. Delta
B. Cave
C. Valley
D. Mountain


Question: Which of these is a chemical property of a material?

Choices:
A. density
B. brittleness
C. color
D. flammability


Question: About how long is a lunar cycle?

Choices:
A. 52 weeks
B. 1 day
C. 1 week
D. 28 days


Question: Of the following types of cells, which has the highest concentration of mitochondria?

Choices:
A. nerve
B. skin
C. bone
D. muscle


Question: What helps skin feel heat and pressure?

Choices:
A. muscle cells
B. blood cells
C. nerve cells
D. bone cells


Question: Erosion and weathering can both cause changes to the surface of Earth. Which of the following happens only because of erosion and NOT because of weathering?

Choices:
A. Rocks become smooth and round.
B. Rocks are moved from one place to another.
C. Rocks are broken apart into small pieces.
D. Rocks form deep underground.

Rocks are moved from one place to another.


Question: Which is an advantage of sexual reproduction in the survival of a population?

Choices:
A. creates competition between siblings
B. maintains genetic diversity
C. prevents mutation
D. reduces the number of genes


Question: A species of moth in England has both a light-colored form and a dark-colored form. In the mid-1800s, the percentage of dark-colored moths increased in areas where black soot from factories covered the trees. The soot in these areas has decreased in more recent times as a result of pollution laws. Which of the following statements describes what has most likely happened to the moth populations in these areas?

Choices:
A. The percentage of dark-colored moths in the populations decreased.
B. The moth populations migrated south.
C. The moth populations went extinct.
D. The percentage of light-colored moths in the populations decreased.

The percentage of dark-colored moths in the populations decreased.


Question: Energy appears in many forms. What form of energy is lightning?

Choices:
A. electrical energy
B. sound energy
C. mechanical energy
D. magnetic energy


Question: People take in and release gases from the air when they breathe. Which exhaled gas is a waste product of respiration?

Choices:
A. carbon dioxide
B. hydrogen
C. oxygen
D. helium


Question: A unicellular organism is best described as being

Choices:
A. a complex organism.
B. an organism with different types of tissues.
C. an organism with specialized cells.
D. a microorganism.


Question: Which of the following best describes how plants use the energy they receive from sunlight?

Choices:
A. They make minerals for their roots.
B. They break down nutrients into rocks.
C. They produce their own food.
D. They change water into heat.


Question: What can be inferred from a food product advertisement that claims "30% less fat than our leading competitors"?

Choices:
A. It will help a person lose weight.
B. It is a sugar-free product.
C. It is the healthiest choice available.
D. The fat content of the item is reduced.


Question: Which material is the best conductor of electricity?

Choices:
A. Plastic
B. Wood
C. Stone
D. Metal


Question: A ball is dropped from the top of a tall building. As the ball falls, the upward force of air resistance becomes equal to the downward pull of gravity. When these two forces become equal in magnitude, the ball will

Choices:
A. fall at a constant speed.
B. flatten due to the forces.
C. slow to a stop.
D. continue to speed up.


Question: Which statement describes an interaction between the hydrosphere and the atmosphere?

Choices:
A. Lava from an underwater volcano cools to form a mountain.
B. Flowing water carves through rock to form a canyon.
C. Water vapor rises from the ocean to form clouds.
D. Ashes rise from a volcanic eruption to block sunlight.

Water vapor rises from the ocean to form clouds.


Question: Often organisms seem similar in their outward appearances. For example, a porpoise and a shark seem closely related, but they are not. Such similarity is the result of

Choices:
A. adaptive radiation.
B. artificial selection.
C. convergent evolution.
D. genetic equilibrium.


Question: A group of frogs live together near a small pond. The frogs compete with each other most for which resource?

Choices:
A. sunlight
B. insects
C. plants
D. air


Question: Which process converts organic nitrogen into an inorganic form that can be used by plants?

Choices:
A. decomposition
B. sedimentation
C. absorption
D. radiation


Question: In animals, female traits are passed down to offspring from

Choices:
A. pollen.
B. eggs.
C. sperm.
D. seeds.


Question: The visible light spectrum can be subdivided according to

Choices:
A. a range of colors.
B. a type of energy.
C. the types of waves.
D. the sizes of particles.


Question: Three scientists conducted the same experiment to analyze the effectiveness of a cleaning agent on household bacteria. What is the main advantage of having the experiment repeated?

Choices:
A. More bacteria will be destroyed.
B. The results will be more reliable.
C. A scientific journal will publish their work.
D. The conclusion will lead to new discoveries.


Question: Today, almost all cars have seat belts. How does improving the design of seat belts help people the most?

Choices:
A. It increases the comfort of passengers in cars.
B. It decreases injuries to passengers in cars.
C. It increases the speed at which cars can travel.
D. It decreases the cost of cars.

It decreases injuries to passengers in cars.


Question: Which type of organism is made of one cell?

Choices:
A. fish
B. bacteria
C. fern
D. trees


Question: What advantage do the offspring of a dandelion have by reproducing asexually?

Choices:
A. Reproductive competition is increased.
B. Reproduction occurs rapidly.
C. Mating compatibility improves.
D. Diversity increases between generations.


Question: Which of the following statements best describes a result of using interchangeable parts to manufacture automobiles?

Choices:
A. The automobiles wear out quickly.
B. The automobiles can be produced on an assembly line.
C. The automobiles are identical.
D. The automobiles are difficult to design.

The automobiles can be produced on an assembly line.


Question: A stone arch bridge relies primarily on which of the following for its load strength?

Choices:
A. torsion
B. compression
C. tension
D. bending


Question: After a storm, a hospital may have to rely on backup generators to power some equipment. Which is the energy conversion provided by the generators?

Choices:
A. mechanical energy to electrical energy
B. nuclear energy to mechanical energy
C. thermal energy to electrical energy
D. thermal energy to mechanical energy


Question: Many flowers attract bees. Bees consume nectar from the flower for energy. How does this interaction benefit the plant?

Choices:
A. by pollinating it
B. by reducing competition
C. by increasing photosynthesis
D. by limiting growth


Question: In living things, traits are passed on from one generation to the next by the transfer of

Choices:
A. blood
B. minerals
C. Calories
D. DNA


Question: Every organism in an ecosystem receives energy from another source. Which of these organisms receives its energy directly from the Sun?

Choices:
A. grass
B. hawk
C. fungus
D. deer


Question: Aristotle taught that a force was always required to keep an object moving. Which of the following states what Newton believed?

Choices:
A. A moving object will eventually stop even though an unbalanced force keeps pushing on it.
B. Aristotle was correct.
C. An object will keep moving unless an unbalanced force stops it.
D. Aristotle was correct for objects on Earth but not in space.

An object will keep moving unless an unbalanced force stops it.


Question: The solar system containing Earth consists of a sun and planets. Which statement best describes the motion of the planets in our solar system?

Choices:
A. The sun rotates around the planets.
B. The planets revolve around the sun.
C. The planets rotate around the sun.
D. The sun revolves around the planets.


Question: Animal wastes contain bacteria that make organisms sick. These wastes are often washed into water supplies by storms. How might a pet owner prevent these bacteria from polluting water supplies?

Choices:
A. Bag the pet waste and throw it in the trash.
B. Wash the pet with shampoo to kill the bacteria.
C. Brush the pet daily to remove bacteria.
D. Feed pets food that produces less waste.

Bag the pet waste and throw it in the trash.


Question: Which of the following is performed by the quality control division of a company that is manufacturing a chair?

Choices:
A. inspecting the finish
B. cutting the material
C. assembling the parts
D. applying the varnish


Question: Which type of storm causes the most flooding in areas located near an ocean coastline?

Choices:
A. Blizzard
B. Tornado
C. Freezing rain
D. Hurricane


Question: Anne and her father find a 30-million year-old tropical plant fossil in Louisiana. Which question does the fossil help them answer?

Choices:
A. What was the climate like in Louisiana 30 million years ago?
B. Were there earthquakes in Louisiana 30 million years ago?
C. Were there mountains in Louisiana 30 million years ago?
D. What kind of animals lived in Louisiana 30 million years ago?

What was the climate like in Louisiana 30 million years ago?


Question: In the Four Corners area in the US Southwest, there are large rocky outcroppings of basalt. These were formed by ancient lava flows. Using this information, what class of rock is this?

Choices:
A. sedimentary
B. igneous
C. weathered
D. metamorphic


Question: The heath hen, an extinct small wild fowl, was a relative of the prairie chicken. Which of the following most likely caused extinction of the heath hen?

Choices:
A. plentiful food supply
B. overhunting
C. stable climate
D. abundant nesting sites


Question: A stationary air mass over the Gulf of Mexico would typically be

Choices:
A. cool and dry.
B. warm and dry.
C. warm and humid.
D. cool and humid.


Question: Which of the following metals will be attracted to a magnet?

Choices:
A. gold
B. copper
C. silver
D. iron


Question: A student wants to create a drawing of the water cycle. Which image can the student use to represent water cycling through the atmosphere?

Choices:
A. a cloud
B. a stream
C. a frozen lake
D. a drop of dew


Question: Which is made with the help of bacteria?

Choices:
A. Cooking oil
B. Yogurt
C. Soap
D. Cream


Question: Lamar learned that birds, mammals, and reptiles are all vertebrates. Which characteristic do all vertebrates share?

Choices:
A. They are all warm-blooded.
B. They all have feathers.
C. They all lay eggs.
D. They all have a backbone.


Question: Which of these is most likely to create large areas of land subsidence?

Choices:
A. eruptions of volcanoes
B. global warming
C. extraction of ground water
D. greenhouse effect


Question: Which of the following best describes two atoms of oxygen that are chemically bonded to each other?

Choices:
A. molecule
B. solution
C. mixture
D. compound


Question: If the climate in an area were to become much drier, which plant variation would be most advantageous to the survival of the species?

Choices:
A. thicker leaves
B. bigger branches
C. larger flowers
D. longer stems


Question: Which form of energy is in firewood?

Choices:
A. kinetic
B. sound
C. potential
D. light


Question: What covers most of the Earth's surface?

Choices:
A. Bare rock
B. Cities and towns
C. Water
D. Farm land


Question: Which tool is best used to observe a soil sample?

Choices:
A. compass
B. telescope
C. camera
D. hand lens


Question: A student walks along a trail by a lake on a cool summer morning. Which statement is an observation the student could make?

Choices:
A. The water is cold because it comes from melted snow.
B. The temperature of the air is rising because the Sun is out.
C. The water is too cold for swimming.
D. Fog is rising from the lake.


Question: Eating food that is undercooked can lead to a disease that affects the digestive system. Which body part is directly affected by the disease?

Choices:
A. sinuses
B. arteries
C. nerves
D. intestines


Question: Which property supports the hypothesis that eukaryotic mitochondria were once prokaryotic organisms?

Choices:
A. They lack genetic material.
B. They lack a need for proteins in their life functions.
C. They lack a mechanism of motility.
D. They lack internal membrane-bound organelles.

They lack internal membrane-bound organelles.


Question: Metals that easily transfer electricity are called

Choices:
A. insulators.
B. magnets.
C. resistors.
D. conductors.


Question: Animals and plants need oxygen to live. Oxygen is released in photosynthesis. Which cycle includes photosynthesis?

Choices:
A. the carbon cycle
B. the water cycle
C. the rock cycle
D. the nitrogen cycle


Question: The Statue of Liberty was built in France and then taken apart into 350 pieces for shipping. When the pieces arrived in New York, the statue was put together. Which statement describes the relationship between the mass of the 350 pieces and the mass of the whole statue?

Choices:
A. The mass of the statue is greater than the mass of the pieces.
B. The mass of the pieces is greater than the mass of the statue.
C. The mass of the statue is not related to the mass of the pieces.
D. The mass of the pieces is the same as the mass of the statue.

The mass of the pieces is the same as the mass of the statue.


Question: Which statement describes the weather when water droplets in clouds become heavy and the temperature is 20°C (68°F)?

Choices:
A. It is snowing.
B. It is raining.
C. It is sunny and clear.
D. It is clear and breezy.


Question: Scientists use different tools during their investigations. What tool does a scientist use to study cells?

Choices:
A. a centimeter ruler
B. a graduated cylinder
C. a balance
D. a microscope


Question: Snowy owls live in very cold areas. Which adaptation is most likely a result of living in this type of environment?

Choices:
A. sharp claws
B. large, yellow eyes
C. curved beaks
D. thick, white feathers


Question: Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO_{3}) will neutralize stomach acid (HCl) in a double replacement reaction as follows: NaHCO_{3} + HCl -> NaCl + CO_{2} + \Box What is the product necessary to make this reaction complete?

Choices:
A. HO_{2}
B. H_{2}O
C. H_{2}O_{2}
D. 2HO


Question: Heat transfer by conduction occurs when molecules

Choices:
A. become less dense and rise
B. flow as currents through liquids
C. collide with other molecules
D. form waves that travel through space


Question: The color of an object such as an apple is the same as the color the light waves

Choices:
A. that are absorbed by the object
B. that travel through the object
C. that travel around the object
D. that are reflected by the object


Question: What causes the tectonic plates of Earth to continually move?

Choices:
A. strong winds and storms
B. volcanic and seismic activity in the crust
C. rotation of the solid core
D. convection currents in the mantle


Question: Which is the correct order in the process of sedimentary rock formation?

Choices:
A. compaction, weathering, erosion, cementation
B. weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction
C. weathering, deposition, cementation, burial
D. compaction, erosion, cementation, deposition

weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction


Question: The discovery of tectonic plates and the cause of their movement is best described as a result of which scientific procedure?

Choices:
A. inquiry into the causes of observed geological phenomena
B. methodical testing of a valid hypothesis statement
C. controlled laboratory experimentation on a simulation of geological systems
D. direct observation of the important properties of the Earth system

inquiry into the causes of observed geological phenomena


Question: Cancer is most often the result of

Choices:
A. biological adaptation
B. abnormal cell division
C. natural selection
D. bacterial infection


Question: All organisms need food to survive. Which statement best describes the purpose of food for organisms?

Choices:
A. Food provides skin color.
B. Food provides oxygen for life.
C. Food provides water for energy.
D. Food provides energy for growth.


Question: Soil is important to a forest because the soil ___.

Choices:
A. provides nutrients to the trees
B. warms the air around the trees
C. attracts insects that eat leaves
D. stores sunlight in the leaves


Question: How do muscles and bones work together to create body movement?

Choices:
A. The muscles protect the bones.
B. Muscles grow at the same rate as bones.
C. Muscles send electrical impulses to bones.
D. The muscles pull on the bones.


Question: Biologists moved a predator from sea level to a higher altitude, where they noticed that the predator became tired more quickly. If this predator had to live at a higher altitude, which adaptation would be necessary for it to survive?

Choices:
A. reduction of respiration rate
B. growth of additional teeth
C. increased digestion rate
D. production of more red blood cells


Question: Ernie made a diagram to model Earth's orbit. What shape is most like what Ernie drew for the orbit?

Choices:
A. oval
B. rectangle
C. square
D. triangle


Question: Classification of galaxies is based on which characteristic?

Choices:
A. the color of the galaxy
B. how many stars make up the galaxy
C. how many planets make up the galaxy
D. the shape of the galaxy


Question: Which physical characteristic of a puppy is most likely inherited from its parents?

Choices:
A. coat color
B. body weight
C. desire to play fetch
D. ability to follow commands


Question: A scientist crosses two different varieties of corn to produce a single variety that has traits from both parents. This technique is an example of

Choices:
A. selective breeding
B. natural selection
C. ecological succession
D. competition


Question: A class measures the time it takes for two different trucks to drive across the parking lot. How can they tell which truck is faster?

Choices:
A. The truck that starts moving first is faster.
B. The truck that takes less time is faster.
C. The truck that takes more time is faster.
D. The truck that has bigger tires is faster.

The truck that takes less time is faster.


Question: The fossils of dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago can be found in

Choices:
A. the water of oceans.
B. the ice on ponds.
C. the trunks of trees.
D. rocks in the ground.


Question: Which of the following contains salt water?

Choices:
A. polar icecaps
B. groundwater
C. raindrops
D. oceans


Question: During digestion, fructose is produced by the breakdown of larger molecules. Which type of molecule could be broken down to increase the body's fructose levels?

Choices:
A. carbohydrates
B. triglycerides
C. vitamins
D. proteins


Question: Which is the most important reason for scientists to publish their data and findings that result from a scientific investigation?

Choices:
A. to allow other scientists to try to replicate their results
B. to gain respect from their peers in the scientific community
C. to get paid for their research
D. to become famous

to allow other scientists to try to replicate their results


Question: Which reflects light?

Choices:
A. mirror
B. eyeglasses
C. camera
D. telescope


Question: Which of the following is a necessary condition for a lunar eclipse to occur?

Choices:
A. It must be winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
B. The Moon must be full.
C. The Moon must be waxing.
D. It must be the beginning of the month.


Question: The excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers causes runoff that increases the nitrogen content of lakes and bays. These nitrogen compounds directly affect the aquatic ecosystems by

Choices:
A. decreasing the predator population.
B. increasing the rate of algae growth.
C. interfering with the water cycle.
D. causing aquatic animals to grow larger.


Question: A blacksmith bends a metal rod into a round wheel. Which statement best describes the wheel?

Choices:
A. The wheel is made of a different substance than the rod.
B. The wheel weighs less than the rod.
C. The wheel is made of the same substance as the rod.
D. The wheel weighs more than the rod.

The wheel is made of the same substance as the rod.


Question: Which moon phase occurs approximately 14 days after a full moon?

Choices:
A. waxing gibbous
B. new moon
C. first quarter
D. waning crescent


Question: After a person eats, the food is converted into energy by

Choices:
A. cells.
B. muscles.
C. tissues.
D. bones.


Question: Which statement best describes the primary role of perspiration in humans?

Choices:
A. Perspiration helps to maintain a stable body temperature.
B. Perspiration rids the body of excess water.
C. Perspiration opens skin pores to absorb more oxygen.
D. Perspiration eliminates bacteria from the skin.

Perspiration helps to maintain a stable body temperature.


Question: A person produces two sound waves with a flute, one immediately after the other. Both sound waves have the same pitch, but the second one is louder. Which of the following properties is greater for the second sound wave?

Choices:
A. Wavelength
B. Amplitude
C. Speed in air
D. Frequency


Question: Why is the light year often used to describe distances between objects in the universe?

Choices:
A. because of the great number of bright stars
B. because of the way objects rotate and revolve
C. because of the large distance between objects in space
D. because of the way planets reflect light

because of the large distance between objects in space


Question: Which organisms break down dead matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem?

Choices:
A. rabbits and deer
B. lions and alligators
C. grasses and trees
D. mushrooms and bacteria


Question: A student viewing a cell with a microscope observes a cell wall, a cell membrane, and a nucleus. The presence of these structures indicates that the student is looking at a cell from a

Choices:
A. worm
B. fly
C. carrot
D. rabbit


Question: Which action results in a chemical change?

Choices:
A. apples being cut into slices
B. wet clothes drying on a clothesline
C. wood burning in a fireplace
D. snow being shoveled off of a sidewalk


Question: What has occurred when bubbles form in a liquid that is being heated?

Choices:
A. Molecular stability in the liquid is increasing.
B. The boiling point has been reached.
C. Heat is radiating in the liquid.
D. Oxygen is absorbed from the air.


Question: The breakfast that a student ate provided energy for bicycling later in the day. Which energy transformation most likely occurred?

Choices:
A. chemical to nuclear
B. radiant to mechanical
C. chemical to mechanical
D. radiant to nuclear


Question: In an experiment, water and salt are mixed together. What is the best way to separate the salt from the water?

Choices:
A. pour the water out of the container
B. freeze the mixture
C. filter the salt
D. evaporate the water


Question: A metal spoon and a wooden spoon are used to stir a pot of hot soup. After a few minutes, the metal spoon feels hotter than the wooden spoon. What explains this?

Choices:
A. Metal heats up the water better than the wood.
B. Metal is always hotter than wood.
C. Metal conducts heat better than wood.
D. Metal conducts electricity better than wood.


Question: Materials made of the same substance will have characteristics in common. Which property is most likely to remain constant in different samples of the same material?

Choices:
A. shape
B. mass
C. density
D. volume


Question: Which is Earth's largest source of drinkable water?

Choices:
A. oceans
B. aquifers
C. rivers
D. lakes


Question: Some classrooms have computers. The computer is most useful to the students because it helps them

Choices:
A. find information.
B. listen to music.
C. watch movies.
D. play games.


Question: Which of these is an example of something being recycled?

Choices:
A. Taking glass bottles to a place that makes them into new bottles
B. Using the same foil to cover food several times
C. Wrapping glasses with newspaper to put them in a moving box
D. Carrying lunch to school every day in the same plastic bag

Taking glass bottles to a place that makes them into new bottles


Question: Which of the following is an example of a compound?

Choices:
A. water
B. copper
C. carbon
D. iron


Question: One rabbit runs faster than other rabbits in its population. How will the ability to run fast most likely benefit the rabbit?

Choices:
A. by allowing the rabbit to find more sources of food
B. by helping the rabbit blend with its environment
C. by making it easier for the rabbit to escape from predators
D. by keeping the rabbit warmer in the winter

by making it easier for the rabbit to escape from predators


Question: What is the BEST reason for including fruits and leafy vegetables in a healthy diet?

Choices:
A. They are rich in minerals and vitamins.
B. They are the best source of carbohydrates.
C. They are the best source of protein.
D. They have a high water content.


Question: In one day, a family in a car rode for 2 hours, stopped for 3 hours, and then rode for another 5 hours. During the day, the family traveled a total distance of 400 kilometers. What was their average speed for the whole trip?

Choices:
A. 20 km/h
B. 10 km/h
C. 50 km/h
D. 40 km/h


Question: A Raleigh man turned on his kitchen faucet and filled a glass with water. When he looked at the water, he thought that it might not be safe to drink, so he called the water company to find out. What factor did the man use to evaluate the safety of the water?

Choices:
A. phosphate concentration
B. turbidity
C. pH
D. nitrate concentration


Question: Which of these is the main source of the electromagnetic energy we use?

Choices:
A. coal
B. wind
C. sun
D. battery


Question: Which of the following is the starting point for a new scientific investigation?

Choices:
A. forming a question that is the basis of a hypothesis
B. conducting repeated trials and graphing the data
C. identifying experimental variables
D. writing out a procedure and collecting the needed equipment

forming a question that is the basis of a hypothesis


Question: All organisms depend on the transfer of energy to survive. Which best shows the energy transfer between animals in a shoreline ecosystem?

Choices:
A. Plants -> Fish -> Birds
B. Fish -> Birds -> Plants
C. Plants -> Birds -> Fish
D. Fish -> Plants -> Birds


Question: Which investigation might be used to demonstrate potential energy?

Choices:
A. Roll one ball toward another, and see what happens when they collide.
B. Roll a ball from the top of an inclined plane and determine the amount of time it takes to get to the bottom.
C. Compress a spring by different amounts, and see how far it can launch a ball into the air.
D. Place a glass of water in the freezer, and see how long the water takes to become solid.

Compress a spring by different amounts, and see how far it can launch a ball into the air.


Question: The fossil record shows that trees have changed throughout the years. Which of the following conclusions would be best supported by the fossil record?

Choices:
A. Trees give off oxygen.
B. Animals need leafy trees.
C. Rocks can destroy trees.
D. The environment has changed.


Question: An agriculturalist predicts that the tomato harvest will be very good this year. Which has the greatest effect on the size of the tomato harvest?

Choices:
A. the number of times daily that the farmer observes the crop
B. the type of soil in which the crops are grown
C. the amount of fruit picked after dark
D. the time of day the seeds are planted

the type of soil in which the crops are grown


Question: A student investigates the effect of temperature on the distance a caterpillar travels in one minute. The student performs the investigation at four different times of day using one caterpillar. This experiment could be improved if the student

Choices:
A. uses more than one caterpillar.
B. performs the investigation on a wet surface.
C. uses earthworms instead of caterpillars.
D. performs the investigation at the same time on four days.


Question: A bright object with a long tail of glowing gases is in orbit around the Sun. This object is most likely

Choices:
A. a planet
B. a star
C. an asteroid
D. a comet


Question: A hearing aid is a small device that contains an amplifier, a battery, a microphone, and a speaker. Which part of a hearing aid functions to detect sounds in the user's environment?

Choices:
A. the speaker
B. the battery
C. the amplifier
D. the microphone


Question: In an experiment studying phototropism, students grew bean plants in labeled cardboard milk cartons. Afterward, the plants and soil were properly discarded. Which instruction line BEST conserves the remaining resources?

Choices:
A. reuse the markers, recycle the milk cartons
B. discard the markers, reuse the milk cartons
C. recycle the markers, reuse the milk cartons
D. reuse the markers, discard the milk cartons

reuse the markers, recycle the milk cartons


Question: How are electromagnetic waves different from other waves?

Choices:
A. They transmit energy instead of matter.
B. They can travel through a vacuum and through matter.
C. They can change direction by reflection when they strike an object.
D. They have very short wavelengths.

They can travel through a vacuum and through matter.


Question: The Sun releases light and heat energy that cause changes on Earth. How does the Sun's energy change water?

Choices:
A. The energy makes liquid water freeze.
B. The energy makes water collect into puddles.
C. The energy makes clouds release rain.
D. The energy makes water vapor from liquid water.

The energy makes water vapor from liquid water.


Question: In the 18th century, smallpox was a common and deadly disease. A country doctor, Edward Jenner, observed that patients working with cattle who contracted a mild disease called cowpox, never came down with the more serious smallpox. When Jenner obtained liquid from cowpox sores and injected it into healthy patients, they became immune to smallpox. What term best describes Jenner's treatment for smallpox?

Choices:
A. gene therapy
B. vaccination
C. genetic engineering
D. chemotherapy


Question: What is the name of a circuit in which the current splits at the junctions?

Choices:
A. parallel circuit
B. short circuit
C. series circuit
D. closed circuit


Question: A coach is standing at the finish line of a race. He is holding a stopwatch. What is the coach most likely measuring with the stopwatch?

Choices:
A. the number of steps taken by the runners
B. the distance of the race
C. the time of day
D. the time it took to run the race


Question: A growing community relies on a nearby lake to provide fresh water for drinking and bathing. An increase in the use of fresh water will cause the lake to become

Choices:
A. colder
B. deeper
C. smaller
D. larger


Question: Which of these senses lets Dora know when a skunk has been close to her house?

Choices:
A. Smell
B. Taste
C. Touch
D. Hearing


Question: In 2001, NASA launched a probe to investigate very low-energy radiation emitted when the universe began. What part of the electromagnetic spectrum does this probe observe and record?

Choices:
A. infrared
B. ultraviolet
C. microwave
D. visible


Question: What electrical charge does a proton have in an atom?

Choices:
A. -2
B. +2
C. +1
D. -1


Question: Work is a product of force and distance. Which of the following is an example of work?

Choices:
A. sitting at a desk
B. pushing on a wall
C. riding a bike
D. reading a book


Question: All of the different organisms interacting in a pond make up

Choices:
A. the water cycle
B. a community
C. a population
D. the habitat


Question: If a lake is polluted, which organisms would most likely accumulate the highest concentration of contaminants?

Choices:
A. bass
B. fish-eating birds
C. minnows
D. aquatic plants


Question: Sand is a type of soil that is made of very tiny pieces of material. Which process most likely forms sand?

Choices:
A. the weathering of rocks
B. the growth of animals
C. the decay of large trees
D. the rotation of Earth


Question: What is needed to change ice into water?

Choices:
A. chemicals
B. air
C. stirring
D. energy


Question: Stars form from nebulae of dust and gases. Depending on its properties, a star may become a red, yellow, white, or blue star. Which property determines this star type?

Choices:
A. location
B. age
C. mass
D. shape


Question: Which of these is MOST likely made from only one material?

Choices:
A. A paper clip
B. A pencil
C. A bicycle
D. A pair of shoes


Question: Francis plugged a toaster into an electric outlet. He put a piece of bread in the toaster and turned the toaster on. While the toaster was on, it changed the electrical energy from the outlet into other forms of energy. Which form of energy toasted the bread?

Choices:
A. heat
B. sound
C. magnetic
D. chemical


Question: A student measured liquid with a graduated cylinder. Which of the following units could be used to record the volume of the liquid?

Choices:
A. meters
B. grams
C. milliliters
D. pounds


Question: Which term is an example of a life process?

Choices:
A. camouflage
B. reproduction
C. coloration
D. migration


Question: A student divides several cubes into two groups, based on whether or not each cube can float in later. What property is the student using to classify the cubes?

Choices:
A. density
B. mass
C. weight
D. conductivity


Question: Use The Periodic Table of the Elements and the information below to answer the question. Magnesium metal (Mg) is grayish-white in color and reacts actively with water. Fluorine (F2) is a greenish-yellow gas at room temperature and is a member of the halogen family. These two elements react to produce magnesium fluoride (MgF2), a chemical commonly used in making windows and lenses. According to the Periodic Table of the Elements, which element is most similar to magnesium (Mg)?

Choices:
A. sulfur (S)
B. iodine (I)
C. calcium (Ca)
D. sodium (Na)


Question: How do word processors on computers benefit most students?

Choices:
A. It allows them to edit papers quickly.
B. It exposes them to data that is hard to find.
C. It helps them gather historical information.
D. It makes them understand how to write a good story.


Question: Students observed that a diamond was able to scratch a piece of talc. What does this observation best support?

Choices:
A. Diamonds are very valuable.
B. Talc and diamonds are both minerals.
C. Talc is softer than diamonds.
D. Diamonds have sharp edges.


Question: Which was a main force driving extensive speciation when the environment became hospitable to life after the Permian mass extinction?

Choices:
A. increase in genetic diversity among surviving organisms
B. increase in interbreeding between organisms of different species
C. increase of atmospheric oxygen to present levels
D. increase in available ecological niches


Question: Some types of bacteria can only live where oxygen is not present. These bacteria were well adapted to life on Earth over 2 billion years ago. Which of the following changes caused many of these bacteria to become extinct?

Choices:
A. an increase in the number of photosynthetic organisms
B. an increase in volcanic activity under the oceans
C. the slow movement of tectonic plates
D. the varying temperatures of each season

an increase in the number of photosynthetic organisms


Question: Which two are functions of flowers?

Choices:
A. attract pollinators and make seeds
B. take in water and attract pollinators
C. make seeds and store food
D. store food and take in water


Question: When soil becomes saturated during rainfall, excess water begins to collect on the surface. Downslope movement of this excess water to rivers, lakes, and streams is called

Choices:
A. condensation.
B. groundwater.
C. filtration.
D. runoff.


Question: What type of energy is transmitted from the Sun to Earth through space?

Choices:
A. electromagnetic energy
B. heat energy
C. electrical energy
D. kinetic energy


Question: What is the cause of rising surface temperatures of the Pacific Ocean, drought in the western United States, and flooding on the Pacific coast of South America?

Choices:
A. the Gulf Stream
B. the jet stream
C. La Niña
D. El Niño


Question: Use of nuclear fuel would most likely reduce human contributions to which environmental problem?

Choices:
A. greenhouse heating
B. ozone thinning
C. landfill creation
D. shoreline erosion


Question: What unit of measure should Jerry use to report the volume of a liquid?

Choices:
A. milliliters
B. centimeters
C. kilograms
D. degrees Celsius


Question: Use the information below to answer the question. Manufacturing uses many steps to change natural resources into products. Some of these steps change natural resources into industrial materials. These steps are called primary processes. All of the following are primary processes except

Choices:
A. crushing rock into gravel.
B. molding plastic.
C. producing lumber.
D. melting iron ore.


Question: What part of a communication system converts binary codes in a computer into recognizable characters?

Choices:
A. encoder
B. decoder
C. receiver
D. transmitter


Question: Which geologic process occurs when the acid in precipitation dissolves certain types of rock?

Choices:
A. tilting
B. faulting
C. erupting
D. weathering


Question: Water evaporates mostly from

Choices:
A. oceans.
B. land.
C. clouds.
D. snow.


Question: Robin compared the properties of some rocks. Which property did she most likely compare with a balance?

Choices:
A. temperature
B. mass
C. volume
D. density


Question: Because copper is a metal, it is

Choices:
A. a poor conductor of electricity
B. a good conductor of heat
C. liquid at room temperature
D. nonreactive with other substances


Question: What process makes it possible for the nutrients from organic material to be added to soil?

Choices:
A. erosion
B. weathering
C. succession
D. decomposition


Question: Why is it not a safe practice to place a fuel depot over an aquifer?

Choices:
A. If the fuel leaks, the water in the aquifer will become contaminated.
B. The fumes escaping from the fuel depot are explosive.
C. Aquifers are too high up in the mountains.
D. The weight of the depot is too great over the aquifer.

If the fuel leaks, the water in the aquifer will become contaminated.


Question: Look at the equation. 2H_{2} + O_{2} -> 2H_{2}O What does the equation show?

Choices:
A. helium mixing with oxygen
B. heat combining with oxygen
C. heat being added to oxygen
D. hydrogen and oxygen combining


Question: Which statement best describes the Law of Superposition?

Choices:
A. Rocks that form near volcanoes are older than surrounding rock.
B. Each sedimentary layer of rock represents 1,000 years of Earth's age, much like the rings of a tree.
C. In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.
D. In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.

In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.


Question: Which object is the best conductor of electricity?

Choices:
A. glass rod
B. plastic straw
C. metal nail
D. wooden stick


Question: Green plants get the energy they need to make food from

Choices:
A. soil
B. water
C. air
D. sunlight


Question: Which property of a mineral is most likely being tested when it is scratched with a nail?

Choices:
A. cleavage
B. color
C. hardness
D. luster


Question: Ricardo has an igneous rock in his rock collection. Where did this rock most likely form?

Choices:
A. on a forest floor
B. at the bottom of a river
C. in a volcano
D. on a coral reef


Question: Animals get energy from eating food that comes from plants. Plants survive by taking in substances that are released by animals. What substance do animals release that plants take in?

Choices:
A. salt
B. oxygen
C. carbon dioxide
D. sugar


Question: Which factor determines whether precipitation will be in the form of rain or snow?

Choices:
A. wind
B. temperature
C. air pressure
D. humidity


Question: Which of these materials transfers heat energy quickest?

Choices:
A. wood
B. metal
C. plastic
D. glass


Question: Electrical wires are coated with a rubber or plastic because these materials are good

Choices:
A. conductors.
B. resistors.
C. insulators.
D. magnets.


Question: An increase in which ecosystem factor could cause a population decline in a bird species?

Choices:
A. number of births
B. amount of food
C. emigration
D. immigration


Question: Twentieth-century research and development of vaccines significantly reduced the threat of

Choices:
A. diabetes.
B. osteoporosis.
C. stroke.
D. polio.


Question: The tendency of an element to react chemically is closely related to

Choices:
A. the ratio of protons to neutrons.
B. the number of neutrons in atoms.
C. how tightly atoms are packed.
D. the number of valence electrons.


Question: Modern submarines have advanced atmosphere-control systems that enable submarine crews to stay below the surface of the ocean for months at a time. Which of the following also benefits from this technology?

Choices:
A. architectural design
B. pollution control
C. fire prevention
D. space exploration


Question: Which pieces of equipment would be used to measure the density of a solution?

Choices:
A. a magnet and a thermometer
B. a graduated cylinder and a balance
C. an Erlenmeyer flask and a Bunsen burner
D. a ruler and a protractor


Question: Gasoline is a nonrenewable energy resource used in most cars and trucks. Gasoline is made from which source?

Choices:
A. oil
B. water vapor
C. natural gas
D. hydrogen


Question: The average temperature of Earth's surface has increased approximately 1°C in the past century. Which of the following can best explain this increase in temperature?

Choices:
A. lower levels of ozone in the atmosphere
B. higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
C. lower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere
D. higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere

higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere


Question: The Sun is the largest body in the solar system. The Sun is a ___.

Choices:
A. moon
B. planet
C. star
D. satellite


Question: Which activity is a good health habit?

Choices:
A. smoking cigarettes
B. exercising regularly
C. sleeping only 5 hours daily
D. drinking alcohol


Question: The fur of the snowshoe rabbit changes to a lighter color in the winter. This allows the rabbit to blend in with its surroundings. This change is an example of

Choices:
A. ecological succession
B. competition
C. biological adaptation
D. extinction


Question: What does a plant need to make sugar through photosynthesis?

Choices:
A. oxygen, sunlight, and soil
B. sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
C. soil, water, and oxygen
D. carbon dioxide, sunlight, and soil


Question: Some birds fly south in the fall and return in the spring. This is an example of

Choices:
A. growth
B. migration
C. hibernation
D. camouflage


Question: Which of the following is the best conductor of heat?

Choices:
A. rubber soled shoes
B. a wooden spoon
C. oven mitts
D. a metal bowl


Question: Some processes that shape Earth's surface are slow. Other processes are rapid. Which statement describes a rapid change?

Choices:
A. Wind weathers rocks into sand.
B. Rivers carry sediment and build deltas.
C. Earthquakes move land and rocks.
D. Glaciers melt and form rivers.


Question: Which characteristic best identifies a pure substance?

Choices:
A. shape
B. texture
C. melting point
D. state of matter


Question: Structures in the universe are grouped into large systems, each of which are made up of smaller systems. Which of the following is the largest system of which Earth is only a very small part?

Choices:
A. Orion's belt
B. Halley's comet
C. Jovian planets
D. Milky Way galaxy


Question: Which atomic structure has the greatest mass?

Choices:
A. proton
B. neutron
C. electron
D. nucleus


Question: When European settlers first came to North America, the average thickness of the top layer of soil was approximately 23 cm. Today, the average thickness of the top layer of soil is less than 15 cm. Which of the following factors has most likely had the greatest effect on erosion of the top layer of soil?

Choices:
A. farming
B. excessive groundwater use
C. species reintroduction
D. restoring wetlands


Question: Which of the following is closest to the percentage of the total water on earth that is freshwater?

Choices:
A. 90%
B. 100%
C. 3%
D. 70%


Question: Most scientists agree that an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases entering Earth's atmosphere causes

Choices:
A. an increase in crustal plate movement
B. a decrease in sea level
C. an increase in melting of polar ice caps
D. a decrease in average surface temperatures

an increase in melting of polar ice caps


Question: Scientists determined that cabbages grown using Fertilizer A grew bigger than cabbages grown using Fertilizer B or no fertilizer at all. The scientists repeated the investigation and produced the same results. Which best explains the purpose of repeating this investigation?

Choices:
A. to discover the scientific principle that causes the increased growth
B. to ensure that the cabbages are safe for human consumption
C. to confirm that the observed differences were caused by the fertilizer
D. to determine the difference between the experimental and control groups

to confirm that the observed differences were caused by the fertilizer


Question: When a small group of organisms colonizes a new habitat, the population may be genetically different from the parent population due to differences in allele frequencies. The process responsible for this is

Choices:
A. genetic drift.
B. genetic equilibrium.
C. disruptive selection.
D. natural selection.


Question: When conducting a scientific experiment in the field, you are expected to

Choices:
A. take anything you may need later.
B. leave the area as you found it.
C. destroy specimens once you have observed them.
D. completely clear the area.


Question: Which two behaviors best demonstrate stewardship?

Choices:
A. increasing consumption, recycling wastes
B. increasing consumption, discarding wastes
C. reducing consumption, recycling wastes
D. reducing consumption, discarding wastes


Question: Beakers and graduated cylinders are designed to measure

Choices:
A. viscosity.
B. density.
C. volume.
D. mass.


Question: Iron oxides, such as rust, form when iron metal reacts with oxygen in the air. What are the chemical symbols for the two elements found in iron oxide?

Choices:
A. Pb and O
B. Ir and O
C. I and O
D. Fe and O


Question: Scientists often use mathematical models and computer simulations to study systems. What is the main advantage of using these techniques for studying the spread of infectious diseases?

Choices:
A. to reduce the cost of conducting experiments on people
B. to perform experiments that would be irresponsible using human subjects
C. to reduce the amount of work for all involved
D. to obtain results quickly in a short period of time

to perform experiments that would be irresponsible using human subjects


Question: Which of these actions causes wind?

Choices:
A. uneven heating of Earth's surface
B. rotation of Earth on its axis
C. movement of air from water to land
D. air passing Earth as it revolves around the Sun


Question: A company wants to make a game that uses a magnet that sticks to a board. Which material should it use for the board?

Choices:
A. wood
B. cardboard
C. glass
D. steel


Question: Which sequence has the states of matter listed from least to greatest kinetic energy?

Choices:
A. gas -> liquid -> solid
B. liquid -> solid -> gas
C. solid -> liquid -> gas
D. solid -> gas -> liquid


Question: A student is given a mixture of gravel and sand and instructed to separate them. Which tool should the student use to best complete this task?

Choices:
A. a sieve
B. a magnet
C. a battery and wire
D. a scale and weights


Question: A container is filled with 100 mL of water and placed in a freezer. The water in the container freezes at 0°C. A second container filled with 90 mL of water is placed in a second freezer. At what temperature does this second container of water freeze?

Choices:
A. 10°C
B. -1°C
C. 0°C
D. -10°C


Question: What gas in the air do we need to breathe in order to live?

Choices:
A. oxygen
B. water vapor
C. hydrogen
D. carbon dioxide
E. nitrogen


Question: A city is experiencing heavy smog formed by motor vehicle exhaust. Which of these weather conditions contributes most to the formation of smog?

Choices:
A. tropical cyclone
B. temperature inversion
C. dry line
D. cold front


Question: Ocean currents, like the Gulf Stream, affect world climate by

Choices:
A. spreading plant and animal life over a wider area.
B. carrying sediment from rivers and inland basins.
C. transferring heat to and from various regions.
D. ensuring ocean density is not the same globally.

transferring heat to and from various regions.


Question: Jagged mountains would most likely become rounded hills through which process?

Choices:
A. chemical change
B. erosion
C. volcanic activity
D. deposition


Question: While performing an experiment involving four different clear liquids, a student forgets to label the test tubes. What should the student do?

Choices:
A. ask another student to identify the liquids
B. ask the teacher how to dispose of the liquids
C. continue the experiment with the unidentified liquids
D. try to identify the liquids by smell

ask the teacher how to dispose of the liquids


Question: During the light reactions of photosynthesis, energy is stored in the compounds ATP and NADPH. A second set of reactions uses this stored energy to produce vital compounds such as glucose. This second set of reactions involves a biochemical pathway called

Choices:
A. transpiration.
B. respiration.
C. the Calvin cycle.
D. carbon fixation.


Question: What is the relationship between an ecosystem and a community?

Choices:
A. A community includes an ecosystem and abiotic factors.
B. An ecosystem includes a community and abiotic factors.
C. A community is a very large ecosystem.
D. An ecosystem is a very large community.

An ecosystem includes a community and abiotic factors.


Question: Two species of garter snake in the genus Thamnophis originated from a single ancestor. These two species live in the same geographic area, however, one lives in arid land and the other lives in water.Which of the following best identifies the cause of speciation between these two garter snakes?

Choices:
A. mechanical isolation
B. allopatric isolation
C. behavioral isolation
D. habitat isolation


Question: A metal spoon, a wooden spoon, and a plastic spoon are placed in hot water. After 15 seconds, which spoon will feel hottest?

Choices:
A. The three spoons will feel the same.
B. The wooden spoon
C. The plastic spoon
D. The metal spoon


Question: The bacterium Brucella abortus causes fever in humans. Biologists studying this bacterium found that when exposed to light, the bacterium becomes more virulent. How can this change in virulence most likely be described?

Choices:
A. as a behavioral adaptation
B. as a survival disadvantage
C. as an acquired characteristic
D. as a response to a stimulus


Question: When iron combines with oxygen in a moist environment, rust forms because of a

Choices:
A. chemical reaction.
B. physical reaction.
C. change in temperature.
D. change in density.


Question: A student counts ants in an ant colony every day at the same time. The student writes the date of observation in one column in a notebook and the number of ants counted on each date in a second column. Which best describes how the student arranged the information?

Choices:
A. data table
B. pie chart
C. scatterplot
D. bar graph


Question: Which human body systems work together to send messages?

Choices:
A. muscular and skeletal
B. nervous and endocrine
C. excretory and digestive
D. circulatory and respiratory


Question: In order for a material to be effective for cooking, it must have which physical property?

Choices:
A. low melting point
B. high reactivity with water
C. high electric charge
D. low thermal expansion


Question: Which sequence shows the life cycle of some insects?

Choices:
A. egg -> pupa -> larva -> adult
B. egg -> larva -> pupa -> adult
C. larva -> pupa -> egg -> adult
D. adult -> pupa -> larva -> egg


Question: A scientist studied a species of fish. She found that when a certain nutrient was added to the diet of the fish just after hatching, the fish gained an average of 3 kilograms in the first year. What additional information is needed to determine whether the nutrient is affecting the growth of the fish?

Choices:
A. how much other species of fish gain in the first year when the nutrient is added to their diet
B. how much adult fish gained on average when the same nutrient was added to their diet
C. how much newly hatched fish in this species gain in the first year without the nutrient in their diet
D. how much of the nutrient is available for the fish species in their natural surroundings

how much newly hatched fish in this species gain in the first year without the nutrient in their diet


Question: Humans interpret seeing, hearing, tasting, and smelling in the

Choices:
A. brain
B. receptors
C. spinal cord
D. skin


Question: Dan knows the Earth is tilted 23.5° on its axis. Which is caused because of this tilt?

Choices:
A. different seasons occur
B. day can become night
C. low tide can become high tide
D. the change in phases of the Moon


Question: Gel electrophoresis is a technology which allows researchers to reliably separate and sort DNA fragments. This technology is most useful for which application?

Choices:
A. cell metabolism analysis
B. selective breeding
C. medical gene repair
D. genetic engineering


Question: Some sea grasses grow near a group of palm trees on a sandy shore. Which best describes the role of both the palm trees and sea grasses?

Choices:
A. They absorb oxygen from the environment.
B. They turn decaying matter into nutrients.
C. They get energy from living organisms.
D. They provide food for other organisms.


Question: Students collect pond water in their beakers. Which is the best unit of measurement for the volume of water they collect?

Choices:
A. Meters
B. Grams
C. Centimeters
D. Milliliters


Question: When tectonic plates move, they can form different landforms. Which is least likely to be associated with the tectonic plate movement that forms volcanoes?

Choices:
A. subduction zone
B. rift valley
C. hot spot
D. transform boundary


Question: The thin layer of rock on Earth's surface is the

Choices:
A. hemisphere
B. atmosphere
C. hydrosphere
D. lithosphere


Question: Which type of radiation provides astronomers with the most useful information about high-energy events such as stars colliding?

Choices:
A. gamma radiation
B. radio waves
C. visible light
D. infrared radiation


Question: All of the following are renewable resources except

Choices:
A. wind.
B. trees.
C. minerals.
D. water.


Question: What is the most important property architects must consider when selecting materials for the walls, ceilings, and floors for a new concert hall?

Choices:
A. chemical properties
B. acoustical properties
C. electrical properties
D. thermal properties


Question: Eduardo saw some cats living in an alley. Which of these does a cat need to survive?

Choices:
A. predators to chase it
B. grass to sleep in
C. small animals to eat
D. large trees to climb


Question: A puddle of water on a concrete driveway will disappear after a few hours during a sunny day. Where does the water go as it disappears?

Choices:
A. It goes into the air.
B. Animals drink it.
C. It becomes a different substance.
D. It soaks into the concrete.


Question: Science students investigated the cause of the different phases of the moon. The model that would best demonstrate the cause of the phases of the moon would include representations of

Choices:
A. the moon, the sun, and Venus
B. the moon, the sun, and Earth
C. the moon and Earth
D. the moon and the sun


Question: Electrical energy is best described as

Choices:
A. moving negative charges.
B. coming from the Sun.
C. attracting objects.
D. developing radiation.


Question: A car and a truck are traveling at the same rate of speed. The vehicles approach a stop sign. Which statement best explains why the car stops in a shorter distance than the truck?

Choices:
A. The car has a smaller mass requiring more force to stop.
B. The truck has a smaller mass requiring less force to stop.
C. The truck has a larger mass requiring more force to stop.
D. The car has a larger mass requiring less force to stop.

The truck has a larger mass requiring more force to stop.


Question: After a rain, a puddle of water remains on a sidewalk. After a day of sunshine, the puddle is gone. Which process is most responsible for the disappearance of the puddle?

Choices:
A. transpiration
B. condensation
C. precipitation
D. evaporation


Question: After which event will primary succession most likely occur?

Choices:
A. thunderstorm
B. urban development
C. crop harvest
D. volcanic eruption


Question: An object moves through space with balanced forces acting on it. Which statement best describes the speed and direction of the object as long as the forces acting on it remain balanced?

Choices:
A. The speed and direction of the object will both change.
B. The speed will change, but the direction will remain constant.
C. The speed will remain constant, but the direction will change.
D. The speed and direction of the object will remain constant.

The speed and direction of the object will remain constant.


Question: About how long does it take Earth to make a complete revolution around the Sun?

Choices:
A. 1 day
B. 1 year
C. 1 hour
D. 1 week


Question: Scientists found trilobite and brachiopod index fossils in cliffs a great distance apart from each other. What can scientists infer about the rocks in which these fossils were found?

Choices:
A. the age of the rock
B. the slope of the rock
C. the weathering of the rock
D. the density of the rock


Question: Which of the following is a function of the digestive system of the human body?

Choices:
A. carrying oxygen to the lungs
B. breaking down food into nutrients
C. sending signals from the brain to the spinal cord
D. providing support for the body


Question: A person must lift a heavy load of bricks to the top of a building. Which simple machine is best used for this task?

Choices:
A. a wedge
B. an inclined plane
C. a pulley
D. a wheel and axle


Question: Which form of energy is required for a television set to work?

Choices:
A. solar
B. electrical
C. heat
D. light


Question: The water cycle is important for recycling the water on Earth. Which of these is the source of most of the water vapor in Earth's atmosphere?

Choices:
A. glacier melting
B. river flooding
C. plant transpiration
D. ocean evaporation


Question: The molecule ATP is composed of elements commonly found in organic molecules. Which of the following is one of these elements?

Choices:
A. aluminum
B. tin
C. phosphorus
D. calcium


Question: Which energy transformation occurs when a person hits a drum with a drumstick?

Choices:
A. light to mechanical
B. electrical to light
C. sound to electrical
D. mechanical to sound


Question: Which best describes the energy conversion by a household toaster?

Choices:
A. heat to mechanical
B. heat to chemical
C. electrical to heat
D. electrical to chemical


Question: In late fall, a rabbit's fur grows thicker. This adaptation occurs to

Choices:
A. help the rabbit find a mate
B. help the rabbit find green plants
C. keep the rabbit's body warm
D. keep the rabbit safe from predators


Question: Many birds avoid eating the viceroy butterfly because it looks like the monarch butterfly. Monarch butterflies contain a substance that makes the birds sick when monarchs are eaten. The development of the pattern of the viceroy butterfly to look like the monarch butterfly is an example of

Choices:
A. mimicry.
B. camouflage.
C. coloration.
D. diversity.


Question: Which difference between water and ice results in ice floating on cold water?

Choices:
A. heat
B. volume
C. density
D. shape


Question: When buying a sunscreen, which is the best question to keep in mind while reading the label for maximum effectiveness?

Choices:
A. Who is the manufacturer?
B. Is the product waterproof?
C. How much protection does it provide?
D. What is the cost per ounce?


Question: Which of the following is a description of an organism's development?

Choices:
A. A lizard loses its tail and grows a new one.
B. An egg hatches, grows into a tadpole and then into a frog.
C. A sunflower grows toward the Sun.
D. A Venus's-flytrap plant closes its leaves around a fly.

An egg hatches, grows into a tadpole and then into a frog.


Question: Soil that drains slowly most likely has a high amount of

Choices:
A. peat.
B. clay.
C. ash.
D. sand.


Question: Bile salts play a crucial role in gastrointestinal homeostasis and digestion. Which phrase is the best description of the gastrointestinal function of bile salts?

Choices:
A. digestion and absorption of cholesterol in the large intestine
B. digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine
C. digestion and absorption of proteins in the liver
D. digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the liver

digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine


Question: Which type of energy is transferred by vibrational waves?

Choices:
A. chemical
B. sound
C. nuclear
D. light


Question: The process of gene regulation directly impacts

Choices:
A. which tRNA is produced.
B. how much DNA is replicated.
C. how much DNA is stored.
D. which mRNA is produced.


Question: What is the most important thing a cylinder, a measuring cup, and a beaker all have in common?

Choices:
A. They can all be made of glass.
B. They can all be marked in milliliters.
C. They all hold liquids.
D. They can all be used to measure the volume of a liquid.

They can all be used to measure the volume of a liquid.


Question: Scientists have shown that clearing the forest in the Amazon for farming is causing the extinction of native species. Which is the most direct cause of extinction from clear-cutting of land?

Choices:
A. use of fertilizers
B. pollution
C. climate change
D. habitat loss


Question: James read that plants benefit animals by changing the atmosphere. How do plants most likely change the atmosphere in a way that is beneficial for animals?

Choices:
A. Plants produce heat energy.
B. Plants make carbon dioxide.
C. Plants release oxygen.
D. Plants absorb sunlight.


Question: What model is used to show the pattern of traits that are passed from one generation to the next in a family?

Choices:
A. line graph
B. pedigree chart
C. energy pyramid
D. dichotomous key


Question: Tiny droplets of water seen floating in the air can give scientists a clue about the weather. What are groups of these droplets called?

Choices:
A. a cloud
B. hail
C. a front
D. rain


Question: When taken to a new habitat, non-native plants often threaten native plants of the new habitat. Why do non-native plants threaten native plants?

Choices:
A. Non-native plants cause native animals to relocate.
B. Non-native plants compete with native plants for resources.
C. Non-native plants are able to mutate rapidly.
D. Non-native plants are able to be used for medicine.

Non-native plants compete with native plants for resources.


Question: Which technology enables doctors to monitor the function of the heart?

Choices:
A. automatic external defibrillator
B. dialysis machine
C. electrocardiogram
D. electroencephalogram


Question: Which substance contributes most to the greenhouse effect?

Choices:
A. nitrous oxides
B. nuclear radiation
C. wood smoke
D. carbon dioxide


Question: Which explains the relationship between hours of sunlight and seasons?

Choices:
A. the rotation of Earth on its axis
B. the motion of the moon as it travels around Earth
C. the location of Earth's orbit in the solar system
D. the tilt of Earth's axis relative to the sun

the tilt of Earth's axis relative to the sun


Question: The temperature of the stratosphere increases with altitude because of the presence of

Choices:
A. nitrogen.
B. ozone.
C. carbon monoxide.
D. water vapor.


Question: Which structure refers to a group of specialized cells that all perform the same function?

Choices:
A. virus
B. nucleus
C. organ
D. tissue


Question: Which event occurs only twice each year?

Choices:
A. lunar eclipse
B. low tide
C. full moon
D. equinox


Question: What would be the phenotype of a cross between a homozygous dominant tall plant and a homozygous recessive short plant?

Choices:
A. 25% short, 75% tall
B. 100% short
C. 100% tall
D. 50% short, 50% tall


Question: Joey is making breakfast and pours a glass of milk over a bowl of dry cereal. Which best describes what Joey made for breakfast?

Choices:
A. element
B. mixture
C. compound
D. solution


Question: Scientists determined that specific agents produce specific diseases, and many are transmitted by sneezing. What must the droplets contain for a disease to be transmitted by sneezing?

Choices:
A. disease-specific antibodies
B. the disease-causing particles
C. toxins released by diseased cells
D. cells exposed to the disease


Question: Which of the following organisms would most likely get its food energy only from consumers?

Choices:
A. deer
B. hawk
C. grass
D. mushroom


Question: Coal is a fossil fuel that is formed from

Choices:
A. meteors hitting Earth.
B. repeated volcanic eruptions.
C. the decay of organic material.
D. water eroding the land.


Question: What do birds, bats and butterflies have in common?

Choices:
A. wings
B. hair
C. internal skeleton
D. feathers


Question: Changes at the molecular level can turn proto-oncogenes into oncogenes. These changes cause unregulated cell division. Which disease is caused by this transformation?

Choices:
A. hemophilia
B. diabetes
C. pneumonia
D. leukemia


Question: Which characteristic of sound makes it possible for bats to fly in the dark without hitting any objects?

Choices:
A. amplification
B. conduction
C. reflection
D. refraction


Question: Students went on a class field trip to Natural Bridge Caverns. They noticed rock formations in the cave called stalactites. Which of these processes caused the stalactites to form?

Choices:
A. heat
B. deposition
C. freezing
D. pressure


Question: A switch that can open or close an electric circuit can be used to

Choices:
A. accelerate the current.
B. stop the current.
C. increase the amount of current.
D. reverse the current's direction.


Question: Jesus learned that a space probe named Voyager 1 was launched from Earth in 1977. It will take Voyager 1 more than 500 years to travel 1 light year. What is a light year used to measure in space?

Choices:
A. force
B. distance
C. time
D. energy


Question: Scientists think that the rise in global temperature during the last one hundred years is due to an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Which question would best help scientists assess the claim that humans are responsible for the rising global temperature?

Choices:
A. What is the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
B. What is the source of most of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
C. What is the mechanism by which carbon dioxide heats Earth?
D. What is the source of the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

What is the source of the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?


Question: Which structure controls what enters both plant cells and animal cells?

Choices:
A. chloroplast
B. nucleus
C. cell membrane
D. cell wall


Question: Appearance, texture, and density are classified as

Choices:
A. chemical properties.
B. magnetic properties.
C. thermal properties.
D. physical properties.


Question: A student compares a plant cell to an animal cell. Which structure will the student find ONLY in the plant cell?

Choices:
A. nucleus
B. chloroplast
C. cytoplasm
D. mitochondrion


Question: One hot summer, a grassland experienced a drought. Which most likely happened in the ecosystem during this time?

Choices:
A. Nutrients cycled through the system at a faster rate.
B. Less solar radiation was able to enter the system.
C. The competition for food among primary consumers increased.
D. Secondary consumers became extinct.

The competition for food among primary consumers increased.


Question: The need for farmland in Brazil has led to the cutting of the rain forests in the Amazon. Cutting trees in the Amazon rain forest might have a global effect by

Choices:
A. increasing the number of animal species
B. increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
C. decreasing the amount of fresh water
D. decreasing the average yearly temperatures

increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere


Question: Which two body systems maintain the level of glucose in the blood?

Choices:
A. muscular and immune systems
B. digestive and endocrine systems
C. skeletal and cardiac systems
D. nervous and respiratory systems


Question: A student writes in a laboratory notebook: I placed a piece of iron in a beaker of water and the iron sank to the bottom of the beaker. What the student wrote in the laboratory notebook is an example of a(n)

Choices:
A. observation
B. inference
C. hypothesis
D. prediction


Question: Which series correctly represents the levels of organization in an organism?

Choices:
A. tissue -> cells -> organ system -> organs
B. cells -> organs -> organ system -> tissue
C. cells -> tissue -> organs -> organ system
D. tissue -> organ system -> cells -> organs

cells -> tissue -> organs -> organ system


Question: Which is a function of a seed?

Choices:
A. forming fruit
B. making pollen
C. taking in water from the ground
D. storing food for a new plant


Question: Which process below uses carbon dioxide and the sun's radiant energy to produce chemical energy?

Choices:
A. Decomposition
B. Evaporation
C. Photosynthesis
D. Respiration


Question: A serotinous cone is a seed enclosure that requires intense heat to open. When would a population of trees most benefit from having serotinous cones?

Choices:
A. after a heat wave
B. after a forest fire
C. after a drought
D. after a tornado


Question: A lumber company plants new trees where a forest once stood. This is an example of

Choices:
A. conserving resources.
B. consuming resources.
C. replacing resources.
D. recycling resources.


Question: Some pea plants always have peas with smooth skin. Other pea plants always have peas with wrinkled skin. How can a student best predict which kind of pea will grow from a seed that is planted?

Choices:
A. by checking the amount of water in the soil
B. by checking the type of peas growing on the parent plants
C. by checking how often the pea plant receives sunlight
D. by checking how much space the plant will have to grow

by checking the type of peas growing on the parent plants


Question: How do plants affect their environment?

Choices:
A. Plants clean the soil.
B. Plants make food used by other organisms.
C. Plants create water
D. Plants make sunlight brighter.

Plants make food used by other organisms.


Question: Which is an example of a physical property of an object?

Choices:
A. The object burns when touched by a flame.
B. The object bubbles when put into an acid.
C. The object gives off sparks when put into water.
D. The object bends without breaking.


Question: What happens when a warm object is put inside a cooler object?

Choices:
A. The warm object gains energy and the cool object loses energy so that both objects stay at different temperatures.
B. The warm object gains energy and the cool object loses energy until both objects are the same temperature.
C. The warm object loses energy and the cool object gains energy so that both objects stay at different temperatures.
D. The warm object loses energy and the cool object gains energy until both objects are the same temperature.

The warm object loses energy and the cool object gains energy until both objects are the same temperature.


Question: Newborn white-tailed deer have hundreds of spots on their coats which gradually disappear at three to four months of age. The spots on their coats make the newborns blend in with the environment through

Choices:
A. camouflage.
B. migration.
C. mimicry.
D. hibernation.


Question: What is the smallest particle of an element that still exhibits all the properties of that element?

Choices:
A. an electron
B. an atom
C. a proton
D. a molecule


Question: A population of tree-climbing lizard lives on one bank of a large river. The other bank of the river is a treeless prairie. During a flood, 40 lizards were transferred to the prairie side of the river. After 200 generations, this transferred population of lizard lost the ability to climb.Which mechanism is most likely responsible for this loss of function within the transferred population?

Choices:
A. gene flow
B. mutation
C. genetic drift
D. natural selection


Question: When a cup of water at room temperature is put in a freezer, the water's state of matter will change from

Choices:
A. solid to liquid
B. liquid to solid
C. gas to liquid
D. liquid to gas


Question: The weight of an object can change because of the force that acts on that object. Which force causes the weight of an object to change?

Choices:
A. gravitational
B. electrical
C. magnetic
D. friction


Question: Use the information below to answer the question. The human body is composed of different systems made of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Each of these structures has a specific function that aids in the survival of the human species. What is the primary function of the excretory system?

Choices:
A. to enable movement
B. to eliminate waste
C. to help in defense
D. to digest food


Question: What is the MAJOR cause of acid rain?

Choices:
A. evaporation of polluted water
B. smelting ore
C. jet airplane exhaust high in the sky
D. sulfur combining with water vapor in the atmosphere

sulfur combining with water vapor in the atmosphere


Question: In 1921, Earl Dickson invented a bandage after he noticed his wife was unable to easily cover cuts on her hands. He covered the bandage with a chemical that sealed it so air would not enter the cut. How did solving this problem benefit others medically?

Choices:
A. The bandages cured cuts that were infected.
B. People relied on bandages more than doctors.
C. People cut themselves less often.
D. The bandages helped keep cuts clean.


Question: Which is a factor that most likely would affect the climate in a particular area?

Choices:
A. amount of lightning
B. shape of the shoreline
C. number of earthquakes
D. distance from an ocean


Question: Pond ecosystems depend on the water cycle to ensure the survival of the animals that live in or near the pond. If a drought reduces the water level, which population of animals would be most affected?

Choices:
A. fish
B. snake
C. duck
D. mouse


Question: Some plants rely on hummingbirds for pollination. If a deadly disease infected the hummingbird population, what would most likely happen to the plants?

Choices:
A. They would die within hours.
B. They would grow at a slower rate.
C. They would become endangered.
D. They would need to migrate.


Question: When salt is added to ice, the ice begins to melt because the salt

Choices:
A. lowers the freezing point.
B. lowers the boiling point.
C. raises the freezing point.
D. raises the boiling point.


Question: Leaf cells are one type of tree cell. Which process occurs in a growing leaf cell?

Choices:
A. evolution
B. sexual reproduction
C. adaptation
D. sugar production


Question: Which diagram correctly shows the flow of energy in a food chain?

Choices:
A. Consumer -> Producer -> Decomposer
B. Producer -> Decomposer -> Consumer
C. Decomposer -> Consumer -> Producer
D. Producer -> Consumer -> Decomposer


Question: Which form of energy is produced when paper is burned?

Choices:
A. electrical
B. heat
C. magnetic
D. chemical


Question: A group of cells performing the same function in the body is called

Choices:
A. an organism.
B. an organelle.
C. a system.
D. a tissue.


Question: Which material is a good conductor of heat?

Choices:
A. copper
B. rubber
C. plastic
D. glass


Question: All living organisms have certain needs in order to stay alive. Which is most necessary for both plants and animals?

Choices:
A. water
B. food
C. carbon dioxide
D. chlorophyll


Question: Plant leaves have tiny pores. These pores help plants release water from their tissues into the

Choices:
A. hydrosphere.
B. lithosphere.
C. biosphere.
D. atmosphere.


Question: How can washing your hands help keep you from getting sick?

Choices:
A. It makes your hands warmer.
B. It makes your hands look nice.
C. It keeps your skin from drying out.
D. It washes away germs.


Question: Which part of a plant makes sugar from carbon dioxide?

Choices:
A. root
B. flower
C. leaf
D. stem


Question: One method of heat distribution is a baseboard forced hot water system. A baseboard system carries hot water through a pipe that passes through many small, flat plates called fins. What is the purpose of these fins?

Choices:
A. to replace the heated air leaving the system with cold air
B. to prevent dust and other particles from entering the baseboard
C. to prevent the baseboard from coming in contact with hot surfaces
D. to dissipate the heat of the hot water flowing through the pipe

to dissipate the heat of the hot water flowing through the pipe


Question: Aerogels are compounds formed by the drying of certain gels. Although the aerogel hardens into a solid material, the particles in the gel are much farther apart than those of most solids and particles are held together by strong bridges of covalently bonded atoms. Which of the following is a likely property of aerogels?

Choices:
A. high electrical conductivity
B. very flexible
C. very low density
D. very low melting point


Question: What renewable energy source used to make electricity is thought to be always available?

Choices:
A. nuclear
B. oil
C. wind
D. coal


Question: When heat flows from a hot spot to a cooler spot, entropy increases. When heat is forced to flow from a cool spot to a warmer spot, entropy decreases. Marta is looking for something in her house that causes a decrease in entropy. Which of these should she choose?

Choices:
A. the toaster
B. the refrigerator
C. an ice cube melting
D. an egg frying


Question: Which of the following is influenced by both genetics and behavior?

Choices:
A. eye color
B. blood type
C. hair texture
D. body weight


Question: Which of the following natural disasters is likely to cause the most widespread damage in a coastal ecosystem?

Choices:
A. a tsunami
B. a tornado
C. an earthquake
D. a landslide


Question: One function of the circulatory system is to carry cellular nutrients to the body. Which part of the circulatory system is responsible for exchanging nutrients and wastes?

Choices:
A. veins
B. arteries
C. capillaries
D. heart


Question: How does sedimentary rock form?

Choices:
A. sediments cool
B. sediments separate
C. sediments compress
D. sediments melt


Question: Which of the following best explains why electrical wires are usually covered with plastic or rubber?

Choices:
A. to keep the electrical wire warm
B. to insulate the electrical wire
C. to make the electrical wire stronger
D. to make the electrical wire more flexible


Question: The Moon revolves around Earth about once every

Choices:
A. week.
B. month.
C. day.
D. year.


Question: Calcium is a mineral that helps make your bones and teeth strong. Which of these foods is the best source of calcium?

Choices:
A. candy
B. rice
C. meat
D. cheese


Question: According to the endosymbiotic theory, the outer membrane of the chloroplast originated from which organelle?

Choices:
A. the chloroplast of an engulfed prokaryotic cell
B. the chloroplast of an eukaryotic host cell
C. the lysosome of an engulfed prokaryotic cell
D. the cell membrane of an eukaryotic host cell

the cell membrane of an eukaryotic host cell


Question: Students performing a scientific investigation are most likely trying to

Choices:
A. disprove a hypothesis.
B. reject a conclusion.
C. produce a new theory.
D. answer a question.


Question: Which statement describes a function of bones in mammals such as dogs and horses?

Choices:
A. Bones send messages to the brain to move the muscles.
B. Bones provide protection for organs in the body.
C. Bones connect the brain and the spinal cord.
D. Bones carry oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.

Bones provide protection for organs in the body.


Question: To a person standing motionless on the Earth's surface on a day with no wind, in which direction would the rain appear to fall?

Choices:
A. vertically
B. horizontally
C. circularly
D. diagonally


Question: Which two things interact most in the water cycle?

Choices:
A. lakes and the Moon
B. oceans and the Moon
C. lakes and the Sun
D. oceans and the Sun


Question: Some animals have advantages and disadvantages because they are different. Which of the following has a disadvantage compared to other animals in its population?

Choices:
A. a rabbit that can run fast
B. a polar bear that has dark-colored fur
C. a deer with long legs
D. a hummingbird with a long beak


Question: Which is a characteristic of both plants and animals?

Choices:
A. learned behaviors
B. reproduce using seeds
C. life cycles
D. produce their own food


Question: What is the main difference between planets and moons in our solar system?

Choices:
A. All planets can support life; moons cannot.
B. All planets are larger than all moons.
C. All planets have atmospheres; moons do not.
D. All planets orbit the Sun; all moons orbit planets.

All planets orbit the Sun; all moons orbit planets.


Question: Which is a response of the autonomic nervous system that helps maintain equilibrium in the body?

Choices:
A. shivering in cold temperatures
B. pulling away from hot objects
C. slapping at biting insects
D. eating due to appetite


Question: Maria Mitchell discovered a comet in 1847 that was later named after her. Maria Mitchell's discovery contributed to which branch of science?

Choices:
A. chemistry
B. geology
C. astronomy
D. biology