Scientific Questioning
What Goes up, Must Come Down
Points of Light
Lost Energy
100
Which science tool helps you to measure temperature?
A. ruler
B. scale
C. thermometer
D. measuring tape
C. thermometer
100
The space shuttle has a fuel tank and two rocket boosters. The rocket boosters give off a blast of hot gases. This blast helps launch the shuttle into space. The picture shows the rocket boosters during a launch. (SC.3.E.5.4)
Why are rocket boosters needed to send the shuttle into space?
A. They carry equipment inside of them.
B. They give off sound and heat energy.
C. They produce a force to overcome Earth’s gravity.
D. They make the shuttle weigh less during a launch.
C. They produce a force to overcome Earth’s gravity.
100
Why does the Sun appear much larger than all of the other stars?
A. It is much hotter than all other stars.
B. It is much brighter than all other stars.
C. It is much closer to Earth than all other stars.
D. It is a different color and temperature than all other stars.
C. It is much closer to Earth than all other stars.
100
Geymi is wearing jeans and a T-shirt on a warm and sunny spring day. After the Sun sets, the temperature changes. How would Geymi most likely change the way she is dressed to feel comfortable outside after the Sun sets? (SC.3.E.6.1)
A. put on a swimsuit
B. put on a sweatshirt
C. put on a pair of shorts
D. put on a raincoat and boots
B. put on a sweatshirt
200
Sophie recorded the number and name of the mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians she saw while she was at the zoo. What would be the best way for Sophie to display this information to show others how many of each type of animal she saw?
A. in a journal
B. in a drawing
C. in a bar graph
D. in photographs
C. in a bar graph
200
In this picture, gravity is acting on the television. 
Why does the television NOT fall to the ground? (SC.3.E.5.4)
- A. The wall opposes the force of gravity on the TV.
- B. The books oppose the force of gravity on the TV.
- C. The bookcase opposes the force of gravity on the TV.
- D. The TV is heavier than the books and vase below it.
C. The bookcase opposes the force of gravity on the TV.
200
The chart below describes several different stars
Which of the stars is most likely to be the Sun?
A. Star 1
B. Star 2
C. Star 3
D. Star 4
B. Star 2
200
Soil in a garden absorbs heat from the Sun. When would you expect the soil in a garden to cool down the most?
A. when a plane passes over the garden
B. when a shadow is over the garden
C. when a cloud covers the Sun
D. when it is nighttime
D. when it is nighttime
300
Observations can be made with which of the following senses? Choose all that apply.
Sight Smell
Taste Talk
Touch Hear
Sight Smell
Taste Touch Hear
300
A car goes through a tunnel and up a hill. It then goes down the hill and over railroad tracks. At which point is the car overcoming gravity? SC.3.E.5.4
A. as it goes up the hill
B. as it goes down the hill
C. as it goes through the tunnel
D. as it goes over the railroad tracks
A. as it goes up the hill
300
Shawna goes outside to look at stars. Which of the stars would most likely be the first star Shawna sees due to its brightness?
A. The star that is closest to Earth.
B. The star that is the largest.
C. The star that is the hottest.
D. The star that is yellow.
A. The star that is closest to Earth.
300
Toby measures and records the temperature of sand in a cup. Then he places the cup out in the hot sun for an hour and measures the temperature again. The figure below shows the temperature at the start of his experiment and then after 1 hour.
He compares the before and after temperatures. Which statement should he choose? (SC.3.E.6.1)
A. The temperature of the solid increased.
B. The temperature of the solid decreased.
C. The temperature could not be measured.
D. The temperature of the solid stayed the same.
A. The temperature of the solid increased.
400
Nate is investigating plant growth. He places four plants by a window. He waters plants A and B with salt water. He waters plants C and D with fresh water. After a week, plants A and B are brown, but plants C and D are still green. How can he explain his results?
A. Bean plants grow better in the dark.
B. Bean plants grow better in sunlight.
C. Bean plants grow better with salt water.
D. Bean plants grow better with fresh water.
D. Bean plants grow better with fresh water.
400
Which of the statements below about flying insects and gravity is correct? (SC.3.E.5.4)
A. Gravity does act on flying objects.
B. Flying insects apply force to overcome the pull of gravity.
C. Gravity does not affect insects because they are too small.
D. Gravity does not affect flying insects because they fly very fast.
B. Flying insects apply force to overcome the pull of gravity.
400
Which of the following does NOT describe the Sun? (SC.3.E.5.1)
a. The Sun is made up of hot glowing gases.
b. The Sun is the closest star to Earth.
c. The Sun is the hottest type of star.
d. The Sun is a yellow star.
c. The Sun is the hottest type of star.
400
The Temperature of Water Throughout the Day
Based on the chart, what temperature would you expect the water to be at 9:00 pm?
A. 26 ºC (78 ºF) B. 22 ºC (72 ºF) C. 18 ºC (65 ºF) D. 10 °C (50 °F)
C. 18 ºC (65 ºF)
500
Scientists tell one another about the results of their investigations so other scientists can check each scientist’s work. Which is a way that scientists can check another scientist’s work? (SC.3.N.1.5)
A. circle any words that are misspelled or should be replaced
B. check the charts or graphs to be sure there are no math mistakes
C. repeat the investigation exactly to see whether they get the same results
D. repeat the investigation, but change some things to see whether they get
the same results.
C. repeat the investigation exactly to see whether they get the same results
500
Marcus is jumping rope. When is he most likely overcoming gravity?
A. when the rope is under his feet
B. when the rope is over his head
C. when the rope is behind his back
D. when the rope is in front of his chest
A. when the rope is under his feet
500
How could a student correctly explain why the Sun looks so big and the nighttime stars look so small? (SC.3.E.5.3)
a. Nighttime stars are all smaller stars.
b. The Sun is closer to Earth than nighttime stars.
c. The Sun is the only night star that appears bigger during the day.
d. All stars appear bigger during the day, but the Earth’s sky hides them.
b. The Sun is closer to Earth than nighttime stars.
500
Mark placed cups of soil in different locations with thermometers stuck in the soil. He left the cups out for 2 hours and recorded their temperatures.
Temperature of Soil
Which cup of soil had the greatest change in temperature? (SC.3.E.6.1)
A. Soil #1
B. Soil #2
C. Soil #3
D. Soil #4
D. Soil #4