Tools & Strategies
6th Science
7th Science
8th Science
Engineering & Scientific Method
100
What tool can help you eliminate answers you know are incorrect?
Strikethrough
100
Students are comparing these maps that show the paths of tropical storms in the eastern North Pacific Ocean during different times of the year.
Which statement best helps explain why most tropical storms in this part of the Pacific
Ocean form during the North American summer?
A. The more frequent tides increase the mixing of ocean water.
B. The slower rotation of Earth allows more light energy to reach the ocean.
C. The closer distance of Earth to the Sun increases the speed of ocean circulation.
D. The more direct sunlight results in warmer ocean and atmospheric temperatures.
D. The more direct sunlight results in warmer ocean and atmospheric temperatures.
100
A student learning about heat transfer makes the claim "Some metals change temperature more rapidly than other metals."
The student proposes to test the claim in the laboratory using metal rods of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and aluminum (Al). In addition to metal rods, which pieces of equipment would be useful for investigating the claim?
a. prism, heat lamp, screen, meterstick
b. beaker, digital scale, stopwatch, clamps
c. litmus paper, beaker, pan balance, battery
d. hot water, pan to hold water, stopwatch, thermometer
d. hot water, pan to hold water, stopwatch, thermometer
100
The embryos of two vertebrate animals at the same stage of development are shown in the figure.
Which best explains why the embryos are similar in appearance, yet the adults look different?
a. Pigs and chickens are in the same genus
b. All vertebrate embryos have the same DNA
c. As the embryos grow, they undergo mutations
d. Some developmental processes are shared by vertebrates
a. Pigs and chickens are in the same genus
b. All vertebrate embryos have the same DNA
c. As the embryos grow, they undergo mutations
d. Some developmental processes are shared by vertebrates
100
A scientist measures the amplitude and wavelength of waves in the ocean. The scientist also calculates the amount of energy contained in one square meter of water for each wave. The data nd calculations for four different waves are shown in the table. 
Which wave characteristics, if any, does the energy of the wave depend on?
According to the chart, amplitude only
200
When is it a good idea to use a line reader tool?
When there is a lot of reading for a question.
200
A student creates the model shown of the water cycle for a class presentation. The student's main goal is to help the class understand how living organisms assist in the movement of water through the system.
Based on the model, what should the student say about the role of living organisms in the water cycle?
a. Plants help move water from the soil to the atmosphere
b. Animals generate heat the helps evaporate water from the land
c. Plant movements create wind that helps draw water into the atmosphere
d. Animals create pathways in the mountains that allow water to flow downhill
a. Plants help move water from the soil to the atmosphere
200
The Amazon rain forest has the highest diversity of plants and animals of any terrestrial ecosystem. Since 1970, 20% of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil has been lost to deforestation. This pie chart shows the percentages of each type of human activity that leads to deforestation.
Which method will best help monitor the deforestation of the Amazon rain forest?
A. counting trucks carrying logs to sawmills each year
B. using satellites to track the size of the rain forest over time
C. measuring the amount of agricultural exports over time
D. counting the number of small villages in the rain forest each year
B. using satellites to track the size of the rain forest over time
200
This geologic cross section shows rock layers that are cut by a fault.
Based on the evidence in the geologic cross section, which two claims are most likely correct?
1. The conglomerate layer is the oldest layer, because it is above all of the other layers.
2. The fault is younger than the shale layer, because the fault cuts through the shale layer.
3. The sandstone layer is younger than the fault, because the sandstone layer is cut by the fault.
4. The limestone layer is older than the shale layer, because the limestone layer is below the shale layer.
5. The sandstone layer is older than the shale layer, because the sandstone layer is above the shale layer.
2. The fault is younger than the shale layer, because the fault cuts through the shale layer.
&
4. The limestone layer is older than the shale layer, because the limestone layer is below the shale layer.
200
Hikers on long trips use water from lakes and streams to fill their water bottles. This water may contain pathogens (protozoa, bacteria, and/or viruses) that cause serious illnesses. This table describes several methods for treating the water.
Which methods require a hiker to carry an external source of energy?
Ultraviolet light and Boiling (for 3 minutes)
300
What two things should you always do when completing a written response answer?
Highlight parts of the question and spell check when you are done typing
300
A student conducted an investigation using three soils that were identical except for their level of pH. The student planted hyrangea plants of similar size in pots containing one of the three soils. When the hydrangeas bloomed, the student recorded the color of the flowers each plant produced and the level of pH in the soil.
Adding garden lime reduces the acidity of soil. Based on the data, what color flowers will a hydrangea plant produce when it grows in neutral soil that is then treated with garden lime over time?
Pink because the acidity of the soil because the soil becomes basic.
300
The Himalayas have some of the world’s highest mountains, including Mount Everest. They began forming approximately 50 million years ago where there once was an ancient sea. The upper part of Mount Everest is made of limestone and contains fossils of sea animals. This map shows the location of the Himalayas and two tectonic plates. The red lines show plate boundaries.
These mountains formed from
a. tall undersea volcanoes
b. folding and uplift of crust
c. weathering and erosion
b. folding and uplift of crust
300
Earth orbits the Sun due to the gravitational attraction between Earth and the Sun. The orbit is an ellipse, as shown in the figure.
As Earth orbits the Sun, the distance separating it from the Sun changes throughout the year. The changes to the distance in kilometers (km) are shown in the graph.
Based on the figure and the graph, on which of the listed dates does Earth experience the greatest gravitational attraction to the Sun?
a. January 1
b. April 1
c. July 1
D. November 1
a. January 1
300
A student studying how digital and analog signals are used to send information reads the following statement from an online article. “Analog and digital signals degrade, or get weaker, as they interact with other signals. This creates noise interference. This noise adds extra information to the signal.” The student also studies the following table of characteristics for each type of signal.
The student wants to design a device that can transmit a reliable signal so that the information does not degrade if sent over a large distance. Based on the statement and table, which type of signal would be best to send the information, and why?
a. Analog, because the information is sent as a single continuous wave.
b. Analog, because even a small amount of noise adds extra information to the signal.
c. Digital, because the information is sent as many individual waves.
d. Digital, because a large amount of noise is required to affect the signal.
d. Digital, because a large amount of noise is required to affect the signal.
400
What tool is helpful in analyzing information in tables?
Highlight
400
Students in a class are studying different organ systems in the human body. One student claims that the organs of the digestive system all contain the same type of cells. Another student disagrees and claims that there are different types of cells in the organs of the digestive system. Which approach would provide the best evidence that the class could use to support or refute the students’ claims?
a. listing the functions of each organ of the digestive system
b. comparing the shapes and sizes of the different organs of the body
c. using microscopes to observe cells of different organs of the digestive system
d. studying figures showing the chromosomes in each organ of the person’s body
c. using microscopes to observe cells of different organs of the digestive system
400
A student is given a hydrochloric acid (HCI) solution in a test tube and a small piece of magnesium (Mg) for an experiment. The student makes these observations about their properties.
• The HCI solution is clear and colorless.
• Mg is a gray metal and it is not soluble in water.
The student adds the piece of Mg to the HCI solution and records these observations. Which two observations best show that a chemical reaction occurs?
a. The piece of Mg initially sinks to the bottom.
b. The solution remains colorless throughout the process.
c. The piece of Mg slowly disappears and a gas bubbles out of the solution.
d. A popping sound is heard when the teacher holds a lighted match over the solution.
a. The piece of Mg initially sinks to the bottom.
b. The solution remains colorless throughout the process.
c. The piece of Mg slowly disappears and a gas bubbles out of the solution.
d. A popping sound is heard when the teacher holds a lighted match over the solution.
400
Complete the sentence using the chart:
As the masses of both objects increased, the gravitational force between them __________, and as the distance between the two objects increased, the gravitational force between them __________.
As the masses of both objects increased, the gravitational force between them increased, and as the distance between the two objects increased, the gravitational force between them decreased.
400
Plastic A is commonly used to make disposable water bottles. Plastic B can also be used to make these bottles. Information about Plastic A and Plastic B is given in the table.
Based on the information in the table, explain two ways using Plastic B instead of Plastic A to make disposable water bottles can help conserve natural resources.
1. It is from a renewable resource (corn)
2. It takes less energy to make the plastic
500
What is one strategy you should use for every question?
Read and reread
500
Baker's yeast is a fungus that has been used as a model organism for research in reproduction, because it can reproduce both sexually and asexually.
This table helps explain the differences in genetic variation that result from sexual and asexual reproduction in organisms such as baker's yeast. Select one check box in each row to indicate whether each statement describes a feature of sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction, or both.
500
During a La Nina event, the temperature of the Pacific Ocean near Central America becomes cooler than normal. As a result, more clouds form, and this can block sunlight from reaching plants in Central American forests. A researcher studying the effects of La Nina measured the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake by tropical plants under different light intensities. The data are shown on the graph.
Predict how a La Nina event affects the rate of photosynthesis by plants in the tropical forests of Central America. Provide evidence from the graph to support your prediction.
The La Nina event would lead to a decrease in photosynthesis rates in Central America. This is because there is a decrease in light intensity during La Nina and the graph shows there is less CO2 uptake when that occurs and CO2 is taken in by plants during photosynthesis.
500
A student wants to show a friend that a magnetic field exists in the region around a permanent magnet.
For each demonstration listed in the table, select a check box to indicate whether the student can use the demonstration to show that a field exists in a region around a magnet.
*It must show that a magnetic field is around a magnet, not just in the magnet itself touching something*
1. Does not show
2. Does show
3. Does not show
4. Does show
500
Students observe these two graphs. The first graph shows the change in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere from 1880 to 2000. The second graph shows the change in global temperature in degrees Celsius (C) from 1880 to 2000.
After observing these graphs, students suggest different ways to decrease the rate of global climate change. What question should students ask to determine which suggestions will be most helpful?
a. What country is emitting the most carbon dioxide?
b. How much carbon dioxide can the atmosphere hold?
c. How does increasing global temperature cause carbon dioxide levels to rise?
d. What human activities are producing carbon dioxide that is release into the atmosphere?
a. What country is emitting the most carbon dioxide?
b. How much carbon dioxide can the atmosphere hold?
c. How does increasing global temperature cause carbon dioxide levels to rise?
d. What human activities are producing carbon dioxide that is release into the atmosphere?