Nature of Science
Which tool is BEST for measuring temperature during an experiment?
A. Ruler
B. Stopwatch
C. Thermometer
D. Balance
C. Thermometer
Which plant structure absorbs water from the soil?
A. Leaf
B. Flower
C. Root
D. Stem
C. Root
What force pulls objects toward Earth?
A. Friction
B. Magnetism
C. Gravity
D. Electricity
C. Gravity
What causes day and night on Earth?
A. Earth revolving around the Sun
B. Earth rotating on its axis
C. The Moon blocking sunlight
D. Clouds moving across Earth
B. Earth rotating on its axis
Which planet is known for its rings?
A. Mars
B. Venus
C. Saturn
D. Mercury
C. Saturn
Elena tests how sunlight affects plant growth. The student keeps the same type of plant, water, and soil. Why?
A. To change the results
B. To make the experiment fair
C. To speed up the experiment
D. To test more variables
B. To make the experiment fair
How do webbed feet help ducks survive?
A. Help ducks fly
B. Help ducks swim efficiently
C. Help ducks breathe underwater
D. Help ducks find food on land
B. Help ducks swim efficiently
Jake pushes a toy truck and a toy car with the same force. The toy car moves farther because —
A. the truck has less mass
B. the car has less mass
C. the truck has more motion
D. the car has more gravity
B. the car has less mass
What happens during condensation in the water cycle?
A. Liquid water changes to gas
B. Water vapor changes to liquid water
C. Ice changes to liquid water
D. Water freezes underground
B. Water vapor changes to liquid water
Why are producers important in an ecosystem?
A. They make food for other organisms
B. They hunt smaller animals
C. They create weather patterns
D. They recycle rocks
A. They make food for other organisms
Scientists repeat experiments several times because repeated results —
A. prove the hypothesis is always correct
B. make the experiment easier
C. help show the results are reliable
D. reduce the amount of data collected
C. help show the results are reliable
Why do many desert plants have thick stems?
A. To store water
B. To catch insects
C. To grow taller
D. To make seeds
A. To store water
Why does a ball rolling on carpet slow down faster than a ball rolling on tile?
A. Carpet creates more friction
B. Tile creates more gravity
C. Carpet has less energy
D. Tile is softer
A. Carpet creates more friction
Why are summers warmer than winters in many places on Earth?
A. Earth is closer to the Sun in summertime.
B. Earth’s tilt changes the angle of sunlight
C. The Moon reflects more sunlight
D. The Sun becomes larger in summer
B. Earth’s tilt changes the angle of sunlight
Why does a metal spoon feel colder than a wooden spoon in the same room?
A. Metal transfers heat faster than wood
B. Wood creates heat energy
C. Metal has no energy
D. Wood is colder than metal
A. Metal transfers heat faster than wood
Two groups tested which paper towel absorbs the most water. One group used the same amount of water each trial, while the other group used different amounts. Which group produced more reliable results and why?
A. The second group because they used more water
B. The first group because they controlled variables
C. The second group because they tested faster
D. The first group because they used fewer trials
B. The first group because they controlled variables
A disease decreases the insect population in a forest. What is the MOST likely effect on the ecosystem?
A. Plants may increase because fewer insects eat them
B. Trees will stop growing immediately
C. All animals will leave the forest
D. The forest will turn into a desert
A. Plants may increase because fewer insects eat them
A battery is connected to a flashlight. Which energy transformations occur?
A. Motion → Electrical → Sound
B. Chemical → Electrical → Light
C. Light → Heat → Motion
D. Electrical → Chemical → Sound
B. Chemical → Electrical → Light
A coastal town experiences erosion after strong storms. Which solution would BEST reduce future erosion?
A. Remove plants near the shoreline
B. Build barriers and plant vegetation
C. Add more roads near the beach
D. Remove rocks from the coast
B. Build barriers and plant vegetation
Liam notices plants near a window bend toward sunlight. What conclusion can the student make?
A. Plants react to environmental changes
B. Plants avoid sunlight
C. Sunlight stops plant growth
D. Plants only grow indoors
A. Plants react to environmental changes
Kylie wants to test which type of soil helps plants grow tallest. Explain which variables should stay the same to make the investigation fair.
A. Plant type, water amount, and sunlight
B. Soil type and water amount
C. Plant height and sunlight only
D. Soil color and temperature only
A. Plant type, water amount, and sunlight
A rabbit’s fur changes color during winter to blend in with snow. How does this adaptation improve the rabbit’s chances of survival?
A. It helps the rabbit run faster
B. It helps the rabbit stay hidden from predators
C. It helps the rabbit grow larger
D. It helps the rabbit store food
B. It helps the rabbit stay hidden from predators
John notices that a metal spoon gets hotter faster than a wooden spoon in hot soup. Which conclusion is BEST supported?
A. Metal is a better conductor of heat than wood
B. Wood creates more heat energy
C. Metal absorbs cold energy
D. Wood is always colder than metal
A. Metal is a better conductor of heat than wood
Olivia compares two areas after heavy rainfall. One area has many plants, while the other has bare soil. The planted area has less erosion. Which conclusion is BEST supported?
A. Plants help hold soil in place
B. Rainfall stops near plants
C. Bare soil absorbs more sunlight
D. Plants prevent clouds from forming
A. Plants help hold soil in place
Lucas places identical ice cubes on metal and plastic surfaces. The ice cube on the metal melts faster. Which explanation BEST supports the observation?
A. Metal transfers heat more quickly than plastic
B. Plastic creates cold energy
C. Metal absorbs water from the ice
D. Plastic reflects all heat away
A. Metal transfers heat more quickly than plastic