Physical Properties of Matter
Life Science
Physical Science
Earth Science
Miscellaneous
100
Which of these is the best conductor of electricity? F) Glass rod G) Cotton string H) Plastic tubing J) Copper penny
J) Copper penny
100
Some beetles break down the remains of dead animals. Some mushrooms break down the remains of dead trees. How do these actions most benefit plants? A) By returning nutrients to the soil B) By releasing oxygen into the air C) By making space for new animals D) By decreasing the population of herbivores
A) By returning nutrients to the soil
100
Which of these best demonstrates the reflection of light? F) Looking through the glass of a large window G) Looking at an image formed on a silver spoon H) Looking at a light bulb that is glowing J) Looking at a star on a clear night
G Looking at an image formed on a silver spoon
100
Which of these cycles is a direct result of Earth’s rotation? A) Day and night B) Moon phases C) Rainfall and evaporation D) Seasons
A) Day and night
100
Green plants are producers that begin the flow of energy between organisms in a food chain when they – A) reproduce by generating seeds B) absorb water and nutrients from soil C) release oxygen into the atmosphere D) make their own food using sunlight
D) make their own food using sunlight
200
A teacher mixes a white powder into a beaker of water. The powder cannot be seen in the water. The teacher then heats the mixture until the water evaporates and the powder can be seen again. Which property of the powder is the teacher demonstrating? F) Solubility G) Density H) Conductivity J) Mass
F) Solubility
200
Fox squirrels live in the trees of city parks throughout Texas. Each spring they build nests of twigs and leaves in the tops of the trees. Fox squirrels are often found near park benches, waiting to be fed by visitors. For fox squirrels, which of these is a learned behavior? A) Building a nest each spring B) Taking food from people C) Having a long, bushy tail D) Having sharp claws
B) Taking food from people
200
Glaciers are masses of ice that move slowly on land. Which of these features was most likely formed by a glacier? F) A wide valley G) A deep ocean H) A lava flow J ) A mountain range
F) A wide valley
200
Many cities are taking actions to cause less harm to the environment. Which action produces energy from an alternative source? F) Burning coal to heat homes G) Replacing lawns with plants that require less water H) Using dead plant matter to generate electricity J) Building a new water-treatment plant to improve water quality
H) Using dead plant matter to generate electricity
200
All of the following are examples demonstrating mechanical energy EXCEPT – A) an oven cooking food B) a fan blowing out air C) a boy riding a bicycle D) a girl writing with a pen
A) an oven cooking food
300
A student measures the temperature of water being heated on a hot plate. The student observes that the temperature of the water is 53°C. How many more degrees Celsius must the temperature rise before it reaches the boiling temperature of water?
47 degrees
300
Which two traits best help a cactus conserve water in the dry conditions of a West Texas desert ecosystem? F) Large flowers and sweet fruit G) Sweet fruit and sharp spines H) Sharp spines and waxy stems J) Waxy stems and large flowers
H) Sharp spines and waxy stems
300
A mixture of beads was placed in a container. The beads are of various sizes, and each one is made of plastic, glass, or steel. The mixture would be easy to separate because all the beads — A) are less dense than water B) are solids C) have the same mass D) are attracted to a magnet
B) are solids
300
On which side of a house in Texas should a window be placed so that the people inside the house can see the sunset each day through the window? F) North G) South H) East J) West
J) West
300
A student observed that sugar in hot water dissolved more quickly than in cold water. The student was investigating the effects of what form of energy? A) Thermal B) Sound C) Electrical D) Mechanical
A) Thermal
400
Some students put two ice cubes on separate plates. One ice cube had a mass of 80 grams. The other had a mass of 40 grams. Which result would be the same for both ice cubes in this investigation? F) The time it took each ice cube to melt completely G) The temperature at which each ice cube melted H) The amount of liquid produced on each plate J) The total volume of each ice cube
G) The temperature at which each ice cube melted
400
Some facts about a bird called the painted redstart are listed in the box shown below. 1. Builds nests on hillsides covered with dense vegetation 2. Usually raises one group of young each year 3. Hunts for insects and spiders on plant leaves 4. Feeds on sugar water and peanut butter at feeders Which fact best describes one way this bird changes its environment to meet its needs?
Fact 1
400
In which other situation does light bend? A) When light moves through air into water B) When light hits a wall C) When light passes through outer space D) When light hits a mirror
A) When light moves through air into water
400
Which of these best describes climate rather than weather? A) Wind speed is changing as a storm moves through an area. B) The temperature is decreasing in a slow-moving cold front. C) Annual high temperatures in the summer have increased over many decades. D) The rainfall during one year was greater than the rainfall during the following year.
C) Annual high temperatures in the summer have increased over many decades.
400
The proper tool for measuring the volume of a liquid is a – A) balance B) thermometer C) spring scale D) graduated cylinder
D) graduated cylinder
500
A worker built a sidewalk and pressed some large salt particles into the concrete while it was still wet. When the concrete was dry, the worker washed the sidewalk with water. What most likely happened to the salt? F) It evaporated into a gas. G) It turned into concrete. H) It dissolved in the water. J) It turned into a solid.
H) It dissolved in the water.
500
Many types of plants grow in a forest ecosystem. How do plants affect the air that forest animals breathe? F) Plants use oxygen from the air to make food. G) Plants release pollution into the air. H) Plants release energy from the sun into the air. J) Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air
J) Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air
500
At what temperature will water turn to ice if placed in a freezer? A) 0°C B) 10°C C) 32°C D) 100°C
A) 0°C
500
Geologists discovered a layer of rock formed millions of years in the past. Which of the following would provide the best evidence of what the environment was like when the rock formed? A) The time when the rock appears to have formed B) The sediments from which the rock is made C) The fossil plants and animals found in the rock D) The kinds of rocks above and below the rock layer
C) The fossil plants and animals found in the rock
500
Which of the following landforms is the result of a river carving out land by erosion? A) Canyon B) Sand dune C) Delta D) Mountain
A) Canyon
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