Physical Science
Earth Science
Space Science/Misc.
Life Science
Technology/Engineering
100
A teacher places four small cubes on a table in front of a science class. Each cube is the same size and is painted the same color. However, each is made of a different material. What tool could a student use to find the cube made of iron?
A magnet.
100
Water moves directly from a lake to the air by which of the following processes?
A. evaporation
B. condensation
C. precipitation
D. sedimentation
A. evaporation
100
Look at the picture of the island. Which process most likely caused the island to change over time?
A. earthquakes over many days B. hurricanes over several months C. rain and flooding over several years D. weathering and erosion over millions of years
D. weathering and erosion over millions of years. The island was changed by the slow processes of weathering and erosion. A and B both describe fast processes. While C does take several years, D is the best answer
100
Which of the following characteristics of a wolf is MOST affected by its environment?
A. the size of its feet
B. the color of its eyes
C. the shape of its ears
D. the condition of its fur
D. the condition of its fur
A, B, and C are all inherited traits. They are not affected by the environment
100
Jim wants to build a birdhouse on top of a pole. In order to support the birdhouse, which property is the MOST important to consider?
A. color
B. length
C. thickness
D. temperature
C. thickness.
None of the other answer choices have to do with support.
200
At the beginning of a science class, the teacher opened a small sealed jar and placed it on a table. The contents of the jar spread throughout the room during class.
Which of the following did the jar most likely contain?
A. cloth fibers B. oxygen gas
C. saltwater D. snowflakes
B. oxygen gas - Gases have no definite volume and fill up the space that they are given.
Solids have a definite volume and shape
Liquids have a definite volume and they take the shape of their container, filling it from bottom.
200
How does the decomposition of plant and animal matter help to form rich soils?
A. It adds silt to the soil
B. It adds water to the soil
C. It adds oxygen to the soil
D. It adds nutrients to the soil
D. It adds nutrients to the soil
When plants and animals break down (decompose), they release nutrients into the soil.
200
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It rotates on its axis once every 10 hours.
What time period on Earth would be 10 hours long if the Earth rotated on its axis once every 10 hours?
A day.
A year is how long it takes the Earth to revolve around the sun. A day is how long it takes the Earth to rotate on its axis.
200
In a meadow ecosystem, mice receive most of the energy they need to survive from--
A. minerals
B. oxygen
C. plants
D. water
C. plants
All animals get energy from food. Mice in a meadow ecosystem eat plants.
200
I need a container that can collect water. I want to reuse my container, and I don't want it to break easily. Which container should I use?
A. wooden box
B. glass jar
C. paper cup
D. plastic bottle
D. Plastic bottle
A wooden box would not hold water. A glass jar can break easily. A paper cup is reusable for a while, but a plastic bottle is the best answer.
300
When a student blows across a bottle, a sound is made. What causes that sound? A. Air vibrating inside the bottle B. Warm air heating the inside of the bottle C. Cool air moving away from the bottle D. Warm air mixing with cold air inside the bottle.
A. Air vibrating inside the bottle Sound is caused by vibrations in a medium (air, water, etc.)
300
What test is used to find the hardness of a mineral?
A. heating the sample
B. scratching the sample
C. hitting the sample with a hammer
D. shining a light on the sample
B. Scratching the sample
We would shine a light on the sample to determine its luster.
What other properties of minerals can you think of?
300
A student took pictures of the Moon on different days. Which set of pictures did the student take on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday of the same week? 
300
The sandpiper bird migrates from Canada to South America every winter and returns to Canada in the spring. Which best explains why the sandpiper migrates?
(SEE ANSWER CHOICES)
B. There is more food available in South America during the winter.
A, C, and D are all less desirable conditions.
300
A student glued two pieces of wood together. The student needs to hold the two pieces of wood together tightly until the glue is fully dry the next day. Which of the following tools is best for holding the two pieces of wood together until the glue is dry?
C. clamp
400
Three bar magnets are placed inside a plastic tube. Which of the following pictures best shows how the three bar magnets will move after being placed inside the tube?
C. Magnets with the same poles repel. Magnets with opposite poles attract.
400
Clouds and precipitation moved across Massachusetts. The temperature changed from 41 degrees to 28 degrees. What happened to the precipitation?
It changed from rain to sleet
BONUS: What causes the four types of precipitation? (100 points for each one)
400
Every year, sea turtles migrate 2000km to reproduce. This migration is an example of--
A. a learned behavior
B. an instinctive behavior
C. a response to crowding
D. an escape from predators
B. an instinctive trait
400
Which of the following describes an instinctive behavior?
A. a behavior that occurs only in adult fish
B. a behavior that occurs only in small mammals
C. a behavior that an animal learns how to do over time
D. a behavior that an animal is born knowing how to do
D. a behavior that an animal is born knowing how to do
400
A small laundry room has several shelves above the washing machine. These shelves are an example of
A. making the wall stronger.
B. using storage space efficiently.
C. using a machine for more than one purpose.
D. solving the need for shelter in a creative way.
B. using storage space efficiently
500
Which of the following diagrams best represents how light travels from a flashlight to a piece of paper that is 40 cm away?
B. The light does not curve or bend. It travels in a straight line.
500
Maddie has an unknown mineral. Name 5 ways she could test the properties of her unknown mineral to identify it. (100 points for each test)
1. scratch test (hardness)
2. luster (shine a light)
3. color (observe with eyes)
4. cleavage (observe with eyes)
5. streak (streak plate)
500
A student thinks that two trees in the woods have grown from seeds produced by the same parent tree. Which best supports this idea?
A. both trees have broken branches. B. both trees have grass growing beneath them. C. both trees have white flowers with five petals. D. both trees have holes made by birds in their bark
C. Both trees have white petals with five flowers
A, B, and D are all things caused by the environment. C is the only inherited trait.
500
What is the MAIN role of flowers on a flowering plant?
A. take in air
B. produce seeds
C. absorb nutrients
D. protect the stem
B. Produce seeds.
Flowers are involved in reproduction. The leaves take in air and the roots absorb nutrients. The stem is protected by a waxy outer layer.
500
Which of the following properties best describes a material’s ability to resist scratching?
A. weight B. flexibility
C. length D. hardness
D. hardness