Changes in Matter
A student heats 50 g of ice in a closed, sealed container until it becomes liquid water. After melting, the student measures the total mass of the sealed container and water. Which result best shows conservation of matter?
A. The mass is less because some matter turned into air.
B. The mass is the same because the matter only changed form.
C. The mass is more because heat adds new matter.
D. The mass is less because water disappears when it melts.
B. The mass is the same because the matter only changed form.
Which observation would best show that unbalanced forces are acting on a toy car? A. The car stays stopped on a flat table.
B. The car rolls faster after being pushed the same amount each time.
C. The car rolls and keeps moving at the same speed forever.
D. The car begins to move after someone gives it a push.
D. The car begins to move after someone gives it a push.
Which statement best describes an inherited characteristic? A. A trait an organism develops because of its diet during its life
B. A trait passed from parents to offspring through genes
C. A skill learned by practicing every day
D. A change caused by a sudden injury
B. A trait passed from parents to offspring through genes
Which statement best describes the location of our solar system within the Milky Way galaxy?
A. Our solar system is at the very center of the Milky Way.
B. Our solar system orbits the Milky Way from outside the galaxy.
C. Our solar system is located in one of the spiral arms, not at the center.
D. Our solar system floats between galaxies, not inside the Milky Way.
C. Our solar system is located in one of the spiral arms, not at the center.
Which statement best explains how variation within a species can help some individuals survive when the environment changes?
A. Variation makes organisms weaker and less able to compete
B. Some individuals have traits better suited to the new conditions, so they are more likely to survive and reproduce
C. All individuals always survive because variation makes no difference
D. Variation causes individuals to stop reproducing entirely
B. Some individuals have traits better suited to the new conditions, so they are more likely to survive and reproduce
During an experiment, a student dissolves 30 g of salt into 200 g of water in a closed container. After stirring, what total mass should the student expect to measure (assume no materials are added or removed)?
A. 170 g
B. 230 g
C. 200 g
D. 30 g
B. 230 g
A student drops a rock and a feather at the same time in air. The rock falls faster. Which statement explains this using evidence and forces at this grade level? A. Gravity pulls the rock but not the feather.
B. Air resistance (a force) slows the feather more, so they fall at different speeds in air.
C. The feather is heavier, so it floats up.
D. The rock creates its own gravity that pulls it down faster.
B. Air resistance (a force) slows the feather more, so they fall at different speeds in air.
A researcher measures beak shapes in a flock of birds. Most chicks have beaks similar to their parents, but beak length varies slightly depending on the food available during growth. Which claim is best supported?
A. Beak length differences are caused only by random chance and not related to parents or food.
B. Beaks are learned behaviors that chicks copy from adults.
C. Beak shape is inherited from parents, while small changes in beak length can result from the food and conditions during growth.
D. All beaks in the flock should be identical if they have the same parents.
C. Beak shape is inherited from parents, while small changes in beak length can result from the food and conditions during growth.
Which model best explains why we have day and night on Earth?
A. Earth moves around the Sun in a straight line.
B. Earth rotates on its axis, causing different parts to face toward or away from the Sun.
C. The Sun turns off and on each day.
D. The Moon blocks the Sun during daytime.
B. Earth rotates on its axis, causing different parts to face toward or away from the Sun.
A student is designing a simple prototype glider. Which testing plan follows the idea of controlling variables and identifying failure points?
A. Test multiple gliders changing one feature at a time, record which parts fail, and repeat trials to confirm results
B. Build a glider but never test it to avoid failures
C. Change three features at once each test to get results faster
D. Test the glider only once and change every part before testing again
A. Test multiple gliders changing one feature at a time, record which parts fail, and repeat trials to confirm results
A teacher asks students to explain why a balloon loses volume when the air inside cools but the balloon’s mass stays nearly the same. Which explanation matches conservation of matter?
A. The air turned into nothing, so mass decreased.
B. The air’s particles moved closer together, reducing volume but not mass.
C. Cooling removes particles from the air so mass drops.
D. The balloon absorbed the air and gained mass.
B. The air’s particles moved closer together, reducing volume but not mass.
A student repeatedly measures how far a ball rolls when released from the same ramp. The distances are very similar each trial. What does this pattern allow the student to do? A. Change the law of gravity
B. Predict how far the ball will roll on a future trial
C. Prove that forces are not needed for motion
D. Show that mass changes during the trials
B. Predict how far the ball will roll on a future trial
A group of sunflowers all started from seeds of the same plant. Some sunflowers grew taller than others. Which explanation shows both inheritance and environmental influence?
A. All sunflowers are different heights only because their seeds had different genes.
B. Sunflowers with taller parents grew taller because the soil was the same for all.
C. Sunflower height is only influenced by the amount of sunlight each plant gets.
D. Sunflower height can come from parent genes and differences in sunlight or water.
D. Sunflower height can come from parent genes and differences in sunlight or water.
During one day, how do shadows change and why?
A. Shadows change length and direction because Earth rotates and the Sun’s angle changes.
B. Shadows stay the same because the Sun does not move.
C. Shadows change only when clouds appear.
D. Shadows always point north because of Earth’s magnetic field.
A. Shadows change length and direction because Earth rotates and the Sun’s angle changes.
Which diagram best explains why the Moon appears to change shape (phases) over a month?
A. The Moon turns its light on and off as it spins
B. The part of the Moon we see changes because of the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon as the Moon orbits Earth
C. The Moon moves into and out of Earth’s shadow every day
D. The Sun blocks half of the Moon every month making it disappear
B. The part of the Moon we see changes because of the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon as the Moon orbits Earth
Two groups perform the same mixing test but get different results. Group 1 reports a strong smell and bubbles. Group 2 reports only a slight smell and no bubbles. What should students do to build a strong argument about whether a new substance formed? A. Use Group 1’s results because dramatic changes prove new substances formed.
B. Discard both results and state a conclusion without testing again.
C. Compare procedures, identify differences, repeat the test with controlled steps, and collect more observations.
D. Assume the test is unreliable and conclude mixing never makes new substances.
C. Compare procedures, identify differences, repeat the test with controlled steps, and collect more observations.
A ball rolls along a flat surface and slows to a stop. Which explanation uses evidence about forces? A. The ball stopped because gravity pulled it upward.
B. The ball stopped because balanced forces kept it moving.
C. The ball stopped because friction (an unbalanced force) acted opposite its motion.
D. The ball stopped because air makes objects move forever.
C. The ball stopped because friction ( an unbalanced force) acted opposite its motion.
Which example describes a trait that is most likely inherited rather than caused by the environment?
A. A cactus growing taller because it received more water.
B. A dog learning to sit after training from its owner.
C. A kitten born with blue eyes because both parents have the gene for blue eyes.
D. A fish becoming pale after living in a dark aquarium for months.
C. A kitten born with blue eyes because both parents have the gene for blue eyes.
How does the tilt of Earth’s axis affect seasons?
A. Tilt makes one hemisphere receive more direct sunlight during part of the year, causing warmer seasons there.
B. Tilt changes how fast Earth moves around the Sun and that causes seasons.
C. Tilt causes the Moon to shine more during summer.
D. Tilt makes the Sun brighter during summer for both hemispheres equally.
A. Tilt makes one hemisphere receive more direct sunlight during part of the year, causing warmer seasons there.
During a full moon, which of these is true about the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon?
A. The Moon is between the Sun and Earth
B. The Moon is at the same position as during a new moon
C. Earth is between the Sun and Moon, so the Moon’s near side is fully lit from our view
D. The Sun is between the Earth and Moon
C. Earth is between the Sun and Moon, so the Moon’s near side is fully lit from our view
When two clear liquids are mixed and the mixture becomes cloudy but there is no change in temperature or smell, which claim is best supported? A. A new substance formed because the color changed.
B. No new substance formed because clouds always mean the same substances mixed.
C. A new substance likely formed because the appearance changed, but more tests (like trying to separate them) are needed.
D. A new substance did not form because only gases can be new substances.
C. A new substance likely formed because the appearance changed, but more tests (like trying to separate them) are needed.
Two students push on opposite sides of a box with the same strength. The box does not move. This is an example of: A. Unbalanced forces because the box will speed up soon
B. Balanced forces because the forces cancel and the box stays still
C. Gravity causing the box to float
D. Friction pushing the box upward
B. Balanced forces because the forces cancel and the box stays still.
Which example is most likely an inherited trait rather than an environmental effect?
A. A seedling growing taller because it was planted in richer soil.
B. A child learning to ride a bike after practicing with a parent.
C. A puppy being born with a curly coat because both parents carry genes for curliness.
D. A lizard losing color after staying on a dark surface for months.
C. A puppy being born with a curly coat because both parents carry genes for curliness
Which of the following best explains a solar eclipse?
A. The Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight from the Moon.
B. The Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking some sunlight from reaching Earth.
C. The Sun passes between the Earth and Moon, making the Moon brighter.
D. Clouds block the sunlight so the Sun cannot be seen.
B. The Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking some sunlight from reaching Earth.
During prototype testing, the team notices the wing attachment often breaks on impact. What is the best next step to improve the design?
A. Replace the entire prototype with a different model without testing
B. Ignore the failure and submit the prototype as-is
C. Stop testing because failure points show the design will never work
D. Redesign the wing attachment, then test the new design while keeping other variables the same
D. Redesign the wing attachment, then test the new design while keeping other variables the same