Physical Science
Earth Science
Life Science
Engineering and Technology
Wild Card
100
If a solid object is taken from Earth far into space, which of the following measurements of the object will change most? A.density B.mass C.volume D.weight
D.weight
100
Which of the following lists is in order from smallest to largest? A. universe - solar system - galaxy B. galaxy - universe - solar system C. solar system - universe - galaxy D. solar system - galaxy - universe
D. solar system - galaxy - universe
100
Which of the following organisms produces energy from sunlight? A.worm B.rabbit C.hawk D.grass
D.grass
100
A ship has a satellite communication device to identify the ship’s position at sea. For which of the following activities is this device most likely used? A.control B.guidance C.propulsion D.suspension
B.guidance
100
Which of the following are formed when two crustal plates collide with one another? A.hot spots B.rift valleys C.mountain ranges D.mid-ocean ridges
C.mountain ranges
200
Which of the following is formed when two elements combine chemically? A.an atom B.a compound C.an electron D.a mixture
B.a compound
200
Which is the best indication of climate change? A.earthquake B.forest fire C.beach erosion D.glacial deposit
D.glacial deposit
200
The cows in a rancher’s herd of cattle have been selectively bred to produce milk. Which of the following will cause the next generation of cows to receive the trait for producing large quantities of milk? A.nutrients in the cows’ food B.essential minerals in the cows’ water C.electrical impulses in the cows’ brains D.information in the cows’ chromosomes
D.information in the cows’ chromosomes
200
A movie studio will use two methods of communication, television and the Internet, to advertise a new movie. Which of the following must both methods of communication use in order to show the advertisements to viewers around the world? A.systems to locate viewers B.networks to transmit signals C.printing to create the images D.software to search for images
B.networks to transmit signals
200
What do all organisms have in common? A. They are made of cells B. They breath in oxygen C. They live outdoors
A. They are made of cells
300
What is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that still has the properties of that compound? A.a nucleus B.a molecule C.an element D.an atom
B.a molecule
300
Which of the following best describes the relative positions of Earth,the Moon, and the Sun during a lunar eclipse? A. Sun - moon - earth B. Sun - earth - moon
B. Sun - earth - moon
300
Which of the following best describes the number of chromosomes in a normal human liver cell? A.23 pairs of chromosomes B.46 different types of chromosomes C.46 male chromosomes and 46 female chromosomes D.23 original chromosomes and 23 duplicate chromosomes
A.23 pairs of chromosomes
300
Which of the following best describes the function of an encoder in a telephone communication system? A.converting sound to electrical impulses B.receiving transmitted electrical signals C.changing electrical impulses into sound D.sending electrical signals through a circuit
A.converting sound to electrical impulses
300
Some types of bacteria can only live where oxygen is not present. These bacteria were well adapted to life on Earth over 2 billion years ago. Which of the following changes caused many of these bacteria to become extinct? A.the slow movement of tectonic plates B.the varying temperatures of each season C.an increase in volcanic activity under the oceans D.an increase in the number of photosynthetic organisms
D.an increase in the number of photosynthetic organisms
400
Ms. Bristol measured the mass of a closed beaker containing several ice cubes. The mass was 100 g. An hour later, after the ice cubes had melted, Ms. Bristol measured the mass of the beaker again. What was the mass of the beaker of water the second time? A.50 g B.75 g C.100 g D.125 g
C.100 g
400
When bedrock in Massachusetts is examined, it often appears scraped and polished. Which of the following most likely caused the bedrock to appear scraped and polished? A.crustal deformation B.frequent earthquakes C.glacial movement D.volcanic eruptions
C.glacial movement
400
The complete removal of decomposers from an ecosystem will have the greatest effect on which of the following? A.the spread of disease B.the availability of water C.the recycling of nutrients D.the distribution of organisms
C.the recycling of nutrients
400
During the construction of a new building, workers dug round holes in the ground and filled the holes with steel and concrete. Which of the following parts of the building was being built during this stage of construction? A.the floor B.the foundation C.the plumbing D.the walls
B.the foundation
400
The winter solstice occurs on either December 21 or 22, depending on the year. Which of the following statements best explains why the time of the year the winter solstice occurs has the least amount of daylight in Massachusetts? A.Earth is farthest away from the Sun on the winter solstice. B.Earth’s rotational speed on its axis is greatest on the winter solstice. C.Earth is traveling around the Sun with the greatest speed on the winter solstice. D.Earth’s Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun on the winter solstice.
D.Earth’s Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun on the winter solstice.
500
The surface of a heated metal object measures 120°C. It is dropped into a bucket filled with water measuring 10°C. Which of the following is most likely to occur? A.Both the water and metal will adjust to the same temperature below 10°C. B.The water and metal will adjust to different temperatures above 120°C. C.The water will remain the same temperature, but the metal will cool to 10°C. D.The water and metal will adjust to the same temperature between 10°C and 120°C.
D.The water and metal will adjust to the same temperature between 10°C and 120°C.
500
Which of the following statements best describes one way that the Moon is different from Earth? A.The Moon is not solid. B.The Moon has no gravity. C.The Moon has almost no atmosphere. D.The Moon receives almost no solar light.
C.The Moon has almost no atmosphere.
500
If a new organism were discovered, which of the following would most likely be used to classify it into the appropriate kingdom? A.the color of the organism B.the organism’s natural habitat C.the structure of the organism’s anatomy D.the location where the organism was found
C.the structure of the organism’s anatomy
500
In the design process, a trade-off occurs when a problem is solved but a feature is sacrificed. Which of the following is an example of a trade-off? A.A car’s gas mileage is increased and the engine has less power. B.An airplane uses a more efficient engine and has higher performance. C.A sports drink’s taste is improved and has the same nutritional content. D.A computer company upgrades the hardware and the price remains unchanged.
A.A car’s gas mileage is increased and the engine has less power.
500
Which of the following provides the best evidence that Earth has evolved over geologic time? A.coral reefs that slowly changed size B.desert sand dunes that were shaped by winds C.deposits of sediment found at the mouth of a river D.rock containing fossilized seashells found on a mountaintop
D.rock containing fossilized seashells found on a mountaintop