MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE REVIEW 2026

NATURE SCIENCE

EARTH SCIENCE

ENERGY FLOW

LIFE SCIENCE

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

100

What is another word used to describe a HYPOTHESIS?

PREDICTION or GUESS

100

If all the trees in a forest were cut down and removed, which of the following would be the most likely result? Ⓐ The remaining topsoil would be exposed and vulnerable to wind and water erosion. Ⓑ The remaining topsoil would be exposed and hardened, making it more difficult to remove. Ⓒ The remaining topsoil would be enriched as leaves mixed in, causing an increase in land quality. Ⓓ The remaining topsoil would be immediately removed along with the trees, making it impossible to grow anything.

Ⓐ The remaining topsoil would be exposed and vulnerable to wind and water erosion.

100

Which energy transformation occurs in a rubber band-powered model airplane when it is flown? Ⓐ Kinetic energy stored in the rubber band is transformed into thermal energy used by the propeller. Ⓑ Potential energy stored in the rubber band is transformed into thermal energy used by the propeller. Ⓒ Kinetic energy stored in the rubber band is transformed into nuclear energy used by the propeller. Ⓓ Potential energy stored in the rubber band is transformed into kinetic energy used by the propeller

Ⓓ Potential energy stored in the rubber band is transformed into kinetic energy used by the propeller

100

What is the difference between PREDATION and PARASITISM

PREDATION-one organism kills the other for food

PARASITISM-one organism uses the other living organism for food

100

EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN

MASS, GRAVITATIONAL FORCE, and DISTANCE

Mass and Gravity: Gravitational force increases as the mass of objects increases. A greater amount of matter creates a stronger pull.
Distance and Gravity: Gravitational force decreases rapidly as distance increases

200

WHY DO SCIENTIST UTILIZE MODELS?

They can be used to visually represent objects that are very small or very large.

200

EXPLAIN THE LAW OF SUPERPOSITION

The law of superposition is a fundamental geological principle stating that in undeformed, horizontal sedimentary rock layers, the oldest strata are at the bottom and younger layers accumulate on top.

200

What happens to the light as it passes through the lens to cause the figure of the stamp to appear larger than the real stamp? Ⓐ The light is reflected. Ⓑ The light is refracted. Ⓒ The light is scattered. Ⓓ The light is absorbed

Ⓑ The light is refracted

200

How did Darwin’s trip to the Galapagos Islands help define his ideas about evolution?

Ⓐ One of the islands had only a few finch species, so he assumed all the islands had predators. Ⓑ Different organisms were observed on each island, so he thought each island had only one species. Ⓒ Each island had similar species with slightly different traits, so he thought each species adapted to its habitat. Ⓓ The same species of finches were observed on all the islands, so he thought the finches must have evolved together.

200

The Sun and Earth each have a gravitational pull on one another. How would that gravitational force be affected if Earth were farther from the Sun?

A The gravitational force would increase.

B The gravitational force would decrease.

C The gravitational force would be unchanged.

D The gravitational force would cause higher tides.

B The gravitational force would decrease.

300

EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

A. REPITITION

B. REPLICATION

REPITITION involves the same researcher repeating an experiment multiple times to check for consistency.

REPLICATION involves independent researchers conducting the same experiment to verify findings.

300

The crust, core, and mantle all have varying densities. Which of the following correctly orders Earth's layers from least dense to most dense? Ⓐ inner core, outer core, mantle, oceanic crust, continental crust Ⓑ outer core, inner core, mantle, continental crust, oceanic crust Ⓒ continental crust, oceanic crust, mantle, outer core, inner core Ⓓ oceanic crust, continental crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

Ⓓ oceanic crust, continental crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

300

DOES SOUND WAVE TRAVEL FASTEST THROUGH SOLID, LIQUID, OR GAS. WHY?

SOUND WAVETRAVEL FASTEST THROUGH SOLIDS

THEY REQUIRE PARTICLES THAT ARE COMPACTED IN A SOLID

300

Explain the difference between MUTUALISM and COMPETITION

MUTUALISM-both organism benefit

COMPETITION-one organism benefits the other does not

300

WHAT DOES FRICTION DO TO THE MOVEMENT OF AN OJECT?

SLOWS MOVEMENT (reduces directional force)

400

In scientific research, scientists should clearly publish the procedures used in their experiments, along with their observations and data. Why is it important for someone else to know the procedure? Ⓐ Knowing the procedure allows for the repetition of the experiment. Ⓑ Knowing the procedure allows for the replication of the experiment. Ⓒ Knowing the procedure helps others understand the reasons for the experiment. Ⓓ Knowing the procedure can explain how the data were interpreted by the scientist.

Ⓑ Knowing the procedure allows for the replication of the experiment.

400

Which of the sequences below illustrates this cycle of rock transformations? Ⓐ igneous rock → metamorphic rock → sedimentary rock Ⓑ metamorphic rock → igneous rock → sedimentary rock Ⓒ igneous rock → sedimentary rock → metamorphic rock Ⓓ metamorphic rock → sedimentary rock → igneous rock

400

Describe the arrangement of particles in

A. SOLID B. LIQUID C. GAS

A. SOLID-tightly compactted

B. LIQUID-wet particles slide pass each other

C. GAS-free floating and far apart

400

EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

A. PRODUCERS

B. DECOMPOSERS

PRODUCERS (plants) create their own food (autotrophs) using sunlight/chemicals, forming the base of the food chain

DECOMPOSERS break down dead organic matter (saprobes) to recycle nutrients into the soil.

400

DISTINGUISH BETWEEN

CONDUCTION AND CONVECTION

CONDUCTION-REQUIRES PHYSICAL CONTACT

CONVECTION-HOT AIR RISING

500

EXPLAIN THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION

The theory of evolution explains how living organisms change over time through the process of natural selection. It posits that individuals with heritable traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing these advantageous traits to offspring, ultimately leading to biodiversity.

500

The following statements explain how the activity in Earth’s layers results in changes on the surface. Which of these statements is false because it contains a misconception?

A. At subduction zones, parts of the lithosphere are being melted, forming magma.

B. Volcanic islands form over a split in Earth’s lithosphere, where the hot, liquid metallic core is closest to the surface.

C. As the hot, convecting region in the mantle moves, the lithosphere above it moves in the same direction as the convection current below.

D. The height of a volcanic island declines due to loss of heat and pressure as the lithosphere moves away from a hot spot in the mantle below.

B Volcanic islands form over a split in Earth’s lithosphere, where the hot, liquid metallic core is closest to the surface.

500

What type of wave motion is shown in this example?

Ⓐ refracted wave Ⓑ transverse wave Ⓒ longitudinal wave Ⓓ superpositional wave

500

Tall pea plants are dominant over short pea plants. A farmer decides to cross a heterozygous tall pea plant with a homozygous tall pea plant. Explain

a. HOMOZYGOUS b. HETEROZYGOUS

HOMOZYGOUS-same genetic features

HETERZYGOUS-different genetic features

500

Which of the following correctly describes the surface air movements within a

low-pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere?

A clockwise towards the center of the low-pressure system

B clockwise away from the center of the low-pressure system

C counterclockwise toward the center of the low-pressure system

D counterclockwise away from the center of a low-pressure system

C: counterclockwise toward the center of the low-pressure system.

600

EXPLAIN THE THEORY OF NATURAL SELECTION

Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, first fully proposed by Charles Darwin

600

Earth is divided into five different spheres. Which statement is true about the

interaction between two of these spheres?

A. Weather is an interaction between the hydrosphere and the geosphere.

B. A plant receiving water from precipitation is an interaction between the biosphere and the hydrosphere.

C. An ice cap providing shelter for an arctic animal is an interaction between the biosphere and the hydrosphere.

D. The formation of the Grand Canyon is an example of an interaction between the geosphere and the atmosphere.

B. A plant receiving water from precipitation is an interaction between the biosphere and the hydrosphere.

600

EXPLAIN THE LAW OF THE CONSERVATION OF ENERGY

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but only transformed from one form to another or transferred between systems. Within an isolated system, the total amount of energy remains constant over time.

600

Plants and fungi are classified into different kingdoms. What is the main reason

that fungi are NOT classified with green plants?

A Fungi do not synthesize proteins.

B Fungi lack cellulose in their cell walls.

C Fungi are unicellular, and plants are multicellular.

D Fungi are heterotrophs that are unable to produce their own food.

D. Fungi are heterotrophs that are unable to produce their own food.

700

What is the biggest difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory?

A. Laws explain the physical sciences, while theories explain only the life sciences.

B. Laws are demonstrated in nature frequently, while theories are demonstrated less regularly.

C. Laws take only temporary events into account, while theories discuss long-term phenomena.

D. Laws describe the events that occur in nature under certain conditions, while theories explain how nature works.

700

Which of these is NOT a function of Earth’s atmosphere?

A insulating the planet to keep it warm

B allowing water to evaporate into space

C protecting Earth from harmful radiation

D storing oxygen for living things to breathe

B allowing water to evaporate into space

700

DISTINGUISH BETWEEN CLIMATE AND WEATHER

WEATHER-refers to short-term atmospheric conditions (minutes to weeks), such as rain, temperature, or wind on a specific day.

CLIMATE- is the average of these weather patterns in a specific area over a long period, typically 30 years or more

700

How does DNA code for certain traits?

A. DNA provides a set of chemical instructions to the body that is then used to make the proteins that determine an organism’s traits.

B. DNA receives a set of chemical instructions from the nucleus that it uses to make the proteins that determine an organism’s traits.

C. DNA receives a set of chemical instructions from the environment that it uses to make the proteins that determine an organism’s traits.

D. DNA provides a set of chemical instructions encoded in genes that cells then use to make the proteins that determine an organism’s traits.

700

Different cell organelles perform different functions. Which type of cell would

most likely have the largest number of mitochondria?

A. red blood cells that transport oxygen

B. muscle cells in the leg muscles of a runner

C. nerve cells that transmit signals to the brain stem

D. cells in the stomach lining that make digestive enzymes

B. muscle cells in the leg muscles of a runner

800

Three groups of students were testing to see how much weight a cardboard

bridge could hold before it collapsed. Each group followed the same procedure.

What is a scientific advantage of the groups following the same procedure?

A The groups can copy results from each other.

B The groups can compile and compare their results.

C The groups can select the set of results that they like the best.

D The groups can work together to obtain the results more easily.

B. The groups can compile and compare their results.

800

DISTINGUISH BETWEEN HELIOCENTRIC AND GEOCENTRIC THEORY

HELIOCENTRIC-THE SUN IS THE CENTER OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM

GEOCENTRIC-THE EARTH IS THE CENTER OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM

800

What is the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction?

A. Asexual reproduction occurs in all plants and animals, while sexual reproduction occurs only in bacteria.

B. Asexual reproduction takes a long time to produce offspring, while sexual reproduction produces a large number of offspring very quickly.

C. Asexual reproduction produces offspring that are identical to the parent, while sexual reproduction produces offspring with genetic diversity.

D. Asexual reproduction leads to the formation of four identical cells, while sexual reproduction leads to the formation of two genetically different cells.

C. Asexual reproduction produces offspring that are identical to the parent, while sexual reproduction produces offspring with genetic diversity.

800

Early astronomers made valid discoveries by observing the night sky with simple telescopes. Which statement below applies to these early discoveries? Ⓐ Not all scientific knowledge about the night sky comes from experiments. Ⓑ Data from modern telescopes have disproved early observations of the night sky. Ⓒ Observations of the night sky with simple telescopes are not enough to make valid discoveries. Ⓓ Discoveries about the night sky were not made until astronomers used complicated scientific equipment.

Ⓐ Not all scientific knowledge about the night sky comes from experiments.

900

EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

A. FIELD STUDY

B. RESEARCH STUDY

FIELD STUDY- a specific type of research conducted in a subject's natural environment (e.g., observing animals in the wild or users in their workplace). RESEARCH STUDY- a broader term for any scientific investigation, which can take place in a lab, online, or in the field

900

DISTINGUIS BETWEEN WEATHERING AND EROSION

WEATHERING- BREAKING DOWN

EROSION-INVOLVES MOVEMENT OF DEBRI

900

As a person exercises, the carbon dioxide level in the blood increases. Which of the following systems are signaled by the nervous system to respond to this increase in carbon dioxide?

A. digestive and immune systems

B. immune and respiratory systems

C. circulatory and excretory systems

D. respiratory and circulatory systems