Science MCAS Review

Physical Science

100

Chris left a glass of water on a windowsill. When he looked at the glass a few days later, some of the water had evaporated.Which of the following best describes what happened to the particles of water that evaporated? A. They became larger in size. B. They spread out into the air. C. They were absorbed by the glass. D. They passed through the glass into the air.

B. They spread out into the air.

200

Which two forms of energy could best be used to increase the temperature of a sheet of copper? A. heat and light B. heat and sound C. light and magnetism D. electricity and sound

A. heat and light

300

Which of the following best explains why electrical wires are usually covered with plastic or rubber? A. to insulate the electrical wire B. to keep the electrical wire warm C. to make the electrical wire stronger D. to make the electrical wire more flexible

A. to insulate the electrical wire

400

Jose has two bar magnets. He pushes the ends of the two magnets together and then he lets go. The magnets move quickly apart.Which of the following statements best explains why this happens? A. The north poles of the two magnets are facing each other. B. One magnet is a north pole and one magnet is a south pole. C. The ends of magnets repel each other but the centers attract. D. One magnet is storing energy and one magnet is releasing energy.

A. The north poles of the two magnets are facing each other.

500

A student hears the sound of a bell. Which of the following carries the sound of the bell to the student? A. electrical currents B. magnetic signals C. radio waves D. vibrating air

D. vibrating air

Technology/Engineering

100

Students want to plant a lemon tree at their school, but the cold winter temperatures in Massachusetts would kill the tree. Which of the following is the best solution to this problem? A. planting several lemon trees together in a row B. building a greenhouse to shelter the lemon tree C. giving the lemon tree extra fertilizer in the winter D. tying a stake to the lemon tree for support during the winter

B. building a greenhouse to shelter the lemon tree

200

Rachel purchased a kit for making a skateboard ramp. Which of the following is most important to have for putting the ramp together? A. a picture showing the colors of different ramp parts B. a diagram showing some ways to use the ramp C. a list of prices for other available kits D. a set of instructions for the kit materials

D. a set of instructions for the kit materials

300

A squid is an animal that lives in the ocean. It pumps a stream of water out of its body, causing it to move rapidly. Which of the following mechanical systems moves in a way most similar to the squid? A. a bus B. a helicopter C. a rocket D. a train

C. a rocket

400

Annette is using many tools to build a doghouse. For which of the following would Annette most likely use a tape measure while building the doghouse? A. deciding which type of wood to use B. removing extra nails from the wood C. attaching different pieces of wood together D. determining where to cut the wood into pieces

D. determining where to cut the wood into pieces

500

Which of the following statements best describes a complex machine? A. It is designed to move with a motor. B. It is constructed from machine-made parts. C. It is made of more than one simple machine. D. It is built from more than one type of material.

C. It is made of more than one simple machine.

Earth and Space

100

Which of the following is most likely to make a rock crack and crumble? A. dew evaporating on the rock B. leaves decaying on the rock C. snow melting in a crack in the rock D. water freezing in a crack in the rock

D. water freezing in a crack in the rock

200

Approximately how long does Earth take to complete its orbit around the Sun? A. one day B. one month C. one year D. one century

C. one year

300

A student sorted mineral samples into two groups: dull and shiny. Which of the following properties did the student use to sort the mineral samples into groups? A. cleavage B. color C. luster D. streak

C. luster

400

Owen tested a physical property of a mineral. He rubbed a mineral sample on a piece of white tile. The mineral left a red mark on the tile.Which of the following physical properties of the mineral was Owen most likely testing? A. cleavage B. hardness C. luster D. streak

D. streak

500

Which of the following best describes the climate of an area? A. the high temperature and wind speed for six months B. the high temperature and wind speed each day for one year C. the temperature and precipitation every hour for one day D. the average temperature and total precipitation each month for ten years

D. the average temperature and total precipitation each month for ten years

Life Science

100

Which of the following best represents one particular stage in a life cycle? A. a fish swimming B. a seed sprouting C. a leaf growing D. a dog eating

B. a seed sprouting

200

Baby chicks peck their way out of their shells when they hatch. This activity is an example of which of the following types of behavior? A. instinctive B. learned C. planned D. social

A. instinctive

300

Which of the following structures does a frog develop as it changes from a tadpole to an adult frog? A. eyes B. heart C. lungs D. tail

C. lungs

400

Which of the following best describes how plants use the energy they receive from sunlight? A. They change water into heat. B. They produce their own food. C. They make minerals for their roots. D. They break down nutrients into rocks.

B. They produce their own food.

500

The marsh willow herb is a plant native to the northeastern United States. It grows best in damp habitats. Which of the following environmental changes would most likely cause a decrease in the marsh willow herb population in an area? A. a rainstorm lasting several weeks B. a drought lasting twelve months C. unusually low temperatures during the month of July D. unusually high temperatures during the month of January

B. a drought lasting twelve months

Pictures/Diagrams

100

Which of the following shows two objects that are both conductors of electricity?

B - Iron Nail and Aluminum Wire

200

Eastern meadowlarks are birds that use their beaks to grab and remove insects from holes in trees. An eastern meadowlark is shown below. Which of the following objects functions most like the meadowlark’s beak?

D - Tweezers

300

The table lists some weather conditions for one day in Worcester, Massachusetts. Based on the information in the table, which of the following types of precipitation most likely occurred on this day? A. hail B. rain C. sleet D. snow

B - Rain

400

The diagram shows four stages in the life cycle of the mosquito. During which stage in its life cycle is the mosquito able to mate and reproduce?

Adult

500

An athlete is choosing a material for his eyeglass frames. He wants a material that will not be easily damaged when he plays sports. The table below shows some characteristics of four different materials. Which material would be best for the athlete to choose for his eyeglass frames?

Material 3