SSA Final Review

Nature of Science

100

A materials engineer wants to test how the thickness of insulation in sleeping bags affects their performance in freezing temperatures. She constructs sleeping bags with varying insulation thickness and records the temperature inside the sleeping bag every five minutes for 8 hours at 0°C.
Which of the following is the dependent (outcome) variable in her experiment?

A. temperature inside the sleeping bag

B. thickness of insulation material

C. type of insulation material

D. sleeping bag with no insulation

A. temperature inside the sleeping bag

200

Scientists have proposed several models of the atom over time. Which statement does not explain the changes to the atomic model over time?

A. Advancements in technology have led to more detailed atomic models.

B. Scientists independently developed their own atomic models.

C. New empirical evidence has resulted in changes to atomic models.

D. Collaboration amongst scientists have led to the currently accepted atomic model.

B. Scientists independently developed their own atomic models.

300

Which of the following is not a description of climate?

A. Annual precipitation in Phoenix, Arizona is 9.2 cm.

B. Winters are usually overcast in Seattle, Washington.

C. Last week it rained every day in Tampa, Florida.

D. Summers and winters are usually mild in San Francisco, California.

C. Last week it rained every day in Tampa, Florida.

400

Scientists use empirical evidence to determine the age of objects, such as this fossilized tree trunk.
Which of the following is not an example of empirical evidence?

A. A scientist compares the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14 to determine the absolute age of the fossilized tree trunk.

B. A scientist counts the number of tree rings to determine the approximate age of the fossilized tree trunk.

C. A scientist reads a journal article about the fossilized tree trunk.

D. A scientist uses the law of superposition to determine the relative age of the fossilized tree trunk.

C. A scientist reads a journal article about the fossilized tree trunk.

500

A scientist wants other scientists to be able to perform the same experiment she performs in her laboratory. Which is the best way for the scientist to ensure her experiment is replicable by others?

A. take photos of the experiment’s materials and setup

B. watch the other scientists complete the experiment over a video call

C. write detailed notes of each part of the experiment as it is performed

D. repeat her experiment before publishing the results

C. write detailed notes of each part of the experiment as it is performed

Earth Space Science

100

Which of the following is the most accurate description of all known spaces?

A. Galaxies contains thousands of universes, and each universe contains millions of stars.

B. Galaxies contains hundreds of universes, and each universe contains thousands of stars.

C. The universe contains billions of galaxies, and each galaxy contains billions of stars.

D. The universe contains hundreds of galaxies, and each galaxy contains thousands of stars.

C. The universe contains billions of galaxies, and each galaxy contains billions of stars.

200

Betelgeuse is a star in the constellation Orion that is 642.5 light-years from Earth. Based solely on this information, which of the following conclusions can be drawn?

A. The gravity of Betelgeuse would make an object weigh 642 times more than on the Earth.

B. Light we see from Betelgeuse took more than 642 years to reach the Earth.

C. The diameter of Betelgeuse is more than 642 times larger than the Sun.

D. Betelgeuse takes a little more than 642 years to make one rotation on its axis.

B. Light we see from Betelgeuse took more than 642 years to reach the Earth.

300

Which of the following best describes how Earth's atmosphere protects life on the planet?

A. Earth’s atmosphere becomes less dense at higher altitudes.

B. Earth’s atmosphere prevents thermal energy from passing through it.

C. Earth’s atmosphere contains gases that help moderate temperature on the planet.

D. Earth’s atmosphere consists of different layers of different thicknesses.

C. Earth’s atmosphere contains gases that help moderate temperature on the planet.

400

Juan builds a model to represent the celestial bodies in space. Which of the following accurately represents the hierarchy of celestial bodies, from largest to smallest, for Juan's model?

A. Planets → Solar systems → Galaxies → Universe

B. Solar systems → Universe → Galaxies → Planets

C. Planets → Solar systems → Universes → Galaxy

D. Universe → Galaxies → Solar systems → Planets

D. Universe → Galaxies → Solar systems → Planets

500

Gravity influences the composition and behavior of celestial objects in our solar system. Which statement best explains how gravity influences the composition and behavior of celestial objects in our solar system?

A. Planets closest to the Sun have shorter days than those farther away.

B. Planets closest to the Sun have slower orbital velocities than those farther away.

C. Planets closest to the Sun take less time to make a complete revolution around the Sun.

D. Planets closest to the Sun are more massive than those farther away.

C. Planets closest to the Sun take less time to make a complete revolution around the Sun.

Physical Science

100

Which of the following best describes the relationship between elements and compounds?

A. A finite number of elements chemically combine to create a multitude of compounds.

B. An infinite number of elements chemically combine to create a multitude of compounds.

C. An infinite number of compounds chemically combine to create a multitude of elements.

D. A finite number of compounds chemically combine to create a multitude of elements.

A. A finite number of elements chemically combine to create a multitude of compounds.

200

Students in Mrs. Singletary’s class discuss the periodic table. Which student has correctly identified the pair of elements that will be most similar?

A. Max believes the two elements that are the most similar are lithium (Li) and sodium (Na) because they are in the same period.

B. Julian believes the two elements that are the most similar are neon (Ne) and argon (Ar) because they are in the same group.

C. Wynette believes the two element that are the most similar are hydrogen (H) and helium (He) because they are both gases.

D. Stephanie believes the two elements that are the most similar are oxygen (O) and fluorine (F) because they are next to each other on the periodic table.

B. Julian believes the two elements that are the most similar are neon (Ne) and argon (Ar) because they are in the same group.

300

Triple beam balances and spring scales are scientific devices used to measure mass and weight. Which statement best describes the relationship between the mass and weight of an object?

A. If the mass of the object doubles, the weight of the object is unchanged.

B. If the mass of the object doubles, the weight of the object is halved.

C. If the mass of the object doubles, the weight of the object quadruples.

D. If the mass of the object doubles, the weight of the object doubles.

D. If the mass of the object doubles, the weight of the object doubles.

400

A rock was placed in a graduated cylinder containing 80 ml of water. The water level rose by 20 ml. The density of the rock is 19.3 g/ml. What is the mass of the rock? Note: Density = Mass / Volume

A. 0.97 g

B. 5.18 g

C. 386 g

D. 1.04 g

C. 386 g

500

Glow sticks undergo a chemical reaction to produce light. Which of the following actions will likely decrease the rate of the chemical reaction in the glow stick?

A. Place the glow stick in a freezer.

B. Shake the glow stick rapidly.

C. Put the glow stick in a dark room.

D. Put the glow stick in hot water.

A. Place the glow stick in a freezer.

Life Science

100

Which level of organization is described as the basic structural and functional unit of an organism, consisting of structures enclosed in a membrane?

A. cells

B. organelles

C. tissues

D. atoms

A. cells

200

Cells maintain a stable state, called homeostasis.
Which of the following is not an example of how cells maintain homeostasis?

A. The cell membrane regulates what exits the cell as waste.

B. The nucleus directs the reproduction of cells to repair damaged or dying cells.

C. Mitochondria break down glucose during cellular respiration to extract energy.

D. The cell wall provides structure and support for the cell.

D. The cell wall provides structure and support for the cell.

300

Mrs. Jones teaches her class about cell division.
Which comparison of mitosis and meiosis is correct?

A. Mitosis is associated with sexual reproduction. Meiosis is associated with asexual reproduction.

B. Mitosis results in daughter cells with half the genetic information as the parent cell. Meiosis results in daughter cells with the same amount of genetic information as the parent cell.

C. Mitosis results in daughter cells with the same amount of genetic information as the parent cell. Meiosis results in daughter cells with half the genetic information as the parent cell.

D. Mitosis results in four daughter cells. Meiosis results in two daughter cells.

C. Mitosis results in daughter cells with the same amount of genetic information as the parent cell. Meiosis results in daughter cells with half the genetic information as the parent cell.

400

The buffalo and birds engage in a symbiotic relationship. The birds eat ticks and other insects bite and transmit diseases to the buffalo. What symbiotic relationship occurs between the buffalo and the birds?

A. Parasitism because the ticks and other insects cause disease in the buffalo

B. Commensalism because the birds consume the ticks and other insects, but the buffalo is unaffected

C. Mutualism because the buffalo benefits from the birds eating the disease-causing ticks and the birds benefit from a meal

D. Competition because the flocks of birds compete for the ticks and insects on the buffalo

C. Mutualism because the buffalo benefits from the birds eating the disease-causing ticks and the birds benefit from a meal

500

Which statement provides the best evidence that the muscular system and digestive system work together to maintain homeostasis?

A. Smooth muscles help move nutrients through the small intestine where they are broken down and absorbed.

B. Signals from the brain direct the release of hydrochloric acid in the stomach to aid in digestion.

C. Waste products from the body are eliminated by the kidneys and large intestine.

D. Nutrients from food are transported from the small intestine to the liver, which processes and stores them for further use.

A. Smooth muscles help move nutrients through the small intestine where they are broken down and absorbed.

Florida Science

100

Which of the following are ways humans in Florida are affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes?

A. Humans have to evacuate at the first sign that a hurricane is approaching.

B. Hurricanes rarely hit Florida, so only a few people feel they should prepare.

C. In Florida, humans need enough insulation to keep from freezing inside their homes.

D. Humans have to construct their houses to withstand a hurricane's high winds.

D. Humans have to construct their houses to withstand a hurricane's high winds.

200

Which of the following is a place that could experience a tsunami?

A. far inland

B. coastal city

C. underground

D. mountain peak

B. coastal city

300

All of the following are correct, except:

A. Flood water is dirty, but not dangerous to human life.

B. People build houses on stilts to avoid floods.

C. Flood water can be so severe it is considered a natural disaster.

D. Barriers are used to protect peoples houses from floods.

A. Flood water is dirty, but not dangerous to human life.

400

Select the statement that correctly identifies what directly affected the Florida economy in the early 1960s.

A. NASA built Kennedy space center on the coast of Florida.

B. NASA built its first shuttle in 1961.

C. The United States launched the first satellite into space.

D. The Soviet Union launched the first satellite into space.

A. NASA built Kennedy space center on the coast of Florida.

500

Which of the following are reasons why land in Florida was purchased for the U.S. space program?

A. The land was cheap and cost-effective for the government to purchase. Landowners were quick to sell properties, so they could move away.

B. The land was mostly unpopulated, there were convenient ways to get materials to the area, and being near the equator gave launched objects some extra speed.

C. The nearness to the equator meant that launched objects needed extra fuel to speed them up. It was difficult to get materials to the area, and it was already overpopulated.

D. The land was already populated. This allowed NASA to use the residents as their workforce. The nearness to the ocean allowed materials to be brought in by ships.

B. The land was mostly unpopulated, there were convenient ways to get materials to the area, and being near the equator gave launched objects some extra speed.