8.6a classifying matter
8.6c properties of water
8.6d acids and bases
STAAR LEVEL questions
RANDOM FACTS
100

What is matter, and how can it be classified?

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.
It can be classified as:

  • Pure substances (elements or compounds)

  • Mixtures (homogeneous or heterogeneous)

100

What are the properties of cohesion?

  • Cohesion is when water molecules stick to other water molecules.

  • This happens because of hydrogen bonds.

100

What is an acid and what is the pH?


  • An acid is a substance that releases hydrogen ions (H⁺).

  • It has a pH less than 7.

100

A sample of matter looks the same throughout. It is made of two or more substances physically combined, but not chemically bonded. How should this sample be classified?

A) Element
B) Compound
C) Homogeneous mixture
D) Heterogeneous mixture


C) Homogeneous mixture

100

Who is engaged to Taylor Swift?

Travis Kelce

200

What is a pure substance and how is it separated (physical or chemical)?


A pure substance has only one type of particle.

  • Examples: gold (element), water (compound)

Can only be separated by chemical changes.

200

What are the properties of adhesion?

Adhesion is when water molecules stick to other surfaces that are NOT water (like glass, soil, or plant walls).

200

What is a base and what is the pH?


  • A base is a substance that releases hydroxide ions (OH⁻).

  • It has a pH greater than 7.

200

A student is classifying different samples of matter:

  • Sample A: Oxygen (O₂)

  • Sample B: Salt (NaCl)

  • Sample C: Sweet tea

  • Sample D: Trail mix

Which list correctly matches each sample to its type of matter?

A) A = element, B = compound, C = heterogeneous mixture, D = homogeneous mixture
B) A = compound, B = element, C = homogeneous mixture, D = heterogeneous mixture
C) A = element, B = compound, C = homogeneous mixture, D = heterogeneous mixture
D) A = element, B = compound, C = heterogeneous mixture, D = compound


C) A = element, B = compound, C = homogeneous mixture, D = heterogeneous mixture

200

What is movie about a Colombian family with magical powers that has to fix the internal conflict within their family?

ENCANTO

300

What is a mixture and how is it separated (physical or chemical)?

A mixture is made of two or more substances mixed together but not chemically combined.

  • Examples: salad, salt water

Can be separated by physical methods (filtering, boiling, sorting, etc.).

300

What are the properties of surface tension?

Surface tension is when water molecules at the surface stick tightly together, forming a kind of "skin" on the surface.

300

What are the properties of an acid?


  • Sour taste

  • Can burn skin (corrosive)

  • Turns blue litmus paper red

300

A student notices that when water drips from a faucet, the drops are round in shape. Which property of water best explains why the drops form?

A) Adhesion
B) Cohesion
C) Surface tension
D) Evaporation

B) Cohesion – water molecules stick to each other, forming droplets.

300

Who is the basketball player, known as “King James,” has played for the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers?

Lebron James

400

What are the differences between elements and compounds? 


Element: only one kind of atom (example: oxygen).

Compound: two or more atoms chemically joined (example: water = H₂O).

400

Match the phenomena to the correct water property:

  • Formation of droplets → _________________

  • Transport in plants → ___________________

  • Insect walking on water → _______________

Match the phenomena to the correct water property:

  • Formation of droplets → Cohesion

  • Transport in plants → Adhesion (and cohesion working together)

  • Insect walking on water → Surface tension

400

What are the properties of a base?


  • Bitter taste

  • Slippery feel (like soap)

  • Turns red litmus paper blue

400

Water moves upward through the tiny tubes inside a plant’s stem, even against gravity. Which two properties of water work together to make this possible?

A) Cohesion and evaporation
B) Adhesion and cohesion
C) Surface tension and melting
D) Adhesion and condensation


B) Adhesion and cohesion – adhesion helps water stick to the plant walls, and cohesion pulls other water molecules along (capillary action).

400

What is the popular Nintendo game where a plumber saves a princess?

Mario!

500

What are the differences between homogenous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures? 

  • Homogeneous mixture: looks the same all the way through (example: salt water).

  • Heterogeneous mixture: you can see the different parts (example: trail mix).

500

Explain how cohesion and adhesion work together to create capillary action.

  • Cohesion makes water molecules stick to each other.

  • Adhesion makes water stick to the walls of a thin tube (like plant roots).

  • Together, they pull water upward from the roots through the plant → this is called capillary action.

500

What is a neutral and how do you create one?

  • Neutral means pH = 7 (example: pure water).

  • You create it by mixing an acid and a base → they cancel each other out (called neutralization).

500

A student is testing four clear liquids with pH paper. The results are shown below:

  • Liquid A: pH = 3

  • Liquid B: pH = 7

  • Liquid C: pH = 10

  • Liquid D: pH = 6

Which statement correctly compares the properties of the liquids?

A) Liquid A and D are bases because their pH is below 7.
B) Liquid C is a base because its pH is above 7.
C) Liquid B is an acid because its pH equals 7.
D) Liquids A and C are both neutral because they are close to 7.

B) Liquid C is a base because its pH is above 7.

500

What is the K-pop group, known for songs like “Dynamite” and “Butter"?

BTS