Unit 1

Vocabulary

100

When people collect information by using their five senses, they make an

Observation

200

A tool used to measure the mass of an object is a

pan balance

300

When people ask questions, make observations, and use other methods to gather data about an event or object, they are doing an

Investigation

400

Someone who makes a statement that explains an observation is making an

Inference

500

If you want to measure the pull of a force, such as the force of gravity, you would use a tool called a

spring scale

Concepts 1

100

Your sister wants to compare close up views of different bird feathers. Which tools should she use? (A)measuring cup (B)meterstick (C)microscope (D)pan balance

Microscope

200

You are studying minerals in different types of rocks. Which of the following would NOT help you obtain data about a rock? (A)measuring the volume of the rock (B)inferring that the rock is millions of years old (C)testing the effect of dripping vinegar onto the rocks (D)making observations of the rock's minerals

Inferring that the rock is millions of years old

300

During gym class, your friend had an ice pack on one arm. You think she must have hurt her arm. What scientific skill did you use? (A)communicating (B)comparing (C)inferring (D)measuring

inferring

400

Jo has been observing how well one type of plant grows in different locations. He concludes that a location with bright sunlight is best for the plant. Which of the following could be a reason for his conclusion? (A)his friends told him that all plants need bright sunlight to grow. (B)Plants that he kept in shade grew better than plants that he kept in sunlight (C)Plants that he kept in shade did not grow as well as plants that he kept in sunlight (D)He thinks that the plants he kept in sunlight would have grown better with more water

Plants that he kept in shade did not grow as well as plants that he kept in sunlight

500

A scientist is using a scientific method. She studies a table of data she has collected and recorded. What does the scientist do next? (A)draws a conclusion (B)makes a hypothesis (C)conducts an experiment (D)studies the results one more time

draws a conclusion

Concepts 2

100

Scientists state a hypothesis for each experiment. What is one way that scientists can test a hypothesis? (A)asking questions (B)conducting an experiment (C)drawing conclusions (D)gathering materials

conducting an experiment

200

A scientist has spent a year conducting an experiment. He concludes that evidence from his experiment does not support his hypothesis. What should the scientist do next? (A) Forget this experiment and choose a new problem (B)Try to make up evidence that supports his hypothesis (C)Look at the evidence and see if he can make a new hypothesis (D)Look at the information and find a different way to organize his results

Look at the evidence and see if he can make a new hypothesis

300

A friend hypothesizes that hot water will cause a sugar cube to dissolve faster than cold water will. She investigates by filling three cups;one with hot water, one with cold water, and one with ice water. Which observation will help her decide whether her hypothesis was correct? (A)which cup the sugar cube dissolves in first (B)the time it takes for two sugar cubes to dissolve (C)changes in water temperature from start to finish (D)changes in the size of the sugar cube in cold water

which cup the sugar cube dissolves in first

400

You wonder why flowers will not grow in your garden. What part of the inquiry process does this represent? (A)asking questions (B)conducting an investigation (C)drawing a conclusion (D)making a prediction

asking questions

500

You want to know if a heavy ball rolls down a ramp faster than a light ball. Describe an investigation you could do to find out.

Use a stopwatch to time how long it takes a heavy ball to roll down a ramp and then how long it takes for a light ball to roll down the same ramp.