Inquiry Questions
  • 1. Which of the following is not a natural explanation?
A) The length of day is caused by Appollo riding his chariot into the sky.
B) All of the explanations are natural.
C) Rain is caused when warm air cools, the water vapor condenses, and the dropletts become to heavy to stay in the air.
D) Interactions between particles from the sun and the earth’s magnetic field cause the Aurora Borealis.
  • 2. Which of the following is a testable question?
A) Are there more people who like red grapes than green grapes?
B) Are demons responsible for my car not working?
C) Do red grapes taste better than green grapes?
D) Does voodoo magic cause people to get sick in parts of Africa?
  • 3. Which of the following is not a phenomena?
A) lightning
B) the change of the moon’s shape during the month
C) A trick in a magic show.
D) A solar eclipse.
  • 4. Anything used to identify or describe an object would be considered a ____________ of that object.
A) a) Characteristic
B) b) Property
C) Both a and b
D) c) Form
  • 5. A description of a phenomena that predict future behavior is a ...
A) Law
B) Theory
C) Hypothesis
D) Fact
  • 6. A set of directions or actions that must be completed in the same way to get the same result.
A) Controlled experiment
B) Procedure
C) Variable
D) Data
  • 7. Tying several ideas together into one common idea.
A) Function
B) System
C) Proportion
D) Unifying
  • 8. A possible explanation or answer to a question is a
A) law
B) synopsis
C) fact
D) hypothesis.
  • 9. Scientists may do a controlled experiment to
A) communicate results.
B) simplify data.
C) test a hypothesis.
D) ask a question.
  • 10. Scientists begin to learn about the natural world by
A) forming expectations.
B) asking questions. about observations
C) accepting investigation results.
D) summarizing research.
  • 11. Communicating the results of an investigation allows other scientists to
A) focus an investigation.
B) review evidence.
C) prove evidence.
D) change results.
  • 12. After analyzing results of their tests, scientists
A) draw conclusions.
B) focus an investigation.
C) prove evidence.
D) change results.
  • 13. An investigation may continue after results are accepted if there is
A) a closed case.
B) new evidence.
C) a repeated question.
D) outdated evidence.
  • 14. What order do the steps of a scientific process follow?
A) They do not follow a set order.
B) numerical order
C) chronological order
D) alphabetical order
  • 15. A controlled experiment tests
A) conflicting data.
B) many variables at once.
C) ne variable at a time.
D) complex data
  • 16. Scientists form a hypothesis when they
A) change data.
B) analyze data.
C) prove a theory.
D) investigate a question.
  • 17. A scientist finds a vase that she believes is 2,000 years old. She compares its features to those of similar vases in a museum. She is
A) drawing conclusions.
B) asking a question.
C) testing a hypothesis.
D) forming a hypothesis.
  • 18. Why is it important for members of the scientific community to learn the results of an investigation?
A) They can include the information in science textbooks.
B) They can review evidence to investigate further.
C) They can honor scientists for their achievements.
D) They can make scientific laws based on new discoveries.
  • 19. What step is the beginning of the process that scientists use to learn more about the natural world?
A) communicating results
B) drawing conclusions
C) analyzing data
D) asking questions
  • 20. An explanation that ties together many hypotheses and explanations is called a(n
A) theory.
B) model
C) concept
D) investigation
  • 21. A scientific theory
A) ties together many hypotheses and observations.
B) is not useful in predicting the future.
C) is often used to explain scientific models.
D) is a single hypothesis.
  • 22. After the results of an investigation are shared, scientists
A) evaluate the evidence used.
B) review how the scientific methods were used.
C) All of the answer choices
D) question the reasoning behind the explanations.
  • 23. What do scientists find out when they draw conclusions?
A) if the data are correct
B) if their results support their hypotheses
C) if their questions are useful
D) if other scientists agree with them
  • 24. What do scientists do after learning the results of an investigation?
A) They all disagree with the results.
B) They draw the same conclusions.
C) They all agree with the results.
D) They review evidence.
  • 25. Why do some investigations continue after the results of the investigation are accepted?
A) There results are facts.
B) There is new evidence.
C) There are no new questions.
D) There is no new evidence.
  • 26. Change of a system or in a system over time is called:
A) Cycle
B) Equilibrium
C) Function
D) Evolution
  • 27. An explanation of a set of observations is a:
A) Trade-off
B) Theory
C) Fact
D) Hypothesis
  • 28. The advantages and disadvantages for a decision or response to an issue are its.
A) Trade-off
B) Benefits
C) Cons
D) Pros
  • 29. A small piece of information/ evidence collected through direct observation is a/an
A) fact
B) measurement
C) hypothesis
D) theory
  • 30. A big idea used to explain multiple observations, experimentsal results, laws, and facts.
A) fact
B) theory
C) law
D) hypothesis
  • 31. Which of the following is a quantitative observation.
A) The flower is red.
B) The shape was circular
C) The car traveled at 70 miles per hour
D) The texture was rough.
  • 32. Which of the following is a qualitative observation:
A) The texture was smooth
B) There were 6 sides on the shape
C) The plant stood 6 cm tall.
D) The water was 65 degrees C.
  • 33. When parts of a system or different systems do something that affect other parts or systems it is called a/an
A) interaction
B) output
C) input
D) component
  • 34. A point in a system where inputs equal outputs and the system is stable and unchanging.
A) classification
B) evolution
C) equilibrium
D) interaction
  • 35. Amy and Andrew want to test whether music makes people work faster. They choose to set up two groups of people 1 group listens to music while working on a task. The second group does the task in silence. They time how long it takes for the members of the group to complete the task. Amy thinks that people who listen to music will work faster. Choose the most appropriate hypothesis for this test.
A) If the beat to the music is fast then they c. will work faster because they will be more motivated.
B) If people listen to music while working then they will work faster because music is like magic
C) I predict that people who listen to music will work faster because they will be more motivated.
D) If there are 2 groups of people 1 litening to music while working and the other not then the group who listens to music will have a faster average time because they mill be motivated by the music.
  • 36. Lisa and Eduardo want to test the effect fertilizer has on how tall plants grow. They set up an experiment where they give fertilizer to one group of plants and no fertilizer to the other group of plants. Eduardo think that the plants that get fertilizer will grow taller. Choose the best hypothesis for this experiment.
A) If fertilizer is added to 1 group of plants and no fertilizer is added to the other group of plants then the group that got fertilizer will be shorter because they get more nutrients.
B) If fertilizer is added to 1 group of plants gets more sunlight then the group that got more sunlight will grow taller because they get more nutrients.
C) If fertilizer is added to 1 group of plants and no fertilizer is added to the other group of plants then the group that got fertilizer will grow taller because they get more nutrients.
D) I predict that the fertilized plants will grow taller becasue fertilizer provides nutrients for plants to grow.
  • 37. A good FORMAL Hypothesis has how many parts?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 4
D) 3
  • 38. Ted was setting up an experiment to see how catching a ball with his right hand versus his left hand would affect his ability to catch the ball. What would be the best hypothesis.
A) If I try to catch the ball with either my left or my right hand then I will be able to catch the ball more times with my left hand because I am left handed
B) If I try to catch the ball then it might be better with my right because I am right handed.
C) I will catch the ball more times with my left hand because I am left handed.
D) I predict that I will catch better with my left hand
  • 39. Amari wanted to see ho the length of the string affected the swing time of a pendulum. Which hypothesis is written the best.
A) If the string is longer then swing time will be slower because the pendulum will have to travel further.
B) I predict that if I make the string longer the swing time will be longer because the pendulum will travel a longer distance.
C) If the length of the string changes then swing time might be longer or shorter because you will change the length of string.
D) If the string is shorter then the swing time will also be shorter.
  • 40. The hypothesis must be based on the question you are testing
A) False
B) True
  • 41. A formal hypothesis must include the independant and the dependant variable.
A) False
B) True
  • 42. The hypothesis must be worded so that it can be tested in the experiment.
A) True
B) False
  • 43. A formal hypothesis contains an If...Then...Because statement.
A) True
B) False
  • 44. Atestthat keeps all factors/variables but one the same is a...
A) Controlled variable
B) Variable
C) Hypothesis
D) Controlled experiment
  • 45. A prediction of the outcome of an experiment is a . . .
A) dependant variable
B) hypothesis
C) conclusion
D) controlled variable
  • 46. Summary of an experiment stating if the evidence supports the hypothesis is a . . .
A) controlled experiment
B) dependant variable
C) conclusion
D) hypothesis
  • 47. The factors that are always kept the same in an experiment . . .
A) constants
B) controlled variables
C) both of the answer choices
D) none of the answer choices
  • 48. The factor that is changed in an experiment.
A) manipulated variable
B) independant variable
C) both of the answer choices
D) none of the answer choices
  • 49. 7.
    The factor that is changed in an experiment.
A) both of the answer choices
B) none of the answer choices
C) constant
D) dependent variable
  • 50. The factors that are always kept the same in an experiment . . .
A) independant variable
B) dependant variable
C) none of the answer choices
D) both of the answer choices
  • 51. The factor that you measure or observe in an experiment.
A) none of the answer choices
B) responding variable
C) dependant variable
D) both of the answer choices
  • 52. The factor that you measure or observe in an experiment.
A) none of the answer choices
B) manipulated variable
C) dependant variable
D) both of the answer choices
  • 53. You can ask yourself the following question to identify the controlled variables.
A) What do I keep the same?
B) What am I measuring?
C) What do I change? or What am I testing?
  • 54. You can ask yourself the following question to identify the independent variable.
A) What am I measuring?
B) What do I change? or What am I testing?
C) What do I keep the same?
  • 55. You can ask yourself the following question to identify the dependent variable.
A) What am I measuring?
B) What do I keep the same?
C) What do I change? or What am I testing?
  • 56. You can ask yourself the following question to identify the constants.
A) What am I measuring?
B) What do I change? or What am I testing?
C) What do I keep the same?
  • 57. You can ask yourself the following question to identify the responding variable.
A) What do I keep the same?
B) What do I change? or What am I testing?
C) What am I measuring?
  • 58. You can ask yourself the following question to identify the manipulated variable.
A) What do I keep the same?
B) What am I measuring?
C) What do I change? or What am I testing?
  • 59. Which of the following is NOT a part of a well-designed experiment?
A) a small sample size
B) a control
C) multiple trials
D) a reproducible procedure
  • 60. A scientist is interested in comparing the circulatory systems of different types of worms. What is the scientist most likely to do first?
A) collect evidence
B) analyze data
C) make a conclusion
D) develop a procedure
  • 61. A scientist studying a common type of snail says that the average length of the snails is 4.5 cm. Her measurements are probably based on:
A) 2-5 snails
B) 5-10 snails
C) 10-15 snails
D) more than 15 snails
  • 62. Drew doesn’t like eating raw carrots. He decides to provide his parents with qualitative data to support his opinion. Which of the following data is NOT qualitative?
A) an uncut carrot is two inches long, and 3 too long to fit in his lunch box.
B) a raw carrot is hard to chew, and it makes his teeth hurt.
C) carrots take a long time to peel, and he doesn’ t like peeling them.
D) carrots taste dry, and he doesn’t like things that taste dry.
  • 63. Ali wants to find out how long it takes his baby sister to fall asleep. Variables in his experiment include:
A) c. none of the above
B) a. time of day
C) b. noise levels
D) both a and b
  • 64. Hiromi wonders which of her friends can run the fastest. She decides that a race, starting at the maple tree and ending at the oak tree, will answer her question. Which variable(s) is she planning to control?
A) a. distance
B) both a and b
C) b. time
D) neither a or b
  • 65. Sean is thinking about using seawater to water his plants. Sean places 10 spider plants near a window for 20 days. Each day he waters five plants with 10ml of seawater and five plants with 10ml of fresh water How could Sean have increased his sample size?
A) by increasing the number of days
B) by increasing the amount of the salt in the water.
C) by increasing the number of plants
D) by increasing the amount of water
  • 66. Sean is thinking about using seawater to water his plants. Sean places 10 spider plants near a window for 20 days. Each day he waters five plants with 10ml of seawater and five plants with 10ml of fresh water By measuring the height of the plants Sean collected:
A) unreliable data
B) quantitative data
C) control data
D) qualitative data
  • 67. Scientists who study people should be aware that:
A) each person is different, so concluions can only be made about individual people.
B) people vary in their responses, but general conclusions can be made.
C) no conclusions can be made about people
D) people are all the same, and general conclusions can be made.
  • 68. Which of the following is NOT a way that models can be used in science?
A) to help explain theories
B) to replace real things in the natural world
C) to help us understand the natural world
D) to explain or analyze something in detail
  • 69. What model is used to show objects that are too small or too large to see completely?
A) a mathematical model
B) a conceptual model
C) a physical model
D) a climate model
  • 70. A climate model is an example of a
A) global model.
B) mathematical model.
C) conceptual model.
D) physical model.
  • 71. To learn from a model, a scientist must
A) take apart the model.
B) choose the right model.
C) measure the model.
D) visualize the model.
  • 72. What kind of model is a miniature space shuttle?
A) a conceptual model
B) a physical model
C) an astronomical model
D) a mathematical model
  • 73. What do scientists use to show or describe how something works?
A) a debate theory
B) an inquiry
C) a model
D) a question
  • 74. What model can be used for objects that are hard to see completely?
A) a mathematical model
B) a conceptual model
C) a telescopic model
D) a physical model
  • 75. Why must computers process data from climate models?
A) The models have many pages.
B) The models have many variables.
C) The models have numbers.
D) The models are on a disk.
  • 76. Decide which graph would best display a comparison among the three most popular languages spoken at home in the U.S. Explain your answer.
A) A Venn diagram would best display the information, because it shows the relationship between the languages.
B) A line graph would best display the information, because it shows trends clearly.
C) A circle graph would best display the information, because it allows you to compare the different categories to the whole.
D) A bar graph would best display the information, because it allows you to compare categories quickly.
  • 77. Why is it important to have the International System of Units?
A) It preserves the system used in England long ago.
B) Its units are based on objects that vary in size.
C) It can be used by scientists everywhere.
D) It uses the smallest possible numbers.
  • 78. The volume of a liquid is often given in
A) meters.
B) centimeters.
C) liters.
D) square units.
  • 79. The basic unit for mass is the
A) metric ton.
B) meter.
C) cubic meter.
D) kilogram.
  • 80. What is an advantage of having an International System of Units?
A) It provides a system that can be used only by scientists.
B) It allows scientists everywhere to share and compare data.
C) It reduces the variables in mathematical climate models.
D) It does not use fractions or decimals.
  • 81. Which unit would be most appropriate for measuring the mass of a cow?
A) a cubic meter
B) a gram
C) a meter
D) a kilogram
  • 82. To find the area of a surface, you
A) use a thermometer.
B) divide mass by volume.
C) multiply length times width.
D) multiply length times width times height.
  • 83. The International System of Units allows scientists to
A) share data around the world.
B) base data on many variables.
C) note data in multiples of five.
D) translate data into English.
  • 84. Why are SI measurements helpful?
A) They are not in English.
B) All scientists can use them.
C) No scientists can use them.
D) They are always correct.
  • 85. What is the measure of how much surface an object has?
A) mass
B) area
C) volume
D) region
  • 86. Which is a rule that describes the behavior of something in nature?
A) B) observation
B) hypothesis
C) law
D) theory
  • 87. Dr. Fred Whipple proposed that a comet was like a dirty snowball. This is an example of
A) an observation.
B) a theory
C) a hypothesis.
D) a law.
  • 88. John and Emily were experimenting with the effects of road salt on plant growth. To do this, they watered plants daily with the same amount of salt water. They could best improve their experiment by -
A) h cooling the salt water before watering the plants
B) g increasing the amount of salt added to the water each day
C) watering half the plants with pure water and half with salt water
D) adding food color to see how far the salt penetrates the plants
  • 89. A student predicts that more sugar will dissolve in warm water than in cold water. She puts some water in a container, adds sugar, and then stirs. The amount of undissolved sugar is then observed. When this student repeats the experiment to verify her prediction, the only thing that should change is the -
A) amount of time stirring
B) amounts of sugar used
C) temperature of the water
D) amount of water used
  • 90. A student wishes to test the hypothesis that adding antifreeze to water lowers the freezing point of water. What would be the dependent (responding) variable? f
A) Temperature at which the water/antifreeze mixture freezes
B) Amount of antifreeze added to the water
C) Type of thermometer used to measure the freezing point
D) Amount of water put into a container
  • 91. A student wishes to test the hypothesis that adding antifreeze to water lowers the freezing point of water. What would be the independent (manipulated) variable? f
A) Amount of water put into a container
B) Amount of antifreeze added to the water
C) Type of thermometer used to measure the freezing point
D) Temperature at which the water/antifreeze mixture freezes
  • 92. Which instrument would most accurately and precisely determine the mass of a toy car?
A) A triple-beam balance
B) An electronic light meter
C) A graduated cylinder
D) A spring scale
  • 93. A student predicts that similar ice cubes will melt faster in a microwave than in a pot on the stove. How should this hypothesis be tested?
A) Identify and record the temperature of each ice cube before each trial.
B) Observe and record the time for each ice cube to completely change to a liquid.
C) Measure and compare the volume of the pot and the microwave.
D) Determine the volume of liquid water made by each ice cube.
  • 94. The best scientific reason for a scientist to accept a specific theory is —
A) that research and observations support the theory
B) because there can only be one correct theory
C) to gain recognition as a great scientist
D) to obtain funding for the research
  • 95. There are harvesting regulations for many fish species that limit the number and size of the fish that may be kept. What is the most likely reason these limits have been placed on harvesting these fish?
A) To have people spend more money on fishing
B) To have enough fish for zoo aquariums
C) To keep other game fish species populations low
D) To keep a healthy population of adult fish
  • 96. The quality of pond water can be determined by identifying the number and types of organisms found living in the water. Which piece of equipment will best help students identify some of these organisms?
A) pH paper
B) Binoculars
C) Microscope
D) Pan balance
  • 97. A student suspects that there is a relationship between the amount of sunny weather in a given state and the amount of solar energy used by its inhabitants. In order to find out if this idea is correct, the student will need which information for each state?
A) The location and type of solar cells used in that state
B) The number of sunny days per year and the amount of solar power used per year
C) The efficiency of solar technology used in that state
D) The percentage of days that have enough sunlight to power a solar water heater
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