Unit 1 Studying Science

A scientists makes an observation about the natural world. She asks a question about what she observes and researches ways to answer the question. Her research leads her to form a hypothesis. What is a hypothesis?

• a collection of evidence
• a prediction of the correct answer to a questions
• telling others about the results of an experiment
• trying to decide what the results of an experiment mean

Francisco uses a model to investigate volcanoes. Francisco mixes baking soda and vinegar to make his volcano erupt. Francisco's volcano model is shown. How is the model like a real volcano.

• It looks just like a real volcano
• It erupts like some volcanoes
• It sparks fire like a real volcano
• It shoots out material that is hot and then cools

Jatara compares how fast a fig plant grows with how fast a spider plant grows. Which of these would be the best way to communicate her data to the rest of class?

• a graph
• a question
• another experiment 
• a drawing of one of the plants

A scientists observes people in her lab as they use pens to write. She records the names of left-handed people and those of right-handed people. She compares how many people are in each group. Which statement describes the scientist's investigation? 

• The scientist makes a model
• The scientist organizes her data
• The scientist conducts an experiment
• The scientist is not able to repeat her results

A scientist points out that the trees on the north side of the forest are dying. He sees something unusual growing on the tree trucks. He wonders why the trees are dying. Which part of the scientific method has the scientist completed?

• drawing a conclusion
• forming a hypothesis
• conducting an experiment 
• observing and questioning 

Ramon wants to make a 2-D picture model of his classroom drawn from a view that is looking down from the ceiling. Which of the following would he not be able to include in his model?

• desks in the classroom
• coat closet in the classroom
• distance from the floor to the ceiling
• distance from the door to the opposite wall

A class was discussing whether to make a 2-D or 3-D model of their classroom. They listed a number of advantages and disadvantages of each. They are now debating which model to make. Which of the following is an advantage only for a 3-D model?

• easy to store
• takes less time to make
• requires fewer tools to make the model
• can show the height of object in the room, such as a desk

Aba is studying parts of a plant. Which tools would be most useful if Aba wants to see parts of a leaf?

• hand lens
• magnifying box
• microscope
• telescope

Anna wants to compare the amounts of rainfall each month during a 4-month period. She looks at different data that her classmates recorded during that time. Which data table would Anna find most useful?

• Rainfall in cm a month
• Days with more than 1 cm of rain a month
• Number of rainy days a month
• Hours of rainfall a month

Brian conducted an experiment to test the strength of a packing foam material. He finds that the material gets a dent if he puts more than three bricks on it. What can Brian conclude?

• The foam is not very strong
• The brick is too heavy for his test
• The foam will dent if he puts six bricks on it
• The foam will not dent if he puts five blocks of wood on it