Category 2 Science STAAR

A student observes ice forming on the edge of a school building. At what temperature did the water outside the school building most likely begin to change to ice?

• 100°C
• 32°C
• 25°C
• 0°C

Several students investigate the characteristics of soil. The students observe samples of common soils. In one sample they observe that water drains through the soil easily. When they rub the soil between their fingers, it feels rough and scratch, and its particles feel hard. The soil the students observed is most likely----

• Sand
• Clay
• Silt
• Loam

A teacher is setting up the terrarium shown in a science classroom. Which of these organisms is best suited for the terrarium?

• Blue Jay
• Lobster
• Snail 
• Water lily

Each school year for 30 years, the amount of rain that fell at a school was measured and recorded. Tracking rainfall over a long period provides the most information about which characteristic of an area?

• Climate
• Temperature of one day
• Weather
• Type of Soil

Animals and plants use substances that cycle through the environment. Which substance is needed by plants to survive and is released into the environment by animals?

• Oxygen
• Sugar
• Salt
• Carbon Dioxide

When a powdered drink mix was added to water, the liquid turned orange. A student decided the taste was too strong, so he poured out half of the liquid and added more water. Which of the following most likely occurred when more water was added?

• The physical state changed
• The orange color became lighter
• The liquid had a sweeter taste
• None of the above

All of these are related to the formation of oil or natural gas EXCEPT--

• decomposed animals
• decayed plants
• sedimentary rocks
• active volcanoes

A prickly pear cactus is shown. The roots of the prickly pear cactus spread out in a wide underground network. How does this type of root system benefit a prickly pear cactus?

• By producing fruit and storing water
• By capturing sunlight and getting rid of wast materials
• By absorbing water and supporting the plant in loose, sandy soil
• By releasing nutrients into the sandy soil and taking in oxygen

Some students paint the inside of several boxes. They paint each box a different color. They observe that the inside of the box painted white looks brighter than the others. What is the most likely reason this box looks brighter?

• More light is reflected off white paint
• More is refracted by white paint
• More light passes through white paint
• More light is absorbed by white paint

A teacher wears protective gloves to lift a metal pan filled with boiling water from a hot plate. Why are the protective gloves necessary?

• The metal pan creates thermal energy
• The metal pan insulates thermal energy
• The metal pan conducts thermal energy
• The metal pan reduces thermal energy