Nature of Science Pretest

What is a synonym for hypothesis?

• evidence
• graph
• prediction
• investigation

Which of the following is an example of a scientific observation?

• The potato may cause allergies
• The potato is brown
• The potato is ugly
• The potato tastes best.

A scientist is collecting data on the number of times a cricket chips per minute. What sense is the scientist most likely using to make observations?

• smell
• sight
• touch
• hearing

Justin blows his nose, but mucus seems to leak through the tissue.  He decides to test which tissue holds up the best while sneezing.  What is the independent variable?

• Justin
• sneezing
• the amount of tissue
• the type of tissue

What is another term for Independent Variable?

• Test Variable
• Outcome Variable
• control variable
• none of the above

What is another term for dependent variable?

• Test Variable
• Outcome Variable
• Control Variable
• Constant

Ms. Antoon wanted to know if different types of music affected people's heart rates, so he played different music and checked their pulses.  What is the dependent variable?

• type of music
• how long they listened to music
• Heart Rate
• Ms. Antoon

Which question can best be investigated by a scientist?

• Should I buy a red or green shirt?
• Does chocolate or regular milk taste better?
• Does a plant need sunlight to grow?
• Which feels softer, dog or cat?

The container is filled with water to the 350 mL mark is an example of a

• observation
• hypothesis
• problem
• inference

Why should an experiment be repeated?

• to form a hypothesis
• to change controls
• to identify the problem
• to reduce the chance of error