Part 1: 5th Grade Science STAAR (2015 Released Questions)

Many people ride a bicycle for fun and exercise. Some people ride a bicycle to work because it saves money and benefits the environment by reducing the use of fossil fuels. Which of these is not an example of the bicycle using mechanical energy?

• The pedals, gears, and chain help turn the wheels.

• The wheels turn when the bicycle moves.

• The front wheel guides the bicycle as it moves.

• The reflector allows the bicycle to be seen at night.

A teacher gives a student four clear sealed containers. Each container holds a different substance. The student records some observations about the substance in each container. Based on these observations, which container most likely holds only gas?

• Container 1

• Container 2

• Container 3

• Container 4

A farmer keeps bees to pollinate crops. The farmer makes several observations about the bees. Which of these observations describes a learned behavior?

• Bees make return trips to drink sugar water from a bowl placed 40 meters from their hive.

• Bees have dark eyes and black-and-yellow stripes.

• Bees produce honey from the nectar they collect.

• Bees will sting when threatened or disturbed.

A group of students built the circuit shown here. The lightbulb does not glow. Which statement explains this observation?

• The battery is not charged.

• The lightbulb is not part of a complete circuit.

• The circuit does not have a switch.

• The bell uses most of the energy from the battery.

The whiskers of a river otter and the antennae of a cockroach are shown here. How do structures such as whiskers and antennae benefit organisms?

• They help the organisms detect their surroundings.

• They help the organisms eat food quickly.

• They help the organisms fight predators.

• None of these

A student looks into a mirror and sees an image of an object. Which diagram shows an X where the object is most likely located?

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An energy company wants to build a hydroelectric power plant. Which of these characteristics of an area is most important to the development of a hydroelectric power plant?

• The area has a cool, rainy climate.

• The area is located in a valley with very little wind and frequent heavy fog.

• The area has a river that flows rapidly from nearby mountains through a valley.

• The area has no geysers or hot springs.

Some students investigate the properties of four objects using a hand lens, a magnet, and a beaker containing water. Their observations are recorded in the table. Which statement identifies a property that could be used to classify these objects into two different groups?

• Density can be used to separate objects that sink in water from objects that do not.

• Magnetism can be used to separate objects that are attracted by a magnet from objects that are not.

• Solubility can be used to separate objects that dissolve in water from objects that do not.

• Physical state can be used to separate objects that are solids from objects that are not.

An African savanna is a grassland with shrubs and a few small trees. It has warm temperatures all year long, a dry winter season, and a rainy summer season. Which group of animals is most likely supported by an African savanna?

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Some characteristics of objects in the solar system are listed here. Which of the listed characteristics describe both Earth and the moon?

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