4th PSSA Science Prep

Which process has increased the availability of fresh food to many people all over the United States?

• boiling and storing food in glass jars

• packing meat in salt to remove water

• transporting food in refrigerated trucks

• using stoves powered by natural gas to cook food

Cold temperatures reduced the snake population in this food web. How will the hawks respond to this change in their environment?

• The hawks will hibernate

• The hawks will eat more deer mice

• The hawks will feed on wheat plants

• The hawks will use sunlight to produce energy

When is the exact time that the shadow will look most similar to the shadows at 7 AM?

• 5:00 AM the next morning

• 7:00 AM the next morning

• 5:00 PM the next evening

• 7:00 PM the next evening

Which physical characteristic can be passed on to offspring?

• long beard

• strong arm

• pierced ear

• brown hair

Which statement best compares the sizes of two bodies of water?

• A lake is larger than a pond.

• A lake is larger than an ocean.

• An ocean is smaller than a bay.

• An ocean is smaller than a pond.

Groups of reindeer often travel 3,000 miles during their annual migration across Canada. What is the most likely reason the reindeer migrate during the winter months?

• to grow more fur

• to find more food

• to compete with other animals

• to protect young from predators

Many people use electricity from coal-fired power plants. How do these power plants most likely affect the environment?

• by improving the quality of drinking-water sources

• by releasing chemicals that can cause air pollution

• by producing plastics that can harm ocean animals

• by removing harmful materials from rivers and streams

Steps to Model the Water Cycle

1. Place some soil in a plastic cup.

2. Put an ice cube on top of the soil.

3. Cover the top of the cup with plastic.

4. ?

Which step would most likely come next?

• Turn the cup upside down.

• Sprinkle water on the plastic.

• Put the cup in a sunny location.

• Place the cup in a bowl of water.

A student observes a handful of soil. Which statement best describes the soil?

• It is made of large rock pieces and living organisms.

• It is made from rock that was carried to the shore by waves.

• It is made of small rock pieces and decomposed organisms.

• It is made from hardened lava that formed from a volcanic eruption

How is an ocean best described?

• a body of salt water on Earth’s surface that is frozen

• a body of fresh water that moves from high to low elevations

• a body of salt water that covers a large part of Earth’s surface

• a body of fresh water that is underground and used for drinking