2017 Science STAAR

Monahans Sandhills State Park in Texas has almost 4,000 acres of sand dunes. Some of the dunes are as tall as a six-story building. The dune in the park are formed by-- (5.7B)

• rainstorms

• tornadoes

• earthquakes

• strong winds

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Fertilizers used on farms near the coast can be carried to the ocean when runoff occurs during rain showers. These fertilizers can decrease the populations of fish and shellfish. Which other populations most likely decrease as a result? (5.9C)

• Organisms that eat algae

• Organisms that live on farms

• Organisms that eat fish and shellfish

• All of these

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A student records the following information about a planet. Which planet is the student studying? (3.8D)

• Saturn

• Uranus

• Jupiter

• Mars

The diagram shows an electric circuit with four bells that a student plans to build. When the student connects the wires as shown, which of the bells will ring? (5.6B)

• Bell 1 only

• Bells 1 and 4 only

• Bells 3 and 4 only

• Bells 1, 2, 3, and 4

Tags

NGSS.4-PS3-2

Many desert animals depend on the prickly pear cactus. What role does the prickly pear cactus play in a desert food web? (5.9B)

• It obtains energy from producers.

• It returns nutrients to the soil.

• It preys upon other organisms.

• It provides energy to consumers.

Tags

NGSS.5-LS2-1

In an investigation hot water is poured into a clear plastic cup. Another clear plastic cup is placed upside down over the cup of hot water. Which of these is likely to occur during the next three minutes? (3.5C)

• The hot water will become hotter because air and heat are trapped in the top cup.

• The water level will rise in the bottom cup because of evaporation.

• Water droplets will form on the inside of the top cup as the water vapor cools.

• Water from the bottom cup will become solid as the hot water cools.

Tags

NGSS.4-PS3-2

Which of these best explains why the sun appears to move across the sky each day? (5.8C)

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The table gives information about four types of fish. These fish all have mouth structures that allow them to eat different types of food. Which of these fish has mouth structures that allow it to eat algae by taking large bites of the hard coral on which the algae grows? (5.10A)

• Parrotfish

• Koi

• Goby

• Seahorse

Tags

NGSS.4-LS1-1

The two pictures show part of an investigation. A magnet, a book, and a paper clip are on a sheet of lined paper. In Picture 1 a student slides a magnet closer to the book. The student holds the book still in both pictures. Which statement about this investigation can be supported by the result shown? (3.6B)

• Work was done on the magnet, the book, and the paper clip.

• Work was done on the magnet and the paper clip only.

• Work was done on the magnet and the book only.

• Work was done on the magnet only.

Tags

NGSS.3-PS2-1

NGSS.3-PS2-3

Green anole lizards are bright-green reptiles native to the southeastern United States and the Caribbean islands. They can be kept in terrariums to study their behavior and how they interact with their environment. Which observation describes this anole lizard interacting with the living elements in its environment? (5.9A)

• The anole rested on one of the rocks and lifted its head toward the light.

• The anole climbed the plant and then ate a cricket off one of the leaves.

• The anole drank some water and than ran across the sand.

• The anole jumped from the rock and scattered sand with its tail.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3