Science PSSA Practice

A student did a plant investigation. The picture shows his observations after 10 days Which scientific fact is best supported by the observations?

• Many plants have green leaves

• Water helps plants survive

• Roots and stems are parts of a plant

• Plants need light to grow

Gray squirrels live in many different areas of Pennsylvania. They eat mostly nuts, seeds, and fruit. Which statement best describes what happens to a nut during the process of digestion?

• It gets broken down into smaller, useful substances

• It changes into carbon dioxide waste

• It moves materials through the body

• It releases oxygen inside the lungs

Stainless steel is a type of metal. Which statement best explains why stainless steel is a good material for making cooking tools such as pots?

• It has a shiny surface

• It reflects light

• It is silver in color

• It is a good conductor of heat

Which process helps in the formation of soil by breaking down rock?

• boiling

• condensation

• weathering

• conduction

Which statement best describes the pattern shown in the table?

• Temperature decreases in the afternoon and then increases in the morning

• Temperature increases in the afternoon and then decreases in the evening

• Temperature increases in the morning and keeps increasing until evening

• Temperature decreases from morning until evening

The pictures show an experiment set up by a student. Which question was the student most likely trying to answer?

• How does pushing affect the speed of a car?

• How does mass affect the speed of a car?

• How does pulling affect the speed of a car?

• How does shape affect the speed of a car?

A scientist studying birds did an investigation. He chose the four most popular bird seeds eaten by wild birds living in his area. The results are shown in the bar graph. Which conclusion is best supported by the graph?

• Birds do not like to eat peanuts

• Most birds prefer corn seeds to thistle seeds

• Most birds prefer to eat sunflower seeds

• Birds will not eat peanuts if they are offered corn

Which structure of a bean plant has a function most similar to the bones of a mouse?

• stem

• leaf

• root

• flower

Lake Erie is a large, natural lake in Pennsylvania. Which of these shows the correct order of stages in the formation of Lake Erie?

• a glacier melted...the glacier carved out a valley.... then the valley filled with water

• a glacier carved out a valley.... the glacier melted.... the valley filled with water

• a valley filled with water... a glacier melted... the glacier carved out the valley

Based on the map, which statement best describes the distance between Harrisburg and Lancaster?

• It is less than the distance between Scranton and Pittsburgh

• It is greater than the distance between Erie and Philadelphia

• It is less than the distance between Bethlehem and Allentown

• It is greater than the distance between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh