8th Grade Science TCAP Review

A diagram of seven rock layers is shown. The diagram represents a section of Earth that a paleontologist, a scientist who studies fossils, has been working with for years. Which statement correctly describes this diagram?

• Layer W contains fossils of organisms that existed on Earth after the organisms found in layers U and R.

• Layer U contains fossils of organisms that are older than the organisms found in layer R.

• Layers R and W contain fossils that are both types of plant species.

• Layers W and U contain fossils that are animal species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Some scientists compared fossils of the common ancestor of horses with modern horses. The table shows what the scientists found during their analysis.

The scientists claim that modern horses are better adapted for survival in the present-day environment than the common ancestor would have been. Which statement best support this claim?

• Organisms with four legs will develop a hoof because of the need to balance on four legs.

• Organisms will acquire helpful traits from their surroundings to survive.

• Organisms that have hooves are more likely to reproduce.

• Organisms with multiple toes are easily seen by predators, so parents choose not to pass the trait on to their offspring.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A canyon wall is shown. The rocks that make up the wall are layered. From the evidence in the picture, which statement is most correct about what the fossil record looks like in this location?

• The number of fossils would decrease as the layers accumulate.

• The number of fossils would rise and then immediately disappear.

• The types of fossils would be similar but would show gradual structural changes.

• The types of fossils would stay exactly the same in every layer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Government agencies study natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions to make decisions about planning for natural disasters. The triangles on the map show the locations of potentially active volcanoes in the western United States. Which statement is correct regarding the dangers of volcanic eruptions in the western United States?

• Colorado should have a stricter volcano emergency plan than Washington State has.

• here is more danger of a volcanic eruption in the near future in San Diego, California, than there is in Seattle, Washington.

• Utah should have a stricter volcano emergency plan than California has.

• There is less danger of a volcanic eruption in the near future in Salt Lake City, Utah, than there is in Bend, Oregon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Gravity is a force that pulls objects down toward Earth’s surface. Which statement explains why a student standing at the top of a step stool does not move downward?

• The student’s mass is not large enough to be affected by gravity.

• The step stool is a barrier that blocks the gravitational force.

• The step stool exerts a force on the student equal to the force gravity exerts on the student.

• The student exerts an upward force on the step stool equal to the gravitational force.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

The graphic shows the stages in the development of the solar system. Which statement best describes the process of the formation of the solar system?

• Gravity pulled the gas and dust together.

• A black hole pulled the gas and dust together.

• Magnetism attracted the gas and dust together.

• An explosion pushed the gas and dust together.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A heavy flood washed away over five meters of soil and rock. The layer of rock that was exposed by the flood contained remains of brachiopods, crinoids, and corals that existed in warm, shallow seas 350 million years ago. Some of the fossils that were found are shown.

Which statement is the best explanation for the presence of these marine fossils in an inland area of the United States?

• The brachiopods could live in water and on land.

• The crinoids and corals grew on terrestrial surfaces.

• The fossils were carried to the area by floodwaters.

• The area used to be covered by an ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A data table shows a section of a gene from four animals. Based on the partial gene segments, which pair of animals will produce the most similar proteins?

• Rat and Chimpanzee

• Chimpanzee and Mouse

• Rat and Mouse

• Gorilla and Chimpanzee

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Students develop a simple model to illustrate how the movement of the mantle can predict the movement of plates above the mantle. This same phenomenon that influences plate movement can also influence fault formation. They demonstrated this process by using an aquarium, two foam blocks, water, and a heat source. he students decide to model how the motion of two plates occurs.

Which statement best describes the ability of the model to predict plate movement?

• The motion of the plates cannot be modeled on a scale that is much smaller than the plates themselves.

• The motion of the plates cannot be modeled by simplifying the factors that contribute to plate movement.

• The motion of the plates can be modeled by including only the main factors that contribute to plate movement.

• The motion of the plates can be modeled only by including every factor that contributes to plate movement.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are found at the same cliff side. Which statement is correct about the rocks at this location?

• All three types of rock will become metamorphic if they stay at the surface of Earth.

• The metamorphic rock and sedimentary rock were already at this location and magma flowed into the other rocks.

• If this location is buried deep underground, only the metamorphic rock will melt because it has already been heated before.

• The igneous rock will become metamorphic rock after the rock in the cliff side turns into sediment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2