Science Leap Practice

Amazon River dolphins live in groups of up to six dolphins. These groups help the dolphins survive. These are some things Amazon River dolphins do in groups:

hunt together, take turns eating and watching for predators, make groups around their young to protect them, whistle and click to talk to one another.

A student claims that living in groups helps Amazon River dolphins survive.

Which evidence best supports the student’s claim

• The dolphins can see each other.

• The dolphins are able to swim faster.

• The dolphins can play with each other.

• The dolphins are able to protect each other.

The life cycle of humans is similar to the life cycle of dolphins.

Based on their life cycles, how are Amazon River dolphins and humans alike?

• Both change shape as they grow.

• Both are born and then grow larger.

• Both develop bodies that help them swim.

• Both live in groups for protection from predators.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Over time, the number of Amazon River dolphin deaths has decreased.

Which prediction best describes what will happen first as a result of a decreased death rate?

• The population will decrease because all the dolphins will starve.

• The population will stay the same size because the dolphins will live longer.

• The population will increase because more dolphins will survive and reproduce.

• The population will decrease for a while and then increase so that the population size is balanced.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Over time, the number of Amazon River dolphin deaths has decreased.

What will happen first as a result of a decreased death rate is that the population will increase because more dolphins will survive and reproduce.

What will most likely occur second as a result of a decreased death rate?

• The population will continue to increase because dolphins are living longer.

• The population will begin to increase because it will be easier to find a mate.

• The population will continue to change at random so that the population size is balanced.

• The population will begin to decrease because there will not be enough food for all the dolphins.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Sometimes a dolphin will be forced out of its group. Predict two effect of a dolphin living without a group.

THIS WOULD BE LIKE A SHORT ANSWER QUESTION ON LEAP.

• The dolphin might be more likely to be eaten by predators as there are no other dolphins to provide protection from predators.

• The dolphin might be more likely to survive being eaten by predators as there are more dolphins to provide protection from predators.

• The dolphin may be able to find more food due to the cooperation of other dolphins.

• The dolphin may not be able to find as much food without the cooperation of other dolphins.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A rancher is trying to predict what will happen when it snows. There is a low hill and a small storage shed on his ranch. The wind usually blows from the east, as shown in the diagram.

In which two places on the ranch will snowdrifts most likely form?

• locations X and Z

• locations W and Z

• locations W and Y

• locations Y and Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A snow fence blocks the wind so that snowdrifts will form in a chosen place. The rancher wants to build a snow fence that will prevent the snow from collecting by his storage shed.

Where is the best location for the snow fence?

• location W, because a snowdrift will form on the left side of the fence

• location X, because a snowdrift will form on the right side of the fence

• location Y, because a snowdrift will form on the hill

• location Z, because a snowdrift will form far away from the storage shed

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

A builder compares roof designs for a house to be built in an area that has high winds.

Which statements best describe a design that will protect the roof of a house in an area with high winds?

Select the two correct answers.

• The best design stops the greatest amount of wind from blowing across the roof.

• The best design allows the roof to stay on the house even when strong winds blow.

• The design of roof 1 is best, because wind blows past the walls of the house.

• The design of roof 2 is best, because no wind is trapped by the roof.

• The design of roof 3 is best, because very little wind is trapped by the roof.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

The diagram shows two parent horses and their foal.

Which statements identify traits the foal most likely inherited from its parents?

Select the two correct answers.

• gray hair from its mother

• a white tail from its mother

• a solid hair color from both parents

• a spotted hair pattern from its father

• white hair on its face from both parents

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

People need vitamin D to help their bones get enough calcium so that the bones can be strong. People can get vitamin D from milk, fish, and mushrooms. People’s bodies can also make vitamin D when their skin absorbs light from the Sun.

Which situation will most likely cause a person’s bones to become weak?

• The person spends a lot of time outside.

• The person avoids foods with vitamin D.

• The person eats cereal with milk for breakfast each morning.

• The person eats lots of fish that provide vitamin D.