Practice STAAR #1

A photograph of a litter of six-week-old bulldog puppies shows the puppies are NOT all identical in color or pattern. Even though these puppies do have the same parents, they do not look alike because...

• they were reproduced by asexual cloning

• some of the puppies have genetic material from only one of the parents

• each puppy has a different combination of genetic material as a result of sexual reproduction

• all the puppies developed from the same fertilized egg.

Sodium (Na) and lithium (Li) have similar chemical properties. What characteristic of these elements explains why they are chemically similar?

• Their atoms have one valence electron

• Their atoms have more neutrons than protons

• Their atoms have the same number of energy levels

• Their atoms contain equal numbers of protons and electrons

Hikers look at a topographic map of an area named Green Peak. The Green Peak area is made up of only limestone rock. Which location of Green Peak is most likely to experience the most erosion over time?

• Location W, because W has the gentlest slope

• Location X, because location X is near the bottom of a slope

• Location Y, because location Y has the steepest slope

• Location Z, because location Z is the flattest slope

A student was given this partial dichotomous key and asked to determine in which of 5 orders the adult insect shown belongs. Based on the dichotomous key, the insect belongs to the ​ (a)  

• Isoptera
• Diptera
• Ephemeroptera
• Zoraptera

The diagram shows a model of an atom. The model contains three different subatomic particles. Particle X (a neutron) and Y are inside the nucleus, and particle Z is outside the nucleus.

Particle X has a neutral charge, so particle Y must have a​ (a)   charge.

Particle Z has a ​ (b)   charge.

• positive
• negative
• neutral
• half

A photograph of a bird perched on a fence post is shown. Which description best identifies the action-reaction pair between the bird and the fence post?

• Action: Force of bird on wires

  Reaction: Force of wires on fence post

• Action: force of wires on fence post

  Reaction: Force of fence post on bird

• Action: Force of fence post on bird

  Reaction: Force of bird on wires

• Action: Force of bird on fence post

  Reaction: force of fence post on bird

Farmers can be reduce negative effects on the water quality of nearby streams and lakes by planting crops that --

• produce less oxygen

• produce less carbon dioxide

• need less fertilizer

• need less solar energy

Buffelgrass is an invasive species of grass from Africa that outcompetes native Texas grasses for space and water. Which long term change to a Texas grassland would most likely occur due to the introduction of buffelgrass?

• The population of native grasses will increase

• The population of native grasses will decrease

• Buffelgrass offspring will develop traits like those of native grasses

• Buffelgrass offspring will develop traits like those of other invasive species.