Practice of Science Test Review - 8th Grade

Daniel is curious about how different types of music affect the behavior of mice. He sets up an experiment with four groups of mice. Each group listens to a different type of music: classical, rock, jazz, and silence. What setup best demonstrates how Daniel should conduct his scientific investigation?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

Sophia conducted an experiment to investigate how different types of soil affect plant growth. Sophia claims that her data indicates that different soils have no impact on plant growth.

Using the data in the graph, which statement best describes Sophia's claim?

• A. Sophia's results support her claim because all the soils resulted in similar average growth.

• Sophia's results fail to support her claim because plants grown in top soil had the least amount of average growth.

• Sophia's results support her claim because plants grown in sand had the greatest average growth.

• Sophia's results fail to support her claim because plants grown in sand had the greatest average growth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A cosmetics company conducted an experiment to test the effectiveness of a new skin cream in reducing wrinkles. They recruited 12,000 participants and divided them into four groups. Each group used a different skin cream: Group A used the new skin cream, Group B used a placebo cream, Group C used a different brand of skin cream, and Group D used no cream. After 8 weeks of using the creams, the participants' wrinkle levels were measured. The results are shown in the table.

Based on the information in the data table, what conclusion can the cosmetics company draw from the experiment?

• The new skin cream is not effective in reducing wrinkles

• The placebo cream is the most effective in reducing wrinkles.

• The different brand of skin cream is less effective than the new skin cream

• Using no cream is the most effective in reducing wrinkles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

Elijah is planning an experiment where he will need to record the temperature of a heated object every minute for 5 minutes. Which table should he use to record his data?

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Liam conducted an experiment to determine if cats preferred one type of toy over another. He had 40 cats participate in four trials where they were presented with two different toys and a third bowl containing no toy. After completing the investigation, he claimed that the cats showed a preference for Toy A.

Based on the data in the table which statement best describes Liam's claim?

• The results of Liam's investigation do support his claim because in each trial, more cats preferred Toy A over Toy B.

• The results of Liam's investigation do not support his claim because the data shows that, on average, an equal number of cats preferred Toy A and Toy B.

• The results of Liam's investigation do support his claim because the average shows that more cats preferred Toy A over Toy B.

• The results of Liam's investigation do not support his claim because, in each of the four trials, some of the cats preferred Toy B.

Michael is designing an investigation to test how different types of music affect concentration levels. How can he design his investigation to ensure accurate results that other scientists can replicate?

• He should listen to various types of music and record his feelings about them.

• He should ask his friends about their favorite types of music and use that information for his investigation.

• He should measure the concentration levels of participants while they listen to different types of music and repeat the experiment multiple times.

• He should conduct the investigation only once and publish his results for other scientists to review.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4

Why might a scientist modify their initial hypothesis after conducting an investigation?

• To manipulate the data and make it match the hypothesis.

• To avoid collecting additional data that might conflict with the original hypothesis.

• To address unexpected or contradictory results that were obtained during the investigation.

• To quickly complete the investigation and move on to other research projects.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

Emma, Liam, and Mia wanted to investigate how the type of soil affects plant growth. Each of them conducted their own experiment. Here are summaries of their procedures:

Emma:

• She used three different types of soil.

• She planted the same type of plant in each soil type.

• She watered the plants the same amount each day.

• She measured the height of the plants after two weeks.

Liam:

• He used three different types of soil.

• He planted different types of plants in each soil type.

• He watered the plants when he remembered to.

• He measured the height of the plants after one month.

Mia:

• She used one type of soil and planted the same type of plant.

• She watered the plants the same amount each day.

• She measured the height of the plants after four weeks.

After comparing their results, they concluded that the type of soil doesn't affect plant growth. What should they do to improve their investigations?

• Emma should change the type of plant she uses in her experiment.

• Liam should water the plants at the same time each day for consistency.

• Mia should use different types of plants to increase the variety of data.

• All three should use the same type of plant and soil to control variables and improve consistency.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Samantha wants to investigate how different types of light affect the growth of plants. She designs an experiment using four identical potted plants of the same species. Each plant will receive the same amount of water and be placed near a window. She plans to expose each plant to a different type of light: sunlight, LED grow light, fluorescent light, and incandescent light. She will measure the height of each plant after four weeks. She presents her plan to her teacher for approval, but her teacher points out an error in the design of her experiment. What error did Samantha make?

• Samantha’s plan does not have a hypothesis.

• Samantha’s plan has too many control variables.

• Samantha’s plan has more than one test variable (independent variable).

• Samantha’s plan does not have an outcome variable (dependent variable).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Emily is conducting a scientific investigation with the following steps:

1. 1. Formulate a hypothesis.

2. 2. Design the experiment and identify variables.

3. 3. Conduct the experiment.

4. 4. Record and analyze data.

5. 5. Draw conclusions and make connections to the hypothesis.

What advice would you give Emily to enhance her investigation?

• Increase the number of variables to test.

• conduct mulitple trials

• Skip recording and analyzing data since it's time-consuming.

• Add a step to review and update her hypothesis based on the results.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4