TCAP Practice - Science

How can the students' motion after the push best be explained?

• The students move in opposite directions because the push results in an opposite force.

• The students move in the same direction because the push results in two equal forces.

• The students move toward each other because the students are sitting in similar chairs.

• The students move away from each other because the students have similar weights.

A student needs an electromagnet to hold a metallic object with a mass of 30 grams. The student has wire, two iron nails, metal strips that weigh 20 grams, and a 9-volt and 12-volt battery to design the electromagnet. Which result confirms that the design of the electromagnet meets the student's needs?

• The electromagnet uses all of the wire.

• The electromagnet can hold two 20-gram metal strips.

• The electromagnet uses both iron nails.

• The electromagnet can be turned on and off.

A student claims that sending signals in a digitized form is a very reliable way to transmit information. The chart lists three facts about digital signals. Which fact(s) can the student present to support the claim?

• 1 only

• 2 only

• 1 and 2

• 1 and 3

Scientists study the movement of seismic waves on Earth to learn more about Earth’s interior. The scientists conclude that the outer core is liquid, and the inner core is solid. What evidence did the scientists use to draw their conclusion?

• The outer core is thicker than the inner core.

• The S wave did not pass through the outer core.

• The inner core is the innermost layer of Earth.

• The velocity of the P wave is greater in the inner core than in the mantle.

A town needs to dig a new well to access groundwater resources. At which site should the town dig the new well?

• Site A

• Site B

• Site C

• Site D

The image shows different adaptations of finches. The finches all evolved from birds that were able to eat seeds, but they now have different beak sizes and shapes. What caused the different beak adaptations?

• Certain beaks gave an advantage to the finches in gathering resources.

• Certain beaks protected the finches from diseases.

• Certain beaks gave a disadvantage to the finches in adapting to colder temperatures.

• Certain beaks decreased the variety in the finches’ diets.

A student studies the movement of tectonic plates, where one continental plate moves past another, as shown. What is often formed due to this type of plate movement?

• volcano

• oceanic crust

• mid-ocean ridge

• earthquake

A magazine reports that a robot sent to Mars drilled on the surface to collect rock samples. What kind of technological instrument is the robot?

• satellite

• space observatory

• space probe

• spectroscope

Which two observations are evidence of gravity’s effect on objects?

• Earth’s oceans have tidal patterns.

• The four planets closest to the Sun do not have rings.

• Stars form from the compression of gas particles in nebulas.

• Comets are made of rock, dust, ice, and frozen gases.

• Sound waves do not travel in the vacuum of outer space.

The map shows the locations of frequent earthquakes around the world. What can be concluded about the occurrences of earthquakes based on the map?

• Earthquakes commonly occur from tectonic plates breaking apart into smaller plates.

• Earthquakes commonly occur during a full moon when Earth’s gravity is strongest.

• Earthquakes commonly occur in the middle of tectonic plates.

• Earthquakes commonly occur from built-up pressure along plate boundaries.