Inquiry Test

What skill is a scientist using when she listens to the sounds that whales make?

• making observations

• drawing conclusions

• interpreting data

• making a hypothesis

Answer explanation

The scientist is using the skill of making observations when she listens to the sounds that whales make, as she is directly perceiving and noting the sounds produced by the whales.

Which question would be the best high-level scientific question?

• Who made the first microscope?

• How many giraffes live in Africa?

• Does the amount of salt in water affect the temperature at which it boils?

• How long ago did dinosaurs live on the Earth

Answer explanation

The best high-level scientific question is 'Does the amount of salt in water affect the temperature at which it boils?' as it involves a scientific experiment and investigation.

Which of the following is NOT a rule when writing a hypothesis?

• It is testable

• It should restate the question

• It is an if/then statement

• It is a prediction.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is that a hypothesis should not restate the question, it should be a statement that can be tested.

An experiment that tests only one factor at a time by using a comparison of a control group and an experimental group is?

• a dependent variable

• a theory

• a controlled experiment

• an independent variable

Answer explanation

A controlled experiment tests one factor at a time using control and experimental groups

Which of the following hypotheses is written correctly?

• If a tennis ball is frozen, it won't bounce as high as one that is not frozen.

• Frozen tennis balls will not bounce as high.

• If I freeze a tennis ball, then it will not bounce as high.

• If I heat up a tennis ball it will bounce high.

Answer explanation

The correct hypothesis is 'If I freeze a tennis ball, then it will not bounce as high.' It follows the correct format of an 'if-then' statement for a hypothesis.

The process of obtaining information by using the senses is called

• inquiry

• observation

• scientific method

• conclusion

Answer explanation

Observation is the process of obtaining information by using the senses, making it the correct choice in this context.

In an experiment, the one variable that is changed is called the independent variable.

• independent variable

• dependent variable

• controlled variable

• experimental variable

Answer explanation

The correct choice is the independent variable because it is the one variable that is changed in an experiment.

In an experiment, the factor that we measure is called the dependent variable.

• independent variable

• controlled variable

• conclusion

• dependent variable

Answer explanation

The correct choice is the dependent variable because it is the factor that is measured in an experiment.

A scientist hypothesizes that the temperature at which an alligator's egg is incubated will determine whether the alligator will be male or female. The independent variable is

• the male alligators

• the gender of the alligator

• the temperature

• the incubator

Answer explanation

The correct choice is the temperature because it is the variable being manipulated in the experiment to determine its effect on the alligator's gender.

A scientist hypothesizes that the temperature at which an alligator's egg is incubated will determine whether the alligator will be male or female. The dependent variable is

• the temperature

• the gender of the baby alligators

• the size of the baby alligators

• the incubator

Answer explanation

The dependent variable in the scientist's hypothesis is the gender of the baby alligators, as it is what is being measured and affected by the temperature at which the egg is incubated.