Science Olympiad Qualifying Test

A scientist is studying the growth of a plant species in different soil types. She observes that the plants grow taller in soil type A compared to soil type B. What could be a reasonable hypothesis for this observation?

• Soil type A has more nutrients than soil type B.

• Soil type B has more sunlight than soil type A.

• Soil type A has less water than soil type B.

• Soil type B has more nutrients than soil type A.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A student is conducting an experiment to determine the effect of temperature on the solubility of sugar in water. Which of the following is the best plan for the experiment?

• Measure the amount of sugar that dissolves in water at different temperatures and record the results.

• Dissolve sugar in water and measure the temperature of the solution.

• Heat the sugar and water mixture and observe the color change.

• Measure the amount of sugar before and after dissolving in water at room temperature.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A group of students is designing a model to demonstrate the water cycle. Which of the following components should they include to accurately represent evaporation?

• A container of water with a heat source underneath.

• A fan blowing over a container of water.

• A container of water with ice cubes floating in it.

• A sealed container with water and a thermometer.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

• The mass of the reactants is greater than the mass of the products.

• The mass of the reactants is equal to the mass of the products.

• The mass of the products is greater than the mass of the reactants.

• The mass of the reactants is less than the mass of the products.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A student is asked to explain why the moon appears to change shape over the course of a month. Which of the following explanations uses evidence and reasoning?

• The moon changes shape because it is moving closer and farther from the Earth.

• The moon appears to change shape due to the Earth's shadow falling on it.

• The moon's phases are caused by its orbit around the Earth, changing the portion of the moon that is illuminated by the sun.

• The moon changes shape because it rotates on its axis.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A student is tasked with designing an experiment to test the effect of light intensity on plant growth. Which of the following is a critical step in the planning process?

• Choose a single type of plant to use in the experiment.

• Use different types of soil for each plant.

• Water the plants with different amounts of water.

• Measure the height of the plants once at the end of the experiment.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A teacher asks students to predict what will happen if a balloon filled with air is placed in a freezer. Which prediction demonstrates strategic thinking?

• The balloon will pop because the air inside will expand.

• The balloon will shrink because the air molecules will move closer together.

• The balloon will stay the same size because the air is trapped inside.

• The balloon will change color due to the cold temperature.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A student is analyzing data from an experiment on the boiling points of different liquids. Which of the following conclusions is based on evidence and reasoning?

• All liquids boil at the same temperature.

• The boiling point of a liquid depends on its molecular structure.

• The boiling point of a liquid is always higher than its freezing point.

• The boiling point of a liquid is the same as its melting point.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A student is asked to create a model of the solar system. Which of the following considerations is most important for accurately representing the relative sizes of the planets?

• The distance between the planets.

• The color of each planet.

• The diameter of each planet.

• The number of moons each planet has.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A student is investigating the relationship between the angle of sunlight and the temperature of a surface. Which of the following hypotheses is most reasonable based on scientific principles?

• The temperature of a surface decreases as the angle of sunlight increases.

• The temperature of a surface increases as the angle of sunlight decreases.

• The temperature of a surface increases as the angle of sunlight increases.

• The temperature of a surface is not affected by the angle of sunlight.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking