Scientific method practice quiz

As part of a school project, Rohan and Nora conducted an experiment where 10 bean seeds in one setup were grown in the dark, while 10 seeds in another setup were grown in sunlight. All other growth conditions were kept the same in both setups. The seeds grown in the dark were white with long, slender stems. The seeds grown in the sunlight were green and healthy. Which conclusion can be made?

• Sunlight is needed for the normal growth of bean plants.

• Light is needed for the germination or sprouting of bean seeds.

• Soil is needed for plants to grow.

Answer explanation

The experiment shows that seeds grown in sunlight were green and healthy, while those in the dark were white and elongated. This indicates that sunlight is essential for the normal growth of bean plants.

Mason and Emma conducted a study using two groups of 10 plants of the same species. During the study, the plants were placed in the same environment. The plants in only one group were given a growth solution every 3 days. The heights of the plants in both groups were recorded at the beginning and at the end. Emma concluded that the growth solution worked. What likely happened to convince Emma?

• The plants given the growth solution grew taller.

• The plants not given the growth solution grew taller.

• Both groups of plants grew at the same rate.

Answer explanation

The study indicates that the plants given the growth solution every 3 days had a specific treatment that likely enhanced their growth, leading to the conclusion that these plants grew taller than those not receiving the solution.

Aria and Samuel conducted an experiment where they observed that the plants given the growth solution grew faster than those not given the solution. Which is the dependent or responding variable?

• The growth solution

• The height of the plants

• Plants given the growth solution

• Plants given that were not given the growth solution

Answer explanation

The height of the plants is the dependent variable because it responds to the treatment of the growth solution. The growth solution is the independent variable that affects plant height.

Benjamin and Scarlett are conducting an experiment to test a new plant fertilizer. Which condition is needed for their experiment to have useful data?

• Similar results should be obtained when the experiment is repeated

• Only the expected results should be considered each time the experiment is performed.

• The hypothesis must be correct.

• The experimental period must be short.

Answer explanation

For an experiment to yield useful data, it is essential that similar results are obtained when repeated. This consistency indicates reliability and validity of the findings, making the data meaningful.

Ava and Emma are testing a new energy drink on 100 athletes. The athletes are evenly divided into two groups. One group is given the energy drink and the other group is given a flavored water which should not have any effect. The group that is given the energy drink is the:

• experimental group

• limiting factor

• control group

• indicator

Answer explanation

The group that receives the asthma drug pill is called the experimental group, as they are the ones being tested with the new treatment. The other group, receiving the sugar pill, is the control group.

Priya places a water plant in bright light and observes it gives off bubbles. She notices that changing the distance of the light affects the rate of bubbling. Priya decides to design an experiment to test the effect of light distance on the rate of bubble production. The control group for this experiment would be:

• A plant at a fixed distance from the light source

• a plant exposed to sunlight

• the addition of oxygen to the water

Answer explanation

The control group should remain constant to accurately measure the effect of light distance. A plant at a fixed distance from the light source ensures that only the distance variable changes, making it the correct control.

Use the following paragraph to answer the question that follows: Sponge Bob noticed that his favorite pants were not as clean as they used to be. He wondered if he should switch detergents. His friend Sandy told him that he should try using Clean-O detergent, a new, more expensive, designer laundry soap she found at Sail-Mart Department Store. SpongeBob made sure to wash one pair of dirty pants in plain water, another dirty pair of pants in water with Clean-O detergent, and another dirty pair of pants in his cheap laundry detergent and water. After washing all three pants a total of four times, the pants washed in the Clean-O detergent did not appear to be any cleaner than the pants washed in plain water. The jeans washed in his old laundry detergent were the cleanest. Question: Why did Sponge Bob wash a pair of pants in plain water?

• This was his control group used for comparison to the other groups

• This was his manipulated variable.

• This was his responding variable.

• He felt like it.

Answer explanation

Sponge Bob washed a pair of pants in plain water to establish a control group. This allowed him to compare the effectiveness of Clean-O detergent and his old detergent against pants that were not treated with any detergent.

Use the following paragraph to answer the question that follows: Sponge Bob noticed that his favorite pants were not as clean as they used to be. He wondered if he should switch detergents. His friend Sandy told him that he should try using Clean-O detergent, a new, more expensive, designer laundry soap she found at Sail-Mart Department Store. SpongeBob made sure to wash one pair of dirty pants in plain water, another dirty pair of pants in water with Clean-O detergent, and another dirty pair of pants in his cheap laundry detergent and water. After washing all three pants a total of four times, the pants washed in the Clean-O detergent did not appear to be any cleaner than the pants washed in plain water. The jeans washed in his old laundry detergent were the cleanest. Question: What should Sponge Bob conclude?

• He should stay with his old laundry detergent.

• He should switch to Clean-O detergent.

• He should try a different detergent.

• He should wash his pants more often.

Answer explanation

SpongeBob should conclude that he should stay with his old laundry detergent, as it cleaned the pants better than both Clean-O detergent and plain water after multiple washes.

Use the following paragraph to answer the question that follows: Sponge Bob noticed that his favorite pants were not as clean as they used to be. He wondered if he should switch detergents. His friend Sandy told him that he should try using Clean-O detergent, a new, more expensive, designer laundry soap she found at Sail-Mart Department Store. SpongeBob made sure to wash one pair of dirty pants in plain water, another dirty pair of pants in water with Clean-O detergent, and another dirty pair of pants in his cheap laundry detergent and water. After washing all three pants a total of four times, the pants washed in the Clean-O detergent did not appear to be any cleaner than the pants washed in plain water. The jeans washed in his old laundry detergent were the cleanest. Question: What results did Sponge Bob get from his experiment?

• He should buy new pants

• The jeans washed in his old laundry detergent were cleaner.

• The jeans washed in Clean-O detergent were cleaner.

• He should wash his pants in plain water.

Answer explanation

SpongeBob's experiment showed that the jeans washed in his old laundry detergent were the cleanest, while those washed in Clean-O detergent were not any cleaner than those washed in plain water.

Sponge Bob noticed that his favorite pants were not as clean as they used to be. He wondered if he should switch detergents. His friend Sandy told him that he should try using Clean-O detergent, a new, more expensive, designer laundry soap she found at Sail-Mart Department Store. SpongeBob made sure to wash one pair of dirty pants in plain water, another dirty pair of pants in water with Clean-O detergent, and another dirty pair of pants in his cheap laundry detergent and water. After washing all three pants a total of four times, the pants washed in the Clean-O detergent did not appear to be any cleaner than the pants washed in plain water. The jeans washed in his old laundry detergent were the cleanest. Question: What question did Sponge Bob consider regarding his laundry?

• Should he purchase a new washing machine

• Should he try a different laundry detergent

• Should he visit the local department store for advice

• Should he wash her clothes in cold water

Answer explanation

Sponge Bob's dilemma revolves around whether to switch detergents, indicating he is looking for a better cleaning solution for his pants. This choice directly addresses his need for effective laundry care.