Science TCAP 2024 Review

Students wrote down four different science project ideas for investigating heat transfer. Which project is the best investigation about heat transfer through conduction?

• A

• B

• C

• D

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Vast quantities of natural gas are located beneath Earth’s surface. Natural gas is less costly to extract from the ground than crude oil. Natural gas offers some advantages compared to other energy sources.

Despite the large amounts of natural gas, why is it classified as a nonrenewable, rather than a renewable, resource?

• 1. Natural gas is available underground but not in the atmosphere.

• 1. The formation of natural gas is a process that takes millions of years.

• 1. Natural gas can be extracted only during certain times of the year.

• 1. The cost of extracting natural gas from the ground is greater than its value.

In some parts of Hawaii, nonnative grasses have been planted for cattle

feed, replacing some of the native rainforest plants.

Which statement describes the most likely impact of the replacement of rainforest plants with non native grasses?

• The biodiversity of these areas will decrease.

• Rainforest plants will outcompete nonnative grasses for resources.

• Less nitrogen will be absorbed from the atmosphere over these areas.

• Cattle will get fewer nutrients grazing on nonnative grasses than on rainforest plants.

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Scientists conducting research in Antarctica want to learn how ocean currents form below sea ice, even when there is little sunlight. The scientists know that temperature differences can help cause ocean current formation. The table shows the amount of light Antarctica receives during the summer and winter.

The scientists measure how much sunlight is reflected off different surfaces in Antarctica. The amount of light that reflects off a surface is called the albedo. A surface that reflects all sunlight that reaches it has 100% albedo. A surface that does not reflect light at all has 0% albedo; all the sunlight reaching the surface is absorbed. The diagram shows the albedo of different surfaces in Antarctica.

Which source of thermal energy is responsible for melting the sea ice?

• The ocean heats the sea ice through chemical energy transfer.

• The wind heats the sea ice through mechanical energy transfer.

•  The sun heats the sea ice through radiation energy transfer.

• The sea salt heats the ice through electrical energy transfer.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Carbon dioxide is a gas present in Earth’s atmosphere. The first graph shows the changes in the levels of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere from 1958 to 2015. The second graph shows changes in the miles traveled by humans using cars, trucks, and motorcycles from 1960 to 2011 in the United States.

Based on the two graphs, which statement best describes the relationship between the use of motor vehicles and carbon dioxide levels?

• The increased use of motor vehicles in the United States during these years caused a decrease in carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere.

• The decreased use of motor vehicles in the United States during these years caused an increase in carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere.

• The decreased use of motor vehicles in the United States during these years caused a decrease in carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere.

• The increased use of motor vehicles in the United States during these years caused an increase in carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Prairie dogs are a type of mammal that lives in colonies. Prairie dogs use a variety of different sounds to communicate with each other. These calls warn neighbors of the approach of a predator. Different calls are used for different types of predators. One type of call is a “jump-yip”; a prairie dog stands on its hind legs, extends its arms, and utters a sharp “yipping” sound. Other prairie dogs then copy this behavior while the rest scurry to safety in their burrows.

A student researched the different sounds made by prairie dogs. Which question about this “jump-yip” research of prairie dog communication was the student trying to answer?

• Why do prairie dogs use the “jump-yip” behavior?

• What are prairie dogs celebrating when they use the “jump-yip” behavior?

• Why does this “jump-yip” behavior occur only at night?

• Does this “jump-yip” behavior scare the other prairie dogs?

Energy from the wind is used to turn windmills. These windmills then spin a generator and produce electricity.

Which statement would Not support the claim that wind energy is considered a clean, renewable resource?

• Wind energy is produced naturally.

• Wind energy is used without giving off greenhouse gases.

• There is an abundant supply of wind energy available for use.

• There are only certain places that are suitable for collecting wind energy.

After playing basketball, two students draw a diagram of the basketball's motion when being thrown toward the basket. In the diagram shown, the ball is at its highest point at position 3.

Which two of these correctly describe the transformations of energy at each of the positions in the diagram? Pick two answers.

• Position 1: Kinetic energy is decreasing and potential energy is increasing.

• Position 2: Kinetic energy is increasing and potential energy is decreasing.

• Position 3: Kinetic energy is increasing and potential energy is increasing.

• Position 4: Kinetic energy is decreasing and potential energy is increasing.

• Position 5: Kinetic energy is increasing and potential energy is decreasing.

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A species of moth inhabits the fur of three-toed sloths. These moths provide nutrients to algae growing on the sloth's fur. The algae provide camouflage for the sloth. The sloth's waste provides a secure and nutrient-rich place for the moths to lay their eggs.

Populations of three-toed sloths are decreasing due to deforestation of their habitat. Which of these will most likely result if the three-toed sloth population continues to decline?

• The population of moths will thrive by inhabiting the fur of another tree-dwelling mammal.

• The algae will adapt to living on tree trunks and low-hanging branches.

• The population of moths will decline because of fewer places to lay eggs.

• The algae will survive by breeding with another photosynthetic organism.

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Scientists are investigating how solar energy can be used along with other energy sources.

Which of these best describes why scientists are exploring the use of other types of renewable energy sources along with solar energy?

• The collection of solar energy is limited to daylight hours.

• Solar energy can be transformed only into electrical energy.

• The collection of solar energy requires constant monitoring.

• Solar energy is less popular than other types of energy.

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