Science Winter Assessment Review

1. According to the theory of plate tectonics, Earth’s crust is made up of large and small plates that are in a slow, constant motion, driven by convection currents in Earth’s mantle. Scientists who study Earth have consistently observed that most earthquakes and volcanoes occur where plates meet. Plate tectonics is an example of

• A scientific law
• A scientific theory
• Hypothesis
• Prediction

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which statement describes the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable?

• The dependent variable does not change and the independent variable does change.
• The independent variable does not change and the dependent variable does not change.
• The dependent variable is the control and the independent variable is the result.
• The dependent variable changes based on the independent variable.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

How do scientific ideas change?

• New evidence leads to modification of ideas
• Scientific ideas rarely change, because they are based on extensive evidence.
• As a scientific idea changes, it eventually becomes a scientific theory and then a law.
• Scientists form opinions based on evidence and decide how the idea should change.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

An important distinction between scientific laws and scientific theories is that scientific laws _________________ what is happening in the natural world and scientific theories are well supported and widely accepted __________________ of how things happen.

• debate; restrictions
• relate; discussions
• describe; explanations
• justify; descriptions

What is a hypothesis? (New definition – not the one from Elementary School!)

• an organized procedure to study something under controlled conditions
• the process of obtaining information by using the senses
• a testable idea or explanation that leads to scientific investigation
• an educated guess

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

Which of these answers best describes a scientific law?

• an explanation based on the opinion of a scientist
• a well-supported and widely accepted explanation of nature
• a description of a specific relationship under given conditions in the natural world
• a statement describing what always happens under certain conditions

During a scientific investigation, which step will a scientist likely perform first?

• Collect and organize data.
• Plan the experimental procedure.
• Define the problem for investigation.
• Defend conclusions drawn from data.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

What is science?

• the study of life
• the basis of frustration
• the study of the natural world
• the beginning of a wild adventure

Scientists can use many strategies during investigations, including fieldwork, surveys, models, and experiments. Which of these phrases best describes an experiment?

• a mathematical analysis of data
• an observation of animals in their natural world
• a collection of data from an uncontrolled environment for comparative purposes
• a procedure with controlled conditions and test and outcome variables

Which of the following is a characteristic of both scientific laws and theories?

• based on scientific evidence
• explain natural phenomena
• based on opinions of scientists
• not subject to change

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2