2023 Science STAAR

Students poured water and cooking oil into a beaker. The students then added a penny, a plastic paper clip, and a cork to the beaker and recorded their observations. Observations: - The water was on the bottom, and the oil was on top of the water. - The penny dropped to the bottom of the beaker. - The plastic paper clip floated on the water but under the oil. - The cork floated on top of the oil. Which list puts the items in order from most dense to least dense?

• Cork, oil, plastic paper clip, water, penny

• Water, penny, oil, plastic paper clip, cork

• Penny, water, plastic paper clip, oil, cork

• Oil, penny, cork, plastic paper clip, water

Students use a circuit to investigate the properties of six objects. The buzzer makes a sound if an object completes the circuit. The circuit and observations are shown below. Which objects are electrical insulators?

• Eraser, toothpick, cotton ball

• Toothpick, paper clip, safety pin

• Eraser, paper clip, safety pin

• Paper clip, safety pin, aluminum foil

The pictures show tools that can be used for separating mixtures. Which mixture is paired with the best tool for separating the materials?

• Mixture: Salt and pepper, Tool: Tweezers

• Mixture: Pieces of cork and pebbles, Tool: Beaker of water

• Mixture: Safety pins and iron nails, Tool: Magnet

• Mixture: Sand and iron filings, Tool: Colander

A student heats 250 milliliters of water in a cup to approximately 50 °C and adds 6 grams of salt. The mixture of salt and water is then stirred for 15 seconds. Which results will the student MOST LIKELY observe after the mixture has been stirred for 15 seconds? Select TWO correct answers.

• The salt will dissolve.

• The salt will sink to the bottom of the cup.

• The water will remain clear.

• The salt will float on the water.

• The water will change from clear to opaque white.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Which statement BEST describes what happens as water changes from one state to another?

• As water is cooled, it freezes and changes from a solid to a liquid.

• As water is cooled, it condenses and changes from a gas to a liquid.

• As water is heated, it evaporates and changes from a liquid to a solid.

• As water is heated, it melts and changes from a gas to a solid.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

A class is using the setup shown to test this hypothesis: 'The shorter the stack of books becomes, the shorter the distance the toy truck will roll.' What is ONE more piece of equipment needed to test the hypothesis AND how can the hypothesis be tested? Look at the diagram carefully. Then enter your answer and explanation in the box provided.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A student pushes a ball along a hallway. The diagram shows the position of the ball every second for five seconds after it starts rolling. At one of the positions shown, an extra force is applied to the ball as it moves. Which diagram BEST represents the direction of the extra force and the position where the extra force was applied to the ball?

• Position 2

• Position 4

• Position 3

• Position 5

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Cutting the wire at which numbered position would allow two of the lightbulbs to remain lit?

• Position 1

• Position 2

• Position 3

• Position 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

A group of students builds the electric circuit shown. Which switches must be closed for Bulb 1 to remain dark but Bulb 2 to produce light?

• Switch 1 only must be closed.

• Switches 1 and 3 must be closed.

• Switches 2 and 3 must be closed.

• Switches 1, 2, and 3 must be closed

Which statement best explains why the observed fish appears to be closer to the surface than the actual fish?

• When light travels from water into air, the light changes direction.

• The light bounces off of the water and creates a reflected image of the fish.

• When white light passes through the surface of the water, the light separates into colors.

• The light enters the water and exits the water at the same angle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2