STAAR Category 3

Our Sun is a middle-aged star with an average temperature and brightness. What type of star is our Sun according to the Hertzburg-Russell diagram?

• a white dwarf
  

• a red giant
  

• a star on the upper left portion on the main sequence 

• a star in the middle of the main sequence 

Which of the following galaxies is most like our own Milky Way? 

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Looking at the answer choices in Question#8, which answer choice could best be classified as an asymmetrical galaxy? 

• Galaxy A

• Galaxy B

• Galaxy C

• Galaxy D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Pulsars are dense, rotating stars that emit strong electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength around 6 mm. Using the chart below, what type of telescope would be best suited for observing pulsars? 

• radio telescopes 

• infrared telescopes 

• optical telescopes 

• ultraviolet telescopes 

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

An astronomer observes several items in the night sky and writes down their approximate distance from Earth. What is mostly likely Object #3?

• a planet, probably Jupiter or Saturn
  

• a nearby star relatively close to our solar system 

• a comet
  

• another galaxy 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

A student makes a model of the sun-Earth system by swinging a ball around her head. Using this model, the student is trying to explain how Earth stays on a path around the sun.

The student explains that this path is the result of —

• the magnetic attraction between Earth and the sun

• potential energy stored in Earth that originated in the sun

• the gravitational attraction between the sun and Earth

• electromagnetic energy from the sun pulling on Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which set of conditions best describes the weather at the area of lowest air pressure?

• Bright sun with no wind

• Partly cloudy with no wind

• Mostly sunny with light winds

• Overcast skies with strong winds

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A student models moon phases. She holds a foam ball on a stick in front of her body and then stands in front of a light as shown. The student uses herself to represent Earth. She turns her body slowly to represent four different moon phases.

Which numbered diagram represents the student modeling a full moon?

• Diagram 1

• Diagram 2

• Diagram 3

• Diagram 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The model shows an area near a lake. Community leaders are planning new laws to help protect the lake from pollution. One proposed law will make it illegal to dump trash on the shore of the lake, but the law still allows trash to be placed in the area labeled “Flow-through wetland.”

Which statement about the proposed law is supported by the model?

• The proposed law will protect the lake because plant roots between the wetland and the lake will stop pollution from entering the lake

• The proposed law will not protect the lake because animals that live in or near the lake will add pollution to the lake.

• The proposed law will not protect the lake because groundwater will carry pollution from the wetland directly into the lake.

• The proposed law will protect the lake because the high elevation of the water table will block pollution from entering the lake.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which statement best describes a galaxy?

• A cloud of gas that is the birthplace of stars

• A system of billions of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity

• A ball of plasma that experiences nuclear fusion in its core

• A mass of dust and ice that orbits a star in an elliptical pattern