Released Science STAAR

Based on this information, what is most likely an advantage of the bony fish tail fin over the shark tail fin?

• It is easier for a bony fish to change direction quickly since muscles control the movement of the tail fin.

• The bones in the tail fin help a bony fish sink to lower depths in the water when searching for food.

• The flexible tail fin is fanned by the water, so a bony fish uses less energy to swim.

• The thin spines of the tail fin prevent a bony fish from being seen by larger predator fish.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What property of soils is the student most likely examining with this procedure?

• F The differences in texture between wet and dry soils

• G How well different soils retain water

• H How much water is needed to dissolve different soils

• J The amount of time it takes different soils to dry

Based on their properties, which of the objects is most likely a metal?

• A Object , because it is a solid that is less dense than water

• B Object 2, because all metals float in water

• C Object 2, because metals conduct thermal energy and electricity

• D Object1, because it can be used to provide insulation for thermal energy

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Which statement correctly describes the transfer of energy in a food chain in this wetland?

• F Energy is transferred from hawks to shrews to grasshoppers to marsh grasses.

• G Energy is transferred from marsh grasses to crickets to hawks to frogs.

• H Energy is transferred from grasshoppers to crickets to frogs to hawks.

• J Energy is transferred from cattails to crickets to shrews to hawks.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which property of light are the students observing in this situation?

• Light can be refracted and separated into different colors as it moves from air to a different medium.

• Light is refracted as it moves from one medium to another medium.

• Light travels in a straight line and can be reflected off the surface of water.

• Light is absorbed by water and reflected off glass.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Based on the diagram, which statement best compares the life cycles of these two types of organisms?

• Young ladybird beetles take many years to develop into adults. Young grasshoppers develop into adults quickly.

• Young grasshoppers live in a habitat that is different from that of adults. Young ladybird beetles live in the same habitat as adults.

• Young grasshoppers undergo incomplete metamorphosis to become adults. Young ladybird beetles undergo complete metamorphosis to become adults.

• Young ladybird beetles have a nymph stage before becoming adults. Young grasshoppers are larvae before becoming adults.

• A Conduct five trials, using a different scale to pull each block of wood

• B Conduct five trials, pulling a different side of each block each time

• C Conduct five trials, using a different table for each trial

• D Conduct five trials, pulling each block of wood in the same way for each trial

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

• F travels in straight lines and reflects from the surface of the mirror

• G refracts in the glass of the mirror and is spread out all over the room

• H enters the mirror and changes direction when it is refracted by the back of the mirror

• J travels through air and does not change its direction in air

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

A science class has an aquarium in which fish and aquatic plants are growing. How is carbon dioxide directly involved in the survival of organisms in the aquarium?

• The fish must absorb carbon dioxide through their gills for energy.

• Both the plants and the fish need carbon dioxide to make their own nutrients.

• The plants need carbon dioxide to make sugar.

• The plants release carbon dioxide into the water to control the water temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

• A Two

• B Three

• C Four

• D Five

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3