Released Science STAAR

What object can be used at Position X for the buzzer to sound when Switch K is closed?

• A power source

• Another bulb

• An insulated wire

• Another switch

Tags

5.6B

Some characteristics of the tundra are described.

• Long winters with temperatures at − 34 °C

• Less than 25 centimeters of precipitation each year

• Thin layer of topsoil covers the frozen ground

• Some types of plants found there are mosses, grasses, small shrubs, and trees

Based on this description, which pair of animals is LEAST likely to live in the tundra?

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Tags

3.9A

Scientists have uncovered palm plant fossils in Alaska, the northern-most state of the United States. Modern-day palm plants grow in tropical climates.

A picture of a palm fossil that measures almost one meter across is shown.

This discovery suggests to scientists that this area in Alaska once was —

• covered with an ocean

• warmer than it is now

• populated by polar bears

• changed by earthquakes

Tags

5.9D

A group of students at a park used a collecting net to capture several insects. The teacher transferred the insects to small terrariums that allowed the students to observe the insects before releasing them outside.

Each of the following characteristics is likely an inherited trait EXCEPT —

• a fly’s missing antenna

• a butterfly’s black-and-yellow stripes

• a dragonfly’s two sets of wings

• a beetle’s green spots

Tags

5.10B

A group of students wants to build a desert garden at school. They need soil that allows water to drain away easily for the desert plants in this garden. The students test different soils to determine how much water passes through and how much water remains in each soil as shown in the table.

Based on the table, which types of soils are best to use to build the garden?

• Clay and sand

• Sand and gravel

• Gravel and silt

• Silt and clay

Tags

4.7A

A student poured equal amounts of water and cooking oil into a jar. The student placed a lid on the jar and shook the mixture for five seconds and then let the jar sit for ten minutes. The results of this investigation are shown. Which conclusion best compares a property of cooking oil and water shown in this investigation?

• Cooking oil is less dense than water.

• Water is less dense than cooking oil.

• Water dissolves in cooking oil.

• Cooking oil dissolves in water.

Tags

5.5A

Students build a balloon-rocket car using a balloon, a straw, a water bottle, and some tape. When the straw is released by a student, the air from the balloon comes out. A diagram of the car is shown. Which statement best describes the motion of the car when the straw is released?

• The car will move away from the wall in the same direction as the air that is leaving the balloon.

• The car will move toward the wall because of the force of the air from the straw.

• The car will move fast because the straw gets light as the air is released.

• The car will not move because the air escapes from the balloon.

Tags

3.6B

How did these oil fields form?

• Dead plants and animals were buried for millions of years.

• Plants were eaten by consumers that left fossilized remains.

• Heat caused underground rocks to go through chemical changes.

• Rocks at the surface of the Earth melted and then solidified.

Tags

5.7A

Students observe some objects on a lab tray. The students will classify the objects based on physical properties common to all of the objects.

Based on their common properties, how should these objects be classified?

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Tags

5.5A

Crested floating heart is a non-native plant that now grows in Texas. This plant grows very fast and can spread over the entire surface of a pond or lake. Which effect will most likely occur when crested floating heart covers a lake?

• Small fish will have fewer places to hide from predators.

• Less sunlight will reach the plants that grow underwater.

• Several new trees will grow along the lake shore.

• Deer will have to find another source of water.

Tags

5.9C