Science STAAR Practice

Quasars are extremely distant celestial bodies. Investigators using a special telescope determined that a certain quasar was emitting waves with a frequency of 1.41 x 10⁹ Hz. An electromagnetic spectrum is shown. The investigators were most likely using a telescope that detects...

• microwaves

• visible light

• x-rays

• gamma rays

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

A student models convection currents in a laboratory activity. How are the convection currents in the student's model different from the convection currents in Earth's atmosphere and oceans?

• The warm air in Earth's atmosphere and the warm water in Earth's oceans sink instead of rise.

• The heat source for Earth's atmosphere and oceans is the sun, which heats from above instead of below.

• Convection cells in Earth's atmosphere and oceans flow in the same direction instead of opposite directions.

• Cold air in Earth's atmosphere and cold water in Earth's oceans are less dense that warm air and warm water instead of being more dense.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The weather map shows the weather conditions for one day across the United States. Based on the weather map, which city will most likely experience decreasing temperatures during the next 24 hours?

• Denver, because it is raining there

• Minneapolis, because a cold front is approaching

• Atlanta, because a warm front is approaching

• Houston, because it is in a high-pressure area

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Scientists recently discovered that rocks collected from the Franklin Mountains in West Texas and rocks collected from mountains in eastern Antarctica were exactly the same age. Further research showed that the rocks were chemically and geologically the same and came from the same magma source. This discovery provides evidence of...

• coastal erosion

• plate tectonics

• ocean currents

• glacial melting

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A student drew the model to represent a part of a watershed and some human activities that affect the watershed. How do the industrial, agricultural, and residential activities of humans most likely affect the groundwater in the area?

• The activities prevent most of the water from evaporating into the atmosphere.

• Pollutants from the activities percolate through the soil and enter the water table.

• The activities replace the groundwater used.

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

A scientist added bacteria and a nutrient medium that could support the growth of the bacteria to a sterilized Petri dish. No other materials were added. The graph models growth of the bacteria over time. Which of these most likely explains why the material population stopped growing?

• The bacteria competed for nutrients and died after all the nutrients were consumed.

• The bacteria did not reproduce in the system, and eventually each individual died at the end of its life cycle.

• The bacteria mutated from photosynthetic to carnivorous organisms and consumed one another until all the individuals were dead.

• The bacteria became diseased and were unable to survive in the closed system.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Both primary and secondary succession begin with pioneer species that...

• change the area and make it safer from predatory organisms

• invade the area so that new organisms cannot be established

• modify the area and allow larger and more complex organisms to appear

• use up all the existing resources and prevent establishment of non-native organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A student examines the winged insect. Based on the dichotomous key, in what order should this insect be classified?

• Mantodea

• Raphidioptera

• Coleoptera

• Lepidoptera

When Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands in the 1800's, he observed many types of organisms that were similar but lived on different islands. The four species of mockingbirds found on the Galapagos Islands are shown. Each species lives on a different island. These species are very similar, but the Hood mockingbird has a longer beak than the other three species. Which of the following best explains this difference?

• The Hood mockingbird needs a longer beak for defense against predators.

• The Hood mockingbird originated rom a different type of bird than the other species.

• The Hood mockingbird's longer beak is an adaptation to the food available in the bird's habitat.

• The Hood mockingbird's beak stretched to reach its food, and the longer beak was passed down to its offspring.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

This drawing shows a human body system. What is the primary function of this body system?

• The protection of vital organs from injury.

• The chemical breakdown of food into smaller pieces.

• The transport of nutrients, water, and oxygen to body cells.

• The production of hormones that regulate growth and metabolism.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-3