5th Grade Science Benchmark 3

Which statement best describes matter at its smallest level?

• Matter is made of continuous, solid material
• Matter is made of particles too small to see

• Matter only exists in visible forms
• Matter cannot be broken down into smaller pieces

What happens to the total mass when water changes from liquid to ice?

• The mass increases
• The mass stays the same
• The mass decreases
• The mass disappears completely

When mixing baking soda and vinegar, how do you know a new substance has formed?

• The mixture changes temperature
• The color changes
• Bubbles form and a gas is released
• The mixture becomes magnetic

How does energy flow from the sun to a deer eating grass?

• Sun → deer → grass
• Sun → grass → deer
• Grass → sun → deer
• Deer → grass → sun

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

• They produce their own food using sunlight
• They break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil
• They only eat other animals
• They create oxygen from carbon dioxide

Which interaction shows the relationship between the hydrosphere and atmosphere?

• Rocks breaking down into soil
• Plants growing in the ground
• Water evaporating into clouds
• Volcanoes erupting

Which is an example of a chemical change?

• Ice melting
• Paper being cut
• Rust forming on metal
• Sugar dissolving in water

How do plants primarily get their energy?

• From the soil
• From water
• From sunlight
• From air alone

Which sequence shows the correct movement of matter after a maple leaf falls to the ground?

• Dead leaf → Earthworms → Bacteria → Soil nutrients → Maple tree

• Dead leaf → Maple tree → Bacteria → Soil nutrients → Earthworms

• Dead leaf → Soil nutrients → Bacteria → Maple tree → Earthworms

• Dead leaf → Bacteria → Earthworms → Soil nutrients → Maple tree

Which sphere of Earth contains most of the planet's water?

• Atmosphere
• Biosphere
• Hydrosphere
• Geosphere