GR8 Science Practice Items

According to the diagram, which feature is most likely being developed?

• a transform fault, because these plates are both moving sideways

• an oceanic trench, because one plate is subducting beneath the other

• a mountain range, because both of these continental plates are converging

• a mid-ocean ridge, because a mountain range is being formed by the plates separating

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which consequence will most likely occur due to the introduction of the new bird species?

• The green beetles will disappear completely, and the parent beetles of both colors will now produce only brown beetles.

• The birds will eat only brown beetles, and the green beetles will immediately learn how to hide in the tree leaves.

• The number of brown beetles will increase over time, and the number of green beetles will decrease over time.

• The birds will learn to prefer brown beetles, and the number of green beetles on the tree trunks will increase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which conclusion is best supported by the information in the data table?

• A. The climate was uniformly mild over the 20,000-year period.

• B. The climate became milder over the 20,000-year period.

• C. The climate became colder over the 20,000-year period.

• D. The climate was uniformly cool over the 20,000-year period.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

The chart compares the structures of four organisms. Based on the chart, which organism is least closely related to the sparrow?

• Archaeopteryx

• Sparrow

• Ornithischian Dinosaur

• Allosaurid

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Based on the table, which of these best describes an advantage to humans that a genetically modified peach has over a cultivated peach?

• Genetically modified peaches have more edible fruit than cultivated peaches.

• Genetically modified peaches have larger seeds than cultivated peaches.

• The size of genetically modified peaches makes them easier to transport to grocery stores than cultivated peaches.

• Genetically modified peaches cross with other fruits better than cultivated peaches and make different varieties of fruit available.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

A student is alone in a school gymnasium. They stand near a door that has windows in it and then shout a few words. Which statement provides the best evidence that the gymnasium reflects both light waves and sound waves?

• The student can see marks on the gymnasium floor and hear their own voice.

• The student can see through the window glass and hear their own voice.

• The student can see their image in the window glass and hear an echo.

• The student can see outside through the window glass and hear an echo.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Mount St. Helens is a volcano in the state of Washington that erupted violently in 1980. Superheated gas spread quickly over eight miles around the mountain. Shock waves and ash spread over 595 square kilometers. One animal that lives on Mount St. Helens is the pocket gopher. Pocket gophers live in underground burrows.

Which statement explains the most likely effect that the rapid spreading of hot gas had on the pocket gopher population?

• A small number of the gopher population survived because the ash destroyed their habitat.

• The gophers were unaffected because they migrated to another mountain range.

• Half of the gopher population survived by hiding in the trees.

• Most of the gopher population was protected by hiding in their underground habitats.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The graphs show two electromagnetic waves. Which statement best compares Wave X to Wave Y?

• Wave X has a larger amplitude than Wave Y.

• Wave Y has a shorter wavelength than Wave X.

• Wave Y has a greater speed than Wave X.

• Wave X has a higher frequency than Wave Y.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Which of these models best explains plate movement?

• A. A plate pushes another plate in a subduction zone. A ridge is formed when the plate moves along a path toward a trench.

• B. The weight from a volcano pushes one plate through a ridge at a subduction zone. The plate moves closer to another plate and a trench is formed.

• C. Two plates separate at a ridge. A trench is formed when one plate pushes under another plate.

• D. One plate is pushed by a trench toward another plate at a subduction zone. The plates move closer together and a ridge is formed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

At first, the two skaters in the picture are motionless. Then they push their hands against each other with equal amounts of force. Which of these is the most likely result of the skaters’ action?

• One skater moves forward while the other skater remains in place.

• One skater moves backward while the other skater remains in place.

• Both skaters move away from each other.

• Both skaters move toward each other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1