Florida 8th Grade SSA Annually Assessed Standards

A student wants to test whether a certain fertilizer helps plants grow taller. They plant 10 tomato seeds in identical pots with the same soil and place them in the same amount of sunlight and water. Half the pots receive the fertilizer, and half do not. Later, another student performs the same experiment in a different school using the same method. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

• The first student's experiment is an example of replication.

• The second student's experiment is an example of repetition.

• The first student's experiment is an example of repetition.

• The second student's experiment is an example of replication.

Which statement correctly compares a scientific theory and a scientific law?

• A. A theory is a guess, and a law is a proven fact.

• B. A theory explains why something happens, and a law describes what happens.

• C. A theory becomes a law after it is tested many times.

• D. A law can be changed into a theory if new evidence is found.

Why might a scientific theory be changed or replaced over time?

• The theory becomes too old to be useful.

• Scientists vote to change theories every few years.

• New evidence is discovered that does not support the current theory.

• A scientific law is proven, so the theory is no longer needed.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

A student wants to determine how the amount of sunlight affects the growth of a plant. They set up three identical plants in the same type of soil and water them equally. After two weeks, the student measures the height of each plant. Which of the following identifies the test variable and the outcome variable in this experiment?

• A. Test Variable: Amount of water; Outcome Variable: Type of soil

• B. Test Variable: Type of plant; Outcome Variable: Amount of sunlight

• C. Test Variable: Amount of sunlight; Outcome Variable: Plant height

• D. Test Variable: Plant height; Outcome Variable: Amount of sunlight

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which of the following correctly lists parts of the universe from smallest to largest?

• Galaxy → Solar System → Planet → Universe

• Planet → Solar System → Galaxy → Universe

• Universe → Galaxy → Solar System → Planet

• Solar System → Planet → Galaxy → Universe

A student compares two stars: - Star A appears very bright in the night sky and has a blue color. - Star B appears dimmer and has a red color. Which of the following statements best explains the difference between the two stars?

• Star A is cooler and smaller than Star B.

• Star B is hotter and has a higher luminosity than Star A.

• Star A is hotter and more luminous than Star B.

• Star B is closer to Earth and has a lower apparent magnitude than Star A.

What causes the regular rise and fall of ocean tides on Earth?

• The Sun’s heat causes the oceans to expand and contract.

• Earth’s rotation pushes water back and forth across the globe.

• The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth’s oceans.

• The Moon’s light energy pulls water toward it during the night.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which statement best explains how convection currents in Earth’s mantle contribute to the movement of tectonic plates?

• A. Convection currents in the mantle cause the lithosphere to break apart, forming new tectonic plates.

• B. Convection currents in the mantle create magnetic fields that push tectonic plates across the Earth's surface.

• C. Convection currents in the mantle generate heat that melts the crust, allowing tectonic plates to slide over molten rock.

• D. Convection currents in the mantle circulate heat and material, causing the movement of tectonic plates on the Earth's surface.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A volcanic eruption releases ash into the air, melts nearby glaciers, and destroys surrounding forests. Which of Earth's spheres are interacting in this scenario?

• A. Geosphere, Atmosphere, Cryosphere, and Biosphere

• B. Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere

• C. Cryosphere, Hydrosphere, and Geosphere

• D. Biosphere, Atmosphere, and Hydrosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

How does the Sun contribute to the global movement of Earth's atmosphere?

• The Sun’s energy warms the air at the poles, causing cold air to move toward the equator.

• The Sun’s energy warms the air at the equator, causing warm air to rise and move toward the poles.

• The Sun causes the air to become denser at the equator, leading to high-pressure systems.

• The Sun’s energy cools the air, creating wind patterns that flow directly north and south.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6