PISA ALIGNED QUESTIONS

The diagram below shows particle arrangements in three different states of matter: A. ●●●●●●●● B. ● ● ● ● C. ● ● ● Which of the following correctly matches each arrangement to the correct state of matter?

• A - Solid, B - Liquid, C - Gas

• A - Gas, B - Liquid, C - Solid

• A - Liquid, B - Solid, C - Gas

• A - Gas, B - Solid, C - Liquid

Three students drew illustrations of particles in different states of matter. Each used arrows to show how particles move. • Student 1: Particles are close together and vibrate in place. • Student 2: Particles are close but move around each other freely. • Student 3: Particles are far apart and move quickly in all directions. Which student best represents the particle motion in a gas?

• Student 1

• Student 2

• Student 3

• All three

Scenario: Pea Plant Experiment Gregor Mendel studied pea plants to understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next. He observed traits like flower color, which could be purple (P) or white (p).Purple is dominant to white. He crossed two pea plants: Parent 1: PP (homozygous dominant) Parent 2: pp (homozygous recessive) All offspring (F1) had Pp genotypes. Later, he allowed F1 plants to self-pollinate.

Question: Predicting Outcomes (Scientific Reasoning) What is the expected ratio of flower colors in the F2 generation (from Pp × Pp)?

• A. 1 purple : 1 white

• B. 2 purple : 1 white

• C. 3 purple : 1 white

• D. 1 purple : 3 white

Question: Interpreting Genetic Terms (Knowledge Application) In the pea plant example, what does it mean when a trait is "dominant"?

• A. It appears more often in nature.

• B. It hides the effect of a recessive trait when both are present.

• C. It is stronger physically than other traits.

• D. It is always inherited from the mother.

Situation:
You are part of a team of geologists investigating a region where three tectonic plates meet. The area is known for volcanic activity, earthquakes, and mountain formation. Your team needs to understand the types of plate boundaries to assess geological hazards and advise local communities.

Question : 
Which type of plate boundary is most likely responsible if two tectonic plates are moving away from each other, creating new oceanic crust and forming underwater mountain ranges?

• a) Convergent boundary




• b) Divergent boundary

• c) Transform boundary

• d) Subduction boundary

In the same region, scientists observe one tectonic plate sliding beneath another, leading to deep ocean trenches and volcanic mountain ranges. Which type of plate boundary does this describe, and what global hazard could this create?

• a) Divergent boundary causing tsunamis


• b) Transform boundary causing landslides


• c) Convergent boundary causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions


• d) Hotspot boundary causing earthquakes only

If a fault line in the same region shows two plates sliding horizontally past each other without creating or destroying crust, what type of plate boundary is this? What unique challenges might this boundary pose for communities along the fault?

• a) Divergent boundary; sudden volcanic eruptions



• b) Transform boundary; frequent shallow earthquakes that damage structures

• c) Convergent boundary; formation of mountains causing landslides


• d) Hotspot; unpredictable volcanic activity

Scenario: Deep Sea Research Mission – Abyss Explorer The Abyss Explorer is a high-tech research vessel that dives into the deepest parts of the ocean to collect data about marine life, water pressure, and geological features. The Abyss Explorer recorded its maximum dive at a depth of 1.092 × 10⁷ millimeters. Question: What is this depth in kilometers? Express your answer in scientific notation. (Note: 1 kilometer = 1,000,000 millimeters)

• A. 1.092 × 10⁰ km

• B. 1.092 × 10¹ km

• C. 1.092 × 10² km

• D. 1.092 × 10³ km

For every 10 meters of depth, pressure increases by approximately 1 atmosphere (atm). Based on your answer in kilometers from previous question, what is the approximate pressure in atmospheres (atm) at the maximum depth?

• A. 1.092 × 10² atm

• B. 1.092 × 10³ atm

• C. 1.092 × 10⁴ atm

• D. 1.092 × 10⁵ atm

"Volume of Collected Water Samples". The Abyss Explorer collected 1.2 × 10⁴ centiliters of deep-sea water samples. What is the volume in liters, expressed in scientific notation? (Note: 1 liter = 100 centiliters)

• A. 1.2 × 10¹ L

• B. 1.2 × 10² L

• C. 1.2 × 10³ L

• D. 1.2 × 10⁴ L