2026 Spring Semester Exam Review

A turtle lays eggs. Baby turtles hatch from the eggs. What determines the traits of the baby turtles?

• Genes contain chromosomes that determine traits

• 1. Chromosomes contain genes that determine traits

• 1. Genes determine half the offspring’s traits, and chromosomes determine the other half.

• Genes from the parents combine with chromosomes from the offspring to determine traits

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NGSS.MS-LS3-2

1. A scientist is studying two different ecosystems in different parts of the world. Ecosystem 1 is very biodiverse and has many different species of plants and animals. Ecosystem 2 only has a couple of plant and animal species.

Which ecosystem is healthier and why?

• 1. Ecosystem 1, because having many different plant and animal species makes an ecosystem more stable and sustainable. If a change in the environment occurs and one species dies off, there will be others to fill its role. 

• 1. Ecosystem 1, because having many different plant and animal species makes an ecosystem adapt the same way. If a change happens in one species, it happens in all of the species. 

• 1. Ecosystem 2, because having very few plant and animal species makes an ecosystem more stable and sustainable. If a change in the environment occurs, these few species will survive. 

• 1. Ecosystem 2, because having too many different plant and animal species makes an ecosystem unstable. If there are only a few species, they will not use up all the resources.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Students create a data table to describe four models.

Which of the following does each model represent?

• 1: compound; 2: element; 3: heterogeneous mixture; 4: homogeneous mixture

• 1: element; 2: compound; 3: heterogeneous mixture; 4: homogeneous mixture

• 1: compound; 2: element; 3: homogeneous mixture; 4: heterogeneous mixture

• 1: element; 2: compound; 3: homogeneous mixture; 4: heterogeneous mixture

1. A tropical cyclone develops in the Atlantic Ocean. Which of the following is most likely to cause the cyclone to become stronger and develop into a hurricane?

• It moves over cooler waters in the ocean.

• It moves over warmer waters in the ocean.

• It moves over cool land on the Atlantic coast.

• It moves over warm land on the Atlantic coast.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Water has a pH of 7.0. Hydrogen nitrate has a pH of 3.0. Sodium acetate has a pH of 7.9.

Which of the following classifies hydrogen nitrate and sodium acetate?

• Hydrogen nitrate is a base because its pH is lower than water, and sodium acetate is an acid because its pH is higher than water.

• Hydrogen nitrate and sodium acetate are both bases because their pHs are different from water.

• Hydrogen nitrate is an acid because its pH is lower than water, and sodium acetate is a base because its pH is higher than water.

• Hydrogen nitrate and sodium acetate are both acids because their pHs are different from water.

A glacier retreats and a new ecosystem undergoes primary succession. What happens to species diversity during this process?

• Species diversity gradually decreases as the ecosystem loses more and more pioneer species.

• Species diversity remains unchanged because the same species always recolonize the area.

• Species diversity decreases permanently, with no new species ever establishing.

• Species diversity gradually increases as pioneer species colonize the area, followed by more complex species over time.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-2

The equation for photosynthesis can be written as follows:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

What happens to the mass of the reactants when they become products in this reaction?

• The mass increases. There are now 12 carbon atoms, 6 hydrogen atoms, and 18 oxygen atoms in the products.

• The mass decreases. There are now 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 18 oxygen atoms in the products.

• The mass is conserved. There are still 12 carbon atoms, 6 hydrogen atoms, and 18 oxygen atoms in the products, the atoms are just rearranged.

• The mass is conserved. There are still 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 18 oxygen atoms in the products, the atoms are just rearranged.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-5

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

WiFi uses signals in electromagnetic waves that can pass through walls and are not harmful to living things. Which type of electromagnetic waves are these?

• Radio waves, because they have frequencies best for long-distance communication

• X-rays, because they pass through some objects

• Microwaves, because they interact with nonliving things

• Gamma rays, because they interact with human tissues

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NGSS.MS-PS4-2

In 2012, the Pacific Northwest had a wetter, colder winter than usual. What role did ocean temperatures play in this unusual weather?

• Colder-than-normal surface temperatures in the Gulf Stream produced changes in global wind patterns.

• Warmer-than-normal surface temperatures in the Western Pacific produced changes in global wind patterns.

• Warmer-than-normal surface temperatures in the Eastern Pacific produced changes in global wind patterns.

• Colder-than-normal surface temperatures in the Eastern Pacific produced changes in global wind patterns.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Look at the food web.

If an invasive species destroys the vole population, how will this most directly impact the transfer of energy in this food web?

• There will be more energy available for the coyote because they will have one less predator.

• There will be less energy available for the coyote because they rely on the vole as a food source.

• There will be less energy available for the elk because they rely on the vole as a food source.

• There will be more energy available for the gray wolf because they will no longer need to compete with coyotes for food.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4