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Thinking like a scientist-Controlled Experiment Quiz

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 2hrs 40mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
When experimenting with the growth of a plant, a scientist uses three (of the same type of) plants, two different fertilizers, equal light, and equal water. What type of variable is the fertilizer?
a)
Dependent
b)
Independent
c)
Control
d)
Compound
2.

When you make a graph, which variable goes on the Y axis?

a)

Independent

b)

Dependent

c)

Control

d)

Extraneous

3.

An inference

a)

can be an opinion

b)

is explaining an observation

c)

is the third step in the scientific method

d)

is stating a quantity

4.

What kind of observation is this: The tree has seven branches.

a)

Qualitative

b)

Quantitative

5.

When you make a graph which variable goes on the X axis?

a)

independent

b)

dependent

c)

extraneous

d)

controlled

6.

An observation is

a)

the same as an opinion

b)

only uses what you see with your eyes

c)

using one of your senses to gather information

d)

compares data to reach a conclusion

7.

What type of statement is a hypothesis?

a)

accept or reject

b)

If....Then

c)

qualitative

d)

I think...because

8.

What kind of observation is the following: The clouds are grey and ground is wet.

a)

Qualitative

b)

Quantitative

9.

The students concluded that the plants grown indoors grew faster because they received better quality light than the plants grown outdoors. Which is the most likely reason this conclusion may be flawed?

a)

The students measured the plants at different times.

b)

The students should have grown different types of plants.

c)

The growth of the plants in each set was affected by more than one factor.

d)

The outdoor plants grew faster than the indoor plants.

10.

A meteorologist recorded high temperatures for five days at three locations on land. The data are shown in the table below.



a)

Areas at the beach have the coolest temperatures

b)

Areas farther from the beach always have the warmest temperatures.

c)

Areas at the beach have the most stable temperatures.

d)

Areas farther from the beach always have the same weather as areas at the beach

11.

A scientist investigates the effect of carbon dioxide on plant height. The scientist grows plants in several closed containers. All the plants receive the same amounts of water and light, but the air in each container has a different amount of carbon dioxide. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

a)

the amount of carbon dioxide in each container

b)

the number of plants in each container

c)

the amount of water provided to the plants

d)

the height of each plant after a period of time

12.

Some researchers are developing a new fertilizer designed to improve the growth of plants in hot, dry climates. The fertilizer was applied to one hundred desert plants in a greenhouse. The average daytime temperature in the greenhouse was 90°F, and the humidity levels were low. Which is best for the researchers to do next?

a)

A compare plants that received fertilizer to similar plants that received none

b)

B begin selling the fertilizer to gardeners living in hot, dry climates

c)

C change the conditions in the greenhouse and retest the fertilizer

d)

D test the fertilizer on plants that are adapted to cooler climates

13.

Students in a science class plan to investigate a factor that affects the rate at which a pendulum swings.


In which way should the students manipulate the variables to get valid results in this investigation?

a)

use equal string lengths and different plumb bob masses

b)

use different string lengths and different plumb bob masses

c)

use equal string lengths and the same plumb bob shapes

d)

use different string lengths and different plumb bob shapes

14.
An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, what are the controlled variables?
a)
Type of plant, amount of music, and sunlight
b)
Water, apple juice, milk
c)
Plant growth
15.
Why do scientists use the scientific method?
a)
To make sure they get credit for their discoveries.
b)
To make sure their results are valid and can be performed by other scientists.
c)
So that other scientist don't get mad at them
16.

What is the first step in the scientific method?

a)

draw conclusions

b)

ask a question/make an observation

c)

make a hypothesis

d)

test the experiment

17.

Choose a way to share your ideas with others

a)

write

b)

draw a picture

c)

record a video/audio

d)

give a speech

18.
Should experiments be repeated over and over to see if the results are the same each time?
a)
yes
b)
no
19.
Which of these contains steps in the right order?
a)
Ask a question, state your hypothesis, research, experiment, analyze, make a conclusion
b)
State your hypothesis, ask a question, research, experiment, analyze, make a conclusion
c)
Ask a question, research, state your hypothesis, experiment, analyze, make a conclusion
d)
State your hypothesis, ask a question, research, make a conclusion, experiment, analyze
20.
A broad and comprehensive statement of what is thought to be true; it is supported by much evidence.
a)
hypothesis
b)
theory
c)
guess
d)
fact