wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

8th Diagnostic Test

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A group of students prepared a table listing the types of reproduction that occur in several organisms. Based on this information, which of the organisms can produce offspring that are genetically identical to the parent organism?

a)

Ferns only

b)

Amoebas and yeasts only

c)

Cats, hydras, frogs, and ferns only

d)

Amoebas, yeast, hydras, and ferns only

2.

This drawing shows a human body system. What is the primary function of this body system?

a)

The protection of vital organs from injury.

b)

The chemical breakdown of food into smaller pieces.

c)

The transport of nutrients, water, and oxygen to body cells.

d)

The production of hormones that regulate growth and metabolism.

3.

What are the main functions of the human skeletal system?

a)

To support the body, protect the organs, produce blood cells, and store calcium.

b)

To regulate the composition of body fluids by removing metabolic wastes and retaining balance of water, salt, and other nutrients.

c)

To regulate and maintain bodily functions by producing and releasing them into the bloodstream.

d)

To enable the diffusion of oxygen into the bloodstream and the removal of carbon dioxide from the bloodstream.

4.

In 1838 botanist Matthias Schleiden determined that all plants are composed of cells. In 1839 anatomist Theodor Schwann proposed that all animals are composed of cells. In 1855 biologist Rudolph Virchow added to Schleiden's and Schwann's observations and proposed that all living things are composed of cells. Which statement is also a part of Virchow's cell theory?

a)

All cells have a cell wall.

b)

All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

c)

All cells are capable of photosynthesis.

d)

All cells can develop into any other type of cell.

5.

The model shows an area near a lake. Community leaders are planning new laws to help protect the lake from pollution. One proposed law will make it illegal to dump trash on the shore of the lake, but the law still allows trash to be placed in the area labeled "Flow-through wetland." Which statement about the proposed law is supported by the model?

a)

The proposed law will protect the lake because plants roots between the wetland and the lake will stop pollution from entering the lake.

b)

The proposed law will not protect the lake because animals that live in or near the lake will add pollution to the lake.

c)

The proposed law will not protect the lake because groundwater will carry pollution from the wetland directly into the lake.

d)

The proposed law will protect the lake because the high elevation of the water table will block pollution from entering the lake.

6.

A student is researching a northern forest ecosystem learns the following information about feeding relationships in the ecosystem. Which food web best represents the flow of energy in these feeding relationships?

a)
b)
c)
d)
7.

The hydra is a very small, simple animal that lives in water. Hydras reproduce asexually by budding, a process in which a bud breaks off an adult hydra and floats away. Which of the following best describes a hydra bud?

a)

A hydra bud contains genetic material from its two parents.

b)

A hydra bud is genetically identical to the parent hydra.

c)

A hydra bud has different mutations than the parent hydra.

d)

A hydra bud has half as much genetic material as the parent hydra.

8.

Which table correctly describes the functions of the cell structures listed?

a)
b)
c)
d)
9.

Many processes occur in the digestive system. Which process is best classified as a physical change?

a)

Saliva converting the starch molecules in crackers into simple sugars.

b)

Digestive enzymes breaking down proteins into smaller fragments

c)

Bacteria converting lactose into simple sugars in the intestines.

d)

Teeth grinding an almond into smaller pieces in the mouth.

10.

Part of a human body system is pictured. The main function of this system is to -

a)

control reproduction

b)

transport oxygen

c)

produce hormones

d)

remove waste

11.

A student uses this diagram to understand the parts of a fish. The student then uses an identification key to classify different types of fish. Based on the key, which of these fish is most likely a blue gill?

a)
b)
c)
d)
12.

A student's model of an area near a city depicts many activities that affect the quality of the water in the area. How does the agricultural activity most likely affect the surface water of the area?

a)

Excess crop fertilizer is carried by runoff into the river, causing excess growth of water plants.

b)

Excess crop material accumulates on the riverbanks, slowing the movement of the river water.

c)

Crops reduce erosion, increasing the amount of soil entering the river.

d)

Crops absorb pure water from soil, causing the remaining water to contain more salt.

13.

An energy pyramid is shown.

Which sentence best describes how energy flows through this pyramid?

a)

Energy is transferred down each level of the energy pyramid.

b)

The energy lost at each level is consumed by organisms in the top level

c)

Energy is transferred from organisms in one level to those in the level above.

d)

The organisms at the bottom level provide energy directly to organisms in all the other levels

14.

The chart lists organisms in five different categories living near the Texas Gulf Coast.

Based on the chart. which food chain best models a flow of energy in this ecosystem?

a)

Sun --> Mosquitoes --> Shrimp --> Coyotes

b)

Sun --> Algae --> Shrimp --> Red drum

c)

Sun --> Pygmy sunfish --> Shrimp --> Wood ducks

d)

Sun --> Willow oaks --> Algae --> River otters

15.

Both primary and secondary succession begin with

pioneer species that-

a)

change the area and make it safer from predatory organisms

b)

invade the area so that new organisms cannot be established

c)

modify the area and allow larger and more complex organisms to appear

d)

use up all the existing resources and prevent establishment of non-native organisms

16.

Tropical rain forests have the greatest biodiversity

of any type of land ecosystem. How does

biodiversity contribute to the sustainability of an

ecosystem?

a)

The presence of more species with different adaptations makes it more likely that some organisms will survive an ecological disaster.

b)

Greater genetic variation within species makes it more likely that some individuals will survive a disease outbreak.

c)

The presence of a variety of herbivore species that can feed on a large number of different producer species helps ensure abundant prey for predators in the ecosystem.

d)

All of the above

17.

Students in a science class visited four local ecosystems. The students observed the species present in each

ecosystem and recorded their observations in the table.

Based on these observations, which ecosystem is likely to be the least sustainable?

a)

Ecosystem I. because it has the fewest species

b)

Ecosystem 2, because it includes both aquatic and terrestrial species

c)

Ecosystem 3, because it has few predators

d)

Ecosystem 4, because it supports many animals

18.

Researchers are investigating processes that happen

during digestion. Which answer choice describes

only a physical change during digestion?

a)

Hydrochloric acid in the stomach breaks down proteins.

b)

Chewing in the mouth breaks food into small pieces.

c)

Enzymes in saliva start the digestion of starches before food is swallowed.

d)

Bacteria in the intestines convert dietary fiber into fats.

19.

Wheat was one of the first plant crops that humans

domesticated. In the process of domestication, the

wild form of wheat was eventually changed into a

form more suited to human agricultural practice.

Early farmers most likely used seeds only from

wheat plants with-

a)

larger grains that could produce more food per plant

b)

taller stems that could block sunlight from weeds growing at ground level

c)

larger flowers that could be sold for additional

income

d)

thinner stems that could endure heavy winds

20.

A few years ago the population of male blue moon butterflies on the island of Samoa declined. One hypothesis for the decline of the male butterflies is that a parasite infected the cells of female butterflies. The parasite was passed to offspring through the females eggs and killed the male butterfly embryos. At one point during the decline nearly all the butterflies in the population were females but after five years the number of males in the population increased significantly.

Which explanation most likely accounts for the increase in the number of male butterflies in the five years after the

initial parasite problem?

a)

Male butterflies in the population that survived were able to prey on the parasites living in the females egg cells.

b)

Female butterflies in the population that survived had a genetic adaptation that allowed them to transform into

male butterflies.

c)

Male butterflies in the population that survived had a gene that made them resistant to the parasite and they passed the gene on to their offspring.

d)

Female butterflies in the population that survived were able to protect the male eggs from the parasite and provide extra care for the male offspring.

21.

A student examines the winged insect shown below.

Based on the dichotomous key, in what order should this insect be classified?

a)

Mantodea

b)

Raphidioptera

c)

Coleoptera

d)

Lepidoptera

22.

A tiger cub has a pattern of stripes on its fur that is similar to that of its parents. Where are the instructions stored that provide information for a tiger's fur pattern?

a)

In cytoplasm inside cells

b)

On genes within chromosomes

c)

On the cell membrane

d)

In the mitochondria

23.

The diagram below shows parts of a cell.

Which organelle stores the information that determines an individual's blood type?

a)

Organelle I

b)

Organelle 2

c)

Organelle 3

d)

Organelle 4

24.

In the 1800s two scientists, Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden studied different types of organisms. After many years of studying a great variety of organisms, they drew similar but independent conclusions about their observations.

What statement was developed most directly from these conclusions and is part of the modern cell theory?

a)

The functions of living things occur in cells.

b)

Cells exist only in multicellular organisms.

c)

Living things are composed of cells.

d)

Cells contain hereditary information.

25.

Primary succession occurs when pioneer species

move into an area that has no plants. Which

organisms are common pioneer species?

a)

Conifer trees and tall grasses with roots that loosen the soil

b)

Mosses and lichens that can grow on rocky surfaces

c)

Grasses and weeds that arrive as seeds carried by the wind and then germinate in rich soil

d)

Vines and shrubs that help prevent the erosion of shallow soil