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Worksheets

SECME Practice

Total questions: 87

Worksheet time: 44mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Why is there high salinity in the Mediterranean Ocean?
a)
precipitation
b)
evaporation
c)
volcanoes
d)
deposition
2.
Sea levels rise when glacial ice caps-
a)
grow
b)
melt
c)
migrate
d)
hit the Titanic
3.
Ocean currents are caused by-
a)
underwater earthquakes
b)
human influence
c)
sun moon and Earth interaction
d)
density differences
4.
Upwelling is most likely to occur in what area?
a)
in a deep sea trench
b)
in a shallow gulf
c)
along a coastline
d)
in open ocean
5.
Why does an ice shelf float?
a)
it is more dense
b)
it is less dense
c)
the ice is melting faster than it can sink
d)
vegetation is sinking below and causing it to float
6.
Seawater is typically denser than freshwater due to seawaters-
a)
greater depth
b)
smaller mass
c)
higher salinity
d)
lower freezing point
7.
Continental shorelines generally have a milder climate than locations inland at the same latitude due to-
a)
ocean water acting as a conductor of heat
b)
land is a greater storage of heat
c)
ocean water stores and releases heat more slowly than land
d)
land masses release hear slower than land
8.
What part of the ocean floor would be the most difficult to explore due to pressure?
a)
continental slope
b)
sea mount
c)
trench
d)
abyssal plain
9.
What sea floor feature is created by erosion and deposition?
a)
continental rise
b)
submarine canyon
c)
Marianas trench
d)
seamount
10.
What part of the ocean floor would be most affected by sea level change?
a)
abyssal plain
b)
continental shelf
c)
continental slope
d)
trench
11.
What major feature of the ocean floor circumnavigates the Earth?
a)
mid oceanic ridge
b)
continental slope
c)
trench
d)
sea mount
12.
A trench is formed at what zone?
a)
subduction
b)
divergent
c)
convergent
d)
strike-slip
13.
What first accurately mapped the ocean floor?
a)
The Spanish armada
b)
Chinese army
c)
Magellan
d)
sonar
14.
What is not a type of ocean pollution?
a)
oil spill
b)
non-point source pollution
c)
upwelling
d)
trash dumping
15.
An estuary is an area where-
a)
there is only fresh water
b)
there is only salt water
c)
pond water and river water mix
d)
fresh water and salt water mix
16.
What is the only part of the ocean floor without tectonic activity?
a)
continental slope
b)
continental margin
c)
seamount
d)
abyssal plain
17.
The main difference between ocean water and lake water is that ocean water contains
a)
oxygen
b)
salt
c)
algae
d)
plants
18.
As you go deeper in the ocean, the _______ decreases. 
a)
water
b)
salinity
c)
temperature
d)
water pressure 
19.
What do the arrows represent in the picture?
a)
waves
b)
currents
c)
tides
20.
The Gulf Stream is 
a)
a stream behind the school 
b)
a current in the Atlantic Ocean that flows on the eastern coast of North America 
c)
a boat 
d)
part of the ocean floor 
21.

Two wires carrying electricity can create a spark if they come too close together. This spark can start a fire. Wires carrying electricity are usually covered with plastic to keep them from starting a fire. Why does the plastic keep the electricity from starting a fire?

a)

Plastic is a good insulator.

b)

Plastic is softer than wire.

c)

Plastic can melt when heated.

d)

Plastic conducts electricity.

22.

A teacher gives a student four clear sealed containers. Each container holds a different substance. The student records some observations about the substance in each container.


Container 1: The substance takes the shape of the container and is clear. Small particles float on top of the substance.

Container 2: The substance is hard and cube-shaped. The surface of the substance is shiny.

Container 3: The substance is not visible, and the container appears empty.

Container 4: The substance is cold and made of crystals.


Based on these observations, which container most likely holds only gas?

a)

Container 1

b)

Container 2

c)

Container 3

d)

Container 4

23.

Which of these is the best conductor of electricity?

a)

Glass rod

b)

Cotton string

c)

Plastic tubing

d)

Copper penny

24.

A teacher mixes a white powder into a beaker of water. The powder cannot be seen in the water. The teacher then heats the mixture until the water evaporates and the powder can be seen again. Which property of the powder is the teacher demonstrating?

a)

Solubility

b)

Density

c)

Conductivity

d)

Mass

25.

A student measures the temperature of water being heated on a hot plate. The student observes that the temperature of the water is 53°C. How many more degrees Celsius must the temperature rise before it reaches the boiling temperature of water?

a)

159°C

b)

69°C

c)

20°C

d)

47°C

26.

A student observed liquid wax dripping down the side of a burning candle. After putting out the candle's flame, the student left the room. Several hours later the student observed that there was no longer any liquid on the side of the candle. Which statement explains what most likely happened to the liquid wax?

a)

The heat given off by the flame caused the candel wax to evaporate.

b)

The liquid wax changed back into a solid as it cooled.

c)

The liquid wax condensed and was absorbed by the candle.

d)

None of the above

27.

Some people add sugar to their hot tea. Which property of the sugar remains the same when the sugar is in the tea solution?

a)

The taste of the sugar

b)

The size of the sugar crystals

c)

The color of the sugar

d)

The texture of the sugar

28.

Which of these is not soluble in water?

a)

Oil

b)

Salt

c)

Honey

d)

Sugar

29.

Objects that blow into a swimming pool or that are dropped into the pool by swimmers need to be removed. These objects include foam cups, keys, and coins. Which of the following explains a useful method for removing some of these objects?

a)

The keys and coins are less dense than water, so they can be easily picked up off the bottom of the pool by divers.

b)

The foam cups have the same density as water, so they can be crumpled up for removal by the pool filter.

c)

The foam cups are less dense than water, so they can be removed from the surface with a pool cleaning net.

d)

The keys and coins have the same density as water, so they can be washed away when the pool is drained.

30.

Cracks in the seafloor called hydro-thermal vents send streams of hot water into the ocean. The water from a vent is 387°C. How many degrees above the boiling point of water is this temperature?

a)

175°C

b)

287°C

c)

387°C

d)

487°C

31.

A student adds 10 grams of four different powdered solids into four different beakers. The student then adds 100mL of water to each beaker, stirs the mixtures, and allows them to sit for half an hour before recording observations. Which question is the student most likely trying to answer with this investigation?

a)

At what water temperature do the substances dissolve?

b)

How much water is needed to cause a substance to change state?

c)

What causes a substance to sink when put in water?

d)

Which substances dissolve in water?

32.

A teacher wears protective gloves to lift a metal pan filled with boiling water from a hot plate. Why are the protective gloves necessary?

a)

The metal pan creates thermal energy.

b)

The metal pan insulates thermal energy.

c)

The metal pan conducts thermal energy.

d)

The metal pan reduces thermal energy.

33.

A student fills two identical beakers with the same volume of water. The student places on beaker in the freezer and the other beaker on a hot plate. After 5 minutes the student observes that the temperature of the water in the freezer is 19°C and the temperature of the water on the hot plate is 42°C. Which statement best describes the relationship between the two beakers of water and the freezing and boiling point of water?

a)

The temperature of the water on the hot plate must increase 58°C before it boils, and the temperature of the water in the freezer must decrease 32°C before it freezes.

b)

The temperature of the water on the hot plate is closer to the boiling point than the temperature of the water in the freezer is to the freezing point.

c)

The temperature of the water in the freezer must decrease by 19°C before it freezes, and the temperature of the water on the hot plate must increase 170°C before it boils.

d)

The temperature of the water in the freezer is closer to the freezing point than the temperature of the water on the hot plate is to the boiling point.

34.

A student combined powdered paint with water to make a small amount of a blue liquid paint mixture. The student left the paint mixture in a open container. Several days later the student found the container and observed that changes had occurred. What most likely happened to the mixture?

a)

The container was empty after the mixture evaporated into the air.

b)

The paint evaporated, leaving only clear water in the container.

c)

The water evaporated, leaving only a dry blue solid in the container.

d)

The liquid paint mixture was lighter in color after some water evaporated.

35.

Some students put two ice cubes on separate plates. One ice cube had a mass of 80 grams. The other had a mass of 40 grams. Which result would be the same for both ice cubes in this investigation?

a)

The time it took each ice cube to melt completely.

b)

The temperature at which each ice cube melted.

c)

The amount of liquid produced on each plate.

d)

The total volume of each ice cube.

36.

A student made a mixture using equal amounts of salt and pepper. The salt grains were the same size as the pepper grains. What should each student do to most easily separate the pepper from the salt?

a)

Use a pair of tweezers to remove each grain of pepper.

b)

Run a small magnet through the mixture to attract the pepper.

c)

Put the mixture in water and filter the pepper out of the water.

d)

Use a strainer with a fine wire screen to remove the pepper.

37.

When a powdered drink mix was added to water, the liquid turned orange. A student decided the taste was too strong, so he poured out half of the liquid and added more water. Which of the following most likely occurred when more water was added?

a)

The physical state changed.

b)

The orange color became lighter

c)

The liquid had a sweeter taste.

d)

None of the above

38.

A student uses a set of headphones to listen to music. Which type of these objects uses the same source of energy as the headphones?

a)

A flute using wind energy

b)

A piano using mechanical energy

c)

A keyboard using electrical energy

d)

A teapot using thermal energy

39.

When a bat searches for prey at night, it makes sounds as it flies, and it uses the sounds' echoes to find its prey. When the bat flies and listens to echoes to locate prey, it is using -

a)

thermal energy and light energy

b)

sound energy and thermal energy

c)

mechanical energy and sound energy

d)

light energy and mechanical energy

40.

Which of these best demonstrates the reflection of light?

a)

Looking through the glass of a large window.

b)

Looking at an image formed on a silver spoon.

c)

Looking at a lightbulb that is glowing.

d)

Looking at a star on a clear night.

41.

How are rainbows made?

a)

They are pretty

b)

lIght reflects off of the water making a rainbow.

c)

y=mx+b

d)

They come when it snows.

42.

How far away is the sun? (Rounded)

a)

74 million mi

b)

73 million mi

c)

92 million mi

d)

67 million mi

43.

The chart gives the physical properties of copper. How does the density of a 4g sample compare to that of a 12g sample?

a)

It is twice as dense as the 12g sample.

b)

It is 3 times as dense as the 12g sample.

c)

The density is one-half the density of the 12g sample.

d)

The densities are the same.

44.

What is the most common term used in genetics to describe the observable physical characteristics of an organism caused by the expression of a gene or set of genes?

a)

Phenotype

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

DNA

d)

Genetics

45.

The overall charge at the top and bottom, respectively, of a towering cumulonimbus cloud during a thunderstorm is:

a)

positive, positive

b)

positive, negative

c)

negative, positive

d)

negative, negative

46.

Subtract the following 2 numbers and give your answer with the proper significant figures: 25.101 – 0.9608

a)

19.089

b)

28.90

c)

24.140

d)

8.28

47.

What is the proper name of the star that is most commonly noted to have coordinates closest to the north celestial pole?

a)

North Star

b)

Sun

c)

Polaris

d)

Alpha Ursa Minoris

48.

What is the most well-known asterism in Ursa Major?

a)

Jupiter

b)

Milky Way

c)

Sun

d)

Big Dipper

49.

What is the most common term for the energy an object has because of its position or configuration?

a)

Kinetic

b)

Potential

c)

Friction

d)

Newton's 1st Law

50.

Which one of the four basic forces of the universe is most directly involved with maintaining the planets in their orbits?

a)

Gravity

b)

Carbon Dioxide

c)

Oxygen

d)

Air

51.

What is the kelvin temperature that represents a condition of no molecular motion?

a)

0

b)

32

c)

14

d)

25

52.

Which of the following will occur when an unbalanced force acts on an object?

a)

Friction

b)

Balanced

c)

No motion

d)

The object will accelerate

53.

What is the light-yellow fluid that makes up the fluid portion of normal circulating human blood?

a)

Serum

b)

Plasma

c)

Gas

d)

Liquid

54.

What is the most common element in most steel?

a)

Basalt

b)

Copper

c)

Steel

d)

Iron

55.

Which is considered a good insulator of heat?

a)

aluminum, because it allows heat to flow easily

b)

glass, because it allows heat to flow easily

c)

plastic, because heat is unable to flow easily

d)

silver, because heat is unable to flow easily

56.

Why are there high and low tides on Earth?

a)

They are due to changes in the moon’s tilt on its axis.

b)

They are due to changes in the moon’s speed every month.

c)

They are due to the magnetic force between Earth and the moon.

d)

They are due to the gravitational pull between Earth and the moon.

57.

Which is the basic composition of Earth’s core?

a)

The solid inner core is surrounded by a liquid outer core.

b)

The liquid inner core is surrounded by a solid outer core.

c)

Both the inner core and the outer core are solid.

d)

Both the inner core and the outer core are liquid.

58.

Which best explains the movement of tectonic plates?

a)

They move several kilometers each year because of convection within Earth.

b)

They move several feet each year because of convection within Earth.

c)

They move several miles each year because of convection within Earth.

d)

They move several centimeters each year because of convection within Earth.

59.

Tulips are flowers that typically bloom in the spring. How could tulips be forced to bloom in winter?

a)

by limiting pruning and trimming of the tulips

b)

by increasing temperature and lengthening daylight for the tulips

c)

by elevating oxygen levels and supplying organic matter to the tulips

d)

by reducing water levels and nutrient uptake by the tulips

60.

How does sound usually travel?

a)

An object vibrates, and those vibrations travel through the air in one direction as transverse waves.

b)

An object vibrates, and those vibrations carry air in all directions as transverse waves.

c)

An object vibrates, and those vibrations carry air in one direction as longitudinal waves.

d)

An object vibrates, and those vibrations travel through the air in all directions as longitudinal waves.

61.

Which is true for every atom of an element?

a)

It has mass and volume.

b)

It is joined together with another atom.

c)

It is weightless.

d)

It can be seen with a magnifying glass.

62.

A student has two pieces of aluminum foil. Each piece can be folded and rolled into a wire. Why do both pieces of aluminum foil behave the same way?

a)

They are composed of different types of atoms.

b)

They have the same physical properties, but different chemical properties.

c)

They are composed of the same types of atoms.

d)

They have the same chemical properties, but different physical properties.

63.

Why does sound travel faster through a solid object than in the air?

a)

The atoms in the solid object are farther apart than the atoms in the air.

b)

The atoms are smaller in the solid object than the atoms in the air.

c)

The atoms are larger in the solid object than the atoms in the air.

d)

The atoms in the solid object are closer together than the atoms in the air.

64.

Beaker X contains 100 g of table salt and beaker Y contains 50 g of table salt. How do the contents in beaker Y compare to those in beaker X?

a)

Both have the same solubility.

b)

Both have different melting points.

c)

Both have different elements.

d)

Both have the same weight.

65.

Why are people able to see the moon?

a)

The moon produces its own light.

b)

Light from the sun reflects off the moon.

c)

Light from Earth reflects off the moon.

d)

The moon is located between Earth and the sun.

66.

Where are earthquakes most likely to occur?

a)

In the middle of plates

b)

In the oceans

c)

Along plate boundaries

d)

Anywhere on the Earth

67.

Why does the Earth orbit the Sun and not a planet in the solar system?

a)

The Sun is more massive than the planets so it's mass causes the gravitational pull.

b)

The Earth pulls the Sun toward it because it is so massive.

c)

It just happened that way.

d)

The Earth is closer than the other planets so the distance causes the gravitational pull.

68.

Which best describes the role of the water cycle?

a)

Evaporation

b)

reduces pollution in most of the water

c)

increases usable supply of Earth’s water

d)

circulates existing water on Earth

69.

The tendency of an element to react with other elements to produce compounds.

a)

Chemical change

b)

Reactivity

c)

Neutrality

d)

Valence

70.

A subatomic particle that has almost no mass and a negative charge.

a)

Electricity

b)

Electron

c)

Proton

d)

Neutron

71.

What is the most common term used in genetics to describe the observable physical characteristics of an organism caused by the expression of a gene or set of genes?

a)

Genotype

b)

Phenotype

c)

Alleles

d)

Species

72.

What is the biological term most often used for the act of a cell engulfing a particle by extending its pseudopodia (read as: SU-doe-POH-dee-ah) around the particle?

a)

Ingestion

b)

Pseudopedia

c)

Phagocytoses

d)

Cytophytoses

73.

An aqueous solution in which the concentration of OH– ions is greater than that of H+ ions is:

a)

Basic

b)

Acidic

c)

Neutral

d)

Equilibrium

74.

The overall charge at the top and bottom, respectively, of a towering cumulonimbus cloud during a thunderstorm is:

a)

Positive, Positive

b)

Positive, Negative

c)

Negative, Positive

d)

Negative, Negative

75.

A lightning bolt is seen and its accompanying thunder is heard 15 seconds later. This means the storm is most likely how many miles away:

a)

3 miles

b)

6 miles

c)

9 miles

d)

15 miles

76.

How many significant figures are in the number 0.00750?

a)

2

b)

3

c)

4

d)

5

77.

What is the most well-known asterism in Ursa Major?

a)

Perseus

b)

North Star

c)

Big Dipper

d)

Little Dipper

78.

A constant force acting on a body experiencing no change in its environment will give the body:

a)

Constant Acceleration

b)

Constant Speed

c)

Constant Velocity

d)

Equilibrium

79.

Which of the following is a sedimentary rock:

a)

Slate

b)

Marble

c)

Basalt

d)

Breccia

80.

Which of the following is closest to the meaning of the suffix ‘lith’:

a)

Outside

b)

Stone

c)

Side

d)

Surface

81.

Besides our Sun, what star has the greatest apparent magnitude?

a)

Polaris

b)

Betelguese

c)

Sirius

d)

Aldeberan

82.

Which of the following plants is NOT a dicot?

a)

Wheat

b)

Rose

c)

Lima Bean

d)

Pea

83.

Which of the following is a metallic element, composes about 5% of the Earth’s crust, oxidizes very easily, and when pure is a dark, silver-grey metal:

a)

Cobalt

b)

Iron

c)

Nickel

d)

Titanium

84.

In general, metals are relatively hard except for what group of metals in the Periodic Table?

a)

Group 1

b)

Group 2

c)

Group 3

d)

Group 4

85.

Mary and Joe are on a merry-go-round. Mary is seated near the center of rotation and Joe is on the outer edge. The merry-go-round turns at a constant 20 rotations per minute. Which of the following BEST describes their motion:

a)

Mary has a greater acceleration than Joe

b)

Joe has a greater acceleration than Mary

c)

Both Mary and Joe have the same acceleration

d)

Neither Mary nor Joe have any acceleration

86.

In degrees Celsius to the nearest whole number, what is the normal core body temperature of a human being?

a)

99

b)

25

c)

310

d)

37

87.

According to standard chemical nomenclature and indicating the proper charge, what is the formula for hydrogen sulfide?

a)

H S

b)

H S2

c)

H2 S

d)

H2 S O4