8th Grade Science Released Tests

The best scientific reason for a scientist to accept a specific theory is —
1. to obtain funding for the research
2. that research and observations support the theory
3. because there can only be one correct theory
4. to gain recognition as a great scientist
A student predicts that similar ice cubes will melt faster in a microwave than in a pot on the stove. How should this hypothesis be tested?
1. Measure and compare the volume of the pot and the microwave.
2. Determine the volume of liquid water made by each ice cube.
3. Observe and record the time for each ice cube to completely change to a liquid.
4. Identify and record the temperature of each ice cube before each trial.
Which of these experimental designs would best test this hypothesis?
Ellen noticed that she often sneezes when she visits her friend Robert, who has a cat and a parrot. Ellen wonders if she may have allergies to Robert’s pets and decides to conduct a scientific investigation. What should Ellen do next?
1. Ellen should tell Robert that she cannot visit him until he gives away his pets.
2. Ellen should visit Sue who has a horse, a dog, a goldfish, and a hamster.
3. Ellen should call her doctor and insist that she needs shots for allergies.
4. Ellen should visit a friend who has only cats and one who has only parrots.
Some snapdragon seeds were studied in the experiment above. The seeds were placed in a dish lined with a moist paper towel. Which of these is the independent (manipulated) variable in this experiment?
1. The type of seed
2. The amount of water used
3. The number of sprouts
4. The temperature of each dish
John and Emily were experimenting with the effects of road salt on plant growth. To do this, they watered plants daily with the same amount of salt water. They could best improve their experiment by —
1. increasing the amount of salt added to the water each day
2. cooling the salt water before watering the plants
3. adding food color to see how far the salt penetrates the plants
4. watering half the plants with pure water and half with salt water
The picture shows a test for non-slip surfaces to be used on a ramp. Which of these must be done to provide more meaningful results?
1. Use the same shoe on each surface
2. Use boards of the same thickness
3. Use the same shoe size for each type of shoe
4. Use shoes with soles designed for sports
This experiment was set up to test the hypothesis that plants grow faster in green light. The same amount of water and fertilizer were added to each pot. Which of these would improve the experiment?
1. Use green lights for all three plants
2. Add more types of plants
3. Use the same kind of plant in all trials
4. Use different pots for each plant
Students conducted an investigation to determine if unknown liquids were acids or bases. What was the independent variable in this investigation?
1. Sample
2. Indicator
3. Color change
4. Identification
A student suspects that there is a relationship between the amount of sunny weather in a given state and the amount of solar energy used by its inhabitants. In order to find out if this idea is correct, the student will need which information for each state?
1. The efficiency of solar technology used in that state
2. The location and type of solar cells used in that state
3. The percentage of days that have enough sunlight to power a solar water heater
4. The number of sunny days per year and the amount of solar power used per year
Which of these would be the best way to prove that a pine stick is more flexible than an oak stick?
At what speed would a car have to move in order to travel 20 kilometers in two hours?
1. 5 km/hr
2. 10 km/hr
3. 20 km/hr
4. 40 km/hr
The picture above illustrates the habitat of a population of animals and its distance from the nearest water source. How far does an animal have to travel to obtain water?
1. 6 centimeters
2. 12 meters
3. 50 meters
4. 300 meters
Which of the following is used to measure the mass of an object?
1. Balance
2. Metric ruler
3. Graduated cylinder
4. Barometer
The diagram shows a graduated cylinder containing water. From which position will the most accurate measure of the volume of the water be made?
1. Position 1
2. Position 2
3. Position 3
4. Position 4
The picture shows dinosaur tracks found in rocks. How many dinosaurs left their tracks here?
1. 2
2. 4
3. 14
4. 24
The picture represents five red blood cells seen through a microscope. The lines represent a scale also visible through the microscope. Each division on the scale represents one micrometer. Use the scale to estimate the diameter of the average red blood cell.
1. 4—5 micrometers
2. 7—8 micrometers
3. 10—11 micrometers
4. 12—13 micrometers
Which is an SI metric unit of measurement that is used to record the heat transfer of a solution in a classroom investigation?
1. Liter
2. Newton
3. Volt
4. Degree Celsius
A lab group measured how far two rubber bands stretched when attached to 100-gram masses. Five measurements were made for each rubber band. What is the range of the data collected for rubber band B?
1. 0.3 cm
2. 0.5 cm
3. 2.7 cm
4. 2.8 cm
Which instrument would most accurately and precisely determine the mass of a toy car?
1. An electronic light meter
2. A spring scale
3. A triple-beam balance
4. A graduated cylinder
The average distance from Earth to the Moon is 384,401 km. How is the distance from Earth to the Moon expressed in scientific notation?
A student designs and builds a 1:1000 scale model of the Mt. Fuji volcano in Japan. Since Mt. Fuji is about 3,800 m high, what is the height of his scale model?
1. 0.38 m
2. 3.8 m
3. 380 m
4. 3,800 m

8th Grade Science Released Tests - Scientific Method