PSSA Science Reviews 8th 2010...PSSA Science Reviews 8th 2010 A. absorption B. evaporation C....

$: PSSA Science Reviews 8th 2010...PSSA Science Reviews 8th 2010 A. absorption B. evaporation C. reflection D. refraction 10. The cross section below shows fossils and the rock layers$
PSSA Science Reviews 8th 2010

1. Using the diagram below, please answer the following:

A. genetic material

B. chemical bonds

C. cells

D. atoms

2. The weather map below shows a typical low-pressure system located over part of North America in May. The numbers on the map indicate the air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. The fronts shown on the weather map are best described as

A. boundaries between different air masses

B. boundaries between different wind belts

C. areas experiencing clear skies with light winds


D. areas experiencing extremely warm air temperatures

3. The diagrams below show a natural process that weathers rock. Which statement best explains why this process results in weathering?

A. Frozen water acts as a solute.

B. Water expands when it freezes.

C. The mass of water increases when it freezes.

D. Frozen water dissolves most types of rocks.

4. Which graph shows that more grams of a substance can be dissolved in water as the water temperature increases?

5. Letters A, B, C, and D represent locations on a bar magnet. Which location has the greatest magnetic force?


A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

6. The diagram below shows an incomplete circuit. Which item would allow the bulb to light up if it were used to connect point A to point B?

A. a glass rod

B. a metal coin

C. a plastic comb

D. a paper cup

7. The graph below shows tide levels for two days at an ocean location. Approximately how many hours are between the high tide on Tuesday and the first high tide on Wednesday?


A. 6 hours

B. 9 hours

C. 12 hours

D. 18 hours

8. The map below shows an air mass that formed over the Gulf of Mexico at location A. Once air mass A reaches location B, the weather conditions at location B will most likely become

A. warmer and drier

B. warmer and more humid

C. colder and more humid

D. colder and drier

9. The diagram below shows a pencil in a glass of water. When viewed from the side, the pencil appears to be broken. What process causes this to happen?


A. absorption

B. evaporation

C. reflection

D. refraction

10. The cross section below shows fossils and the rock layers in which they are found. Crustal movement has not displaced the rock layers. Which fossil is considered the oldest in the cross section shown?

A. armored fish

B. dinosaurs

C. early horses

D. trilobites

11. The diagram below shows a human body system. What are two of the functions performed by this body system?


A. protects and supports the body

B. produces and transports oxygen within the body

C. produces and excretes waste products

D. controls and coordinates body activities

12. The diagram below shows a partial food web. Which group of organisms is missing from this food web?


A. carnivores

B. herbivores

C. omnivores

D. decomposers

For the following question, see: Saltwater Plants. 13. Saltwater plants of the same species were grown in soil in separate containers with 1 liter of water. All of the plants were the same height at the beginning of the experiment. Different amounts of salt were dissolved in each container as shown in the diagrams. All other conditions were held constant. Measurements for the final height of each plant are provided. Use the information from the student's experiment to construct a line graph on the grid above. Part A - Use an X to plot the final height of each plant at the end of the experiment. Part B - Connect the Xs with a solid line. 14. The diagram below shows Earth at one point in its orbit around the Sun. The length of daylight experienced at different latitudes on a given date is shown on the diagram. What season is beginning in the Northern Hemisphere?

15. The diagram shows two students ready to dive into a pool. Explain why student B has more potential energy than student A.


16. The diagram shows the result of sexual reproduction. State one advantage that a species that reproduces sexually has over a species that reproduces asexually.

17. The diagram below shows two different-colored moths resting on a tree trunk. How does this difference in pattern and color affect the moths' ability to survive in the environment?


18. The diagram below shows a method for determining a physical property of a mineral. The results are shown for two minerals, galena and calcite. Which property of the galena and calcite is indicated by the color of the powder each leaves on the ceramic tile?

A. streak

B. hardness

C. reaction to an acid

D. reaction to a solvent

19. What information did scientists study in order to develop this model?


A. recordings of earthquake waves

B. locations of recent volcanic activity

C. core samples from seafloor drillings

D. fossils found in rocks

20. The diagram below represents several forms of electromagnetic energy. Which feature best distinguishes one form of electromagnetic energy from another?

A. color

B. wavelength

C. surface temperature

D. distance traveled

21. In humans, a fertilized egg contains 46 chromosomes. Which bar graph best represents the number of chromosomes contained in the sperm and egg before they united to make the fertilized egg?


22. The diagram below shows a microscopic view of a one-celled organism. Four cell structures are labeled. Which statement about the labeled structures is correct?

A. They normally can be seen without magnification.

B. They can survive outside the cell.

C. They help carry on life activities within the cell.

D. They cause disease within the cell.

23. The diagram below shows a human arm bending at the elbow. Which two body systems most directly cause the arm to bend?

A. skeletal and muscular

B. reproductive and endocrine

C. respiratory and excretory

D. nervous and digestive

For the following question, see: Sun, Earth, and the Moon. 24. The diagram above shows the Sun, Earth, and the Moon as seen from a point in space far above Earth’s North Pole. The shaded areas represent darkness. Point X represents a location on Earth’s surface. From Earth, an observer can view the phases of the Moon over time. Part A - In the diagram below, circle the phase of the Moon that an observer at X would see when the Sun, Earth, and the Moon are in the positions shown in the diagram above. Assume there is no eclipse


at that time. Part B - Approximately how long would it be until the Moon is in this phase again?

25. Base your answer to this question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of science. The diagram shows the life cycle of the common housefly.

Which process is shown by this diagram? A. competition B. metabolism C. metamorphosis D. migration 26. The diagram below shows a model of human inheritance. The parent whose genes are aa


A. must be dominant

B. has a straight hairline

C. has a peaked hairline

D. may have AA offspring

27. The diagram below shows a model of human inheritance. The diagram shown is called a

A. Punnett square

B. pedigree chart

C. dichotomous key

D. flowchart

28. The diagram below shows two different organisms, a dog and a cat.


Which phrase best describes the classification of these two organisms? A. same kingdom, same species B. same kingdom, different species C. different kingdoms, different species D. different kingdoms, same species 29. Which of the following is most consistent with the modern theory of evolution?

A. Parents pass their physical traits to their offspring; those offspring with traits that help them survive in the environment are able to reproduce.

B. Parents change their physical traits in order to survive in the environment, then those parental traits are passed to their offspring.

C. Life on this planet came from another planet far out in space.

D. Living organisms have not changed for hundreds of millions of years.

30. The illustration below traces the development of the corgi dog over several generations as a result of human activity. This is an example of the human activity called


A. mutation

B. genetic engineering

C. selective breeding

D. natural selection

31. How do decomposers obtain their food?

A. hunting and killing prey for food

B. changing carbon dioxide and water into food

C. absorbing food from dead organisms

D. producing food from oxygen and sunlight

32. Living things are classified as producers or consumers according to

A. their speed of movement

B. the size of their communities

C. how they obtain food

D. how they reproduce

33. The diagrams below show changes in a natural community over a period of 200 years. Which process is illustrated in the diagrams?

A. ozone depletion

B. global warming

C. recycling resources

D. ecological succession

34. The diagram shows four stages in the development of a human after fertilization. Between stages A and D, which process must occur?


A. mutation

B. sexual reproduction

C. cell division

D. extinction

35. Populations living in one place form a

A. community

B. system

C. habitat

D. species

36. Which situation is the best example of ecological succession?

A. An organism survives a difficult winter.

B. The populations in an area remain the same.

C. One species replaces another species in an ecosystem.

D. Each of several species uses the same amount of resources.

37. The members of these ecosystems interact with one another as well as with the nonliving environment. Identify one producer shown in this ecosystem.


38. Asexually produced offspring are genetically A. identical to the parent B. different from the parent C. different from each other D. formed by two parents 39. Compared to the amount of hereditary information in a human body cell, how much hereditary information is contained in a human sex cell? A. one-quarter the amount B. one-half the amount C. the same amount D. twice the amount 40. Which group of organisms can show significant trait changes in the shortest period of time? A. bacteria B. birds C. fish D. reptiles 41. A research team wanted to produce a smaller variety of German shepherd dogs. They mated the smallest dogs from different litters for several generations. This is an example of which concept? A. extinction B. mutation C. selective breeding D. natural selection 42. The diagram below shows information about the reproduction and development of a rabbit.


Which letter in the diagram represents fertilization?

A. A B. B C. C D. D 43. Base your answer to this question on the information below and on your knowledge of science. In pea plants, the green-pod gene (G) is dominant over the yellow-pod gene (g).


Show the genetic makeup of two parent pea plants whose offspring would all have yellow pods.

___________ x___________

44. Weather forecasts are more accurate today than in the past due to

A. global warming

B. air-quality control

C. plate tectonics

D. use of images from space

45. A student wanted to study the amount of mold growing on pizza at different temperatures. In the experiment, the student set up four identical pans of pizza. Each pan contained the same amount of pizza. The temperatures and light conditions are shown in the data table below. One error made in setting up the experiment was that the four pans of pizza

A. were at different temperatures

B. were different sizes

C. had different ingredients

D. received different amounts of light

46. According to the following reading passage, identify one action that could be taken to reduce the amount of acid rain.


47. The map below shows the four major time zones in the continental United States.

If it is 9 a.m. in the Eastern Time Zone, what time is it in the Pacific Time Zone? A. 3 a.m. B. 6 a.m. C. 6 p.m. D. 9 p.m. 48.

Use the graph below to answer this question.


Which event explains what most likely happened at the beginning of month 3? A. More predators of species X were introduced.

B. The prey of species X decreased in number.

C. A disease that affected species X was introduced.

D. A competitor of species X decreased in number.

49. Which action forms a different chemical substance?

A. crushing a rock

B. burning a piece of wood

C. mixing salt and pepper

D. melting an ice cube

50. When placed in direct sunlight, which object will absorb the most visible light energy? A. a piece of clear glass B. a snowball C. a shiny mirror D. a black sweater 51. During which phase change is heat energy absorbed by a substance?


A. liquid to gas B. gas to solid C. liquid to solid D. gas to liquid 52. Base your answer to this question on the information below and on your knowledge of science. A baseball strikes the roof of a car and dents it. The paint on the roof begins to crack and chip, exposing the metal. The exposed metal on the roof rusts, eventually causing a small hole in the roof. Which event is a chemical change? A. The baseball strikes the roof. B. The roof of the car dents. C. The paint cracks and chips. D. The exposed metal rusts. 53. The diagram below shows a Bunsen burner heating a beaker of water on a beaker stand. The arrows represent the transfer of heat energy in the water.

Which process is primarily responsible for the transfer of heat indicated by the arrows in the beaker of water? A. conduction B. convection


C. radiation D. condensation 54. Base your answer to this question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of science. The diagram shows a glass partially filled with water and ice cubes.

Explain why water droplets have formed on the outside of the glass. 55. Base your answer to this question on the diagram of a moving car below and on your knowledge of science. The diagram shows energy transformations.

What is the sequence of the energy transformations represented in the diagram?


Circle one: A B C D

56. Two identical cars travel at 45 miles per hour toward the center of the intersection (point A, as shown below) with equal force. The cars collide at the intersection. If after they collide the cars stick to each other and move together, they will come to rest closest to

A. point A

B. point B

C. point C

D. point D

57. Which characteristic of motion could change without changing the velocity of an object? A. the speed B. the position C. the direction D. the acceleration 58. A force is acting on each of the objects below.


What can be concluded about these forces? A. They are the same because they point toward the objects. B. They are the same because they have the same magnitude. C. They are different because they have different magnitudes. D. They are different because they have different directions. 59. The length of a year is equivalent to the time it takes for one A. rotation of Earth B. rotation of the Sun C. revolution of Earth around the Sun D. revolution of the Sun around Earth 60. What is one factor that contributes to seasons occurring in New York State? A. the revolution of the Moon around Earth B. the tilt of Earth on its axis C. the rising and falling of ocean tides D. the distance of Earth from the Sun 61.

Use the table below to answer this question.


Which object is a meteor? A. object 1

B. object 2

C. object 3

D. object 4

62. Base your answer to this question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of science. The diagram shows the life cycle of the common housefly.

A life cycle is best described as the


A. series of changes in the development of an organism B. movement of an organism from place to place C. ability of an organism to adapt to its environment D. flow of energy through an organism's community 63. The diagram below shows a bar magnet. Points A, B, C, and D are locations on the magnet.

Which position on the bar magnet would have the strongest attraction to the north pole of another bar magnet? A. A B. B C. C D. D 64. Which object represents a simple machine?

65. Base your answer to this question on the topographic map below, which shows the elevation of land in feet above sea level. Points A, B, and C are locations on the map.


A camper walked from point A to point B by taking a path shown by the dotted line. What is the approximate distance the camper walked? A. 1.5 miles B. 2.5 miles C. 3.0 miles D. 3.5 miles 66. Base your answer to this question on the information and graphs below and on your knowledge of science. Some species of bacteria are harmful. Antibiotics are chemicals that kill bacteria. Some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics and are not killed by these chemicals. Over time, the resistant bacteria can reproduce and create populations that are not affected by antibiotics. The graphs below show the results of a controlled experiment that measured the population of one species of bacteria that had been grown in four containers under identical conditions. Different antibiotics were added to three of the four containers.


The control in this experiment is represented by the container with

A. antibiotic A added B. antibiotic B added C. antibiotic C added D. no antibiotic added 67. The diagram below shows a simple microscope. Four parts of the microscope are labeled A, B, C, and D. Which part of the microscope is used to bring the image of the object on the slide into focus?

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

68. Read the information below and explain why an iceberg floats in the ocean.


69. Which observation of a plant supports the inference that photosynthesis can take place?

A. a strong, sweet smell

B. a dry, rough texture

C. a green color

D. a smooth stem

70. Which two structures are found in plant cells, but not in animal cells?

71. Three different human cells are shown below.

Which process occurs in all of these cells?


A. metamorphosis B. locomotion C. reproduction D. photosynthesis 72. Which sequence correctly shows the levels of organization for structure and function in a human?

73. Feathers, wings, and the hollow bones of birds are examples of A. adaptations for flight B. responses to stimuli C. unnecessary body parts D. reproductive structures 74. A plant produces tiny plants around the edges of its leaves. When these tiny plants fall to the ground, they take root and become new plants. This process is an example of A. sexual reproduction B. asexual reproduction C. evolution D. extinction 75. Which term describes an organism’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment? A. reproduction B. extinction C. locomotion D. regulation


76. Base your answer to this question on the information and diagrams below and on your knowledge of science. Figure A shows a beaker containing water, sand, and salt. The salt is totally dissolved in the water. Figure B shows the contents of the beaker being poured through filter paper in a funnel over a flask. Figure C shows the same flask after sitting at room temperature for 15 days. After 15 days, the flask contains only solid salt particles.

Explain why the contents of the flask in figure B are classified as a mixture. 77. Base your answer to this question on the information and diagrams below and on your knowledge of science. Figure A shows a beaker containing water, sand, and salt. The salt is totally dissolved in the water. Figure B shows the contents of the beaker being poured through filter paper in a funnel over a flask. Figure C shows the same flask after sitting at room temperature for 15 days. After 15 days, the flask contains only solid salt particles.


Explain why only solid salt particles remain in the flask in figure C. 78.

Use the drawing below to answer this question.

Which geometric shape is the most basic recurring element in the truss bridge? A. cube

B. square

C. trapezoid

D. triangle

79.

A closed system includes a feedback mechanism. Which system has a feedback mechanism?


For the following question, see: Organism Characteristics 80.

Which tool could the student use to measure a dependent variable in this investigation?

A. a microscope

B. a thermometer

C. a gas analyzer

D. a graduated cylinder

81. A spring scale is pulled downward and readings are recorded.


If the spring is pulled 3.5 cm, the spring scale should read

A. 12 N.

B. 13 N.

C. 14 N.

D. 15 N.

82. Many cells have a nucleus that contains chromosomes. These chromosomes carry genes that are composed of

A. hormones

B. DNA molecules

C. minerals and water

D. undigested food molecules

83. The diagram shows a model of human inheritance. What is this model used to determine?

A. the possibility of having twins

B. the probability of a trait being passed on

C. the rate of mutation

D. the production of sex cells


84. The diagram shows a model of human inheritance. What is the genetic makeup of the parents?

A. AA and aa

B. Aa and Aa

C. AA and AA

D. aa and aa

85. The diagram shows a model of human inheritance. Why will Aa individuals have a straight hairline rather than a peaked hairline?

A. The peaked hairline occurs only in females.

B. The peaked hairline is a mutation.

C. The straight hairline is recessive.

D. The straight hairline is dominant.

86. The diagram shows four stages in the development of a human after fertilization. Which sequence of development is correct?


87. Which statement describes a method of sexual reproduction that occurs in plants? A. Stem cuttings are placed in water and grow roots. B. Seeds are produced from the flower of the plant. C. Underground stems from a plant grow into new plants. D. A leaf falls to the soil, develops roots, and grows. 88. The diagram below shows milk being poured into a measuring cup. Which property of the milk can be directly measured using the cup?

A. mass

B. density

C. solubility

D. volume

89. Which energy resource is renewable?

A. fuel oil


B. natural gas

C. wind

D. coal

90. All living organisms are dependent on plants because plants A. produce carbon dioxide B. remove oxygen from the air C. are producers D. are consumers 91. Moving water in a river is considered a renewable resource because it A. carries dissolved oxygen B. easily erodes sediments C. is made of natural gas D. can be recycled by nature over time 92.

Which statement correctly describes an energy source and its effect on the environment?

A. Fossil fuel, which comes from a continuously renewable resource, generates greenhouse gases.

B. Solar power, which comes from a continuously renewable resource, generates greenhouse gases.

C. Nuclear energy, which comes from a nonrenewable resource, generates dangerous waste.

D. Hydroelectric power, which comes from a nonrenewable resource, generates dangerous waste.

93. Which statement best explains why the Sun and the Moon appear to be about the same size in the sky?

A. The Sun and the Moon have the same diameter.

B. The Moon is larger in diameter and farther from Earth than the Sun.

C. The Moon is smaller in diameter and is closer to Earth than the Sun.

D. The Sun and the Moon are the same distance from Earth.


94. The diagram below shows four Moon phases observed during July. On which date would the next New Moon occur?

A. August 5

B. August 10

C. August 19

D. August 29

95. Which title best describes the processes shown in the diagram below?

A. The Rock Cycle

B. The Water Cycle

C. Plate Tectonics

D. Chemical Changes

96. The map below shows the relative size and track of a certain weather event. Which weather event is shown on the map?


A. tornado

B. blizzard

C. hurricane

D. thunderstorm

97. The movement of an air mass over Earth’s surface causes A. earthquake activity B. local weather changes C. global warming D. ecological succession 98.

Which statement correctly describes a water cycle process?

A. Evaporation can occur when water gains energy from the Sun and changes into water vapor.

B. Condensation can occur when liquid water molecules in clouds lose energy and fall to Earth.

C. Transpiration can occur when atmospheric water vapor gains energy and moves higher in the atmosphere.

D. Precipitation can occur when atmospheric water vapor loses energy and forms liquid water droplets.


99. The streaks in the time-lapse photograph below show the apparent motion of the stars around the North Star during one hour. This apparent motion of the stars can best be explained by Earth’s

A. rotation on its axis

B. tilted axis

C. revolution around the North Star

D. changing distance from the North Star

100. The illustration below shows the Moon orbiting Earth and Earth orbiting the Sun.

Which force is responsible for these orbiting motions? A. friction B. electricity C. magnetism D. gravity


Reading Passages

Reading Passage: Sun, Earth, and the Moon.

Reading Passage: Saltwater Plants.


Reading Passage: Organism Characteristics

A class studied organisms living in a pond near their school and conducted an investigation. Algae and Daphnia are common organisms in pond water. Information about these organisms is included in the table. The students wrote down the steps they took and prepared a setup like the one shown.

PSSA Science Reviews 8th 2010...PSSA Science Reviews 8th 2010 A. absorption B. evaporation C....

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