Science
2014 – Middle Grades – District
Student Instructions:
 Write your complete ID code on your answer sheet.
 For each question, choose the BEST answer. If you change your answer, erase well.
1.
Which of the following element and symbol combinations is incorrect?
A.
calcium - Ca
B.
chlorine - Ch
C.
cadmium - Cd
D.
chromium - Cr
2.
What physical property usually associated with metals is defined as “capable of being bent or pulled into a
wire?”
A.
sectile
B.
brittle
C.
malleable
D.
ductile
3.
Which of the following is a pure substance?
A.
sodium chloride
B.
mayonnaise
C.
milk
D.
a 10% salt solution
4.
A car moving down the road has multiple forces acting on it. Some of the forces are air resistance, force of
friction between the tires and the road, and force exerted by the engine. What happens to the motion of the
moving car if the sum of all of the forces acting on the car is equal to zero?
A.
slows down and stops
B.
accelerates uniformly
C.
reverses direction
D.
remains moving at a constant velocity
5.
The picture at right shows the reaction of air
molecules after a tuning fork is activated. What is
the name of the sections of the longitudinal wave
indicated by the arrows?
A.
compressions
B.
amplitudes
C.
rarefactions
D.
nodes
6.
Which of the following has the greatest inertia?
A.
a 155 kilogram lion sleeping under a shade tree
B.
a 70 kilogram man walking at 2.5 meters per second
C.
a 55 kilogram marathon runner moving at 5.5 meters per second
D.
a 45 kilogram cheetah running at 30 meters per second
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 1
7.
Two identical blocks of copper metal, one with a temperature of 80oC and the other with a temperature of
40oC, are separated from each other and are also isolated from their surroundings. The two blocks of copper
are then placed next to each other so that they are touching each other. Which of the following descriptions
describes what happens after the copper blocks are placed in contact with one another?
A.
The copper block with the higher temperature will lose thermal energy to the lower temperature
copper block by radiation.
B.
The copper block with the higher temperature will lose thermal energy to the lower temperature
copper block by convection.
C.
The copper block with the higher temperature will gain thermal energy by pulling the thermal energy
from the lower temperature copper block by conduction.
D.
The copper block with the higher temperature will lose thermal energy to the lower temperature
copper block by conduction.
8.
Which of the following “colors” of visible light has the shortest wavelength?
A.
red
B.
blue
C.
violet
D.
orange
9.
Batteries are used in numerous devices to generate electricity to power the device. Which of the following
types of batteries is the most commonly used to power a laptop computer?
A.
alkaline battery
B.
lithium-ion battery
C.
nickel cadmium or Ni-Cad battery
D.
lead-acid battery
10.
Match the unicellular organism with its representative drawing.
A.
B.
C.
D.
x.
euglena
1.
y.
paramecium
2.
z.
amoeba
3.
x – 3, y – 1, z – 2
x – 3, y – 2, z – 1
x – 2, y – 1, z – 3
x – 2, y – 3, z – 1
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 2
11.
Shown below are four different types of finches found on the Galapagos Islands. Based on the shape of their
beaks, which one of these finches has a beak adapted to eat large seeds?
1
A.
B.
C.
D.
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
12.
What is the function of the appendix in the human digestive system?
A.
It collects overflow gastric juices from the small intestine.
B.
It acts as a relief valve for the large intestine.
C.
It is a holding area for excess bile.
D.
It has no known use.
13.
Which of the following is NOT an adaptation that birds possess?
A.
Birds have hollow bones to lighten their weight for flight.
B.
Birds have an epidermis covered with feathers that are made of the protein keratin.
C.
Birds have a two-chambered heart to separate oxygenated blood from unoxygenated blood.
D.
Birds lay an amniotic egg that protects the developing embryo from dehydration.
14.
Which of the following in an example of an external stimulus?
A.
A lion is hungry and runs down a gazelle to snack on.
B.
A snake lunges at a mouse and the mouse runs away.
C.
You have a headache and take two Tylenol®.
D.
A dog is thirsty and drinks from a puddle of water.
15.
The human eye produces a two-dimensional image at the rear of the eye, yet humans view the world in three
dimensions. What is the name of the process that allows humans to perceive a two-dimensional image as a
three-dimensional object?
A.
encoding
B.
impulse
C.
sensation
D.
perception
16.
Gregor Mendel studied seven different traits of peas in his experiments. What is the genetics term that
describes an observable trait, or the physical expression of a gene?
A.
genotype
B.
phenotype
C.
category
D.
haploid
17.
In a certain type of rose bush, tall is dominant to short. If a homozygous tall rose bush (TT) is crossed with a
heterozygous tall rose bush (Tt), what is the probability that the resulting rose bush will be short?
A.
75%
B.
50%
C.
25%
D.
0%
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 3
18.
Some animals’ reproduction is done through external fertilization of the female eggs. Which of the following
environments would be the most favorable for external fertilization of the female eggs?
A.
desert sand dunes
B.
arctic ice sheet
C.
shallow body of water
D.
prairies covered in tall grasses
19.
Scientists have discovered populations of certain types of lizards that reproduce asexually. What is the major
DISADVANTAGE of a population that reproduces asexually?
A.
The population has less genetic diversity which may hinder its ability to survive environmental
changes.
B.
The physical size of the offspring will continue to decrease which will lower survival rate.
C.
The offspring are more likely to migrate away from the parent population.
D.
More male offspring are produced through asexual reproduction which leads to having fewer females
available to produce offspring.
20.
Use the ocean biome food web shown at right to correctly match the
trophic level with the species.
w. primary producer
1. ocean sunfish
x. primary consumer
2. copepods
y. secondary consumer
3. diatoms
z. apex predator
4. large sharks
A.
w – 3, x – 2, y – 4, z – 1
B.
w – 2, x – 3, y – 1, z – 4
C.
w – 3, x – 2, y – 1, z – 4
D.
w – 2, x – 3, y – 4, z – 1
21.
Which of the following is not a major factor in determining carrying
capacity of a population in an ecosystem?
A.
accidents
B.
available food
C.
predation
D.
diseases
22.
Which of the following pairs of processes leads to the formation of igneous rocks?
A.
weathering and erosion
B.
moisture and pressure
C.
melting and solidification
D.
cementation and compaction
23.
In what general direction does the jet stream move across the United States of America?
A.
east to west
B.
west to east
C.
north to south
D.
south to north
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 4
24.
The table below shows the composition of four sediment samples that were collected from four regions in
Kentucky.
Sample
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
number
clay
silt
pebbles
sand
cobbles
Sample 1
50
25
0
25
0
Sample 2
25
0
25
50
0
Sample 3
0
0
50
50
0
Sample 4
0
0
50
25
25
Which sample would have the highest permeability?
A.
Sample 1
B.
Sample 2
C.
Sample 3
D.
Sample 4
25.
Pictured to the right is an image of the first artificial satellite that was launched on
October 4, 1957. What is the name of this satellite?
A.
Vostok 1
B.
Luna 1
C.
Explorer 1
D.
Sputnik 1
26.
The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is 9.8 m/s2. The acceleration due to gravity on Venus is 8.9 m/s2. If
you weigh 78 newtons on Earth, how much would you weigh on Venus?
A.
about 71 newtons
B.
about 86 newtons
C.
78 newtons, weight is constant throughout the solar system
D.
more information is needed to determine my weight on Venus
27.
What is the constellation shown, with its three brightest stars listed?
A.
Draco
B.
Ursa Major
C.
Orion
D.
Cepheus
28.
A scientist reported that she successfully bred a tiger and a cheetah. Which of the following would most likely
lead to the acceptance of this scientist’s report by the scientific community?
A.
Scientific reports of other successful cross breeding of other animals existed.
B.
Other scientists can replicate the experiment.
C.
The scientist provided full results of her control group along with her experimental group.
D.
The scientist gave the animal a scientific name.
29.
Sam wanted to set up an experiment to test how high an ice cube would float in different temperatures of
water. What is the independent variable in Sam’s experiment?
A.
size of the ice cube
B.
height of the ice cube
C.
the temperature of the water
D.
original temperature of the ice cube
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 5
30.
Match the lab safety symbol with its meaning.
A.
B.
C.
D.
x.
1.
Fume safety
y.
2.
Environmental hazard
z.
3.
Animal safety
x-3, y-1, z-2
x-3, y-2, z-1
x-2, y-1, z-3
x-2, y-3, z-1
31.
This type of scientist would enjoy a trip to the Clockmaker’s Museum in London, England. What type of
scientist studies the field of timekeeping?
A.
horologist
B.
agronomist
C.
cartographer
D.
geodesist
32.
One of the first uses of this 1950s invention was in a Sonotone® hearing aid. This invention was also used in
portable radios throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. What is this small invention that consists of a
semiconducting material that amplifies a signal or can open and close a circuit?
A.
transistor
B.
capacitor
C.
resistor
D.
diode
33.
Which of the following would be the correct lab tool to transfer a powdered chemical from a weighing dish to
a test tube?
A.
scalpel
B.
spatula
C.
tongs
D.
forceps
34.
The Apollo 11 space mission became the first to land on the surface of the moon. Who was the commander
of this mission, who became the first human to step onto the surface of the moon?
A.
“Buzz” Aldrin
B.
Neil Armstrong
C.
John Glenn
D.
Yuri Gagarin
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 6
35.
Julie plans to plant a very large garden this year to supply vegetables to her extended family. Julie has two
acres of ground plowed for her garden. After Julie plants her garden, she has one-half of an acre unplanted.
The unplanted area will undergo which of the following ecological processes?
A.
climax development
B.
primary succession
C.
loss of total nutrient capacity
D.
secondary succession
36.
Which of the following trees is NOT considered a deciduous tree?
A.
Acer griseum (paper bark maple)
B.
Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree)
C.
Pinus strobus (eastern white pine)
D.
Cornus florida (white dogwood)
37.
A new pond was dug in April and filled with aquatic plants. The banks of the pond are bare, because there has
not been enough time for surface vegetation to establish itself. Over the next few months the aquatic plants
are not doing very well. An ecologist looks at the pond and determines the pond has an excess of suspended
soil particles from the banks, which are blocking sunlight from reaching the aquatic plants. What is the main
reason the aquatic plants are not doing very well in the pond?
A.
less energy is available for making food
B.
less tissue is available for plant growth
C.
less soil is available for leaf development
D.
less water is available for photosynthesis
38.
Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific traits. On what structure do you find genes?
A.
genomes
B.
nuclei
C.
chromosomes
D.
centrioles
39.
Which of the following is the most diverse group of arthropods?
A.
millipedes
B.
trilobites
C.
crustaceans
D.
insects
40.
Match the animal with its evolutionary change.
x. whales
1. lost their eyes
y. tapeworms
2. lost their hind limbs
z. cave fish
3. lost their digestive system
A.
B.
C.
D.
41.
x-1, y-2, z-3
x-1, y-3, z-2
x-2, y-3, z-1
x-2, y-1, z-3
The animal pictured at right is native to eastern Australia and Tasmania.
It falls into which of the following biological orders?
A.
Marsupials
B.
Monotremes
C.
Aves
D.
Carnivora
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 7
42.
What is the main rationale why viruses are considered to be nonliving?
A.
they lack genetic material
B.
they do not evolve
C.
they have RNA but no DNA
D.
they are not cellular
43.
What is bioremediation?
A.
the use of bacteria to clean up polluted areas
B.
the use of fungi to improve soil quality for plant growth
C.
the use of antibiotics to improve human health
D.
the use of plant products for the production of useful chemicals
44.
What is the main role of fungi in an ecosystem?
A.
They assist in plant pollination.
B.
They disperse the fruit of angiosperms.
C.
They decompose organic materials.
D.
They provide water for single cell organisms.
45.
Called the Wizard of Menlo Park, Thomas Edison held patents for 1093 inventions. Which of the following
inventions was NOT one of Edison’s?
A.
television
B.
stock ticker
C.
kinetoscope
D.
phonograph
46.
What scientist is credited with discovering the biological cell by viewing cork samples through a microscope?
A.
Edward Jenner
B.
Robert Hooke
C.
Joseph Lister
D.
Andreas Vesalius
47.
Computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee said he invented this one afternoon in his basement at home. What is
this electronic system of linked hypertext documents that can be accessed through the Internet?
A.
Java
B.
iPad
C.
World Wide Web
D.
Google
48.
Which of the following foods contains the highest calorie to protein ratio?
Food
Grams of protein per
Portion size (g)
Calories (Cal) per
100 grams of food
portion size
egg
13
50
80
tofu
7
125
94
tuna
26
85
99
almonds
33
14
82
A.
B.
C.
D.
egg
tofu
tuna
almonds
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 8
49.
Which of the following is not a probable cause of hypertension?
A.
being overweight
B.
stopping smoking
C.
genetic disposition
D.
lack of physical exercise
50.
Match the type of vitamin with its deficiency disease.
x. Vitamin B
1. rickets
y. Vitamin C
2. beriberi
z. Vitamin D
3. scurvy
A.
B.
C.
D.
x-2, y-3, z-1
x-1, y-3, z-2
x-2, y-1, z-3
x-1, y-2, z-3
TIEBREAKERS 51-60
51.
Which of the following is a molecular compound?
A.
sodium fluoride
B.
carbon dioxide
C.
barium chloride
D.
potassium iodide
52.
Jimmy walks out of math class to go to his social studies class. He first walks 30 meters north to the water
fountain and then proceeds to walk 85 meters south to his social studies classroom. What was Jimmy’s total
displacement from his math classroom to his social studies classroom?
A.
115 meters north
B.
55 meters north
C.
55 meters south
D.
115 meters south
53.
Which of the following is the SI unit for electric charge?
A.
coulomb
B.
joule
C.
kilowatt-hour
D.
electron-volt
54.
What part of the human body is represented in the drawing?
A.
hip
B.
shoulder
C.
ankle
D.
knee
55.
Each morning Teresa feeds her dog. Her dog, upon hearing Teresa scoop up the dog food, starts to salivate.
What is the term for this behavior exhibited by Teresa’s dog each morning?
A.
unconditioned response
B.
unconditioned stimulus
C.
conditioned response
D.
conditioned stimulus
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 9
56.
Which of the following statement or statements regarding puberty in the United States is true?
I.
Today, on average, puberty occurs at a younger age for girls in the United States than it did
250 years ago.
II.
In general, girls who have higher levels of stored fat are more likely to experience puberty
at an earlier age than thin girls.
III.
The production of facial hair in boys is independent of puberty.
A.
B.
C.
D.
I only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and III
57.
Energy from the Sun is an abiotic factor in most ecosystems. Which of the following terms describes the
subcategory of Sun energy in an ecosystem?
A.
edaphic factor
B.
climatic factor
C.
social factor
D.
chemical factor
58.
Which of the following correctly lists the densities of the layers of earth from highest to lowest?
A.
inner core > mantle > oceanic crust > continental crust
B.
inner core > mantle > continental crust > oceanic crust
C.
mantle > inner core > oceanic crust > continental crust
D.
inner core > oceanic crust > mantle > continental crust
59.
What is the astronomy term used to describe the apparent straight line alignment of three celestial bodies in
a gravitational system such as our solar system?
A.
accretion
B.
syzygy
C.
conjunction
D.
eclipse
60.
Maria sets up an experiment to determine how far water will flow from full identical plastic gallon milk
jugs that have 4 mm holes drilled in them at various heights. Which of the following is NOT a constant in
the experiment?
A.
amount of water in each milk jug
B.
4 mm holes
C.
gallon milk jugs
D.
distance water traveled from the hole
Science – Middle Grades District 2014 – Page 10
Science – Middle Grades - District
2014 Governor’s Cup
1. B
32. A
2. D
33. B
3. A
34. B
4. D
35. D
5. C
36. C
6. A
37. A
7. D
38. C
8. C
39. D
9. B
40. C
10. A
41. B
11. A
42. D
12. D
43. A
13. C
44. C
14. B
45. A
15. D
46. B
16. B
47. C
17. D
48. D
18. C
49. B
19. A
50. A
20. C
TIEBREAKERS 51-60
21. A
51. B
22. C
52. C
23. B
53. A
24. D
54. D
25. D
55. C
26. A
56. B
27. C
57. B
28. B
58. A
29. C
59. B
30. D
60. D
31. A