Name
Minnesota Comprehensive
Assessments-Series III
Science Item Sampler
Grade 8
ITEM SAMPLERS ARE NOT SECURE TEST
MATERIALS. THIS ITEM SAMPLER TEST BOOK
MAY BE COPIED OR DUPLICATED.
18 Point
State of Minnesota
© Copyright Minnesota Department of Education
Roseville, MN 55113-4266
Science Test
General Directions
• This test contains two segments.
• You may write in this test book or use scratch paper.
• All answers must be marked in this test book.
• This test has four kinds of questions.
• Answer each multiple-choice question by circling your answer. The
sample below shows how to do this.
Sample Question Answered in Test Book:
What should a farmer do to prevent too much
fertilizer from being put on a field?
A.
Apply fertilizer right before planting
B.
Apply fertilizer and water at the same
time
C.
Measure the ammount of minerals the
soil needs
D.
Measure the amount of water in the
soil
Go on to the next page.
3
• For some diagram questions, you will need to write the label letters
(A, B, C, etc.) in the boxes. The sample below shows how to do
this.
Sample Question Answered in Test Book:
This diagram shows the process of photosynthesis.
Identify the parts of the photosynthesis process involved
in this ecosystem.
Each word is labeled A, B, C, D, E, or F. Write the letter
of the correct word in each empty box. Four of the words
will be used.
Go on to the next page.
4
• For some diagram questions, you will need to circle the word you
want to select as your answer. The samples below show how to do
this.
Sample Question Answered in Test Book:
Two characteristics of pintial ducks are listed. Identify the
characteristics that are the same and different in pintail ducks.
On the diagram, circle the word you want to select. You may
only circle 1 word for Same and 1 word for Different.
Sample Question Answered in Test Book:
Choose 2 different adaptations that make this duck more
suited to feed on water plants than other kinds of birds.
On the diagram, circle the 2 adaptations. You may only
circle 2 adaptations.
Go on to the next page.
5
• For some graphing equations, you will need to write a “+” above
each bar, where the top of the bar should be. The sample below
shows how to do this.
Sample Question Answered in Test Book:
Read the water level in the beakers. Make a graph
of this data.
Write a “+” above each bar where the top of the bar
should be.
• When you finish a segment of the test, stop and check your
answers. Then use the sticker given to you to seal it. Once you seal
a segment, you cannot go back to it. Each segment must be sealed
before you move on to the next segment.
6
There is no test material on this page.
Go on to the next page.
7
On this test, do your own best work to show what you
know and can do.
•
Do not accept help finding answers to test
questions.
•
Do not give answers to other students.
•
Do not tell others what is on the test.
•
There may be consequences if you do not follow
directions or if you behave dishonestly.
8
Put sticker
here
Segment 1
You will be told when to begin this segment.
9
1
There is no test material on this page.
Go on to the next page.
10
Science Test – Segment 1
1
Lake Superior
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
11
1
About 10,000 years ago, the last glaciers melted around the Lake Superior
area and filled the lake with water. For the past few hundred years,
agricultural and manufacturing developments have caused pollution in
the lake.
Ontario
Minnesota
Lake
Superior
Michigan
Wisconsin
1. Which observation suggests that Minnesota was covered by glaciers in
the past?
A. Rocks have fossils.
B. Rocks show wind erosion.
C. Rocks show chemical weathering.
D. Rocks have scrapes and striations.
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
12
1
There is no test material on this page.
Go on to the next page.
13
1
To learn more about the pollution in Lake Superior, scientists travel in a
boat to collect samples from different areas of the lake. Before going out
on the lake, the scientists must study the local weather in order to safely
travel on the lake.
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
14
2. Based on the air pressure data, which 2 weather predictions will most
likely be accurate?
Circle the 2 weather predictions you want to select.
Time of Day
Air Pressure
(millibars)
6 a.m.
978
Noon
1,010
6 p.m.
1,010
Midnight
1,010
Weather Predictions
Fair
weather
Cirrus
clouds
Strong
winds
Heavy
rain
Stratus
clouds
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
15
1
The scientists on the boat discover many pollutants in the lake sediment.
1
Sediment
sample
Sediment
sample
Pollutants Found in Lake
Superior Sediments
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Pesticides
Zinc
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
16
3. Based on the data collected, which testable question are the scientists
trying to answer?
1
A. What is the source of the pollution?
B. Which pollutants are found in the lake?
C. Which pollutants have been in the water the longest?
D. What effect does the pollution have on the lake ecosystem?
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
17
1
Mercury is 1 pollutant found in Lake Superior. The largest source of
mercury pollution comes from burning coal in power plants. Data shows
that air currents can carry pollutants from power plants that are hundreds
of miles away.
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
18
4. Show how these factors would most likely change if people began to
use less energy.
Each change is labeled A, B, C, D, E, or F. Write the letter of the
correct change into each box. You may use each letter 1 time. Three of
the labels will be used.
Changes When Less Energy is Used
Amount of
Coal Burned
Amount of
Mercury
Released
Condition of
the Lake
A.
C.
E.
increases
increases
improves
B.
D.
F.
decreases
decreases
declines
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
19
1
Put sticker
here
This is the end of Segment 1.
20
Segment 2
Put sticker
here
You will be told when to begin this segment.
21
There is no test material on this page.
2
Go on to the next page.
22
Science Test – Segment 2
Pea Plant
Experiment
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
23
2
A student plants pea seeds in containers. Each container has the same
type of soil and receives the same amounts of water and light. The pea
seeds grow into mature plants.
2
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
24
5. What 2 substances do plants take in to make sugars during
photosynthesis?
A. Soil and light
B. Water and oxygen
C. Soil and carbon dioxide
D. Water and carbon dioxide
2
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
25
The student collects the seeds from the mature pea plants. Some of the
seeds are green and some are yellow. The student records the data about
seed color in a table.
Number of Pea Seeds
Green
Yellow
Green
Yellow
245
255
2
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
26
6. Which graph best shows the information from the table?
A.
Pea Seeds
Green
color
255
Yellow
color
245
B.
Number of
Seeds
Pea Seeds
2
255
245
235
Color of Seeds
C.
Pea Seeds
Green
color
245
D.
Yellow
color
255
Color of
Seeds
Pea Seeds
235
245
255
Number of Seeds
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
27
7. Reproduction is important for a species to survive. Select one factor
that might affect a species. Then select the most likely outcome of
that factor.
Each factor is labeled A, B, or C, and each outcome is labeled D, E, or
F. Write the letter of the correct factor and the outcome into each
empty box. Use one letter for the factor and one letter for the
outcome.
Factor
2
Outcome
A.
large amount of
genetic diversity
D.
decreased chance of
species survival
B.
small number
of organisms
E.
increased chance of
species survival
C.
negative change
in environment
F.
no chance of
species survival
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
28
There is no test material on this page.
2
Go on to the next page.
29
The student uses yellow pea seeds for a different experiment. The student
divides these seeds into 2 groups. One group of yellow pea seeds receives
half as much water as the other group. After 1 month, the group of plants
that received less water is shorter than the other group of plants.
2
More water
Less water
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
30
8. Several types of variables are found in this experiment. Identify each
of the 4 variables shown as changed, measured, or kept the same.
Each variable is labeled A, B, C, or D. Write the letter of the correct
variable or variables in each empty box. Use each letter 1 time.
Pea Plant Experiment
Amount
of light
Variable(s)
Changed
Amount
of water
Height of
plant
Variable(s)
Measured
Size of
container
Variable(s)
Kept the
Same
A.
B.
Amount
of water
Amount
of light
C.
D.
Height of
Size of
plant
container
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
31
2
There is no test material on this page.
2
Go on to the next page.
32
Satellites
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
2
Go on to the next page.
33
Satellites are natural or artificial objects that orbit a planet or star. The
Moon and Earth are both natural satellites. For thousands of years,
humans have used natural satellites and stars to determine the time of
day and predict the change of the seasons.
2
9. Satellites move in regular, predictable patterns. Identify which 2
properties keep satellites moving in regular, predictable patterns.
Circle 2 properties you want to select.
Properties
Density
Friction
Gravity
Inertia
Magnetism
Speed
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
34
There is no test material on this page.
2
Go on to the next page.
35
The first artificial satellite, Sputnik, was launched in 1957. Since then,
many other countries, including the United States, have launched artificial
satellites. These satellites are powered by an energy source such as
batteries or the Sun.
Sputnik
2
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
36
Modern Artificial Satellite
2
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
37
10. Scientists use rockets to launch satellites from Earth. Identify which
energy types are involved in launching a rocket.
Each energy type is labeled A, B, C, or D. Write the letter of the
correct energy type in each empty box. Three of the energy types will
be used.
Launching a Rocket
Energy of
moving rocket
2
Energy stored in
fuel cells
Energy released
into atmosphere
Energy Types
A.
chemical
B.
electrical
C.
heat
D.
mechanical
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
38
There is no test material on this page.
2
Go on to the next page.
39
Scientific research also uses artificial satellites. Scientists use images from
satellites to observe changes in the sizes of glaciers.
Satellite Image of Glacier, 1960
2
= Glacier
= Land
= Water
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
40
Satellite Image of Glacier, 1980
2
= Glacier
= Land
= Water
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
41
Satellite Image of Glacier, 2000
2
= Glacier
= Land
= Water
11. The glacier in the satellite image appears white and the land appears
brown. Which statement explains why objects appear to be different
colors?
A. Objects reflect all wavelengths of light.
B. Objects refract all wavelengths of light.
C. Objects reflect some wavelengths of light and absorb others.
D. Objects refract some wavelengths of light and absorb others.
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
42
12. As the glacier melts, the volume of water in the lake near the glacier
increases. Every 3 square kilometers of ice that melts adds 1,000,000
liters of water to the lake.
Glacier Size Over Time
Year
2
Area (km )
1960
1980
2000
9
6
3
Assume the glacier melts at the same rate through 2020. Graph the
volume of water in the lake from 1980 to 2020.
You can use the calculator to help you answer this question.
Write a “+” above each bar where the top of the bar should be.
Volume (millions of L)
Lake Water Volume
22
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
1960 1980 2000 2020
Year
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
43
2
Communication is a common use of artificial satellites. They receive and
send electromagnetic waves to transmit radio, telephone, and television
signals.
Artificial satellite
2
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
44
13. Internet services use satellite signals. People can use the Internet in
homes to replace some older technologies. Identify which items people
can replace by using the Internet.
Circle the names of the items you want to select.
Items
Refrigerator
Stove
2
Books
Lamp
Newspapers
14. Which statement describes why sound waves cannot travel beyond
Earth’s atmosphere to the satellites?
A. Sound waves need light to move.
B. Sound waves cannot travel in air.
C. Sound waves need particles to move.
D. Sound waves cannot travel fast enough.
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
45
The global positioning system, known as GPS, uses artificial satellites.
People can use a GPS device to get directions to a location.
2
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
46
15. A compass and a GPS device have similar features and different
features. Identify which features are similar and which are different.
Compass
GPS device
2
Each feature is labeled A, B, C, or D. Write the letter of each feature in
the correct box. You will use each letter 1 time.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Shows which
direction is
north
Cost
Number of
functions
Includes a
map
Similar
Different
ITEM SAMPLER
MAY BE DUPLICATED.
Go on to the next page.
47
Put sticker
here
This is the end of Segment 2.
48
49
ITEM SAMPLERS ARE NOT SECURE TEST MATERIALS. THIS ITEM
SAMPLER TEST BOOK MAY BE COPIED OR DUPLICATED.
Grade 8
Science Item Sampler
18 point
1106190
1 2 3 4 5 A B C D E
Printed in the USA
ISD15560