Science Summative Assessment
There are 30 questions on this assessment. Read each question carefully. You should attempt to
complete every question, even if you are unsure of the answer. At the end of this assessment you will
answer one short-response question. Use the box provided to answer the short-response question.
Answers written outside the boxed area will not be scored.
You will have 30 minutes to complete this assessment.
When you finish, go back over your answers, turn the test booklet over and wait silently for the
testing session to end.
**If you are completing this assessment as part of the science pre-test you will not complete the shortresponse question. Stop when you come to Question #29.
1. Which of the following is part of the scientific method?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Question
Hypothesis
Experimentation / Observation
Data Collection
All of the Above
2. What parts of the basic scientific method are missing from question #1 (Above)? (Select ALL
that apply)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Random Sampling
Secondary Observation
Hypothesis
Conclusion
There is nothing missing, the answer is complete
3. Which of the following terms describes a scientific statement which is accepted as true by all?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Question
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
All of the Above
4. Using a 500 ml beaker you measure 350 milliliters of water. This measurement would be an
example of which of the following variables?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Mass
Volume
Temperature
Distance
All of the Above
5. Demonstrate your Understanding: In lab 1.02 your focus variables are time, temperature and
test samples (fresh water vs. salt water solutions). What would be the proper variable
assignment on the X, Y axis for a graph that shows change over time?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Time – X / Temperature – Y
Temperature – X / Time – Y
Time and (or) Temperature – X / Test Groups – Y
Test Groups – X / Time and (or)Temperature
All of the Above
6. A conclusion is a summary of an experiment. Identify the parts that must be included in a
complete conclusion from the list below. (Select ALL that apply)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Restatement of the Question
Restatement of the Hypothesis
Experimental Method / Variables
Data Results
Conclusion Summary ( Answer)
Interpreting Data / Lab 1.02
Using the lab description provided on the next page answer questions 7 - 16. Some answers can be
found in the data, others must be calculated using the information provided. If you can’t find the
answer try looking at the possible answers for assistance.
NEXT PAGE →
Lab Objective/Question: How does adding salt (sodium chloride) to water change its thermal
properties?
**Diagram 1.02
Observe the lab setup (left).
In order to regulate variables, all (3) samples will
be done simultaneously using the identical lab
setup shown. ↓
The only difference between each test sample will
be the amount of salt (sodium chloride) added to
increase the solution concentration/density. (See
data collection / results below) ↓
Data Collection / Results:
Sample (A) Fresh Water 350
milliliters / 0 grams Salt
Time
Temperature
0 min.
25 °C
3 min.
27 °C
6 min.
29 °C
9 min.
36 °C
12 min.
41 °C
15 min.
45 °C
Sample (B) Salt Water Solution
350 milliliters / 15 grams Salt
Time
Temperature
0 min.
25 °C
3 min.
26 °C
6 min.
27 °C
9 min.
31 °C
12 min.
42 °C
15 min.
57 °C
Sample (C) Salt Water Solution
350 milliliters / 30 grams Salt
Time
Temperature
0 min.
25 °C
3 min.
26 °C
6 min.
26 °C
9 min.
32 °C
12 min.
44 °C
15 min.
61 °C
Lab 1.02 Conclusion:
How do thermal properties change as you add salt to fresh water? My hypothesis was that the fresh
water would heat up fastest. The other two samples are a solution, which means they have a greater
density due to the absorbed salt. If the density is greater, they may be able to absorb more energy but
it will happen more slowly. You can see this is true in the data table between 0 – 9 minutes, sample (A)
fresh water increases from 25 – 36 degrees °C, Sample (B) after the same amount of time only reaches
31 °C and sample (C) is only a degree warmer (32 °C). While my initial hypothesis was correct it seems
that the greater density samples (A & B) had an advantage and began heating much more rapidly than
the fresh water seen at the 12 minute data collection. The data trend shows that over time, greater
density solutions heat fastest. Sample (C) is the greatest density solution with 30 grams of salt and has
the highest overall temperature (61 °C) over 15 minutes.
7. Which of the test samples heated fastest between 0 – 9 minutes in lab 1.02?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
All samples are the same
There is not enough information to solve this problem
8. Identify an independent variable in lab 1.02. (Select ALL that apply)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
The amount of water
The amount of salt (sodium chloride) added
The heat setting on the hot plate
The amount of time the test samples are heated
The speed each test sample heats
9. Converting for Measurement: Test sample (3) needs salt added to make it a solution. Your
lab tools measure ounces not grams. How many ounces of salt must be measured in order to
make the proper solution for test sample three? (28.3495 grams is equal to (1) ounce)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
A little more than one ounce
A little less than one ounce
Exactly one ounce
Exactly two ounces
There is not enough information to solve this problem
10. Observe the data table from lab 1.02. Which graph would be best for showing this type of
information?
11. Identify a dependent variable in lab 1.02.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
The heat setting on the hot plate
The amount of time the test samples are heated
The speed each test sample heats
The amount of salt (sodium chloride) added
There are no dependent variables in lab 1.02
12. Read the conclusion provided for lab 1.02. Which of the following parts are missing from the
conclusion? (Select ALL that apply)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Restatement of the Question
Restatement of the Hypothesis
Experimental Method / Variables
Data Results
Conclusion Summary ( Answer)
13. Which of the following variables must be controlled in order for experiment to have a more
accurate result? (Select ALL that apply)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
The temperature of the test samples before the experiment
The temperature of the test samples after the experiment
The amount of time each test sample is heated
The starting temperature of the hot plate before testing begins
The level the thermometer is placed into the test samples (How deep)
14. Which type of graph would be best for showing a comparison of greatest over all temperature
between the test groups A, B and C once the experiment has been completed?
15. Lab Research: What is the boiling point of fresh water?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
100 °C
61 °C
212 °F
45 °C
Both answers A and C are correct
16. At what point in time is sample (B) the 2nd hottest temperature during the experiment?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
0 minutes
3 minutes
6 minutes
9 minutes
12 minutes
General Science Topics: 8th Grade
Questions 17 – 29 are general topic questions that cover 8th grade content. If you do not know the
answer to a question you should still attempt to answer it.
17. An object’s potential energy is relative to both its size and position.
a. True
b. False
c. There is not enough information to solve this problem
18. Which of the following cell organelles is responsible for regulating what enters and leaves the
nucleus?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Mitochondria
Cell membrane
Ribosomes
Nuclear membrane
Cytoplasm
19. Which of the following has been identified as a green-house gas, responsible for the rise in
atmospheric temperatures known as global warming? (Select ALL that apply)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Methane
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
Water Vapor
Nitrous Oxide
20. Which of the following correctly identifies the relationship between two organisms where
both organisms benefit from the relationship?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Symbiosis
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism
Omnivore
21. Where would you find highly reactive elements grouped together on the periodic table?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Left side
Center
Right side
Top
Bottom
22. Which variable is necessary to calculate force? (Select ALL that apply)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Speed
Mass
Distance
Acceleration
There is not enough information to solve this problem
23. Identify the natural cycle that is an exchange between producers and consumers.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Nitrogen Cycle
Water Cycle
Carbon and Oxygen Cycle
Seasonal Cycle
Rock Cycle
24. Identify the correct electron configuration for the element carbon.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
1s22s22p2
2s22p2
2s4
6eThere is not enough information to answer this problem
25. Identify the graph best used to compare groups/characteristics within a population.
26. Complete the statement. Increasing the number of test trials in an experiment will…
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Decrease the result accuracy
Increase the result accuracy
Decrease the number of test samples
Increase the number of test samples
Both B and D are correct
27. Identify the sub-atomic particle that has a negative charge and forms a cloud surrounding the
nucleus.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Proton
Neutron
Electron
Quark
Higgs-Boson
28. Calculating Speed: A car travels one mile in (60) seconds. How fast is the car traveling in miles
per hour?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
30
60
90
120
150
29. Question
Graphing Data: Short Response
Question (30) Using the information in the data table from experiment 1.02 read the prompt and
respond by selecting and constructing an appropriate graph in the response space provided. Answers
or parts of answers written outside the response space will not be scored.
A. Analyze the data in the table provided. Create a single graph that shows a comparison of
change over time for the (2) test samples A and C.
B. Your graph must make use of all necessary labels, keys and accurate measurements.