Student Name:
Grade 8 Science
Item Sampler Practice Test Booklet
Science
Test,
Secondd Edition
MST2
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S8
Sample Items
1. Look at the following
thermometer. The thermometer
measures temperature in degrees
Celsius (°C) .
°C
120
100
2. What type of tissue is attached to
the skeletal system and helps
bones move?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Muscle tissue
Cardiac tissue
Adipose tissue
Epithelial tissue
80
60
40
20
0
–20
–40
What is the temperature shown on
the thermometer?
A. 10°C
B. 0°C
C.
5°C
D. 10°C
Page 1
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S8
Directions: Select your answers for questions 1–20. Choose only one answer for each
question.
1.
Compared to skin cells, muscle cells need more mitochondria in order to
survive.
Which statement explains the reason for this?
A. Skin cells need less heat than muscle cells; mitochondria help cells to
take in heat.
B. Muscle cells need more water than skin cells; mitochondria help cells to
absorb water.
C. Muscle cells need more energy than skin cells; mitochondria provide
energy through cellular respiration.
D. Skin cells need more energy than muscle cells; mitochondria take up
limited space needed by cell components that produce energy.
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S8
2.
A student put a bird feeder in her backyard. She noticed that fewer birds
came to the feeder when the neighbor’s cat was in the yard. She wondered if
a stuffed toy cat would have the same effect. For one week, she measured
how many grams (g) of birdseed were eaten from the feeder. Then she placed
a stuffed toy cat in a tree next to the feeder and left it there for a week. She
again measured the food eaten each day. The following tables show her data.
Mass of Birdseed Eaten without Stuffed Toy Cat
Present
Type of
Seed
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs.
Sunflower 50 g
Mixed
90 g
Fri.
Sat.
Sun.
45 g
65 g
60 g
50 g
45 g
35 g
85 g
90 g
95 g
100 g
80 g
90 g
Mass of Birdseed Eaten with Stuffed Toy
Cat Present
Type of
Seed
Mon.
Tues.
Wed.
Thurs.
Fri.
Sat.
Sun.
Sunflower
5g
5g
6g
10 g
10 g
15 g
16 g
Mixed
5g
5g
8g
12 g
10 g
18 g
22 g
Which conclusion did the student’s quantitative data give that her qualitative
observations did not predict?
A. Fewer seeds were eaten when the stuffed toy cat was present.
B. More sunflower seeds were eaten when the stuffed toy cat was present.
C. When the stuffed toy cat was present, the amount of seeds eaten varied
from day to day.
D. When the stuffed toy cat was present, the amount of seeds eaten
increased toward the end of the week.
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3.
Ultraviolet light can delay the growth of many green plants.
Compared to visible light, why is ultraviolet light harmful to plants?
A. Ultraviolet light has more energy than visible light.
B. Ultraviolet light has a slower speed than visible light.
C. Ultraviolet light has a lower frequency than visible light.
D. Ultraviolet light has a longer wavelength than visible light.
4.
Because Earth is tilted on its axis, the amount of daylight received in most
locations changes during one year. The following diagram shows four
locations across Earth and the angle of sunlight that reaches Earth.
4
3
Energy
from
the Sun
2
1
Which location would receive the greatest amount of daylight when Earth is in
the position shown in this diagram?
A. Location 1
B. Location 2
C. Location 3
D. Location 4
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5.
For a population of cattle, having horns is a recessive trait, and not having
horns is a dominant trait. The following is a pedigree diagram for part of the
population.
Pedigree
I
II
III
Key
= male without horns
= female without horns
= male with horns
= female with horns
Based on the pedigree diagram, what is the expected probability that the
next offspring of the two circled individuals will have horns?
A. 100%
B. 50%
C. 25%
D. 0%
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S8
6.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make food using the Sun as
energy. The following formula represents the reaction for photosynthesis.
Formula for Photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Rhonda performed an experiment to test the effect of light intensity and
presence of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3) on the rate of photosynthesis in
water plants. She cut a piece of water plant and placed the cut end of the
plant in a test tube. She placed a lamp 5 centimeters (cm) from the plant as
a light source and counted the number of bubbles that formed from the cut
end of the stem. She repeated this for two trials and averaged her results.
When Rhonda repeated the experiment for trial 2, she changed the
environmental conditions as noted in the following table. The larger the
number of bubbles, the higher the rate of photosynthesis.
Data Table
Environmental
Condition
Number of Oxygen
Bubbles
Trial 1
Trial 2
Average
Lamp 5 cm from
plant
50.0
62.0
56.0
Lamp 20 cm
from plant
27.0
24.0
25.5
Plant in sodium
bicarbonate;
Lamp 5 cm from
plant
78.0
84.0
81.0
Rhonda concluded that the rate of photosynthesis was higher if the plant was
closer to the light source and if sodium bicarbonate was added to increase the
carbon dioxide (CO 2) available.
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S8
Which statement provides a logical defense for Rhonda’s conclusion?
A. Additional carbon dioxide and more intense light produce more bubbles.
B. The sodium bicarbonate heats the water to increase the rate of
photosynthesis.
C. The rate of photosynthesis is higher in water plants because water is one
of the reactants.
D. Placing the plant nearer to the light source causes the water to boil and
increases the rate of photosynthesis, which produces more bubbles.
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S8
In Mississippi, natural gas is commonly used to produce electricity. A turbine
similar to the one shown in the following picture is used to generate this
electricity.
Turbine Generator
Spinning
Coil of Wire
North
Pole
Turbine Spin
Shaft
Magnet
Magnet
7.
South
Pole
Direction of Electric Current
To Transmission
Lines
How is natural gas used to produce electricity?
A. Natural gas burns to turn the wire coils, which turn the turbine.
B. Natural gas is poured through the turbine, which makes it spin.
C. Natural gas produces magnetism, which causes the turbine to spin.
D. Natural gas burns to heat water, which goes through the turbine as
steam.
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S8
Directions: Use the information below to answer questions 8 through 10.
Ultralight Owl
A Mississippi flight research laboratory has developed an ultralight plane known as
the Owl because it flies so quietly. The plane can be piloted by a person or
controlled remotely. It is able to glide long distances using air currents. The Owl
can carry cameras, sensors, and communications equipment. It can be adapted for
many uses, including aerial observations and data collection.
The following chart and graph show design characteristics and the climb rate of the
Owl.
Characteristics of the Owl
Length
(meters)
Height
(meters)
Wingspan
(meters)
Empty
Weight
(kilograms)
Maximum
Weight
(kilograms)
6.279
1.067
12.192
106.6
226.8
Duration
Maximum
In the Air
Altitude
(hours) (kilometers)
36
19.812
Climb Rate of Owl
10,000
Altitude (meters)
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2
6
10
14
18
22
26
30
34
38
Time (minutes)
Vibration tests were conducted to reveal stress points and assess the strength of
the Owl’s wings. The following graphs show the vibrations measured at Point A and
Point B when the Owl’s wings were tested on a shaker table. There were a greater
number of vibrations at Point A than at Point B.
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Results of Vibration Testing on Wing
A
B
Point A
Point B
0.05
Amplitude
Amplitude
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
10 20 30 40 50
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
Frequency (Hz)
10 20 30 40 50
Frequency (Hz)
Scientists feel they can build a plane that will be light and strong by using new
materials. After testing, they conclude that the Owl will climb higher and faster
than current ultralight planes. Scientists are working on designing a lighter,
stronger plane that could climb higher and faster than current ultralight planes.
8.
Which of the following is an inference based on the quantitative data of the
vibration test?
A. The Owl’s design will be better than current ultralight planes.
B. The end of the Owl’s wings will be less stable than the base.
C. The Owl will be able to stay in the air for more than 24 hours.
D. The Owl will fly as high as 19.812 kilometers in altitude.
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S8
9.
The scientists built a new version of the plane and repeated the tests used to
determine the Owl’s climb rate. The new version was recorded at an altitude
of 3,000 meters in 16 minutes and 3,100 meters in 18 minutes.
Why would scientists need to revise their conclusion about the Owl?
A. To increase safety for pilots
B. To account for decreased speed
C. To accurately estimate how high it could climb
D. To determine how long it could glide in the air
10. According to Newton’s Second Law of Motion, which characteristic of the Owl
will have the greatest effect on the amount of force required to keep it in
motion?
A. Altitude
B. Height
C. Length
D. Mass
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S8
11. Two lithospheric plates meet along a convergent boundary. The crust of
Plate 1 contains primarily granite rock, while the crust of Plate 2 is made of
denser basalt rock.
Which of these will occur as a result of the two plates meeting?
A. Plate 1 will be forced above the denser Plate 2, forming tall mountains on
the land above Plate 1.
B. The two plates will collide, causing the land above the plates to buckle
and form folded mountains.
C. Plate 2 will subduct and melt beneath the less dense Plate 1, forming
volcanic mountains on the land above Plate 1.
D. The two plates will bounce off each other, creating a rift valley between
the plates that fills with magma and creates new land.
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S8
12. A scientist investigated the solubility of three different solids in water at
different temperatures.
The following list describes the procedure:
• Measure 100 grams (g) of water into a beaker.
• Heat the water to the temperature being tested, in degrees Celsius (°C).
• Mix solid into water until no more will mix in.
• Find the mass of the solution.
• Subtract to find the mass of the solid.
The scientist recorded the data in the following table.
Solubility vs. Temperature
Solubility
(g of solute per 100 g of water)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
20
40
60
Temperature (°C)
80
Key
= solid #1
= solid #2
= solid #3
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S8
The scientist concluded that increasing heat increases the solubility of many
solids, but it may decrease solubility in some cases.
Which is a logical argument defending this conclusion?
A. The graph shows that each solid required a specific amount of time before
solubility could be measured.
B. The graph shows that increasing heat had a large effect on solid #1 but
did not affect solids #2 and #3.
C. The graph shows that solids #1 and #2 increased in solubility with
increased heat, but solid #3 decreased.
D. The graph shows that all solids dissolved better in water with a higher
temperature, but some were more affected than others.
13. Consider the following weather conditions in a city in Mississippi:
• The time is 4 p.m.
• The sky is partly cloudy with cumulus clouds.
• The temperature is 39 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
• The relative humidity is 50%.
• The barometric pressure is 30.23 inches (1,023.7 millibars) and steady.
• The wind is coming out of the northwest at 8 miles per hour.
What weather would be expected in the next few hours?
A. Colder and snow
B. Colder and clear
C. Warmer and rain
D. Warmer and clear
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S8
14. Fitch Barriers are plastic, sand-filled barrels that are placed between
highways and exit lanes. Their purpose is to slowly absorb the momentum of
a vehicle in the event of a collision. This process is safer than having the
vehicle stopped by a solid wall or highway divider.
Which of these situations shows the vehicle that will transfer the least amount
of momentum into the barriers?
A.
2,000
kilograms
16 meters
per second
1,800
kilograms
16 meters
per second
1,600
kilograms
20 meters
per second
1,400
kilograms
20 meters
per second
B.
C.
D.
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S8
15. The following diagram shows a food web of a forest park area.
Food Web of Forest Park
Sun
Coyotes
Owls
Deer
Grasshoppers
Mice
Snakes
Trees, grass
Which scenario might happen if humans remove the snakes from this park
area?
A. The grasshopper population would have to rely on the mice for energy.
B. The coyotes would need to include producers in their diet because they
would lose a source of energy.
C. The deer population would increase because deer would not have to
compete with the snakes for energy.
D. The owls would have a greater chance of getting energy from mice
because the mice population would increase.
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S8
16. Calcium (Ca) can be burned in oxygen (O 2) to form the compound calcium
oxide (CaO). The following balanced equation represents this reaction.
2Ca + O 2 → 2CaO
If 20.0 grams (g) of Ca are burned, and the result is 28 g of CaO, how many
grams of O 2 are used in the reaction?
A. 4 g
B. 8 g
C. 16 g
D. 20 g
17. Which component in cells helps marine organisms live in varying salt
conditions by regulating the salt concentration in cells?
A. DNA
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Cell membrane
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S8
18. Two plates, each carrying a continent, converge at a trench, as shown in the
following diagram.
Ocean
Continen
tal Pl
ate
Sediments
late
ental P
n
i
t
n
Co
What will happen to most of the sediment on the ocean floor as the
continents meet?
A. The sediment will be eroded by ocean waves.
B. The sediment will be carried down into the trench.
C. The sediment will gather and stop the plates from moving together.
D. The sediment will be pushed together and lifted up to form mountains.
19. Bacteria consume organic material in waste water. The bacteria use oxygen
(O2) and release carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
How does this process of the bacteria impact life on Earth?
A. The bacteria filter out toxic chemicals.
B. The bacteria cause illness and disease.
C. The bacteria clean the water so it can be recycled.
D. The bacteria prevent climate change by releasing CO2.
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S8
20. The following list describes some conservation methods:
1.
Install solar panels and solar batteries on buildings.
2.
Recycle plastic bottles and containers.
3.
Leave grass clippings and leaves on the ground.
4.
Reforest areas that have been cleared of trees.
Which method would conserve a renewable resource and help prevent global
warming?
A. Method 1, because it would increase the use of solar energy and absorb
sunlight that would otherwise heat the atmosphere
B. Method 2, because it would eliminate the need to produce more plastic
from oil, allowing the oil to be used by automobiles
C. Method 3, because decomposing grass and leaves would add nutrients to
the soil, reducing the need for man-made fertilizer
D. Method 4, because increasing the number of trees would decrease the
amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere
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Page 21
SCIENCE
GRADE
8
Item Sampler Practice Test Booklet
1102621
1 2 3 4 5 A B C D E
Printed in the USA
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