Grade 4
Name: ___________________________________________________
Teacher’s Name _______________________________________
Fall 2011 (Pre A)
Hello! Researchers at Purdue University would like to understand what you know about science and
engineering!
They have some questions for you. I will not grade your answers. Just do your best.
Thank you for giving Purdue your best effort.
Directions:
For each of the questions below, choose the BEST answer and circle the letter.
Choose only one answer for each question.
1)
2)
3)
Making soil more compact before building on it is considered technology because it is
A.
a source of pollution.
B.
a process designed to solve a problem.
C.
work that takes many people.
D.
done by nature.
Samantha is a geotechnical engineer. In her job, she is likely to do all of the following
EXCEPT
A.
talk with others about what they need and want.
B.
test properties of soils in a project area.
C.
run a machine that digs up soil and rock.
D.
plan a process to reduce erosion.
A geotechnical engineer has designed a treatment to prevent soil erosion on sloping
ground. The engineer now needs to test the erosion control treatment. Which test would
be MOST appropriate?
A.
compare the erosion that occurs on a treated slope and an untreated slope
B.
plant grass in different kinds of soil to see if it will grow
C.
determine the cost of the erosion prevention system
D.
ask people to predict whether the system will prevent erosion
Page 1
© 2011 Heidi. A. Diefes-Dux, Purdue University
Name: ___________________________________________________
Teacher’s Name _______________________________________
4)
5)
6)
7)
Grade 4
Fall 2011 (Pre A)
A core sample of soil is taken to
A.
examine properties of soil layers.
B.
measure nutrients in topsoil.
C.
stop soil erosion.
D.
reduce slope in the land.
Topsoil will usually contain all of the following EXCEPT
A.
air space.
B.
roots and twigs.
C.
dead insect parts.
D.
packed clay.
Soil can be improved to support a structure better by adding
A.
gravel or crushed rock.
B.
fertilizer and mulch.
C.
water and oil.
D.
plant roots and seeds.
Maria is trying to design a way to make the ground strong enough to sink a pole to hold a
basketball hoop. Maria thinks of several different ideas and sketches them. Then, she
chooses one of the ideas and writes out a list of materials. She then constructs a model of
her idea. What will she most likely do next?
A.
improve
B.
plan
C.
create
D.
test
Page 2
© 2011 Heidi. A. Diefes-Dux, Purdue University
Name: ___________________________________________________
Teacher’s Name _______________________________________
8)
9)
10)
11)
Grade 4
Fall 2011 (Pre A)
If a city were hit by a flood, what would a role of engineers be?
A.
replace roofs on damaged buildings
B.
clean up damage and debris
C.
contact the families of the victims
D.
create a system to prevent future floods
Which is an example of technology?
A.
lightning
B.
scissors
C.
rabbit
D.
river
A geotechnical engineer is helping the city park department find ways to use plants as
part of a system to prevent erosion on hillsides in city parks. The engineer takes samples
from the hillside to find out about soil layers. What property of the soil samples is most
important for plant growth?
A.
the ability to retain water
B.
the temperature of the soil
C.
the color of the soil
D.
the ability of the soil to form clumps
When an engineer is told to design a new technology, the first thing an engineer does is
A.
test.
B.
ask.
C.
improve.
D.
create.
Page 3
© 2011 Heidi. A. Diefes-Dux, Purdue University
Grade 4
Name: ___________________________________________________
Teacher’s Name _______________________________________
12)
13)
14)
15)
Fall 2011 (Pre A)
Matt is designing a new bicycle. He wants to make the handlebars and bike seat light up
when someone rides the bike at night. Matt uses his best drawing to make a list of
materials and tools he will need to build his test bicycle. Which step of the engineering
design process is Matt working on?
A.
plan
B.
ask
C.
create
D.
imagine
Which of the following is an example of a task that an engineer would perform?
A.
fix a car for a customer
B.
drive a train engine
C.
design a quiet vacuum cleaner
D.
build a house for a family
Erosion along a river bank will be the GREATEST problem for
A.
campers staying overnight.
B.
people building cabins close to a river.
C.
boaters following a river.
D.
hikers and backpackers.
What changes happen along ALL rivers over time?
A.
Rivers become polluted.
B.
Animals leave the river area.
C.
Average water temperature becomes colder each year.
D.
Erosion along a river’s banks changes the river’s shape.
Page 4
© 2011 Heidi. A. Diefes-Dux, Purdue University