| (1) Selected Response Public Release |
Electrical energy may sometimes be converted to mechanical energy.
Which of these appliances converts electrical energy into mechanical energy?
- fan
- lamp
- radio
- stove
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_088.xml
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| (2) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the technical passage 'Fireflies' to answer the following.
The light produced by fireflies indicates
- a physical change
- a chemical reaction
- the formation of water
- the formation of precipitate
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_101.xml
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| (3) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the technical passage 'Fireflies' to answer the following.
How does the light produced by the firefly help it to survive?
- Light distracts predators.
- Light keeps the firefly warm.
- Light allows the firefly to communicate.
- Light allows the firefly to see in the dark.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_102.xml
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| (4) Brief Constructed Response Public Release |
Use the technical passage 'Fireflies' to answer the following.
Describe the adaptations that fireflies use to survive. In your
description, be sure to
- identify the adaptations of fireflies
- explain the benefits of firefly adaptations
Write your answer in the space provided.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_103.xml
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| (5) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information and table below to answer the following.
The table below compares Earth and Saturn.
Which statement best compares Saturn and Earth?
- Saturn is more dense than Earth.
- Saturn has fewer lunar eclipses than Earth.
- Saturn has a longer day and night cycle than Earth.
- Saturn takes more time to revolve around the sun than Earth.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_104.xml
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| (6) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information and table below to answer the following.
The table below compares Earth and Saturn.
The amount of time in a day on Saturn is less than the amount of time in a day on Earth because Saturn
- has a shorter axis
- has a more tilted axis
- rotates more slowly on its axis
- rotates more quickly on its axis
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_105.xml
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| (7) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information and table below to answer the following.
The table below compares Earth and Saturn.
Earth and Saturn are tilted on their axes at similar angles.
What feature of both planets do the angles affect?
- different seasons
- prevailing wind direction
- average atmospheric pressure
- average atmospheric temperature
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_106.xml
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| (8) Selected Response Public Release |
Many organisms have structures for protection and survival.
Which structure is most similar to tree bark?
- bird beak
- bear claws
- human skin
- snake fangs
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_7_032.xml
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| (9) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students studied the water quality at five different sites in a water drainage area. The water from the five streams and river sites empties into a bay. The students recorded data for dissolved oxygen, percentage of floating sediments, water quality for aquatic life, temperature, and salinity. The information is shown in the data table below.
Based on the data in the table, how do high sediment levels reduce water quality for aquatic life?
- increase the salinity
- decrease the temperature
- decrease dissolved oxygen
- increase the amount of carbon dioxide
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_107.xml
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| (10) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students studied the water quality at five different sites in a water drainage area. The water from the five streams and river sites empties into a bay. The students recorded data for dissolved oxygen, percentage of floating sediments, water quality for aquatic life, temperature, and salinity. The information is shown in the data table below.
A manufacturing power plant at Site 4 releases high temperature wastewater into the river.
How would this power plant affect the natural processes of the river?
- The water quality for aquatic life would increase.
- The amount of dissolved oxygen would decrease.
- The population of aquatic life would stay the same.
- The amount of salt dissolved in the water would stay the same.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_108.xml
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| (11) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students studied the water quality at five different sites in a water drainage area. The water from the five streams and river sites empties into a bay. The students recorded data for dissolved oxygen, percentage of floating sediments, water quality for aquatic life, temperature, and salinity. The information is shown in the data table below.
The data table below shows information collected from four water samples.
Which of the following relationships is reflected by the data above?
- When nitrogen increases, algae growth increases.
- When nitrogen decreases, algae growth increases.
- When nitrogen increases, dissolved oxygen increases.
- When nitrogen decreases, dissolved oxygen decreases.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_109.xml
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| (12) Selected Response Public Release |
The map below shows areas with active volcanoes.
Where are most of the active volcanoes located?
- along the equator
- in the middle of the oceans
- on tectonic plate boundaries
- at the center of the continents
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_089.xml
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| (13) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students investigated how the design of a paper airplane affects the amount of time the airplane stays in the air and the distance the airplane travels. The students tested two airplane designs and kept all other variables constant. The students recorded their data in the tables below.
Which graph best represents the data for distance traveled?
-
-
-
-
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_110.xml
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| (14) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students investigated how the design of a paper airplane affects the amount of time the airplane stays in the air and the distance the airplane travels. The students tested two airplane designs and kept all other variables constant. The students recorded their data in the tables below.
Which conclusion is most logical, based on the data?
- A short and wide airplane travels a greater distance than a long and narrow airplane.
- A long and narrow airplane travels the same distance as a short and wide airplane.
- A long and narrow airplane remains in the air the same amount of time as a short and wide airplane.
- A short and wide airplane remains in the air a greater amount of time than a long and narrow airplane.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_111.xml
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| (15) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Students investigated how the design of a paper airplane affects the amount of time the airplane stays in the air and the distance the airplane travels. The students tested two airplane designs and kept all other variables constant. The students recorded their data in the tables below.
After Trial 1, a group of students decided that Airplane Y would travel farther and stay in the air a greater amount of time than Airplane Z.
Which is the best scientific reason the students should repeat the trial at least three times?
- to follow the teacher’s instructions
- to reduce the likelihood of a design defect
- to change the unit of measurement for distance
- to reduce the likelihood of inaccurate results
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_112.xml
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| (16) Selected Response Public Release |
The diagram below represents a simple food web.
Based on the diagram, which population most likely would benefit from a sharp decline in the mouse population?
- grasses
- hawk
- owl
- snake
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_090.xml
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| (17) Selected Response Public Release |
An object is moving in a straight line at a constant speed.
What will happen to the object if no outside force acts on the object?
- The speed and direction of the object will change.
- The speed and direction of the object will not change.
- The direction of the object will change; the speed will remain constant.
- The speed of the object will change; the direction will remain constant.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_113.xml
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| (18) Selected Response Public Release |
Human bodies have complex structures that support growth and survival.
What is the most basic structure of the human body that supports growth and survival?
- a cell
- a tissue
- an organ
- an organ system
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_7_033.xml
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| (19) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Matter can be classified as an element, a compound, or a mixture. The elements sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) react with each other to form the compound sodium chloride (NaCl), also known as table salt. The reaction between sodium and chlorine releases energy. This energy causes the temperature of the substances in the reaction to increase. When table salt dissolves in water a solution is formed, which is a type of mixture.
Which of these changes must happen for elements to become a compound?
- elements are heated
- a gas becomes a liquid
- elements dissolve in water
- chemical bonds form between atoms
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_114.xml
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| (20) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Matter can be classified as an element, a compound, or a mixture. The elements sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) react with each other to form the compound sodium chloride (NaCl), also known as table salt. The reaction between sodium and chlorine releases energy. This energy causes the temperature of the substances in the reaction to increase. When table salt dissolves in water a solution is formed, which is a type of mixture.
A reaction between 46 grams of sodium and 71 grams of chlorine formed table salt and heat.
Which of the following measurements would most likely be the mass of the table salt?
- 25 grams
- 71 grams
- 110 grams
- 117 grams
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_115.xml
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| (21) Brief Constructed Response Public Release |
Students measured the movement of a person with a motion detector. Their data is shown on the graph below.
Describe the movement indicated by the motion detector from 0 seconds to 8 seconds. In your description, be sure to include
- the distance traveled and the time elapsed for each labeled section
- a comparison of the velocity in each section
Write your answer in the spaces provided.
Section labeled L
Section labeled M
Section labeled P
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_116.xml
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| (22) Selected Response Public Release |
Excess nitrogen fertilizers sometimes drain into waterways that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. This nitrogen may cause algae blooms, which reduce dissolved oxygen in the water.
How does nitrogen negatively affect the Chesapeake Bay?
- fish births increase
- fish populations decrease
- sediment on the bottom of the bay decreases
- the rate of water runoff into the bay increases
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_7_034.xml
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| (23) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
The diagram below represents the relationship among Earth, the sun, and the moon.
According to the diagram, the rays from the sun are striking the Northern Hemisphere.
What season does this represent in the Northern Hemisphere?
- fall
- spring
- summer
- winter
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_117.xml
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| (24) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
The diagram below represents the relationship among Earth, the sun, and the moon.
Which statement best describes the orbit of Earth around the sun?
- Earth’s orbit is elliptical.
- Earth’s orbit is irregularly-shaped.
- Earth’s orbit takes about 30 days to complete.
- Earth’s orbit takes about 24 hours to complete.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_091.xml
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| (25) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
The diagram below represents the relationship among Earth, the sun, and the moon.
Venus is about  the distance that Earth is from the sun.
Which of the following units of time best identifies the approximate length of a solar year on Venus?
- 30 days
- 90 days
- 180 days
- 270 days
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_118.xml
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| (26) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Africa is a continent with many natural resources and a fast-growing human population. Humans use surface resources, such as soil, water, and wildlife, for daily living. In some areas of Africa, these surface resources are scarce due to use by humans. When an area loses surface resources, the humans living in that area must move to an area that has the resources they need. Some resources found beneath the surface of Earth are still plentiful. Resources found above and below the surface of Earth must be used wisely for future generations to survive.
Which action is a long-term solution to the problem of fueling vehicles with gasoline?
- increasing gasoline production
- walking everywhere instead of driving
- improving alternative fuel technologies
- discovering more oil to use for gasoline
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_092.xml
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| (27) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Africa is a continent with many natural resources and a fast-growing human population. Humans use surface resources, such as soil, water, and wildlife, for daily living. In some areas of Africa, these surface resources are scarce due to use by humans. When an area loses surface resources, the humans living in that area must move to an area that has the resources they need. Some resources found beneath the surface of Earth are still plentiful. Resources found above and below the surface of Earth must be used wisely for future generations to survive.
Which question best represents a problem that a biologist would investigate?
- How does air pollution in southern Africa affect migrating birds?
- How does surface mining in Africa affect the rate of erosion?
- How do winds from Africa affect sand movement in Asia?
- How do earthquakes affect buildings in northern Africa?
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_119.xml
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| (28) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
Africa is a continent with many natural resources and a fast-growing human population. Humans use surface resources, such as soil, water, and wildlife, for daily living. In some areas of Africa, these surface resources are scarce due to use by humans. When an area loses surface resources, the humans living in that area must move to an area that has the resources they need. Some resources found beneath the surface of Earth are still plentiful. Resources found above and below the surface of Earth must be used wisely for future generations to survive.
Dams in Africa benefit humans by controlling floods. Dams sometimes negatively affect the natural environment.
Which statement best describes a negative consequence of building a dam on a river?
- Large concrete structures are unsightly.
- Life cycles of some fish are disrupted.
- Small fish are trapped for fish farming.
- Moving water produces electricity.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_093.xml
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| (29) Selected Response Public Release |
Which processes preserve shells in sedimentary rock?
- pressing and melting
- melting and cooling
- heating and uplifting
- layering and compacting
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_094.xml
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| (30) Selected Response Public Release |
Which process best explains Vermeij’s reasoning on the evolution of mollusk shells?
- sedimentation
- climatic changes
- competition for resources
- predator-prey relationships
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_120.xml
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| (31) Brief Constructed Response Public Release |
Biologists are scientists who study living organisms. Earth scientists study the physical nature of Earth.
Explain why both types of scientists would be interested in the mollusk fossils in Florida. In your explanation, be sure to include
- a comparison of the information collected by each scientist
- the benefit of combining the information collected by each scientist
Write your answer in the space provided.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_121.xml
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| (32) Selected Response Public Release |
Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides are products of car exhaust.
If the number of cars driven in a city doubles, what will most likely happen to the amount of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the air of the city?
- There will be less carbon dioxide and less nitrogen oxides.
- There will be less carbon dioxide but more nitrogen oxides.
- There will be more carbon dioxide but less nitrogen oxides.
- There will be more carbon dioxide and more nitrogen oxides.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_095.xml
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| (33) Selected Response Public Release |
Earthquake waves are recorded by seismograph machines.
What does an earthquake wave transmit?
- energy
- light
- particles
- speed
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_096.xml
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| (34) Selected Response Public Release |
Mammals must eliminate waste products that their bodies produce.
Which organ helps mammals eliminate bodily waste?
- appendix
- kidney
- pancreas
- stomach
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_7_035.xml
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| (35) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
A science teacher reviewed heat transfer with the students in a class by performing several demonstrations. The students observed that tables in sunlight felt warmer than tables in shade. The students know that sunlight is a form of energy, and energy is often transferred to other objects or transformed to some other form of energy.
Next, the teacher used a hot plate to boil water in a metal pan. The students recorded their observations and conclusions about the energy transformations and transfers in the demonstrations.
Convection is one method by which heat is transferred.
Heat transferred by convection causes
- currents
- tides
- tsunamis
- waves
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_122.xml
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| (36) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
A science teacher reviewed heat transfer with the students in a class by performing several demonstrations. The students observed that tables in sunlight felt warmer than tables in shade. The students know that sunlight is a form of energy, and energy is often transferred to other objects or transformed to some other form of energy.
Next, the teacher used a hot plate to boil water in a metal pan. The students recorded their observations and conclusions about the energy transformations and transfers in the demonstrations.
Which example describes the transfer of energy from one object to another without the presence of matter?
- Lava heats the surface of Earth.
- A hot cup of tea warms a person’s hand.
- The sun warms the atmosphere of Earth.
- The burner of a stove heats a pan of water.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_123.xml
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| (37) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information below to answer the following.
A science teacher reviewed heat transfer with the students in a class by performing several demonstrations. The students observed that tables in sunlight felt warmer than tables in shade. The students know that sunlight is a form of energy, and energy is often transferred to other objects or transformed to some other form of energy.
Next, the teacher used a hot plate to boil water in a metal pan. The students recorded their observations and conclusions about the energy transformations and transfers in the demonstrations.
Which energy transformation occurs in a plant located in the classroom?
- light to chemical
- electrical to light
- chemical to mechanical
- mechanical to electrical
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_124.xml
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| (38) Selected Response Public Release |
When taken to a new habitat, non-native plants often threaten native plants of the new habitat.
Why do non-native plants threaten native plants?
- Non-native plants are able to mutate rapidly.
- Non-native plants cause native animals to relocate.
- Non-native plants are able to be used for medicine.
- Non-native plants compete with native plants for resources.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_125.xml
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| (39) Selected Response Public Release |
As the human population increases, more fossil fuels are being used. The burning of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases.
How might humans reduce greenhouse gases?
- Buy cars that use gasoline.
- Build power plants that use coal.
- Use renewable resources to generate power.
- Use nonrenewable resources to generate power.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_7_036.xml
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| (40) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information and data table below to answer the following.
A scientist prepared six mixtures in glass beakers, as indicated in the data table below. Each beaker was tightly covered, labeled, and left undisturbed for several days. After several days, the scientist observed that the gray iron filings in Mixture 4 had turned red.
Which process would best separate the substances of Mixture 3?
- chromatography
- crystallization
- filtration
- precipitation
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_097.xml
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| (41) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the information and data table below to answer the following.
A scientist prepared six mixtures in glass beakers, as indicated in the data table below. Each beaker was tightly covered, labeled, and left undisturbed for several days. After several days, the scientist observed that the gray iron filings in Mixture 4 had turned red.
The color change in Mixture 4 indicates that
- a precipitate formed
- gases were produced
- the iron filings evaporated
- a chemical reaction occurred
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_126.xml
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| (42) Brief Constructed Response Public Release |
Use the information and data table below to answer the following.
A scientist prepared six mixtures in glass beakers, as indicated in the data table below. Each beaker was tightly covered, labeled, and left undisturbed for several days. After several days, the scientist observed that the gray iron filings in Mixture 4 had turned red.
After the beaker containing Mixture 4 was sealed, the iron filings changed color.
Compare the mass of the mixture in the sealed beaker to the masses of the iron filings and water before they were mixed. In your comparison, be sure to include
- the law of conservation of matter
- evidence from the data table
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_127.xml
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| (43) Selected Response Public Release |
When trees are removed from a tropical rain forest, other plants and animals are affected.
Which statement identifies another change that will most likely occur when a rain forest habitat is destroyed?
- Oxygen levels will increase.
- Carbon dioxide levels will increase.
- The temperature of Earth will decrease.
- The air pollution in the atmosphere will decrease.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_8_128.xml
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| (44) Selected Response Public Release |
Use the diagram below to answer the following.
Which numbered arrow indicates the core of Earth?
- Arrow 1
- Arrow 2
- Arrow 3
- Arrow 4
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_science_6_098.xml
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