TAKS Science 8 Review

Name: 

Multiple Choice
 Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.  You may use a calculator if you wish.  Please don’t look at any other screen or bother anyone else while your taking the test by talking.
 

1. 
The process of gathering information through the senses is called ____.
a.
analyzing
c.
inferring
b.
hypothesizing
d.
observation
 

2. 
A testable prediction about a possible solution to a problem is called ____.
a.
a conclusion
c.
a hypothesis
b.
an experiment
d.
a variable
 

3. 
When designing an experiment, the first step is to ____.
a.
analyzing the data
c.
state a hypothesis
b.
list a procedure
d.
state the problem
 

4. 
A factor in an experiment that changes from the manipulation of the independent variable is the ____.
a.
constant
c.
dependent variable
b.
control
d.
hypothesis
 

5. 
A factor that does NOT change in an experiment is a(n) ____.
a.
constant
c.
dependent variable
b.
control
d.
independent variable
 

6. 
An organized process used to gather observations and test a hypothesis is a(n) ____.
a.
control
c.
constant
b.
experiment
d.
hypothesis
 

7. 
A factor that is manipulated in an experiment to change the dependent variable is the ____.
a.
constant
c.
hypothesis
b.
control
d.
independent variable
 

8. 
____ is a process of understanding the world.
a.
Science
c.
A control
b.
Technology
d.
A constant
 

9. 
In an experiment testing the amount of sunlight that is best for growing plants, a plant that receives no sunlight at all may serve as a(n) ____.
a.
control
c.
independent variable
b.
constant
d.
dependent variable
 

10. 
Recognizing a problem, making observations, forming and then testing a hypothesis, and analyzing data are all steps in ____.
a.
an experiment
c.
a scientific method
b.
technology
d.
an inference
 

11. 
People do experiments to test the effects of ____.
a.
conclusions
c.
independent variables
b.
hypotheses
d.
dependent variables
 

12. 
Factors that are measured in an experiment are the ____.
a.
hypotheses
c.
dependent variables
b.
independent variables
d.
constants
 

13. 
Step-by-step procedures of scientific problem solving are called ____.
a.
scientific methods
c.
conclusions
b.
hypotheses
d.
inferences
 

14. 
The temperature of a liquid, the height of a plant, or an observation that one object is smaller than another are all examples of ____.
a.
data
c.
inferences
b.
hypotheses
d.
experiments
 

15. 
A judgment based on what has been observed in an experiment is a(n) ____.
a.
hypothesis
c.
dependent variable
b.
observation
d.
conclusion
 

16. 
An explanation of an observation is a(n) ____.
a.
experiment
c.
inference
b.
independent variable
d.
dependent variable
 

17. 
After scientists reach conclusions from the results of their experiments, they ____.
a.
do nothing
b.
communicate their results to other people
c.
form a hypothesis
d.
analyze their data
 

18. 
In an experiment testing the amount of sunlight that is best for growing plants, the height of the plant is the ____.
a.
independent variable
c.
conclusion
b.
hypothesis
d.
dependent variable
 

19. 
If two atoms have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, they will have the same ____.
a.
half-life
c.
atomic number
b.
mass number
d.
degree of stability
 

20. 
If an isotope has an atomic number of 25, which of the following is most likely to be its mass number?
a.
25
c.
75
b.
50
d.
100
 

21. 
For a radioactive substance, half-life is determined by ____.
a.
the mass of a given sample
b.
the temperature at which the substance is stored
c.
the presence of magnetic fields
d.
none of the above
 

22. 
Which particles have almost the same mass?
a.
proton and electron
c.
electron and neutron
b.
proton and neutron
d.
all three particles
 

23. 
Which item best represents Thomson’s mental image of an atom?
a.
a sponge
c.
a bowling ball
b.
a chocolate-chip cookie
d.
a beach ball
 

24. 
Which type of particle would NOT be deflected by a magnetic field?
a.
beta particle
c.
proton
b.
alpha particle
d.
neutron
 

25. 
A transmutation involving the release of alpha particles produces atoms whose atomic number has ____.
a.
decreased by 2
c.
decreased by 1
b.
increased by 2
d.
increased by 1
 

26. 
A transmutation involving the release of beta particles produces atoms whose atomic number has ____.
a.
decreased by 2
c.
decreased by 1
b.
increased by 2
d.
increased by 1
 

27. 
The nucleus is held together by ____.
a.
magnetic attraction
c.
atomic glue
b.
gravity
d.
the strong nuclear force
 

28. 
A 10-g sample from a healthy 200-year-old redwood would contain ____ carbon-14 as a 10-g sample from a 20-year-old redwood sapling.
a.
one-tenth as much
c.
twice as much
b.
the same amount of
d.
half as much
 

29. 
When Mendeleev published his periodic table, there were some spaces for undiscovered elements. Figure 3-1 is a section of a similar table. A reasonable value for the atomic mass of the missing element is ____.
i0300000.jpg
Figure 3-1
 
a.
101
c.
68.2
b.
72.3
d.
34.8
 

30. 
When Mendeleev made his arrangement of the elements in a table, he found that elements with ____ fell into groups on the table.
a.
the same mass
c.
similar properties
b.
similar size
d.
the same color
 

31. 
Every element has its own atomic number. The atomic number is the number of ____ in the nucleus of an atom of the element.
a.
electrons
c.
positrons
b.
neutrons
d.
protons
 

32. 
In the modern periodic table, elements are arranged according to increasing ____.
a.
atomic number
c.
date of discovery
b.
atomic mass
d.
electrical conductivity
 

33. 
Elements in the ____ group can be used as catalysts.
a.
halogen
c.
carbon
b.
actinide
d.
platinum
 

34. 
What is the name of the elements in Group 2 of the periodic table?
a.
halogens
c.
boron family
b.
alkali metals
d.
alkaline earth metals
 

35. 
Elements in Groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table are called ____.
a.
transition elements
c.
halogens
b.
representative elements
d.
noble gases
 

36. 
The surface tension in a cup of water is caused by ____.
a.
attractive forces between the water and its container
b.
attractive forces between water molecules
c.
adhesive forces between water molecules
d.
adhesive forces between the water and its container
 

37. 
The measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles of a substance is the ____.
a.
temperature
c.
thermal energy
b.
heat
d.
kinetic energy
 

38. 
The ____ is a unit of force.
a.
pascal
c.
newton
b.
atmosphere
d.
kilopascal
 

39. 
As a sample of matter is cooled, which property of its particles increases?
a.
average kinetic energy
c.
buoyancy
b.
pressure
d.
cohesive forces
 

40. 
The freezing point of a substance is ____ the melting point of the same substance.
a.
greater than
c.
equal to
b.
less than
d.
unrelated to
 

41. 
Kinetic energy is the ____ of motion.
a.
temperature
c.
heat
b.
energy
d.
state
 

42. 
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's ____.
a.
resistance to flow
c.
average kinetic energy
b.
adhesive forces
d.
buoyancy
 

43. 
For most substances, the distance between particles is smallest when the substance ____.
a.
exists as a gas
c.
exists as a crystalline solid
b.
exists as a liquid
d.
exists as an amorphous solid
 

44. 
A cork is able to float on water because it is ____.
a.
a crystalline solid
c.
small in size
b.
equal in density to water
d.
less dense than the water
 

45. 
Motion is change in ____.
a.
speed
c.
force
b.
velocity
d.
position
 

46. 
____ is rate of change of position.
a.
Speed
c.
Acceleration
b.
Velocity
d.
Displacement
 

47. 
You travel 200 km in 2 h. Your ____ speed is 100 km/h.
a.
constant
c.
instantaneous
b.
average
d.
initial
 

48. 
When a car slows down at a traffic light, it is ____.
a.
accelerating
c.
decreasing its displacement
b.
traveling at constant velocity
d.
changing direction
 

49. 
You hear that a storm is moving 15 km/h north. You have been given the storm's ____.
a.
constant speed
c.
velocity
b.
acceleration
d.
average speed
 

50. 
Inertia is a measure of the ____ of an object.
a.
weight
c.
constant speed
b.
mass
d.
acceleration
 

51. 
The unit of force is ____.
a.
m/s
c.
the joule
b.
the hertz
d.
the newton
 

52. 
When two birds are pulling on a worm and the worm moves toward the first bird, you know that the forces are ____.
a.
long-range
c.
unbalanced
b.
action-reaction
d.
balanced
 

53. 
An unbalanced force acting on an object causes it to ____.
a.
move at constant speed
c.
not change its velocity
b.
continue in a straight line
d.
accelerate
 

54. 
The force that opposes motion is ____.
a.
a balanced force
c.
an accelerating force
b.
an unbalanced force
d.
friction
 

55. 
Every force has a(n) ____ force.
a.
reaction
c.
opposite
b.
long-range
d.
accelerating
 

56. 
You throw a ball into the air. As the ball leaves your hand, the force(s) acting on it is/are ____.
a.
gravity
c.
balanced
b.
your hand
d.
gravity and your hand
 

57. 
Tsunamis have a large amount of energy because of their large ____.
a.
wavelength
c.
frequency
b.
amplitude
d.
diffraction
 

58. 
Which one of the following determines the color of a light wave?
a.
amplitude only
c.
wavelength and frequency
b.
wavelength and amplitude
d.
interference patterns
 

59. 
When light bounces off a surface it is called ____.
a.
reflection
c.
diffraction
b.
refraction
d.
interference
 

60. 
Igneous rocks that form ____ the surface are intrusive.
a.
above
c.
on
b.
below
d.
all of the above
 
 
i0620000.jpg
Figure 9-1
 

61. 
Figure 9-1 shows that the processes involved in the rock cycle include all of the following EXCEPT ____.
a.
condensation
c.
weathering
b.
erosion
d.
compaction
 

62. 
The rock cycle shown in Figure 9-1 indicates that each type of rock can ____.
a.
provide materials to make other rocks
b.
form other rocks
c.
be changed by forces at Earth's surface
d.
all of the above
 

63. 
The ____ in Figure 9-1 shows how one rock changes into another.
a.
rock cycle
c.
formation of crystals
b.
melting process
d.
none of the above
 

64. 
Figure 9-1 shows that sedimentary rocks are changed to sediments by ____.
a.
compaction
c.
cementation
b.
weathering and erosion
d.
heat and pressure
 

65. 
Igneous rocks form from ____ when it cools.
a.
magma
c.
neither a nor b
b.
lava
d.
both a and b
 

66. 
The molten material deep inside Earth from which igneous rocks form is called ____.
a.
magma
c.
neither a nor b
b.
lava
d.
both a and b
 

67. 
Foliated rocks are distinguished by ____.
a.
layers
c.
large mineral grains
b.
lack of layers
d.
air holes
 

68. 
Lava that cools quickly forms ____ rocks.
a.
extrusive metamorphic
c.
intrusive metamorphic
b.
extrusive igneous
d.
intrusive igneous
 

69. 
All of the following conditions in Earth can cause metamorphic rocks to form EXCEPT ____.
a.
exposure to air
c.
heat
b.
the presence of hot, watery fluids
d.
pressure
 

70. 
Quartz is a mineral: granite is ____.
a.
also a mineral
c.
a gem
b.
a rock
d.
an ore
 

71. 
A classification of metamorphic rocks would include whether they are ____.
a.
chemical or organic
c.
foliated or nonfoliated
b.
intrusive or extrusive
d.
basaltic or granite
 

72. 
Sedimentary rocks are ____.
a.
formed from magma
b.
a type of foliated igneous rock
c.
formed because of changes in temperature and pressure, or the presence of hot watery fluids
d.
formed when loose materials become pressed or cemented together or when minerals form from solutions
 

73. 
A rock is always ____.
a.
made of molten material
b.
a mixture of minerals, organic matter, volcanic glass, or other materials
c.
formed by heat and pressure
d.
either igneous or sedimentary
 

74. 
The crystals that form in slowly cooled magma produce ____ mineral grains.
a.
tiny
c.
fine-grained
b.
invisible
d.
large
 

75. 
Changes that take place in rocks never create or destroy ____.
a.
rocks
c.
matter
b.
crystals
d.
minerals
 

76. 
Magma from deep inside Earth rises toward the surface because ____.
a.
it is denser than surrounding solid rock
b.
it is less dense than surrounding solid rock
c.
it has the same density as surrounding solid rock
d.
none of the above
 

77. 
When lava cools at Earth's surface, ____ igneous rocks are formed.
a.
extrusive
c.
intrusive
b.
metamorphic
d.
coarse-grained
 

78. 
When magma cools deep inside Earth, ____ igneous rocks are formed.
a.
extrusive
c.
detrital
b.
fine-grained
d.
intrusive
 

79. 
Basaltic igneous rocks are ____.
a.
light-colored
c.
rich in iron and magnesium
b.
lower in density than granitic rocks
d.
both a and b
 

80. 
Granitic igneous rocks are all of the following EXCEPT ____.
a.
light-colored
c.
high in silica content
b.
lower in density than basaltic rocks
d.
high in iron content
 

81. 
An igneous rock can form from ____ magma.
a.
basaltic
c.
granitic
b.
andesitic
d.
all of the above
 

82. 
Metamorphic rocks that show layers of dark minerals alternating with layers of light minerals are classified as ____.
a.
nonfoliated
c.
foliated
b.
extrusive
d.
intrusive
 

83. 
Metamorphic rocks with a non-foliated texture show metamorphic change that involves ____.
a.
mineral grains arranging into layers
b.
growth in the size of the mineral grains
c.
mineral grains flattening under pressure
d.
mineral grain melting
 

84. 
Sedimentary rocks form because of all of the following EXCEPT ____.
a.
sediments becoming pressed or cemented together
b.
crystals solidifying from magma
c.
sediments forming from solution
d.
water evaporating, leaving crystals behind
 

85. 
Sediments in sedimentary rocks are often ____.
a.
held together with natural cements
b.
formed when atoms of melted minerals rearrange themselves
c.
formed when lava erupts from a volcano
d.
formed by magma trapped below Earth's surface
 

86. 
Sedimentary rocks formed from the remains of once-living things are ____.
a.
metamorphic
c.
organic
b.
detrital
d.
none of the above
 

87. 
Sedimentary rocks formed from broken fragments of other rocks are ____.
a.
chemical
c.
organic
b.
detrital
d.
none of the above
 

88. 
The youngest rocks on the ocean floor are located ____.
a.
near continents
c.
far from mid-ocean ridges
b.
at mid-ocean ridges
d.
near Asia
 

89. 
The crust and upper mantle make up Earth's ____.
a.
lithosphere
c.
core
b.
asthenosphere
d.
continents
 

90. 
Scientists have observed that the plates move at rates ranging from 1 cm to 12 cm per ____.
a.
century
c.
day
b.
decade
d.
year
 

91. 
Plates of the lithosphere float on the ____.
a.
crust
c.
core
b.
asthenosphere
d.
atmosphere
 

92. 
The result of plate movement can be seen at ____.
a.
abyssal plains
c.
plate centers
b.
ocean margins
d.
plate boundaries
 

93. 
The presence of the same ____ on several continents supports the hypothesis of continental drift.
a.
fossils
c.
neither a nor b
b.
rocks
d.
both a and b
 

94. 
The hypothesis that continents have slowly moved to their current locations is called ____.
a.
continental drift
c.
magnetic reversal
b.
continental slope
d.
convection
 

95. 
Plates move apart at ____ boundaries.
a.
convergent
c.
divergent
b.
stable
d.
transform