2022 STAAR Test Category 4

A photograph of a litter of six-week-old bulldog puppies shows that the puppies are not identical. Even though these puppies have the same parents, they do not all look alike because —

• they were produced by asexual cloning

• some of the puppies have genetic material from only one of the

  parents

• each puppy has a different combination of genetic material as a

  result of sexual reproduction

• all the puppies developed from the same fertilized egg

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A student was given this partial dichotomous key and asked to determine in which of five orders the adult insect shown belongs. Based on the dichotomous key, in which order does the insect belong?

• Diptera

• Isoptera

• Ephemeroptera

• Zoraptera

Buffelgrass is an invasive species of grass from Africa that

outcompetes native Texas grasses for space and water. Which

long-term change to a Texas grassland would most likely occur due to the introduction of buffelgrass?

• The population of native grasses will increase.

• The population of native grasses will decrease.

• Buffelgrass offspring will develop traits like those of native

  grasses.

• Buffelgrass offspring will develop traits like those of other

  invasive species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Two plant species that grow in the same area are shown. Which statement best explains a difference between Plant 1 and Plant 2?

• Plant 1 obtains more water from the soil because of its root

  surface area and root depth.

• Plant 1 obtains more sunlight because of its root surface area

  and root depth.

• Plant 2 obtains more water from the soil because of its root

  surface area and root depth.

• Plant 2 obtains more sunlight because of its root surface area

  and root depth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What function do both cell membranes and cell walls perform?

• Producing energy for cellular processes

• Allowing water to move into and out of cells

• Synthesizing genetic material

• Directing the reproduction of the cell

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-2

Students jump rope for one minute to determine changes in heart rate and breathing rate. Their data are shown in the table. Which table explains the functions of the two body systems that the students investigated?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-3

Students observe an unknown species during a field study. They

observe that the organism is multicellular, is autotrophic, and can

reproduce both sexually and asexually.

Which kingdom does this organism most likely belong to?

• Archaea

• Animalia

• Bacteria

• Plantae

Humans depend upon food that comes from the ocean. Some

human activities negatively impact these food supplies. Which statement provides the best evidence that human activities contribute to this impact?

• Human visitors to coral reef systems break corals growing on

  rocks.

• Humans catch marine fish at a faster rate than the fish are able

  to reproduce.

• Humans raise fish in a hatchery for commercial sale.

• Humans construct artificial reefs to attract tourists.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Sea anemones and clown fish live together in the ocean. Which

statement best describes one way sea anemones depend on clown fish for an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

• Clown fish protect sea anemones from predatory fish.

• Clown fish decrease competition among sea anemones.

• Clown fish consume the remains of organisms paralyzed by sea

  anemones.

• Clown fish move water near sea anemones when dissolved

  oxygen levels are low.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Trees lose water through transpiration, when water evaporates from leaves. The list describes types of tree leaves that help reduce the amount of transpiration. Which of these is most likely observed in an area experiencing a long-term drought?

• Trees with broad leaves will be more healthy than trees with

  needlelike leaves.

• Trees with leaves that have waxy coverings will be more healthy

  than trees without wax-covered leaves.

• Trees with broad leaves will be more healthy than trees with

  small, flat leaves.

• Trees with leaves without any hair-like structures will be more

  healthy than trees with leaves covered by hairlike structures.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5