Science STAAR Hot Spot

Which of these best demonstrates the reflection of light?

• Looking through a glass window
• Looking at a glowing lightbulb
• Looking at a star on a clear night
• Looking at your image on a silver spoon

Which of these cycles is a direct result of Earth's rotation?

• Day and Night
• Moon phases
• Rainfall and evaporation
• Seasons

Moving water flows through turbines in dams causing the turbines to spin. What type of energy is used to make the turbines spin?

• Light energy
• Thermal energy
• Mechanical energy
• Sound energy

The food web represents organisms in a field. What role do raccoons play in this food web?

• Prey
• Producers
• Consumer
• Decomposer

At which stage in the life cycle of a plant are seeds produced?

• Young plant
• Sprouting seed
• Seedling
• Mature plant

Which of the following events in the water cycle is an example of solar energy being absorbed?

• Water vapor condensing into clouds
• Water evaporating from ocean surface
• Rain freezing as it falls toward the ground
• Clouds releasing precipitation 

The diagram shows a series circuit with three lit bulbs.  How many bulbs will remain lit if the wire is cut at the point shown by the arrow?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3

These three objects use the same source of energy.  What is the energy source for these objects?

• Solar energy
• Mechanical energy
• Sound energy
• Electrical energy

Which two traits best help a cactus conserve water in the dry conditions of a West Texas desert ecosystem?

• Large flowers and sweet fruit
• Sweet fruit and sharp spines
• Sharp spines and waxy stems
• Waxy stems and large flowers

When light travels through air into a prism,it bends and separates into many colors. In which other situation does light bend.

• When light moves through air into water
• When light hits a wall
• When light passes through outer space
• When light hits a mirror