Ohio Science Test Prep

A student continuously pushes a sled and the sled moves to the right across a flat surface at constant speed. Then a gust of wind slows the sled down.

Drag the correct directions of each force acting on the sled.

F friction: ​ ​ (a)  

F gravity: ​ (b)  

F push: ​ (c)  

F wind: ​ ​ (d)  

• Left

• Down

• Right

• Up

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

The geological column shows four layers of sedimentary rocks that contain fossils. The rock layers are exposed in a single location and have not been disturbed. The rocks preserve the geological history of the area.

Place each ancient environment in order based on the fossils preserved in each of the rock layers. Label the oldest ancient environment "1."

• Forest

• Ocean

• Desert

• Lake

Answer explanation

This item requires the student to interpret a geologic column to determine the types of environment that existed in the past. The law of superposition allows the student to recognize that the oldest rock layer is at the bottom of the geologic column and the youngest is at the top. Looking at the types of fossils found in each layer and matching those organisms to the listed environments shows that the area was first an ocean, later a desert, then a lake and finally a forest.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A river has cut a channel deep into the earth and exposed several layers of undisturbed sedimentary rock as shown in the cross section.

Which layer is the oldest?

• layer 1 because it is closest to the surface

• layer 2 because it has the greatest thickness

• layer 3 because it has the most fossils

• layer 4 because is at the bottom

Answer explanation

The Law of Superposition states that older rock layers are at the bottom and younger rock layers are above them

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A student sprinkles iron filings on a clear sheet of plastic. The student then places the sheet of plastic on top of a bar magnet and taps the edge. The iron filings take the shape shown. 

Where is the magnetic force on the iron filings strongest and how do you know?

• region A because it is closest to the magnetic pole

• region B because it is in the direct center of the magnet

• region C because the iron filings form a curved line there

• region D because it is the greatest distance from the poles

Answer explanation

A magnetic pole is the part of a magnet that exerts the strongest force on other magnets or magnetic material, such as iron.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-3

A stream flows from high to lower elevation into a lake.

In which location does the greatest amount of deposition occur?

• location 1

• location 2

• location 3

• location 4

Answer explanation

This item requires the student to identify the area with the most deposition for a stream emptying into a lake. As water is pulled by gravity and flows downhill toward the lake both erosion and deposition are taking place at rates which 10 (2021) depend on a variety of factors. One of those factors is velocity. The steeper the slope the greater the velocity of the water and the more sediment load the stream can carry. Steep areas will generally have more erosion and less deposition. Water flowing over flatter areas will have less velocity, resulting in more deposition. When flowing water enters a lake, it reduces velocity significantly and is unable to carry as much sediment as previously. The greatest amount of deposition for a stream is generally where it empties into a large body of water such as a lake or ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Students constructed a simplified model showing the role convection currents play in transferring energy within the layers of Earth's interior. The diagram shows the students' model. Cork : ​ (a)   Heat Source: ​ (b)   Water: ​ (c)  

• Crust

• Core

• Mantle

Answer explanation

This item requires the student to interpret a model of the role of convection currents in energy transfer. The student must examine the model and identify which parts correspond to various parts of Earth’s interior. The heat source represents Earth’s core, which is a source of the uneven heating in Earth’s mantle. The water represents Earth’s mantle, which is able to support convection currents created by uneven heating. The cork represents Earth’s crustal tectonic plates, which move with the underlying convection currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

How will the population of insects change over time? (what color dots would most likely survive) Explain why.

Answer explanation

This item requires the student to recognize that individuals with a trait for pesticide resistance are more likely to survive and reproduce in an environment where the population is exposed to pesticides. When insects are exposed to pesticides, those with high levels of resistance are most likely to survive long enough to reproduce. Genetic traits for pesticide resistance are therefore more likely to be passed to future generations. After several generations, the population is likely to have shifted to include a greater percentage of pesticide resistant insects.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

In cattle, the absence of horns (N) is dominant to the presence of horns (n). Place allele labels for the parents and offspring in the Punnett square to show that it is possible for parents without horns to produce offspring with horns.

Answer explanation

This item requires the student to demonstrate how two parents with phenotypes displaying a dominant trait can produce offspring which display the recessive trait. The student must identify that parents who are heterozygous will have both a dominant and a recessive allele but will display the dominant trait. If each parent is hybrid for the trait, it is possible for offspring to receive a recessive allele from each parent. These offspring would display the recessive trait. The student must identify the parents for the cross and then complete a Punnett square showing that theoretically 25% of their offspring would display the recessive trait.

The two satellite images show the changes over time to an area where a river flows into a body of water. The location of a specific change is marked by an arrow. Select the two constructive geologic processes that caused the change marked by the arrow.

• sedimentation

• delta formation

• tectonic activity

• seafloor spreading

Answer explanation

This item requires the student to recall the geologic processes that form a delta. The student is also required to compare the velocity of water in a river with the body of water it is emptying into. The student uses evidence from satellite images taken at two points in time to determine that a delta has been forming from the sediment dropped by the river as it empties into a large body of water. As a river flows downhill it picks up and transports weathered materials. Faster moving water is able to carry larger amounts of sediment. Because of this, some of the suspended materials are deposited at various locations as the river flows; while others are carried to the mouth of the river. When the river empties into the large body of water there is a sudden decrease in velocity. Many of the remaining suspended materials are deposited at this location. Over time, these deposited materials result in the formation of a delta.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The diagram shows a top view of a boundary between two tectonic plates. A rift valley forms between the plates. The star and triangle mark two points on these plates at a particular time.

Click on a box to show each symbol's future location as the plates continue to move.

Answer explanation

This item requires the student to recall that rift valleys form at divergent plate boundaries. Specific locations on the two adjacent plates, indicated by a triangle and a star, will move away from each other. At divergent plate boundaries plates are separating from one another. Therefore, locations on each plate move away from one another perpendicular to the plate boundary.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3