G5 Science MCAS Review

Which of the following would most likely happen if the rattlesnakes were removed from the ecosystem?

• A. Mice would eat less brittlebush.

• B. Barrel cactus would be eaten by hawks.

• C. Squirrels would not have a food source.

• D. Hawks would eat more squirrels and mice.

Answer explanation

Removing rattlesnakes would decrease predation on squirrels and mice, leading to their population increase. Consequently, hawks would have more prey available, resulting in them eating more squirrels and mice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following best explains why only a small percentage of the fresh water on Earth is available for human use?

• Most fresh water is stored deep underground.

• Most fresh water is frozen in glaciers and ice caps.

• Most fresh water is trapped in the air as water vapor.

• Most fresh water is found in lakes in areas that are hard to reach.

Answer explanation

Most fresh water is frozen in glaciers and ice caps, making it inaccessible for human use. This accounts for a significant portion of the Earth's fresh water, leaving only a small percentage available for consumption.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

A house is currently powered by electricity from a coal-burning power plant. The owner wants to add solar panels and a small wind turbine to generate electricity for the house. The energy resource that produces the electricity the house currently uses is a

• nonrenewable resource.

• renewable resource.

Answer explanation

The electricity from a coal-burning power plant is generated using coal, which is a finite resource that cannot be replenished in a human timescale. Therefore, it is classified as a nonrenewable resource.

A house is currently powered by electricity from a coal-burning power plant. The owner wants to add solar panels and a small wind turbine to generate electricity for the house. Which of the following describes sunlight and wind?

• Sunlight and wind are both renewable resources.

• Sunlight and wind are both nonrenewable resources.

• Sunlight is a renewable resource and wind is a nonrenewable resource.

• Sunlight is a nonrenewable resource and wind is a renewable resource.

Answer explanation

Sunlight and wind are both renewable resources because they are naturally replenished and can be harnessed without depleting their availability. This makes the correct choice: 'Sunlight and wind are both renewable resources.'

The map shows three locations labeled X, Y, and Z. Which location is more likely to experience earthquakes and volcanoes?

• location X

• location Y

• location Z

Answer explanation

Location Y is more likely to experience earthquakes and volcanoes because it is typically situated along tectonic plate boundaries, where such geological activities are more common.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A student builds a toy car like the one shown in the diagram. The student turns the propeller, which twists the elastic band. When the student releases the car on a flat surface, the propeller spins and the car moves forward.

• use different sizes of wheels

• release the car on different surfaces

• place objects of different masses on the car

• turn the propeller different numbers of times

Answer explanation

Turning the propeller different numbers of times affects the amount of energy stored in the elastic band, which directly influences how far and fast the car will move when released.

Tags

NGSS.3-5-ETS1-1

NGSS.3-5-ETS1-2

NGSS.3-PS2-1

NGSS.3-PS2-2

A town is planning to build a seawall to protect beach property from erosion caused by ocean waves. An example of a seawall is shown. Which of the following is the most important factor to consider when choosing the best design solution for the seawall?

• the temperature of the ocean water

• the height of the highest ocean waves

• the number of plants on the beach property

• the types of buildings on the beach property

Answer explanation

The height of the highest ocean waves is crucial for seawall design, as it determines the wall's required height and strength to effectively protect against erosion. Other factors are less directly related to wave impact.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

A scientist is studying a plant species with different-sized flowers. The scientist separates the plants into three groups for breeding. One group has plants with large flowers, one has plants with small flowers, and one has plants with both large and small flowers. The scientist breeds plants that have similar-sized flowers with each other. The results from the breedings are shown in the table. Breeding Group | Average Size of Parent Flower (cm) | Average Size of Offspring Flower (cm) large flowers only | 3.2 | 3.4 small flowers only | 2.8 | 2.7 mix (control) | 3.0 | 3.0 Based on this information, what can be concluded about flower size in this plant species?

• Flower size occurs randomly.

• Flower size is an inherited trait.

• Flower size always changes as the plants grow.

• Flower size is determined only by the environment.

Answer explanation

The breeding results show that offspring flower sizes are similar to their parent sizes, indicating that flower size is likely inherited rather than random or solely environmentally determined.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

According to the diagram, what was the mass of the beaker, lid, and ice at 10:00 a.m.?

• A) 150 g

• B) 160 g

• C) 170 g

• D) 180 g

Answer explanation

At 10:00 a.m., the total mass of the beaker, lid, and ice was measured to be 170 g, which corresponds to option C. This value is confirmed by the diagram provided.

Read the information below and use it to answer the question. A group of students conducted two investigations using water. Investigation 1: The students completed the following steps. 1. Put a cube of ice into a beaker and cover the beaker with a lid. 2. Measure the mass of the ice, beaker, and lid. 3. Let the beaker remain at room temperature for three hours so that the ice becomes liquid water. 4. Measure the mass of the liquid water, beaker, and lid. The diagram shows investigation 1. What is likely to happen to the mass of the beaker, lid, and contents from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.?

• The mass will increase.

• The mass will decrease.

• The mass will stay the same.

• The mass will disappear.

Answer explanation

The mass will stay the same because the system is closed. The ice melts into water, but the total mass of the beaker, lid, and contents remains unchanged throughout the process.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-5