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ITEM SAMPLERS ARE NOT SECURE TESTMATERIALS. THIS ITEM SAMPLER TEST BOOK

MAY BE COPIED OR DUPLICATED.

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments-Series III

24 Point

Science Item SamplerGrade 8

State of Minnesota© Copyright Minnesota Department of Education

Roseville, MN 55113-4266

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Science TestGeneral Directions

• This test contains two segments.

• You may write in this test book or use scratchpaper.

• All answers must be marked in this test book.

• This test has four kinds of questions.

• Answer each multiple-choice question bycircling your answer. The sample below showshow to do this.

Sample Question Answered in Test Book:

A. Apply fertilizer right before planting

What should a farmer do to prevent too muchfertilizer from being put on a field?

B. Apply fertilizer and water at the sametime

C. Measure the ammount of minerals thesoil needs

D. Measure the amount of water in thesoil


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• For some diagram questions, you will need towrite the label letters (A, B, C, etc.) in theboxes. The sample below shows how to do this.


This diagram shows the process of photosynthesis.Identify the parts of the photosynthesis process involved in this ecosystem.

Each word is labeled A, B, C, D, E, or F. Write the letter of the correct word in each empty box. Four of the words will be used.


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• For some diagram questions, you will need tocircle the word you want to select as youranswer. The samples below show how to do this.


Two characteristics of pintial ducks are listed. Identify the characteristics that are the same and different in pintail ducks.

On the diagram, circle the word you want to select. You may only circle 1 word for Same and 1 word for Different.


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• For some graphing equations, you will need towrite a “+” above each bar, where the top of the bar should be. The sample below shows how to do this.


Choose 2 different adaptations that make this duck more suited to feed on water plants than other kinds of birds.

On the diagram, circle the 2 adaptations. You may only circle 2 adaptations.


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Read the water level in the beakers. Make a graphof this data.

Write a “+” above each bar where the top of the bar should be.

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• When you finish a segment of the test, stop and check your answers. Then use the stickergiven to you to seal it. Once you seal a segment, you cannot go back to it. Eachsegment must be sealed before you move on to the next segment.

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There is no test material on this page.

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On this test, do your own best work to show whatyou know and can do.

• Do not accept help finding answers to testquestions.

• Do not give answers to other students.

• Do not tell others what is on the test.

• There may be consequences if you do notfollow directions or if you behave dishonestly.

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Segment 1You will be told when to beginthis segment.

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1


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1Science Test – Segment 1

LakeSuperior

ITEM SAMPLER. MAY BE DUPLICATED.

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1


About 10,000 years ago, the last glaciers meltedaround the Lake Superior area and filled the lakewith water. For the past few hundred years,agricultural and manufacturing developments havecaused pollution in the lake.

Wisconsin

Minnesota

Michigan

LakeSuperior

Ontario

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1. Which observation suggests that Minnesota wascovered by glaciers in the past?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Rocks have fossils.

Rocks show wind erosion.

Rocks show chemical weathering.

Rocks have scrapes and striations.

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To learn more about the pollution in Lake Superior,scientists travel in a boat to collect samples fromdifferent areas of the lake. Before going out on thelake, the scientists must study the local weather inorder to safely travel on the lake.

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2. Based on the air pressure data, which 2 weatherpredictions will most likely be accurate?

Circle the 2 weather predictions you want toselect.

Time of Day Air Pressure(millibars)

6 a.m. 978

Noon 1,010

6 p.m. 1,010

Midnight 1,010

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Weather Predictions

Stratusclouds

Heavyrain

Cirrusclouds

Strongwinds

Fairweather

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The scientists on the boat discover many pollutantsin the lake sediment.

Sedimentsample

Sedimentsample

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Pollutants Found in Lake

Superior Sediments

Arsenic

Cadmium

Chromium

Copper

Lead

Mercury

Pesticides

Zinc

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3. Based on the data collected, which testablequestion are the scientists trying to answer?

A.

B.

C.

D.

What is the source of the pollution?

Which pollutants are found in the lake?

Which pollutants have been in the water thelongest?

What effect does the pollution have on thelake ecosystem?

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Mercury is 1 pollutant found in Lake Superior. Thelargest source of mercury pollution comes fromburning coal in power plants. Data shows that aircurrents can carry pollutants from power plants thatare hundreds of miles away.

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4. Show how these factors would most likelychange if people began to use less energy.

Each change is labeled A, B, C, D, E, or F. Writethe letter of the correct change into each box.You may use each letter 1 time. Three of thelabels will be used.

Amount ofMercuryReleased

Changes When Less Energy is Used

decreases

increases

C.

Amount ofCoal Burned

decreases

increases

A.

B. D.

Condition ofthe Lake

declines

improves

E.

F.

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Segment 2You will be told when to beginthis segment.

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2

Science Test – Segment 2

Pea PlantExperiment


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2


A student plants pea seeds in containers. Eachcontainer has the same type of soil and receives thesame amounts of water and light. The pea seedsgrow into mature plants.

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2


5. What 2 substances do plants take in to makesugars during photosynthesis?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Soil and light

Water and oxygen

Soil and carbon dioxide

Water and carbon dioxide

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2


The student collects the seeds from the mature peaplants. Some of the seeds are green and some areyellow. The student records the data about seed colorin a table.

Number of Pea Seeds

Green245

255YellowGreenYellow

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6. Which graph best shows the information fromthe table?

A.

B.

Pea Seeds

Greencolor255

Yellowcolor245

Pea Seeds

Color of Seeds

Nu

mb

er

of

Seed

s 255245235

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2


C.

Pea Seeds

Yellowcolor255

Greencolor245

D.

Pea Seeds

Number of Seeds

Co

lor

of

Seed

s

255245235

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7. Reproduction is important for a species tosurvive. Select one factor that might affect aspecies. Then select the most likely outcome ofthat factor.

Each factor is labeled A, B, or C, and eachoutcome is labeled D, E, or F. Write the letter ofthe correct factor and the outcome into eachempty box. Use one letter for the factor and oneletter for the outcome.

negative changein environment

small numberof organisms

large amount ofgenetic diversity

Factor

no chance ofspecies survival

increased chance ofspecies survival

decreased chance ofspecies survival

Outcome

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

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The student uses yellow pea seeds for a differentexperiment. The student divides these seeds into 2 groups. One group of yellow pea seeds receiveshalf as much water as the other group. After 1 month, the group of plants that received less wateris shorter than the other group of plants.

Less waterMore water

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8. Several types of variables are found in thisexperiment. Identify each of the 4 variablesshown as changed, measured, or kept the same.

Each variable is labeled A, B, C, or D. Write theletter of the correct variable or variables in eachempty box. Use each letter 1 time.

Variable(s)Changed

Variable(s)Measured

Variable(s)Kept the

Same

Pea Plant Experiment

Size ofcontainer

Amountof light

Height ofplant

Amountof water

Amountof water

A.

Amountof light

B.

Height ofplant

C.

Size ofcontainer

D.

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2Satellites


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Satellites are natural or artificial objects that orbit aplanet or star. The Moon and Earth are both naturalsatellites. For thousands of years, humans have usednatural satellites and stars to determine the time ofday and predict the change of the seasons.

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9. Satellites move in regular, predictable patterns.Identify which 2 properties keep satellitesmoving in regular, predictable patterns.

Circle 2 properties you want to select.

Properties

Density

Friction

Gravity

Inertia

Magnetism

Speed

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The first artificial satellite, Sputnik, was launched in1957. Since then, many other countries, includingthe United States, have launched artificial satellites.These satellites are powered by an energy sourcesuch as batteries or the Sun.

Sputnik

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Modern Artificial Satellite

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10. Scientists use rockets to launch satellites fromEarth. Identify which energy types are involvedin launching a rocket.

Each energy type is labeled A, B, C, or D. Writethe letter of the correct energy type in eachempty box. Three of the energy types will beused.

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2


Launching a Rocket

Energy ofmoving rocket

Energy stored infuel cells

Energy releasedinto atmosphere

Energy Types

A.

B.

C.

D. mechanical

electrical

heat

chemical

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Scientific research also uses artificial satellites.Scientists use images from satellites to observechanges in the sizes of glaciers.

Satellite Image of Glacier, 1960

= Glacier

= Land

= Water

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2



= Glacier

= Land

= Water

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2



= Glacier

= Land

= Water

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11. The glacier in the satellite image appears whiteand the land appears brown. Which statementexplains why objects appear to be differentcolors?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Objects reflect all wavelengths of light.

Objects refract all wavelengths of light.

Objects reflect some wavelengths of lightand absorb others.

Objects refract some wavelengths of lightand absorb others.

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12. As the glacier melts, the volume of water in thelake near the glacier increases. Every 3 squarekilometers of ice that melts adds 1,000,000 litersof water to the lake.

Assume the glacier melts at the same ratethrough 2020. Graph the volume of water in thelake from 1980 to 2020.

You can use the calculator to help you answerthis question.

Write a “+” above each bar where the top of thebar should be.

Glacier Size Over Time

Year 1960 1980 2000

Area(km2) 9 6 3

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22201816141210864

Lake Water Volume

Year

Vo

lum

e (

mil

lio

ns

of

L)

1960 1980 2000 2020

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Communication is a common use of artificialsatellites. They receive and send electromagneticwaves to transmit radio, telephone, and televisionsignals.

Artificial satellite

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13. Internet services use satellite signals. People canuse the Internet in homes to replace some oldertechnologies. Identify which items people canreplace by using the Internet.

Circle the names of the items you want to select.

Items

Refrigerator

Stove

BooksLamp

Newspapers

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14. Which statement describes why sound wavescannot travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere to thesatellites?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Sound waves need light to move.

Sound waves cannot travel in air.

Sound waves need particles to move.

Sound waves cannot travel fast enough.

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The global positioning system, known as GPS, usesartificial satellites. People can use a GPS device toget directions to a location.


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15. A compass and a GPS device have similarfeatures and different features. Identify whichfeatures are similar and which are different.

Each feature is labeled A, B, C, or D. Write theletter of each feature in the correct box. You willuse each letter 1 time.

Compass GPS device

Similar Different

A.

Shows which

directionis north

Cost

B.

Number offunctions

C.

Includes amap

D.

Go on to the next page.ITEM SAMPLER. MAY BE DUPLICATED.

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This is the end ofSegment 2.

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Grade 8

24 point

1106191 ISD155601 2 3 4 5 A B C D E Printed in the USA

Science Item Sampler

ITEM SAMPLERS ARE NOT SECURE TESTMATERIALS. THIS ITEM SAMPLER TESTBOOK MAY BE COPIED OR DUPLICATED.

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