xvi. science and technology/engineering, grade...

XVI. Science and Technology/Engineering, Grade 5

Grade 5 Science and Technology/Engineering Test

The spring 2006 Grade 5 MCAS Science and Technology/Engineering Test was based on learning standards in the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework (2001). The Framework identifies four major content strands, listed below. Page numbers for the grades 3–5 learning standards appear in parentheses.

■ Earth and Space Science (Framework, pages 22–26)

■ Life Science (Biology) (Framework, pages 41–44)

■ Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) (Framework, pages 57–59)

■ Technology/Engineering (Framework, pages 75–76)

The Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework is available on the Department Web site at www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/scitech/2001/0501.pdf.

In Test Item Analysis Reports and on the Subject Area Subscore pages of the MCAS School Reports and District Reports, Science and Technology/Engineering test results are reported under four MCAS reporting categories, which are identical to the four Curriculum Framework content strands listed above.

Test Sessions

The MCAS Grade 5 Science and Technology/Engineering Test included two separate test sessions. Each session included multiple-choice and open-response questions.

Reference Materials and Tools

The use of bilingual word-to-word dictionaries was allowed for limited English profi cient students only, during both Science and Technology/Engineering test sessions. No other reference tools or materials were allowed.

Cross-Reference Information

The table at the conclusion of this chapter indicates each item’s reporting category and the Framework learning standard it assesses. The correct answers for multiple-choice questions are also displayed in the table.

372

ID:227884 A Common ID:248201 3007444_AR1.eps A Common

Science and Technology/EngineeringSESSION 1

DIRECTIONS This session contains seventeen multiple-choice questions and two open-response questions. Mark your answers to these questions in the spaces provided in your Student Answer Booklet.

● In the water cycle, rain, snow, or sleet falling to the ground is a form of

A. precipitation.

B. condensation.

C. evaporation.

D. transpiration.

● The picture below shows three metal 2 objects.

Which of the following properties is most similar in all three of these objects?

A. hardness

B. shape

C. sharpness

D. weight

373

1

ID:228996 3009828_AR1.eps, 3009828_ B Common

Science and Technology/Engineering Session 1

● The picture below shows a leaf from A. a sugar maple tree.

B.

Which of the following tree leaves is most likely from a tree that is closely related to the sugar maple?

C.

D.

374

3

ID:229160 3195384_AR1.eps D Common

7 ft.

board

trees



● The picture below shows two trees and the beginning of a treehouse.

7 ft.

board

trees

A group of friends is building a treehouse. They are using straight wooden boards to build a platform between two trees.

Which of the following is the most important characteristic of the board they have put between the two trees?

A. color

B. dryness

C. hardness

D. strength

● A common grass is pictured below. 5

stems

roots

flowers

leaves

Which labeled parts of the grass absorb most of the minerals needed by this plant?

A. fl owers

B. leaves

C. stems

D. roots

375

4

ID:227878 3006804_AR1.eps, 3006804_ C Common ID:229337 3009925_AR1.eps A Common

ID:229154 D Common


● Which glass contains only a gas?

A.

B.

C.

D.

● The picture below shows a seesaw. 7

A seesaw on a playground is an example of what type of simple machine?

A. lever

B. screw

C. wedge

D. wheel and axle

● All of the processes listed below cause 8 changes in Earth’s surface. Which of the following is the slowest to change Earth’s surface?

A. earthquake activity

B. landslide

C. volcanic eruption

D. weathering

376

6

ID:252695 3231456_AR1.eps A Common ID:229033 3006821_AR1.eps A Common


● Sandra performed an experiment using the setup shown in the diagram below.

Sandra measured the temperature of the water in the bowl in the early morning and in the late afternoon every day for fi ve days. She observed that the temperature of the water was always higher in the late afternoon.

Which of the following types of energy was she measuring?

A. heat

B. light

C. magnetic

D. mechanical

● The pictures below show animals from 10 different parts of the world.

Which of the following characteristics do all of these animals have that allows them to be classified in the same group?

A. fur

B. claws

C. big ears

D. webbed feet

377

9

ID:248204 3186174_AR1.eps C Common ID:228977 3141099_AR1.eps, 3141099_ A Common


● The picture below shows a sundial.

Sundial gnomon

On a sunny day, the gnomon makes a slow-moving shadow on the surface of the sundial. What does a sundial show?

A. humidity

B. temperature

C. time of day

D. direction of wind

● Moths have mouthparts that allow them 12 to suck nectar from plants. Which of the following is most similar to the mouthparts of a moth?

A.

Eyedropper

B.

Paring knife

C.

Nail

D.

Spoon

378

11

ID:252696 3139813_AR1.eps B Common ID:250815 3009804_AR1.eps D Common


● A glacier moving down a mountain valley is pictured below.

Glaciers are frozen, slow-moving rivers of ice that can move about three feet per day down mountain valleys. How does a glacier help create new soil?

A. by carrying living plant material to the ocean

B. by scraping small particles off large rocks

C. by melting rocks along its path down the valley

D. by freezing small particles of soil to form large rocks

● The diagram below shows some of 14 the layers of rocks found in the Grand Canyon. Scientists find these layers of rock useful for studying fossils.

Grand Canyon Rock Layers

Limestone

Sandstone Shale

Limestone Limestone Limestone

Shale Sandstone

What type of rock is shown labeled in these layers?

A. extrusive

B. igneous

C. metamorphic

D. sedimentary

379

13


ID:252700 3195023_AR1.eps C Common

ID:229140 3009810_AR1.eps B Common


● Structures like the one shown below can be seen on maple trees at certain times of the year.

What is the main function of this structure?

A. protection

B. pollination

C. competition

D. reproduction

● The picture below shows a nut and a bolt.

Bolt

Nut

Which of the following hand tools would most likely be used to tighten this nut and bolt?

A. a wrench and a hammer

B. a hammer and a saw

C. a wrench and a screwdriver

D. a screwdriver and a saw

● The picture below shows a mineral 17 sample being tested with a metal fi le.

Which property of a mineral is most likely tested in this way?

A. color

B. hardness

C. luster

D. streak

380

15

16

ID:229342 3194115_AR1.eps, 3194115_ Common


Questions 18 and 19 are open-response questions.

• BE SURE TO ANSWER AND LABEL ALL PARTS OF EACH QUESTION. • Show all your work (diagrams, tables, or computations) in your Student Answer Booklet. • If you do the work in your head, explain in writing how you did the work.

Write your answer to question 18 in the space provided in your Student Answer Booklet.

● The picture below shows five ring magnets that are stacked around a pencil.

When the pencil is held upright, the magnets do not touch, but appear to be suspended in the air. When the magnets are pushed closer together, they quickly return to their original positions.

a. Explain why the magnets are not touching each other and appear to be suspended in air.

b. Describe what would happen if the pencil were taken away.

The magnets were then rearranged so they stacked around the pencil as shown below.

c. Explain how the magnets were rearranged on the pencil so that they stacked directly on top of each other as shown.

d. Describe what would happen if the pencil were taken away.

381

18

ID:228976 3248905_AR1.eps Common



● The picture below shows an erupting volcano.

Volcanoes sometimes erupt violently for days or weeks. At other times, volcanoes can be quiet, with only a small amount of activity coming from their cores.

a. Describe how volcanoes can change the landscape rapidly. In your description, be sure to include which parts of the landscape change and what materials are involved.

b. Describe how the landscape around the volcano can change over many years. In your description, be sure to include what parts of the landscape are changed and what materials are involved.

382

19

ID:250816 3009838_AR1.eps, 3009838_ D Common

Science and Technology/EngineeringSESSION 2

DIRECTIONS This session contains seventeen multiple-choice questions and three open-response questions. Mark your answers to these questions in the spaces provided in your Student Answer Booklet.

● The diagram below shows an incomplete A. circuit due to a break in the wire at point X.

X

+

D-Cell

–

Crayon

B.

Plastic comb

A student is testing materials to see if they conduct electricity. The student places C.

each item shown at position X, making sure the object is in contact with the loose end of each wire. Which item will electricity flow through, causing the bulb to light?

Notebook paper

D.

19891989LIBERTYLIBERTY

1989LIBERTY

EWDO

NI TSURTG EWDO

NI TSURTG

Penny

383

20

ID:229074 C Common ID:229222 3141088_AR1.eps C Common


● Which of the following fasteners are best to use to fasten the sides of a wooden birdhouse?

A. bolts

B. hooks

C. nails

D. pins

● The diagram below shows a bar resting 22 on a fulcrum with one end under a 100 lb. box.

Bar

100 lb.

In order for the bar to be used to lift the box, which of the following is the most important property of the bar?

A. dark color

B. high fl exibility

C. high strength

D. light weight

384

21

385

ID:229046 3138585_AR1.eps, 3138585_ D Common

●23 The diagram below represents the distribution of trees in an area of a forest.

= oak

= pine

= birch

= cedar

= maple

When squirrels move into the area, they gather acorns from the one oak tree in this area and hide them in the ground over a wide area.

Which of the following best represents this same area of the forest 20 years later?

A. = oak

= pine

= birch

=

cedar

= maple

B. = oak

= pine

= birch

= cedar

= maple

C. = oak

= pine

= birch

= cedar

= maple

D. = oak

= pine

= birch

= cedar

= maple


●

ID:227874 2098116_AR1.eps A Common

1 2 3 4

ID:229152 3057756_AR1.eps C Common

25


● The diagram below shows a food chain.

1 2 3 4

Which of the following is classified as a producer?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

The drawing below shows a prototype of a bridge. The prototype is made of craft sticks.

A student designed the bridge to support five toy cars. Which of the following properties of the bridge is most important in the student’s design?

A. fl exibility

B. hardness

C. strength

D. weight

386

24

387


●26 The picture below shows a solid wooden board that is one inch thick.

Which of the following tools used alone will safely make a hole completely through this board?

A. drill

B. hammer

C. knife

D. screwdriver

ID:252703 3005873_AR1.eps B Common

●27 The diagram below shows a cross section of a tree trunk.

Wood

What are the main functions of wood in a living tree?

A. support and reproduction

B. water transport and support

C. protection and reproduction

D. water transport and protection


●28 The public address system shown below uses a microphone, an amplifi er, and speakers to make voices louder.

Speakers

Microphone

Amplifier

In this system, which of the following types of energy is used to make a person’s voice louder?

A. electrical

B. heat

C. light

D. nuclear


●ID:250818 D Common ID:229057 3196602_AR1.eps A Common

29


Four rods of equal thickness but made of different metals were tested with equal amounts of weight to see which was most flexible. Which of the following is the best way to report the results of this experiment?

A. a list of each type of rod used

B. a sketch of each rod before testing

C. a table showing how much each rod weighed

D. a bar graph showing how much each rod bent

● The picture below shows the result 30 of a geological event that changed a mountain rapidly.

Which of the following most likely caused the rapid change of the mountain?

A. landslide

B. snowfall

C. wind erosion

D. volcanic eruption

388

●ID:229045 3187126_AR1.eps C Common ID:253135 3046372_AR1.eps A Common

31


The diagram below shows how a type of rock is formed over time.

Sand

Silt

Mud

Sand

Silt

Mud

Sandstone Siltstone

Shale

Pressure

Pressure

This diagram represents the formation of which of the following types of rock?

A. igneous

B. metamorphic

C. sedimentary

D. volcanic

● A healthy red-flowered tulip plant is 32 shown below.

Which of the following would occur fi rst as a result of a drought?

A. The tulip’s leaves would wilt.

B. The tulip’s flowers would turn blue.

C. The tulip’s stems would grow longer.

D. The tulip would produce more fl owers.

389

●ID:228960 3246506_AR1.eps D Common

33


Jacob has the two metal cubes pictured below.

2 cm

2 cm

2 cm 2 cm

2 cm

2 cm

One cube is made of aluminum. The other cube is made of steel. Which of the following characteristics will best help him distinguish between the two cubes?

A. shape

B. size

C. texture

D. weight

390

●ID:229143 3195376_AR1.eps C Common ID:229210 3187125_AR1.eps A Common

34


The picture below shows a pair of scissors.

Sharp edge Handles

Pivot point

Scissors are an example of a complex machine. Which of the following simple machines are combined to make scissors?

A. lever and gear

B. gear and pulley

C. lever and wedge

D. wedge and pulley

● The picture below shows the water cycle. 35

X

Ocean

Water on Earth cycles in different forms and in different locations. Which process occurs at the location labeled X on this diagram of the water cycle?

A. condensation

B. evaporation

C. runoff

D. transpiration

391

●ID:250819 3186180_AR1.eps B Common

36


The picture below shows a bird.

From the shape of its beak and the length of its legs, this bird is best adapted for feeding on which of the following?

A. insects that feed on plants

B. small fish in shallow water

C. nuts from riverside trees and plants

D. birds in ground nests

392

●ID:229324 3138720_AR1.eps Common

37


Questions 37 through 39 are open-response questions.

• BE SURE TO ANSWER AND LABEL ALL PARTS OF EACH QUESTION. • Show all your work (diagrams, tables, or computations) in your Student Answer Booklet. • If you do the work in your head, explain in writing how you did the work.


The diagram below shows how energy is transformed in a power plant.

Coils

GeneratorMagnet of wire

Turbine

Boiler

water boils

steam moves through pipe

moving turbine powers generator

bulb lights

fuel burns

During this entire process, energy is transferred from one form to another several times. Describe four energy changes that occur during the process.

393

●ID:229132 3099195_AR1.eps Common

38



A satellite dish and a dog’s ears are pictured below.

The satellite dish and the dog’s ear are alike in some ways.

a. Describe one way the structure of the satellite dish is similar to the structure of the dog’s ear.

b. Describe one similarity in what the satellite dish does and what the dog’s ear does.

c. Describe one difference between what the satellite dish does and what the dog’s ear does.

394

●ID:228978 3193708_AR1.eps Common

39



Different plants produce seeds that may be spread in several different ways.

a. List three ways that seeds may be spread.

The picture below shows a dandelion fruit and seed.

Seed

Fruit

b. Explain how the structure of the dandelion fruit and seed helps a dandelion spread its seeds.

395

Grade 5 Science and Technology/EngineeringSpring 2006 Released Items:

Reporting Categories, Standards, and Correct Answers

Item No. Page No. Reporting Category Standard Correct Answer

(MC)*

1 373 Earth and Space Science 10 A

2 373 Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) 1 A

3 374 Life Science (Biology) 1 B

4 375 Technology/Engineering 1.1 D

5 375 Life Science (Biology) 2 D

6 376 Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) 2 C

7 376 Technology/Engineering 1.3 A

8 376 Earth and Space Science 12 D


10 377 Life Science (Biology) 1 A

11 378 Earth and Space Science 14 C


13 379 Earth and Space Science 4 B

14 379 Earth and Space Science 3 D


16 380 Technology/Engineering 1.2 C

17 380 Earth and Space Science 2 B

18 381 Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) 9

19 382 Earth and Space Science 12

20 383 Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) 7 D









29 388 Technology/Engineering 2.2 D


31 389 Earth and Space Science 3 C


33 390 Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) 1 D




37 393 Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) 5

38 394 Technology/Engineering 2.4

39 395 Life Science (Biology) 2

* Answers are provided here for multiple-choice items only. Sample responses and scoring guidelines for open-response items, which are indicated by shaded cells, will be posted to the Department’s Web site later this year.

396

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