2019 STAAR Grade 8 Science

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1

The chart lists organisms in five different categories living near the Texas Gulf Coast.

Based on the chart, which food chain best models a flow of energy in this ecosystem?

7.5.B

8.3.B

1

A student makes a model of the sun-Earth system by swinging a ball around her head. Using this model, the student is trying to explain how Earth stays on a path around the sun.

The student explains that this path is the result of —

6.11.B

8.3.B

1

Atoms of which two elements have a combined total of 23 protons?

8.5.B

1

The spectral classes of four stars are shown in comparison with a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

Based on the information, which star is most like the sun?

8.2.E

8.8.A

1

Primary succession occurs when pioneer species move into an area that has no plants. Which organisms are common pioneer species?

7.10.C

1

A mother and daughter press their hands together and then push apart while ice skating.

Immediately after they push away from each other, how does the motion of the mother and daughter change?

8.6.A

1

A teacher asks students to make a model of a transform plate boundary. The students use blocks to represent tectonic plates and slide the blocks past each other in the directions of the arrows as shown.

Which event can the students best demonstrate with their model?

8.3.B

8.9.B

1

Which statement best describes evidence that a chemical reaction occurs as a cake bakes?

8.5.E

A group of students used this diagram to classify three organisms into different kingdoms.

1

6.12.D

8.2.E

1

A student is trying to classify an unidentified, solid gray material as a metal or a nonmetal. Which question will best help the student classify the material?

6.6.A

8.2.A

1

The net force on a vehicle that is accelerating at a rate of 1.5 m/s2 is 1,800 newtons.

What is the mass of the vehicle to the nearest kilogram?

Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the correct place value.

8.6.A

1

Wild hogs introduced to Texas from Europe became feral after the hogs escaped from the ranches where they lived. Feral hogs are omnivores that feed on native plants, crops, and small animals. Feral hogs can damage an ecosystem by rooting through the soil to look for food and trampling small plants.

Which types of native organisms do feral hogs most likely compete with for food sources?

8.11.A

1

A scientist performs tests on a sample of an element. The element is a shiny solid that conducts electricity and heat. The scientist is able to bend and flatten the sample when pressure is applied to it.

Based on this information, the element could NOT be a member of which group on the periodic table?

8.2.D

8.5.C

1

A demonstration helps students understand a principle of roller coaster design.

Which answer choice correctly describes the ball’s kinetic and potential energy?

6.8.A

1

What are the main functions of the human skeletal system?

7.12.B

1

A large rock is motionless on a flat sidewalk. Which statement best explains why the rock remains motionless?

8.6.C

1

A compound secreted by honeybees to paralyze intruders in their hive is known as 2-heptanone. The formula for this compound is shown.

How many atoms of each element are in one molecule of 2-heptanone?

8.5.D

1

A student uses this diagram to understand the parts of a fish. The student then uses an identification key to classify different types of fish.

Based on the key, which of these fish is most likely a bluegill?

7.11.A

8.2.C

1

The weather map shows air pressures in millibars.

Which set of conditions best describes the weather at the area of lowest air pressure?

8.10.B

8.2.E

1

A diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum is shown.

Earth’s atmosphere blocks short wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which telescopes must be placed in orbit around Earth in order to observe short-wavelength radiation?

8.2.E

8.8.C

1

A tiger cub has a pattern of stripes on its fur that is similar to that of its parents. Where are the instructions stored that provide information for a tiger’s fur pattern?

7.14.C

1

The mass of an unidentified rock is 15.5 grams. Students determine the volume of the rock by placing the rock in a cylinder with water. The students calculate the density of the rock. They determine the identity of the rock based on the density ranges in the table.

The students most likely have which type of rock?

6.6.B

8.4.A

1

A student observes several species of plants growing in a drainage ditch. Some species have short roots, while others have long roots. During periods of heavy rain, the ditch fills with fast-moving water, which uproots more plants that have short roots than long roots.

Which short-term effect will most likely result from a year with more heavy rain than normal?

8.11.B

1

A student viewed the moon through binoculars one week after a new moon. Which image shows the phase of the moon that the student observed?

8.7.B

The distance a toy car travels over time is shown in the graph.

1

6.8.C

8.2.E

1

The blades of a wind turbine are at rest until the movement of air causes the blades to spin.

Which energy transformation happens when the blades are spinning as shown?

6.9.C

1

A student models moon phases. She holds a foam ball on a stick in front of her body and then stands in front of a light as shown. The student uses herself to represent Earth. She turns her body slowly to represent four different moon phases.

Which numbered diagram represents the student modeling a full moon?

8.3.B

8.7.B

1

Giant salvinia is an aquatic plant that floats on water and reproduces rapidly. When these plants die, decomposition by bacteria affects oxygen levels in the water. As more plants die, less oxygen is available in the water. Students observe a pond covered by giant salvinia.

Which statement is the best prediction the students can make about the immediate future of the pond?

8.11.A

1

The atomic number of krypton is 36. If the mass number of a krypton atom is 84, which table shows the number of subatomic particles inside and outside the nucleus of the krypton atom?

8.2.C

8.5.A

1

Plants grow in many different shapes and sizes. Much of their shape depends on an internal structure that is composed of carbon-containing molecules such as cellulose and lignin. Plants that have a strong internal structure can grow larger than other plants because their structure can support their size.

Plants obtain the majority of the carbon necessary for building these structural molecules from —

8.11.A

1

Which diagram models a hypothetical situation in which every location on Earth would have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness per day?

8.3.B

8.7.A

1

Barium sulfate, BaSO4 , is a white crystalline solid that is insoluble in water. It is used by doctors to diagnose problems with the digestive system. Barium hydroxide, Ba(OH)2 , is also a white crystalline solid and is used in wastewater treatment.

How many more oxygen atoms are represented in the formula for barium sulfate than in the formula for barium hydroxide?

Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the correct place value.

8.3.D

8.5.D

1

The model shows an area near a lake. Community leaders are planning new laws to help protect the lake from pollution. One proposed law will make it illegal to dump trash on the shore of the lake, but the law still allows trash to be placed in the area labeled “Flow-through wetland.”

Which statement about the proposed law is supported by the model?

7.8.C

8.3.B

1

The graph shows the distance an object traveled in 11 seconds.

Which answer choice best describes the movement of the object between the times of 0 and 6 seconds on the graph?

6.8.D

8.2.E

1

Researchers are studying lichens growing on trees in a forest ecosystem. At the beginning of the study, the researchers identified twelve lichen species in the forest. Later, a forest fire happened in the study area. The researchers returned to the area and found only six lichen species.

Which inference is best supported from the researchers’ observations?

8.11.B

8.2.A

1

The diagrams show forces acting on a toy car as it moves to the right. Which diagram shows the toy car that will most likely accelerate to the right based on these conditions?

8.6.A

1

A river area is shown on the topographic map. Four riverbank areas are labeled on the map.

Which two riverbanks are the steepest?

8.2.E

8.9.C

1

The diagram shows a model of an atom. The model has four different symbols on it. Each symbol represents a different role for one of the particles within the atom.

In this model, which particle determines the reactivity of this atom?

8.3.B

8.5.B

1

Which statement best describes a galaxy?

8.8.A

1

An environmental change drastically reduced the population of milkweed plants in an area. The milkweed plants provided the only source of food for a nearby population of monarch butterfly caterpillars.

Which statement describes the most likely effect of this environmental change on this population of monarch butterflies?

8.11.B

8.3.A

1

A pitcher throws a ball toward a player holding a softball bat. The player uses the bat to hit the ball. The bat applies a 10-newton force to the ball.

Which statement correctly describes the reaction force between the bat and ball?

8.6.C

1

Researchers are investigating processes that happen during digestion. Which answer choice describes only a physical change during digestion?

7.6.A

8.2.E

2019 STAAR Grade 8 Science

The chart lists organisms in five different categories living near the Texas Gulf Coast.Based on the chart, which food chain best models a flow of energy in this ecosystem?

A student makes a model of the sun-Earth system by swinging a ball around her head. Using this model, the student is trying to explain how Earth stays on a path around the sun.The student explains that this path is the result of —

Atoms of which two elements have a combined total of 23 protons?

The spectral classes of four stars are shown in comparison with a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.Based on the information, which star is most like the sun?

Primary succession occurs when pioneer species move into an area that has no plants. Which organisms are common pioneer species?

A mother and daughter press their hands together and then push apart while ice skating.Immediately after they push away from each other, how does the motion of the mother and daughter change?

A teacher asks students to make a model of a transform plate boundary. The students use blocks to represent tectonic plates and slide the blocks past each other in the directions of the arrows as shown.Which event can the students best demonstrate with their model?

Which statement best describes evidence that a chemical reaction occurs as a cake bakes?

A student is trying to classify an unidentified, solid gray material as a metal or a nonmetal. Which question will best help the student classify the material?

The net force on a vehicle that is accelerating at a rate of 1.5 m/s2 is 1,800 newtons. What is the mass of the vehicle to the nearest kilogram? Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the correct place value.

A demonstration helps students understand a principle of roller coaster design.Which answer choice correctly describes the ball’s kinetic and potential energy?

What are the main functions of the human skeletal system?

A large rock is motionless on a flat sidewalk. Which statement best explains why the rock remains motionless?

A compound secreted by honeybees to paralyze intruders in their hive is known as 2-heptanone. The formula for this compound is shown.How many atoms of each element are in one molecule of 2-heptanone?

A student uses this diagram to understand the parts of a fish. The student then uses an identification key to classify different types of fish.Based on the key, which of these fish is most likely a bluegill?

The weather map shows air pressures in millibars.Which set of conditions best describes the weather at the area of lowest air pressure?

A diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum is shown.Earth’s atmosphere blocks short wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which telescopes must be placed in orbit around Earth in order to observe short-wavelength radiation?

A tiger cub has a pattern of stripes on its fur that is similar to that of its parents. Where are the instructions stored that provide information for a tiger’s fur pattern?

A student viewed the moon through binoculars one week after a new moon. Which image shows the phase of the moon that the student observed?

The blades of a wind turbine are at rest until the movement of air causes the blades to spin.Which energy transformation happens when the blades are spinning as shown?

The atomic number of krypton is 36. If the mass number of a krypton atom is 84, which table shows the number of subatomic particles inside and outside the nucleus of the krypton atom?

Which diagram models a hypothetical situation in which every location on Earth would have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness per day?

The graph shows the distance an object traveled in 11 seconds.Which answer choice best describes the movement of the object between the times of 0 and 6 seconds on the graph?

The diagrams show forces acting on a toy car as it moves to the right. Which diagram shows the toy car that will most likely accelerate to the right based on these conditions?

A river area is shown on the topographic map. Four riverbank areas are labeled on the map.Which two riverbanks are the steepest?

The diagram shows a model of an atom. The model has four different symbols on it. Each symbol represents a different role for one of the particles within the atom.In this model, which particle determines the reactivity of this atom?

Which statement best describes a galaxy?

A pitcher throws a ball toward a player holding a softball bat. The player uses the bat to hit the ball. The bat applies a 10-newton force to the ball. Which statement correctly describes the reaction force between the bat and ball?

Researchers are investigating processes that happen during digestion. Which answer choice describes only a physical change during digestion?

The chart lists organisms in five different categories living near the Texas Gulf Coast.Based on the chart, which food chain best models a flow of energy in this ecosystem?

A student makes a model of the sun-Earth system by swinging a ball around her head. Using this model, the student is trying to explain how Earth stays on a path around the sun.The student explains that this path is the result of —

Atoms of which two elements have a combined total of 23 protons?

The spectral classes of four stars are shown in comparison with a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.Based on the information, which star is most like the sun?

Primary succession occurs when pioneer species move into an area that has no plants. Which organisms are common pioneer species?

A mother and daughter press their hands together and then push apart while ice skating.Immediately after they push away from each other, how does the motion of the mother and daughter change?

A teacher asks students to make a model of a transform plate boundary. The students use blocks to represent tectonic plates and slide the blocks past each other in the directions of the arrows as shown.Which event can the students best demonstrate with their model?

Which statement best describes evidence that a chemical reaction occurs as a cake bakes?

Which table correctly identifies the three kingdoms?

A student is trying to classify an unidentified, solid gray material as a metal or a nonmetal. Which question will best help the student classify the material?

The net force on a vehicle that is accelerating at a rate of 1.5 m/s2 is 1,800 newtons. What is the mass of the vehicle to the nearest kilogram? Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the correct place value.

A demonstration helps students understand a principle of roller coaster design.Which answer choice correctly describes the ball’s kinetic and potential energy?

What are the main functions of the human skeletal system?

A large rock is motionless on a flat sidewalk. Which statement best explains why the rock remains motionless?

A compound secreted by honeybees to paralyze intruders in their hive is known as 2-heptanone. The formula for this compound is shown.How many atoms of each element are in one molecule of 2-heptanone?

A student uses this diagram to understand the parts of a fish. The student then uses an identification key to classify different types of fish.Based on the key, which of these fish is most likely a bluegill?

The weather map shows air pressures in millibars.Which set of conditions best describes the weather at the area of lowest air pressure?

A diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum is shown.Earth’s atmosphere blocks short wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which telescopes must be placed in orbit around Earth in order to observe short-wavelength radiation?

A tiger cub has a pattern of stripes on its fur that is similar to that of its parents. Where are the instructions stored that provide information for a tiger’s fur pattern?

A student viewed the moon through binoculars one week after a new moon. Which image shows the phase of the moon that the student observed?

Which table best shows the average speed of the toy car at different time intervals?

The blades of a wind turbine are at rest until the movement of air causes the blades to spin.Which energy transformation happens when the blades are spinning as shown?

The atomic number of krypton is 36. If the mass number of a krypton atom is 84, which table shows the number of subatomic particles inside and outside the nucleus of the krypton atom?

Which diagram models a hypothetical situation in which every location on Earth would have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness per day?

The graph shows the distance an object traveled in 11 seconds.Which answer choice best describes the movement of the object between the times of 0 and 6 seconds on the graph?

The diagrams show forces acting on a toy car as it moves to the right. Which diagram shows the toy car that will most likely accelerate to the right based on these conditions?

A river area is shown on the topographic map. Four riverbank areas are labeled on the map.Which two riverbanks are the steepest?

The diagram shows a model of an atom. The model has four different symbols on it. Each symbol represents a different role for one of the particles within the atom.In this model, which particle determines the reactivity of this atom?

Which statement best describes a galaxy?

A pitcher throws a ball toward a player holding a softball bat. The player uses the bat to hit the ball. The bat applies a 10-newton force to the ball. Which statement correctly describes the reaction force between the bat and ball?

Researchers are investigating processes that happen during digestion. Which answer choice describes only a physical change during digestion?

The chart lists organisms in five different categories living near the Texas Gulf Coast.

Based on the chart, which food chain best models a flow of energy in this ecosystem?

A student makes a model of the sun-Earth system by swinging a ball around her head. Using this model, the student is trying to explain how Earth stays on a path around the sun.

The student explains that this path is the result of —

The spectral classes of four stars are shown in comparison with a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

Based on the information, which star is most like the sun?

A mother and daughter press their hands together and then push apart while ice skating.

Immediately after they push away from each other, how does the motion of the mother and daughter change?

A teacher asks students to make a model of a transform plate boundary. The students use blocks to represent tectonic plates and slide the blocks past each other in the directions of the arrows as shown.

Which event can the students best demonstrate with their model?

The net force on a vehicle that is accelerating at a rate of 1.5 m/s2 is 1,800 newtons.

What is the mass of the vehicle to the nearest kilogram?

Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the correct place value.

A demonstration helps students understand a principle of roller coaster design.

Which answer choice correctly describes the ball’s kinetic and potential energy?

A compound secreted by honeybees to paralyze intruders in their hive is known as 2-heptanone. The formula for this compound is shown.

How many atoms of each element are in one molecule of 2-heptanone?

A student uses this diagram to understand the parts of a fish. The student then uses an identification key to classify different types of fish.

Based on the key, which of these fish is most likely a bluegill?

The weather map shows air pressures in millibars.

Which set of conditions best describes the weather at the area of lowest air pressure?

A diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum is shown.

Earth’s atmosphere blocks short wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which telescopes must be placed in orbit around Earth in order to observe short-wavelength radiation?

The blades of a wind turbine are at rest until the movement of air causes the blades to spin.

Which energy transformation happens when the blades are spinning as shown?

The graph shows the distance an object traveled in 11 seconds.

Which answer choice best describes the movement of the object between the times of 0 and 6 seconds on the graph?

A river area is shown on the topographic map. Four riverbank areas are labeled on the map.

Which two riverbanks are the steepest?

The diagram shows a model of an atom. The model has four different symbols on it. Each symbol represents a different role for one of the particles within the atom.

In this model, which particle determines the reactivity of this atom?

A pitcher throws a ball toward a player holding a softball bat. The player uses the bat to hit the ball. The bat applies a 10-newton force to the ball.

Which statement correctly describes the reaction force between the bat and ball?

The chart lists organisms in five different categories living near the Texas Gulf Coast.

Based on the chart, which food chain best models a flow of energy in this ecosystem?

A student makes a model of the sun-Earth system by swinging a ball around her head. Using this model, the student is trying to explain how Earth stays on a path around the sun.

The student explains that this path is the result of —

The spectral classes of four stars are shown in comparison with a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

Based on the information, which star is most like the sun?

A mother and daughter press their hands together and then push apart while ice skating.

Immediately after they push away from each other, how does the motion of the mother and daughter change?

A teacher asks students to make a model of a transform plate boundary. The students use blocks to represent tectonic plates and slide the blocks past each other in the directions of the arrows as shown.

Which event can the students best demonstrate with their model?

The net force on a vehicle that is accelerating at a rate of 1.5 m/s2 is 1,800 newtons.

What is the mass of the vehicle to the nearest kilogram?

Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the correct place value.

A demonstration helps students understand a principle of roller coaster design.

Which answer choice correctly describes the ball’s kinetic and potential energy?

A compound secreted by honeybees to paralyze intruders in their hive is known as 2-heptanone. The formula for this compound is shown.

How many atoms of each element are in one molecule of 2-heptanone?

A student uses this diagram to understand the parts of a fish. The student then uses an identification key to classify different types of fish.

Based on the key, which of these fish is most likely a bluegill?

The weather map shows air pressures in millibars.

Which set of conditions best describes the weather at the area of lowest air pressure?

A diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum is shown.

Earth’s atmosphere blocks short wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which telescopes must be placed in orbit around Earth in order to observe short-wavelength radiation?

The blades of a wind turbine are at rest until the movement of air causes the blades to spin.

Which energy transformation happens when the blades are spinning as shown?

The graph shows the distance an object traveled in 11 seconds.

Which answer choice best describes the movement of the object between the times of 0 and 6 seconds on the graph?

A river area is shown on the topographic map. Four riverbank areas are labeled on the map.

Which two riverbanks are the steepest?

The diagram shows a model of an atom. The model has four different symbols on it. Each symbol represents a different role for one of the particles within the atom.

In this model, which particle determines the reactivity of this atom?

A pitcher throws a ball toward a player holding a softball bat. The player uses the bat to hit the ball. The bat applies a 10-newton force to the ball.

Which statement correctly describes the reaction force between the bat and ball?