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Grade 8 STE MCAS Practice (2022)

Last updated almost 3 years ago

14 questions

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Question 1

1.

A teacher asked a class to write the “cosmic address” of Massachusetts. A
cosmic address is ordered from smallest to largest.
The first four parts of the cosmic address are shown below:

Massachusetts
United States
North America
Northern Hemisphere
?
?
?
?

Which of the following best completes the cosmic address of Massachusetts?

Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, Solar System, Universe

Earth, Solar System, Universe, Milky Way Galaxy

Earth, Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe

Earth, Universe, Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy

Question 2

2.

The map shows some of the tectonic plates that form Earth’s surface, and four areas labeled W, X, Y, and Z.

In which area is an earthquake most likely to occur?

area W

area X

area Y

area z

Question 3

3.

Which of the following models has the greatest attractive electric force
between the charged particles?

Question 4

4.

The table shows the masses of four planets and the distance of each planet from the Sun.

Based on the data in the table, on which planet does the Sun exert the greatest gravitational force?

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Question 5

5.

Human activities are playing a role in increasing greenhouse gases. The increase in greenhouse gases is causing a rise in global temperatures.

The model represents the movement of thermal energy through Earth’s systems.

Which arrow best shows the movement of thermal energy that is causing a rise in global temperatures?

arrow W

arrow X

arrow Y

arrow Z

Question 6

6.

Select three activities that would help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere.

using bicycles as a form of transportation

implementing public transportation systems

cutting down forests to build farms and cities

burning coal at power plants to make electricity

using solar panels to collect energy from the Sun

Question 7

7.

A homeowner and a builder discussed three parts of a system that were involved in replacing the shingles on the roof of the homeowner’s home:

• hammering a nail
• roof with new shingles
• tools

Which table correctly classifies each part of the system as an input, a process, or an output?

Question 8

8.

The diagram shows a toy sailboat with some parts labeled.

The labeled parts of the sailboat have specific functions.
• The sail provides the force needed to move the boat.
• The mast holds up the sail.
• The rudder steers the boat.

Which table correctly classifies each part of the sailboat as a structural, propulsion, or control subsystem?

Question 9

9.

A student plans to build a bench like the one shown.

The student has determined that the following steps need to be completed:
• make measurements
• cut wood
• smooth edges
• attach pieces of wood together with fasteners

The student will use an electric sander, a screwdriver, and an electric saw to build the bench. Select three other items the student should use to safely build the bench.

12-inch ruler

dust mask

goggles

pliers

tape measure

Question 10

10.

The table shows weather data for three days in Boston.

Select the two most likely explanations for the change in weather from June 1 to June 3.

A cold front moved into the area.

A warm front moved through the area

A low pressure system moved into the area.

A high pressure system moved into the area.

A cold air mass stalled over a warm air mass in the area.

Question 11

11.

A teacher performs an investigation by heating a 5.4 g piece of aluminum and placing it into a beaker of water. The table shows the temperatures before and after the aluminum was placed in the water.
The teacher repeats the investigation using a larger, 20 g piece of aluminum heated to 100°C. Which of the following best explains what will happen to the final temperature of both the water and the 20 g piece of aluminum?

The temperature will be 28°C because both pieces of aluminum transfer heat energy at the same rate

The temperature will be 28°C because both pieces of aluminum transfer heat energy at the same rate

The temperature will be 28°C because both pieces of aluminum transfer heat energy at the same rate

The temperature will be 28°C because both pieces of aluminum transfer heat energy at the same rate

Question 12

12.

Sharks are large fish that live in the ocean. Hammerhead sharks are a part of a marine ecosystem, as shown in the food web.

Which of the following best describes the role that hammerhead sharks play in the ecosystem?

The sharks act as a food source for clams, oysters, and scallops.

The sharks compete with cownose rays for access to nutrients in the environment.

The sharks break down the remains of zooplankton and phytoplankton, returning nutrients to the environment.

The sharks limit the population size of cownose rays, preventing them from overfeeding on clams, oysters, and scallops.

Question 13

13.

The diagram represents one process that transfers energy in the marine ecosystem.

The process occurs in which of the following organisms?

crownose rays

hammerhead sharks

oysters

phytoplankton

Question 14

14.

In recent decades, overfishing has led to large decreases in the sizes of shark populations. Biologists studying the effects of overfishing on marine ecosystems have hypothesized that a decrease in hammerhead sharks has led to a decrease in bay scallops.

Select two pieces of data that the biologists would most likely use to test their hypothesis.

the population counts for bay scallops

the number of times hammerhead sharks reproduce each year

the number of offspring produced from one mating between bay scallops

the number of hammerhead sharks in each of the marine ecosystems over time

the temperature of the water in which hammerhead sharks and bay scallops live