PSSA Grade 8 Science

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Which question could best be investigated using scientific inquiry?

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Which unintended effect could result from overusing chemical pesticides to control insects on agricultural crops?

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A family adopts a pet dog from the local animal shelter. The family does not know the breed of the dog. To help determine the breed, the family compares the traits of the dog to the traits of known dog breeds. The family concludes that the dog’s parents were two different breeds. Which scientific concept did the family most likely use to form this conclusion?

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Fires are common in grassland ecosystems. Dead grasses and small shrubs that accumulate on the ground provide an excellent source of fuel for the fires. Which statement describes how grassland ecosystems benefit from periodic fires?

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Use the diagram below to answer the question.

In a science class, students release the same toy car down four different ramps. Each ramp has the same length but a different height. Which dependent variable could be measured to find out how the ramp height affects the car?

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Use the drawing below to answer the question.

A researcher hypothesizes that a specific temperature is optimal for the growth of a type of algae. To test this hypothesis, the researcher grew algae in culture dishes each kept at a different temperature. The data collected from which measurements would be needed to support the hypothesis?

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A student is measuring the volume of a rectangular object. Which two tools could the student use to measure the volume of the object?

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Use the diagram below to answer the question.

The diagram shows two genetic processes. Which statement best describes one of the processes shown?

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Which list correctly shows characteristics of fungi and animals?

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A student observes a large amount of fallen tree leaves on the school grounds. Which solution for cleaning up the leaves would have the most positive impact on the environment?

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Use the chart below to answer the question.

A student made a chart to compare energy sources. Which energy source was incorrectly placed in the chart?

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Use the diagram below to answer the question.

Polar areas of Earth receive lower levels of direct sunlight than other areas on the planet. Which statement best describes how the lower levels of direct sunlight affect the environment in polar areas?

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Which statement describes the energy of a ball after it is thrown straight up into the air?

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Sometimes people must clear grassland areas to grow crops. This practice often replaces deep-rooted native plant species with shallow-rooted crop plants. In addition, most crop plants must be harvested and replanted each year, leaving the soil bare for part of the year. Which effect would replacing grassland with farmland most likely have on the area?

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Water system X brings fresh water from mountaintops to water system Y. Water system Y is a large basin filled with salt water. What are these two types of water systems?

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A student observes two high tides and two low tides along an ocean shoreline during a fixed 24-hour period. Which combination of factors is most responsible for causing this pattern of tides?

A student is testing if the mass of a balloon rocket affects how far it travels on a string by attaching metal washers to the balloon. The student measures the initial circumference of the balloon at the beginning of each trial.

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Part A: Predict the general relationship between the distance the balloon rocket would likely travel and the number of washers it carries.

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Part B: In a second investigation the student uses no washers but changes the balloon’s circumference. Predict the general relationship between the distance the balloon rocket would likely travel and the circumference of the balloon.

In England before the industrial revolution, peppered moths were mainly white with black speckles, but a small group within the population had a genetic mutation that caused them to appear dark gray. After industrialization, the increase in air pollution caused tree bark to darken. Eventually, the lighter-colored peppered moths became less common than the dark-gray moths.

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Part A: Identify one possible advantage dark-gray peppered moths had over the lighter-colored moths after the industrial revolution.

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Which question could best be investigated using scientific inquiry?

Which unintended effect could result from overusing chemical pesticides to control insects on agricultural crops?

Fires are common in grassland ecosystems. Dead grasses and small shrubs that accumulate on the ground provide an excellent source of fuel for the fires. Which statement describes how grassland ecosystems benefit from periodic fires?

Use the diagram below to answer the question.In a science class, students release the same toy car down four different ramps. Each ramp has the same length but a different height. Which dependent variable could be measured to find out how the ramp height affects the car?

A student is measuring the volume of a rectangular object. Which two tools could the student use to measure the volume of the object?

Use the diagram below to answer the question.The diagram shows two genetic processes. Which statement best describes one of the processes shown?

Which list correctly shows characteristics of fungi and animals?

A student observes a large amount of fallen tree leaves on the school grounds. Which solution for cleaning up the leaves would have the most positive impact on the environment?

Use the chart below to answer the question.A student made a chart to compare energy sources. Which energy source was incorrectly placed in the chart?

Use the diagram below to answer the question.Polar areas of Earth receive lower levels of direct sunlight than other areas on the planet. Which statement best describes how the lower levels of direct sunlight affect the environment in polar areas?

Which statement describes the energy of a ball after it is thrown straight up into the air?

Water system X brings fresh water from mountaintops to water system Y. Water system Y is a large basin filled with salt water. What are these two types of water systems?

A student observes two high tides and two low tides along an ocean shoreline during a fixed 24-hour period. Which combination of factors is most responsible for causing this pattern of tides?

Part A: Predict the general relationship between the distance the balloon rocket would likely travel and the number of washers it carries.

Part B: In a second investigation the student uses no washers but changes the balloon’s circumference. Predict the general relationship between the distance the balloon rocket would likely travel and the circumference of the balloon.

Part A: Identify one possible advantage dark-gray peppered moths had over the lighter-colored moths after the industrial revolution.

Part B: Predict what will most likely happen to the coloration of peppered moths as pollution control measures increase in England.

Use the diagram below to answer the question.

In a science class, students release the same toy car down four different ramps. Each ramp has the same length but a different height. Which dependent variable could be measured to find out how the ramp height affects the car?

Use the diagram below to answer the question.

The diagram shows two genetic processes. Which statement best describes one of the processes shown?

Use the chart below to answer the question.

A student made a chart to compare energy sources. Which energy source was incorrectly placed in the chart?

Use the diagram below to answer the question.

Polar areas of Earth receive lower levels of direct sunlight than other areas on the planet. Which statement best describes how the lower levels of direct sunlight affect the environment in polar areas?