PSSA Grade 8 Science - Item and Scoring Sampler (2018)
Quiz by PSSA Grade 8 Science
Grade 8
Science
Pennsylvania Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content
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Measures 16 skills from
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- Q 1/16Score 0Use the graph below to answer the question. A student applies identical forces to a block placed on three different surfaces. The student compares the acceleration of the block for each surface. Which inference about surface 1 is BEST supported by the results?29It has the steepest downward tilt.It helps the block accelerate the greatest.It produces the greatest friction with the block.It increases the effect of the force of gravity
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- Q1Use the graph below to answer the question. A student applies identical forces to a block placed on three different surfaces. The student compares the acceleration of the block for each surface. Which inference about surface 1 is BEST supported by the results?It has the steepest downward tilt.It helps the block accelerate the greatest.It produces the greatest friction with the block.It increases the effect of the force of gravity60sS8.A.1.1.3
- Q2What is an unintended negative effect that long-term pesticide use can have on the targeted environment?The pests that survive can develop resistance to the pesticides.The number of animals that compete for resources with the pests can increase.The amount of pesticide needed to eliminate the pests will be reduced over timeThe amount of food the pests need to survive will be reduced.60sS8.A.1.2.2
- Q3During the Carboniferous period, which occurred about 300 million years ago, the oxygen content of Earth's atmosphere was much higher than it is today. Which organisms were MOST LIKELY responsible for the atmospheric conditions 300 million years ago?fungidecomposer bacteriaplantsland animals60sS8.A.1.3.3
- Q4Many bird species in Pennsylvania, such as the bluebird and golden-winged warbler, thrive in younger forests and open spaces. How would timber harvesting MOST LIKELY affect the sustainability of these bird species?It would increase the number of favorable habitats.It would remove debris that provides protection from predatorsIt would reduce the number of edible insect speciesIt would produce forests that contain mostly mature trees60sS8.A.1.3.4
- Q5A student designs an experiment to determine the spectrum of color produced by different light sources. Which variable should be held constant in the student's experiment?the colors produced by each light sourcethe prism through which the light passesthe light source usedthe brightness of the spectrum60sS8.A.2.1.3
- Q6Use the graph below to answer the question. The graph shows a relationship between the number of carbon atoms in different alcohol molecules and the boiling point of each alcohol molecule. Which statement BEST describes this relationship?Increasing the boiling point causes the number of carbon atoms per molecule to decrease.Increasing the number of carbon atoms per molecule causes the boiling point to increase.Increasing the number of carbon atoms per molecule causes the boiling point to decrease.Increasing the boiling point causes the number of carbon atoms per molecule to increase60sS8.A.2.1.4
- Q7Use the diagram below to answer the question. The diagram shows a type of hand pump used to bring water up from below the ground. Which flaw in the pump keeps it from functioning properly?The connecting rod is not attached to the pump stand.The handle is disconnected from the connecting rod.The connecting rod is not located above the spout.The handle gives too small of a mechanical advantage.60sS8.A.2.1.6
- Q8A student studied the concept of order in the human body. Which statement BEST summarizes how part of the human body is ordered?Organ systems work together to form tissues.Tissues work together to form organ systemsCells are organized to form tissues.Tissues are organized to form cells60sS8.A.3.1.2
- Q9Use the chart below to answer the question. A biologist compares the behaviors of some fish that live in habitats with different amounts of salt. How do the behaviors shown MOST LIKELY help these fish survive in their environments?by helping them adjust their mass to improve movement through waterby providing energy to their body cells in water with low levels of oxygenby allowing them to conserve heat as water temperature changesby maintaining a water balance inside and outside their bodies60sS8.B.2.1.1
- Q10Which statement BEST explains why a food web more completely represents the flow of energy through an ecosystem than a food chain does?There are more relationships between organisms than can be shown in a single food chain.More energy flows through most ecosystems than a single food chain can showRelationships between organisms usually change quickly enough to make food chains inaccurate.Most ecosystems have too many organisms to fit into a food chain.60sS8.B.3.1.1
- Q11How can an increase in the diversity of producer and decomposer populations MOST LIKELY affect the stability of an ecosystem?Stability would decrease because less energy would be available to consumersStability would increase because more light energy would be available.Stability would decrease because fewer nutrients would be returned to the soil.Stability would increase because more populations would be supported.60sS8.B.3.2.2
- Q1260sS8.C.1.1.3
- Q13Use the drawing below to answer the question. Which labels correctly identify energy transfers in the drawing?X: conduction Y: radiation Z: convectionX: conduction Y: convection Z: radiationX: convection Y: conduction Z: radiationX: radiation Y: conduction Z: convection60sS8.C.2.1.2
- Q14Use the diagram below to answer the question. Which statements BEST explain the forces acting on the parachute and box at points 1 and 2?Point 1: Gravitational force is greater than air resistance force. Point 2: Gravitational force is less than air resistance force.Point 1: Gravitational force is less than air resistance force. Point 2: Gravitational force is greater than air resistance force.Point 1: Gravitational force is greater than air resistance force. Point 2: Gravitational force is equal to air resistance force.Point 1: Gravitational force is less than air resistance force. Point 2: Gravitational force is equal to air resistance force.60sS8.C.3.1.1
- Q15Soil at the shore of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania has a high sand and gravel content. Which of the following is a characteristic of this type of soil?extensive producer biomasssignificant depth before hitting bedrockrapid water drainageextreme acidity60sS8.D.1.1.3
