Practice Test 12 - 3rd Grade Science
20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.
- Scientists found coral fossils in rocks on a tall mountain, far from any ocean. The fossils have tiny coral cup shapes like reef animals. Coral only lives in warm, shallow seas. Why are these fossils evidence this area was once an ocean?
- A leaf imprint fossil was found in a place that is desert now. Based on this fossil, what was the area like long ago?
- A rubbed balloon stuck to a wall, after 1 minute still stuck, after 5 minutes it fell. When time passes, what happens?
- In the Southwest, Keisha sees dry grass and brown plants after months with little rain. Water rules limit lawn watering, and wildfires can start easily. Based on the description, this weather hazard is a what?
- In the forest, 6 wolves hunt a deer together, share the food, and bring meat back to feed pups. Which animals form groups to help members survive?
- During Hurricane Ike in 2008, storm surge flooded 200 buildings and caused 12 deaths in a coastal town. After a 14-foot seawall was built, Hurricane Harvey in 2017 had a 13-foot surge. Behind the wall, 15 buildings flooded and 0 people died; north of the wall without protection, 85 buildings flooded and 3 people died. Residents said the wall protected them, but it would not stop water higher than 14 feet. Based on the evidence, which statement about the seawall is supported by the data?
- A pond had native fish and plants in balance. When invasive fish were added, what was the result for native fish?
- A magnet was 10 cm from paperclips (none moved), then 1 cm away (many jumped). How does distance affect magnetic pulling?
- In a snowy colony, many penguins nest close together, and parents take turns keeping eggs warm while the other gets food. Which is an example of animals working together in groups?
- All are monarch butterflies (same species), but some have more wing spots and others fewer. What trait shows variation in this group?
- Two tomato plants came from the same seed type. Which trait changes with shade?
- Students tested 3 containers for growing beans. Clay pot: $4, plants grew 8 inches, water drained well. Plastic cup: $0, plants grew 6 inches, water pooled. Milk carton: $0, plants grew 9 inches, water drained well. Criteria: costs $2 or less, plants grow 7+ inches, and drains water. Which solution best meets the criteria?
- A toy car rolls 30 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm, then 120 cm with stronger pushes. Use the pattern to predict the next distance.
- Read about the design challenge: For an egg drop from 6 feet, students must use only cardboard, plastic bottles, and newspaper from the recycling bin. They have 30 minutes, must spend $0, and the design must fit in a shoebox. Which describes what students CANNOT use or do?
- Look at the design students made: Jamal built a marshmallow catapult with a spoon and rubber band. When he pulls the spoon back farther, the marshmallow goes farther, but the rubber band sometimes snaps. What is a failure point in this design?
- Two students push a cart from opposite sides with equal force. The cart stays still. What will happen if one student pushes harder?
- Before a 14-foot seawall, Hurricane Ike flooded 200 buildings and caused 12 deaths; after the wall, a 13-foot surge flooded 15 buildings and caused 0 deaths, while a nearby area without a wall had 85 flooded buildings and 3 deaths. Based on the evidence, is the seawall effective at reducing hurricane flood damage?
- A grassland burned in a wildfire, and animals ran away at first. After the environment changed, what happened as plants grew back?
- Sunflower: seed→sprout→plant→flower→seeds. Chicken: egg→chick→adult. What is one difference?
- Scientists studied an arctic tundra habitat with winter temperatures of -30°F, frozen ground, ice everywhere, and very little plant life. After 3 weeks, they observed 6 polar bears hunting seals and 2 mothers raising cubs, and the polar bear population stayed stable. They counted arctic hares increasing from 18 to 27 and saw them eating small plants and hiding in snow. A tropical monkey brought to the area died within a day and could not find fruit. Based on the evidence, what explains why some organisms survive well and others cannot?