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Practice Test 4 - Middle School Life Science

20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.

  1. A population of rabbits lives in the same forest. Fur color can be white or brown. Evolutionary change can be measured by shifts in trait frequency (proportions) across generations. Trait frequency data: - Generation 1: 50 out of 200 are white - Generation 2: 90 out of 200 are white - Generation 3: 70 out of 200 are white - Generation 4: 110 out of 200 are white Which explanation best measures evolutionary change using the evidence in the data?
  2. A population of beetles has two shell patterns: striped and solid. Evolutionary change can be measured by shifts in trait frequency (proportions) across generations. The same population was sampled each generation: Generation 1: 50 striped, 50 solid Generation 2: 52 striped, 48 solid Generation 3: 49 striped, 51 solid Generation 4: 50 striped, 50 solid Which claim about evolution is incorrect based on the evidence?
  3. A mountain meadow warmed over 20 years (higher average spring temperature). Data were recorded at the start and end of the 20-year period. Evidence (start → end): spring temperature: 6°C → 8°C; snowmelt date: May 20 → May 5; early-blooming wildflowers: 45 → 25 per plot; bumblebees observed during early bloom: 30 → 12 per hour. Which argument best explains the population shifts using the evidence and reasoning that links the change to the population response?
  4. A student says, "These embryos are identical, so they must be the same species." Use the diagram (embryos at a comparable early stage) as evidence. Which response best evaluates the student's claim using embryo comparison?
  5. A teacher shows embryo images at the same stage (Stage 2) for three mammals: cat, whale, and horse. The images show the embryos look very similar overall, including similar limb buds and tail buds. A student claims: "Cat, whale, and horse are closely related compared with a frog." Embryology provides evidence for relatedness. Which prediction would strengthen the student's claim using embryological evidence (without using genetics)?
  6. Two simplified models show reproduction in a fungus: Model A (asexual): 1 parent → offspring shown with the same shape and pattern. Model B (sexual): 2 parents → offspring shown with several different shapes and patterns. Reproduction type affects genetic outcomes. Which prediction about offspring similarity is supported by the models?
  7. Ecosystems provide services that support human and ecosystem well-being. In a city park, trees take in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and store carbon in wood. The tree canopy also shades the ground, keeping the area cooler on hot days. People use the park, and birds nest in the trees. Which ecosystem service is best supported by the processes described?
  8. A lake received extra fertilizer runoff from nearby fields for several months, increasing nutrients and causing an algal bloom. Population data were collected: - Algae: 300 before, 1,500 after - Dissolved oxygen: 8 mg/L before, 3 mg/L after - Fish: 200 before, 70 after Which statement is supported by the evidence? Select the evidence-based statement that links the ecosystem change to the population response.
  9. A model shows a turtle with food molecules inside it (matter). The model shows energy symbols leaving the turtle (energy) when it moves. Which statement explains how organisms get energy from food using the model?
  10. A simplified model shows that biological organization occurs in levels. It shows: (1) many units labeled cell grouped into a tissue, and (2) multiple tissue groups combined into an organ. Which prediction about organization is supported by the model if the number of cells in each tissue increases?
  11. A class models a coral reef patch to study what happens to coral when the water gets warmer for two weeks. Inside the boundary are coral, algae living on coral, reef fish, sea urchins, seawater around the reef, sunlight, and dissolved nutrients. Outside the boundary are a deeper channel that brings in cooler water sometimes, a nearby boat route that can stir up sediment, and a coastal city that releases warm water from a power plant. The teacher reminds students that boundaries are chosen for modeling purposes. Which prediction about boundary choice is supported?
  12. A student claims: "If plants don't grow much, it's always because they are unhealthy." The student tested plant growth with different amounts of soil nitrogen (a nutrient resource). All plants were measured after 30 days. Bar graph data (average mass in grams): - Low nitrogen: 9 g - Medium nitrogen: 15 g - High nitrogen: 14 g Resources can limit or support growth. Which statement best evaluates the claim using evidence from the data?
  13. A diagram compares a fossil organism's shoulder region and a modern organism's shoulder region. Both show a shoulder blade and an upper arm bone meeting at a joint, but the shoulder blade shape differs. The diagram labels FOSSIL vs MODERN and highlights the shoulder blade and upper arm bone to show that anatomy can be compared across time. Which anatomical similarity is supported by the evidence in the diagram?
  14. A model shows a fish repairing a torn fin. In the before panel, small molecules are shown inside the fish near the tear. Arrows show them being assembled into larger structures that fill the torn area. In the after panel, the fin is whole again. The model states: "Rearranged molecules support growth and repair." Which claim about the model is incorrect?
  15. A dog breeder repeatedly mates only dogs that have short snouts. Over 10 generations, the percentage of puppies with short snouts rises from 15% to 70%. Which statement about the technology and inheritance is supported by this evidence?
  16. In a grassland rabbit population, some rabbits have long ears and some have short ears. Evolutionary change can be measured by shifts in trait frequency (proportions) across generations. The counts were: Generation 1: 30 long, 70 short Generation 2: 40 long, 60 short Generation 3: 50 long, 50 short Generation 4: 60 long, 40 short Which explanation best measures evolutionary change using the data?
  17. A student interprets a model of photosynthesis. The model has arrows labeled matter enters from "carbon dioxide (air)" and "water (soil)" into a plant. A separate arrow labeled energy input shows "sunlight" entering as energy. The model also labels that the incoming matter ends up in "plant sugars that become new leaves and stems." Which claim about the model is incorrect? Choose ONE.
  18. Cells are the basis for determining whether something is living. A simplified microscope model shows two samples side by side: Sample A (leaf tissue) and Sample B (salt crystal). In the model, Sample A shows many repeating box-like units with boundaries. Sample B shows sharp geometric shapes that fit together but do not form repeating compartments with boundaries. Which conclusion about life is incorrect based on the observed evidence in the model?
  19. Use the model: Sunlight → prairie grass (producer) → grasshopper → lizard. Arrows show energy flow. Matter can move when organisms are eaten, but energy does not move backward in the chain. Sunlight is the main energy source for most ecosystems. If sunlight decreases for several weeks, which prediction about energy availability is supported by the model?
  20. Students are modeling an ecosystem to study how shade affects the temperature of a forest stream. The defined ecosystem area is a 50-meter section of stream and the plants growing on its banks. Inside the boundary: stream water, rocks, aquatic insects, fish, bank plants, and shade from trees whose trunks are on the banks. Outside the boundary: a road uphill that increases muddy runoff after rain, deer that sometimes drink from the stream, and air temperature changes during the day. System boundaries are chosen for modeling purposes. Which claim about ecosystem boundaries is incorrect?

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