True/False
Indicate whether the sentence or statement is true or false. CORRECT FALSE STATEMENTS
____
1. Science has been used throughout history to answer questions about the world.
____
2. Using a computer graphic is the only effective way to display the data from an experiment.
____
3. If the results of your experiment do not support your hypothesis, it means that your hypothesis was
wrong.
____
4. Scientific discoveries have been made by people of different races, sexes, cultures, and time periods.
____
5. There is usually only one correct method that can be used to solve a problem.
____
6. The number of trials conducted is the same in every experiment.
____
7. If the results of experiments do not support a prediction, scientists change their predictions.
____
8. Because the quality of the solution to a problem depends on how well the entire project is carried out,
planning is a very important step in science.
____
9. Although a model was useful for locating the source of an 1871 cholera epidemic, models are rarely
useful to scientists trying to solve other problems.
____ 10. Good experiments can only be conducted if you have the latest materials and tools.
____ 11. Modern electronic communications allow people throughout the world to learn quickly about new
discoveries.
Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____ 12. Scientists use prior experience to ____.
a. collect data
b. make predictions about what will happen under certain circumstances
c. analyze their data
d. serve as a control in their experiments
____ 13. One example of technology that is commonly used by scientists is ____.
a. computers
c. variables
b. hypotheses
d. observations
____ 14. Examples of the skills used in science include ____ and ____.
a. cholera , E. coli outbreaks
c. facts , blind guesses
b. clues , detectives
d. observations , measurements
____ 15. After scientists analyze the results of their experiments, they ____.
a. form hypotheses
b. include a control
c. communicate those results to other people
d. choose the variables they want to test
____ 16. Which of the following steps to solve a problem must be completed first?
a. analyzing data
c. forming a hypothesis
b. recognizing and identifying the problem d. testing a hypothesis
____ 17. Which of the following steps to solve a problem is completed last?
a. analyzing data
c. drawing conclusions
b. recognizing and identifying the problem d. testing a hypothesis
____ 18. Listing what is known about a problem and possible ways to solve the problem are parts of ____.
a. making a plan
c. testing a hypothesis
b. drawing conclusions
d. eliminating bias
____ 19. ____ can save time and money by testing ideas that would otherwise be difficult to test quickly or easily.
a. Biases
c. Models
b. Conclusions
d. Variables
____ 20. A prediction or statement that can be tested is ____.
a. a conclusion
c. a control
b. an observation
d. a hypothesis
____ 21. A factor in an experiment that can change is ____.
a. an observation
c. a control
b. a variable
d. a hypothesis
____ 22. A sample that is treated exactly like the other experimental groups except that the variable is not applied
to it is a(n) ____.
a. observation
c. control
b. variable
d. hypothesis
____ 23. Scientists conduct multiple trials of their experiments because ____.
a. their results are more likely to be reliable
b. it costs less to run more trials than fewer trials
c. unusual occurrences are likely to be repeated every time
d. experiments always have the same results
____ 24. One tool that can be used to display your data is a ____.
a. balance
c. microscope
b. spring scale
d. computer
____ 25. One way to reduce bias in an experiment is to ____.
a. ask only girls a question about a school topic
b. take numerical measurements of the results
c. use descriptive phrases as your data
d. make sure that the results come out the way you want them
____ 26. A good way to organize and record your results and observations is ____.
a. in a data table
b. by using a calculator
c. with a balance or spring scale
d. by having a hypothesis before you begin your experiment
____ 27. Which of the following units is part of the International System of Units, or SI?
a. pounds
c. meters
b. ounces
d. inches
Matching
Match each term with its description below.
a. hypothesis
b. variable
c. control
d. SI
e. science
f. technology
g. globalization
____ 28. use of knowledge to make products or tools that people can use
____ 29. a sample that is treated exactly like the other experimental groups except that the variable is not applied to
it
____ 30. worldwide distribution
____ 31. a system of units used by scientists that is based on units of ten
____ 32. a prediction or statement that can be tested
____ 33. a factor in an experiment that can change
____ 34. a process used to solve a problem
Match a or b to each term below.
a. general skill used in science
b. specific step scientists follow to solve problems
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
observing
analyzing data
forming a hypothesis
comparing and contrasting
classifying
drawing conclusions
recognizing the problem
testing a hypothesis
measuring
Short Answer
44. Give at least two reasons why scientists use the International System of Units (SI).
45. List at least two reasons for designing your data tables before beginning your experiment.
46. What are two ways that scientists communicate their results to other people?
47. List three examples of how technology has made entertainment more accessible to people over the last
one hundred years.
48. Describe how scientists around the world use technology to discuss their results.
49. How is the work of scientists similar to the work of detectives?
50. Describe how prior knowledge may be used by scientists.
51. List three ways that computers can be used in research.
52. List at least four skills that scientists commonly use.
53. List at least four types of information that scientists might include in a journal.
54. Sequence the following steps: test your hypothesis, draw conclusions, recognize the problem, analyze the
data, form a hypothesis.
55. How might scientists go about trying to solve a large, complicated problem?
56. Give an example of how scientists might use a computer model.
57. List at least two possible sources of information that you could use to form a hypothesis.
58. List at least three things you should be careful to do when designing an experiment.
59. What are at least two factors that might influence the decision about how many trials of an experiment to
conduct?
60. State at least one possible source of bias in an experiment and describe how you can reduce it.
61. If the results of your experiment do not support your hypothesis, have you still learned something
important? Explain.
62. Besides advances in the entertainment industry, give an example of how technology could make a
difference in your everyday life.
63. Are all scientific discoveries made by professional scientists? Explain.
64. Describe how new scientific knowledge can challenge old ways of thinking or doing things.
65. Is all scientific information good? Can some information be harmful? Can science make these decisions?
Figure 1-1
66. An experiment was conducted to test which of two antibiotics was more effective at killing a certain type
of bacterium. Cultures A and B were treated with antibiotic 1; cultures C and D were treated with
antibiotic 2; culture E was not treated with any antibiotic. Based on the results shown in Figure 1-1, what
conclusion would you draw about which antibiotic is more effective? Explain. What is the purpose of
culture E?