Unit 1 Test-Review of the Scientific Process
Things to remember: If you did poorly on a quiz, you can replace that grade by improving on the
test. Also, this study guide is just to give you an idea of the types of questions you will see on
Thursday. You still have to make sure to look over all your notes and quizzes.
Learning Goal 1: I can describe the fundamental assumptions of science and their role in
scientific discovery
1. Which of the following is NOT an example of the assumption “We can collect evidence about
things that happen in nature?”
a. Miley makes observations about the growth of mold on bread
b. We collected data about the germination of radish seeds
c. Ariana made the hypothesis “If I spray three different air fresheners at the same time,
the peppermint one will travel fastest.”
d. Ted counted oxygen bubbles to measure the rate of photosynthesis of aquatic plants in
different colors of light.
How to study: Write the three fundamental assumptions of science and give an example of each.
Learning Goal 2: I can develop biological research questions and design testable hypotheses
and experiments based on those questions.
2. What would be a good hypothesis for the following question: Does the pH of soil affect plant
growth?
a. Soil pH doesn’t matter.
b. If the pH of the soil is too high, then plant growth will be negatively affected.
c. Plants in soil with neutral pH have more flowers.
d. If the plants grow more, then the pH is a good level.
How to study: Practice writing hypotheses-what formula do we use to do this? Where are the
independent and dependent variables located in a hypothesis? What are the steps of the scientific
method? What happens in each of those steps?
Learning Goal 3: I can manipulate variables (independent, dependent) using appropriate
procedures (control group, experimental group, controlled variables/constants, multiple trials.
3. Which of the following is NOT a controlled variable (constant) in the following experiment?
Peyton Manning was working on his off-season garden and wanted to see which pH level his
tomato plants grew the best in. He took three planters, each the same size and shape, and put
10 seeds of the same type of tomato plant in each. One tray had acidic soil, one had neutral
soil, and one tray had basic soil. Peyton also put some seeds in his normal flowerbed for
comparison. He watched all three trays for a month, making notes about the size and health of
the tomato plants.
a. The pH of the soil
b. The size of the trays
c. The methods he use to collect and record data
d. The type of seeds
How to study: Practice identifying variables (there’s some practice on my website!). In the above
scenario, identify the independent and dependent variables. Identify the control and experimental
groups.
Learning Goal 4: I can collect and organize data by creating tables and graphs and analyze
data to draw conclusions from an experiment.
Use the graph below to answer
questions 4-6.
4. What major part is missing from this
line graph? Fix it on the graph so that it’s
correct.
5. Which day of the week had the highest
temperature? The lowest? What was the
average temperature for the week? What was
the range of temperatures for the week?
What was the median? The mode?
6. What is the independent variable for
this graph? The dependent?
Use the graph below to answer questions 7-9
7. What type of correlation do you see in this graph? Explain
what this graph means.
8. If a truck had 90 horsepower, about how much would you
expect it to weigh?
9. What is the independent variable? The dependent?
How to study: There are practice graphs on my website, try
answering the questions above with each graph.
Learning Goal 5: I can differentiate between criteria that need to be met for a law, theory, and
hypothesis.
10. A ____________ is an educated guess based on observation.
a. Law
b. Theory
c. Hypothesis
How to study: Look over your notes. This section will be very straightforward, like you’re learning the
definitions for each.
Learning Goal 6: I can safely identify and use lab equipment and techniques when conducting
science experiments.
11. Scott and Stiles get to class early on lab day. They’re so excited to start working that they
decide to go ahead and begin the lab before anyone else gets into the room. Are they acting in
a safe manner?
a. Yes
b. No
12. What is the purpose of a scoopula?
a. To measure liquids
b. To transport small amounts of solids, like sugar
c. To give more accurate measurements of liquids
d. To protect the eyes from hazards
How to study: There are practice scenarios on my website! Practice identifying what they did wrong
and how they could have/should fix it. Read back over your notes for the following pieces of lab
equipment: scoopula, beaker, graduated cylinder, Erlenmeyer Flask, triple beam balance, test tube,
and funnel.
Learning Goal 7: I can determine appropriate SI units and do metric conversions.
Do the following conversions
13. 0.5 mg to g
14. 56.4 km to m
15. 0.0342 l to ml
16. 6500 mm to km
17. 24 cm to mm
How to study: There are practice sheets with answers on my website! Do some practice and check
your work! Remember, I will NOT give you the ladder on the test.