Ultimate STAAR™ Survival Guide
Homework #2
5th Grade Science
Sample Questions
1. What should be done to make sure the results of the experiment are reliable?
A
B
C
D
Repeat the experiment using two different liquids instead of sand.
Repeat the experiment using two different beakers of sand.
Repeat the same experiment using bigger light bulbs.
Repeat the experiment keeping everything exactly the same.
2. Some students tested to see how purple cabbage juice reacts when it is mixed with
different liquids. They put equal amounts of three different liquids in three separate
plastic cups. Next they put 5 mL of cabbage juice into each cup. What is the
independent variable in this experiment?
A
B
C
D
The amount of cabbage juice placed in each cup
The type of liquid placed in each cup
The size of the cups used in the experiment
The amount of time it took for a change to occur
Top Soil
Clay Soil
Sandy Soil
Potting Soil
3. Four different soils were tested to see how much water each would retain. The
results are pictured above. What is the independent variable in this experiment?
A
B
C
D
The amount of light each funnel received
The type of soil found in each funnel
The amount of water poured in each funnel
The temperature of the soil in each funnel
5th Grade Science
Sample Questions
Ultimate STAAR™ Survival Guide
Homework #2
2009—#23 (77%)
4. The Davis Mountains in West Texas used to be taller than they are now. Which of
the following conditions most likely caused the mountains to become shorter over time?
A
B
C
D
Heat and pressure
Soil deposition
Rain and wind
River formation
2011—STAAR™ Released Test Questions, #9
A river delta is an area where sediments are deposited.
5. The sediments in the river delta shown above most likely come from the—
A
mountain range
B
desert
C
ocean floor
D
coastline
5th Grade Science
Sample Questions
Ultimate STAAR™ Survival Guide
Homework #2
A student is investigating the effect of heat on wax. She places four pieces of wax that
are the same size on a metal bar. Then she lights a candle under one end of the metal
bar.
6. Which piece of wax should melt first?
A
1
B
2
C
3
D
4
7. What is the independent variable in this investigation?
A
The amount of wax on the metal bar
B
The length of the metal bar
C
The placement of the wax
D
The height of the candle
Ultimate STAAR™ Survival Guide
5th Grade Science
Sample Questions
Sample Questions
A student has one 15 gram ball and one 60 gram ball. She sets the balls in the starting
positions shown below. A fan is used to blow air towards the balls.
Fan
Air
15
g
Position A
60
g
8. The fan is turned on at medium speed. In 2 seconds, the 60 gram ball rolls to
Position A. How will the motion of the 15 gram ball compare to the motion of the 60
gram ball?
A
B
C
D
The two balls will probably roll the same distance in 2 seconds.
The 60 gram ball will probably roll farther than the 15 gram ball in two
seconds.
The 15 gram ball will probably roll farther than the 60 gram ball in two
seconds.
The 15 gram ball will probably not roll at all.
9. Which experiment listed below will best determine how friction affects the speed of a
rolling object?
A
Roll 3 objects of various sizes across the floor.
B
Roll 3 objects of equal size from various heights across the floor.
C
Roll 3 objects of equal size across 3 different types of surfaces.
D
Roll 3 objects of equal size from equal heights across the floor.
10. Describe & illustrate the differences in a mixture and a solution.
11. Describe & give examples of the differences in refract and reflect in relation to light.
12. Draw a labeled diagram of the 8 moon phases. Be sure to include the Earth & sun!