Mini Quiz 1
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____
1. Which term describes a collection of observations on which a scientific explanation is based?
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
2. Which description defines an experiment?
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
prediction of something that will happen
observation of results from uncontrolled events
development of a testable explanation of an event
procedure applied systematically under controlled conditions
3. Which of these answers describes a scientific law?
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
fieldwork
scientific law
scientific theory
empirical evidence
an interesting idea based on various scientific opinions
a well-supported and widely accepted explanation of nature
a specific relationship under given conditions in the natural world
an explanation of why particular events happen in the natural world
4. The figure below shows atomic models.
Which of these statements about the figure is most likely correct?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The atomic model has changed very little over time.
As scientists learned more, they modified the atomic model.
Scientists are still debating which of the three theories is right.
Scientists have three different ideas about what atomic structure looks like.
____
5. Two scientists have different ideas about a scientific concept. What might they do to resolve their
differences?
A. Debate their ideas at a scientific conference.
B. Remain silent and hope someone will come up with confirmation for one side or
another.
C. Each will only discuss the idea with people they know will agree with it
D. Each will agree that the other is correct in order to remain friends.
____
6. Diep worked with Andre to learn more about the classification of green algae. The two students
examined the research of different scientists to see where algae were classified. Most sources
classified green algae as plants. However, a few very good sources classified green algae as
protists. Andre thought the sources that listed green algae as protists were right. How should Diep
respond?
A. She should find a new partner who does not think that the sources listing green
algae as protists are right.
B. She should explain to Andre that he is wrong because more sources list green algae
as plants, so these sources are right.
C. She should ignore Andre and investigate further on her own so she can form her
own opinion about the classification of green algae.
D. She should explain to Andre that scientific ideas are not right or wrong, but they
are usually based on consensus in the scientific community.
____
7. Which scientific investigation does not include outcome and test variables?
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
counting bird populations
studying the effect of temperature on bacterial reproduction rates
investigating the effect of mass on the speed at which an object falls
testing a model car in a wind tunnel to minimize air flow resistance and maximize
fuel economy
8. Examine the map shown in the figure below.
Some of the information used to create the map was most likely gathered during what type of
investigations?
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
9. A scientist is researching the solar system. How can the scientist best add to the empirical evidence
already gathered about the solar system?
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
fieldwork by geologist working in the area
biologists observing the animals in the area
laboratory experiments done far away from the area
surveys of people living in the area
The scientist can make and record observations.
The scientist can debate the research with other scientists.
The scientist can write an opinion column about the research.
The scientist can develop a new law regarding the solar system.
10. A science class was investigating how far a ball could be thrown. The table below shows their
results.
Trial Distance traveled by ball (m)
1
10.2
2
10.3
3
10.5
4
5.0
Based on the class’s data, how can they improve the accuracy of the investigation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Do more trials.
Use a different ball.
Omit trial 4 from the data.
Average the data to account for the short distance in trial 4.
Mini Quiz 1
Answer Section
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. ANS: D
• A is incorrect because fieldwork is part of the observations that make up empirical evidence.
• B is incorrect because empirical evidence supports a scientific law, not the other way around.
• C is incorrect because empirical evidence supports a scientific theory, not the other way around.
• D is correct because empirical evidence is the cumulative body of observation on which scientific
explanations are based.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Low Complexity | Depth of Knowledge 1: Recall | Student Level:
Basic | Bloom's Traditional: Knowledge | Bloom's Revised: Remembering
REF: 4d368aa5-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_77280_ScientificKnowledge
STA: SC.7.N.1.6
TOP: Empirical Evidence: Define empirical evidence.
KEY: empirical evidence | evidence | theory | model
MSC: Test Generator | g7_unit1_Pretest
2. ANS: D
• A is incorrect because a prediction is formulated before an experiment is conducted.
• B is incorrect because good experiments must include controlled conditions.
• C is incorrect because a testable explanation is a hypothesis.
• D is correct because controlled conditions and an organized procedure characterize a scientific
experiment.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Low Complexity | Student Level: Basic | Depth of Knowledge 1:
Recall | Bloom's Traditional: Knowledge | Bloom's Revised: Remembering
REF: 4cfd792d-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_NC_77010_ScientificInvestigations
STA: SC.7.N.1.1
TOP: Types of Scientific Investigations: Define experiment
KEY: experiment | organized procedure | controlled conditions
MSC: Test Generator | g7_unit1_Unit Test A
3. ANS: C
• A is incorrect because neither laws nor theories are based on opinion.
• B is incorrect because the statement describes a scientific theory.
• C is correct because a law describes a particular relationship that occurs under specific conditions
in the natural world.
• D is incorrect because scientific theories describe why things happen, and scientific laws describe
what happens.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Low Complexity | Depth of Knowledge 1: Recall | Student Level:
Basic | Bloom's Traditional: Knowledge | Bloom's Revised: Remembering
REF: 4d1eda27-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_77280_ScientificKnowledge
STA: SC.7.N.3.1
TOP: Theory vs. Law: Define law.
KEY: laws | scientific laws | theory | scientific theory
MSC: Test Generator | g7_Benchmark Test B
4. ANS: B
• A is incorrect because the three drawings clearly show that atomic models have varied over time.
• B is correct because as scientists learned more about atoms through experimentation and
observation, they modified the atomic model to match their discoveries.
• C is incorrect because the label on the third model indicates that most scientists currently accept
the model until further information becomes available.
• D is incorrect because the labels on the models indicate the current model, showing that there is a
temporal relationship among the models that is based on advancing knowledge.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Medium Complexity | Depth of Knowledge 2: Basic Application of
Skill | Student Level: Average | Bloom's Traditional: Synthesis and Evaluation | Bloom's Revised:
Evaluating
REF: 4d2f6394-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_77280_ScientificKnowledge
STA: SC.7.N.2.1
TOP: Scientific Change: Describe how a scientific theory may change with new evidence.
KEY: model | scientific change | atomic model
MSC: Test Generator | Uses visual element | g7_unit1_Unit Test A
5. ANS: A
• A is correct because scientists debate and discuss conflicting ideas to come to a consensus about
a scientific idea.
• B is incorrect because keeping silent will not bring confirming evidence.
• C is incorrect because, while discussing ideas with other who agree is nice, it probably will not
lead to a solution to the problem. .
• D is incorrect because, while remaining friends is nice, it probably will not lead to a solution to
the problem.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Low Complexity | Depth of Knowledge 1: Recall | Student Level:
Basic | Bloom's Traditional: Knowledge | Bloom's Revised: Remembering
REF: 4d2f8aa4-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_77280_ScientificKnowledge
STA: SC.7.N.1.7
TOP: Scientific Change: Recognize the importance of debate in establishing scientific
knowledge.
KEY: evidence | scientific change | debate | discussion
MSC: Test Generator | g7_unit1_Unit Test B
6. ANS: D
• A is incorrect because there is no right or wrong in science, and ideas about science should be
debated.
• B is incorrect because there is no right or wrong in science. Neither she nor Andre should be
declaring an idea right or wrong.
• C is incorrect because scientific evidence should not be subject to opinion, and ideas should be
communicated and debated openly.
• D is correct because scientific ideas are neither right nor wrong. Instead, they are agreed upon
based on the evidence available.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Medium Complexity | Depth of Knowledge 2: Basic Application of
Skill | Student Level: Average | Bloom's Traditional: Comprehension | Bloom's Revised:
Understanding
REF: 4d31c5ef-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_77280_ScientificKnowledge
STA: SC.7.N.1.7
TOP: Scientific Change: Recognize the importance of debate in establishing scientific
knowledge.
KEY: scientific ideas | scientific change | debate
MSC: Florida FCAT Preparation | SE Unit g7_unit1 FCAT pages
7. ANS: A
• A is correct because the act of counting birds does not include variables.
• B is incorrect because temperature and reproduction rates are variables.
• C is incorrect because mass and speed are variables.
• D is incorrect because air resistance and fuel economy are variables.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Medium Complexity | Student Level: Average | Depth of
Knowledge 2: Basic Application of Skill | Bloom's Traditional: Synthesis and Evaluation | Bloom's
Revised: Evaluating REF: 4cf3efc1-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_NC_77010_ScientificInvestigations
STA: SC.7.N.1.3
TOP: Types of Scientific Investigations: Differentiate between experiments and other types of
scientific investigations
KEY: survey | test variable | outcome variable
MSC: Test Generator | g7_unit1_Lesson Quiz
8. ANS: A
• A is correct because during field investigations, geologists gather samples and make observations
to identify the types of rock in an area.
• B is incorrect because physical modeling may provide information about geological formations,
but it is not a very practical way to develop a map of an area.
• C is incorrect because laboratory experiments may be performed on rock samples taken from the
area examined, but the rock samples must be collected during fieldwork.
• D is incorrect because surveys of people who live in the area would not provide reliable evidence
about geologic features.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Medium Complexity | Depth of Knowledge 2: Basic Application of
Skill | Student Level: Average | Bloom's Traditional: Analysis | Bloom's Revised: Analyzing
REF: 4d286393-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_77280_ScientificKnowledge
STA: SC.7.N.1.5
TOP:
Empirical Evidence: Describe the methods used to gain empirical evidence and pursue
scientific explanations in different fields of science: biology, geology, and physics.
KEY: map | geology | fieldwork
MSC: Test Generator | Uses visual element
9. ANS: A
• A is correct because scientists add to empirical evidence by making observations of the natural
world.
• B is incorrect because debate leads to idea modification, but it does not really add to empirical
evidence.
• C is incorrect because opinions are not part of empirical evidence.
• D is incorrect because laws result from extensive empirical evidence. They do not produce more
empirical evidence.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Low Complexity | Depth of Knowledge 2: Basic Application of
Skill | Student Level: Basic | Bloom's Traditional: Comprehension | Bloom's Revised:
Understanding
REF: 4d38ed00-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_77280_ScientificKnowledge
STA: SC.7.N.1.6
TOP: Empirical Evidence: Define empirical evidence.
KEY: empirical evidence | evidence | laws |debate
MSC: Test Generator | g7_unit1_Unit Test B
10. ANS: A
• A is correct because more trials would increase the sample size of the data and improve the
accuracy of their results.
• B is incorrect because using a different ball would change the investigation and the results could
not be compared.
• C is incorrect because all data gathered must be considered before any conclusions can be drawn.
• D is incorrect because there are not enough trials to make averaging a reasonable method.
PTS: 1
DIF: Cognitive Complexity: Low Complexity | Student Level: Basic | Depth of Knowledge 2:
Basic Application of Skill| Bloom's Traditional: Synthesis and Evaluation | Bloom's Revised:
Evaluating
REF: 4ce33f44-e685-11de-9c72-001185f0d2ea
OBJ: G6_NC_77010_ScientificInvestigations
STA: SC.7.N.1.2
TOP: Conducting a Scientific Experiment: Explain the major processes involved in conducting
scientific investigations
KEY: replication | results | repetition
MSC: Test Generator | Uses visual element | g7_unit1_Lesson Quiz