Physical Boot Camp
5.5C
Demonstrate that some mixtures maintain
physical properties of their ingredients such
as iron filings and sand.
STAAR 2013 #21; RC1; Supporting
1. A mixture of beads was placed in a container, as shown below.
The beads are of various sizes and each one is made of plastic, glass,
or steel.
The mixture would be easily to separate because all the beads—
A. are less dense than water
B. are solids
C. have the same mass
D. are attracted to a magnet
STAAR 2013 #21; RC1; Supporting
1. A mixture of beads was placed in a container, as shown below.
The beads are of various sizes and each one is made of plastic, glass,
or steel.
The mixture would be easily to separate because all the beads—
A. are less dense than water
B. are solids
C. have the same mass
D. are attracted to a magnet
TAKS Study Guide, #21
2. A student stirs together a mixture of hot water
and small amounts of salt, sand, and sugar. The
student then pours the mixture through a paper
towel. Which substance or substances will collect on
the paper towel?
A
B
C
D
Only the sugar
Only the sand
Both the salt and the sugar
Both the salt and the sand
TAKS Study Guide, #21
2. A student stirs together a mixture of hot water
and small amounts of salt, sand, and sugar. The
student then pours the mixture through a paper
towel. Which substance or substances will collect on
the paper towel?
A
B
C
D
Only the sugar
Only the sand
Both the salt and the sugar
Both the salt and the sand
3.
3.
2004—#22 (78%)
4. Carbon powder and iron filings are both
black powders. When mixed together, they
look like one black powder. Which of these
would be best to use to separate the iron
filings from the carbon powder?
F
G
H
J
A magnifying glass
Heat
A magnet
Water
2004—#22 (78%)
4. Carbon powder and iron filings are both
black powders. When mixed together, they
look like one black powder. Which of these
would be best to use to separate the iron
filings from the carbon powder?
F
G
H
J
A magnifying glass
Heat
A magnet
Water
2006—#7 (89%)
5. A company collects cans for recycling. Some cans
are made of aluminum, and some are made of iron.
Which of the following is the best way to separate the
two types of cans?
A
B
C
D
Heat the iron cans until they melt
Use scissors to cut the cans
Use a magnet to pick up the iron cans
Float the cans in water
2006—#7 (89%)
5. A company collects cans for recycling. Some cans
are made of aluminum, and some are made of iron.
Which of the following is the best way to separate the
two types of cans?
A
B
C
D
Heat the iron cans until they melt
Use scissors to cut the cans
Use a magnet to pick up the iron cans
Float the cans in water
2008—#3
6. A student mixes three spoonfuls of sand with one
cup of war water in an open container. The student
puts the container of sand and water near a window
for four days. How many spoonfuls of sand will be in
the container when all of the water has evaporated?
A
B
C
D
1
2
3
4
2008—#3
6. A student mixes three spoonfuls of sand with one
cup of war water in an open container. The student
puts the container of sand and water near a window
for four days. How many spoonfuls of sand will be in
the container when all of the water has evaporated?
A
B
C
D
1
2
3
4
2009—#38 (94%)
7. Which of these mixtures would be easiest to
separate?
F
G
H
J
Fruit salad
Powdered lemonade
Hot chocolate
Instant pudding
2009—#38 (94%)
7. Which of these mixtures would be easiest to
separate?
F
G
H
J
Fruit salad
Powdered lemonade
Hot chocolate
Instant pudding
2011—STAAR™ Released Test Questions, #3
8. A small bowl contains a mixture of
toothpicks and glass marbles. The easiest
way to separate the mixture without
touching it would be to—
F
G
H
J
add glue to the mixture
place a magnet in the bowl
pour the mixture into a paper cone
add water to the bowl
2011—STAAR™ Released Test Questions, #3
8. A small bowl contains a mixture of
toothpicks and glass marbles. The easiest
way to separate the mixture without
touching it would be to—
F
G
H
J
add glue to the mixture
place a magnet in the bowl
pour the mixture into a paper cone
add water to the bowl
9. Which of these mixtures can be separated
by using a magnet?
A
B
C
D
A mixture of sand and sugar
A mixture of sand and iron pieces
A compound of hydrogen and oxygen
A compound of sugar and water
9. Which of these mixtures can be separated
by using a magnet?
A
B
C
D
A mixture of sand and sugar
A mixture of sand and iron pieces
A compound of hydrogen and oxygen
A compound of sugar and water
10. Some students made trail mix by putting
peanuts, chocolate chips, and raisins in a bowl. Why
did the trail mix taste both sweet and salty?
A The peanuts and the raisins were both crunchy and
soft.
B The peanuts stayed salty while the raisins and
chocolate chips stayed sweet.
C The peanuts remained sweet while the raisins
stayed crunchy.
D The chocolate chips, and the raisins were very
salty.
10. Some students made trail mix by putting
peanuts, chocolate chips, and raisins in a bowl. Why
did the trail mix taste both sweet and salty?
A The peanuts and the raisins were both crunchy and
soft.
B The peanuts stayed salty while the raisins and
chocolate chips stayed sweet.
C The peanuts remained sweet while the raisins
stayed crunchy.
D The chocolate chips, and the raisins were very
salty.
11. A fifth grade student added some salt,
sugar, sand, and rocks to a jar of water and
then shook it up to mix everything together.
Which substances kept their own physical
properties when mixed with the water?
A
B
C
D
Sand and sugar
Rocks and salt
Sugar and salt
Sand and rocks
11. A fifth grade student added some salt,
sugar, sand, and rocks to a jar of water and
then shook it up to mix everything together.
Which substances kept their own physical
properties when mixed with the water?
A
B
C
D
Sand and sugar
Rocks and salt
Sugar and salt
Sand and rocks
12.
12.
13. What physical property of milk remains the
same when it is mixed with chocolate syrup?
A
B
C
D
Color
Taste
State
Aroma
13. What physical property of milk remains the
same when it is mixed with chocolate syrup?
A
B
C
D
Color
Taste
State (still a liquid)
Aroma
14. Which of the following solutions is
composed completely of gases?
A
B
C
D
Milk
Sprite®
Air
Salad
14. Which of the following solutions is
composed completely of gases?
A
B
C
D
Milk
Sprite®
Air
Salad
15. The ingredients or parts in a mixture—
A
B
C
D
join together to form new matter
can never be separated
can be physically separated
become chemically joined
15. The ingredients or parts in a mixture—
A
B
C
D
join together to form new matter
can never be separated
can be physically separated
become chemically joined
16. You are given a beaker containing a mixture of
salt and water. How could you separate this
mixture?
A Let the salt settle out of the water and pour off the
pure water.
B Evaporate the water and collect the salt left
behind.
C Put the mixture under a microscope to separate
the salt and water.
D Use an electromagnet to separate the salt from
the water.
16. You are given a beaker containing a mixture of
salt and water. How could you separate this
mixture?
A Let the salt settle out of the water and pour off the
pure water.
B Evaporate the water and collect the salt left
behind.
C Put the mixture under a microscope to separate
the salt and water.
D Use an electromagnet to separate the salt from
the water.
17.
17.
18. Which physical property of salt does not
change when it is mixed with water?
A
B
C
D
Texture
Size
Taste
Shape
18. Which physical property of salt does not
change when it is mixed with water?
A
B
C
D
Texture
Size
Taste
Shape
19. How could you separate a mixture of sand and
iron filings most easily?
A Stir the mixture into a glass of water and let the
water evaporate.
B Place the mixture in a glass beaker and heat it
for 20 minutes.
C Place the mixture on a piece of paper and move
a magnet through it.
D Use a pair of pointed tweezers to pick out all of
the iron filings.
19. How could you separate a mixture of sand and
iron filings most easily?
A Stir the mixture into a glass of water and let the
water evaporate.
B Place the mixture in a glass beaker and heat it
for 20 minutes.
C Place the mixture on a piece of paper and move
a magnet through it.
D Use a pair of pointed tweezers to pick out all of
the iron filings.
20.
20.
21. In the mixtures below, all of the
ingredients keep their same physical
properties when mixed EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
a tossed salad
gravel and sand
dried cereal and milk
spaghetti and meatballs
21. In the mixtures below, all of the
ingredients keep their same physical
properties when mixed EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
a tossed salad
gravel and sand
dried cereal and milk
spaghetti and meatballs
22. Salt water is a mixture where the particles of salt
dissolve in and spread evenly throughout the water.
How could salt be separated from the water?
A Boil the mixture until the water evaporates.
B Freeze the mixture until the salt sinks to the bottom.
C Pour the mixture through several layers of coffee
filters.
D Run a magnet through the mixture to remove the
salt particles.
22. Salt water is a mixture where the particles of salt
dissolve in and spread evenly throughout the water.
How could salt be separated from the water?
A Boil the mixture until the water evaporates.
B Freeze the mixture until the salt sinks to the bottom.
C Pour the mixture through several layers of coffee
filters.
D Run a magnet through the mixture to remove the
salt particles.
23. In a container, a mixture of water and salt is stirred
so that the salt dissolves completely. Sand is added to
this solution and allowed to settle to the bottom of the
container. If the container is placed on a heat source
and the liquid evaporates completely, what will be left
in the container?
A
B
C
D
Nothing will remain in the container.
Only salt will remain in the container.
Only sand will remain in the container.
Salt and sand will both remain in the container.
23. In a container, a mixture of water and salt is stirred
so that the salt dissolves completely. Sand is added to
this solution and allowed to settle to the bottom of the
container. If the container is placed on a heat source
and the liquid evaporates completely, what will be left
in the container?
A
B
C
D
Nothing will remain in the container.
Only salt will remain in the container.
Only sand will remain in the container.
Salt and sand will both remain in the container.
24.
24.
25. A student has a mixture of soil and water in
a jar. Which of the following tools would best
help the student separate the soil from the
water?
A
B
C
D
A filter
A measuring cup
A triple beam balance
A hand lens
25. A student has a mixture of soil and water in
a jar. Which of the following tools would best
help the student separate the soil from the
water?
A
B
C
D
A filter
A measuring cup
A triple beam balance
A hand lens
26. A student has been given samples of five different
substances: salt, sugar, gravel, wood chips, and iron
filings. Which two substances, if mixed together in a
glass of water, will the student be unable to separate
easily from each other once the water has been
evaporated?
A
B
C
D
Salt and sugar
Sugar and gravel
Gravel and iron filings
Iron filings and wood chips
26. A student has been given samples of five different
substances: salt, sugar, gravel, wood chips, and iron
filings. Which two substances, if mixed together in a
glass of water, will the student be unable to separate
easily from each other once the water has been
evaporated?
A
B
C
D
Salt and sugar
Sugar and gravel
Gravel and iron filings
Iron filings and wood chips
27. Steel cans are separated from aluminum
cans in a recycling center. Which of the
following is the BEST way the recycling center
can separate the steel cans from the aluminum
cans?
A
B
C
D
Sort the cans by size
Put the cans in water
Cool the cans to a low temperature
Put the cans under an electromagnet
27. Steel cans are separated from aluminum
cans in a recycling center. Which of the
following is the BEST way the recycling center
can separate the steel cans from the aluminum
cans?
A
B
C
D
Sort the cans by size
Put the cans in water
Cool the cans to a low temperature
Put the cans under an electromagnet
28.
28.
29. Which of these is a mixture?
A
B
C
D
Salt
Water
Lemonade
Sugar
29. Which of these is a mixture?
A
B
C
D
Salt
Water
Lemonade
Sugar
30. A student put some salt, sugar, and rocks in
a cup of warm water and then shook the cup. If
the mixture in the cup was poured through a
filter, what would remain on the filter?
A
B
C
D
The sugar
The sugar and the salt
The water
The rocks and some water
30. A student put some salt, sugar, and rocks in
a cup of warm water and then shook the cup. If
the mixture in the cup was poured through a
filter, what would remain on the filter?
A
B
C
D
The sugar
The sugar and the salt
The water
The rocks and some water
31. Which physical property could be used to
separate some corks from some rocks?
A
B
C
D
The corks float in water.
The corks are magnetic.
The corks dissolve in water.
The rocks dissolve in water.
31. Which physical property could be used to
separate some corks from some rocks?
A
B
C
D
The corks float in water.
The corks are magnetic.
The corks dissolve in water.
The rocks dissolve in water.
32. Which of the following is an example of a
mixture?
A
B
C
D
Water
Sugar
Salad
Salt
32. Which of the following is an example of a
mixture?
A
B
C
D
Water
Sugar
Salad
Salt
33. Which of the following mixtures cannot be
separated easily by hand?
A
B
C
D
Screws and nails
Apples and oranges
Nickels and dimes
Salt and pepper
33. Which of the following mixtures cannot be
separated easily by hand?
A
B
C
D
Screws and nails
Apples and oranges
Nickels and dimes
Salt and pepper
34. A mixture of pebbles and paper clips can be
easily separated. Which physical property of the
ingredients makes it easy to separate the
mixture?
A
B
C
D
Magnetism
Color
The ability to dissolve
The ability to float
34. A mixture of pebbles and paper clips can be
easily separated. Which physical property of the
ingredients makes it easy to separate the
mixture?
A
B
C
D
Magnetism
Color
The ability to dissolve
The ability to float
35. All of the following are physical properties
of matter EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
magnetism
its location in the room
ability to conduct electricity
ability to insulate heat
35. All of the following are physical properties
of matter EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
magnetism
its location in the room
ability to conduct electricity
ability to insulate heat
36. A student wants to separate a mixture of
wood chips and marbles. If he puts the
mixture in a bucket of water, what physical
property will cause the mixture to separate?
A
B
C
D
Color
Density
Conductivity
Mass
36. A student wants to separate a mixture of
wood chips and marbles. If he puts the
mixture in a bucket of water, what physical
property will cause the mixture to separate?
A
B
C
D
Color
Density
Conductivity
Mass
M.S. ?’s
37. Which substances, when mixed together,
maintain their original physical properties?
A
B
C
D
gravel, sugar, water
wood chips, water, sand
sand, sugar, water
water, pepper, sugar
37. Which substances, when mixed together,
maintain their original physical properties?
A
B
C
D
gravel, sugar, water
wood chips, water, sand
sand, sugar, water
water, pepper, sugar
38. A student was preparing an investigation on
mixtures using water, sand, and gravel. While
stirring the mixture into the container of water, the
sand and water mixture accidentally splashed into
the student’s eyes. What safety precaution should
the student have followed?
A wash hands before investigating
B wait for the other students before starting the
investigation
C wear safety goggles
D use a spoon to stir the mixture
38. A student was preparing an investigation on
mixtures using water, sand, and gravel. While
stirring the mixture into the container of water, the
sand and water mixture accidentally splashed into
the student’s eyes. What safety precaution should
the student have followed?
A wash hands before investigating
B wait for the other students before starting the
investigation
C wear safety goggles
D use a spoon to stir the mixture
39. A student stirred a mixture of sand, iron filings, and a
water and observed that eventually the sand and iron fillings
sank to the bottom of the container. How can the student
separate the mixture?
A Slowly pour the mixture in another container, making sure
the sand does not flow out with the water. Pick the iron up
with tweezers.
B Pour the mixture into a pot and heat one minute. Spoon
the sand from the water. Use a magnet to pull out the iron.
C Pour the mixture through a coffee filter, leaving only the
sand and iron in the filter. Separate the sand and iron with a
magnet.
D Use a spoon and scoop out as much sand as possible. Drag
a magnet through the water to remove the iron.
39. A student stirred a mixture of sand, iron filings, and a
water and observed that eventually the sand and iron fillings
sank to the bottom of the container. How can the student
separate the mixture?
A Slowly pour the mixture in another container, making sure
the sand does not flow out with the water. Pick the iron up
with tweezers.
B Pour the mixture into a pot and heat one minute. Spoon
the sand from the water. Use a magnet to pull out the iron.
C Pour the mixture through a coffee filter, leaving only the
sand and iron in the filter. Separate the sand and iron with a
magnet.
D Use a spoon and scoop out as much sand as possible. Drag
a magnet through the water to remove the iron.
40. A student made a garden salad by stirring
lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and croutons
together in a bowl. Why is the garden salad a
mixture?
A The student cut the vegetables into equally
sized pieces.
B The vegetables are combined but maintain
their physical properties.
C The croutons cannot be taken out of the
salad.
D The salad grew from a garden.
40. A student made a garden salad by stirring
lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and croutons
together in a bowl. Why is the garden salad a
mixture?
A The student cut the vegetables into equally
sized pieces.
B The vegetables are combined but maintain
their physical properties.
C The croutons cannot be taken out of the
salad.
D The salad grew from a garden.
41. All of the following are examples of
containers filled with mixtures EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
a jar filled with trail mix
a glass filled with water
a bowl of cereal with milk
a cup of fruit salad
41. All of the following are examples of
containers filled with mixtures EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
a jar filled with trail mix
a glass filled with water
a bowl of cereal with milk
a cup of fruit salad
42. A mixture of iron fillings and chalk dust is
placed on a plate. Which of the following
could be done to gather the iron fillings?
A
B
C
D
Pour the mixture into a funnel.
Put the mixture in a pot on the stove.
Run a magnet over the mixture.
Filter the mixture through a strainer.
42. A mixture of iron fillings and chalk dust is
placed on a plate. Which of the following
could be done to gather the iron fillings?
A
B
C
D
Pour the mixture into a funnel.
Put the mixture in a pot on the stove.
Run a magnet over the mixture.
Filter the mixture through a strainer.
43. A packet of trail mix has raisins, nuts, granola,
and cranberries. Which statement correctly
describes the trail mix?
A The trail mix is a mixture because it contains an
equal number of nuts and raisins.
B The trail mix is a mixture because the ingredient
dissolve in water.
C The trail mix is a mixture because the ingredients
cannot be separated.
D The trail mix is a mixture because the ingredients
can be separated easily.
43. A packet of trail mix has raisins, nuts, granola,
and cranberries. Which statement correctly
describes the trail mix?
A The trail mix is a mixture because it contains an
equal number of nuts and raisins.
B The trail mix is a mixture because the ingredient
dissolve in water.
C The trail mix is a mixture because the ingredients
cannot be separated.
D The trail mix is a mixture because the ingredients
can be separated easily.
44. A cup of orange juice with pulp is poured into a
glass. Which of these procedures could be done to
separate the juice from the pulp?
A Pour the juice through a coffee filter.
B Heat the juice in a pot until boiling.
C Pour the juice into another cup.
D Allow the mixture to settle, leaving the pulp at the
bottom of the glass.
44. A cup of orange juice with pulp is poured into a
glass. Which of these procedures could be done to
separate the juice from the pulp?
A Pour the juice through a coffee filter.
B Heat the juice in a pot until boiling.
C Pour the juice into another cup.
D Allow the mixture to settle, leaving the pulp at the
bottom of the glass.
45. Which of the following mixtures can be
separated using a magnet?
A
B
C
D
sand and salt
sand and iron fillings
sugar and water
saltwater
45. Which of the following mixtures can be
separated using a magnet?
A
B
C
D
sand and salt
sand and iron fillings
sugar and water
saltwater
46. All of these can be separated easily
EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
nuts, bolts, and screws
powdered drink mix, sugar, and water
sand and water
iron fillings and sand
46. All of these can be separated easily
EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
nuts, bolts, and screws
powdered drink mix, sugar, and water
sand and water
iron fillings and sand
47. Which mixture can be separated using a
filter?
A
B
C
D
sand and iron fillings
saltwater
sand and water
chocolate milk
47. Which mixture can be separated using a
filter?
A
B
C
D
sand and iron fillings
saltwater
sand and water
chocolate milk
48. Which tools are best for separating a
mixture of sand, iron fillings, and water?
A
B
C
D
hot plate and filter
tweezers and filter
filter and magnet
magnet and hot plate
48. Which tools are best for separating a
mixture of sand, iron fillings, and water?
A
B
C
D
hot plate and filter
tweezers and filter
filter and magnet
magnet and hot plate
49. A new student has joined the science class. The
student was not present when the class investigated
mixtures and solutions. All the following would be
good ways for the class to help the student learn
about mixtures and solutions EXCEPT—
A develop a model representing mixtures and
solutions
B take the student to the library and research
mixtures and solutions
C draw an illustration of mixtures and solutions
D give the student a dictionary
49. A new student has joined the science class. The
student was not present when the class investigated
mixtures and solutions. All the following would be
good ways for the class to help the student learn
about mixtures and solutions EXCEPT—
A develop a model representing mixtures and
solutions
B take the student to the library and research
mixtures and solutions
C draw an illustration of mixtures and solutions
D give the student a dictionary
50. When separating saltwater using a hot plate,
what precaution should students use?
A Unplug the hot plate if water splashes on the cord.
B Follow the teacher’s instruction and put on safety
goggles.
C Leave the hot plate plugged in after the
investigation is complete.
D Follow the teacher’s instructions and record results
in a science notebook.
50. When separating saltwater using a hot plate,
what precaution should students use?
A Unplug the hot plate if water splashes on the cord.
B Follow the teacher’s instruction and put on safety
goggles.
C Leave the hot plate plugged in after the
investigation is complete.
D Follow the teacher’s instructions and record results
in a science notebook.
51. Following an experiment testing mixtures, which
would be the best conclusion about simple
mixtures?
A After mixing, ingredients in a simple mixture
develop new properties.
B Stirring a simple mixture changes the properties of
its ingredients.
C A simple mixture can be easily separated.
D A simple mixture dissolves in water.
51. Following an experiment testing mixtures, which
would be the best conclusion about simple
mixtures?
A After mixing, ingredients in a simple mixture
develop new properties.
B Stirring a simple mixture changes the properties of
its ingredients.
C A simple mixture can be easily separated.
D A simple mixture dissolves in water.
52. Students are investigation a mixture of oil and
water. They notice when the mixture is stirred
vigorously it appears to mix evenly, but after letting
the mixture rest, the oil floats on top of the water.
The students are making—
A
B
C
D
an inference
a conclusion
an observation
a prediction
52. Students are investigation a mixture of oil and
water. They notice when the mixture is stirred
vigorously it appears to mix evenly, but after letting
the mixture rest, the oil floats on top of the water.
The students are making—
A
B
C
D
an inference
a conclusion
an observation
a prediction