Performance Benchmark N.12.A.4
Students know how to safely conduct an original scientific investigation using the appropriate
tools and technology. E/S
1st Item Specification: Explain the use of proper experimental controls and control groups
in experimental designs.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. Experimental controls are used in scientific investigations to
A. prevent multiple data sets that will interfere with the testing of the hypothesis.
B. lower costs of performing multiple trials to insure accuracy and precision.
C. assist in maintaining accurate records that reflect the true data collected.
D. allow for the graphing of one set of independent and dependent variable data.
2. Control groups are useful in scientific experiments because they
A. are easily identified by the experimenter during the investigation.
B. are cheap and relatively easy to maintain throughout the experiment.
C. prevent the data collection from being contaminated by other variables.
D. provide a standard for comparison with the data collected in the investigation.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
3. A scientist sets up an investigation to study the effect of temperature on bacterial growth. She
plans to count the bacterial growth each day as she changes the pH slightly, places the petri
dishes with the bacteria in the refrigerator and in an incubator, and varies the type of agar that
she uses. What observation can you make about her experiment?
A. Her design will effectively measure temperature changes on bacteria growth.
B. She has too many variables that will affect understanding the temperature changes on
bacterial growth.
C. Different types of agar and pH changes will not prevent understanding the effect of
temperature on bacterial growth.
D. All her variables are controlled within the design of the experimental investigation.
4. A researcher wants to study whether a new soft drink will be popular with consumers due to
its taste. He wants to have a test group taste the soft drink in comparison to other popular
brands on the market. Which research design would be an acceptable method for the
researcher and controls variables?
A. Have multiple soft drinks available. Each participant tastes most of them and selects
his favorite.
B. Have each participant view the types of soft drinks and taste all of them selecting the
best flavor.
C. Participants taste the new soft drink and one other drink rinsing their mouth with
water after each test recording their favorite beverage.
D. Each participant tastes the new soft drink compared to other soft drinks keeping a
score card of what beverage they liked best.
2nd Item Specification: Explain the components of a scientific investigation.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
5. Scientific investigations include
A. having a testable hypothesis.
B. testing multiple variables at one time.
C. using several control groups.
D. having undefined data sets.
6. Scientific investigations include all of the following EXCEPT
A. having an appropriate control group.
B. identifying a testable hypothesis.
C. testing one variable at a time.
D. having multiple unrelated data sets.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
7. A student is designing a science fair project to test the relationship between the rate of a
chemical reaction and different factors such as changing the temperature, pH and size of the
reactant materials. He decides to test the hypothesis: Rate of reaction increases when the
temperature of the reaction is increased. In his experimental design, he heats his reaction and
increases the acidity of the solution. Which of the following is correct?
A. He is testing two variables at the same time.
B. He has a correct hypothesis in relation to the experimental design.
C. The experimental design could be improved by grinding the reactants.
D. He has identified his control for the investigation.
3rd Item Specification: Describe proper and appropriate use of lab equipment.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
8. In order to light a Bunsen burner, a student should do the following:
A. turn on the gas, light the match, place the match flame in two inches above the
burner.
B. turn on the gas, light the match and adjust the burner controls.
C. adjust the burner controls, turn on the gas then light the match.
D. light the match, turn on the gas, touch the match to the tip of the burner, adjust the
controls.
9. When measuring liquids, always
A. select small graduated cylinders for large quantities of liquid.
B. pour small quantities into large graduated cylinders.
C. select the graduated cylinder that best measures the quantity you need.
D. pour directly from the container into your laboratory without measuring it.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
10. A student is conducting an experiment using a Bunsen burner when the fire bell rings. What
should he do?
A. Exit the room and quickly exit the building following directions from hall monitors.
B. Turn the gas off, exit the room and quickly leave the building.
C. Leave his eye goggles on, exit the room and quickly leave the building.
D. Turn the gas off, pour the reaction down the sink, exit the room and quickly leave the
building.
11. A student is conducting an experiment that requires her to pass a test tube through a flame in
order to heat the contents of the test tube evenly. Which piece of equipment is most
appropriate for this activity?
A. Test tube holder because it adjusts to the size of the test tube.
B. Test tube rack because it is made of wood.
C. Crucible tongs because they are very small.
D. Buret clamp because it can be secured to the ring stand.
4th Item Specification: Explain safety considerations in lab procedures.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
12. When instructed by your teacher, the proper way to smell a chemical is to
A. put the container next to your nose and inhale.
B. waft the smell away from your nose.
C. waft the smell towards your face.
D. have your lab partner smell the chemical.
13. When handling an acid that accidently spills on your hand, you should
A. wipe your hands on your lab apron.
B. start rinsing your hand under the faucet.
C. put a base on your hand to neutralize the acid.
D. use a paper towel to wipe the acid off your hand.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
14. A student is conducting a laboratory investigation and needs to obtain chemicals for his lab
station. He should do all of the following EXCEPT
A. know the names and formulas of the chemicals needed for the investigation.
B. know the quantities of all the chemicals needed for the activity.
C. take all the chemicals to his desk and measure what he needs.
D. carry only what he can safely manage to his desk and then obtain the remaining
materials.
15. Which of the following is the BEST procedure before doing any laboratory investigation?
A. Clean up the lab station and gather all the materials.
B. Read and make a list of all the materials needed for the activity, note all the safety
issues.
C. Ask your partner to read through the laboratory and write out the directions.
D. Wait for your teacher to tell what materials you will need when the laboratory is
ready to begin.
5th Item Specification: Explain how inquiry drives the processes of science.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
16. Which of the following is not part of scientific inquiry?
A. Analyzing data.
B. Collaborating with peers.
C. Doing a verification lab.
D. Testing a scientific question.
17. All of the following are important components of scientific inquiry EXCEPT
A. explaining new results in terms of current scientific knowledge.
B. using evidence to support scientific concepts and understandings.
C. presenting scientific findings to scientific community and peers.
D. learning a new laboratory technique for separation of mixtures.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
18. Why is it important to explain new findings in terms of current scientific knowledge?
A. New findings can help us to understand or revise current theories and concepts.
B. New findings can help scientists promote their careers and obtain grants.
C. Current scientific knowledge cannot be revisited or changed.
D. Scientific knowledge is the same as scientific laws and not subject to change.
19. Collaboration among scientists is an important component of scientific inquiry for all of the
following EXCEPT
A. scientists can learn from each other by sharing ideas and findings.
B. scientists tend to argue during collaboration and fail to generate new ideas.
C. new procedures for problem solving can develop through collaboration.
D. experimental data can be validated by replicating each other’s work.
6th Item Specification: Analyze an experimental design.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
20. Your neighbor asks you to review her child’s science fair project design. The student wants
to test the hypothesis that green plants need sunlight to grow. She plans to grow one plant on
her patio and the other plant in the closet. Which of the following would you suggest?
A. Be sure to leave the plant in the sun, then place the same plant in the closet.
B. Be sure to control variables such as water, fertilizer and temperature.
C. Use shade tolerant plants for the closet and sun tolerant plants for the patio.
D. Use distilled water mixed with Miracle Grow fertilizer for both sets of plants.
21. You and your lab partner need to design an experiment to test for the effect of acids on
metals. You decide to use one type of acid and control the concentration but test different
metals such as copper, aluminum, iron and tin. Your lab partner wants to use several different
types of acids. Which of the following is your BEST response to her?
A. There is not enough time during the class period to test different types of acids and
their effects on metals.
B. Different types of acids are more difficult to obtain and too much time would be spent
trying to find them.
C. The experiment needs to be controlled and testing several acids on different metals is
too many variables.
D. Collecting the data from her design requires setting up several data charts which is
more difficult to analyze.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
22. A student wants to test Mendel’s hypothesis that crossing a tall pea plant with a short pea
plant will produce only tall pea plants. He obtains pea plant seeds from the nursery and
grows them. Which of the following is the most correct statement about his experimental
design?
A. He does not know what the genotypes of his plant seeds are.
B. The plants may be infertile and unable to produce flowers.
C. The phenotypes are easy to identify after they fully mature.
D. The plants are identical in genotype and phenotype.
23. A student finds an unlabeled bottle of white substance left at his desk and wants to identify it.
His teacher says that it is either sodium chloride or glucose because these two substances
were used in the last class. Which of the following procedures would be the most appropriate
way to test for the nature of the substance?
A. Dissolve it in distilled water. Perform a conductivity test. If it conducts then it is a
salt. Sugars do not conduct electricity.
B. Dissolve it in water, then taste the water to see if it is salty or sweet. Glucose tastes
sweet and can be identified.
C. Use a magnet to see if one of the substances is attracted to the magnetic field.
D. Use equal amounts of each of the substances dissolved in water and calculate their
densities.
Performance Benchmark N.12.A.4
Students know how to safely conduct an original scientific investigation using the appropriate
tools and technology. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. A, DOK Level 1
2. D, DOK Level 1
3. B, DOK Level 2
4. D, DOK Level 2
5. A, DOK Level 1
6. D, DOK Level 1
7. A, DOK Level 2
8. D, DOK Level 1
9. C, DOK Level 1
10. B, DOK Level 2
11. A, DOK Level 2
12. C, DOK Level 1
13. B, DOK Level 1
14. C, DOK Level 2
15. B, DOK Level 2
16. C, DOK Level 1
17. D, DOK Level 1
18. A, DOK Level 2
19. B, DOK Level 2
20. B, DOK Level 1
21. C, DOK Level 1
22. A, DOK Level 2
23. D, DOK Level 2