Science
Science
Science
Diagnostic Test
Practice for each Mississippi
Science Standard
Self-Assessment Test
Special Thanks
Glencoe Science would like to thank
Stephanie Lowery
for reviewing the content of Mastering the Mississippi Science Test Grade 8.
Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is granted
to reproduce the material contained herein on the condition that such material be reproduced
only for classroom use; be provided to students, teachers, and families without charge; and be
used solely in conjunction with the Middle School Science program. Any other reproduction,
for use or sale, is prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher.
Send all inquiries to:
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8787 Orion Place
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ISBN: 978-0-07-894475-8
MHID: 0-07-894475-9
Printed in the United States of America.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 045 15 14 13 12 11 10 09
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Student Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Student Recording Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Mississippi Science Framework, Grade 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Diagnostic Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Standards Practice
Inquiry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Physical Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Life Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Earth and Space Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Self-Assessment Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
iii
iv
Overview
Welcome to the Student Edition of Mastering the Mississippi Science TestGrade 8. The material in
this workbook is designed to help you prepare for the Mississippi Science Test (MST). It contains:
Test-Taking Tips
a Student Recording Chart
Mississippi Science Framework
a Diagnostic Test
Standards Practice questions for each competency
a Self-Assessment Test
Test-Taking Tips
Before the Test:
1. Be sure to get plenty of sleep the week before the test. A healthy amount of sleep is
89 hours every night.
2. The night before the test, try to do something relaxing but stimulating, such as playing a
board game, exercising, or reading an enjoyable book. Cramming the night before the test
can often hamper your memory and make you tired.
3. The morning of the test, eat a healthy breakfast with fresh foods that are high in protein and
carbohydrates.
4. The morning of the test, clear your mind of any outside distractions so that you will be better able
to focus on the test. If breaks are given during the test, use that time to relax and clear your mind.
Name
Learning Target
(Listed as
Competency and Objective)
Wrong Practice
X
Page
Assessment
Strand
1.a
1.b
Observations,
linferences, and
predictions
10
1.c
Qualitative and
quantitative data
11
1.d
Analyze data
12
1.e
Defending
conclusions
13
1.f
Perfectly designed
solutions
14
Inquiry
1.g
Peer review
15
Inquiry
1.h
Evidence and
explanations
16
2.a
Periodic table
patterns
17
2.b
Interactions of
elements
18
12
2.c
Motion of objects
19
Physical
2.d
Electrical energy
20
Physical
2.e
Longitudinal and
transverse waves
21
24
2.f
Laws of motion
22
Physical
22
3.a
Adaptations
23
Life
14
7
28
18
26
19
5
15
Inquiry
Inquiry
Inquiry
Inquiry
Inquiry
Inquiry
Physical
Physical
Physical
23
vi
Right
X
Name
Wrong Practice
X
Page
Assessment
Strand
3.b
Organization and
development
24
3.c
25
13
3.d
Heredity
26
Life
3.e
Energy in ecosystems
27
Life
3.f
28
27
3.g
Single-celled organisms
29
Life
16
3.h
Obtaining energy
30
Life
4.a
Earth layers
31
Earth
25
4.b
Earths processes
32
Earth
4.c
Predicting weather
33
Earth
4.d
34
17
4.e
Earths seasons
35
Space
11
4.f
36
Space
30
4.g
Natural products
37
Earth
4.h
Using technology
38
Earth
29
10
20
Right
X
Learning Target
(Listed as
Competency and Objective)
(continued)
21
Life
Life
Life
Earth
vii
Life Science
Earth and Space Science
d. Analyze evidence that is used to form explanations and draw conclusions. (DOK 3)
e. Develop a logical argument defending conclusions of an experimental method. (DOK 3)
f. Develop a logical argument to explain why perfectly designed solutions do not exist.
(DOK 3)
g. Justify a scientists need to revise conclusions after encountering new experimental
evidence that does not match existing explanations. (DOK 3)
h. Analyze different ideas and recognize the skepticism of others as part of the scientific
process in considering alternative conclusions. (DOK 3)
Tools (e.g., English rulers [to the nearest one-sixteenth of an inch], metric rulers
[to the nearest millimeter], thermometers, scales, hand lenses, microscopes,
balances, clocks, calculators, anemometers, rain gauges, barometers, hygrometers,
telescopes, compasses, spring scales, pH indicators, stopwatches, graduated
cylinders, medicine droppers)
Types of data (e.g., linear measures, mass, volume, temperature, area, perimeter)
Resources (e.g., Internet, electronic encyclopedias, journals, community resources,
etc.)
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
2. Apply concepts relating to an understanding of chemical and physical changes,
interactions involving energy, and forces that affect motion of objects.
a. Identify patterns found in chemical symbols, formulas, reactions, and equations that
apply to the law of conservation of mass. (DOK 1)
b. Predict the properties and interactions of given elements using the periodic table of the
elements. (DOK 2)
c. Distinguish the motion of an object by its position, direction of motion, speed, and
acceleration and represent resulting data in graphic form in order to make a prediction.
(DOK 2)
d. Relate how electrical energy transfers through electric circuits, generators, and power
grids, including the importance of contributions from Mississippi companies. (DOK 2)
e. Contrast various components of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., infrared, visible light,
ultraviolet) and predict their impacts on living things. (DOK 2)
f. Recognize Newtons Three Laws of Motion and identify situations that illustrate each law
(e.g., inertia, acceleration, action, reaction forces). (DOK 2)
ix
LIFE SCIENCE
3. Compare and contrast the structure and functions of the cell, levels of organization of living
things, basis of heredity, and adaptations that explain variations in populations.
a. Analyze how adaptations to a particular environment (e.g., desert, aquatic, high altitude)
can increase an organisms survival and reproduction and relate organisms and their
ecological niches to evolutionary change and extinction. (DOK 3)
b. Compare and contrast the major components and functions of different types of cells. (DOK 2)
c. Describe how viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites may infect the human body and
interfere with normal body functions. (DOK 1)
d. Describe heredity as the passage of instructions from one generation to another and
recognize that hereditary information is contained in genes, located in the chromosomes
of each cell. (DOK 2)
How traits are passed from parents to offspring through pairs of genes
Phenotypes and genotypes
Hierarchy of DNA, genes, and chromosomes and their relationship to phenotype
Punnett square calculations
f.
Develop a logical argument for or against research conducted in selective breeding and
genetic engineering, including (but not limited to) research conducted in Mississippi.
Examples from Mississippi include the following: (DOK 3)
g. Research and draw conclusions about the use of single-celled organisms in industry, in
the production of food, and impacts on life. (DOK 3)
h. Describe how an organism gets energy from oxidizing its food and releasing some of its
energy as heat. (DOK 1)
c. Examine weather forecasting and describe how meteorologists use atmospheric features and
technology to predict the weather. (DOK 2)
Temperature, precipitation, wind (speed/direction), dew point, relative humidity, and
barometric pressure
How the thermal energy transferred to the air results in vertical and horizontal movement of
air masses, Coriolis effect
Global wind patterns (e.g., trade winds, westerlies, jet streams)
Satellites and computer modeling
d. Research the importance of the conservation of renewable and nonrenewable resources,
including (but not limited to) Mississippi, and justify methods that might be useful in decreasing
the human impact on global warming. (DOK 3)
Greenhouse gases
The effects of the human population
Relationships of the cycles of water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen
e. Explain how the tilt of Earths axis and the position of the Earth in relation to the sun determine
climatic zones, seasons, and length of the days. (DOK 2)
f. Describe the hierarchical structure (stars, clusters, galaxies, galactic clusters) of the universe
and examine the expanding universe to include its age and history and the modern techniques (e.
g., radio, infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray astronomy) used to measure objects and distances in the
universe). (DOK 2)
g. Justify the importance of continued research and use of new technology in the development and
commercialization of potentially useful natural products, including,
but not limited to research efforts in Mississippi. (DOK 3)
The Thad Cochran National Center for Natural Products Research, housed at the University
of Mississippi
The Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center in Stoneville, MS
The Mississippi Polymer Institute, housed at the University of Southern Mississippi
h. Justify why an imaginary hurricane might or might not hit a particular area, using important
technological resources including (but not limited to) the following: (DOK 2)
John C. Stennis Space Center Applied Research and Technology Project Office in
Hancock County
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The National Weather Service
Mastering the Mississippi Science TestGrade 8
xi
Diagnostic Test
24,000
Volts
A.
B.
C.
D.
120240
Volts
electromagnet
transformer
motor
voltmeter
Go on
Volume (mL)
Pressure (atm)
400
0.5
300
1.0
200
1.5
100
2.0
Go on
Color
Rubidium
37
85.5
Cesium
55
132.9
Silvery-white
Tantalum
73
180.9
Gray
Thorium
90
232.0
Silvery-white
E.
F.
G.
H.
Atomic Atomic
Number Mass
White
rubidium
cesium
tantalum
thorium
Go on
F.
Type of
Fish
Percent
Population
Carp
5%
Perch
40%
Bass
10%
Trout
45%
Type of
Fish
Percent
Population
Carp
45%
Perch
10%
Bass
10%
Trout
35%
G. Type of
Fish
Percent
Population
Carp
15%
Preferred
Temp.
Lethal
Temp.
Perch
10%
Bass
50%
Trout
25%
Carp
15%
26C29C
44C
Perch
35%
13C16C
35C
Bass
35%
22C26C
38C
Trout
15%
10C14C
25C
H. Type of
Fish
Type of
Percent
Fish
Population
E.
Percent
Population
Carp
45%
Perch
10%
Bass
40%
Trout
5%
Go on
Go on
Plant
Rosebush 1
15
Rosebush 2
30
Rosebush 3
11
75
Go on
P
0
1
A.
B.
C.
D.
S
2
5 6 7 8
Time in minutes
about 2 minutes
about 3 minutes
about 3.5 minutes
about 5.5 minutes
Go on
3 cm
3 cm
28. A group of students performed a volume investigation using the cubes shown below. They
concluded that the object with the greater mass also has the greater volume. Which statement
best explains whether this conclusion is correct or not?
Mass = 0.4 kg
Mass = 0.25 kg
3 cm
3 cm
3 cm
3 cm
E. The conclusion is correct because an objects volume is affected only by its mass.
F. The conclusion is not correct because an objects volume is affected only by
its dimensions.
G. The conclusion is correct because an objects volume is affected by its mass and
dimensions.
H. The conclusion is not correct because an objects volume is affected by factors
other than its mass and dimensions.
30. What is one potential benefit of using
natural products on agricultural crops?
E. a decrease in the number of pests on
the crops
F. an increase in the number of pests on
the crops
G. a decrease in crop yield
H. an increase in the amount of toxins
released into the surrounding
ecosystem
Stop
Standards Practice
1.a
1. The data in the table below was collected
by astronomers to record when the
Sun rose each day during one week. If
conditions remain the same, what will be
the time of sunrise on Friday?
Sunrise Times
Day
Sunrise
Monday
6:28 A.M.
Tuesday
6:30 A.M.
Wednesday
6:32 A.M.
Thursday
6:34 A.M.
Friday
A.
B.
C.
D.
6:32 A.M.
6:35 A.M.
6:36 A.M.
6:38 A.M.
Go on
5000
4000
130
ad
450
Le
390
er
pp
Iro
900
m
Co
inu
2100
1700
d
um
Al
uid
wa
t
er
1000
W
oo
2000
Ic
4180
3000
Substances
Go on
10
Specific Heat
of Common Substances
Liq
Estimated
Population of
Atlantic Cod
(in thousands)
1995
14.0
1997
12.5
1999
12
11.5
2001
14
9.0
2003
17
4.5
Year
Number of
Commercial
Fishing boats
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2
10 12 14 16 18
Go on
11
Number
of Wire
Turns
Number
of Nails
Number
of Tacks
Lifted
20
40
20
40
13
20
40
14
20
15
40
29
pH Level
Number of Fish
1940
5.9
abundant
1950
5.5
many
1960
4.9
few
1970
4.2
very few
Cow A
Cow B
30
30
150
80
60
300
170
115
450
345
240
Go on
Temperature (C)
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0g
20g
40g
80g
Amount of flame retardant used
Plant
Experiment
Duration (days)
Height Increase
During
Experiment (cm)
1: watered with
rainwater
240
18
22.5
2: watered with
acid rainwater
240
11
16.1
4. The results in the table above indicate that acid rain has a negative effect on plant growth.
How could the reproducibility of this experiment be improved?
E. by increasing the amount of water used
F. by increasing the number of plants tested
Go on
G. by decreasing the acidity of the acid rainwater
H. by eliminating the plant treated with rainwater
Mastering the Mississippi Science TestGrade 8
13
3. A student designs and installs a batterypowered light by the sidewalk at her home
to help light the walkway in the dark.
However, water keeps getting in the light
when it rains and the lights go out. What is
the best possible solution for this problem?
A. use a more powerful lightbulb
B. use a heavier wire
C. run the light only on dry nights
D. add a cover that fits over the light
Go on
14
Go on
15
Go on
16
Go on
17
Zn + 2HCl ZnCl2 + H2
65 g 72 g
135 g
?g
A.
B.
C.
D.
2g
4g
72 g
144 g
Go on
18
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Line 2
Line 3
Line 4
1
Time (sec)
1
2
3
4
Mi
2.0
A.
B.
C.
D.
ch
a
el
Line 1
1.5
hn
Jo
1.0
0.5
10
20
30
40
50
60
Time (minutes)
210cm
0 cm
10 cm
20 cm
30 cm
E.
F.
G.
H.
T
S
U
Q
Go on
19
Go on
21
Motion
2000
newtons
2 meters
A.
B.
C.
D.
law of gravity
Newtons first law of motion
Newtons second law of motion
Newtons third law of motion
Go on
22
Force
Bark of tree
A. The beetles would become spotted.
B. The beetles would become plain.
C. About half the beetles would become
spotted and half would not.
D. There would be no change.
Go on
23
B.
C.
D.
Copyright Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Go on
24
Go on
25
rr x RR
r Rr
Rr
r Rr
Rr
alleles
hybrids
environmental factors
dominance
A.
B.
C.
D.
A.
B.
C.
D.
A
B
C
D
Go on
26
Go on
27
Go on
28
Go on
29
Go on
30
Go on
31
B.
C.
D.
E
PA N
GA
Equator
Permian
225 million years ago
E.
F.
G.
H.
erosion
deposition
natural selection
plate tectonics
Go on
32
25
147
20
13
80
138
50
-3
Go on
33
1. Plants remove
carbon dioxide from
the air and use it to
2. The carbohydrates
are eaten and
used by other
organisms.
atmosphere, the
cycle continues.
make carbohydrates.
4. The diagram above shows the basic steps in the carbon cycle. At which step is sunlight
converted into chemical energy?
E. Step 1
F. Step 2
G. Step 3
H. Step 4
Go on
34
Go on
35
Go on
36
Go on
37
80W
70W
30N
30N
29.8
A
30
.0
29.6
D
29.7
20N
29
.9
20N
KEY:
= Hurricane center
A.
B.
C.
D.
A
B
C
D
Stop
38
Self-Assessment Test
1. In general, how does using renewable
resources benefit humans the most?
A. by keeping energy costs low
B. by decreasing harmful pollutants
C. by providing as much energy as needed
D. by being easier to obtain than
nonrenewable resources
2. In the circuit below, what is the source of
electric energy?
Lightbulb
E.
F.
G.
H.
Battery
wire
battery
lightbulb
lightbulb base
Wire
Go on
39
Go on
40
Go on
41
Go on
42
Sun's Rays
A.
B.
C.
D.
A
B
C
D
Go on
43
19761980
12.8
19881991
2.8
A.
B.
C.
D.
folded mountains
volcanic mountains
submarine mountains
fault-block mountains
Go on
44
E.
F.
G.
H.
compact bone
spongy bone
marrow
cartilage
Go on
45
Radio
Waves Infrared
UltraGamma
violet X Rays Rays
Visible Light
A.
B.
C.
D.
gamma rays
X-rays
infrared waves
radio waves
Stop
46
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ISBN: 978-0-07-894475-8
MHID: 0-07-894475-9
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