116 TExES Science 4 - 8 Exam Practice Questions
1. Students need to understand the history of science to:
A. Recognize that proven hypotheses never change
B. Understand why a theory was proven wrong
C. Students do not need to understand the history of science
D. All of the above
2. Areas that science explores include:
A. Natural Science
B. Social Science
C. Formal Science
D. All of the above
3. Scientific method is used to:
A. Explore predetermined theories
B. Prove that processes follow a predictable path
C. Integrate information
D. All of the above
4. Which step is not part of the scientific method?
A. Question posed
B. Research done
C. Earlier tests are ignored
D. Analysis
5. The disciplines in Life Science include:
A. Humanities
B. Zoology
C. Statistics
D. All of the above
6. The unifying principles of biology include:
A. Cell and Gene Theories
B. Evolution
C. Homeostasis
D. All of the above
7. The major areas of physical science include:
A. Astronomy
B. Botany
C. Humanities
D. All of the above
8. The earth sciences include:
A. Human Behavior
B. Biology
C. Atmospheric Sciences
D. All of the above
9. Astronomy studies include:
A. Plants and plant growth
B. Origins of the universe
C. Space junk
D. All of the above
10. Students studying science should be assessed on their ability to:
A. Memorize data
B. Communicate related data
C. Evaluate results
D. All of the above
ANSWER KEY EXAM 116
1. Answer: B
Adolescents come to school with background knowledge and a basic understanding of how things work. They have reached conclusions based on their perception of the physical world and what they learned in previous classes. A wise teacher uses students' knowledge and natural curiosity when introducing and explaining complicated scientific concepts. He/she builds on ideas already known and corrects any misconceptions. Teachers should explain that science has a history. Students need to be familiar with the socio-economic environment in which a theory was introduced in order to truly understand why something did or did not work, why it may have been proven wrong or why a better way was discovered with later experimentation.
2. Answer: D
Natural Science is concerned with the natural world. Social Science studies human behavior. Both are based on empirical evidence, which is observable data that can be verified by other scientists working in similar situations under the same conditions. Formal Science is the systematic study of a specific area. It is essential to developing hypotheses, theories and laws used in other scientific disciplines, i.e., describing how things work (natural science) and how people think and why they do what they do individually and as a society (social sciences). It is based on prior evidence, which proceeds from a theory or assumption rather than observable phenomena. Applied Science is using the results of scientific research in any of the natural, social and formal sciences and adapting it to address human needs.
3. Answer: C
Scientific Method is a set of procedures used to study natural phenomena. It provides guidelines with which to pose questions, analyze data and reach conclusions. It is used to investigate an event, gain knowledge or correct earlier conclusions about the occurrence and integrate the new information with previously learned data. Researchers pose hypotheses and design experiments and studies to test them. The process must be objective, documented and shared with other researchers so the results can be verified by replicating the study in similar situations under the same conditions. Scientific method rarely follows a predictable path. The testing of one hypothesis usually leads to other questions, which leads to the formation of other hypotheses.
4. Answer: C
The steps described are not necessarily used in exactly the same way in all sciences. Sometimes they happen at the same time or in a different order and may be repeated during the course of the study, but should be applied with intelligence, imagination and creativity.
The following sequence is the one used most of the time:
A question is asked about a natural phenomenon. It should be stated in specific language to focus the inquiry.
The subject is thoroughly researched. Previous test results are studied. It is important to understand what the earlier experiment(s) proved or disproved.
With information gleaned from researching the topic, a hypothesis is formed about a cause or effect of the event or its relationship to other occurrences.
An experiment is designed and conducted to test the hypothesis and gather information.
The resulting data is analyzed to determine if they support or refute the hypothesis.
5. Answer: B
Life science or biology is the study of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution and distribution. The word biology is Greek. "Bio" means life. "Logos" means speech. Biology literally means, "to talk about life." This science studies how living things began, divides them into species, describes what they do and how they interact with and relate to each other and the rest of the natural world. The disciplines in the life sciences are grouped by the organisms they study: Botany studies plants; zoology studies animals and microbiology studies microorganisms. These groups are further divided into smaller, specialized categories based on the level at which they are studied and the methods used to study them, i.e., biochemistry studies the chemistry of life while ecology studies how organisms interrelate in the natural world. Applied fields of the life sciences such as medicine and genetic research combine multiple specialized categories.
6. Answer: D
Cell Theory: The cell is the basic building block of all living things. It is the smallest unit of life able to function on its own. There are two kinds of cells: Prokaryotic which are present only in bacteria and eukaryotic found in all other life forms. New cells form by dividing from existing cells.
Evolution: As a result of natural selection and changes in the gene pool (genetic drift), inherited traits morph from one generation to the next.
Gene Theory: The traits of all living organisms are encoded in their DNA, the chromosome component that carries genetic information. Biochemical characteristics are capable of adapting to changes in the environment, but the only way these adaptations can be transferred to the genes is through evolution.
Homeostasis: A self-regulating, physiological process that keeps biological systems stable and in proper balance internally, no matter what is happening in the external environment.
7. Answer: A
Physical Science is the study of non-living systems. The major areas are:
- Astronomy is the study of the universe, celestial bodies and what happens in our galaxy and beyond the Milky Way.
- Chemistry studies matter at the micro-level; what it is composed of and its interaction with itself and with other matter.
- Earth Science studies all things related to the earth; how it is made and of what materials (geology), movement and distribution of water (hydrology), weather patterns (meteorology), the oceans as physical systems (oceanography).
- Physics studies the laws of matter and energy. All the other physical sciences must follow the laws of physics.
8. Answer: C
The earth sciences study earth, the only known life-baring planet. These geosciences are concerned with the lithosphere, the hydrosphere and the atmosphere. By working together, they create conditions needed to sustain the biosphere, which is composed of all living organisms (life science or biology).
Geology is the study of the "origin, history and structure of the earth," its lithosphere. This science looks at when the earth was formed, how and why it formed as it did and how and why it changes.
Oceanography is the "exploration of the ocean and its phenomena." Hydrology studies the "properties, distribution and effects of water on the earth's surface, soil, rocks and atmosphere." Both disciplines study water systems and marine life. They are earth's hydrosphere.
Atmospheric Sciences study the "gaseous mass surrounding the earth," its atmosphere. This field includes climate and weather and how they affect the earth and its organisms.
Definitions are from The American Heritage College Dictionary
9. Answer: B
Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences. Man has been studying the sky since the beginning of time. It is one science where amateurs have made notable contributions while gazing at the heavens through the backyard telescope. The American Heritage College Dictionary defines astronomy as "the study of matter in outer space, such as the positions, dimensions, energy and evolution of the stars and planets." It studies the evolution, physics, chemistry and motion of celestial objects. Astronomy examines the origins of the universe, the shape and structure of planets, comets, asteroids and meteors and how planets and their moons interact. It is concerned with the life span and traits of stars and galaxies and the measurement of time.
10. Answer: C
The U.S. Department of Education established criteria for testing comprehension of science concepts using recommendations from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Students are required to not only know facts but also be able to integrate those facts into previously learned information by using critical thinking skills developed through the study of science, i.e., they need to be able to use the facts in practical applications found in the real world. The assessments developed by educators, curriculum specialists and the business community emphasize the importance of assessing students' ability to reason, understand concepts, solve problems, evaluate results and communicate knowledge of the subject matter. The tests attempt to measure whether students can take cognitive skills learned in science, apply them in other disciplines and use them outside of school in meaningful ways.
