Science Benchmark Test - 2nd Quarter - 5th Grade
Cory's 5th Grade Science - 2nd Quarter Benchmark Test
- 1.
What is the function of the Mitochondria?
- A.
To control the activities of the cell
- B.
To store water, food and wastes
- C.
To support the cell's structures
- D.
To supply energy for the cell
Correct Answer
D. To supply energy for the cellExplanation
Mitochondria are responsible for supplying energy to the cell. They produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the main source of energy for cellular activities. Through a process called cellular respiration, mitochondria convert nutrients from food into ATP molecules. This energy is then used by the cell to perform various functions such as growth, movement, and metabolism. Therefore, the function of mitochondria is to supply energy for the cell.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which instrument would be best for studying living animal cells?
- A.
An electron microscope
- B.
A compound light microscope
- C.
A scanning electron microscope
- D.
A magnifying glass
Correct Answer
B. A compound light microscopeExplanation
A compound light microscope would be the best instrument for studying living animal cells because it uses visible light to illuminate the specimen, allowing for the observation of living cells in their natural state. Electron microscopes, on the other hand, use beams of electrons and are better suited for studying non-living specimens or fixed cells. A scanning electron microscope is used to study the surface of specimens in great detail, but it may not provide the necessary resolution for studying living cells. A magnifying glass is not powerful enough to observe cells at the cellular level.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What is a group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function?
- A.
An organism
- B.
An organ system
- C.
Organelles
- D.
An organ
Correct Answer
D. An organExplanation
A group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function is called an organ. This is because organs are composed of different types of tissues that collaborate to carry out a particular task. Organs are a higher level of organization in living organisms compared to tissues, organelles, and organisms themselves.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the BEST description of a decomposer?
- A.
A microorganism that makes its own food through photosynthesis
- B.
A microorganism that feeds on dead organisms
- C.
A microorganism that spreads germs
- D.
A microorganism found in humid environments
Correct Answer
B. A microorganism that feeds on dead organismsExplanation
The best description of a decomposer is a microorganism that feeds on dead organisms. Decomposers play a crucial role in breaking down dead organic matter and returning nutrients back into the ecosystem. They help in the process of decomposition by breaking down complex organic compounds into simpler forms that can be absorbed by other organisms. This process is essential for nutrient cycling and maintaining the balance of ecosystems.Rate this question:
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- 5.
A student collected data on the root systems of plants. She observed that in dry, desertlike conditions, plants often had shallow, widespread root systems. She also observed that in areas with pelntiful rainfall, many plants had deep roots. What is a valid conclusion that she might draw from her data?
- A.
Root systems of plants perform similar functions
- B.
Root growth is influenced by the amount of precipitation
- C.
Roots are similar in shape and size
- D.
Root systems are affected by the average termperature of a region
Correct Answer
B. Root growth is influenced by the amount of precipitationExplanation
The student can conclude that root growth is influenced by the amount of precipitation based on her observations. She noticed that in dry conditions, plants had shallow, widespread root systems, while in areas with abundant rainfall, plants had deep roots. This suggests that the availability of water affects how plants develop their root systems, with more water leading to deeper roots.Rate this question:
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- 6.
All of the following are vascular plants EXCEPT?
- A.
Trees
- B.
Moss
- C.
Ferns
- D.
Grass
Correct Answer
B. MossExplanation
Moss is the correct answer because it is a non-vascular plant. Unlike trees, ferns, and grass, mosses do not have specialized tissues for conducting water and nutrients. They rely on direct absorption from their surroundings, making them non-vascular plants.Rate this question:
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- 7.
One difference between an animal cell and a plant cell is that a plant cell
- A.
Has no nucleus
- B.
Is smaller
- C.
Has a supportive cell wall
- D.
Is filled with air rather than cytoplasm
Correct Answer
C. Has a supportive cell wallExplanation
A plant cell has a supportive cell wall, which is a rigid structure that provides strength and support to the cell. This cell wall is made up of cellulose and is located outside the cell membrane. In contrast, animal cells do not have a cell wall. The presence of a cell wall is a characteristic feature of plant cells and helps them maintain their shape and withstand mechanical stress.Rate this question:
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- 8.
This table shows the effect of fertilizer on the growth of sunflowers. The groups of flowers were grown in the same soil and had the same amount of water and sunlight.Amount of Liquid Fertilizer per week 1 ounce 2 ounces 3 ouncesSunflower Height 10-12 Inches 13-15 inches 16-17 inchesWhat is the depedent variable in this experiment?
- A.
Fertilizer
- B.
Height
- C.
Soil
- D.
Water and sunlight
Correct Answer
B. HeightExplanation
The dependent variable in this experiment is the height of the sunflowers. This is because the height of the sunflowers is being measured and observed in response to the different amounts of liquid fertilizer applied. The other factors mentioned - fertilizer, soil, and water and sunlight - are either independent variables (fertilizer) or controlled variables (soil, water and sunlight).Rate this question:
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- 9.
How do microscopic producers contribute to the environment?
- A.
They release oxygen into the atmosphere.
- B.
They consume dead organisms
- C.
They give off heat to warm the atmosphere
- D.
They give off light while performing photosynthesis
Correct Answer
A. They release oxygen into the atmospHere.Explanation
Microscopic producers, such as algae and phytoplankton, contribute to the environment by releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Through the process of photosynthesis, these organisms use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce oxygen as a byproduct. This oxygen is essential for the survival of other organisms, including animals and humans, as it is required for respiration. Therefore, the release of oxygen by microscopic producers plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of gases in the atmosphere and supporting life on Earth.Rate this question:
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- 10.
A student placed a long-stemmed white flowers in blue water. The petals gradually turned blue. What hpothesis did he MOST LIKELY set out to prove?
- A.
Impurities in the water will stop photosynthesis
- B.
Plants need water to prevent wilting
- C.
Transpiration draws water into every plat cell
- D.
Plants give off oxygen
Correct Answer
C. Transpiration draws water into every plat cellExplanation
The student most likely set out to prove the hypothesis that transpiration draws water into every plant cell. This is supported by the fact that the student placed the flowers in blue water and observed that the petals gradually turned blue. This suggests that the water was drawn up through the stem and into the petals, causing them to change color.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which of the following animals are classified as amphibians?
- A.
Chicken, duck, goose
- B.
Frog, salamander, toad
- C.
Alligator, turtle, lizard
- D.
Whale, horse, dog
Correct Answer
B. Frog, salamander, toadExplanation
The animals classified as amphibians are frog, salamander, and toad. Amphibians are a group of cold-blooded vertebrates that live both on land and in water. They typically have moist skin and undergo metamorphosis from a water-dwelling larval stage to a terrestrial adult stage. Chickens, ducks, geese, alligators, turtles, lizards, whales, horses, and dogs do not fall under the category of amphibians.Rate this question:
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- 12.
A student noticed that a shady pond had very little algae. She also noticed that a pond that received full sunshine most of the day had a large quantity of algae. What conclusion might she draw from her observations?
- A.
Algae are photosynthetic
- B.
Direct sunlight kills algae
- C.
Algae kill figh
- D.
Algae can only grow in the dark
Correct Answer
A. Algae are pHotosyntheticExplanation
Based on the student's observations, she can conclude that algae are photosynthetic. This is because the shady pond, which received less sunlight, had very little algae, while the pond that received full sunshine had a large quantity of algae. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and algae convert sunlight into energy, and the presence of algae in the pond that received full sunshine suggests that they are able to thrive and grow in the presence of sunlight.Rate this question:
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- 13.
When purpose and white pea plants are crossed, all of the offspring plants have purple flowers. What kinds of plants should Melina's science class get when they cross a tall plant with a short plant? Flower Color Plant HeightDominant Trait Purple TallRecessive Trait White Short
- A.
Half the offspring plants will be short and half will be tall
- B.
All of the offsprint plants will be short
- C.
All of the offsprint plants will be tall
- D.
Half the offspring plants will be medium height and half will be short or tall
Correct Answer
C. All of the offsprint plants will be tallExplanation
When a tall plant is crossed with a short plant, the offspring plants will all be tall. This is because the trait for tallness is dominant over the trait for shortness. Therefore, even though one parent is short, the presence of the tallness trait will result in all of the offspring plants being tall.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which is a learned behavior
- A.
Speaking a language
- B.
Spinning a web
- C.
Migration
- D.
Digestion
Correct Answer
A. Speaking a languageExplanation
Speaking a language is a learned behavior because it is not innate or instinctual. Humans are not born with the ability to speak a language, but rather acquire it through exposure, practice, and learning from others. Language acquisition involves understanding and producing sounds, words, and grammar rules, which requires cognitive development and social interactions. Unlike spinning a web, migration, and digestion, which are instinctual or biologically determined behaviors, speaking a language is a cultural and learned behavior specific to human societies.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Josh is studying hereedity in science class. Which is a trait that Josh inherited from his parents?
- A.
Where he lives
- B.
His eye color
- C.
His age
- D.
His hair length
Correct Answer
B. His eye colorExplanation
Eye color is a trait that is inherited from parents through genetics. It is determined by the combination of genes passed down from both parents.Rate this question:
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- 16.
A researcher decided to cross two flowers of the same species; one has a blue flower and the other has a green one. The researcher finds that the four offspring flowers that result are all blue. A blue flower is the
- A.
Dominant trait
- B.
Recessive Trait
- C.
Carrier
- D.
Not Enough Information is given
Correct Answer
A. Dominant traitExplanation
The researcher crossed two flowers of the same species and found that all four offspring flowers were blue. This suggests that the blue flower trait is dominant over the green flower trait.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Emma saw a show on inherited and learned characteristics. Her mother told her that she inherited her green eyes from her mother's side of the family. Emma wondered which of her characteristics were learned. Which describes a learned characteristic?
- A.
Sneezing
- B.
Having Brown Hair
- C.
TTaking a deep breath
- D.
Playing the Piano
Correct Answer
D. Playing the PianoExplanation
Playing the piano is a learned characteristic because it is a skill that is acquired through practice and education. Unlike sneezing, having brown hair, or taking a deep breath, playing the piano is not an innate or inherited trait. It requires deliberate effort and training to develop the ability to play the piano proficiently.Rate this question:
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- 18.
An offspring does not have traits identical to it's parent. This offspring was produced by
- A.
Regeneration
- B.
Budding
- C.
Fertilization
- D.
Closing
Correct Answer
C. FertilizationExplanation
Fertilization is the process by which the male and female gametes (sperm and egg) fuse together to form a zygote, which develops into an offspring. During fertilization, genetic material from both parents combines, resulting in a unique set of traits in the offspring. This is why an offspring does not have traits identical to its parent. Regeneration and budding are forms of asexual reproduction, where the offspring is genetically identical to the parent. Closing is not a method of reproduction, so it is not relevant to the explanation.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Of the following events, which would be the direct result of a gene expression?
- A.
A dog sitting on command
- B.
A baby born with six fingers
- C.
A man becoming an accomplished pianist
- D.
The length of a girl's hair reaching her shoulders
Correct Answer
B. A baby born with six fingersExplanation
A baby being born with six fingers can be a direct result of gene expression. Gene expression refers to the process by which information from a gene is used to create a functional gene product, such as a protein. In this case, a specific gene or set of genes could be expressed in a way that leads to the development of an extra finger during embryonic development. This trait would be inherited from the baby's parents, as genes are passed down from generation to generation.Rate this question:
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- 20.
By eating an apple a deer could be helping an apple tree reproduce. In this way, the deer is MOST like
- A.
A bear eating honey from a beehive
- B.
Ocean currents carrying the seeds of coconut palms to islands
- C.
A rabbit nibbling on lettuce leaves
- D.
Tree roots cracking open a sidewalk
Correct Answer
B. Ocean currents carrying the seeds of coconut palms to islandsExplanation
The correct answer is ocean currents carrying the seeds of coconut palms to islands. Both the deer eating an apple and the ocean currents carrying coconut palm seeds are examples of animals helping plants reproduce. The deer eats the apple and spreads the seeds through its droppings, while the ocean currents carry the coconut palm seeds to new islands where they can grow and reproduce. Both actions contribute to the dispersal of seeds and the continuation of plant species.Rate this question:
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- 21.
In humans, heredity determines
- A.
Eye color
- B.
Life cycle
- C.
Hair length
- D.
Body weight
Correct Answer
A. Eye colorExplanation
Heredity determines eye color in humans. This means that the genes passed down from parents to their offspring play a role in determining the color of their eyes. Eye color is a heritable trait, meaning it can be inherited from one or both parents. The specific combination of genes inherited from parents will determine the color of an individual's eyes, such as blue, green, brown, or hazel.Rate this question:
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- 22.
An individual who has inherited the gene for a trait but does not physically show it is a
- A.
Pedigree
- B.
Thoroughbred
- C.
Carrier
- D.
Chromosome
Correct Answer
C. CarrierExplanation
An individual who has inherited the gene for a trait but does not physically show it is called a carrier. This means that they possess the gene for a particular trait but do not exhibit any symptoms or physical characteristics associated with that trait. Carriers can pass on the gene to their offspring, increasing the likelihood of the trait being expressed in future generations.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Which is the best example of imprinting?
- A.
Young ducks following their mother
- B.
A young horse beginning to trot
- C.
A baby crying
- D.
A spider learning to build a web
Correct Answer
A. Young ducks following their motherExplanation
Imprinting refers to a behavior in which young animals form a strong attachment to their caregiver shortly after birth or hatching. This attachment is usually based on visual or auditory cues. The best example of imprinting is young ducks following their mother, as they quickly learn to recognize and follow her, even if she is not their biological mother. This behavior ensures their survival and helps them learn important skills from their caregiver.Rate this question:
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Dec 13, 2010Quiz Created by
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