8th Grade Science Released Tests

Astronomers view objects in space through scientific instruments known as —
1. microscopes
2. hygrometers
3. telescopes
4. barometers
Which of the following causes the Sun to appear to set?
1. The revolution of the Sun
2. The rotation of the Earth
3. The revolution of the Earth
4. The rotation of the Sun
Which of the following best describes why the Moon orbits Earth?
1. The distance the Moon and Earth are from the Sun
2. The energy reflected from the surface of Earth
3. The winds generated on Earth by the energy of the Sun
4. The gravitational attraction between the Moon and Earth
Venus, the moon, Mars, and the sun are all visible in our sky. All but one of these reflect light from another source. Which of the following produces its own light?
1. Venus
2. The moon
3. Mars
4. The sun
During which phase does the Moon receive sunlight only on the side facing away from Earth?
1. Full Moon
2. New Moon
3. Waning gibbous
4. Waxing gibbous
According to the chart, on which planet would a ball fall the fastest?
1. Earth
2. Jupiter
3. Neptune
4. Saturn
(2004) Which of these would be the best model to use to study the cause of the moon’s phase changes?
(2004) The force that holds the planets in orbit around the sun is called —
1. motion
2. friction
3. pressure
4. gravity
Earth is different from the other planets in our solar system because it —
1. orbits a star
2. has collided with meteorites
3. has oceans and lakes
4. makes up the majority of the mass of our solar system
(2004) Which of these resources would give the most current, complete and accurate information on planets?
1. Planet website by Round Rock Middle School
2. The NASA website
3. A set of general encyclopedias
4. A science book about the planets
(2004) Which of these has the most influence on ocean tides?
1. The magnetic field of the Earth
2. Gravity between the Earth and the moon
3. Radiation from the sun
4. Electrical forces in the atmosphere
(2003) At which of these points is it 12:00 noon?
1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
(2003) The science of astronomy is concerned with the observation and analysis of the movements of celestial objects. The invention of which instrument was most helpful to the advancement of astronomy?
1. Telescope
2. Microscope
3. Camera
4. Geiger counter
(2003) The time in which Earth makes one revolution around the sun is approximately one —
1. year
2. season
3. month
4. day
(2004) Which body in the solar system usually contains an atmosphere?
1. An asteroid
2. A planet
3. A meteor
4. A comet
OTHER - POLLUTION, WATER CYCLE
1. C
2. C
3. C
4. C
Clouds are formed when millions of drops of water become suspended in the air. Which of the following is a step in the process of cloud formation?
1. Expansion of cold air
2. Formation of carbon dioxide
3. Condensation of water vapor
4. Breakdown of atmospheric ozone
(2003) The loss of which of these would have the least effect on the water cycle?
1. Soil
2. Rivers
3. Animals
4. Plants
Where is water most likely to become contaminated?
1. In a forest
2. By a dam
3. Near a cattle farm
4. At the ocean bottom
It is important to protect air quality because —
1. storms worsen as air pollution decreases
2. acid rain is caused by air pollution
3. wind currents change when the air is polluted
4. energy produced by the Sun decreases when air is polluted
(2004) The quality of air is monitored by the government to determine whether a city needs to take steps to control air pollution. To best measure air quality, the air should be tested —
1. once a year on a day with very little vehicle traffic
2. once a day during rush hour when the most cars are on the road
3. several times a day in all kinds of weather
4. at night when the air is probably less polluted

8th Grade Science Released Tests - Space