Scientific Investigation Released Questions (SOL 2.1 & 3.1)

A girl kept a plant under a light for 30 days. She measured how tall the plant was every 5 days. The graph shows the results. What conclusion can be drawn from the graph?
(2007 test question)
1. A plant kept under light stays the same size.
2. A plant kept under light gets taller with time.
3. A plant kept under light gets shorter with time.
4. A plant kept under light is hard to measure
Based on the chart, which pickle will MOST likely taste sweet?
(2008 test question)
1. Dill pickles
2. Zesty pickles
3. Candied pickles
4. Pickled peppers
An experiment tests how many minutes students take to finish their lunches in the school cafeteria. The chart shows the average times for grades 3, 4, 5, and 6.

At which grade level do the students spend MOST of the 30-minute lunch period eating their lunches?
(2007 test question)
1. Grade 3
2. Grade 4
3. Grade 5
4. Grade 6
Which graph shows the correct type and number of fish in the fish tank?
(2008 test question)
Which graph BEST shows how many of each fish are in the tank?
(2007 test question)
Students planted two types of bean seeds. Both types of bean plants are measured after two weeks. Which of these questions are they MOST likely trying to answer?
(2010 test question)
1. Which type of bean plant grows faster?
2. Which type of bean plant is prettier?
3. Which type of bean plant tastes better?
4. Which type of bean plant costs more?
Four students measured the distance a ball was kicked. The distances are shown in the table. Which student measured a distance that was much greater than the other measurements?
(2009 test question)
1. Student 1
2. Student 2
3. Student 3
4. Student 4
Students in a class count their pets. All together, they have seven cats, nine dogs, and three fish. Which graph shows the correct number of pets?
(2009 test question)
Students made observations about these toy cars. Which of these BEST describes Car 1 and Car 2?
(2010 test question)
1. Car 1 is heavier than Car 2.
2. Car 2 is darker than Car 1.
3. Car 2 is bigger than Car 1.
4. Car 1 is longer than Car 2.
Based on the picture of this dog, an observation can be made that this animal —
(2010 test question)
1. runs fast
2. barks loudly
3. jumps high
4. has spots
Which of these senses lets Dora know when a skunk has been close to her house?
(2009 test question)
1. Taste
2. Touch
3. Smell
4. Hearing
Which two senses would BEST help a person measure hair length?
(2008 test question)
1. Taste and smell
2. Touch and sight
3. Sight and hearing
4. Smell and hearing
Which sense is used to tell if there is sugar in a glass of tea?
(2007 test question)
1. Touch
2. Hearing
3. Smell
4. Taste
These pictures can be put in order to tell a story. Which of these pictures MOST likely comes last?
(2007 test question)
The drawing compares the size of four different birds. How would you arrange the birds in order from smallest to largest?
(2007 test question)
1. Cardinal, sparrow, crow, dove
2. Sparrow, cardinal, crow, dove
3. Crow, cardinal, dove, sparrow
4. Sparrow, cardinal, dove, crow
Which picture shows objects with shapes MOST alike?
(2008 test question)
Students grew some seeds in a plastic bag. They then took a picture each day to have a record of growth. Which of these is probably the first picture the students took?
(2008 test question)