DLM Science Literacy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student wants to test whether music tempo affects plant growth. Which variable should be kept the same throughout the experiment?
- The type of music played
- The tempo of the music
- The amount of water each plant receives (Correct answer)
- The number of songs played per day
Correct answer: The amount of water each plant receives
Controlled variables like water amount must remain constant so that any difference in plant growth can be attributed only to music tempo.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of qualitative data?
- The mass of a rock in grams
- The temperature of water in degrees Celsius
- The color of a flame during a combustion reaction (Correct answer)
- The number of heartbeats per minute
Correct answer: The color of a flame during a combustion reaction
Qualitative data describes characteristics or qualities such as color, texture, or smell rather than numerical measurements.
Question 3: When reading a science article, what is the best way to identify whether the source is reliable?
- Check if the article has colorful pictures
- Look for citations, author credentials, and peer review (Correct answer)
- See how many people shared the article online
- Choose the article with the longest title
Correct answer: Look for citations, author credentials, and peer review
Reliable science sources cite their data, are written by credentialed experts, and have been peer-reviewed by other scientists.
Question 4: What is the purpose of repeating an experiment multiple times?
- To make the experiment take longer
- To increase the chance of getting the desired result
- To improve reliability and reduce the effect of random errors (Correct answer)
- To use more materials and resources
Correct answer: To improve reliability and reduce the effect of random errors
Repeating an experiment increases reliability by showing that results are consistent and not due to a single random event.
Question 5: A hypothesis must be:
- Always proven correct at the end of an experiment
- A testable prediction about the relationship between variables (Correct answer)
- Written only after the experiment is complete
- Based on personal opinion without evidence
Correct answer: A testable prediction about the relationship between variables
A hypothesis is a testable, falsifiable prediction that states the expected relationship between an independent and dependent variable.
Question 6: Which of the following represents an inference rather than an observation?
- The sky is cloudy and gray
- The temperature outside is 45°F
- It rained last night because the sidewalk is wet (Correct answer)
- The leaves on the tree are turning orange
Correct answer: It rained last night because the sidewalk is wet
An inference is a logical conclusion based on observations but not directly seen; the wet sidewalk could have other causes, so it is an inference.
Question 7: A scientist studying soil erosion collects data in a creek bed over six months. This type of investigation is best described as:
- A controlled lab experiment
- A field study or observational study (Correct answer)
- A double-blind trial
- A meta-analysis
Correct answer: A field study or observational study
A field or observational study involves collecting data in a natural setting without manipulating variables, which is appropriate for long-term environmental monitoring.
DLM Science Literacy 3
A student wants to test whether music tempo affects plant growth.
Which variable should be kept the same throughout the experiment?