Hawaii State Assessment (HSA) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Amanda asked a random sample of 40 students from her school to identify their birth month. There are 300 students in her school. Amanda’s data is shown in this table. Which of these statements is best supported by the data?

There are probably more students at Amanda’s school with an April birth month than a July birth month. (Correct answer)
Exactly 25% of the students in Amanda’s school have April as their birth month.
There are probably more students at Amanda’s school with a July birth month than a June birth month.
There are no students in Amanda’s school who have February as a birth month.

Correct answer: There are probably more students at Amanda’s school with an April birth month than a July birth month.

Explanation: Option C is correct, since 27.5% of students are born in April, and only 15% are born in July.

Question 2: In Hawaii State Assessment, what role does continuing education play in number sense?

To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices (Correct answer)
To replace initial certification requirements
To prevent professionals from advancing in their careers
To increase testing frequency for compliance purposes

Correct answer: To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices

Continuing education ensures professionals stay current with new developments, evolving standards, and emerging best practices in their field, maintaining competence throughout their careers.

Question 3: An object has a mass of 50 grams and a volume of 10 cm³. What is its density?

500 g/cm³
60 g/cm³
5 g/cm³ (Correct answer)
0.2 g/cm³

Correct answer: 5 g/cm³

Density equals mass divided by volume: 50 g ÷ 10 cm³ = 5 g/cm³.

Question 4: Which of the following is an example of converting electrical energy into light energy?

A light bulb glowing (Correct answer)
A battery charging
A fan spinning
A car engine running

Correct answer: A light bulb glowing

A light bulb converts electrical energy into light energy (and some heat), making it a direct example of this energy transformation.

Question 5: Which level of biological organization represents the most complex in Hawaii State Assessment earth science?

Ecosystem (Correct answer)
Organ
Cell
Tissue

Correct answer: Ecosystem

The hierarchy from simplest to most complex goes: atom → molecule → cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism → population → community → ecosystem → biosphere.

Question 6: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is the purpose of the scientific method in science?

To replace professional judgment entirely
To provide a systematic approach for investigating questions and testing hypotheses (Correct answer)
To guarantee specific experimental outcomes
To eliminate the need for observation

Correct answer: To provide a systematic approach for investigating questions and testing hypotheses

The scientific method provides a structured, systematic approach for asking questions, forming hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting data, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.

Question 7: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is homeostasis?

A type of immune response
A rapid increase in body temperature
The process of cell division
The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes

Homeostasis is the process by which biological systems maintain internal stability and balance (temperature, pH, glucose levels, etc.) while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Question 8: Which level of biological organization represents the most complex in Hawaii State Assessment science?

Ecosystem (Correct answer)
Organ
Cell
Tissue

Correct answer: Ecosystem

The hierarchy from simplest to most complex goes: atom → molecule → cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism → population → community → ecosystem → biosphere.

Question 9: Which type of wave requires NO medium to travel through?

Electromagnetic waves (Correct answer)
Water waves
Seismic waves
Sound waves

Correct answer: Electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic waves (like light, radio waves, and X-rays) do not require a medium and can travel through the vacuum of space.

Question 10: Two magnets are brought near each other with their north poles facing. What will happen?

They will repel each other (Correct answer)
They will attract each other
They will have no effect on each other
The magnets will lose their magnetism

Correct answer: They will repel each other

Like magnetic poles repel each other; two north poles facing will push away from one another.

Question 11: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is homeostasis?

A rapid increase in body temperature
The process of cell division
A type of immune response
The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes

Homeostasis is the process by which biological systems maintain internal stability and balance (temperature, pH, glucose levels, etc.) while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Question 12: What is the primary purpose of revision in the writing process for Hawaii State Assessment?

To add as many words as possible
To improve clarity, coherence, and overall quality of the content (Correct answer)
To replace all technical terms with simpler words
To change the font and formatting only

Correct answer: To improve clarity, coherence, and overall quality of the content

Revision involves reviewing and rewriting content to improve its clarity, coherence, accuracy, tone, and overall effectiveness, ensuring the writing achieves its intended purpose.

Question 13: Which of the following is NOT a property used to identify a pure substance?

Density
Mass (Correct answer)
Melting point
Boiling point

Correct answer: Mass

Mass is an extensive property that depends on the amount of substance present, while melting point, boiling point, and density are intensive properties that can identify a pure substance.

Question 14: What is the primary function of the mitochondria in cells relevant to Hawaii State Assessment?

To remove waste products
To produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration (Correct answer)
To synthesize proteins
To store genetic information

Correct answer: To produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration

Mitochondria are the "powerhouses" of the cell, converting nutrients into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through cellular respiration, providing the energy needed for cellular functions.

Question 15: In Hawaii State Assessment, why is number sense knowledge important for professional certification?

It has no practical relevance to daily work
It is only required for administrative purposes
It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards (Correct answer)
It is important only for entry-level positions

Correct answer: It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards

Professional certification in specific knowledge areas demonstrates that practitioners have met established competency standards, ensuring quality of service and public protection.

Question 16: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is the purpose of the scientific method in life science?

To provide a systematic approach for investigating questions and testing hypotheses (Correct answer)
To guarantee specific experimental outcomes
To eliminate the need for observation
To replace professional judgment entirely

Correct answer: To provide a systematic approach for investigating questions and testing hypotheses

The scientific method provides a structured, systematic approach for asking questions, forming hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting data, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.

Question 17: What is the difference between active and passive voice in Hawaii State Assessment writing?

There is no meaningful difference in professional writing
Active voice is always informal; passive voice is always formal
Active voice is only used in fiction writing
Active voice: subject performs action; Passive voice: subject receives action (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Active voice: subject performs action; Passive voice: subject receives action

In active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., "The team completed the report"). In passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., "The report was completed by the team"). Active voice is generally clearer and more direct.

Question 18: Judicial Review 1803, in a very important Supreme Court case called Marbury v. Madison, [Chief Justice John] Marshall said the Court could throw out any law passed by Congress if the Court thought that law was unconstitutional. “It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is,” wrote Chief Justice Marshall in that very important case. Marbury v. Madison began a process called “judicial review.” It gave the Supreme Court the power to decide if a law passed by Congress meets the requirements of the Constitution. But who really cares if a law is constitutional or unconstitutional if Congress wants it? Well, imagine that tomorrow Congress passes a law saying you can’t criticize the president. Suppose your mother does that and she goes to jail. That actually happens in some countries. In those countries, people are even afraid to talk to their friends. It happened here in 1798 with the Sedition Act. Judicial review protects all of us. It helps guarantee our freedoms. Judicial review made the Constitution stronger. It made the Supreme Court powerful. It made the Court a real check and balance to the two other government branches. We Americans have always cared about our freedoms, especially the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. John Marshall made sure those rights would be protected—even from Congress and the president. Joy Hakim, the author of the passage, believes that Judicial Review is a positive process. Which of the following sentences from the passage best supports the above statement?

But who really cares if a law is constitutional or unconstitutional if Congress wants it?
In those countries people are even afraid to talk to their friends.
Marbury v. Madison began a process called “judicial review.”
Judicial review protects all of us. (Correct answer)
Well, imagine that tomorrow Congress passes a law saying you can’t criticize the president.

Correct answer: Judicial review protects all of us.

Explanation: In this sentence, Hakim expresses her belief that Judicial Review “protects” people; students can infer that she believes this is a positive thing.

Question 19: What is the primary function of the mitochondria in cells relevant to Hawaii State Assessment?

To produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration (Correct answer)
To store genetic information
To remove waste products
To synthesize proteins

Correct answer: To produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration

Mitochondria are the "powerhouses" of the cell, converting nutrients into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through cellular respiration, providing the energy needed for cellular functions.

Question 20: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is the purpose of a thesis statement in written communication?

To provide biographical information about the author
To summarize the conclusion before the introduction
To clearly state the main argument or point of the writing (Correct answer)
To list all topics that will not be covered

Correct answer: To clearly state the main argument or point of the writing

A thesis statement presents the main argument, claim, or central point of a piece of writing, giving the reader a clear understanding of the purpose and direction of the document.

Question 21: Which of the following correctly describes the Law of Conservation of Energy?

Energy can be destroyed when used
Energy always increases in a system
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed (Correct answer)
Energy can be created from nothing

Correct answer: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant — it can change forms but cannot be created or destroyed.

Question 22: Which approach is most effective for mastering number sense in Hawaii State Assessment?

Relying solely on on-the-job experience
Memorizing textbook definitions without understanding
Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review (Correct answer)
Studying only immediately before examinations

Correct answer: Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review

The most effective approach combines theoretical understanding with practical application, reinforced by regular review and assessment, enabling deeper comprehension and long-term retention.

Question 23: In HSA, what is the most important aspect of advanced concepts?

Memorizing facts without understanding context
Understanding core principles and their practical applications (Correct answer)
Ignoring established best practices
Focusing solely on theoretical frameworks

Correct answer: Understanding core principles and their practical applications

The most important aspect is understanding core principles and how they apply in practice, as this enables effective professional performance.

Question 24: Animals on the Move A good way to learn about animals is to track them from space. Scientists pick individual animals and fit them with lightweight, comfortable radio transmitters. Signals from the transmitters are received by special instruments on certain satellites as they pass overhead. These satellites are operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The polar orbits of the satellites let them see nearly every part of Earth as it rotates below and receive signals from thousands of migrating animals. Which set of words has the same meanings as the “pick” and “fit”? Scientists “pick” individual animals and “fit” them with lightweight, comfortable radio transmitters.

claim , connect
determine , tame
select, equip (Correct answer)
examine, link

Correct answer: select, equip

Explanation: “Select” is a synonym for “pick”; “equip with” is a synonym for “fit with”.

Question 25: Why is interdisciplinary collaboration important in HSA advanced concepts?

Collaboration slows down decision-making without benefits
It is only relevant for research activities
It brings diverse perspectives that enhance problem-solving and outcomes (Correct answer)
Each discipline should work in complete isolation

Correct answer: It brings diverse perspectives that enhance problem-solving and outcomes

Interdisciplinary collaboration combines diverse expertise and perspectives, leading to more comprehensive analysis, creative solutions, and improved outcomes.

Question 26: A wave with a higher frequency will have:

Slower speed
A shorter wavelength (Correct answer)
Greater amplitude
A longer wavelength

Correct answer: A shorter wavelength

In a wave traveling at a constant speed, frequency and wavelength are inversely related — higher frequency means shorter wavelength.

Question 27: If the ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:2 and there are 25 students in total, how many boys are there?

12
9
18
15 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 15

Explanation: Divide the total number of students by the sum of the ratio parts (3 + 2) to find the value of each part. Then, multiply the number of parts representing boys (3) by this value: (3/5) * 25 = 15. So, there are 15 boys in the class.

Question 28: What is the relationship between theory and practice in Hawaii State Assessment number sense?

Practice is only important; theory is unnecessary
Theory and practice are completely unrelated
Theory replaces the need for any practical experience
Theory provides the foundation and framework that guides effective practical application (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Theory provides the foundation and framework that guides effective practical application

Theory and practice are complementary: theoretical knowledge provides the conceptual framework and understanding that guides effective, evidence-based practical application in professional settings.

Question 29: Which of the following is an example of a physical change?

Baking a cake
Burning wood
Rusting iron
Cutting paper (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cutting paper

Cutting paper only changes the shape and size of the material without producing a new substance, making it a physical change.

Question 30: The level of the top of the water in the ocean is considered to be at an altitude of zero (0) feet. ‥ The ocean floor at a particular dive site is − 20 feet. ‥ A diver is located at − 5 feet at that same site. ‥ The captain of a boat is located at an altitude of 15 feet, directly above the diver. When the diver swims to − 10 feet, the diver will be the same distance below the top of the water as the captain is above the top of the water.

False (Correct answer)
True

Correct answer: False

Explanation: When the diver swims to -10 feet, they are 10 feet below the top of the water (which is at 0 feet altitude). At the same time, the captain of the boat remains at an altitude of 15 feet above the top of the water. Therefore, the diver will not be at the same distance below the top of the water as the captain is above it.

Question 31: A company designed two rectangular maps of the same region. These maps are described below. Map 1: The dimensions are 8 inches by 10 inches. The scale is 3/4 mile to 1 inch. Map 2: The dimensions are 4 inches by 5 inches. Which ratio represents the scale on Map 2?

3/4 mile to 1/2 inch (Correct answer)
1/4 mile to 1 inch
1/2 mile to 3/4 inch
3/8 mile to 1 inch

Correct answer: 3/4 mile to 1/2 inch

Explanation: Let's find the scale for Map 2. For Map 1, 1 inch = 3/4 mile. Given that Map 2 has dimensions half of Map 1, its scale will be doubled. So, for Map 2, 1 inch = 3/4 × 2 = 3/2 miles. Therefore, the correct answer is: 3/4 mile to 1/2 inch.

Question 32: When a guitar string vibrates, it produces sound. This sound travels to your ears as:

Electromagnetic waves
Light waves
Radiation
Mechanical waves (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Mechanical waves

Sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium (such as air) to travel through, unlike electromagnetic waves which can travel through a vacuum.

Question 33: In Hawaii State Assessment, what does pH measure?

The viscosity of a solution
The acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14 (Correct answer)
The pressure within a container
The temperature of a liquid

Correct answer: The acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14

pH measures the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, indicating its acidity (pH < 7), neutrality (pH = 7), or alkalinity (pH > 7) on a scale from 0 to 14.

Question 34: In Hawaii State Assessment assessment, what is the primary purpose of identifying the main idea of a passage?

To memorize every detail in the text
To understand the central message or argument the author is conveying (Correct answer)
To identify the publication date
To count the number of paragraphs

Correct answer: To understand the central message or argument the author is conveying

Identifying the main idea helps readers understand the central point or argument of a passage, which is essential for comprehension, critical analysis, and effective communication.

Question 35: In Hawaii State Assessment, what role does continuing education play in social studies?

To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices (Correct answer)
To prevent professionals from advancing in their careers
To increase testing frequency for compliance purposes
To replace initial certification requirements

Correct answer: To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices

Continuing education ensures professionals stay current with new developments, evolving standards, and emerging best practices in their field, maintaining competence throughout their careers.

Question 36: What is the primary objective of number sense in Hawaii State Assessment?

To limit access to the profession
To ensure competence and proficiency in core number sense concepts (Correct answer)
To replace practical experience entirely
To generate revenue for testing organizations

Correct answer: To ensure competence and proficiency in core number sense concepts

The primary objective of number sense knowledge is to ensure practitioners have the competence and proficiency needed to perform effectively and safely in their professional roles.

Question 37: In a class of 30 students, 18 students scored above 80% in a math test. What percentage of the class scored above 80%?

60% (Correct answer)
30%
40%
75%

Correct answer: 60%

Explanation: To find the percentage of students who scored above 80%, divide the number of students who scored above 80% by the total number of students and multiply by 100: (18/30) * 100 = 60%.

Question 38: In Hawaii State Assessment, why is social studies knowledge important for professional certification?

It is only required for administrative purposes
It is important only for entry-level positions
It has no practical relevance to daily work
It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards

Professional certification in specific knowledge areas demonstrates that practitioners have met established competency standards, ensuring quality of service and public protection.

Question 39: In Hawaii State Assessment, what does pH measure?

The pressure within a container
The acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14 (Correct answer)
The temperature of a liquid
The viscosity of a solution

Correct answer: The acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14

pH measures the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, indicating its acidity (pH < 7), neutrality (pH = 7), or alkalinity (pH > 7) on a scale from 0 to 14.

Question 40: A student pushes a box across the floor. The force that opposes this motion is called:

Inertia
Friction (Correct answer)
Gravity
Tension

Correct answer: Friction

Friction is the force that opposes the motion of objects sliding against each other, resisting the push on the box.

Question 41: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is the difference between literal and inferential comprehension?

Literal is more difficult than inferential
There is no meaningful difference between them
Inferential comprehension only applies to fiction
Literal comprehension involves stated facts; inferential requires drawing conclusions from clues (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Literal comprehension involves stated facts; inferential requires drawing conclusions from clues

Literal comprehension involves understanding explicitly stated information, while inferential comprehension requires readers to draw conclusions, make connections, and interpret meaning beyond what is directly stated.

Question 42: Which reading strategy involves making predictions about content before and during reading?

Anticipatory reading or predictive reading (Correct answer)
Memorizing text word by word
Speed reading without comprehension
Reading only the conclusion

Correct answer: Anticipatory reading or predictive reading

Predictive or anticipatory reading involves forming hypotheses about upcoming content based on titles, headings, prior knowledge, and text structure, which increases engagement and comprehension.

Question 43: What is a "control group" in Hawaii State Assessment research?

The group that receives the experimental treatment
A group that does not receive the experimental treatment, serving as a baseline comparison (Correct answer)
A group of researchers overseeing the study
The largest group in any experiment

Correct answer: A group that does not receive the experimental treatment, serving as a baseline comparison

The control group does not receive the experimental treatment or intervention, providing a baseline against which the experimental group's results can be compared to determine the effect of the treatment.

Question 44: The Fox and the Goat A Fox fell into a well, and though it was not very deep, he found that he could not get out again. After he had been in the well a long time, a thirsty Goat came by. The Goat thought the Fox had gone down to drink, so he asked if the water was good. "The finest in the whole country," said the crafty Fox, "jump in and try it. There is more than enough for both of us." The thirsty Goat immediately jumped in and began to drink. The Fox just as quickly jumped on the Goat's back. Then he leaped from the tip of the Goat's horns out of the well. The foolish Goat now saw what he had gotten into. He begged the Fox to help him out. Why did the Fox tell the Goat to come into the well for water?

To share the water with the Goat
To talk to the Goat while stuck
To use the Goat to get out (Correct answer)
To play with the Goat in the well

Correct answer: To use the Goat to get out

Explanation: This option states the true reason that the fox told the goat to come into the well. The inference is conveyed in the details about what the fox did after the goat jumped into the well.

Question 45: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is the purpose of the scientific method in earth science?

To replace professional judgment entirely
To guarantee specific experimental outcomes
To eliminate the need for observation
To provide a systematic approach for investigating questions and testing hypotheses (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To provide a systematic approach for investigating questions and testing hypotheses

The scientific method provides a structured, systematic approach for asking questions, forming hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting data, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.

Question 46: The principal concluded that there was more variability in the number of books sold by Class 1 than Class 2. Which statement is true about the principal’s conclusion?

It is valid because the median for Class 1 is greater than the median for Class 2.
It is invalid because the interquartile range for Class 1 is less than the interquartile range for Class 2.
It is invalid because the minimum value for Class 1 is less than the minimum value for Class 2.
It is valid because the range for Class 1 is greater than the range for Class 2. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It is valid because the range for Class 1 is greater than the range for Class 2.

Explanation: Statement 2 is true about the principal’s conclusion.

Question 47: What role does documentation play in HSA advanced concepts?

It replaces the need for verbal communication
It is only necessary for legal compliance
Documentation is optional and rarely needed
It creates accountability, supports communication, and provides a record for future reference (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It creates accountability, supports communication, and provides a record for future reference

Documentation serves multiple critical purposes: creating accountability, supporting team communication, providing historical records, and enabling quality improvement.

Question 48: In Hawaii State Assessment, what role does continuing education play in critical thinking?

To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices (Correct answer)
To prevent professionals from advancing in their careers
To increase testing frequency for compliance purposes
To replace initial certification requirements

Correct answer: To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices

Continuing education ensures professionals stay current with new developments, evolving standards, and emerging best practices in their field, maintaining competence throughout their careers.

Question 49: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is sampling bias?

Using the largest possible sample size
Randomly selecting participants from the entire population
Selecting a perfectly representative sample
A systematic error where some members of a population are more likely to be selected than others (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A systematic error where some members of a population are more likely to be selected than others

Sampling bias occurs when the method of selecting participants systematically favors certain characteristics over others, resulting in a sample that does not accurately represent the target population.

Question 50: What is a best practice in Hawaii State Assessment critical thinking?

Any practice that is easy to implement
The cheapest available approach
A practice used only by large organizations
A method or technique recognized as superior based on evidence and expert consensus (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A method or technique recognized as superior based on evidence and expert consensus

Best practices are methods, techniques, or approaches that are recognized through evidence, research, and expert consensus as producing superior results and are recommended for adoption.

Question 51: What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research in Hawaii State Assessment?

Qualitative explores experiences and meanings; quantitative measures and counts numerical data (Correct answer)
Qualitative is always more rigorous than quantitative
Quantitative cannot be used in social sciences
There is no meaningful difference between them

Correct answer: Qualitative explores experiences and meanings; quantitative measures and counts numerical data

Qualitative research explores experiences, perceptions, and meanings through methods like interviews and observation. Quantitative research measures variables numerically through surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis.

Question 52: An inclined plane reduces the effort needed to move an object by:

Eliminating friction completely
Spreading the work over a longer distance (Correct answer)
Decreasing the distance traveled
Increasing the speed of the object

Correct answer: Spreading the work over a longer distance

An inclined plane allows a smaller force to be applied over a longer distance to achieve the same amount of work as lifting an object straight up.

Question 53: In Hawaii State Assessment, why is critical thinking knowledge important for professional certification?

It is only required for administrative purposes
It is important only for entry-level positions
It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards (Correct answer)
It has no practical relevance to daily work

Correct answer: It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards

Professional certification in specific knowledge areas demonstrates that practitioners have met established competency standards, ensuring quality of service and public protection.

Question 54: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is homeostasis?

A rapid increase in body temperature
The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes (Correct answer)
A type of immune response
The process of cell division

Correct answer: The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes

Homeostasis is the process by which biological systems maintain internal stability and balance (temperature, pH, glucose levels, etc.) while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Question 55: At what temperature does water boil at standard atmospheric pressure?

50°C
212°F only
0°C
100°C (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 100°C

Water boils at 100°C (which is also 212°F) at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm or 101.325 kPa).

Question 56: Light travels from air into water and bends. This bending of light is called:

Reflection
Absorption
Refraction (Correct answer)
Diffraction

Correct answer: Refraction

Refraction is the bending of light (or any wave) when it passes from one medium to another with a different density, changing its speed and direction.

Question 57: What is a controlled variable in an experiment related to Hawaii State Assessment?

A factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment (Correct answer)
The variable that is intentionally changed
The outcome that is measured
A variable that changes randomly

Correct answer: A factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment

Controlled variables (constants) are factors that are deliberately kept the same throughout an experiment to ensure that any observed changes are due to the independent variable being tested.

Question 58: What is the purpose of peer review in Hawaii State Assessment data analysis?

To guarantee that all research is approved
To have qualified experts evaluate research quality before publication (Correct answer)
To speed up the publication process
To allow friends to proofread for spelling errors

Correct answer: To have qualified experts evaluate research quality before publication

Peer review involves independent evaluation of research by qualified experts in the field, assessing methodology, validity, significance, and contribution to knowledge before publication.

Question 59: According to Newton's First Law of Motion, an object at rest will:

Slow down due to gravity
Always accelerate downward
Stay at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force (Correct answer)
Begin moving on its own over time

Correct answer: Stay at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force

Newton's First Law (inertia) states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless an unbalanced (net) force acts on it.

Question 60: What is a controlled variable in an experiment related to Hawaii State Assessment?

The outcome that is measured
A factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment (Correct answer)
A variable that changes randomly
The variable that is intentionally changed

Correct answer: A factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment

Controlled variables (constants) are factors that are deliberately kept the same throughout an experiment to ensure that any observed changes are due to the independent variable being tested.

Question 61: When you mix baking soda and vinegar together, bubbles form and the temperature drops. This is most likely a:

Chemical change (Correct answer)
Nuclear reaction
Physical change
Change of state

Correct answer: Chemical change

The formation of bubbles (a new gas) and a temperature change are signs that new substances have been produced, indicating a chemical change.

Question 62: In HSA, what is the relationship between standards and advanced concepts?

Standards are suggestions that can be freely ignored
Standards only apply to entry-level professionals
There is no relationship between standards and practice
Standards provide the framework and benchmarks that guide professional practice (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Standards provide the framework and benchmarks that guide professional practice

Professional standards establish the framework, benchmarks, and expectations that guide practice, ensuring consistency, quality, and accountability.

Question 63: In Hawaii State Assessment, what is the purpose of a literature review in data analysis?

To determine the budget for the study
To copy findings from other researchers
To survey existing research and identify gaps that the current study addresses (Correct answer)
To list all publications by a single author

Correct answer: To survey existing research and identify gaps that the current study addresses

A literature review surveys and synthesizes existing research on a topic, establishing what is already known, identifying gaps or inconsistencies, and providing context and justification for the current study.

Question 64: What is the primary function of the mitochondria in cells relevant to Hawaii State Assessment?

To synthesize proteins
To produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration (Correct answer)
To remove waste products
To store genetic information

Correct answer: To produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration

Mitochondria are the "powerhouses" of the cell, converting nutrients into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through cellular respiration, providing the energy needed for cellular functions.

Question 65: In Hawaii State Assessment, what does "statistical significance" mean?

The study used a large sample size
The result is practically important in real-world terms
The findings confirm the researcher's hypothesis
The result is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone (typically p < 0.05) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The result is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone (typically p < 0.05)

Statistical significance indicates that an observed result is unlikely to have occurred by random chance, typically when the p-value is less than 0.05 (5% probability of occurring by chance).

Question 66: Which approach is most effective for mastering social studies in Hawaii State Assessment?

Memorizing textbook definitions without understanding
Studying only immediately before examinations
Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review (Correct answer)
Relying solely on on-the-job experience

Correct answer: Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review

The most effective approach combines theoretical understanding with practical application, reinforced by regular review and assessment, enabling deeper comprehension and long-term retention.

Question 67: What is the relationship between theory and practice in Hawaii State Assessment critical thinking?

Theory replaces the need for any practical experience
Theory provides the foundation and framework that guides effective practical application (Correct answer)
Theory and practice are completely unrelated
Practice is only important; theory is unnecessary

Correct answer: Theory provides the foundation and framework that guides effective practical application

Theory and practice are complementary: theoretical knowledge provides the conceptual framework and understanding that guides effective, evidence-based practical application in professional settings.

Question 68: Excerpt from Gary Soto’s novel Summer on Wheels. Bentley sat at the kitchen table running an ice cube back and forth across the knot on his forehead. The knot was like a speed bump. The ice cube glided across smooth skin before it jumped up and over the knot. Bentley whimpered like the puppy he was. He had flown over the handlebars and not only hurt his head but also scraped his elbows and chin. And the air left his lungs when he belly-flopped. It took a full minute before he could get enough air back into his system to complain, “Golly, that smarted. Bentley feels hurt and upset after falling off his bike. Which of the following sentences from the passage best supports this statement?

The ice cube glided across smooth skin before it jumped up and over the knot.
And the air left his lungs when he belly-flopped.
Bentley whimpered like the puppy he was. (Correct answer)
Bentley sat at the kitchen table running an ice cube back and forth across the knot on his forehead.

Correct answer: Bentley whimpered like the puppy he was.

Explanation: The word “whimpered” suggests that Bentley feels unhappy and that his injuries are painful, and the description of him as a “puppy” makes him seem vulnerable and sensitive.

Question 69: Duke Ellington's Early Years Duke Ellington was born in 1899 in Washington, D.C., and from an early age he loved music. When he was four years old, he listened to his mother play a popular piano tune called "The Rosary" and he cried, saying, "It was so pretty. So pretty." Not long after that, at the age of seven, he began to play piano himself. It seems that he knew he was going to go places. He told his next-door neighbor, Mr. Pinn, "One of these days I'm going to be famous." At age 15, Ellington worked at a soda fountain and wrote his first song, "Soda Fountain Rag." By his late teens, he was making enough money to help his parents move into a better house. One of Ellington's first professional gigs was a party where he played so long that his hand bled. He earned 75 cents. "It was the most money I had ever seen," he said. "I rushed all the way home to my mother with it. But I could not touch a piano key for weeks. . . " What does this idiom mean in the first sentence: “It seems that he knew he was going to go places.”

Ellington was determined to become a recognized entertainer. (Correct answer)
Ellington was prepared to visit many cities around the world.
Ellington was anxious to leave the home where he grew up.
Ellington was eager to work to earn money to help his parents.

Correct answer: Ellington was determined to become a recognized entertainer.

Explanation: The idiom means that he realized that he was going to become famous as a musician and entertainer.

Question 70: Which level of biological organization represents the most complex in Hawaii State Assessment life science?

Ecosystem (Correct answer)
Organ
Tissue
Cell

Correct answer: Ecosystem

The hierarchy from simplest to most complex goes: atom → molecule → cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism → population → community → ecosystem → biosphere.

Question 71: Which approach is most effective for mastering critical thinking in Hawaii State Assessment?

Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review (Correct answer)
Relying solely on on-the-job experience
Memorizing textbook definitions without understanding
Studying only immediately before examinations

Correct answer: Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review

The most effective approach combines theoretical understanding with practical application, reinforced by regular review and assessment, enabling deeper comprehension and long-term retention.

Question 72: In Hawaii State Assessment, what does pH measure?

The viscosity of a solution
The acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14 (Correct answer)
The pressure within a container
The temperature of a liquid

Correct answer: The acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14

pH measures the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, indicating its acidity (pH < 7), neutrality (pH = 7), or alkalinity (pH > 7) on a scale from 0 to 14.

Question 73: In art class, Marvin painted tiles to use for a project. For every 5 tiles he painted blue, he painted 8 tiles green. Identify the equivalent ratio(s) of blue tiles to green tiles.

60:96 (Correct answer)
40:25
50:800
20:23

Correct answer: 60:96

Explanation: 60:96 is an equivalent ratio of blue tiles to green tiles.

Question 74: What is the primary objective of critical thinking in Hawaii State Assessment?

To replace practical experience entirely
To limit access to the profession
To generate revenue for testing organizations
To ensure competence and proficiency in core critical thinking concepts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To ensure competence and proficiency in core critical thinking concepts

The primary objective of critical thinking knowledge is to ensure practitioners have the competence and proficiency needed to perform effectively and safely in their professional roles.

Hawaii State Assessment (HSA)

The Hawaii State Assessment (HSA) measures student proficiency in Mathematics and Science, including Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science, aligned to Hawaii Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards for grades 5, 8, and high school.

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

65%

To Pass

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

eoc.alohahsap.org — Exam dates, test dates · verified Oct 2026
hsa.alohahsap.org — Test dates · verified Oct 2026
smarterbalanced.alohahsap.org — Test dates · verified Oct 2026
hawaiipublicschools.org — Test delivery, eligibility, score release, time limit · verified Oct 2026