ITBS Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) 8th Grade 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the main purpose of the United States Constitution?
- To declare independence from Britain
- To establish the framework of the federal government (Correct answer)
- To outline the rights of individual states only
- To create a system of taxation
Correct answer: To establish the framework of the federal government
The Constitution establishes the structure, powers, and limits of the federal government.
Question 2: Simplify: (2³ × 2⁴) ÷ 2²
- 2³
- 2⁵ (Correct answer)
- 2⁷
- 2⁹
Correct answer: 2⁵
2³ × 2⁴ = 2⁷; then 2⁷ ÷ 2² = 2⁵.
Question 3: A passage states: 'Despite the drought, the farmers remained optimistic about the harvest.' What does 'optimistic' mean in context?
- Worried about the future
- Hopeful about a positive outcome (Correct answer)
- Uncertain about decisions
- Angry about conditions
Correct answer: Hopeful about a positive outcome
Optimistic means having a positive expectation or hopefulness about the future.
Question 4: Which process do plants use to convert sunlight into food?
- Respiration
- Transpiration
- Photosynthesis (Correct answer)
- Fermentation
Correct answer: Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose.
Question 5: A rectangle has a length of 14 cm and a width of 9 cm. What is its area?
- 46 cm²
- 63 cm²
- 126 cm² (Correct answer)
- 112 cm²
Correct answer: 126 cm²
Area = length × width = 14 × 9 = 126 cm².
Question 6: Which sentence uses the correct form of the word in parentheses? (affect/effect)
- The cold weather will effect her performance.
- Her performance was affectd by the cold.
- The cold weather will affect her performance. (Correct answer)
- The affect of cold is tiredness.
Correct answer: The cold weather will affect her performance.
'Affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is typically a noun meaning a result.
Question 7: What is the probability of rolling a number greater than 4 on a standard six-sided die?
- 1/6
- 1/3 (Correct answer)
- 1/2
- 2/3
Correct answer: 1/3
Numbers greater than 4 are 5 and 6 — that's 2 outcomes out of 6, which simplifies to 1/3.
ITBS Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) 8th Grade 3
Which of the following best describes the main purpose of the United States Constitution?