LEAP - Louisiana Educational Assessment Program Interpreting Scientific Data Questions and Answers

Question 1

A group of students conducted an experiment to determine how the temperature of water affects the time it takes for a sugar cube to dissolve. They tested four different water temperatures and recorded the dissolving time for each. Their results are displayed in the table below.

| Water Temperature (°C) | Time to Dissolve (seconds) |
|-----------------------|----------------------------|
| 20                    | 150                        |
| 40                    | 90                         |
| 60                    | 45                         |
| 80                    | 20                         |

Which statement is the most valid conclusion based on the data?

Accepted Answer

As the water temperature increases, the time it takes for the sugar cube to dissolve decreases.

Answer

The size of the sugar cube affects the dissolving time.

Answer

Sugar dissolves fastest at a temperature of 60°C.

Answer

Stirring the water is necessary for the sugar to dissolve.

Question 2

A scientist is studying the effect of different types of soil on the growth of bean plants. She plants identical bean seeds in pots containing either sandy soil, clay soil, or loam. Each pot is placed in the same location to receive the same amount of sunlight and is given the same amount of water each day. After four weeks, she measures the height of each plant. In this experiment, what is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

The height of the bean plants.

Answer

The amount of water given to each plant.

Answer

The type of soil used in each pot.

Answer

The amount of sunlight each plant receives.

Question 3

The graph below shows the population of deer and wolves in a particular ecosystem over a 50-year period. Which of the following is the most reasonable inference that can be made from this graph?

(Image of a line graph with two lines. The 'Deer' line shows cyclical peaks and valleys. The 'Wolf' line also shows cyclical peaks and valleys, but its peaks consistently occur shortly after the deer population peaks, and its valleys occur after the deer population valleys.)

Accepted Answer

The wolf population is a predator of the deer population, and their populations are linked.

Answer

An increase in the deer population causes a decrease in the wolf population.

Answer

The deer and wolf populations compete for the same food source.

Answer

The populations of deer and wolves are unrelated to each other.

Question 4

A student measures the temperature of a classroom every hour for one school day and creates a line graph of the data. The student concludes, 'The temperature in a classroom always increases between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.' Why is this conclusion potentially invalid?

Accepted Answer

The data was collected on only one day, which is not enough evidence to make a general statement.

Answer

The student should have used a bar graph instead of a line graph.

Answer

The student did not measure the temperature outside the classroom.

Answer

The conclusion is too specific to the hours of a school day.

Question 5

A bar chart displays the average annual rainfall for four different cities. City A: 15 inches, City B: 45 inches, City C: 30 inches, City D: 15 inches. Which statement accurately compares the data presented in the chart?

Accepted Answer

City A and City D have the same average annual rainfall.

Answer

City B receives less rainfall than City C.

Answer

City C has the highest average annual rainfall.

Answer

All four cities have a similar average annual rainfall.

Question 6

Researchers found a strong positive correlation between the number of hours students spend studying for a test and their scores on that test. Based on this correlation, which is the most appropriate conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Spending more time studying is likely to lead to a higher test score.

Answer

All students who study for many hours will get high scores.

Answer

Studying causes students to perform well on all tests.

Answer

Students who get high scores are naturally better at studying.