LEAP Interpreting Scientific Data 2

Question 1

A bar graph shows plant heights after 4 weeks: Group A (no fertilizer) averaged 12 cm, Group B (fertilizer) averaged 19 cm. What does this data best support?

Accepted Answer

Fertilizer increases plant height

Answer

Group B plants grew taller on average, indicating fertilizer had a positive effect on plant height.

Question 2

A scientist records water temperature in a lake every hour. The data shows temperature rises from 6 AM to 2 PM, then falls until midnight. What type of variable is time in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

Independent variable

Answer

Time is the independent variable because it is deliberately tracked and does not depend on water temperature.

Question 3

Two students measure the length of the same pencil. Student A records 14.2 cm and Student B records 14.8 cm. What is the most likely source of this difference?

Accepted Answer

Measurement error or different reading techniques

Answer

Small differences between measurements of the same object typically result from human measurement error or technique variation.

Question 4

A line graph shows CO₂ levels in the atmosphere from 1960 to 2020. The line slopes consistently upward. What conclusion is best supported?

Accepted Answer

CO₂ levels have steadily increased over 60 years

Answer

A consistently upward-sloping line indicates a steady increase in CO₂ levels over the measured time period.

Question 5

In a table of experimental results, which row shows an outlier if the other rows all show reaction times between 0.20 and 0.25 seconds?

Accepted Answer

Trial 9: 0.87 seconds

Answer

An outlier is a data point far outside the range of the other values; 0.87 seconds is far above the 0.20–0.25 range.

(LEAP) Louisiana Educational Assessment Program Practice Test

(LEAP) Louisiana Educational Assessment Program Practice Test

LEAP Interpreting Scientific Data 2