M-STEP Science Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student notices that plants near a window grow toward the light. Which scientific term describes this response in plants?
- Geotropism
- Phototropism (Correct answer)
- Hydrotropism
- Thigmotropism
Correct answer: Phototropism
Phototropism is the growth response of plants toward or away from light.
Question 2: Which layer of Earth's atmosphere contains the ozone layer that protects life from harmful UV radiation?
- Troposphere
- Mesosphere
- Stratosphere (Correct answer)
- Thermosphere
Correct answer: Stratosphere
The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, approximately 15–35 km above Earth's surface.
Question 3: A ball rolls down a ramp and speeds up. Which best explains why the ball accelerates?
- Air resistance increases its speed
- Gravity pulls it downward along the slope (Correct answer)
- The ball's mass decreases as it moves
- Friction pushes it forward
Correct answer: Gravity pulls it downward along the slope
Gravity exerts a net force along the slope, causing the ball to accelerate as it rolls downward.
Question 4: During photosynthesis, plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in which molecule?
- ATP only
- Glucose (Correct answer)
- Oxygen
- Carbon dioxide
Correct answer: Glucose
Plants store the chemical energy produced during photosynthesis in glucose molecules.
Question 5: Two substances are mixed and a new gas is produced along with a temperature change. This is evidence of a:
- Physical change
- Chemical change (Correct answer)
- Phase transition
- Mixture formation
Correct answer: Chemical change
Gas production and temperature change are signs that a chemical reaction has occurred, creating new substances.
Question 6: Which type of rock is formed when magma cools and solidifies underground?
- Sedimentary
- Metamorphic
- Intrusive igneous (Correct answer)
- Extrusive igneous
Correct answer: Intrusive igneous
Intrusive igneous rock forms when magma cools slowly beneath Earth's surface, forming large crystals.
Question 7: A food web shows that hawks eat rabbits, and rabbits eat grass. If a disease eliminates most rabbits, what is the most likely effect on hawks?
- Hawk population increases
- Hawk population decreases (Correct answer)
- Hawks switch to eating grass
- Hawk population is unaffected
Correct answer: Hawk population decreases
With fewer rabbits available as prey, the hawk population would likely decrease due to reduced food supply.
M-STEP Science Assessment 2
A student notices that plants near a window grow toward the light.
Which scientific term describes this response in plants?