M-STEP Science Inquiry & Data Interpretation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student records the height of a plant every 3 days for 3 weeks. Which type of graph best shows this change over time?
- Bar graph
- Pie chart
- Line graph (Correct answer)
- Scatter plot
Correct answer: Line graph
A line graph is best for showing how a variable changes continuously over time.
Question 2: In an experiment testing whether salt affects water's boiling point, what is the independent variable?
- The boiling point temperature
- The amount of salt added (Correct answer)
- The volume of water
- The type of pot used
Correct answer: The amount of salt added
The independent variable is what the experimenter deliberately changes — in this case, the amount of salt.
Question 3: A scientist runs an experiment three times and gets results of 42°C, 41°C, and 43°C. What do these repeated trials indicate?
- The experiment failed
- The data is not valid
- The results are consistent and reliable (Correct answer)
- The hypothesis was wrong
Correct answer: The results are consistent and reliable
Similar results across repeated trials show the data is consistent and increases confidence in its reliability.
Question 4: Which statement best describes a scientific hypothesis?
- A proven fact about nature
- A guess with no basis
- A testable explanation for an observation (Correct answer)
- A summary of experimental data
Correct answer: A testable explanation for an observation
A hypothesis is a testable, evidence-based prediction or explanation for an observed phenomenon.
Question 5: A data table shows that taller students tend to have larger shoe sizes. This relationship is best described as:
- Causation
- A controlled variable
- A positive correlation (Correct answer)
- A negative correlation
Correct answer: A positive correlation
When both variables increase together, the relationship is a positive correlation.
Question 6: Which tool would a student use to measure the volume of an irregularly shaped rock?
- Ruler
- Balance scale
- Graduated cylinder with water displacement (Correct answer)
- Thermometer
Correct answer: Graduated cylinder with water displacement
Water displacement in a graduated cylinder measures the volume of objects that cannot be calculated by simple formulas.
Question 7: A student's experiment shows results opposite to the hypothesis. What is the best next step?
- Change the data to match the hypothesis
- Ignore the results
- Report the results and revise the hypothesis (Correct answer)
- Repeat the experiment fewer times
Correct answer: Report the results and revise the hypothesis
Unexpected results are still valid; scientists report findings and use them to refine or revise their hypotheses.
M-STEP Science Inquiry & Data Interpretation 2
A student records the height of a plant every 3 days for 3 weeks.
Which type of graph best shows this change over time?