M-STEP Science Inquiry & Data Interpretation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A table shows that as elevation increases, air temperature decreases. Which type of relationship do these variables have?
- No relationship
- Positive correlation
- Negative correlation (Correct answer)
- Causal relationship only
Correct answer: Negative correlation
When one variable increases as the other decreases, they share a negative correlation.
Question 2: A student concludes that studying more hours causes better test scores. Which additional evidence would best support this conclusion?
- A student who studied 1 hour and scored 95%
- Multiple studies showing the same pattern across many students (Correct answer)
- One student's personal report
- A graph with only two data points
Correct answer: Multiple studies showing the same pattern across many students
Multiple studies with consistent results across large groups provide the strongest support for a scientific conclusion.
Question 3: What does it mean if an experiment is described as 'repeatable'?
- The same student can redo it
- Other scientists get similar results using the same procedure (Correct answer)
- The experiment can be done faster next time
- The hypothesis changes with each trial
Correct answer: Other scientists get similar results using the same procedure
Repeatability means that other scientists following the same procedure obtain similar results, which strengthens confidence in the findings.
Question 4: A student measures a pencil as 19 cm long. The actual length is 18.5 cm. Which term describes how close the measurement is to the true value?
- Precision
- Reliability
- Accuracy (Correct answer)
- Validity
Correct answer: Accuracy
Accuracy describes how close a measured value is to the true or accepted value.
Question 5: Which of the following is the best way to communicate scientific findings to others?
- Keep results private until certain
- Share results only if they support the hypothesis
- Publish findings with methods and data for peer review (Correct answer)
- Report results verbally without documentation
Correct answer: Publish findings with methods and data for peer review
Publishing findings with full methods and data allows other scientists to review, replicate, and verify the work.
Question 6: In a data table, which value represents the average of 4, 6, 8, and 6?
- 5
- 6 (Correct answer)
- 7
- 8
Correct answer: 6
The mean is calculated by adding all values (4+6+8+6=24) and dividing by the count (24÷4=6).
Question 7: A student's experiment on plant growth produces different results each time. The most likely cause is:
- The hypothesis is wrong
- Variables were not properly controlled (Correct answer)
- The plants were too similar
- The measuring tool was too accurate
Correct answer: Variables were not properly controlled
Inconsistent results usually indicate that uncontrolled variables are affecting the outcome differently each trial.
M-STEP Science Inquiry & Data Interpretation 5
A table shows that as elevation increases, air temperature decreases.
Which type of relationship do these variables have?