GMAS - Georgia Milestones Assessment System Science and Social Studies Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 5th-grade class is investigating how different Earth surfaces absorb heat. They place thermometers on four different surfaces on a sunny day: asphalt, grass, sand, and a white-painted board. After one hour, they record the temperatures. Which of the following correctly lists the surfaces from MOST likely to be the warmest to the coolest?

Accepted Answer

Asphalt, sand, grass, white board

Answer

This question assesses the 5th-grade science standard related to Earth science and heat absorption. Darker, rougher surfaces like asphalt absorb more solar radiation and heat up the most. Lighter, smoother surfaces like a white board reflect more solar radiation and stay cooler. Sand and grass fall in between, with sand typically getting hotter than grass due to its composition and lower moisture content.

Question 2

Which of the following technological developments had the BIGGEST impact on Georgia's economic growth and westward expansion in the early 1800s?

Accepted Answer

The cotton gin

Answer

This question relates to the 8th-grade social studies standard SS8H4c, which focuses on the impact of technology on Georgia's growth. The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793 dramatically increased the profitability of cotton by making it much easier to separate the seeds from the fiber. This led to a massive expansion of cotton plantations into western Georgia, fueling the state's economy and increasing the demand for land, which in turn drove the removal of Native American tribes.

Question 3

A student observes a chemical reaction in a beaker and notes several changes. Which observation is the strongest evidence that a new substance has formed?

Accepted Answer

A solid substance forms and settles at the bottom.

Answer

According to 5th-grade physical science standards (S5P1c), evidence of a chemical change includes the formation of a new substance. The formation of a solid (a precipitate) from a solution is a clear indication that a new substance with different properties (solubility) has been created. While color change, temperature change, and gas production are also indicators of a chemical reaction, the formation of a precipitate is one of the most definitive pieces of evidence.

Question 4

The establishment of Savannah as the first city in the Georgia colony was made possible by the peaceful cooperation between James Oglethorpe and which Yamacraw chief?

Accepted Answer

Tomochichi

Answer

This question assesses a key part of the 8th-grade social studies standard SS8H2b, which analyzes the relationship between key figures in the founding of Savannah. Tomochichi, the leader of the Yamacraw tribe, befriended James Oglethorpe and granted him permission to establish the settlement of Savannah at Yamacraw Bluff, ensuring a peaceful start to the colony.

Question 5

A student creates a simple circuit with a battery, a switch, and a light bulb. When the student closes the switch, the bulb does not light up. They check that the battery is new and the bulb is not burned out. Which of the following is the MOST likely reason the circuit is not working?

Accepted Answer

The circuit has a gap, making it an open circuit.

Answer

This scenario-based question addresses the 5th-grade science standard S5P2, focusing on electricity and magnetism. For electricity to flow and light the bulb, there must be a continuous, unbroken path, which is a closed circuit. If the bulb and battery are functional, the most probable cause for failure is a break or gap somewhere in the connections, creating an open circuit that prevents the flow of electrons.

(GMAS) Georgia Milestones Assessment System Practice Test

(GMAS) Georgia Milestones Assessment System Practice Test

GMAS - Georgia Milestones Assessment System Science and Social Studies Questions and Answers