PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a renewable energy source?

Natural gas (Correct answer)
Solar energy
Wind energy
Hydropower

Correct answer: Natural gas

Natural gas is a fossil fuel, making it a nonrenewable energy source that cannot be replenished on a human timescale.

Question 2: What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength for waves traveling at the same speed?

Higher frequency means shorter wavelength (Correct answer)
Frequency and wavelength are independent of each other
Frequency and wavelength are always equal
Higher frequency means longer wavelength

Correct answer: Higher frequency means shorter wavelength

For waves traveling at the same speed, higher frequency corresponds to shorter wavelength (speed = frequency × wavelength).

Question 3: Which type of rock is formed when magma cools and solidifies?

Metamorphic rock
Composite rock
Sedimentary rock
Igneous rock (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Igneous rock

Igneous rock forms when magma (molten rock) cools and solidifies either above or below Earth's surface.

Question 4: Which of the following is an example of an informational text structure that presents a problem and its solution?

A timeline of historical events
An article explaining how pollution causes health issues and what communities can do (Correct answer)
A story told from a first-person perspective
A poem comparing two seasons

Correct answer: An article explaining how pollution causes health issues and what communities can do

Problem-solution structure identifies an issue and then presents ways to address it, as in the pollution health article example.

Question 5: What is the conflict in a story?

The part of the story where tension is highest
The struggle or problem that drives the plot forward (Correct answer)
The final resolution of the story's events
The setting that creates obstacles for the characters

Correct answer: The struggle or problem that drives the plot forward

Conflict is the central struggle or problem that drives the plot of a story, which may be between characters, within a character, or between a character and nature/society.

Question 6: A rectangle has a length of 12 cm and a width of 7 cm. What is the area of the rectangle?

84 cm² (Correct answer)
76 cm²
38 cm²
19 cm²

Correct answer: 84 cm²

Area of a rectangle = length × width = 12 × 7 = 84 cm².

Question 7: What is the difference between a complete sentence and a sentence fragment?

A complete sentence has a subject; a fragment has both subject and predicate
A complete sentence has a subject and predicate and expresses a complete thought; a fragment is missing one of these (Correct answer)
A complete sentence is longer; a fragment is shorter
A complete sentence ends with a period; a fragment ends with a comma

Correct answer: A complete sentence has a subject and predicate and expresses a complete thought; a fragment is missing one of these

A complete sentence must have a subject and predicate and express a complete thought; a fragment is missing one or more of these elements.

Question 8: What is a solar system?

A group of galaxies bound by gravity
A star and all the objects that orbit around it due to gravity (Correct answer)
The zone between two galaxies
A cluster of stars with similar properties

Correct answer: A star and all the objects that orbit around it due to gravity

A solar system consists of a star and all the objects, including planets, moons, and asteroids, that orbit it due to gravity.

Question 9: What can be used in an evaluative essay when presenting a controversial viewpoint?

By using jargons.
By presenting counterarguments. (Correct answer)
Justifying your own opinion's validity
By presenting only your arguments.

Correct answer: By presenting counterarguments.

Explanation: By presenting counterarguments, you are presenting an opinion that might be controversial.

Question 10: A line plot shows the number of books read: × above 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. There are 3 X's above 3 and 2 X's above 5. What does this data tell us?

Most students read 5 books
No students read 4 books
More students read 3 books than 5 books (Correct answer)
Equal students read 3 and 5 books

Correct answer: More students read 3 books than 5 books

The 3 X's above 3 compared to 2 X's above 5 show that more students read exactly 3 books than 5 books.

Question 11: In PSSA reading tasks, what is the best strategy when you encounter an unfamiliar word?

Use context clues from surrounding sentences and any familiar word parts (Correct answer)
Guess randomly and move on to save time
Skip the word and continue reading
Stop reading and look up the word in a dictionary

Correct answer: Use context clues from surrounding sentences and any familiar word parts

The best strategy is to use context clues from surrounding text and analyze word parts (prefixes, suffixes, roots) to determine meaning.

Question 12: What is the difference between a vertebrate and an invertebrate?

Vertebrates have a backbone; invertebrates do not (Correct answer)
Vertebrates are warm-blooded; invertebrates are cold-blooded
Vertebrates live on land; invertebrates live in water
Vertebrates reproduce sexually; invertebrates reproduce asexually

Correct answer: Vertebrates have a backbone; invertebrates do not

Vertebrates have a backbone (vertebral column), while invertebrates lack this internal skeletal structure.

Question 13: What is the difference between reflection and refraction of light?

Reflection is the bouncing of light off a surface; refraction is the bending of light as it passes between media (Correct answer)
Reflection is bending of light; refraction is bouncing of light
Reflection occurs underwater; refraction occurs in air
Reflection absorbs light; refraction emits light

Correct answer: Reflection is the bouncing of light off a surface; refraction is the bending of light as it passes between media

Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface, while refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.

Question 14: Which of the following best describes the rock cycle?

The movement of rocks through ocean currents
The process by which rocks are mined and refined
The cycle of volcanic eruptions over geological time
The continuous transformation of rocks from one type to another over time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The continuous transformation of rocks from one type to another over time

The rock cycle describes the continuous processes by which rocks transform between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic types over long periods.

Question 15: What does the periodic table organize elements by?

Increasing atomic number and similar chemical properties (Correct answer)
Alphabetical order by element name
The order in which elements were discovered
Decreasing mass from left to right

Correct answer: Increasing atomic number and similar chemical properties

The periodic table organizes elements in order of increasing atomic number, with elements in the same column sharing similar chemical properties.

Question 16: On a coordinate plane, in which quadrant is the point (−4, 3) located?

Quadrant II (Correct answer)
Quadrant I
Quadrant III
Quadrant IV

Correct answer: Quadrant II

Quadrant II has negative x-values and positive y-values, which matches (−4, 3).

Question 17: A cylinder has a radius of 5 cm and a height of 10 cm. Using π ≈ 3.14, what is its volume?

250 cm³
785 cm³ (Correct answer)
1,570 cm³
314 cm³

Correct answer: 785 cm³

V = πr²h = 3.14 × 25 × 10 = 785 cm³.

Question 18: What does 'figurative language' mean?

Language used only in poetry, not prose
Language that uses imaginative expressions that go beyond literal meaning (Correct answer)
Words and phrases used in their literal, dictionary definitions
Language that uses only formal vocabulary

Correct answer: Language that uses imaginative expressions that go beyond literal meaning

Figurative language uses imaginative expressions — such as metaphors, similes, and personification — that go beyond the literal meaning of words.

Question 19: What is the theme of a literary work?

A brief summary of the plot events
The setting where the story takes place
The central message or underlying meaning of a work (Correct answer)
The main character's problem in the story

Correct answer: The central message or underlying meaning of a work

The theme is the central message or insight about life that the author wants to communicate through the literary work.

Question 20: Which sentence is written in the active voice?

The book was read by Maria.
Maria read the book. (Correct answer)
The homework was finished by the students.
The trophy was won by the team.

Correct answer: Maria read the book.

Active voice has the subject performing the action: Maria (subject) read (verb) the book (object).

Question 21: Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?

Neither the dogs nor the cat are hungry.
The team are playing well.
Each of the students have a pencil.
The group of scientists is conducting research. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The group of scientists is conducting research.

When a collective noun like 'group' acts as a single unit, it takes a singular verb such as 'is.'

Question 22: Which of the following describes a chemical change?

Iron rusting (Correct answer)
Paper being torn into pieces
Ice melting into water
Sugar dissolving in water

Correct answer: Iron rusting

Iron rusting is a chemical change because it involves a chemical reaction that creates a new substance (iron oxide).

Question 23: What is the main idea of a passage?

A specific detail that supports the argument
The first sentence of every paragraph
The central point or most important message the author wants to convey (Correct answer)
The final conclusion stated in the last paragraph

Correct answer: The central point or most important message the author wants to convey

The main idea is the central point or most important message the author intends to communicate throughout the passage.

Question 24: What is point of view in literature?

The time period in which the story takes place
The perspective from which the story is narrated (Correct answer)
The conflict between the main character and antagonist
The author's opinion on the story's topic

Correct answer: The perspective from which the story is narrated

Point of view refers to the perspective from which the story is told, such as first person (I/we), second person (you), or third person (he/she/they).

Question 25: What is the role of ribosomes in a cell?

To store genetic information
To synthesize (build) proteins (Correct answer)
To transport materials throughout the cell
To produce energy through respiration

Correct answer: To synthesize (build) proteins

Ribosomes are the cellular structures responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA.

Question 26: Mary was three times as old as Mark was five years ago. If Mark is 10 years old now, how old is Mary?

25
20 (Correct answer)
15
10

Correct answer: 20

Explanation: Mary was three times as old as Mark five years ago. Mark is 10 years old now. Therefore, 5 years ago Mark was just 5 years old. Five years ago, Mary was: A = 3 × 5 = 15 15 + 5 = 20 So Mary is 20 years old now.

Question 27: What causes ocean tides?

Earth's rotation creating centrifugal force
Wind pushing water toward coastlines
The gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on Earth's oceans (Correct answer)
Temperature differences between ocean regions

Correct answer: The gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on Earth's oceans

Ocean tides are caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the Moon (and to a lesser extent the Sun) on Earth's oceans.

Question 28: What are the three states of matter?

Dense, fluid, gaseous
Solid, liquid, gas (Correct answer)
Liquid, vapor, crystal
Solid, liquid, plasma

Correct answer: Solid, liquid, gas

The three common states of matter are solid (fixed shape and volume), liquid (fixed volume, variable shape), and gas (variable shape and volume).

Question 29: What is metamorphic rock?

Rock that has been transformed by heat and pressure (Correct answer)
Rock formed from compacted sediments
Rock that forms on the ocean floor
Rock formed from cooled magma

Correct answer: Rock that has been transformed by heat and pressure

Metamorphic rock forms when existing rocks are subjected to intense heat and pressure, changing their mineral composition and structure.

Question 30: What is biodiversity?

The process of classifying organisms into groups
The variety of different species and ecosystems in an area (Correct answer)
The rate at which species evolve over time
The study of living organisms

Correct answer: The variety of different species and ecosystems in an area

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life, including the diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems in a given area.

Question 31: What is the setting of a story?

The central problem or conflict
The sequence of events from beginning to end
The time and place in which the story occurs (Correct answer)
The main character's personality traits

Correct answer: The time and place in which the story occurs

The setting is the time and place where a story takes place, which can significantly affect mood, character, and plot.

Question 32: What type of cell division produces reproductive cells (sperm and eggs)?

Mitosis
Binary fission
Budding
Meiosis (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Meiosis

Meiosis is the type of cell division that produces reproductive cells (gametes) with half the normal number of chromosomes.

Question 33: What is the function of the nucleus in a cell?

To package proteins for export
To regulate materials entering and leaving the cell
To produce energy for the cell
To control the cell's activities and store DNA (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To control the cell's activities and store DNA

The nucleus serves as the control center of the cell, containing DNA and directing cellular activities.

Question 34: When writing an opinion piece, what must you include to support your claims?

Only statements that everyone agrees with
A list of rules you are following
Evidence, reasons, and examples that logically support your opinion (Correct answer)
Personal feelings and emotions only

Correct answer: Evidence, reasons, and examples that logically support your opinion

A strong opinion piece requires evidence, reasons, and examples to logically support and convince the reader of your claim.

Question 35: What is the correct way to punctuate a direct quotation?

Enclose the speaker's exact words in quotation marks and use a comma to separate from the attribution (Correct answer)
Place an apostrophe before and after the quoted words
Place quotation marks only at the start of the quote
Use brackets around the entire quotation

Correct answer: Enclose the speaker's exact words in quotation marks and use a comma to separate from the attribution

Direct quotations are enclosed in quotation marks, with the quoted words separated from the attribution (he said/she said) by a comma.

Question 36: A stem-and-leaf plot shows stems of 4, 5, 6, and 7 with leaves. What does the stem 5 | 3 7 represent?

The numbers 53 and 57 (Correct answer)
The numbers 5, 3, and 7
The numbers 35 and 75
The numbers 5 and 37

Correct answer: The numbers 53 and 57

In a stem-and-leaf plot, stem 5 with leaves 3 and 7 represents the values 53 and 57.

Question 37: What are transition words used for in writing?

To provide definitions of technical vocabulary
To connect ideas and guide the reader from one thought to the next (Correct answer)
To signal the end of an essay
To introduce new characters in a story

Correct answer: To connect ideas and guide the reader from one thought to the next

Transition words and phrases connect ideas and guide readers smoothly from one sentence or paragraph to the next.

Question 38: What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?

A simile describes a person; a metaphor describes a place
A simile uses 'like' or 'as' to compare; a metaphor compares without using those words (Correct answer)
A simile is used in poetry; a metaphor is used in prose
A simile compares unlike things directly; a metaphor uses 'like' or 'as'

Correct answer: A simile uses 'like' or 'as' to compare; a metaphor compares without using those words

A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as,' while a metaphor makes a direct comparison without those words.

Question 39: What is the function of an adjective?

To describe or modify a noun or pronoun (Correct answer)
To modify a verb or adverb
To show the action performed by the subject
To connect two independent clauses

Correct answer: To describe or modify a noun or pronoun

An adjective modifies (describes) a noun or pronoun, providing more information about its qualities.

Question 40: What is an inference in reading comprehension?

A definition of a difficult vocabulary word
A summary of the entire passage
A conclusion drawn using evidence from the text and prior knowledge (Correct answer)
A direct quote from the text

Correct answer: A conclusion drawn using evidence from the text and prior knowledge

An inference is a logical conclusion drawn by combining evidence from the text with the reader's own background knowledge.

Question 41: Which of the following describes a conductor?

A material used to store electrical charge
A material that allows electricity to flow freely through it (Correct answer)
A material that blocks the flow of electricity
A material that converts electricity to light

Correct answer: A material that allows electricity to flow freely through it

A conductor is a material that allows electric charges to flow freely, such as copper wire.

Question 42: What does the term 'light-year' measure?

The brightness of a star
The distance light travels in one year (Correct answer)
The age of a star
The time it takes for light to reach Earth from the Sun

Correct answer: The distance light travels in one year

A light-year is the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers.

Question 43: What is the difference between a narrative essay and an informational essay?

Both types of essays are structurally identical
A narrative essay uses formal language; an informational essay uses informal language
A narrative essay tells a story, often from personal experience; an informational essay explains or informs (Correct answer)
A narrative essay uses facts; an informational essay uses opinions

Correct answer: A narrative essay tells a story, often from personal experience; an informational essay explains or informs

A narrative essay tells a personal story with a beginning, middle, and end, while an informational essay explains, describes, or informs using facts and evidence.

Question 44: When asked to 'analyze' a text on the PSSA, what are students expected to do?

Examine how different elements work together to create meaning and support ideas (Correct answer)
Retell the story in order from beginning to end
Write a creative story inspired by the text
Memorize important quotations from the passage

Correct answer: Examine how different elements work together to create meaning and support ideas

Analyzing a text means examining how its elements—structure, word choice, evidence—work together to develop meaning and support the author's purpose.

Question 45: A math teacher goes shopping and sets his budget using the following: {x | x > 50 and x < 75} where x is the amount he will spend. Which of the following is within his budget?

$40
$75
$45
$55 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $55

Explanation: The amount must be greater than 50, and less than 75. $55 is the only number that meets the parameters.

Question 46: What is the primary cause of wind?

Earth's rotation
Ocean currents transferring energy to the atmosphere
The Moon's gravitational pull
Differences in air pressure caused by uneven heating of Earth's surface (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Differences in air pressure caused by uneven heating of Earth's surface

Wind is caused by differences in air pressure; air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, creating wind.

Question 47: Which inequality is represented by the statement 'a number x is at most 8'?

x < 8
x ≥ 8
x ≤ 8 (Correct answer)
x > 8

Correct answer: x ≤ 8

'At most 8' means x can equal 8 or be less, so x ≤ 8.

Question 48: A class recorded the following test scores: 72, 85, 90, 68, 85, 91, 85. What is the mode of this data set?

72
91
85 (Correct answer)
90

Correct answer: 85

The mode is 85 because it appears more times (3 times) than any other value in the data set.

Question 49: What is the difference between a mixture and a compound?

A mixture has fixed ratios while a compound does not
A mixture is physically combined and can be separated, while a compound is chemically bonded (Correct answer)
There is no difference between mixtures and compounds
A compound is physically combined while a mixture is chemically bonded

Correct answer: A mixture is physically combined and can be separated, while a compound is chemically bonded

A mixture is a physical combination of substances that can be separated, while a compound involves chemical bonding of elements in fixed ratios.

Question 50: What does it mean to 'summarize' a text?

To retell every detail of the text in order
To briefly restate only the most important ideas in your own words (Correct answer)
To write your opinion about the text
To explain the vocabulary words used in the text

Correct answer: To briefly restate only the most important ideas in your own words

A summary is a brief restatement of the most important ideas in a text, written in your own words and omitting minor details.

Question 51: What is subject-verb agreement?

Verbs must match the object's number, not the subject's
A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb (Correct answer)
Subjects and verbs must always be in the same tense
The subject and verb must be placed next to each other in a sentence

Correct answer: A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb

Subject-verb agreement means a singular subject takes a singular verb form, and a plural subject takes a plural verb form.

PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) Exam

The PSSA is Pennsylvania's statewide standardized assessment for students in grades 3 through 8, measuring proficiency in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science aligned to Pennsylvania Core Standards.

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180 min

Time Limit

60%

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