PSSA PSSA Science 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which grade levels are required to take the PSSA Science assessment in Pennsylvania?
- Grades 3 and 5
- Grades 4 and 8 (Correct answer)
- Grades 5 and 7
- Grades 6 and 10
Correct answer: Grades 4 and 8
Pennsylvania requires students in grades 4 and 8 to take the PSSA Science assessment.
Question 2: In PSSA Science, which of the following best describes a hypothesis?
- A proven fact based on repeated experiments
- A testable prediction about the outcome of an experiment (Correct answer)
- A conclusion drawn after analyzing data
- A summary of previous scientific research
Correct answer: A testable prediction about the outcome of an experiment
A hypothesis is a testable prediction made before conducting an experiment.
Question 3: What does the law of conservation of energy state?
- Energy can be created but not destroyed
- Energy can be destroyed but not created
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed (Correct answer)
- Energy is always lost as heat in every process
Correct answer: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed
The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.
Question 4: Which type of rock is formed when magma cools and solidifies?
- Sedimentary rock
- Metamorphic rock
- Igneous rock (Correct answer)
- Composite rock
Correct answer: Igneous rock
Igneous rock forms when magma (molten rock) cools and solidifies either above or below Earth's surface.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a physical change?
- Burning wood
- Rusting iron
- Cutting paper (Correct answer)
- Baking a cake
Correct answer: Cutting paper
Cutting paper is a physical change because it changes the shape but not the chemical composition of the paper.
Question 6: What is the role of chlorophyll in plants?
- It transports water from roots to leaves
- It absorbs light energy for photosynthesis (Correct answer)
- It stores food produced during photosynthesis
- It releases oxygen into the soil
Correct answer: It absorbs light energy for photosynthesis
Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy, which is used to power photosynthesis.
PSSA PSSA Science 1
Which grade levels are required to take the PSSA Science assessment in Pennsylvania?