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

Question 1: Two angles are supplementary. One angle measures 65°. What is the measure of the other angle?

115° (Correct answer)
25°
125°
90°

Correct answer: 115°

Supplementary angles sum to 180°; 180 − 65 = 115°.

Question 2: What are the three states of matter?

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

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 3: Two students each survey 20 classmates about their favorite color. Student A gets results that are very spread out; Student B's results are clustered near one value. Which student's data has a smaller range?

Student B (Correct answer)
Both have the same range
Cannot be determined
Student A

Correct answer: Student B

Student B's data is clustered near one value, meaning the difference between the highest and lowest values is small, resulting in a smaller range.

Question 4: Which of the following describes a conductor?

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

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 5: Which of the following correctly describes the relationship in a parasitism?

Both organisms are harmed
One organism benefits and the other is unaffected
One organism benefits at the expense of the other (Correct answer)
Both organisms benefit

Correct answer: One organism benefits at the expense of the other

In parasitism, one organism (the parasite) benefits while causing harm to the host organism.

Question 6: What is the function of an adjective?

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

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 7: What is an inference in reading comprehension?

A summary of the entire passage
A conclusion drawn using evidence from the text and prior knowledge (Correct answer)
A definition of a difficult vocabulary word
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 8: What is a galaxy?

A collection of solar systems with identical stars
A vast system of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity (Correct answer)
The area of space between two star clusters
A single large star surrounded by planets

Correct answer: A vast system of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity

A galaxy is a massive system containing billions of stars, along with gas, dust, and dark matter, all held together by gravity.

Question 9: What is acceleration?

The total distance traveled by an object
The speed of an object at a specific moment
The force required to move an object
The rate of change of velocity over time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The rate of change of velocity over time

Acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time, measured in m/s².

Question 10: Which sentence is written in the active voice?

The homework was finished by the students.
The book was read by Maria.
Maria read the book. (Correct answer)
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 11: What is the setting of a story?

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

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 12: What is photosynthesis' chemical equation?

O₂ + glucose → CO₂ + H₂O
CO₂ + O₂ → H₂O + energy
H₂O → H₂ + O₂
CO₂ + H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ (with light) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: CO₂ + H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ (with light)

Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using light energy: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

Question 13: Which organelle is known as the 'powerhouse of the cell'?

Mitochondria (Correct answer)
Ribosome
Nucleus
Vacuole

Correct answer: Mitochondria

The mitochondria produce ATP through cellular respiration, providing energy for the cell's activities.

Question 14: The mean of five numbers is 12. Four of the numbers are 10, 14, 11, and 13. What is the fifth number?

11
14
10
12 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 12

The total sum must be 5 × 12 = 60; the four known numbers sum to 48, so the fifth number is 60 - 48 = 12.

Question 15: In the PSSA Reading assessment, what does the term 'author's purpose' refer to?

The reason the author wrote the piece — to inform, persuade, or entertain (Correct answer)
The setting where the author wrote the text
The author's personal background and experience
The length and format of the text

Correct answer: The reason the author wrote the piece — to inform, persuade, or entertain

Author's purpose refers to the reason an author writes a piece, most commonly to inform, persuade, or entertain the reader.

Question 16: A double bar graph compares boys' and girls' favorite sports. If 15 boys and 10 girls prefer swimming, what fraction of the total (25) prefer swimming?

3/5 (Correct answer)
2/5
1/5
4/5

Correct answer: 3/5

15 boys + 10 girls = 25 prefer swimming; 25/25 students in the swimming category means 3/5 of the boys prefer swimming (15/25 = 3/5).

Question 17: What is the perimeter of a square with a side length of 9 inches?

81 inches
18 inches
27 inches
36 inches (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 36 inches

Perimeter of a square = 4 × side = 4 × 9 = 36 inches.

Question 18: What is the ozone layer's primary function?

It absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
It shields Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun (Correct answer)
It produces oxygen for living organisms on Earth
It reflects sunlight back into space to keep Earth cool

Correct answer: It shields Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun

The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, protecting life on Earth.

Question 19: What type of rock forms from the compaction and cementation of sediments?

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

Correct answer: Sedimentary rock

Sedimentary rock forms when layers of sediment are compacted and cemented together over time.

Question 20: What is the purpose of using precise and specific vocabulary in writing?

To meet a required word count
To make writing clearer, more vivid, and more accurate (Correct answer)
To confuse the reader with difficult words
To make the essay appear more formal and academic

Correct answer: To make writing clearer, more vivid, and more accurate

Precise and specific word choices make writing clearer, more vivid, and more accurate by conveying exact meaning.

Question 21: On a coordinate plane, in which quadrant is the point (−4, 3) located?

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

Correct answer: Quadrant II

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

Question 22: If a recipe calls for 2½ cups of flour to make 24 cookies, how many cups are needed for 48 cookies?

3
6
5 (Correct answer)
4

Correct answer: 5

48 cookies is double 24, so double the flour: 2½ × 2 = 5 cups.

Question 23: What is kinetic energy?

Energy released during chemical reactions
Energy an object possesses due to its motion (Correct answer)
Energy stored in an object due to its position
Energy transferred through electromagnetic waves

Correct answer: Energy an object possesses due to its motion

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion, calculated as KE = ½mv².

Question 24: What is the correct way to punctuate a direct quotation?

Place an apostrophe before and after the quoted words
Place quotation marks only at the start of the quote
Enclose the speaker's exact words in quotation marks and use a comma to separate from the attribution (Correct answer)
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 25: Which of the following best describes natural selection?

Organisms intentionally change their traits to survive
Random mutations always improve an organism's survival chances
Organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce (Correct answer)
All organisms in a population evolve at the same rate

Correct answer: Organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce

Natural selection is the process by which individuals with favorable traits survive and reproduce more successfully, passing those traits to offspring.

Question 26: A student reads two articles about climate change, one by a scientist and one by an oil company spokesperson. What should the student consider about the sources?

The oil company is more credible because it has more money.
Both sources are equally reliable because they are both published.
The scientist's article is likely more objective while the company spokesperson may have a bias. (Correct answer)
Neither source should be trusted because they disagree.

Correct answer: The scientist's article is likely more objective while the company spokesperson may have a bias.

Evaluating author bias and purpose is essential; a scientist's peer-reviewed work is generally more objective than a company representative who has financial interests.

Question 27: What does 'figurative language' mean?

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

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 28: What process do plants use to make their own food?

Decomposition
Fermentation
Photosynthesis (Correct answer)
Respiration

Correct answer: Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen.

Question 29: What is the term for organisms that can only be seen with a microscope?

Pathogens
Microorganisms (Correct answer)
Parasites
Protozoa

Correct answer: Microorganisms

Microorganisms (or microbes) are living things too small to be seen with the naked eye, requiring a microscope.

Question 30: What is characterization?

The conflict between two characters in a story
The process of placing a character in a specific setting
A list of all characters in a story
The way an author develops and reveals a character's personality and traits (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The way an author develops and reveals a character's personality and traits

Characterization is the technique by which an author develops and reveals a character's personality, motivations, and traits through actions, dialogue, and description.

Question 31: What does 'context clues' mean in reading?

Rereading the passage from the beginning
Using a dictionary to find word definitions
Using the words and sentences around an unfamiliar word to determine its meaning (Correct answer)
Asking a teacher for help with a word

Correct answer: Using the words and sentences around an unfamiliar word to determine its meaning

Context clues are the words, phrases, and sentences surrounding an unfamiliar word that help the reader determine its meaning.

Question 32: What are transition words used for in writing?

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

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 33: A line graph shows sales increasing from 200 units in January to 350 units in June. What is the percent increase?

42.9%
75% (Correct answer)
150%
57.1%

Correct answer: 75%

Percent increase = (350 − 200) ÷ 200 × 100 = 150 ÷ 200 × 100 = 75%.

Question 34: When should you use 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're' correctly?

'Their' is possessive; 'there' shows location; 'they're' means 'they are' (Correct answer)
They are all interchangeable
'Their' means 'they are'; 'there' is possessive; 'they're' shows location
'Their' shows location; 'there' is possessive; 'they're' means 'they are'

Correct answer: 'Their' is possessive; 'there' shows location; 'they're' means 'they are'

'Their' is possessive (their house), 'there' refers to a place (over there), and 'they're' is a contraction for 'they are.'

Question 35: What is the main cause of seasons on Earth?

The tilt of Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun (Correct answer)
Earth's changing distance from the Sun
The Moon's gravitational pull on Earth
Changes in solar activity throughout the year

Correct answer: The tilt of Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun

Seasons are caused by the 23.5-degree tilt of Earth's axis, which determines how directly sunlight strikes different regions as Earth orbits the Sun.

Question 36: What causes ocean tides?

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

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 37: What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Speed is constant; velocity always changes
Speed describes how fast an object moves; velocity includes speed and direction (Correct answer)
Speed applies to moving objects; velocity applies to stationary objects
Speed is measured in km/h; velocity is measured in m/s

Correct answer: Speed describes how fast an object moves; velocity includes speed and direction

Speed is the magnitude of motion (how fast), while velocity is a vector that includes both speed and direction.

Question 38: What is the conflict in a story?

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

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 39: What does 'revising' mean in the writing process?

Rethinking and improving the content, organization, and clarity of writing (Correct answer)
Checking spelling and punctuation errors
Writing the first rough draft
Recopying the final version neatly

Correct answer: Rethinking and improving the content, organization, and clarity of writing

Revising involves rethinking and improving the content, organization, and clarity of your writing, which is different from proofreading for mechanical errors.

Question 40: Which grade levels are required to take the PSSA Science assessment in Pennsylvania?

Grades 5 and 7
Grades 3 and 5
Grades 4 and 8 (Correct answer)
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 41: A student writes: 'The firefighters battled the blaze bravely.' This sentence is an example of which sound device?

Onomatopoeia
Assonance
Alliteration (Correct answer)
Rhyme

Correct answer: Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of nearby words, as in 'battled the blaze bravely' (b-b-b).

Question 42: Many people love calico cats for their patches of white, orange, and black fur. (2) It may be surprising to find out that the word calico refers to the color pattern, not to the breed, size, or personality of the cat. (3) Almost any breed of cat—including the American shorthair the American wirehair, and the Japanese bobtail— can have the calico color pattern. (4) It is interesting that calico cats are considered a sign of good luck, are viewed as peaceful, and are nearly always female. <br><br> Which sentence needs a comma?

Sentence 3 (Correct answer)
Sentence 2
Sentence 4
Sentence 1

Correct answer: Sentence 3

Explanation: <br> A comma is needed after "American wirehair" to separate items in a list of breeds of cats.

Question 43: What are the three main layers of Earth, from the outside in?

Crust, mantle, core (Correct answer)
Crust, lithosphere, magma
Surface, interior, center
Lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere

Correct answer: Crust, mantle, core

Earth's three main layers from outside to inside are the crust, mantle, and core.

Question 44: When asked to 'cite evidence' in a reading response, what should you do?

Write your personal opinion about the passage
Provide a direct quote or reference specific details from the text to support your answer (Correct answer)
Restate the question in your own words
Look up additional information about the topic

Correct answer: Provide a direct quote or reference specific details from the text to support your answer

Citing evidence means including direct quotes or specific details from the text to support your answer or claim.

Question 45: What is the main idea of a passage?

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

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 46: What is point of view in literature?

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

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 47: What is friction?

A force that opposes the motion of objects moving against each other (Correct answer)
The force that pulls objects toward Earth
The energy stored in compressed springs
The tendency of an object to remain at rest

Correct answer: A force that opposes the motion of objects moving against each other

Friction is a force that resists the relative motion of surfaces in contact with each other.

Question 48: What is the correct use of a comma in a series?

Commas are placed after each item in the series, including before the conjunction (Correct answer)
Only one comma is used, before the final item
Commas are only needed between the last two items
Commas are not needed if items are connected by 'and'

Correct answer: Commas are placed after each item in the series, including before the conjunction

In a series of three or more items, commas are placed after each item, including an Oxford comma before the final conjunction.

Question 49: A triangle has angles measuring 45°, 90°, and what third angle?

55°
90°
60°
45° (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 45°

The angles of a triangle sum to 180°; 180 − 45 − 90 = 45°.

Question 50: In the context of reading informational texts, what does 'text features' refer to?

The theme and moral of the text
The author's writing style and tone
The vocabulary words used in the text
Elements like headings, captions, graphs, and sidebars that help organize information (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Elements like headings, captions, graphs, and sidebars that help organize information

Text features are visual and organizational elements—headings, bold words, charts—that help readers navigate and understand informational texts.

Question 51: What is metamorphic rock?

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

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.

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.

Questions

180 min

Time Limit

60%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds