TEAS Science: Scientific Reasoning

Question 1

A researcher wants to test whether a new fertilizer increases plant growth. She grows 50 plants with the fertilizer and 50 plants without it under identical conditions. What is the control group?

Accepted Answer

The 50 plants grown without the new fertilizer

Answer

The 50 plants grown with the new fertilizer

Answer

The researcher observing the plants

Answer

The type of soil used in the experiment

Question 2

Which of the following BEST describes a scientific hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A testable, falsifiable prediction made before an experiment is conducted

Answer

A proven scientific fact supported by multiple independent studies

Answer

A summary of data collected and analyzed during an experiment

Answer

A universal law derived from decades of repeated observation

Question 3

A student measures the volume of a liquid three times and records 45 mL, 46 mL, and 45 mL. These results BEST demonstrate which quality of measurement?

Accepted Answer

Precision, because the results are consistently close to each other

Answer

Accuracy, because the measurements agree with each other

Answer

Validity, because the experiment was repeated three times

Answer

Reliability of the hypothesis, because similar results were obtained

Question 4

On a graph displaying experimental results, the independent variable is plotted on which axis?

Accepted Answer

The x-axis (horizontal axis)

Answer

The y-axis (vertical axis)

Answer

Both axes equally, depending on the experiment

Answer

Neither axis — the independent variable belongs only in a data table

Question 5

A study finds that cities with higher ice cream sales also have higher drowning rates. Which conclusion is MOST scientifically valid?

Accepted Answer

A third variable, such as hot weather, likely influences both rates simultaneously

Answer

Ice cream consumption directly increases the risk of drowning

Answer

Drowning incidents cause an increase in ice cream sales

Answer

The dataset is invalid and should be completely discarded

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of qualitative data?

Accepted Answer

The color of a solution after a chemical reaction occurs

Answer

A patient's body temperature recorded as 38.5°C

Answer

The mass of a chemical sample measured in grams

Answer

The number of bacterial colonies counted on a culture plate