TExES EC-6 Science Knowledge & Inquiry Skills 2

Question 1

A teacher asks students to predict what will happen to a plant kept in the dark for two weeks. This activity primarily develops which scientific skill?

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis formation

Answer

Asking students to predict outcomes before an experiment develops hypothesis formation skills, a core scientific inquiry process.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a controlled variable in a science experiment?

Accepted Answer

A variable that is kept constant throughout the experiment

Answer

A controlled variable is one that is held constant so it does not influence the outcome, allowing a fair test of the independent variable.

Question 3

Students sort rocks into groups based on texture and color. Which process skill are they practicing?

Accepted Answer

Classifying

Answer

Sorting objects into groups based on observable characteristics is the process skill of classifying.

Question 4

A scientist observes that oil spills near a coastline coincide with declining bird populations. This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A correlational observation

Answer

Noticing that two variables change together without manipulating either one is a correlational observation, not proof of causation.

Question 5

Which measurement tool would be most appropriate for a student to use when determining the volume of an irregular-shaped rock?

Accepted Answer

Graduated cylinder with water displacement

Answer

Water displacement in a graduated cylinder is used to find the volume of an irregular solid that cannot be measured directly with a ruler.

(TExES EC-6) TExES Core Subjects EC–6 Practice Test

(TExES EC-6) TExES Core Subjects EC–6 Practice Test

TExES EC-6 Science Knowledge & Inquiry Skills 2