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GRADE 8 RELEASED TEST ITEMS
REPORTING CATEGORY: LIFE SCIENCE
DIRECTIONS
Read each question carefully and choose the
best answer. Then mark the space in the answer
booklet for the answer you have chosen.
1
3
Which of these species would be most in
danger of becoming extinct if one of
their food sources became unavailable?
Which of the following is an example of
a decomposer at work in the food web?
A
B
C
D
A
B
C
D
A tree growing in a field
A grasshopper eating leaves
A seagull catching a fish
A fungus growing on a log
4
2
Brown bear
Panda
Polar bear
Black bear
Which type of characteristics can be
inherited?
Which of the following organisms break
down dead material and the substances
to the environment?
F
G
H
J
F
G
H
J
Those controlled by genes
Those caused by accidents
Those produced by exercise
Those produced by diet
Grasshopper and worm
Grass and algae
Bacteria and fungi
Snake and grasshopper
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
5
Page 2
8
Which of these is due entirely to
inheritance in humans?
F
G
H
J
Reading skill
Eye color
Endurance
Broken bones
9
In the food web shown, which of the
following consumers eats only
producers?
A
B
C
D
6
Which of these best completes the
statement about the interaction of the
respiratory system with the circulatory
system? The lungs add —
F
G
H
J
7
Hawk
Owl
Fox
Mouse
nutrients to the blood
bile to the blood
oxygen to the blood
carbon dioxide to the blood
Asexual reproduction involves only one
parent. The offspring of this type of
reproduction have —
A
B
C
D
DNA identical to the DNA of the
parent
DNA that is different from the parent
one-half of the DNA of the parent
DNA that is incomplete
This experiment was set up to test the
hypothesis that plants grow faster in
green light. The same amount of water
and fertilizer were added to each pot.
Which of these would improve the
experiment?
A
B
C
D
Use green lights for all three plants
Add more types of plants
Use the same kind of plant in all trials
Use different pots for each plant
10 Which biome contains large populations
of grazing herbivores, few species of
birds, and deep, rich soil?
F
G
H
J
A taiga
A tundra
A deciduous forest
A grassland
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
11
Page 3
13
The picture represents five red blood
cells seen through a microscope. The
lines represent a scale also visible
through the microscope. Each division
on the scale represents one micrometer.
Use the scale to estimate the diameter of
the average red blood cell.
A
B
C
D
4—5 micrometers
7—8 micrometers
10—11 micrometers
12—13 micrometers
Ranchers historically have used genetics
to produce new varieties of cattle.
Buffalo can tolerate both hot and cold
temperatures but have meat that is not
as tasty and tender as beef. Cattle that
are subjected to severe temperature
extremes produce meat that is neither
tender nor good-tasting. What good
qualities might a “beefalo” (cross
between cattle and buffalo) possess?
A
12 Which of these has the greatest influence
over how big a baby elephant will grow?
B
C
F
G
H
J
The amount of oxygen in the air
The amount of food available
The size of the trees in the jungle
The type of grass on the plains
D
Animals that tolerate heat and cold but
do not have good-tasting meat
Animals with good-tasting meat but
not tolerance to heat
Animals that tolerate heat and cold and
have good-tasting meat
Animals that tolerate cold but do not
have good-tasting meat
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
14
Page 4
16 Which of the following do typical plant
cells have that typical animal cells do
not?
F
G
H
J
Cytoplasm
Nuclei
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
11
The relationship between the algae and
the frog may be described as —
The picture shows a pond ecosystem.
What would most likely happen if all the
lily plants were removed from this
community?
F
G
H
J
A
B
C
D
producer
decomposer
consumer
producer →
18 Which of these could cause a decrease in
the number of squirrels in a population?
There would be more oxygen in the air.
The pond water currents would be
slower.
There would be more kinds of animals
in the pond.
The animals would have fewer places
to hide.
15 A group of people were concerned about
a new coal-burning power plant that
might be built in their neighborhood.
What is probably their main concern?
consu
F
G
H
J
An increase in cooperation with birds
in the area
An increase in the squirrels’ territory
An increase in competition with other
nut-eating animals
An increase in the squirrels’ food
supply
19
What is next in this series?
A
B
C
D
Burning coal produces more heat than
burning wood.
The heat from burning coal can drive
generators that produce electricity.
Burning coal produces sulfur dioxide
which contributes to acid rain.
There is more coal in the earth than
there is oil and gas.
A
B
C
D
Habitats
Organisms
Systems
Organelles
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
20
Page 5
22
The loss of which of these would have
the least effect on the water cycle?
F
G
H
J
Which process is the foundation for the
food web?
F
G
H
J
Evaporation
Condensation
Photosynthesis
Movement
21 Which of the following is produced as a
result of photosynthesis?
A
B
C
D
Heat
Water
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Soil
Rivers
Animals
Plants
23 A tick that feeds on the blood of animals
is a —
A
B
C
D
predator
host
competitor
parasite
24 How are humans classified within a food
chain?
F
G
H
J
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Manufacturers
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
25
Page 6
27
Which of these best shows what is
happening to the cell in pure water?
These birds all live in Virginia. One of
the bird’s main sources of food is the
nectar inside long, trumpet-shaped
flowers. A second bird eats mostly
rodents. The third bird often is seen
pecking into the bark of the local trees to
get the insects just inside. Which of the
following lists has correctly matched the
pictured birds with their diets?
A
B
C
D
26 Which level of organization below is the
most basic or primary level of
organization?
F
G
H
J
Cell
Tissue
Organ
Organ system
Ruby-throated Hummingbird–nectar;
Red-tailed Hawk–insects; Yellowbellied Sapsucker–rodents
Ruby-throated Hummingbird–insects;
Red-tailed Hawk–nectar; Yellowbellied Sapsucker–rodents
Ruby-throated Hummingbird–rodents;
Red-tailed Hawk–nectar; Yellowbellied Sapsucker–insects
Ruby-throated Hummingbird–nectar;
Red-tailed Hawk–rodents; Yellowbellied Sapsucker–insects
28 Most of the hereditary information
within the cell is carried in the —
F
G
H
J
ribosomes
vacuoles
chromosomes
Golgi bodies
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
29
Page 7
31
Some snapdragon seeds were studied in
the experiment above. The seeds were
placed in a dish lined with a moist paper
towel. Which of these is the independent
(manipulated) variable in this
experiment?
The sea urchin shown has radial
symmetry. This means that its body
parts are —
A
B
C
D
equally arranged around a central point
designed to function in seawater
likely to be reformed if any part of the
body is damaged
able to function on land and in the
water
A
B
C
D
The type of seed
The amount of water used
The number of sprouts
The temperature of each dish
32 Which amphibian is most aquatic?
30
Suppose that in a certain area, mice are
the main food source for wolves. Based
on the graph, in which year would there
be the least amount of competition
among wolves for food?
F
G
H
J
1975
1980
1985
1990
33 Which of these processes helps extract
energy from food?
A
B
C
D
Reproduction
Digestion
Excretion
Circulation
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
34 Some students counted the birds in an
area. They counted the number of
species present and the number of birds
in each species. Which of these would be
best to use to report the results?
Page 8
35
According to this diagram, both of these
fish —
A
B
C
D
eat bacteria
give off toxic wastes
take in minerals through their gills
get their energy from other animals
36 Lions usually live in prides made up of a
few adult females, an adult male, and
some younger lions. The females hunt
together and the kill is shared with the
pride. The lions’ method of hunting best
illustrates —
F
G
H
J
cooperation
competition
territoriality
parasitism
37 Plants release oxygen into the air as a
result of photosynthesis. Which of these
do plants need for photosynthesis?
A
B
C
D
Carbon dioxide
Nitrogen
Methane
Hydrogen
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
38
Page 9
41
The primary producer in the ecosystem
above is the —
F
G
H
J
plant
rabbit
hawk
fox
39 The island of Guam had no native snake
species until the brown tree snake was
introduced. What effect did this eggeating snake have on the native bird
populations?
A
B
C
D
Bird populations were not affected by
the snake’s introduction.
Bird populations increased as the birds
preyed on the snakes.
Bird populations decreased as the
snakes fed on the bird eggs.
Bird populations increased as the
snakes eliminated predators.
The picture shows dinosaur tracks found
in rocks. How many dinosaurs left their
tracks here?
A
B
C
D
42 John and Emily were experimenting
with the effects of road salt on plant
growth. To do this, they watered plants
daily with the same amount of salt
water. They could best improve their
experiment by —
F
G
H
J
40 In which of the following environments
would you expect to find the greatest
number of different species of plants and
animals per square mile?
F
G
H
J
An island near the South Pole
A wheat field in North Dakota
A pasture on a Virginia farm
A tropical rain forest in Panama
2
4
14
24
increasing the amount of salt added to
the water each day
cooling the salt water before watering
the plants
adding food color to see how far the
salt penetrates the plants
watering half the plants with pure
water and half with salt water
43 Sponges are classified as animals
because they cannot —
A
B
C
D
move from place to place
make their own food
get rid of waste products
catch their own food
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
44
Page 10
46
The picture shows the growth curve of a
bacterial population. According to this
information, the bacterial population
doubles every —
F
G
H
J
3 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
60 minutes
Lemmings are small mammals that
experience a population explosion about
once every four years. Snowy owls eat
lemmings. Which of these statements is
supported by the data in this graph?
F
G
45 Which of the following are
characteristics of the most productive
ecological environment?
H
J
A
B
C
D
Stable temperatures and high rainfall
amounts
Hot temperatures and low rainfall
amounts
Cold temperatures and low rainfall
amounts
Low temperatures and high rainfall
amounts
The snowy owls are becoming extinct.
Lemmings live much longer than
snowy owls.
The habitat of the lemmings is
continuously decreasing in size.
The snowy owl population increases
because of an increase in lemmings.
47 The kangaroo rat is able to get all of the
water it needs through its food and,
therefore, never needs to drink liquids.
This animal has adapted to survive in
which biome?
A
B
C
D
Forest
Tundra
Desert
Grassland
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
48
Page 11
51
Which of these populations is most likely
to increase if the number of
grasshoppers decreases?
The chart shows the results of an
experiment to test the effects of different
plant lights on plant seedling growth.
Which group of plants showed the
greatest gain in height?
F
G
H
J
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
49 In which biome would you find the most
variety of life?
A
B
C
D
Tundra
Desert
Grassland
Rain forest
A
B
C
D
Plant
Frog
Praying mantis
Owl
52 Northern garter snakes exhibit a unique
behavior in which they gather in deep
dens by the hundreds or thousands.
They then coil together in a huge ball.
This behavior could help to —
F
G
H
J
reduce heat loss
increase camouflage
locate food sources
increase oxygen consumption
53 A plant’s green color is due to the
presence of which organelle?
50 Which of these processes in the water
cycle causes dew to form in the
morning?
F
G
H
J
Condensation
Evaporation
Transpiration
Precipitation
A
B
C
D
Chloroplast
Nucleus
Mitochondrion
Vacuole A B
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
54
Scientists have spent many years
studying the peppered moth, which is a
species that has adapted its color from
light to dark in reaction to
environmental pollution. Which of the
following line graphs represents the data
from the table?
Page 12
55 Mendel’s early work with pea plants
demonstrated a significant genetic
discovery. The crossing of homozygous
tall pea plants with homozygous short
pea plants always resulted in tall plants
and demonstrated that tallness in pea
plants is a trait that is —
A
B
C
D
blended
dominant
mutated
recessive
56 Because burning fossil fuels creates
much pollution, alternatives are being
investigated. What might limit the use of
wind as a major energy source?
F
G
H
J
The strength of the wind varies.
Wind machines have huge blades to
capture the wind.
Turbines and generators in the wind
machines create electricity.
Wind power does not create pollution.
57
The picture above illustrates the habitat
of a population of animals and its
distance from the nearest water source.
How far does an animal have to travel to
obtain water?
A
B
C
D
6 centimeters
12 meters
50 meters
300 meters
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
58
In this plant cell, which cellular
structure is responsible for storing food,
water, and wastes?
F
G
H
J
Cytoplasm
Vacuole
Nucleus
Cell membrane
59 Ellen noticed that she often sneezes when
she visits her friend Robert, who has a
cat and a parrot. Ellen wonders if she
may have allergies to Robert’s pets and
decides to conduct a scientific
investigation. What should Ellen do
next?
A
B
C
D
Ellen should tell Robert that she cannot
visit him until he gives away his pets.
Ellen should visit Sue who has a horse,
a dog, a goldfish, and a hamster.
Ellen should call her doctor and insist
that she needs shots for allergies.
Ellen should visit a friend who has
only cats and one who has only parrots.
60 The function of a cell nucleus is to —
F
G
H
J
direct the activities of the cell
help the cell expel waste
digest foreign substances
transport substances around the cell
Page 13
61 An experiment determined that 20 g of
mass were gained by a mouse on a corn
diet, 15 g by a mouse on a rice diet, and
18 g for the mouse on a grain diet. The
corn-fed mouse started out at 95 g, the
rice-fed at 98 g, and the grain-fed at 92
g. Which of the following tables
describes these data and any other data
which can be directly computed from
these numbers?
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
Page 14
65
62
According to this chart, which of these
animals is a sea lion?
According to the chart, which set of
conditions represents the process of
photosynthesis?
F
G
H
J
A
B
C
D
63 There are many reasons why the use of
oil needs to be managed carefully.
Which of the following is not one of these
reasons?
A
B
C
D
There are only limited supplies of oil
in the Earth.
Oil spills at sea have killed many
marine animals.
Burning oil contributes to acid rain and
the greenhouse effect.
Oil was created by plants and animals.
64 The presence of permafrost is a
characteristic of which major biome?
F
G
H
J
Tundra
Taiga
Temperate forest
Grasslands
66 Of the following, which is the correct
progression in the food chain?
F
G
H
Produc
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
Page 15
J
67
70 The ermine is a small animal that lives
along riverbanks and in forests. During
the spring and summer, it grows a
brown coat. It sheds the brown coat
during the autumn and grows a white
one. This change of color in the ermine’s
coat allows it to —
Which of these best enables this animal
to rid its body of excess heat in a hot
desert environment?
A
B
C
D
Its large ears
Its flexible feet
Its sandy color
Its fur
F
G
H
J
71 When animals hibernate, their heart
rate and respiration decrease and they
lose consciousness. Why do some
animals hibernate?
A
68 In humans, which of these is required
for carrying oxygen from the lungs to
body cells?
B
C
F
G
H
J
Plasma
Platelets
Red blood cells
White blood cells
69 During mitosis, the doubling of
chromosomes ensures that both new
cells —
A
B
C
D
have identical genetic makeup
are twice the size of the parent cell
serve different functions
remain attached to each other
hide from predators
attract a mate
locate a water supply
find food more easily
D
To increase their body fat during cold
periods
To conserve energy usage during the
winter
To give their fur time to grow longer
and thicker
To rest after a summer of high activity
72 Wherever civilizations have flourished,
forests have been destroyed. Hundreds
of years ago in England, rivers and
seaports began to fill with silt after the
forests were destroyed. What caused the
silt to fill the seaports?
F
G
H
J
Eutrophication
Succession
Erosion
Irrigation
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
73
Page 16
74
What type of animals live in a
wetland?
Which type of report would probably
provide the most accurate answer to the
above question?
F
G
H
J
“Water Quality in Wetlands,”
published by the United States
Geological Survey
“Endangered Species in Our
Wetlands,” by a reporter for the Daily
Globe Newspaper
“Birds of Wetlands” in Science, the
journal for the American Association
for the Advancement of Science
“Organisms in Wetlands,” a report on
the internet by the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation
75
The graph shows the relationship
between the time of day and the amount
of carbon dioxide in a certain pond.
Which of these best describes the
relationship?
A
B
C
D
During the morning hours, there is less
carbon dioxide released by fish.
During the morning hours, there is less
carbon dioxide found in the pond.
There is more carbon dioxide released
by animals later in the day.
There is more carbon dioxide used up
by algae later in the day.
In this food web, which organism has the
greatest number of food sources?
A
B
C
D
Snake
Hawk
Shrew
Mouse
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
76 Fossils are evidence of living things that
were alive many, many years ago and
often consist of the skeletons of creatures
imbedded in rock. Why don’t fossils
contain the animal’s soft tissues, as well?
F
G
H
J
Because the soft tissues decayed before
the fossil could be formed
Because the rock breaks down soft
tissues
Because the soft tissues were always
eaten by scavengers
Because the rock always smashed the
soft tissues flat Oil (density 0.85 g/mL)
Page 17
78 Changes in DNA are known as
mutations and can sometimes produce
beneficial changes in populations. A
mutant form of the normally lightcolored peppered moth is dark colored.
The dark-colored moth blends in with
soot-covered trees in heavily polluted
areas. Why would the dark-colored
mutation be beneficial in a polluted
area?
F
G
H
J
77
Dark-colored moths have a longer life
span than light-colored moths.
Dark-colored moths can’t be seen well
by predators.
Dark-colored moths taste bad to most
of their predators.
Dark-colored moths produce more
young than do light-colored moths.
79 Many complex genetic experiments have
been performed on plants. One of the
very successful ones crossed wild wheat
with a fungus-resistant wild grass. This
ultimately produced a variety of wheat
that was resistant to a very destructive
parasitic fungus which kills nonresistant
plants. Why would such experimentation
benefit humans?
A
B
C
The diagram above shows the changes
over time in the horse. Evidence for
these changes most likely came from —
A
B
C
D
carbon-dating
hypotheses of scientists
observations of modern horses
the fossil record
D
The fungus is also dangerous to
humans.
Wheat is one of the most important
food crops worldwide.
The fungus could spread to all other
plants.
Wheat products made from infected
plants would taste bad.
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
Page 18
VIRGINIA
STANDARDS OF LEARNING ASSESSMENTS
RELEASED TEST – LIFE SCIENCE ANSWER KEY
Question
Answer
Question
Answer
1
D
25
C
2
F
26
F
3
B
27
D
4
H
28
H
5
D
29
A
6
H
30
H
7
A
31
D
8
G
32
H
9
C
33
B
10
J
34
G
11
B
35
D
12
G
36
F
13
C
37
A
14
J
38
F
15
C
39
C
16
J
40
J
17
C
41
B
18
H
42
J
19
C
43
B
20
H
44
G
21
C
45
A
22
H
46
J
23
D
47
C
24
G
48
H
Grade 8 Released Test Items: Life Science
Page 19
Question
Answer
Question
Answer
49
D
69
A
50
F
70
F
51
A
71
B
52
F
72
H
53
A
73
D
54
F
74
J
55
B
75
B
56
F
76
F
57
D
77
D
58
G
78
G
59
D
79
B
60
F
61
A
62
H
63
D
64
F
65
C
66
F
67
A
68
H