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SCIENCE ISTEP+ Grade 6 2010-2011 Practice Questions – Set 2
NAME _________________________________________ DATE ___________________
1. Which of the following statements are true?
A.
Earth does not orbit the sun
B.
Earth is the only planet that orbits the sun
C.
Earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun
D.
The Sun is the only planet that orbits Earth
2. Plants appear to move across the night sky with the stars as a background because
A.
B.
C.
D.
planets rotate on their axis.
stars orbit the sun and they are closer to the earth then the planets.
planets orbit the sun and they are closer to the earth than the stars.
the earth rotates on its axis making the planets appear to move faster.
3.
Michael observed an object in the night sky. At 10:00PM it was at point B, then at 11:00 PM it was at point
A, and at midnight it was at point C. Michael concluded that he was observing a/an ____________.
A.
B.
C.
D.
star
planet
comet
airplane
4. Which of the following statements BEST identifies some differences between the inner and outer planets.
A.
B.
C.
D.
The inner planets are all larger and orbit the sun slower.
The inner planets have more moons than the outer planets.
The outer planets are smaller and very rocky.
The outer planets are all larger and orbit the sun slower
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SCIENCE ISTEP+ Grade 6 2010-2011 Practice Questions – Set 2
5. Which statement BEST explains what causes the seasons?
A.
Earth rotates on an axis, which causes winds to circle around the planet.
B.
The moon revolves around Earth in orbit, which causes the oceans to periodically rise and fall.
C.
Earth revolves around the Sun in an orbit that is tipped, which causes some parts of the planet
to be closer to the Sun and other parts to be farther away from the Sun for periods of time.
D.
Earth rotates on an axis that is tilted with respect to the Sun, which causes some parts of the
planet to receive more sunlight than other parts of the planet for periods of time.
6.
The diagram above is a model of the relationship between the earth, moon and sun. Which of these objects
contributes most to making half of the moon bright in the picture?
A.
B.
C.
D.
light from the Sun
light from distant stars
light from other planets
light from street lamps on Earth
7. The water cycle plays an important role in determining
A.
B.
C.
D.
the Earth’s rotation.
the Earth’s revolution.
climatic patterns.
the total volume of water in Earth’s hydrosphere.
8. Which of the following is an example of manmade pollution that affects the atmosphere?
A.
B.
C.
D.
volcanic ash
factory smoke
tornado winds
natural gas
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SCIENCE ISTEP+ Grade 6 2010-2011 Practice Questions – Set 2
9. Soil is most fertile when
A.
the metabolic processes (things organisms do to stay alive, such as excretion, respiration,
responding to a stimulus, etc.) of birds fertilize the soil.
B.
the metabolic processes ((things organisms do to stay alive, such as excretion, respiration,
responding to a stimulus, etc.)) of bacteria and other organisms are at work in the soil.
C.
pesticides are applied
D.
there is more water in the soil.
10. Where is erosion likely to be the GREATEST?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Desert soils with low levels of organic material.
Farm soils with high levels of organic material.
Forest soils with medium levels of organic material.
Arctic soils where the soils are always frozen.
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SCIENCE ISTEP+ Grade 6 2010-2011 Practice Questions – Set 2
A. Look at the pictures from left to right. Draw in the box what the moon will look
like next.
B.
Explain the cause for the changes in the phases of the moon.
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SCIENCE ISTEP+ Grade 6 2010-2011 Practice Questions – Set 2
ANSWER KEY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
C
C
B
D
D
A
C
B
B
A
11.
Key Elements:
A.
Drawing should indicate the illumination of the Moon increasing.
AND
Any one of the following:
B.
 The amount of reflection of the sun’s light changes as the moon moves in its orbit.
 The moon orbits the Earth.
 The sun reflects off the surface of the moon as it orbits.
 The amount of light the moon reflects changes as it orbits the Earth.
Rubric:
2 points
1 point
0 points
Two key elements (one from A and one from B)
One key element (one from A or B)
No key elements included.
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