Grade 8 Science CRT Instructional Material #1 - RPDP

Name:_________________________________________________ 

Grade 8 Science CRT 

Practice Instructional Materials #1 

This booklet contains science questions for you to answer. There are two types of 

questions in this booklet. For the multiple-choice questions, you will be given four answer 

choices—A, B, C, and D. You are to choose the correct answer from the four choices. Each 

question has only one right answer. The written-response questions require you to give a 

written response to a question as indicated in the booklet. You will be given a separate 

sheet of paper to answer these questions. 

You may use the rubric below to help you do a good job when answering the writtenresponse 

questions. 

Copyright © 2010 by the Southern Nevada Regional 

Professional Development Program 

Page 1

Grade 8 Science CRT Instructional Materials #1 

1 

What is the smallest unit of an element 

that still has the properties of that 

element? 

4 

Use the diagram to answer the 

following question. The diagram 

shows the water cycle. 

A A molecule 

B An electron 

C A compound 

D An atom 

2 

In rabbits, brown (B) fur is dominant to 

white (b) fur. If a rabbit with the genotype 

Bb is crossed with a rabbit with a genotype 

bb, what percentage of the offspring is 

expected to have brown fur? 

A 0% 

B 25% 

C 50% 

D 100% 

What change is occurring in stage 1 

of the diagram? Water is changing 

from a 

A liquid to a gas. 

B solid to a liquid. 

C gas to a liquid. 

D liquid to a solid. 

3 

Which of the following is the correct 

ranking of organizational hierarchy of 

organisms from simplest to most 

complex? 

A cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, 

organisms 

B cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, 

organisms 

C tissues, cells, organs, organ systems, 

organisms 

D tissues, organs, cells, organ systems, 

organisms 

5 

Fossils and sedimentary rocks form 

under specific conditions, so their 

presence in certain locations provides 

evidence for 

A past environments. 

B stationary continents. 

C constant temperatures. 

D magnetic pole reversal. 



Page 2 

Go On


6 

Use the table below to answer the 

following question. The data table shows 

the number of deaths caused by influenza 

and pneumonia from 1917-1918, during 

the time of the 1918 influenza pandemic. 

8 

Use the diagram below representing 

different stages in succession to answer 

the following question. 

Select the order that represents how 

succession progresses in an ecosystem. 

A Diagram 1, 2, 3, 4 

B Diagram 2, 4, 1, 3 

C Diagram 4, 2, 1, 3 

D Diagram 3, 4, 2, 1 

7 

According to the data table, which age 

group shows the greatest increase in 

death rates caused by influenza and 

pneumonia from 1917 to 1918? 

A


Write your answer to Question #10 on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to answer Parts A, B, and C 

10 

The diagram below shows two land masses separated by an ocean. Use the key to the right to 

aid in your written explanation. 

A scientist studying these two land masses hypothesizes that the land masses were once 

together. 

A Using the diagram, identify two pieces of evidence that support the scientist’s theory that 

the land masses were once together. 

B Explain how each piece of evidence you identified in Part A supports the scientist’s 

hypothesis. 

C Use your knowledge of plate tectonics to propose a reason why the land masses moved to 

their current position. 



Page 4 

Go On


11 

Use the table below to answer the following question. The table shows characteristics of plant 

varieties. 

A farmer wants to grow a crop that is resistant to disease while producing more fruit per plant. 

Which plants should the farmer select to cross to get the desired combination of traits? 

A 1 and 2 

B 2 and 4 

C 1 and 3 

D 3 and 4 

12 

The diagram below shows a balance used to measure a burning candle in a sealed glass ball 

before and after the burning is complete. 

As the candle burns, the size of the candle decreases, but the reading on the balance does not 

change. Which of the following is demonstrated by this experiment? 

A Total mass of the system remains constant when the candle is burned. 

B Energy is converted to mass when the candle is burned. 

C Smoke particles have more mass than the molecules of candle wax. 

D Kinetic energy is converted to potential energy when the candle is burned. 



Page 5 

Go On


13 

Use the diagram of the human body below to answer the following question. 

Which of the following describes the primary function of this system? 

A Supports the skeletal system 

B Absorbs nutrients from food 

C Responds to stimuli in the environment 

D Exchanges gases with the environment 

14 

Use the data table below to answer the following question. 

The majority of water on Earth exists as saltwater. Which water source would increase the 

most if ice caps and glaciers melt? 

A Oceans 

B Groundwater 

C Surface water 

D Atmosphere 



Page 6 

Go On


15 

The diagram below represents a crosssection 

of several rock layers containing 

fossils. 

17 

Use the diagram below to answer the 

following question. The arrows below 

show forces acting on an object. 

16 

Which of the following layers of rock is 

most likely the youngest? The layer 

containing 

A dinosaurs. 

B amphibians. 

C fishes. 

D trilobites. 

Students were asked to measure a string. 

The actual length of the string was 8.25 

cm long. Which of the following shows 

the measurements from the most 

accurate group and why? 

A 7.25cm, 7.75cm, 8.25cm, because 

these were the closest to the actual 

length. 

B 7.2cm, 7.25cm, 7.3cm, because these 

had the most agreement between 

lengths. 

C 8.25cm, 8.75cm, 9.25cm, because 

these had the most agreement 

between lengths. 

D 8.2cm, 8.25cm, 8.9cm, because these 

were the closest to the actual length. 

18 

19 

What is the net force on the object and 

in what direction would the object 

move? 

A 100 N to the right 

B 100 N to the left 

C 100 N upward 

D 150 N upward 

Most of the minerals within an ecosystem 

are recycled and returned to the 

environment by the direct activities of 

organisms known as 

A producers. 

B consumers. 

C scavengers. 

D decomposers. 

In order for a lunar eclipse to occur, the 

moon must be in what phase? 

A Full Moon 

B First Quarter 

C Last Quarter 

D New Moon 



Page 7 

Go On


20 

Use the diagram below to answer the following question. 

Which interval represents one full wavelength? 

A Point A to Point C 

B Point B to Point D 

C Point A to Point G 

D Point C to Point G 

21 

Science, technology, and society affect each other in both positive and negative ways. One 

example was the discovery of antibiotics. Which statement best describes the negative affect 

that antibiotics have had on society? 

A The extensive use of antibiotics has led to the evolution of resistant strains of bacteria. 

B The extensive use of antibiotics has caused several forms of new cancers to develop. 

C The use of antibiotics in consumer products has led to increased obesity in humans. 

D The increased use of antibiotics caused an over-abundance of medical professionals. 

22 

Scientists have discovered fossils of whale ancestors that have well developed hip and thigh 

bones, which are typically used for walking by mammals. Modern whales most likely evolved 

from ancestors who 

A lived in the sea, and then became better adapted for land. 

B lived on land, and then became better adapted for the sea. 

C evolved in the sea and remained in the sea. 

D evolved on land and remained on land. 



Page 8 

Go On


23 

In order for a mutation to be passed from 

one generation to the next, the mutation 

must be present in which cell? 

25 

Which cell type in a human would 

most likely have the most 

mitochondria? 

A A muscle cell in the leg muscle of 

a runner. 

B A cell of the stomach lining that 

manufactures digestive enzymes. 

C A red blood cell that transports 

oxygen. 

D A nerve cell that transmit signals to 

the brain stem. 

24 

A Skin cell 

B Blood cell 

C Heart cell 

D Sperm cell 


following question. The diagram shows 

what occurred when a can of diet soda and a 

can of regular soda were dropped into a 

container of water. 

26 

Which statement best explains why it 

is warmer at the equator than the North 

Pole? 

The can of regular soda sank to the bottom 

of the container, but the can of diet soda 

floated. Which statement best explains this 

observation? The can of regular soda 

A is less dense than the can of diet 

soda. 

B is more dense than the can of diet 

soda. 

C has a larger volume than the can of 

diet soda. 

D has a smaller volume than the can of 

diet soda. 

27 

A The equator has more daylight 

hours per year than the North Pole. 

B The equator has a larger area than 

the North Pole. 

C The equator is closer to the Sun 

than the North pole. 

D The equator receives more direct 

sunlight than the North Pole. 

When investigating a new cancer-fighting 

drug, medical researchers give some of the 

subjects a pill that contains the drug. Some 

of the other subjects are given a pill that 

does not contain the drug. The drug-free 

pill serves what purpose in the design of 

the investigation? 

A An experimental control 

B An experimental variable 

C A separate trial 

D A qualitative comparison 



Page 9 

Go On


Write your answer to Question #28 on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to answer Parts A, B, and C 

24 28 

The data in the table below records the weight of an object at five equal distances from Earth. 

Location 1 is taken at Earth’s surface. 

A What is happening to the mass of the object as it is taken from Location 1 to Location 5? 

B Using graph paper, plot Force versus Location for the five locations from the data table. Label 

the x and y-axis with the appropriate labels and units, and provide a graph title. 

C Using your graph, explain what is happening to the weight of the object as the object is taken 

from Location 1 to Location 5. 



Page 10 

Go On


24 29 

There is a limit to how large any given 

population can grow. Which statement 

best explains why a population must 

eventually stop growing? 

A A low female-to-male ratio 

develops as the population grows. 

B Older individuals outnumber the 

younger members of the 

population. 

C Natural selection causes the gene 

pool to shift as the population 

increases. 

D The available resources necessary 

for life are used up as the 

population grows. 

31 


following question. The diagram shows 

the path of a moving pendulum 

swinging from a fixed point called a 

fulcrum. 

24 30 


following question. The symbols are used 

to represent separate regions of space. 

At which two numbered positions is 

the potential energy of the pendulum 

most likely the same? 

A Position 1 and Position 3 

B Position 1 and Position 4 

C Position 2 and Position 3 

D Position 2 and Position 4 

2432 

Accurate estimates of the age of Earth 

were not possible until which discovery 

was made? 

Which diagram represents Earth’s place in 

the universe? 

A Diagram 1 

B Diagram 2 

C Diagram 3 

D Diagram 4 

A Earth’s molten core cools at 

predictable and measurable rates. 

B Radioactive decay occurs in certain 

elements at a predictable rate. 

C The oldest fossils are found in 

layers at the bottom of rock strata. 

D The shrinking diameter of the Sun 

can be used to infer the age of 

planets. 



Page 11 

Go On


24 33 

24 34 

Which statement provides the best 

evidence that organisms of two different 

species share a common ancestor? 

A They live in similar environments. 

B They have the same anatomy. 

C They reproduce at the same time. 

D They have similar DNA sequences. 

Which of the following pairs of compounds 

contain the same number of atoms, but different 

kinds of atoms? 

2436 

Greenhouse gases help keep Earth 

at a habitable temperature by 

A blocking the cold winds and 

ices originating in outer space. 

B serving as essential nutrients 

for atmospheric phytoplankton. 

C allowing only infrared light to 

reach Earth’s surface. 

D retaining some of the Sun’s 

energy in our lower 

atmosphere. 

A CO 2 and CaCl 2 

B CO 2 and CO 

C MgCO 3 and 2CaCO 3 

D C 4 H 10 and C 5 H 12 

2437 

Use the data table below to answer 

the following question. The data 

table shows the percentage of 

elements found in the human body. 

24 35 

Many animals have an internal or external 

skeleton that provides support and structure. 

What cell structure found in plants plays a 

similar role? 

A Cytoplasm 

B Cell wall 

C Chloroplast 

D Cell membrane 

What type of graph would best 

represent this data? 

A Pie chart 

B Line graph 

C Bar graph 

D Histogram 



Page 12 

Go On


Write your answer to Question #38 on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to answer Parts A, B, and C 

24 38 

Use the passage below to help answer the three questions which follow. 

The organisms in an ecosystem interact in many ways to survive. For example, a 

rosebush, aphids, beetles, spiders, and orioles all interact in a rosebush ecosystem. The 

diagram below shows how these organisms interact in a partial food web. 

From http://www.doe.mass.edu/ 

A Identify the producer organism in this food web. Explain the reasoning for your 

answer. 

B Identify the primary consumer organism in this food web. Explain the reasoning 

for your answer. 

C Describe what would most likely happen to each of the other organisms in the 

food web if the beetle population were suddenly destroyed. Explain the reasoning 

for your answer for each organism. 



Page 13 

Go On


24 39 

Use the graph below to answer the 

following question. 

2441 

Which of the following describes the 

differences between solids and liquids? 

A Both have a definite shape, but only 

solids have a definite volume. 

B Both have a definite volume, but 

only liquids have a definite shape. 

C Solids have a definite volume and 

shape, but liquids only have a 

definite volume. 

D Liquids have a definite volume and 

shape, but solids only have a 

definite shape. 

How much of Nevada’s energy usage 

come from nonrenewable resources? 

A 30.2% 

B 56.8% 

C 93.2% 

D 100% 

2442 

Use the graph below to answer the 

following question. The graph is a 

velocity vs. time graph showing the 

movement of a train over time. 

24 40 

Which of the following is a transfer of 

chemical energy to thermal energy? 

A A hairdryer is turned on to dry a 

girl’s hair. 

B A boy digests an apple, which 

regulates his body temperature. 

C An atom is split to increase the 

temperature of water 

D An ice cube is placed in warm soup 

and melts. 

Which statement is the best description 

of the train’s motion? The train is 

A not moving in any direction. 

B continuously accelerating. 

C moving with constant velocity. 

D accelerating slowly. 



Page 14 

Go On


A difference between sexual and asexual 

reproduction is that the offspring of 

22 2443 2445 

A asexual reproduction have fewer 

chromosomes than their parents, while 

offspring of sexual reproduction have 

the same number of chromosomes. 

B sexual reproduction have fewer 

chromosomes than their parents, while 

offspring of asexual reproduction have 

the same number of chromosomes. 

C asexual reproductions are clones of 

their parents, while offspring of sexual 

reproduction are genetically different 

from their parents. 

D sexual reproduction are clones of their 

parents, while offspring of asexual 

reproduction are genetically different 

from their parents. 

2446 

Which of the following is a cost 

associated with advances of modern 

health practices? 

A Improved hygiene and water 

treatment practices. 

B Increase in the growth of the 

human population. 

C Decrease in infant and childhood 

death rates. 

D Development of vaccines to 

prevent disease. 

Our solar system is referred to as 

heliocentric, that means the 

A Earth rotates around the Sun. 

B Earth orbits around the Sun. 

C Sun rotates around the Earth. 

D Sun orbits around the Earth. 

44 

Which wave requires a medium for 

transmission? 

A Light 

B Radio 

C Infrared 

D Sound 

2447 

In a science class, students are using 

hot plates to heat liquids during a 

laboratory investigation. Which 

practice would not be safe when 

conducting this procedure? 

A Wearing goggles 

B Tying back long hair 

C Wearing loose-fitting clothing 

D Using insulated gloves 



Page 15 

Go On


24 48 

24 49 

Metamorphic rock forms when the 

structure of pre-existing rock is changed. 

What processes can change rock in this 

manner? 

A Cooling and crystallization 

B Compaction and cementation 

C Weathering and erosion 

D Heat and pressure 

If a child is born with a genetic disorder, 

but the mother and father do not have the 

disorder, then how did the child develop 

the disorder? 

A The child was exposed to an infectious 

agent at birth. 

B The child has an allergy to an 

environmental agent. 

C The disorder is caused by a recessive 

trait and both parents are carriers. 

D The disorder is caused by a dominant 

trait that both parents possess. 

2450 

At an amusement park, the gate for a 

ride is locked and unlocked using a 

magnetic latching device. Which 

statement best explains why the gate 

is unlocked when the ride operator 

flips a switch that controls the 

latching device? The switch 

A turns off an electrical circuit to 

demagnetize the latch. 

B uses the force of gravity to 

demagnetize the latch. 

C sends an infrared light beam that 

demagnetizes the latch. 

D turns on an electrical heating 

element that demagnetizes the 

latch. 



Page 16 

STOP 

Go On



Appendix I 

Scoring 

Support 

Materials 

Copyright © 2010 by the Southern Nevada 

Regional Professional Development Program 

Page 17



Page 18

Question 10 

Score 

Description 

Three key elements. 

AND 

3 

Response addresses all parts of the question clearly and correctly. 

Response does not contain any incorrect information. 

Two key elements. 

AND 

2 

Response addresses all parts of the question. 

Response includes only minor errors. 

One key element. 

OR 

1 Response does not address all parts of the question. 

Response addresses all parts of the question, but response includes major 

errors. 

0 Response is incorrect. 

Blank No response 

Part A 

One key element 

One key element identified two pieces of evidence to support the scientist’s theory that the land masses 

were once together: 

The jigsaw puzzle-like fit of the coastlines of the landmasses 

The existence of similar fossils (plant) on each of the landmasses 

The existence of similar rock types (sandstone and/or limestone) on each of the landmasses 

Part B 


One key element that explains how each piece of evidence supports the scientist’s theory: 

The coastline of the two land masses fit almost perfectly together suggesting that they were once 

together and have been pulled apart. 

The two land masses have similar plant fossils suggesting that at one point the two separate land 

masses were once together, the plants existed, died and were preserved as fossils, and then 

separated as the land mass was pulled apart. 

The two land masses have similar limestone and sandstone rock-formations that match up. This 

suggests that the land mass was once whole and the rock formations (sandstone and limestone) 

were deposited. Later the land mass split taking the rock formations to their current locations. 



Page 19

Part C 


One key element that provides a reason why the land masses have moved to their current position: 

A divergent plate boundary existed under the once-complete landmass. The lithospheric plates 

began to move in opposite directions, pulling apart the once whole land mass into the two land 

masses observed today. 

Seafloor spreading has caused the land masses to spread apart. If things continue as they appear, 

the ocean in the diagram will continue to get larger and the distance between the two land masses 

will increase. 

Convection currents in the upper mantle are moving the two landmasses away from each other. As 

new oceanic crust is being formed at a mid-ocean ridge (a divergent plate boundary at center of 

the ocean labeled in the diagram), the two land masses will continue to move further from each 

other. 



Page 20

Question 28 

Score 

Description 


AND 

3 




AND 

2 




OR 



errors. 



Part A 


One key element that describes the mass of the object at five distances from Earth: 

Mass is a property of matter that does not depend upon location in a gravitational field 

Mass remains constant 

Mass does not change 

Part B 


One key element that correctly displays an appropriately constructed and labeled graph: 

Force v. Location 

Student graph shape matches 

the key with graph title, and 

correct labels for both x-axis 

and y-axis. 

Force (N) 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

0 2 4 6 

Location (#) 



Page 21

Part C 


One key element that describes explains what is happening to the weight of the object as it moves from 

Location 1 to Location 5: 

Weight decreases rapidly with distance as shown in the downward sloping graph. 

Weight depends on location within a gravitational field. 

As distance increases, weight decreases. 

The strength of the gravitational field decreases with distance resulting in less weight. 



Page 22

Question 38 

Score 

Description 


AND 

3 




AND 

2 




OR 



errors. 



Part A 


One key element for identifying the producer and explaining the reason: 

The rosebush is the producer in the food web because it can make its own food through 

photosynthesis. 

OR 

The rosebush is the producer in the food web because it is the primary source of energy for all of 

the other organisms. 

Part B 


One key element for identifying the primary consumer and explaining the reason: 

The primary consumer in the food web is the aphid because it feeds on the rosebush which is the 

producer. 

OR 

The aphid is the primary consumer in the food web because they are herbivores. 



Page 23

Part C 


One key element for explaining the effect on the other organisms if the beetle population was destroyed: 

If the beetle population was destroyed, initially the following would happen: 

• The spider population will decrease and eventually be destroyed because the beetles are the 

only source of food for the spiders in the food web. 

• The oriole population will decrease because the orioles will lose two food sources- the 

beetles and spiders. 

• The aphid population will increase because their predators have decreased. 

• The rosebush population will decrease because of the increase in the aphid population. 



Page 24



Appendix II 

Administrative 

Support 

Materials 



Page 25



Page 26



Page 27



Page 28

Grade 8 Science CRT Instructional Material #1 - RPDP

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?