SCIENCE ASSESSMENTS Fourth Grade
L.EC.04.11 Identify organisms as part of a food chain or food web.
1. Seals are the main food source of polar bears. Fish are the main food source of seals. Which of the following is a correct food chain showing this relationship?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: B
2. Polar bears are the world’s largest land predators. Their main prey is the seal, but they also eat great quantities of fish. The main food source of seals is fish. Which of the following best describes the seal?
A. The seal is prey only. B. The seal is a predator only. C. The seal is a predator and prey. D. The seal is a producer and prey.
Answer: C
3. The diagram shows a food web in a large park. Each circle represents a different species in the food web. Which of the organisms in the food web could be referred to as primary consumers?
A. 7 only B. 5 and 6 only C. 2, 3, and 4 only D. 2, 5, and 7 only
Answer: C
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 1 4. All of these are consumers EXCEPT a ______
A. tree B. bullfrog C. wasp D. butterfly
Answer: A
5. In order for energy to flow through this food web from the sun to the yellow perch, the perch must ______
A. eat the valve snail or the mosquito larva B. live in warmer areas of its habitat C. eat pond grass and algae D. go through the process of photosynthesis
Answer: A
L.EC.04.21 Explain how environmental changes can produce a change in the food web.
1. In the food chain, what will likely happen if all of the mice leave the area?
A. Snakes will not have enough food.
B. C. The plants will increase in number. D. There will not be enough insects in the food chain.
Answer: A
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 2 2. A strip of land is cleared of trees and bushes to make space for a power line. What impact might this have on birds living in the area?
A. The rate of erosion will decrease. B. There will be less food and shelter. C. The natural enemies of birds will be eliminated. D. Weather conditions may change.
Answer: B
3. Which of the following is an example of a changed behavior in response to a change in environment?
A. Coyotes begin to eat small pets in a growing suburb. B. Goats graze in herds, rather than alone across a field. C. Canada geese fly from one pond to another in their ecosystem. D. Lions chase gazelle across the savannahs for food.
Answer: A
P.EN.04.12 Identify heat and electricity as forms of energy.
1. What form of energy causes an ice cube to melt?
A. mechanical B. magnetic C. sound D. heat
Answer: D
2. Which of the following types of energy can give off heat energy?
A. mechanical energy B. electrical energy C. chemical energy D. all of these
Answer: D
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 3 3. Heat and electricity are
A. the same thing. B. types of light. C. forms of energy. D. hard to find.
Answer: C
P.EN.04.41 Demonstrate how temperature can be increased in a substance by adding energy.
1. A stove heats food by adding ______to the food.
A. energy B. water C. light D. salt
Answer: A
2. Yong bought a can of soda at the pool and left the soda in the sun while he swam. When Yong came back, the soda can was warm. What raised the temperature of his soda?
A. water splashed from the pool B. bees flying around the soda can C. the sound of people’s voices D. heat energy from the sun
Answer: D
3. A rod of steel is placed in a fire for 30 minutes. What is one change that is likely to be observed when the rod is removed?
A. The rod will give off a sulfur smell. B. The rod will have doubled in size. C. The rod will be red. D. The rod will have changed from steel to copper.
Answer: C
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 4 P.EN.04.42 Describe heat as the energy produced when substances burn, certain kinds of materials rub against each other, and when electricity flows through wire.
1. Of the following things that produce heat, which needs fuel?
A. mixing things together B. friction C. electricity D. fire
Answer: D
2. Boris rides his bicycle at a high speed and then stops suddenly using the brakes. After his ride, Boris feels the rubber on the tires of his bicycle. The rubber feels warm. What, most likely, is the source of this heat?
A. friction B. electricity C. a chemical reaction D. all of these
Answer: A
P.EN.04.43 Describe how heat is produced through electricity, rubbing, and burning.
1. Which of the following is a way to produce heat?
A. mixing two things together causing a chemical reaction B. rubbing two things together to cause friction C. setting something on fire D. all of these
Answer: D
2. On a very cold day, people can often be seen rubbing their hands together. Why do they do this?
A. This creates friction which produces heat to warm their hands. B. They do this to take their minds off the cold. It doesn’t actually do anything. C. This creates static electricity which helps warm their hands. D. This creates friction which makes their hands numb.
Answer: A
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 5 3. A light bulb is turned on. It produces light and warms up. Which statement is true?
A. Some of the electrical energy is transformed to light energy and some is destroyed. B. All the electrical energy is transformed to light energy. C. All the electrical energy is transformed to light energy and heat energy. D. All the electrical energy is transformed to heat energy.
Answer: C
P.PM.04.33 Demonstrate magnetic field by observing the patterns formed with iron filings using a variety of magnets.
1. A piece of metal is probably a magnet if it ______
A. can pull some metals to it. B. has a dull metal color. C. has the letter N on it. D. becomes rusty in the rain.
Answer: A
2. Examine the image of a magnet and its magnetic field, and answer the question that follows. A magnetic field consists of ______that connect a magnet’s North Pole to its south pole.
A. iron wires B. cobalt wires C. straight lines D. curved lines
Answer: C
3. What makes the needle on the compass in the picture point north?
A. Rainfall B. Evaporation C. Wind currents D. Magnetism
Answer: D
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 6 4. Which picture shows the way that two magnets will attract?
A. B.
C. D.
Answer: D
P.PM.04.34 Demonstrate that non-magnetic objects are affected by the strength of the magnet and the distance away from the magnet.
1. In a box there is a mixture of iron filings and sand. Which is the easiest way to separate the iron filings from the sand?
A. Pour water on the mixture B. Use a magnifying glass C. Use a magnet D. Heat the mixture
Answer: C
2. The magnetic fields of any magnet are greatest ______
A. around the middle. B. around only the North Pole. C. around the poles. D. around only the South Pole.
Answer: C
3. A student put five ring magnets on a pencil. The magnets are labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Which two magnets are attracting each other?
A. 1 and 2 B. 2 and 3 C. 3 and 4 D. 4 and 5
Answer: B
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 7 4. Which magnet will attract a metal paper clip the most?
A. A weak magnet that is 3 centimeters from the paper clip. B. A strong magnet that is 3 centimeters from the paper clip. C. A weak magnet that is 3 meters from the paper clip. D. A strong magnet that is 3 meters from the paper clip.
Answer: B
P.EN.04.51 Demonstrate how electrical energy is transferred and changed through the use of a simple circuit.
1. The picture shows a way you could hook up a battery, three wires, and a light bulb. Explain how you could use these things to test an item to see if it is a conductor of electricity. How could you tell?
Answer: Answers may vary
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 8 2. A class prepared some electric circuits using a battery, three light bulbs, and wire. Which of these circuits can make the three bulbs light?
Answer: B
P.EN.04.52 Demonstrate magnetic effects in a simple electric circuit.
1. In an electromagnet, electric energy is converted to ______energy.
A. gravitational B. magnetic C. sound D. light
Answer: B
2. Electricity can be used to produce powerful forces. What type of energy is electricity converted to in an electromagnet?
A. heat energy B. magnetic energy C. sound energy D. light energy
Answer: B
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 9 3. Electromagnets are used to make many different objects that you use every day. For example, many doorbells use an electromagnet to ring. What other electrical device uses electromagnetism?
A. an electric motor B. a watch C. a refrigerator magnet D. a light bulb
Answer: A
P.PM.04.53 Identify objects that are good conductors or poor conductors of heat and electricity.
1. Look at each item in the list below. Decide if it conducts electricity or does not conduct electricity. Put an X in the box to show what you decided.
Answers: Conducts Electricity: House Key, Coin, Metal Fork, Aluminum Foil Does Not Conduct Electricity: Rubber Band, Wooden Toothpick, Plastic Spoon
2. Which of these materials is a good conductor of electricity?
A. Metal B. Glass C. Newspaper D. Rubber
Answer: A
3. Many electrical wires are wrapped with a plastic coating because plastic is ______
A. a good insulator. B. able to keep its shape. C. more dense than copper. D. less expensive than steel.
Answer: A
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 10 4. What material would be safest to use as an insulator to cover electrical wires?
A. Water B. Rubber C. Aluminum D. Tin
Answer: B
L.EV.04.21 Identify individual differences (color, leg length, wing size, leaf shape) in organisms of the same kind
1. The birds shown below are all found in Michigan. Examine the beaks of these birds and compare them with the bald eagle. Which one of them can MOST LIKELY be classified as a bird of prey?
Bald Eagle Pheasant Mallard Duck Cardinal Hawk
A. hawk B. cardinal C. pheasant D. mallard duck
Answer: A
2. Some fish have a streamlined body shape that allows them to move swiftly in the water. Which of these fish is probably the fastest?
A. B.
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 11 C. D.
Answer: D
3. The BEST way to tell the difference between an oak and a maple tree is to compare
A. their heights. B. the number of leaves on the trees. C. the size of the root systems of the trees. D. the shape of the leaves.
Answer: D
L.EV.04.22 Identify how variations in physical characteristics of individual organisms give them an advantage for survival and reproduction.
1. Polar bears have thick footpads on the soles of their feet. How do these pads, shown below, benefit the bear?
A. They help the bear catch more seals. B. They help the bear climb trees to look for food. C. They help the bear swim faster when hunting fish. D. They help the bear walk on ice and protect it against cold.
Answer: D
2. Answer the following constructed response questions: List at least two traits that polar bears have that help them survive in their environment. Explain how each of these traits helps them survive.
Answer: Sample Responses: (White) fur for camouflage (Thick) fur for warmth/insulation (Sharp) teeth for hunting/killing/eating prey (Sharp) claws for hunting/killing prey Foot pads for gripping the ice or to keep its feet warm Layer of fat for insulation (Webbed) paws to help them swim Large size means fewer predators are able to kill it or helps to kill smaller prey. Aggressive behavior means fewer predators are able to kill it or helps to kill smaller prey
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 12 Nose to smell its prey
Scoring Guide: 3 points = the student correctly lists and explains two traits. 2 points = the student correctly lists two traits and explains one. 1 point = the student correctly lists two traits but gives no explanation OR the student correctly lists and explains one trait. 0 points = the student lists one trait without an explanation. OR the student does not correctly list any traits. 3. Organisms have many methods of surviving winter conditions. Which of the following is NOT an example of an organism adapting to survive in the cold winter months?
A. Robins fly from Michigan to Georgia in the fall. B. Chameleons change color to match their surroundings. C. White-tailed deer grow longer hair that is hollow inside. D. Carp settle on the bottom of a pond and cover themselves with mud.
Answer: B
4. This is a drawing of a bird’s foot. Where would you be MOST likely to find such a bird?
A. forest B. meadow C. cornfield D. lake
Answer: D
5. This cactus has a thick skin that feels like wax. This type of skin is important because it ______
A. keeps the plant warm. B. allows the plant to get food from the air. C. helps to save water. D. keeps the plant from falling over.
Answer: C
6. A turtle uses its shell for ______
A. storing food. B. rearing young. C. protection. D. movement.
Answer: C
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 13 L.OL.04.15 Determine that plants require air, water, light, and a source of energy and building material for growth and repair.
1. A family wanted to start some plants inside their house. They put the seeds in good soil and added fertilizer. What else would help the plants to start growing?
A. water B. music C. special care every day D. a cool place
Answer: A
2. Veronica was doing an experiment to see how much light tomato plants needed. She put one plant in the dark, one plant in the shade, and one plant in the sunlight. She made sure that each plant got plenty of water and fertilizer. What else should she do to make her experiment a good one?
A. Make sure that each plant is in the same kind of soil. B. Make sure that she talks to each plant every day. C. Make that each plant is in the same color pot. D. Make sure that no one else sees the plants.
Answer: A
3. Some bean plants are planted in a sunny part of a garden and some in the shade of a tree. All the plants are in good soil and get plenty of water. Which bean plants will probably grow better?
A. They will grow equally well. B. The plants in the shade. C. The plants in the sun. D. It depends on what kind of soil is in the garden.
Answer: C
4. John kept some seeds on moist cotton in a dish. Mike put the same kind of seeds in a dish beside John’s dish, and covered them with water. After two days, John’s seeds sprouted, but Mike’s did not. Which is the most likely reason?
A. Mike’s seeds needed more air. B. Mike’s seeds needed more light C. Mike did not put the dish in a warm enough place D. Mike should have used a different kind of seed
Answer: A
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 14 L.OL.04.16 Determine that animals require air, water, and a source of energy and building material for growth and repair.
1. Bobby has a pet lizard that eats insects. Which of these does not need to be in the lizard’s cage?
A. Plants B. Air C. Clean water D. Grasshoppers
Answer: A
2. In order to survive, all animals need
A. heat, water, and soil. B. sunlight, soil, and heat. C. sunlight, air, and food. D. food, water, and air.
Answer: D
P.PM.04.16 Measure the weight (spring scale) and mass (balances in grams or kilograms) of objects.
1. Which of the boxes X, Y, or Z has the LEAST mass?
A. X B. Y C. Z D. All three boxes have the same mass.
Answer: A
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 15 2. A girl wanted to play on a seesaw with her little brother. Which picture shows the best way for the girl, who weighed 50 kg (kilograms), to balance her brother, who weighed 25 kg?
Answer: D
3. Which of the following measurements is most likely the mass of a pencil?
A. 17 millimeters B. 17 kilograms C. 10 grams D. 10 centimeters
Answer: C
P.PM.04.17 Measure the volumes of liquids in milliliters and liters.
1. Which of these would be the best tool to measure the volume of water absorbed by a sponge?
A. B.
C. D.
Answer: D
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 16 2. If 5 milliliters of vinegar are added to the water in the cylinder, what will be the total volume of the liquid?
A. 30 milliliters B. 27 milliliters C. 35 milliliters D. 37 milliliters
Answer: D
3. How much water is in the graduated cylinder?
A. 17 milliliters B. 16 milliliters C. 1 milliliter D. 14 milliliters
Answer: C
4. Of the choices below, which unit of measurement would be most appropriate for measuring the volume of an ice chest?
A. liters B. milliliters C. kilograms D. meters
Answer: A
5. What is the volume of the liquid in the graduated cylinder shown?
A. 37.5 mL B. 37 mL C. 36 mL D. 36.5 mL
Answer: C
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 17 P.CM.04.11 Explain how matter can change from one state (liquid, solid, gas) to another by heating and cooling.
1. The pictures below show an ice cube left on a plate in a warm room. Which picture was taken last?
A. B.
C. D.
Answer: D
2. Which of the following changes is possible with the addition of heat?
A. Ice changes to liquid water. B. Water vapor changes to ice. C. Water vapor changes to liquid water. D. Liquid water changes to ice.
Answer: A
3. What type of phase change is happening as water changes into ice?
A. condensation B. melting C. freezing D. evaporation
Answer: C
4. Samantha bought a chocolate bar and carried it home in her hand. Later she opened its wrapper and saw that the chocolate had melted. Why did this happen?
A. Heat was added to the chocolate bar. B. The chocolate bar condensed into a liquid. C. Heat was neither added nor taken away. D. Heat was taken away from the chocolate bar.
Answer: A
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 18 P.PM.04.23 Compare and contrast the states (solid, liquid, gases) of matter.
1. Which of the following phases of water has a definite size and shape?
A. gas B. liquid C. solid D. All of the above
Answer: C
2. The circles in the bottles represent the same type of matter. Which jar contains the matter in the form of a gas?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
Answer: C
3. The picture shows a solid floating in a liquid. Which of the following statements describes one way that solids are different from liquids?
A. Solids have weight and liquids do not. B. Solids take up space and liquids do not. C. Solids have a definite shape and liquids do not. D. Solids have a definite volume and liquids do not.
Answer: C
4. What happens when ice reaches its melting point temperature?
A. It changes from a solid to a liquid. B. It changes from a liquid to a gas. C. It changes from a solid to a gas. D. It changes from a gas to a liquid.
Answer: A
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 19 E.ST.04.11 Identify the sun and the moon as common objects in the sky.
1. Which object is closer to the Earth?
A. The sun B. The moon C. They are the same distance D. Neither
Answer: B
2. The closest star to the earth is______.
A. the sun. B. the moon. C. Ursa Major. D. There is no star close to Earth.
Answer: A
3. Which one of these objects is a star?
A. The sun B. The moon C. The Earth D. All of the above
Answer: A
4. Which object appears to be the biggest object in the sky?
A. The moon B. The sun C. Neither D. They are the same
Answer: A
5. How do the relative distances of the Sun, Earth, and Moon compare?
A. The Earth and the Moon are closer to each other than they are to the Sun B. The Sun, Earth, and Moon are all the same distance from each other C. The Sun and the Moon are closer to each other than they are to the Earth D. The Sun and the Earth are closer to each other than they are to the Moon
Answer: A
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 20 E.ST.04.12 Compare and contrast the characteristics of the sun, moon and Earth, including relative distances and abilities to support life.
1. If the Earth moved farther away from the sun, which of these would probably happen?
A. There would be colder weather. B. There would be more seasons. C. There would be no moon. D. There would be more solar eclipses.
Answer: A
2. The Sun is bigger than the Moon, but they appear to be about the same size when you look at them from the Earth. Why is this?
A. The moon shines only at night. B. Because the sun is rotating. C. The moon is closer to the Earth. D. The sun is higher up than the moon.
Answer: C
3. How is the Earth different from the sun and the moon?
A. It rotates on its axis. B. It is warmed by the sun. C. It has a breathable atmosphere. D. It has a rocky surface.
Answer: C
E.ST.04.21 Describe the orbit of the Earth around the sun as it defines a year.
1. How many days does it take for the Earth to make one revolution around the Sun?
A. 250 days B. 365 days C. 31 days D. 1 day
Answer: B
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 21 2. Which of these best shows that the Earth revolves around the sun as the moon revolves around the Earth?
A. B.
C. D.
Answer: A
3. One year on Earth is defined by
A. the time needed for the Moon to revolve once around the Earth. B. the time needed for the Earth to revolve once around the Moon. C. the time needed for the Sun to revolve once around the Earth. D. the time needed for the Earth to revolve once around the Sun.
Answer: D
E.ST.04.22 Explain that the spin of the Earth creates day and night.
1. One complete turn of the Earth around its own axis best describes
A. one day. B. one week. C. one month. D. one year.
Answer: A
2. What motion causes day and night?
A. The revolution of Earth. B. The revolution of the Moon. C. The rotation of Earth. D. The rotation of the Moon.
Answer: C
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 22 3. The time between today’s sunrise and tomorrow’s sunrise would be about ______
A. 48 hours. B. 12 hours. C. 36 hours. D. 24 hours.
Answer: D
4. Select the choice that best completes the following sentence:
When an object spins on its axis, it ______.
A. revolves B. rotates C. vibrates D. explodes
Answer: B
5. Which statement explains why daylight and darkness occur on Earth?
A. The Earth rotates on its axis. B. The Sun rotates on its axis. C. The Earth’s axis is tilted. D. The Earth revolves around the Sun.
Answer: A
6. A ______is the time needed for Earth to complete one rotation on its axis.
A. year B. week C. month D. day
Answer: D
E.ST.04.23 Describe the motion of the moon around the Earth.
1. When the moon travels around the Earth, it______.
A. rotates B. explodes C. vibrates D. revolves
Answer: D
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 23 2. Eddie is wondering which parts of the Sun-Earth-Moon system rotate. What should you tell Eddie?
A. Only the Earth rotates. B. The Sun, Earth, and Moon rotate. C. Only the Moon rotates. D. Only the Sun and Earth rotate.
Answer: B
E.ST.04.24 Explain how the visible shape of the moon follows a predictable cycle which takes approximately one month.
1. Which of the following is the next phase of the moon?
A. B.
C. D.
Answer: A
2. For approximately two weeks after a full Moon, you can expect the Moon ______.
A. to appear smaller each night B. to stay the same size C. to remain light D. to appear larger each night
Answer: A
3. About how long does it take the Moon to complete all of its phases?
A. a year B. a week C. a day D. a month
Answer: D
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 24 4. The Moon produces no light, and yet it shines at night. Why is this?
A. The Moon reflects the light from the Sun. B. The Moon rotates at a very high speed. C. The Moon is covered with a thin layer of ice. D. The Moon has many craters.
Answer: A
E.ST.04.25 Describe the apparent movement of the sun and moon across the sky through day/night and the seasons.
1. The Sun is lowest in the sky and daytime is shortest during ______.
A. winter B. spring C. autumn D. summer
Answer: A
2. Which of the following best explains why the Sun appears to move across the sky every day?
A. The Sun rotates on its axis. B. Earth rotates on its axis. C. The Sun orbits around Earth. D. Earth orbits around the Sun.
Answer: B
3. The Moon appears to rise in the ______and set in the ______.
A. east; west B. south; north C. west; east D. north; south
Answer: A
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 25 E.ST.04.31 Explain how fossils provide evidence of the history of the Earth.
1. An unusual type of fossil clam is found in rock layers high in the Swiss Alps. The same type of fossil clam is also found in the Rocky Mountains of North America. From this, scientists conclude that
A. glaciers carried the fossils up the mountains. B. the Rocky Mountains and the Swiss Alps are both volcanic in origin. C. clams once lived in mountains, but have since evolved into sea-dwelling creatures. D. the layers of rocks in which the fossils were found are from the same geologic age.
Answer: D
2. The diagram shows layers of sedimentary rocks and examples of their fossils. Which layer contains the oldest fossils?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
Answer: D
3. Geologists learn what organisms were like in the past by studying
A. atmosphere. B. fossils. C. minerals. D. water.
Answer: B
4. Fossils are most commonly found in ______rock
A. igneous B. metamorphic C. Paleolithic D. sedimentary
Answer: D
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 26 E.ST.04.32 Compare and contrast life forms found in fossils and organisms that exist today.
1. Which part of a dinosaur is least likely to be found as a fossil?
A. Claws B. Bones C. Muscle D. Teeth
Answer: C
2. Which of the following rock samples contain fossils?
A. B.
C. D.
Answer: A
3. Which of the following can become fossils?
A. remains of plants B. imprints of plants C. remains of animals D. all of these
Answer: D
4. Look at the diagrams. On the left is a fossil of an extinct organism called the ammonite. On the right is an artist’s drawing of what the ammonite probably looked like. What organism alive today is most likely related to the ammonite?
A. crab B. spider C. squid D. fish
Answer: C
Fourth Grade Science Assessments – February 2009 27