1. Chapter 1 What is Science
Grade 8

2. When scientists create a representation of a complex process, they are
making models.
inferring.
predicting
classifying.

3. Explaining or interpreting the things you observe based on reasoning from what you already know is called
observing.
inferring.
predicting.
classifying.

4. A scientist communicates their results with specific procedures in order for ________ to occur.
prediction.
replication.
evaluating.
observation.

5. Using one or more of your senses to gather information is called
observing.
inferring.
predicting.
classifying.

6. Observations that deal with descriptions that cannot be expressed in numbers are called
manipulated observations.
quantitative observations.
qualitative observations.
operational observations.

7. One useful tool that may help a scientist interpret data by revealing unexpected patterns is a
variable.
graph.
theory.
law.

8. Being able to identify good sources of scientific information and apply the knowledge to problems in your life is a part of . . .
scientific inquiry.
scientific hypothesis.
scientific literacy.
scientific laws.

9. Making a statement or claim about what will happen in the future based on past experiences or evidence is called
observing.
inferring.
predicting.
classifying.

10. In science, a hypothesis must be
correct.
manipulated.
controlled.
testable.

11. In a scientific experiment, facts, figures and other evidence gathered through observations are called
data.
laws.
dependent variables.
independent variables.

12. When scientists put things into categories or group together items that are alike in some way, they are
making models.
inferring.
predicting.
classifying.

13. Palm reading and astrology are examples of . . .
empirical evidence.
qualitative observations.
pseudoscience.
objective reasoning.

14. Why is it important for people to understand scientific principles and to think scientifically?
It helps people estimate cost of products.
It helps people decide what to buy.
It allows people to make informed decisions.
It allows people to explain topics like an expert.

15. During an experiment, if you purposely change the temperature to test a hypothesis, the temperature is called the
independent variable.
experimental variable.
hypothetical variable.
dependent variable.

16. A summary of what you learned from a scientific experiment is called a(n)
hypothesis.
inquiry.
conclusion.
law.

17. When scientific investigations produce data that show new patterns that contradict existing conclusions, scientists should
ignore the contradictory data and keep the old conclusions.
check the data for errors and revise or replace the old conclusions if needed.
throw out the old data and use the new data only to reach new conclusions.
change the new data so that it fits the old conclusions.

18. Which describes how opinion and scientific evidence are related?
Evidence is an idea that may be confirmed by an opinion.
Scientific evidence and opinion are the same thing.
An opinion is an idea that is not proven by evidence.
Scientific evidence and opinion are not related.

19. Reliable information comes from a person or an organization that is not
biased.
Scientific.
educational.
tested.

20. A scientist’s open-mindedness should always be balanced by ____, which is having an attitude of doubt.
skepticism
curiosity
creativity
bias

21. During an experiment, which factors must be controlled so that researchers can draw logical conclusions from the experiment?
variable
hypotheses
inquiries
theories

22. Which of the following is a valid reason why a scientist might reject a scientific theory?
Some people disagree with it.
It covers too broad a topic.
New evidence contradicts it.
It is too old.

23. To find out why food left on the kitchen counter eventually molds is an example of
using scientific inquiry
developing a theory
making a prediction
collecting data

24. The following are sources of reliable information except?
Museums
Advertisements
Government agencies
Universities

25. Scientific knowledge changes with
new magazine articles.
careful reading of facts.
repeated experiments.
new evidence and new interpretations.

26. If you conduct an experiment and draw conclusions that are based on your beliefs rather than the facts, you are using
subjective reasoning.
objective reasoning.
faulty reasoning.
experimental reasoning.

27. When you make decisions and design experiments, what kind of information do you need?
Biased and reliable
Relevant and reliable
Openminded and skeptical
Relevant and subjective

28. Be able to read a data chart and identify:
The independent variable
The dependent variable
Be able to make a prediction about future data
Be able to draw a conclusion based on given data

29. Similar to the Variables worksheet…
Be able to read a scenario and identify
The manipulated/independent variable
The responding/dependent variable
The controlled variables

30. Be able to read a data chart and
Create a line graph with titles and a key
Explain the dependent and independent variable.
Explain variables that need to be controlled in the experiment.
Make conclusions from the graph/table.