Chapter 2: The Scientific Process

Question 1

The scientific process begins with __________.

Answer 1

a question

Question 2

A __________ is an educated guess that can be tested.

Answer 2

hypothesis

Question 3

The variable that is changed in an experiment is called the __________ variable.

Answer 3

independent

Question 4

The variable that is measured in an experiment is the __________ variable.

Answer 4

dependent

Question 5

A __________ group is used for comparison in an experiment.

Answer 5

control

Question 6

__________ data involves numbers and measurements.

Answer 6

quantitative

Question 7

__________ data involves descriptions and observations.

Answer 7

qualitative

Question 8

A __________ is a tool used to measure temperature.

Answer 8

thermometer

Question 9

A __________ is a tool that measures mass.

Answer 9

triple-beam balance

Question 10

A __________ is a tool that magnifies small objects.

Answer 10

microscope

Question 11

The volume of a liquid is measured using a __________.

Answer 11

graduated cylinder

Question 12

Repeating an experiment several times is called __________.

Answer 12

replication

Question 13

A __________ is a representation used to explain things that are hard to observe directly.

Answer 13

model

Question 14

Science is based on __________, not opinions.

Answer 14

evidence

Question 15

A conclusion based on an observation is called an __________.

Answer 15

inference

Question 16

A direct recording of what you see or measure is an __________.

Answer 16

observation

Question 17

A __________ is used to measure time in experiments.

Answer 17

stopwatch

Question 18

Good scientific questions must be __________.

Answer 18

testable

Question 19

A ruler or meter stick is used to measure __________.

Answer 19

length

Question 20

Scientists use __________ to organize and analyze data.

Answer 20

graphs

Question 21

The smallest unit of mass in science is the __________.

Answer 21

gram

Question 22

Scientists share their findings through __________.

Answer 22

communication

Question 23

Scientific knowledge changes over time based on new __________.

Answer 23

evidence

Question 24

Science avoids __________ and focuses on facts.

Answer 24

opinions

Question 25

In science, all conclusions must be supported by __________.

Answer 25

evidence

Question 26

What is the first step in the scientific process? A. Conducting an experiment B. Forming a hypothesis C. Asking a question D. Drawing conclusions

Answer 26

C. Asking a question – Science begins with curiosity and testable questions.

Question 27

Which of the following is a testable statement? A. Dogs are better than cats B. If a plant gets more water, it will grow taller C. Ice cream tastes good D. Blue is the best color

Answer 27

B. If a plant gets more water, it will grow taller – This is a testable prediction (hypothesis).

Question 28

What is the purpose of a control group? A. To make the experiment more exciting B. To serve as a comparison C. To change the hypothesis D. To guess the outcome

Answer 28

B. To serve as a comparison – A control group shows what happens without changes.

Question 29

Which tool is best for measuring temperature? A. Ruler B. Thermometer C. Graduated cylinder D. Microscope

Answer 29

B. Thermometer – Thermometers measure temperature accurately.

Question 30

Which variable is measured in an experiment? A. Independent variable B. Controlled variable C. Dependent variable D. Constant

Answer 30

C. Dependent variable – This is the variable being measured in the experiment.

Question 31

What type of data uses numbers and measurements? A. Qualitative B. Quantitative C. Verbal D. Observational

Answer 31

B. Quantitative – Quantitative data involves numbers.

Question 32

Which tool is used to measure mass? A. Ruler B. Microscope C. Thermometer D. Triple-beam balance

Answer 32

D. Triple-beam balance – This tool measures the mass of objects.

Question 33

What do scientists use to show patterns in data? A. Paragraphs B. Graphs C. Stories D. Hypotheses

Answer 33

B. Graphs – Scientists use graphs to show trends in data.

Question 34

Which of the following is a model? A. A feather B. A globe C. A notebook D. A question

Answer 34

B. A globe – Models represent real systems in simplified form.

Question 35

Which is an example of qualitative data? A. The leaf is 5 cm long B. The liquid is 20 mL C. The metal is shiny D. The temperature is 25°C

Answer 35

C. The metal is shiny – Descriptions without numbers are qualitative.

Question 36

Why do scientists repeat experiments? A. To make it longer B. To improve reading skills C. To get reliable results D. To get random answers

Answer 36

C. To get reliable results – Repeating trials confirms the experiment’s accuracy.

Question 37

What do scientists do after analyzing their data? A. Form a hypothesis B. Make a question C. Draw conclusions D. Start a new subject

Answer 37

C. Draw conclusions – This step comes after data analysis.

Question 38

Which of these is NOT part of the scientific process? A. Guessing B. Observing C. Testing D. Concluding

Answer 38

A. Guessing – Science does not rely on guesses.

Question 39

Why do scientists use models? A. To avoid doing experiments B. To explain complex ideas C. To replace evidence D. To make toys

Answer 39

B. To explain complex ideas – Models help visualize hard-to-observe systems.

Question 40

Which tool magnifies small objects? A. Thermometer B. Triple-beam balance C. Microscope D. Beaker

Answer 40

C. Microscope – This tool magnifies tiny objects.

Question 41

What must a good scientific question be? A. Fun B. Easy C. Testable D. Short

Answer 41

C. Testable – Scientific questions must be testable.

Question 42

Which of these is an inference? A. The plant grew 5 cm B. The water is clear C. The plant died from lack of water D. The ball is round

Answer 42

C. The plant died from lack of water – This is an explanation based on observation.

Question 43

Which best defines an observation? A. A guess B. A measured fact C. A belief D. A prediction

Answer 43

B. A measured fact – Observations are facts from the senses or tools.

Question 44

Why is communication important in science? A. To make friends B. To make science fun C. To share and check results D. To replace experiments

Answer 44

C. To share and check results – Communication allows collaboration and verification.

Question 45

Which tool is used to measure volume? A. Ruler B. Microscope C. Graduated cylinder D. Stopwatch

Answer 45

C. Graduated cylinder – This tool is used to measure liquid volume.

Question 46

What is the dependent variable in an experiment? A. The variable that is changed B. The variable that is measured C. The variable that stays the same D. The prediction

Answer 46

B. The variable that is measured – The dependent variable is what you observe.

Question 47

What unit is used to measure mass? A. Liters B. Grams C. Meters D. Celsius

Answer 47

B. Grams – Mass is measured in grams.

Question 48

What helps organize and display experiment results? A. Graphs B. Hypotheses C. Questions D. Opinions

Answer 48

A. Graphs – Graphs help scientists analyze and display results.

Question 49

What do scientists use to test a hypothesis? A. A debate B. An opinion C. An experiment D. A story

Answer 49

C. An experiment – Experiments test hypotheses through observation.

Question 50

How does science improve over time? A. Through guesses B. Through tradition C. Through new evidence D. Through voting

Answer 50

C. Through new evidence – Scientific knowledge grows as new evidence is discovered.