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ILEARN Science Grade 4 study materials
ILEARN Science Grade 4 study resources

ILEARN Science Grade 4 practice questions

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Question 1Physical Science

A student pushes a toy car and it starts to move. Which force caused the car to start moving?

  1. The weight of the car
  2. The friction from the floor
  3. The pull of gravity
  4. The push from the student Correct answer.

Explanation

A push is a force that can change an object's motion, starting it from rest. The car's weight and gravity act downward and do not start horizontal motion, and friction opposes motion rather than starting it.

Question 2Physical Science

Which of these is a pull rather than a push?

  1. Kicking a soccer ball
  2. Stomping on the ground
  3. Opening a drawer toward you Correct answer.
  4. Pressing a doorbell

Explanation

A pull moves an object toward the person applying the force. Opening a drawer toward you moves it in your direction, which is a pull. Kicking, pressing, and stomping all move objects away from the force, which are pushes.

Question 3Physical Science

Two students push a box in the same direction, one with 10 N and the other with 15 N. What is the size of the combined force on the box?

  1. 5 N
  2. 10 N
  3. 25 N Correct answer.
  4. 150 N

Explanation

Forces acting in the same direction add together. Adding 10 N and 15 N gives a total force of 25 N in that direction.

Question 4Physical Science

A ball rolls across a floor and slowly stops. What force mainly causes the ball to slow down?

  1. Air pressure inside the ball
  2. Magnetism
  3. Friction Correct answer.
  4. Gravity pulling it sideways

Explanation

Friction between the rolling ball and the floor acts opposite to the motion, removing energy and slowing the ball. Gravity acts downward and does not by itself stop a ball rolling on a level floor.

Question 5Physical Science

Which object will a magnet attract?

  1. A plastic spoon
  2. A steel paper clip Correct answer.
  3. A glass marble
  4. A rubber eraser

Explanation

Magnets attract materials that contain iron, nickel, or cobalt. Steel contains iron, so a steel paper clip is attracted to a magnet. Plastic, glass, and rubber are not magnetic materials.

Question 6Physical Science

A light bulb is turned off. What happens to the path of electricity in the circuit?

  1. The circuit is closed, so current flows faster
  2. The circuit is open, so current cannot flow Correct answer.
  3. The wires become magnetic
  4. The battery stops storing energy

Explanation

A complete, unbroken loop is needed for electric current to flow. Turning off a bulb opens the circuit, breaking the path so current stops.

Question 7Physical Science

Which material lets light pass through it clearly so that you can see objects on the other side?

  1. A metal door
  2. A clear glass window Correct answer.
  3. A brick wall
  4. A wooden board

Explanation

Transparent materials allow most light to pass through so objects can be seen clearly through them. Clear glass is transparent. Wood, brick, and metal block light and are opaque.

Question 8Physical Science

Which of these is the best example of a sound being made by vibration?

  1. A rock sitting on the ground
  2. A drum skin shaking when struck Correct answer.
  3. A cloud drifting in the sky
  4. A shadow on a wall

Explanation

Sound is produced when an object vibrates, pushing on the air around it. A struck drum skin vibrates and makes sound. Rocks, clouds, and shadows do not vibrate to make sound.

Question 9Physical Science

A student holds a paper clip near a magnet but does not touch it. The paper clip jumps to the magnet. Which statement best explains this?

  1. The paper clip pushes itself toward the magnet
  2. Air between them pushes the clip
  3. The paper clip becomes heavier near the magnet
  4. The magnet's force acts across a distance Correct answer.

Explanation

Magnetic force acts at a distance without the objects touching. When the clip is close enough, the magnet's force pulls it across the gap. Objects cannot push themselves, and air does not move the clip.

Question 10Physical Science

A student pushes a book to the right with 20 N while a friend pushes it to the left with 20 N. What happens to the book?

  1. It moves to the left
  2. It stays still because the forces balance Correct answer.
  3. It moves to the right
  4. It lifts off the table

Explanation

When two equal forces act in opposite directions, they cancel out and the net force is zero. With balanced forces, the book's motion does not change, so it stays still.

Question 11Physical Science

A student wants to make an electromagnet stronger. Which change would most likely increase its strength?

  1. Removing the battery
  2. Using fewer turns of wire
  3. Adding more turns of wire around the nail Correct answer.
  4. Using a plastic nail instead of an iron nail

Explanation

An electromagnet's strength increases with more turns of wire and more current. Adding turns around an iron core strengthens the magnetic field.

Question 12Physical Science

Which of these is an example of energy being transferred by light?

  1. A ball rolling down a ramp
  2. A bell ringing when struck
  3. A hand warming under a lamp Correct answer.
  4. A magnet picking up a clip

Explanation

Light carries energy that can be absorbed and turned into heat. Feeling warmth from a lamp shows light energy transferring to your hand as heat. The other examples involve motion, sound, or magnetism, not light.

Question 13Physical Science

A glass of water with a straw appears bent at the surface. What causes this?

  1. Water changes the color of the straw
  2. Light bends as it moves from water into air Correct answer.
  3. The glass reflects all the light
  4. The straw really bends in the water

Explanation

Light travels at different speeds in water and air, so it bends, or refracts, when it crosses between them. This bending makes the straw look broken at the surface. The straw itself does not bend.

Question 14Physical Science

A student rubs a balloon on a sweater, and the balloon then sticks to a wall. Which best explains this?

  1. The wall becomes a magnet
  2. The balloon gains an electric charge that attracts the wall Correct answer.
  3. The balloon becomes heavier
  4. The sweater pulls the wall

Explanation

Rubbing transfers electric charges between the balloon and sweater, giving the balloon a static charge. This charge attracts the wall and holds the balloon in place. Magnetism and weight do not explain it.

Question 15Physical Science

A student builds a series circuit with two bulbs. One bulb burns out. What happens?

  1. The other bulb gets brighter
  2. The other bulb stays lit
  3. The battery gets stronger
  4. Both bulbs go out Correct answer.

Explanation

In a series circuit, current flows through one single path. If one bulb breaks the path, current cannot flow, so all bulbs go out.

Question 16Physical Science

Which statement about pitch is correct?

  1. A faster vibration makes a higher pitch Correct answer.
  2. A faster vibration makes a lower pitch
  3. Pitch depends on how loud a sound is
  4. Pitch depends on the color of the object

Explanation

Pitch is how high or low a sound is and depends on how fast the object vibrates. Faster vibrations produce higher-pitched sounds. Loudness and color do not determine pitch.

Question 17Physical Science

A metal spoon and a plastic spoon are placed in a cup of hot water. After a minute, which spoon feels hotter at the handle, and why?

  1. Neither spoon, because heat stays in the water
  2. Both spoons, because heat cannot move through either
  3. The metal spoon, because metal conducts heat well Correct answer.
  4. The plastic spoon, because plastic heats fast

Explanation

Heat moves through materials by conduction, and metals conduct heat better than plastics. Heat travels up the metal spoon quickly, making its handle feel hot.

Question 18Physical Science

A student pushes a heavy box and a light box with the same force. Which will speed up more easily?

  1. Both the same
  2. Neither moves
  3. The heavy box
  4. The light box Correct answer.

Explanation

The same force changes the motion of a less massive object more than a more massive one. The light box has less mass, so it speeds up more easily.

Question 19Physical Science

Light from the sun reaches Earth and warms the ground. Which energy change is happening?

  1. Sound energy changes into light energy
  2. Heat energy changes into light energy
  3. Light energy changes into heat energy Correct answer.
  4. Magnetic energy changes into motion

Explanation

Sunlight carries energy that the ground absorbs and gives off as heat. This is a change from light energy into heat energy.

Question 20Physical Science

A student places a mirror at an angle and sees a reflected image of a toy. Which statement explains why the toy can be seen in the mirror?

  1. The toy's light passes straight through the mirror
  2. The mirror bends light like water
  3. The mirror makes its own light
  4. Light from the toy reflects off the mirror into the student's eyes Correct answer.

Explanation

Objects are seen when light from them enters the eyes. A mirror reflects light, so light from the toy bounces off the mirror into the student's eyes.

Question 21Physical Science

A student has a magnet, an iron nail, and a copper penny. Which statement is true?

  1. The magnet attracts the nail but not the penny Correct answer.
  2. The magnet attracts the penny but not the nail
  3. The magnet attracts both equally
  4. The magnet attracts neither

Explanation

Magnets attract iron, nickel, and cobalt. Iron nails are attracted, but copper is not a magnetic material, so the penny is not attracted.

Question 22Physical Science

A student builds two circuits: one with one battery and one with two batteries in the same way. The bulb with two batteries shines brighter. What is the best explanation?

  1. Two batteries stop the current
  2. Two batteries change the bulb into a magnet
  3. Two batteries provide more electric energy to the circuit Correct answer.
  4. Two batteries make the wire shorter

Explanation

More batteries in the same direction add voltage, giving more electric energy to push current through the bulb. More current makes the bulb glow brighter.

Question 23Physical Science

A ball is dropped and bounces back up, but it never reaches the height it started from. What best explains this?

  1. The floor pushes more energy into the ball than it had
  2. Some energy is lost to sound and heat during the bounce Correct answer.
  3. Gravity becomes stronger after the bounce
  4. The ball has no energy when it is dropped

Explanation

Energy is not created, and some of the ball's energy changes into sound and heat when it hits the floor. With less energy left, it cannot rise to the original height.

Question 24Physical Science

A student says, 'The lamp lights because electricity is used up as it travels through the wire.' Which is the best correction?

  1. Electricity is not used up; energy is changed into light and heat Correct answer.
  2. Electricity stops at the switch and cannot flow
  3. Electricity is used up, but only in the battery
  4. Electricity turns into water inside the wire

Explanation

In a simple circuit, electric current flows in a complete loop and is not used up. The battery's stored energy is transferred and changed into light and heat in the bulb.

Question 25Physical Science

Two students pull on opposite ends of a rope with 30 N each and the rope does not move. A third student says the rope has no forces on it. Which response is most accurate?

  1. The rope has only one force acting on it
  2. The rope's forces add to 60 N in one direction
  3. The rope has equal forces pulling in opposite directions, so they balance Correct answer.
  4. The rope has no forces because it is not moving

Explanation

Each student pulls with 30 N in opposite directions. Equal forces in opposite directions balance, giving a net force of zero, which is why the rope does not move.

Question 26Physical Science

A student is asked to give an example of a force. Which of these is a force?

  1. Temperature
  2. Gravity Correct answer.
  3. Volume
  4. Mass

Explanation

A force is a push or a pull. Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward each other, while mass, volume, and temperature are not forces.

Question 27Physical Science

A student rubs a balloon on a wool sweater and then touches the balloon to a small piece of paper. The paper sticks to the balloon. What type of force causes the paper to stick?

  1. Gravitational force
  2. Magnetic force
  3. Friction
  4. Electric force Correct answer.

Explanation

Rubbing the balloon transfers electric charge, creating static electricity. The charged balloon exerts an electric force on the paper, causing it to stick.

Question 28Physical Science

A student is classifying materials as conductors or insulators. Which material is a conductor of electricity?

  1. Glass
  2. Copper Correct answer.
  3. Plastic
  4. Rubber

Explanation

Conductors allow electric charge to flow easily. Metals such as copper are good conductors, while rubber, plastic, and glass are insulators.

Question 29Physical Science

A student is learning about the parts of a simple circuit. Which component is needed to open and close a circuit?

  1. Switch Correct answer.
  2. Bulb
  3. Battery
  4. Wire

Explanation

A switch is a device that can open or close a circuit, controlling the flow of electricity. The battery provides energy, wires connect components, and the bulb uses energy.

Question 30Physical Science

A student is investigating how light travels. Which statement best describes how light travels?

  1. Only through solids
  2. In straight lines Correct answer.
  3. Only when it is reflected
  4. In curves around objects

Explanation

Light travels in straight lines unless it interacts with a material that changes its path, such as reflection or refraction. It can travel through empty space and through some materials.

Question 31Physical Science

A student is exploring how sound travels. Through which medium can sound travel?

  1. Through solids, liquids, and gases Correct answer.
  2. Only through air
  3. Only through empty space
  4. Only through solids

Explanation

Sound is a vibration that travels through a medium. It can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, but not through a vacuum because there are no particles to vibrate.

Question 32Physical Science

A student is sorting objects by the type of energy they have. Which object has elastic potential energy?

  1. A moving bicycle
  2. A stretched rubber band Correct answer.
  3. A glowing light bulb
  4. A hot cup of soup

Explanation

Elastic potential energy is stored in objects that are stretched or compressed. A stretched rubber band has stored energy due to its shape.

Question 33Physical Science

A student is learning about magnets. Which of these materials is attracted to a magnet?

  1. Aluminum
  2. Wood
  3. Iron Correct answer.
  4. Plastic

Explanation

Magnets attract certain metals, especially iron, nickel, and cobalt. Iron is attracted to magnets, while aluminum, plastic, and wood are not.

Question 34Physical Science

A student is investigating how the volume of a sound relates to the energy of its source. A drum is hit softly, then hit harder. What happens to the sound?

  1. It becomes higher in pitch
  2. It becomes lower in pitch
  3. It becomes softer
  4. It becomes louder Correct answer.

Explanation

Hitting the drum harder gives it more energy, so it vibrates with a larger amplitude. A larger amplitude means a louder sound.

Question 35Physical Science

A student is comparing the speed of light and the speed of sound. Which statement is true?

  1. Sound travels faster than light
  2. Light travels faster than sound Correct answer.
  3. Light and sound both need a medium to travel
  4. Light and sound travel at the same speed

Explanation

Light travels much faster than sound. For example, you see lightning before you hear thunder because light reaches you first.

Question 36Physical Science

A student is investigating how light interacts with different materials. When light hits a mirror, it bounces off. What is this called?

  1. Absorption
  2. Transmission
  3. Refraction
  4. Reflection Correct answer.

Explanation

Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface. Mirrors are designed to reflect light, allowing you to see images.

Question 37Physical Science

A student is investigating how sound travels. A student taps a table and another student puts an ear on the table. The sound is louder through the table than through the air. Why?

  1. Gases transmit sound better than solids
  2. Sound travels faster in air than in solids
  3. Sound cannot travel through solids
  4. Solids transmit sound better than gases Correct answer.

Explanation

Sound travels faster and more clearly through solids because the particles are closer together and can pass vibrations along more efficiently. Gases have particles that are farther apart, so sound is weaker.

Question 38Physical Science

A student is investigating electric circuits. Which of these is a good conductor of electricity?

  1. Rubber
  2. Copper Correct answer.
  3. Wood
  4. Glass

Explanation

Copper is a metal and a good conductor of electricity. Rubber, glass, and dry wood are insulators.

Question 39Physical Science

A student is investigating how light behaves when it passes from air into water. The light bends. What is this bending called?

  1. Refraction Correct answer.
  2. Reflection
  3. Absorption
  4. Scattering

Explanation

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one material to another. It happens because light travels at different speeds in different materials.

Question 40Physical Science

A student is investigating energy changes. When a ball is held above the ground, it has stored energy. When it is dropped, it moves. What is the energy change?

  1. Kinetic energy to potential energy
  2. Light energy to sound energy
  3. Thermal energy to light energy
  4. Potential energy to kinetic energy Correct answer.

Explanation

A ball held above the ground has gravitational potential energy. As it falls, that potential energy changes into kinetic energy, the energy of motion.

Question 41Physical Science

A student is investigating how the strength of an electromagnet changes. Which change would make an electromagnet stronger?

  1. Using a thicker iron core
  2. Using fewer coils of wire
  3. Increasing the number of coils Correct answer.
  4. Removing the battery

Explanation

An electromagnet becomes stronger when the number of coils of wire is increased, because more coils create a stronger magnetic field. Using fewer coils or removing the battery would weaken it.

Question 42Physical Science

A student is investigating how forces affect motion. A book is pushed across a table and then slides to a stop. What force causes the book to stop?

  1. Magnetism
  2. Friction Correct answer.
  3. Air resistance
  4. Gravity

Explanation

Friction is a force that opposes motion between surfaces that are touching. As the book slides on the table, friction between the book and the table slows it down and stops it.

Question 43Physical Science

A student is investigating how mass affects motion. Two carts are pushed with the same force. Cart A has a mass of 2 kg and Cart B has a mass of 4 kg. Which cart will have a greater acceleration?

  1. Cart A Correct answer.
  2. Both will have the same acceleration
  3. Cart B
  4. Neither will accelerate

Explanation

Acceleration depends on both force and mass. With the same force, a cart with less mass (Cart A) will accelerate more than a cart with more mass (Cart B).

Question 44Physical Science

A student is investigating how light interacts with materials. Which material allows light to pass through so that objects can be seen clearly?

  1. Reflective
  2. Opaque
  3. Transparent Correct answer.
  4. Translucent

Explanation

A transparent material allows light to pass through so that objects can be seen clearly. Translucent materials let some light through but blur the image, and opaque materials block light.

Question 45Physical Science

A student is investigating how sound is produced. Which action produces sound by making a material vibrate?

  1. Holding a book
  2. Looking at a light bulb
  3. Pushing a box
  4. Plucking a guitar string Correct answer.

Explanation

Sound is produced when a material vibrates. Plucking a guitar string makes the string vibrate, which produces sound waves.

Question 46Physical Science

A student is investigating how electric circuits work. A circuit has a battery, a wire, and a bulb. The bulb is lit. If the student adds a second bulb in series, what happens to the brightness of the first bulb?

  1. It gets dimmer Correct answer.
  2. It goes out
  3. It stays the same
  4. It gets brighter

Explanation

In a series circuit, adding more bulbs increases the resistance, which reduces the current. With less current, the first bulb gets dimmer.

Question 47Physical Science

A student is investigating how light interacts with materials. A red apple appears red because it reflects red light. What happens to the other colors of light?

  1. They are absorbed Correct answer.
  2. They are refracted
  3. They are transmitted
  4. They are reflected

Explanation

An object appears a certain color because it reflects that color and absorbs the others. A red apple reflects red light and absorbs other colors.

Question 48Physical Science

A student is investigating how forces affect motion. Two students pull on a rope in opposite directions with equal force. What happens to the rope?

  1. It moves upward
  2. It does not move Correct answer.
  3. It moves toward the first student
  4. It moves toward the second student

Explanation

When equal forces act in opposite directions, they balance each other out. The net force is zero, so the rope does not move.

Question 49Physical Science

A student is investigating how energy is transferred. A pan is placed on a hot stove. How is heat transferred from the stove to the pan?

  1. By reflection
  2. By convection
  3. By radiation
  4. By conduction Correct answer.

Explanation

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between objects. The stove touches the pan, so heat is transferred by conduction.

Question 50Physical Science

A student is investigating how the pitch of a sound changes. A student plucks a thick rubber band and then a thin rubber band of the same length and tension. The thin rubber band produces a higher pitch. Why?

  1. The thin band vibrates faster Correct answer.
  2. The thin band vibrates slower
  3. The thin band is longer
  4. The thin band has more mass

Explanation

Pitch depends on the frequency of vibration. A thinner rubber band vibrates faster (higher frequency), producing a higher pitch.