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ILEARN Science Grade 6 study materials
ILEARN Science Grade 6 study resources

ILEARN Science Grade 6 practice questions

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Question 1Science and Engineering Practices

A student writes a prediction that can be tested with a classroom experiment. Which statement is written as a testable hypothesis?

  1. Plants are nicer than animals.
  2. Everyone should water plants every day.
  3. Plants grown with more light will grow taller than plants grown with less light. Correct answer.
  4. Plants are the most beautiful organisms in nature.

Explanation

A testable hypothesis predicts a measurable relationship between variables, such as amount of light and plant height. It must be possible to collect data that could support or reject it. Opinions, value judgments, and preferences cannot be tested with measurements.

Question 2Science and Engineering Practices

In an experiment testing how the amount of water affects bean plant growth, which is the independent variable?

  1. The type of soil used
  2. The amount of water given Correct answer.
  3. The number of leaves on each plant
  4. The height of the bean plants

Explanation

The independent variable is the factor the experimenter deliberately changes. Here the experimenter chooses different amounts of water to give the plants. Plant height and leaf number are measured outcomes, and soil type would be a controlled variable.

Question 3Science and Engineering Practices

A class measures the mass of the same rock three times and gets 42.1 g, 42.0 g, and 42.1 g. The true mass is 47.0 g. How should the measurements be described?

  1. Precise but not accurate Correct answer.
  2. Both accurate and precise
  3. Neither precise nor accurate
  4. Accurate but not precise

Explanation

Precision refers to how closely repeated measurements agree with each other, and these values are very close together. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, and all three are far from 47.0 g. Therefore the data are precise but inaccurate.

Question 4Science and Engineering Practices

Which tool is best for measuring the volume of a liquid in a science lab?

  1. A meter stick
  2. A graduated cylinder Correct answer.
  3. A balance
  4. A thermometer

Explanation

A graduated cylinder has volume markings and is designed to measure how much liquid is present. Each tool measures a different quantity, so matching the tool to the property is essential.

Question 5Science and Engineering Practices

A student wants to know which paper towel brand absorbs the most water. Which procedure would best test this question?

  1. Compare the prices of the three brands at a store.
  2. Read the advertisements printed on each package.
  3. Soak one square of each brand in the same amount of water and measure the water absorbed. Correct answer.
  4. Ask classmates which brand they think absorbs the most.

Explanation

A fair test changes one variable, the brand, while keeping everything else the same, such as the size of the towel and the amount of water. Measuring absorbed water gives numerical data to compare. Opinions, prices, and ads do not measure absorption.

Question 6Science and Engineering Practices

In an investigation, a group keeps the temperature, light, and soil the same for all plants and changes only the amount of fertilizer. What is the purpose of keeping the other factors the same?

  1. To make sure the results are caused only by the fertilizer Correct answer.
  2. To make the experiment finish faster
  3. To increase the number of variables being tested
  4. To guarantee the plants will grow

Explanation

Controlled variables are kept constant so they cannot affect the outcome. This allows the experimenter to attribute any difference in results to the one factor being changed. Without controls, the cause of the results would be unclear.

Question 7Science and Engineering Practices

A student claims that a certain fertilizer makes tomato plants produce more tomatoes. Which evidence would best support this claim?

  1. A gardener says the fertilizer worked well last year.
  2. A single plant given fertilizer produced many tomatoes.
  3. The fertilizer package states it increases tomato production.
  4. Two groups of ten plants, one with fertilizer and one without, show the fertilized group produced more tomatoes on average. Correct answer.

Explanation

Strong evidence comes from a controlled comparison with multiple subjects and a clear result. Comparing two groups that differ only in fertilizer use, with many plants, reduces the effect of chance. Anecdotes and package claims are not systematic data.

Question 8Science and Engineering Practices

A graph shows that as the temperature of water increases from 20°C to 80°C, the amount of sugar that dissolves increases. What relationship does the graph show?

  1. A relationship between sugar type and temperature
  2. A positive relationship between temperature and dissolving Correct answer.
  3. No relationship between temperature and dissolving
  4. A negative relationship between temperature and dissolving

Explanation

When one variable increases as the other increases, the relationship is positive. The graph shows more sugar dissolving at higher temperatures. A negative relationship would mean one variable decreases as the other increases.

Question 9Science and Engineering Practices

A data table shows these results for a toy car rolling down a ramp: 1 book height, 20 cm distance; 2 books, 40 cm; 3 books, 60 cm. Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. Taller ramps cause longer roll distances in this data. Correct answer.
  2. The number of books has no effect on distance.
  3. The car rolls faster on flat ground.
  4. The car always rolls exactly 20 cm farther for each added book in this data.

Explanation

The data show distance increasing as ramp height increases, which supports a general pattern of taller ramps leading to longer rolls. Conclusions should describe the trend the data actually show. Overly exact rules or unrelated claims go beyond the evidence.

Question 10Science and Engineering Practices

Which of these is a qualitative observation rather than a quantitative one?

  1. The plant grew 3 cm in a week.
  2. The leaf is dark green and smooth. Correct answer.
  3. The liquid has a volume of 50 mL.
  4. The rock has a mass of 12 g.

Explanation

Qualitative observations describe qualities such as color, texture, or smell without numbers. Quantitative observations involve measurements and numbers with units. Color and texture are descriptions, not measurements.

Question 11Science and Engineering Practices

A student predicts that a paper clip will float on water because of surface tension. She places the clip gently and it floats. What should she do next to make the test more reliable?

  1. Use a heavier object so it sinks.
  2. Decide the result is final after one trial.
  3. Change the prediction to match the result after seeing it.
  4. Repeat the trial several times and record what happens each time. Correct answer.

Explanation

Reliability improves when a test is repeated and results are consistent across trials. Repeated trials help rule out chance events like a lucky placement. Changing predictions after seeing results or relying on one trial weakens the investigation.

Question 12Science and Engineering Practices

A scientist reads that a new study found a certain snack improves memory. Before accepting the claim, what is the most important question to ask?

  1. Do most people like the taste of the snack?
  2. Was the study well designed and were the results repeated by other scientists? Correct answer.
  3. Was the snack expensive?
  4. Was the snack advertised on television?

Explanation

Scientific claims are judged by the quality of the evidence and whether findings can be reproduced. A single study may have flaws, so replication and good design matter. Price, taste, and advertising do not determine whether a claim is scientifically supported.

Question 13Science and Engineering Practices

A student builds a model of the water cycle using a sealed container, warm water, and a cool lid. What is a limitation of this model?

  1. It cannot show any movement of water.
  2. It shows condensation on the lid.
  3. It uses water, which is unrelated to the water cycle.
  4. It cannot fully represent the scale and complexity of the real water cycle. Correct answer.

Explanation

Models simplify real systems, so they leave out details such as scale, time, and many interacting factors. A good model still demonstrates key processes. Recognizing limitations helps scientists interpret what a model can and cannot show.

Question 14Science and Engineering Practices

Which action is an example of using scientific knowledge to solve an engineering problem?

  1. Designing a roof that sheds rain based on how water flows downhill Correct answer.
  2. Counting the number of pages in a textbook
  3. Memorizing the names of cloud types
  4. Reading a story about a rainy day

Explanation

Engineering applies scientific principles to design solutions that meet a need. Using knowledge of how water flows to design a roof is an application of science. The other actions do not involve designing a solution to a problem.

Question 15Science and Engineering Practices

An engineering team tests three bridge designs and finds design B holds the most weight. Before choosing B, what should the team consider next?

  1. Whether B also meets cost, safety, and material constraints Correct answer.
  2. Which design was built first
  3. How quickly the team can forget the results
  4. Only the color of each bridge

Explanation

Engineering decisions balance multiple criteria and constraints, not just one test result. A design that holds the most weight may still be too costly or unsafe. Considering all constraints leads to a better final solution.

Question 16Science and Engineering Practices

A student wants to compare how quickly two brands of ice melt. Which measurement should be recorded?

  1. The name of each brand
  2. The temperature of the freezer
  3. The color of each ice cube
  4. The time each brand takes to melt the same mass of ice Correct answer.

Explanation

To compare melting speed, the student must measure a quantity related to melting, such as time to melt equal amounts of ice. Keeping ice mass the same makes the comparison fair. Brand names and colors do not measure melting rate.

Question 17Science and Engineering Practices

A bar graph is best used to display which type of data?

  1. A continuous change over many hours recorded every second
  2. The exact shape of a curved surface
  3. Categories being compared, such as numbers of different animals counted Correct answer.
  4. A single number with no comparison

Explanation

Bar graphs compare counts or amounts across separate categories. Each bar represents a category, making differences easy to see. Continuous change over time is usually shown with a line graph.

Question 18Science and Engineering Practices

Two students measure the length of the same desk. Student A reports 120 cm, and Student B reports 120.0 cm. What is the main difference between their measurements?

  1. Student B's measurement shows more precision in the reported value. Correct answer.
  2. Student A's measurement is more accurate.
  3. Student B measured a different desk.
  4. The measurements cannot be compared.

Explanation

The number of digits reported reflects the precision of a measurement. Reporting 120.0 cm indicates measurement to a finer place value than 120 cm. Both could be accurate, but the extra digit signals greater precision.

Question 19Science and Engineering Practices

A student notices that a metal spoon left in hot soup becomes warm. Which step of the scientific process does this observation best represent?

  1. Analyzing data from a graph
  2. Asking a question based on an observation Correct answer.
  3. Designing a controlled experiment
  4. Publishing a final conclusion

Explanation

Scientific inquiry often begins with observing a phenomenon and asking a question about it. The warm spoon prompts a question about how heat moves. Conclusions, experiments, and data analysis come later in the process.

Question 20Science and Engineering Practices

A group tests whether music affects plant growth. They play music for one plant and no music for another, but the music plant also sits on a sunnier windowsill. What is the main flaw in their experiment?

  1. They used only two plants.
  2. They used music instead of noise.
  3. They changed more than one variable at a time. Correct answer.
  4. They did not measure plant growth.

Explanation

A fair test changes only the independent variable and keeps other factors constant. Because the music plant also gets more sunlight, any difference could be caused by light rather than music. Confounding variables make the results impossible to interpret.

Question 21Science and Engineering Practices

Which statement best describes the role of a control group in an experiment?

  1. It is the group that designs the experiment.
  2. It is the group that receives the most treatment.
  3. It is the group that records the data.
  4. It is the group that receives no experimental treatment and is used for comparison. Correct answer.

Explanation

A control group does not receive the experimental treatment, so it provides a baseline for comparison. Comparing the treatment group to the control helps show whether the treatment caused the effect.

Question 22Science and Engineering Practices

A student graphs data and notices one point far away from all the others. What is the most appropriate first step?

  1. Check the measurement or recording for the outlier before deciding what to do. Correct answer.
  2. Delete the point so the graph looks neat.
  3. Change the other points to match it.
  4. Assume the outlier proves the hypothesis.

Explanation

An outlier may result from a measurement error or may reveal something real. The first step is to check how the value was obtained before removing or interpreting it. Altering other data would be dishonest.

Question 23Science and Engineering Practices

A weather station records temperature every hour for a day. Which graph type best shows how temperature changed through the day?

  1. A line graph Correct answer.
  2. A bar graph of categories
  3. A pie chart
  4. A diagram of the weather station

Explanation

A line graph shows how a value changes continuously over time. Temperature measured hourly is a continuous variable plotted against time. Pie charts show parts of a whole, and bar graphs compare categories.

Question 24Science and Engineering Practices

A scientist repeats an experiment and gets results that differ greatly from the first run. What is the most reasonable next step?

  1. Discard both sets of results.
  2. Investigate possible sources of error and check whether conditions were the same. Correct answer.
  3. Report only the results that match the prediction.
  4. Conclude that the hypothesis is proven.

Explanation

When results are inconsistent, scientists look for sources of error or uncontrolled conditions. Identifying the cause helps determine which results are trustworthy. Selectively reporting or discarding data is not honest science.

Question 25Science and Engineering Practices

A class wants to know whether the type of soil affects how much water drains through. Which set of materials is most needed?

  1. A microscope and slides
  2. Several soil types, equal amounts of water, and a way to collect and measure the drained water Correct answer.
  3. A thermometer and a ruler
  4. A magnet and iron filings

Explanation

The investigation requires the independent variable (soil type), a controlled amount of water, and a way to measure the dependent variable (drained water). These materials directly match the question. Unrelated tools would not measure drainage.

Question 26Science and Engineering Practices

A student wonders whether earthworms prefer dark or light places. Which question is the best testable scientific question?

  1. Should people keep earthworms as pets?
  2. Why are earthworms interesting animals?
  3. Are earthworms the best organisms to study?
  4. Do earthworms move toward or away from a light source? Correct answer.

Explanation

A testable question can be answered by gathering measurable evidence through an investigation. Asking whether worms move toward or away from light can be tested by observing their movement. The other questions involve opinions or preferences that cannot be settled by measurement.

Question 27Science and Engineering Practices

During a lab, a student writes down 'the liquid turned cloudy and bubbles formed.' What type of record is this?

  1. A hypothesis
  2. A measurement error
  3. A qualitative observation Correct answer.
  4. A controlled variable

Explanation

Qualitative observations describe qualities such as color, texture, or cloudiness using words rather than numbers. 'Cloudy' and 'bubbles formed' are descriptions of what was seen. A hypothesis is a prediction, and a controlled variable is something kept the same.

Question 28Science and Engineering Practices

A class wants to find out whether salt water freezes at a lower temperature than fresh water. Which is the independent variable?

  1. The type of water being tested Correct answer.
  2. The amount of water in each container
  3. The temperature at which freezing occurs
  4. The thermometer used for measuring

Explanation

The independent variable is the factor the investigator deliberately changes. Here the type of water (salt versus fresh) is what is being changed. The freezing temperature is the dependent variable that is measured.

Question 29Science and Engineering Practices

A student measures the mass of a rock three times and records 45 g, 45 g, and 45 g. What do these results best show?

  1. The balance was broken
  2. The measurements are inaccurate
  3. The rock changed mass
  4. The measurements are precise Correct answer.

Explanation

Precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to one another. Three nearly identical readings show high precision. Accuracy would require comparing the readings to a known true value.

Question 30Science and Engineering Practices

Which tool is most appropriate for measuring the volume of a liquid in a science lab?

  1. A triple-beam balance
  2. A metric ruler
  3. A stopwatch
  4. A graduated cylinder Correct answer.

Explanation

A graduated cylinder is marked with volume units and is designed to measure how much liquid a container holds. A ruler measures length, a balance measures mass, and a stopwatch measures time.

Question 31Science and Engineering Practices

A student wants to know which paper towel brand absorbs the most water. Which procedure would best test this?

  1. Compare the prices of the different brands
  2. Feel each towel and decide which seems most absorbent
  3. Soak equal-sized pieces of each brand in water and measure the water absorbed Correct answer.
  4. Read the labels on the paper towel packages

Explanation

A fair test changes only the brand and measures a quantity that reflects absorbency, such as water absorbed. Keeping the towel size equal controls other factors. The other choices do not produce measurable evidence about absorption.

Question 32Science and Engineering Practices

A scientist records the height of a bean plant every day for two weeks. Which type of graph best shows how the height changed over time?

  1. A line graph Correct answer.
  2. A bar graph
  3. A diagram
  4. A circle graph

Explanation

A line graph shows how a value changes continuously over time by connecting data points. Plant height recorded daily is data that changes across days, so a line graph fits well. Bar graphs compare categories, and circle graphs show parts of a whole.

Question 33Science and Engineering Practices

A student uses a hand lens to look closely at the veins of a leaf. Which science tool is the student using?

  1. A heating device
  2. A measuring instrument
  3. A magnifying instrument Correct answer.
  4. A timing device

Explanation

A hand lens magnifies an object so small details become easier to see. It does not measure, heat, or time anything. Magnifying instruments help scientists observe structures more clearly.

Question 34Science and Engineering Practices

A group predicts that a ball will roll farther down a steeper ramp. They test three ramp heights and record the distance rolled each time. Which statement is a conclusion supported by results?

  1. Ramps should be steeper in playgrounds
  2. The steeper ramps made the ball roll farther Correct answer.
  3. The ball is made of rubber
  4. Steeper ramps are always more fun

Explanation

A conclusion summarizes what the collected data show about the prediction. Saying steeper ramps made the ball roll farther directly reflects measured distances. The other statements are opinions or unrelated facts.

Question 35Science and Engineering Practices

A student wants to know whether the color of light affects how fast a plant grows. Which factor should be kept the same in all trials?

  1. The final height of each plant
  2. The amount of water each plant receives Correct answer.
  3. The growth of each plant
  4. The color of light each plant receives

Explanation

Controlled variables are factors kept identical so only the independent variable changes. Water amount should be the same for every plant so it does not affect the results. Light color is the variable being changed, and growth is what is measured.

Question 36Science and Engineering Practices

A data table shows that a candle burned for 5 minutes, 8 minutes, and 6 minutes in three identical jars. What is the best estimate of the typical burn time?

  1. About 5 minutes
  2. About 6 minutes Correct answer.
  3. About 8 minutes
  4. About 19 minutes

Explanation

The typical value for repeated trials is best estimated by the average. Adding 5, 8, and 6 gives 19, and dividing by 3 gives about 6 minutes. A single extreme trial should not be used alone as the typical result.

Question 37Science and Engineering Practices

An engineer designs a lunchbox that keeps food cold. After testing it, the food warms faster than expected. What is the most useful next step?

  1. Decide the problem cannot be solved
  2. Change one part of the design and test it again Correct answer.
  3. Report that the design worked perfectly
  4. Stop testing and sell the lunchbox

Explanation

Engineering design is iterative, meaning designs are improved through repeated testing. Changing one part at a time lets the engineer tell whether that change helped. Ignoring the results or giving up does not improve the design.

Question 38Science and Engineering Practices

Two students investigate how much sugar dissolves in water at different temperatures. They use a different amount of water in each cup. How does this flaw affect the investigation?

  1. It makes the results unreliable because more than one factor changed Correct answer.
  2. It has no effect because temperature is the only thing that matters
  3. It improves the results because more water dissolves more sugar
  4. It makes the results more precise

Explanation

A fair test changes only one variable at a time. If water amount also changes, the results could be due to either temperature or water amount, so the cause cannot be identified. This reduces the reliability of the conclusions.

Question 39Science and Engineering Practices

A student claims that plants grow taller when watered with soda instead of water. Which evidence would best test this claim?

  1. Reading a story about a giant plant
  2. Asking friends which liquid they think is better
  3. Measuring the height of one plant given soda
  4. Measuring the heights of plants given soda and plants given water Correct answer.

Explanation

To test a claim about two treatments, you need a comparison group for each treatment and a measurement of the outcome. Measuring heights of soda-fed and water-fed plants provides that comparison. A single plant or opinions cannot show a difference between treatments.

Question 40Science and Engineering Practices

A scientist wants to know whether a new soap kills more bacteria than an old soap. Which observation would best answer the question?

  1. Smelling the two soaps to compare scents
  2. Timing how long each soap lathers
  3. Counting bacterial colonies on plates treated with each soap Correct answer.
  4. Measuring the volume of each soap bottle

Explanation

The question is about killing bacteria, so the evidence must measure bacteria. Counting colonies on treated plates gives a numerical comparison. Scent, bottle volume, and lather time do not measure bacterial killing.

Question 41Science and Engineering Practices

A class measures the temperature of water every minute as it cools. They want to show the pattern of cooling. Which choice best displays the data?

  1. A list of temperatures in random order
  2. A line graph with time on the horizontal axis Correct answer.
  3. A single sentence describing the water
  4. A drawing of the cup

Explanation

A line graph places the independent variable, time, on the horizontal axis and the measured temperature on the vertical axis. Connected points reveal the cooling pattern clearly. Random lists or drawings do not show a trend.

Question 42Science and Engineering Practices

A student builds a model of a volcano using clay and baking soda. What is a limitation of this model?

  1. It can be built in a classroom
  2. It does not show the true scale of a real volcano Correct answer.
  3. It can be shown to classmates
  4. It uses materials that are easy to find

Explanation

Models simplify real objects, so they leave out some features. A clay model cannot accurately represent the enormous size of a real volcano. Being easy to find, shareable, or classroom-friendly are not limitations.

Question 43Science and Engineering Practices

A student wants to know whether the shape of a paper airplane affects how far it flies. Which plan is the fairest test?

  1. Fold one plane and throw it many times
  2. Fold planes in different shapes and throw each with different force
  3. Fold planes in different shapes and throw each the same way Correct answer.
  4. Ask classmates which shape looks best

Explanation

A fair test changes the shape while keeping other factors, such as throw force, the same. This lets the distance be linked to shape rather than to how hard it was thrown. Varying force or using only one shape confuses the results.

Question 44Science and Engineering Practices

A graph shows a plant's height rising steadily from week 1 to week 4. What can be concluded from the graph?

  1. The plant stopped growing
  2. The plant grew taller each week Correct answer.
  3. The plant's height did not change
  4. The plant shrank each week

Explanation

A steadily rising line means the measured value increased over time. In this case, height increased from week to week. The graph does not support stopping, shrinking, or staying the same.

Question 45Science and Engineering Practices

A student reads an advertisement claiming that a certain drink 'boosts energy in one sip.' Which action is most scientific before believing the claim?

  1. Look for evidence from repeated, controlled tests Correct answer.
  2. Buy the drink because the ad looks convincing
  3. Ask a friend who likes the drink
  4. Assume the claim is true because it is in an ad

Explanation

Scientific claims should be judged by evidence from controlled, repeatable investigations. Advertisements are designed to persuade and may not be based on reliable data. Personal opinions or assumptions are not substitutes for evidence.

Question 46Science and Engineering Practices

A team is designing a container to keep ice from melting during a field trip. They test four materials and record how much ice remains after one hour. Which result would best guide their choice?

  1. The material that was easiest to cut
  2. The material that left the most ice remaining Correct answer.
  3. The material with the brightest color
  4. The material that looked the most attractive

Explanation

The design goal is to slow melting, so the best evidence is how much ice remains after a set time. Attractiveness, ease of cutting, and color do not measure insulation. Choosing based on measured performance is a key engineering practice.

Question 47Science and Engineering Practices

A student's hypothesis is that seeds need light to sprout. After testing, seeds in the dark sprout just as well as seeds in light. What should the student do with the hypothesis?

  1. Revise the hypothesis because the evidence does not support it Correct answer.
  2. Keep the hypothesis because it was stated first
  3. Ignore the results and repeat until it works
  4. Change the data so the hypothesis is supported

Explanation

In science, hypotheses are accepted or rejected based on evidence. When results contradict a hypothesis, the hypothesis should be revised or rejected. Changing data or ignoring results is not honest scientific practice.

Question 48Science and Engineering Practices

Two groups test the same question. Group A gets consistent results across five trials. Group B gets very different results each trial. Which statement best describes the difference?

  1. Group B's results are more reliable than Group A's
  2. Neither group's results can be trusted
  3. Both groups' results are equally reliable
  4. Group A's results are more reliable than Group B's Correct answer.

Explanation

Reliability refers to how consistent repeated results are. Group A's consistent results across trials make its findings more trustworthy. Highly variable results, like Group B's, are less reliable.

Question 49Science and Engineering Practices

A student concludes that a fertilizer made plants grow taller because the fertilized plants were also placed in a sunnier window. What is the main problem with this conclusion?

  1. Fertilizer never affects plant growth
  2. The plants were too tall to measure
  3. The conclusion was written too quickly
  4. Sunlight could also explain the difference, so the cause is uncertain Correct answer.

Explanation

When two factors change at once, the result could be due to either one. Sunlight is a confounding factor that could explain the height difference. To link height to fertilizer, sunlight must be kept the same.

Question 50Science and Engineering Practices

An engineer tests a new backpack strap design. The strap holds 20 kg in trial 1, 21 kg in trial 2, and 20 kg in trial 3. What is the strongest conclusion?

  1. The strap consistently holds about 20 kg Correct answer.
  2. The results are too varied to use
  3. The strap is too weak to test
  4. The strap holds exactly 21 kg

Explanation

The three trials are close together, near 20 kg, so the average is about 20 kg. Consistent results support a reliable conclusion. Using only the highest trial or calling the results too varied would misread the data.