Science Practice Test 5 Welcome to your full GED practice test! You’ll face Science section, just like in the real exam. Stay focused and simulate real test conditions. You’ve got this! ⏰ Time’s up! Your responses have been automatically submitted. Check your score and review your mistakes carefully — each test makes you stronger. Science Practice Test 5 1 / 40 What causes ocean currents? A) Moon phases B) Differences in water temperature C) Length of daylight D) Shape of continents Correct Answer: B Explanation: Warm water rises and cool water sinks, creating convection currents in the ocean. Correct Answer: B Explanation: Warm water rises and cool water sinks, creating convection currents in the ocean. 2 / 40 Which natural resource is considered nonrenewable? A) Solar energy B) Oil C) Wind D) Water Correct Answer: B Explanation: Oil cannot be replaced quickly and takes millions of years to form. Correct Answer: B Explanation: Oil cannot be replaced quickly and takes millions of years to form. 3 / 40 Which device is used to measure temperature? A) Ruler B) Thermometer C) Spring scale D) Balance Correct Answer: B Explanation: A thermometer measures temperature in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. Correct Answer: B Explanation: A thermometer measures temperature in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. 4 / 40 Which planet is known as the “Red Planet”? A) Venus B) Mars C) Saturn D) Mercury Correct Answer: B Explanation: Mars appears red because of iron oxide (rust) on its surface. Correct Answer: B Explanation: Mars appears red because of iron oxide (rust) on its surface. 5 / 40 A statement that summarizes repeated observations about nature is called a scientific . Check Correct Answer: law Explanation: Scientific laws describe what happens consistently under certain conditions. Correct Answer: law Explanation: Scientific laws describe what happens consistently under certain conditions. 6 / 40 The positively charged particles in an atom are called . Check Correct Answer: protons Explanation: Protons are found in the nucleus along with neutrons. Correct Answer: protons Explanation: Protons are found in the nucleus along with neutrons. 7 / 40 The energy of motion is known as . Check Correct Answer: kinetic Explanation: Any moving object has kinetic energy. Correct Answer: kinetic Explanation: Any moving object has kinetic energy. 8 / 40 Rainfall that flows over land into rivers and streams is called . Check Correct Answer: runoff Explanation: Runoff moves water and sometimes carries soil and pollutants with it. Correct Answer: runoff Explanation: Runoff moves water and sometimes carries soil and pollutants with it. 9 / 40 The breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces by natural processes is called . Check Correct Answer: weathering Explanation: Weathering can be caused by water, wind, temperature, or chemicals. Correct Answer: weathering Explanation: Weathering can be caused by water, wind, temperature, or chemicals. 10 / 40 The organelle that captures sunlight in plant cells is the . Check Correct Answer: chloroplast Explanation: Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis. Correct Answer: chloroplast Explanation: Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis. 11 / 40 Which choices show ways scientists analyze data? A) Creating graphs B) Writing conclusions C) Making tables D) Ignoring unexpected results Check Correct Answer: A, B, C Explanation: Graphing, tabling, and concluding are data analysis steps; ignoring data is incorrect. FILL IN THE BLANK Correct Answer: A, B, C Explanation: Graphing, tabling, and concluding are data analysis steps; ignoring data is incorrect. FILL IN THE BLANK 12 / 40 Which examples show sound energy? A) A drum being hit B) A bell ringing C) A flashlight shining D) Leaves changing color Check Correct Answer: A, B Explanation: Drums and bells produce vibrations that travel as sound. Correct Answer: A, B Explanation: Drums and bells produce vibrations that travel as sound. 13 / 40 Which factors can influence population size in an ecosystem? A) Food availability B) Weather patterns C) Predator presence D) Shape of clouds Check Correct Answer: A, B, C Explanation: Food, weather, and predators affect populations; cloud shape does not. Correct Answer: A, B, C Explanation: Food, weather, and predators affect populations; cloud shape does not. 14 / 40 Which examples show renewable energy sources? A) Biomass B) Wind C) Coal D) Geothermal Check Correct Answer: A, B, D Explanation: Biomass, wind, and geothermal renew naturally. Coal is nonrenewable. Correct Answer: A, B, D Explanation: Biomass, wind, and geothermal renew naturally. Coal is nonrenewable. 15 / 40 Which situations demonstrate Newton’s Third Law (action–reaction)? A) A rocket launching upward B) A swimmer pushing water backward C) A car engine heating up D) A tree growing taller Check Correct Answer: A, B Explanation: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, like thrust pushing rockets and swimmers forward. Correct Answer: A, B Explanation: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, like thrust pushing rockets and swimmers forward. 16 / 40 Which conditions support high biodiversity? A) Clean water B) Variety of habitats C) Extreme pollution D) Stable climate Check Correct Answer: A, B, D Explanation: Healthy, diverse, and stable environments support many species. Correct Answer: A, B, D Explanation: Healthy, diverse, and stable environments support many species. 17 / 40 Which examples show evidence of chemical change? A) Baking cookies B) Melting butter C) Fireworks exploding D) Tarnishing silver Check Correct Answer: A, C, D Explanation: These produce new substances. Melting butter is only a physical change. Correct Answer: A, C, D Explanation: These produce new substances. Melting butter is only a physical change. 18 / 40 Which factors affect the strength of an electromagnet? A) Number of wire coils B) Type of core material C) Color of the wire D) Amount of electric current Check Correct Answer: A, B, D Explanation: More coils, a better core, and stronger current increase electromagnet strength. Correct Answer: A, B, D Explanation: More coils, a better core, and stronger current increase electromagnet strength. 19 / 40 Which human actions increase greenhouse gas emissions? A) Burning gasoline B) Using solar panels C) Deforestation D) Riding a bicycle Check Correct Answer: A, C Explanation: Burning fuel and cutting forests increase carbon dioxide; solar energy and biking do not. Correct Answer: A, C Explanation: Burning fuel and cutting forests increase carbon dioxide; solar energy and biking do not. 20 / 40 Which organisms break down dead material? A) Fungi B) Bacteria C) Grasses D) Hawks Check Correct Answer: A, B Explanation: Decomposers like fungi and bacteria recycle nutrients in ecosystems. Correct Answer: A, B Explanation: Decomposers like fungi and bacteria recycle nutrients in ecosystems. 21 / 40 Which process helps distribute heat energy in Earth’s oceans? A) Refraction B) Convection C) Condensation D) Sublimation Correct Answer: B Explanation: Convection currents move warm and cool water, helping regulate global temperatures. MULTIPLE SELECT Correct Answer: B Explanation: Convection currents move warm and cool water, helping regulate global temperatures. MULTIPLE SELECT 22 / 40 Which variable in an experiment is measured as the result? A) Independent variable B) Dependent variable C) Controlled variable D) Constant variable Correct Answer: B Explanation: The dependent variable is the one being measured after the independent variable is changed. Correct Answer: B Explanation: The dependent variable is the one being measured after the independent variable is changed. 23 / 40 What determines the phase of the Moon that we see from Earth? A) Earth’s tilt B) Moon’s rotation C) Moon’s position relative to Earth and the Sun D) Sun’s temperature Correct Answer: C Explanation: The Moon’s position changes how much of its lit side faces Earth. Correct Answer: C Explanation: The Moon’s position changes how much of its lit side faces Earth. 24 / 40 Which of these helps reduce soil erosion? A) Cutting down trees B) Planting vegetation C) Increasing wind speed D) Removing all rocks Correct Answer: B Explanation: Plant roots help anchor soil and prevent it from being carried away. Correct Answer: B Explanation: Plant roots help anchor soil and prevent it from being carried away. 25 / 40 Which change is a physical change? A) Iron rusting B) Wood burning C) Water freezing D) Bread baking Correct Answer: C Explanation: Freezing changes water to ice without forming a new substance. Correct Answer: C Explanation: Freezing changes water to ice without forming a new substance. 26 / 40 Which component of the scientific method involves gathering measurable facts? A) Hypothesis B) Observation C) Variable D) Conclusion Correct Answer: B Explanation: Observations provide data that help scientists understand what is happening. Correct Answer: B Explanation: Observations provide data that help scientists understand what is happening. 27 / 40 Which human body system delivers oxygen to cells? A) Circulatory system B) Digestive system C) Nervous system D) Immune system Correct Answer: A Explanation: The circulatory system transports oxygen-rich blood through the body. Correct Answer: A Explanation: The circulatory system transports oxygen-rich blood through the body. 28 / 40 Which type of energy transfer occurs through direct contact? A) Radiation B) Convection C) Conduction D) Fusion Correct Answer: C Explanation: Conduction happens when heat moves between objects that are touching. Correct Answer: C Explanation: Conduction happens when heat moves between objects that are touching. 29 / 40 What happens when two continental plates collide? A) A trench forms B) Mountains form C) New ocean floor forms D) A volcano erupts immediately Correct Answer: B Explanation: Colliding continental plates push upward to create mountain ranges. Correct Answer: B Explanation: Colliding continental plates push upward to create mountain ranges. 30 / 40 Which tool would a scientist use to measure mass? A) Graduated cylinder B) Thermometer C) Balance D) Ruler Correct Answer: C Explanation: A balance measures mass, usually in grams or kilograms. Correct Answer: C Explanation: A balance measures mass, usually in grams or kilograms. 31 / 40 Which organism is at the base of most food chains? A) Consumers B) Decomposers C) Producers D) Predators Correct Answer: C Explanation: Producers like plants make their own food and start the flow of energy in ecosystems. Correct Answer: C Explanation: Producers like plants make their own food and start the flow of energy in ecosystems. 32 / 40 Which rock type forms from heat and pressure? A) Igneous B) Sandstone C) Metamorphic D) Fossil Correct Answer: C Explanation: Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks are changed by intense heat and pressure. Correct Answer: C Explanation: Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks are changed by intense heat and pressure. 33 / 40 Which gas do plants release during photosynthesis? A) Carbon dioxide B) Oxygen C) Nitrogen D) Methane Correct Answer: B Explanation: Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a waste product. Correct Answer: B Explanation: Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a waste product. 34 / 40 What effect does increasing the incline of a ramp have on the speed of a rolling ball? A) Speed decreases B) Speed stays the same C) Speed increases D) Speed becomes zero Correct Answer: C Explanation: A steeper ramp increases gravitational pull along the surface, causing the ball to speed up. Correct Answer: C Explanation: A steeper ramp increases gravitational pull along the surface, causing the ball to speed up. 35 / 40 Which type of energy does a stretched rubber band have? A) Thermal energy B) Kinetic energy C) Potential energy D) Nuclear energy Correct Answer: C Explanation: A stretched rubber band stores potential energy that can be released when it snaps back. Correct Answer: C Explanation: A stretched rubber band stores potential energy that can be released when it snaps back. 36 / 40 A student wants to test whether light affects mold growth. What should stay the same? A) Amount of mold B) Light exposure C) Temperature D) Result of the experiment Correct Answer: C Explanation: Temperature must remain constant to isolate the effect of light exposure. Correct Answer: C Explanation: Temperature must remain constant to isolate the effect of light exposure. 37 / 40 Which state of matter has a definite volume but no definite shape? A) Solid B) Liquid C) Gas D) Plasma Correct Answer: B Explanation: Liquids keep their volume but flow to take the shape of their containers. Correct Answer: B Explanation: Liquids keep their volume but flow to take the shape of their containers. 38 / 40 Which force keeps the Moon in orbit around Earth? A) Friction B) Gravity C) Electricity D) Magnetism Correct Answer: B Explanation: Gravity pulls the Moon toward Earth while its motion keeps it in orbit. Correct Answer: B Explanation: Gravity pulls the Moon toward Earth while its motion keeps it in orbit. 39 / 40 What process releases energy from food inside human cells? A) Photosynthesis B) Fermentation C) Cellular respiration D) Condensation Correct Answer: C Explanation: Cellular respiration breaks down glucose with oxygen to release usable energy for the body. Correct Answer: C Explanation: Cellular respiration breaks down glucose with oxygen to release usable energy for the body. 40 / 40 Which part of a plant is responsible for absorbing water from the soil? A) Leaves B) Stem C) Roots D) Flowers Correct Answer: C Explanation: Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil and help anchor the plant firmly in place. Correct Answer: C Explanation: Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil and help anchor the plant firmly in place. Your score isThe average score is 0%