Science Diagnostic Test
6 th Grade
Name: _____________________________________________
Date: ____ / ____ / ____
Use the information below to answer questions 1 and 2.
Alan has two samples of matter as shown in the picture.
Write the letters of the correct answers on the lines at left.
_____ 1. Which statement is a measurement of what is shown in the
picture?
A. Sample X is a different color than sample Y.
B. Sample X and sample Y are liquids.
C. Sample X fills more of the container than sample Y.
D. Sample Y has a volume of 50 milliliters.
_____ 2. Alan plans to draw models to show the state of matter of each
sample. He will do this by drawing how the particles are arranged
in each sample.
Is it possible to use only the models to identify which sample is X
and which is Y?
A. No, because the samples are both made of the same
elements.
B. No, because the samples are both liquids.
C. Yes, because the samples are different colors.
D. Yes, because the samples have different volumes.
______3. Kate is observing properties of matter. Which three properties
can she observe using her senses?
A. hardness
B. color
C. mass
D. texture
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Use the information below to answer questions 4 and 5.
Look at the pictures.
Write the letter of the correct answer on the line at left.
_____ 4. Select the three natural disasters caused by interaction with the
hydrosphere.
A. mudslide
B. blizzard
C. hurricane
D. earthquake
Circle the words to complete the sentence.
5. When the hydrosphere and the (atmosphere / geosphere / lithosphere) interact, it can
result in (a forest fire / an earthquake / a tropical storm).
6. Luis created a model of the cross-section of Earth.
In Luis's model, the rocky outer portion of Earth is referred to as the
(geosphere / lithosphere / hydrosphere). It is made up of the
(crust and upper mantle / crust and core / lower mantle).
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7. Look at the picture.
How do the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere shown in the
picture contribute to the tree’s growth?
Draw a line to match each sentence to the correct sphere.
The tree draws water through its roots. Hydrosphere
The soil provides a place for the tree to lay down roots. Atmosphere
The tree uses oxygen for energy. Geosphere
Use the information below to answer questions 1, 2, and 3.
Look at the circle graphs.
Write the letters of the correct answers on the lines
at left.
______8. What evidence supports the
importance of the ocean in the water cycle?
A. The ocean represents about 97% of Earth's water.
B. The ocean provides most of the freshwater that people use.
C. The ocean is saline, so it contributes dissolved salts to the
water cycle.
D. The ocean is not important to the water cycle because it is
saltwater.
______9. Which two statements about Earth’s freshwater are supported by
the graphs?
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A. Most freshwater is in glaciers and ice caps.
B. Aquifers are the largest source of surface water.
C. Only a very small amount of available water is freshwater.
D. Saltwater represents only a small portion of available water.
______10. Based on the circle graphs, which is the largest source of surface
drinking water?
A. lakes
B. ocean
C. aquifers
D. wetlands
______11. What provides the energy to power the water cycle?
A. the sun
B. gravity
C. the wind
D. air pressure
12. Sort the steps of the water cycle into the correct order. Number them starting with
“runoff” as “1.”
______ precipitation
______ condensation
______ evaporation
______ runoff
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______13. Which diagram shows the importance of oceans in the water
cycle?
Use phrases from the word bank to complete the sentence.
distance from Earth • distance from the sun • inner core • temperature
14. The apparent brightness of a star depends on its ____________________, but the
actual brightness of a star depends on its ____________________.
extreme temperature • fixed • gravitational pull • variable
15. All planets, moons, and other space objects move around the sun in
____________________ orbits. The sun’s ____________________ helps
these objects stay in alignment.
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