Free Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) 6th Grade Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which combination of expressions is the same for any non-zero value of the variable?

b + b + 3c and 2b +3c (Correct answer)
f + f + f + g and 3fg
4d + 2e and 8d + e
3(x+2) and 3x+2

Correct answer: b + b + 3c and 2b +3c

The question asks for equivalent expressions. In option A, "b + b + 3c" can be simplified by combining the like terms "b + b" to become "2b." Therefore, "b + b + 3c" is equivalent to "2b + 3c." The other options do not show equivalent expressions when simplified or expanded.

Question 2: The following is an equation. 12 – 9 + c = 12 What value of c must exist for the equation to be true?

12
3
0
9 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 9

To solve the equation 12 – 9 + c = 12, first simplify the left side: 12 – 9 equals 3. So the equation becomes 3 + c = 12. To isolate 'c', subtract 3 from both sides of the equation, which gives c = 12 - 3, resulting in c = 9.

Question 3: What expression has the same meaning as 60 - 3y -9?

20(3 – 3y) – 9
3(17 – y) (Correct answer)
3(20 – y) – 3
17(3 – y)

Correct answer: 3(17 – y)

The original expression is 60 - 3y - 9. First, combine the constant terms: 60 - 9 equals 51. The expression becomes 51 - 3y. Next, factor out the common factor of 3 from both terms: 3(17 - y). This matches option B.

Question 4: The formula V = s3 can be used to calculate the volume, V, of any cube having a side length, s. What is the cubic centimeter volume of a cube with a side length of 2.3 centimeters?

6.9
5.29
12.167 (Correct answer)
8.027

Correct answer: 12.167

The formula for the volume of a cube is V = s³, where 's' is the side length. Given a side length of 2.3 centimeters, you need to calculate 2.3 x 2.3 x 2.3. Multiplying 2.3 by 2.3 gives 5.29, and then multiplying 5.29 by 2.3 yields 12.167.

Question 5: What value set causes the inequality n ≥ – 5 to be true?

{- 6 , -7, – 6}
{- 6 , 0, 5}
{- 5 , -5.5, – 6}
{- 5 , -4.5, – 3} (Correct answer)

Correct answer: {- 5 , -4.5, – 3}

The inequality n ≥ – 5 means that 'n' must be greater than or equal to -5. This includes -5 itself and any number larger than -5. Option D, {-5, -4.5, -3}, contains values that are all greater than or equal to -5, making the inequality true for each number in the set. The other options contain values smaller than -5, such as -6 or -7.

Question 6: Necklaces are being made by Tammy and Kenny. The 25 necklaces Kenny makes. More necklaces are made by Tammy than by Kenny. Which phrase best sums up the number of necklaces Kenny and Tammy created?

25 + 25m
25m
25 + (25 + m) (Correct answer)
25 + m

Correct answer: 25 + (25 + m)

Kenny makes 25 necklaces. Tammy makes "m" *more* necklaces than Kenny, so Tammy's amount is 25 + m. To find the total number of necklaces Kenny and Tammy created, you add Kenny's amount to Tammy's amount: 25 + (25 + m). This expression correctly represents the sum of their individual contributions.

Question 7: Which of these sentences has proper punctuation?

Did you see the article Hurricane in Time Magazine?
Did you read “Elevator Man” in the “New Yorker”?
I read “Box Step” in Frederick Barthclure’s short story collection, Moon Deluxe. (Correct answer)
I read the sports section in the “New York Times”.

Correct answer: I read “Box Step” in Frederick Barthclure’s short story collection, Moon Deluxe.

Option C correctly uses quotation marks for the title of a short story ("Box Step") and italics (or underlining, if typing) for the title of the larger collection it belongs to (Moon Deluxe). Options A, B, and D incorrectly use quotation marks for major publications like magazines or newspapers, which should be italicized, or incorrectly punctuate titles within titles.

Question 8: My friend, a New York Yankees fan, has tickets to the first game of the season. Which word or words should be followed by a comma?

tickets,
fan,
friend, fan, (Correct answer)
who, fan,

Correct answer: friend, fan,

The phrase "a New York Yankees fan" is an appositive, which provides additional, non-essential information about "My friend." Appositives should be set off by commas. Therefore, a comma is needed after "friend" to introduce the appositive and another comma after "fan" to close it, making "My friend, a New York Yankees fan, has tickets..." the correct punctuation.

Question 9: Which word has the correct spelling?

recommend (Correct answer)
extrardinary
mispell
critisize

Correct answer: recommend

The word "recommend" is spelled correctly in option A. The other options contain common misspellings: "extrardinary" should be "extraordinary," "mispell" should be "misspell," and "critisize" should be "criticize."

Question 10: We went outside today and danced wildly in the hallway. What word expresses "how"?

out
went
wildly (Correct answer)
today

Correct answer: wildly

Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often answering questions like "how," "when," "where," or "to what extent." In the sentence, "wildly" describes *how* they danced. It modifies the verb "danced," indicating the manner of the action.

Question 11: While I was walking in the alley,_____________ . What word will bring this statement back to its full form?

on the way to the library.
a black cat crossed my path. (Correct answer)
giggling to myself.
with my hands in my pockets.

Correct answer: a black cat crossed my path.

The introductory phrase "While I was walking in the alley" is a dependent clause that describes the subject of the main clause. To avoid a dangling modifier, the subject of the main clause must be the one performing the action of walking. Option B, "a black cat crossed my path," provides a new subject and verb, completing the sentence logically and grammatically without implying the cat was walking in the alley. Options A, C, and D would create dangling modifiers, suggesting the library, giggling, or hands were walking.

Question 12: Several __ of oranges _ at the market. Pick the appropriate phrases to finish the sentence.

case, were selled
cases, were sold (Correct answer)
case, was sold
cases, were saled

Correct answer: cases, were sold

The sentence requires a plural noun for "Several" and a plural verb to agree with it. "Cases" is the correct plural form of "case." Additionally, the past participle of the verb "sell" is "sold," not "selled" or "saled." Therefore, "Several cases of oranges were sold at the market" is the grammatically correct choice.

Question 13: It made a terrible sound. I felt the straps pushing me back as I was propelled forward in my seat. We were wedged up against a telephone pole and our car was off the road when I turned to look around. Although the collision was unavoidable, I was aware that our seat belts had prevented serious injury or death. My father was attempting to undo his seatbelt while seated in the driver's seat in order to check on me. I'll always buckle up, and I hope everyone else does as well. What does the author hope you will be interested in?

looking for telephone poles
sitting up straight
riding in the car
wearing your seat belt (Correct answer)

Correct answer: wearing your seat belt

The author vividly describes a car accident and explicitly states, "Although the collision was unavoidable, I was aware that our seat belts had prevented serious injury or death. I'll always buckle up, and I hope everyone else does as well." This direct statement reveals the author's primary purpose: to persuade readers about the importance of wearing seat belts.

Question 14: Rachel's lovely dress with ruffles was tearing and looking tattered. She required a pair of pants so that she could move around the ship without tripping over the deck's ropes. She had to go more swiftly because she was falling behind the rest of the crew. She urgently needed to discover anything. Which of the following best summarizes this passage?

Crew members were getting angry with Rachel's .
Rachel's clothes did not match the clothes of the rest of the crew.
The captain was angry because she tried to help the crew.
Rachel's clothes would not allow her to work properly on the ship, and she needed new ones. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Rachel's clothes would not allow her to work properly on the ship, and she needed new ones.

The passage describes Rachel's "lovely dress with ruffles" as tearing and tattered, hindering her ability to move and work on the ship without tripping. It explicitly states she "required a pair of pants" and "urgently needed to discover anything" to help her move more swiftly. This clearly indicates her clothes were impractical for her work and she needed new, more suitable attire.

Question 15: A surprise celebration for Patricia was being planned by Roxy and Tani. Several of Patricia pals were invited. They started to decorate the home. Roxy inflated balloons while Tani strung streamers from the ceiling. Next, they both agreed to offer cake and drink. While Tani was baking the cake, Roxy went to the market to get punch. Finally, they were prepared for the celebration. What did they do to get ready for the celebration?

invited Patricia's friends (Correct answer)
made a cake and bought pop
hung streamers and posters
hung a piata from the ceiling

Correct answer: invited Patricia's friends

The passage states, "Several of Patricia pals were invited." This is the first action mentioned in the preparation for the surprise party. While they also decorated, made cake, and bought punch, inviting friends is explicitly stated as one of the things they did to get ready.

Question 16: For food production and energy production, plants require nutrients. Some plants that thrive in poor soil "eat" animals to obtain the nutrients they require. A pitcher plant draws insects with a sweet-smelling juice. Hairs that point downward prevent insects from escaping the plant's tube-shaped leaf after they have entered it. The insect plunges into the liquid-filled cavity of the leaf. The insect is disintegrated by the liquid, and the plant utilizes the nutrients. Why do plants consume insects or animals?

they are natural predators
they need the nutrients (Correct answer)
they need them to produce a sweet liquid that provides nutrients
they do not eat animals or insects

Correct answer: they need the nutrients

The passage explicitly states that plants like the pitcher plant consume animals "to obtain the nutrients they require" and that the plant "utilizes the nutrients" after the insect is disintegrated. This indicates that the primary reason for consuming insects is to acquire essential nutrients, especially in poor soil conditions where these nutrients might be scarce. Therefore, the plants are seeking necessary nourishment for their growth and survival.

Free Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) 6th Grade Questions and Answers

Which combination of expressions is the same for any non-zero value of the variable?