MAP General Science (Grades 6-8) 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: On the MAP Growth Science test, which domain includes understanding of cells, heredity, and ecosystems?

Earth and Space Science
Life Science (Correct answer)
Physical Science
Engineering and Technology

Correct answer: Life Science

Life Science covers biological topics including cells, organisms, heredity (genetics), and ecosystems (ecological interactions).

MAP Growth Science organizes content into major domains: Life Science (cells, organisms, heredity/genetics, ecosystems, evolution), Physical Science (matter, forces, energy, waves), Earth and Space Science (Earth's systems, weather, climate, space), and Engineering and Technology. Questions about cells, DNA, food chains, and species diversity all fall under Life Science. Knowing which domain covers which topics helps students organize their science knowledge.

Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a physical change?

Wood burning in a fire
Iron rusting
Ice melting into water (Correct answer)
Baking a cake

Correct answer: Ice melting into water

Ice melting is a physical change because the substance (water, H2O) remains the same — only the state of matter changes from solid to liquid.

A physical change alters the form or appearance of matter without changing its chemical composition. Examples: melting, freezing, boiling, dissolving, cutting, crushing. A chemical change produces a new substance with different properties. Examples: burning, rusting, baking, digestion. Ice melting produces liquid water — same substance (H2O), different state. MAP Growth Science grades 6-8 tests classification of physical vs. chemical changes.

Question 3: What is the function of chlorophyll in plants?

To absorb water from the soil
To transport nutrients up the stem
To absorb sunlight for photosynthesis (Correct answer)
To store energy as starch

Correct answer: To absorb sunlight for photosynthesis

Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plant cells that absorbs light energy (primarily red and blue wavelengths) to power photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in chloroplasts of plant cells. Its primary function is to absorb light energy from the sun — primarily red and blue wavelengths (reflecting green, which is why plants appear green). This captured energy drives photosynthesis: carbon dioxide + water + light energy produces glucose + oxygen. Chlorophyll is central to the energy conversion process that sustains almost all life on Earth.

Question 4: A student tests whether plants grow faster with fertilizer. The plants receiving no fertilizer are the:

Experimental group
Independent variable
Control group (Correct answer)
Dependent variable

Correct answer: Control group

The control group receives no treatment (no fertilizer) and serves as the baseline for comparison against the experimental group.

In a controlled experiment: Independent variable = the factor being changed (presence or absence of fertilizer). Dependent variable = what is measured (plant growth rate). Control group = receives no treatment — baseline comparison (plants with no fertilizer). Experimental group = receives the treatment (plants with fertilizer). Constants = all other factors kept the same (water, light, soil type). Understanding experimental design is a key science process skill on MAP Growth.

Question 5: Which of the following describes a food chain where energy flows correctly?

Hawk to Snake to Frog to Grasshopper to Grass
Grass to Grasshopper to Frog to Snake to Hawk (Correct answer)
Grasshopper to Grass to Frog to Snake to Hawk
Hawk to Frog to Snake to Grasshopper to Grass

Correct answer: Grass to Grasshopper to Frog to Snake to Hawk

Energy flows from producers (Grass) to primary consumers (Grasshopper) to secondary consumers (Frog) to tertiary consumers (Snake) to apex predators (Hawk).

In a food chain, energy flows from producers to consumers: Producers (plants like Grass) capture solar energy through photosynthesis. Primary consumers (herbivores like Grasshopper) eat producers. Secondary consumers (Frog) eat primary consumers. Tertiary consumers (Snake) eat secondary consumers. Apex predators (Hawk) are at the top. Energy flows from Grass to Grasshopper to Frog to Snake to Hawk. MAP Growth Life Science tests ecosystem and food chain concepts.

Question 6: What is Newton's First Law of Motion?

Force equals mass times acceleration
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force (Correct answer)
The greater the mass, the greater the force needed

Correct answer: An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force

Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia) states that objects maintain their state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force.

Newton's Three Laws of Motion: First Law (Inertia): An object at rest stays at rest; an object in motion stays in motion at constant velocity unless acted on by an unbalanced force. Second Law: F = ma (force = mass times acceleration). Third Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The First Law explains why passengers jerk forward when a car brakes suddenly. MAP Growth Physical Science tests Newton's laws of motion.

MAP General Science (Grades 6-8) 1

On the MAP Growth Science test, which domain includes understanding of cells, heredity, and ecosystems?