7th Grade Science – Unit 1 Test PDF

Title: 7th Grade Science – Unit 1 Test Author: [Your Name] Date: [Insert Date] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1: Multiple Choice (30 questions) 1. What is the **first step** of the scientific method? a) Form a hypothesis b) Conduct an expe...

Title: 7th Grade Science – Unit 1 Test Author: [Your Name] Date: [Insert Date] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1: Multiple Choice (30 questions) 1. What is the **first step** of the scientific method? a) Form a hypothesis b) Conduct an experiment c) Make an observation d) Analyze data 2. Which statement is the best definition of a **hypothesis**? a) A guess without evidence b) A testable explanation or prediction c) A conclusion drawn after an experiment d) A statement that is always true 3. In the scientific method, **analysis** involves: a) Proposing a new hypothesis b) Comparing and interpreting data c) Ignoring outliers in the data d) Writing an opinion 4. **Repeatability** in an experiment refers to: a) Changing two variables at the same time b) Conducting multiple trials to confirm accuracy c) Using only qualitative data d) Having only one sample 5. Which of the following is an example of a valid **observation**? a) “I think this plant will grow faster than that one.” b) “The plant is 8 cm tall.” c) “The plant must have grown because of extra sunlight.” d) “The plant looks healthy, so it has strong roots.” 6. What is the main difference between an **observation** and an **inference**? a) Observations use guesses; inferences use measurements. b) Observations describe what is actually sensed; inferences are conclusions drawn from those observations. c) Observations are always biased; inferences are always correct. d) Observations use prior knowledge; inferences ignore all knowledge. 7. A **variable** in an experiment that remains **unchanged** (same in all groups) is called: a) Dependent variable b) Independent variable c) Controlled variable (constant) d) Control group 8. In an experiment measuring plant growth with different fertilizers, the **height of the plant** is: a) Independent variable b) Dependent variable c) Controlled variable d) Irrelevant variable 9. The group in an experiment that does NOT receive the new treatment is called: a) Dependent group b) Control group c) Experimental group d) Data group 10. **Quantitative data** refers to: a) Numerical measurements b) Descriptive observations only c) Hypothetical statements d) Biased information 11. Which of these is an example of **qualitative data**? a) The plant grew 3 cm in one week b) The temperature is 25°C c) The solution turned blue d) The sample weighed 12 grams 12. Which graph is best for **comparing categories** (e.g., different groups)? a) Line graph b) Bar graph c) Scatter plot d) Pie chart 13. “DRY MIX” reminds us that the **Dependent** variable goes on the: a) X-axis b) Y-axis c) Legend d) Title 14. Which of the following is **true** about a **line graph**? a) It shows parts of a whole in percentages  b) It compares different categories side by side c) It shows changes over time or continuous data d) It shows correlation between two variables but not necessarily causation 15. A **scatter plot** is typically used to: a) Show percentages b) Display categories c) Illustrate changes over time d) Show correlation between two variables 16. Having a **large sample size** in an experiment: a) Helps ensure accuracy and reliability b) Makes the experiment more confusing c) Is only needed in theoretical physics d) Increases bias 17. **Bias** in an experiment can be reduced by: a) Only picking data that supports your hypothesis b) Having random sampling and including all data c) Testing multiple variables at once d) Hiding data from other scientists 18. If an experiment is **valid**, it means: a) The results can never change b) You have tested exactly what you intended to test c) You have ignored all unexpected results d) You used no control group 19. A **theory** in science is: a) A guess without evidence b) A well-tested explanation that can be revised with new evidence c) The same as a hypothesis d) A law that describes what happens 20. A **scientific law**: a) Explains why something happens in detail b) Describes patterns or events in nature without explaining why c) Is always a guess and not tested d) Cannot be changed once written 21. “Change only one factor at a time” in a good experiment means: a) You should only test the dependent variable b) The independent variable is manipulated; constants stay the same c) The control group must also change  d) You can’t collect numerical data 22. **Correlation** means that two variables: a) Have a proven cause-effect relationship b) Change in relation to each other but might not cause each other’s change c) Are entirely unrelated d) Only apply to qualitative data 23. **Causation** means that: a) If one variable changes, the other variable might change, but not necessarily because of it b) One variable definitely causes the other to change c) No relationship exists d) We can’t repeat experiments 24. Which statement is a good **example** of a hypothesis? a) “The data table shows the plant is 6 cm tall.” b) “If I water the plant daily, then it will grow faster than if I water it weekly.” c) “The plant’s growth is measured in centimeters.” d) “Plants are green because of photosynthesis.” 25. In the scientific method, a **conclusion** is: a) Drawn before the experiment starts b) An opinion-based statement c) A judgment about whether the data supports the hypothesis d) A brand-new hypothesis 26. Which one is a proper **inference** based on the observation “the tree’s leaves turned yellow”? a) “The leaves are about 6 cm long.” b) “The leaves turned yellow because of changing temperatures.” c) “The tree was always yellow.” d) “The leaves are shaped like ovals.” 27. **Models** in science: a) Are exact replicas of reality b) Are used to guess without data c) Simplify complex phenomena (like the solar system) d) Never need updating 28. A teacher wants to see if listening to music affects test scores. The students who listen to music while studying form the Experimental group. The group that does not listen to music is: a) Dependent group b) Independent group c) Control group  d) Data group 29. If you measure how many centimeters a plant grows per day, you are collecting: a) Qualitative data b) Quantitative data c) Hypothetical data d) Data that cannot be analyzed 30. After collecting all data, the **next step** is usually: a) Drawing conclusions based on the data b) Ignoring data that doesn’t fit c) Publishing results without checking d) Changing the hypothesis without reason -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 2: True/False (15 questions) 31. _____ A hypothesis is an opinion that does not need to be testable. 32. _____ “DRY MIX” means the Dependent variable is on the Y-axis, and the Independent variable is on the X-axis. 33. _____ In an experiment, the control group receives the same exact treatment as the experimental group. 34. _____ Quantitative data includes measurements like temperature and mass. 35. _____ In a well-designed experiment, the independent variable is changed while constants remain the same. 36. _____ Reliability refers to how well your experiment measures what it is supposed to measure. 37. _____ A scatter plot is the best graph for showing a direct cause-and-effect relationship. 38. _____ A scientific theory is based on repeated tests and can change if new evidence is found. 39. _____ Observations are conclusions based on prior knowledge and assumptions. 40. _____ A bar graph is best for comparing different categories. 41. _____ When experiments are repeated with similar outcomes, the reliability of the results increases. 42. _____ Bias occurs when a scientist gathers all relevant data, even if it doesn’t support their hypothesis. 43. _____ Inferences go beyond direct observations by adding logic or reasoning. 44. _____ Causation and correlation mean exactly the same thing. 45. _____ A law describes what happens, but does not necessarily explain why it happens. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Answer Key Part 1: Multiple Choice 1. c 2. b 3. b 4. b 5. b 6. b 7. c 8. b 9. b 10. a 11. c 12. b 13. b 14. c 15. d 16. a 17. b 18. b 19. b 20. b 21. b 22. b 23. b 24. b 25. c 26. b 27. c 28. c 29. b 30. a Part 2: True/False 31. False 32. True 33. False 34. True 35. True 36. False* 37. False 38. True 39. False 40. True 41. True 42. False 43. True 44. False 45. True *Explanation for #36: - “Reliability” refers to getting consistent results. “Validity” is about measuring what you intended to measure. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- END OF TEST