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The Washington Professional
Educator Standards Board
Washington Educator Skills Tests
Sample Test Questions
Middle Level Science
WA-SG-FLD013-02
Washington Educator Skills Tests—Endorsements (WEST–E)
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
The sample test questions in this document are designed to give you an introduction to the nature
of the questions included in the Washington Educator Skills Tests—Endorsements (WEST–E).
They represent the various types of questions you may expect to see on an actual test in this test
field; however, they are not designed to provide diagnostic information to help you identify specific
areas of individual strength or weakness or to predict your performance on the test as a whole.
Work through the sample questions carefully before referring to the answer key that follows. The
answer key provides the correct response for each question and lists the objective within the test
framework to which each question is linked. When you are finished with the sample questions, you
may wish to review the test objectives and descriptive statements provided in the test framework for
this test field.
In addition to reading and answering the sample questions, you should also utilize the following
preparation materials available on the WEST Web site:

Read WEST–E Test-Taking Strategies to understand how test questions are designed to
measure specific test objectives and to learn important test-taking strategies for the day of the
test.

Review the Test Summary and Framework for your test field to familiarize yourself with the
structure and content of the test. This document contains general testing information as well as
the percentage of the total test score derived from each content domain described in the test
framework.
Please note that a periodic table and set of formulas are provided for this test. Please refer to
these materials as needed in responding to the sample test questions. These materials are
located in the Reference Materials section at the end of this document.
A scientific calculator may be used for this test as needed in responding to the sample test
questions, and one will be provided at the test administration. Please refer to the current WEST
registration information regarding the use of calculators at the test administration.
Readers should be advised that this document, including many of the excerpts used herein,
is protected by federal copyright law.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
Pearson and its logo are trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries of Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s).
—1—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
SAMPLE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
Which of the following best describes a
common characteristic of most ionic
compounds?
A.
They have very low melting points.
B.
They are good electrical conductors
in the solid state.
C.
They are insoluble in water.
D.
They have a brittle, crystalline
structure at room temperature.
4.
Use the graph below to answer the
question that follows.
Velocity (m/s)
1.
Time (s)
2.
3.
How many grams of potassium chloride
(KCl) should be dissolved in 250 mL of
water to prepare a 3 M solution of KCl?
The graph above shows the velocity
of an object moving in one dimension
with respect to time. This graph could
represent which of the following
situations?
A.
18.64 g
A.
B.
29.33 g
A ball is thrown straight up and falls
back to the ground.
C.
55.91 g
B.
A car on a highway slows down at a
constant rate and comes to a stop.
D.
223.65 g
C.
A truck in a parking lot backs up at
a constant speed and then stops.
D.
A person jumps from an airplane,
opens a parachute, and descends to
the ground.
A biologist determines that a solution has
a pH of 8.0. This result indicates that the
solution is:
A.
acidic.
B.
neutral.
C.
basic.
D.
buffered.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—2—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
5.
Which of the following best describes how
sound is transmitted in air?
A.
B.
C.
D.
6.
Use the diagram below to answer the
question that follows.
Molecules grouped in packets
disperse in a radial direction from
the initial disturbance.
magnet
Colliding molecules create
alternating regions of high and low
air pressure throughout the air.
N
Molecules travel in a stream due to
a pressure difference between the
sound source and other regions in
the air.
S
A small molecular disturbance
creates a cascading effect in which
energy is amplified through a series
of molecular collisions.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
wire coil
brushes
+
–
battery
The diagram above shows a simple direct
current (DC) motor consisting of a single
wire coil between the poles of two
magnets. Which of the following most
accurately explains the operation of this
motor?
A.
As a voltage is applied across the
coil, energy from the magnet is
absorbed by the coil, causing it to
rotate.
B.
As electric charge flows in the wire,
the magnetic field exerts a force on
the moving charges, causing the
wire coil to rotate.
C.
As electric power is supplied to the
coil, electrons from the battery
collide with electrons from the
magnet, rotating the wire coil.
D.
As electric current flows in the coil,
an electric field is created to oppose
the magnetic field, exerting a net
force on the wire coil.
—3—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
7.
Scientists have discovered a layer of clay
in many parts of the world that marks the
end of the Cretaceous period. The clay
layer is unique because it contains
relatively high concentrations of the rare
element iridium. This discovery supports
the hypothesis that the mass extinction of
dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous
period was caused by:
A.
8.
9.
the eruption of massive volcanoes in
different parts of the world.
B.
the spread of cycads and tree ferns
containing toxic compounds
throughout the world.
C.
the effects of one or more large
meteorites that struck the earth.
D.
the spread of large continental
glaciers in both the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres.
Which of the following processes is
primarily responsible for the movement of
large plates of the earth's crust?
A.
convection currents generated by
heat transfer in the earth's mantle
B.
centripetal forces generated by the
rotation of the earth on its axis
C.
magnetic fields generated by the
rapid spinning of the earth's core
D.
gravitational forces generated by the
moon as it orbits the earth
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
10.
One short-term environmental effect
related to global warming is:
A.
increased salinity of the oceans.
B.
increased absorption of carbon
dioxide by the oceans.
C.
decreased thickness of the ozone
layer.
D.
decreased levels of particulate
pollution.
Which of the following best explains how
increased levels of carbon dioxide, water
vapor, and methane contribute to higher
global temperatures?
A.
These gases trap heat by allowing
visible light from the sun to pass
through while reducing the amount
of infrared energy that is reradiated
into space.
B.
These gases convert visible light
from the sun to infrared energy that
is more readily absorbed by the
surface of the earth as heat.
C.
These gases insulate the surface of
the earth by preventing the colder
air in the upper atmosphere from
mixing with warmer air in the lower
atmosphere.
D.
These gases break down into their
component elements in the presence
of sunlight, releasing heat energy
into the atmosphere.
—4—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
11.
Use the diagram below to answer the question that follows.
4
sun
1
3
2
At which position in the diagram above
would Washington State experience the
greatest number of hours of daylight in
a day?
A.
position 1
B.
position 2
C.
position 3
D.
position 4
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—5—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
12.
Which of the following best describes one
important difference between fermentation
and aerobic respiration?
13.
Which of the following best distinguishes
the archaea from other prokaryotic
organisms?
A.
Aerobic respiration can extract
much more energy from a sugar
molecule than can fermentation.
A.
the ability to obtain energy from
sugar molecules in the presence of
oxygen
B.
Aerobic respiration takes place in
the cytosol of cells, while
fermentation takes place in the
mitochondria.
B.
the ability to move about using a
variety of specialized structures
such as cilia
C.
C.
Fermentation can extract energy
from a wider range of sources
(e.g., fats, proteins) than can aerobic
respiration.
the ability to employ the process of
photosynthesis to produce sugars
D.
the ability to thrive and multiply
under extreme environmental
conditions
D.
Fermentation primarily uses the
Krebs cycle to produce energy,
while aerobic respiration primarily
uses glycolysis.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—6—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
14.
15.
In a population of 37 individual plants,
13 have leaves that are smooth rather
than rough, and 7 have leaves that are
rounded rather than pointed. If leaf
texture and shape are distributed in the
population independently of each other,
approximately how many individuals with
smooth, rounded leaves would a botanist
expect to find in another population of
72 plants?
A.
5
B.
7
C.
39
D.
54
16.
Which of the following best describes how
inorganic carbon is converted into a form
that can be utilized by mammals?
A.
Decomposers break down complex
organic carbon compounds into
simple inorganic molecules that can
be absorbed by plant roots.
B.
Plants convert carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere into sugars through the
process of photosynthesis.
C.
Bacteria in the soil fix gaseous
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
into solid carbon compounds that
can be absorbed by plant roots.
D.
Fungi and plants release carbon
dioxide as a by-product of the
process of cellular respiration.
Malaria, a disease caused by four species
of the protist Plasmodium, is a widespread
disease in tropical climates. Which of the
following best describes how this disease
is transmitted within a community?
A.
through drinking water that has been
contaminated with untreated sewage
B.
through the bites of fleas that have
previously bitten an infected animal
C.
through inhalation of droplets from
the sneeze of an infected person
D.
through the bites of mosquitoes that
have previously bitten an infected
person
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—7—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
17.
Early twentieth-century scientists believed
that proteins, with their known enzymatic
activity and wide variety in structures and
functions, were responsible for encoding
genetic information. By the mid-twentieth
century, however, DNA was recognized
as the molecule that carried genetic
information. Which of the following was
most responsible for this shift in thinking?
A.
technological advances in the field
of electron microscopy
B.
an increasing tendency for scientists
to collaborate across scientific
disciplines
C.
a rise to prominence of a generation
of scientists more receptive to new
ideas
D.
experimental and empirical data
supporting the role of nucleic acids
in heredity
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
18.
Use the passage below from a Web site
to answer the question that follows.
Vitamin C Raises Test Scores
Megadoses of vitamin C have been
linked to improved standardized test
scores in children. Doses as low as
150% of the recommended daily
allowance have been shown to raise
test scores by more than 25%. For
more information, click on the link
below.
This passage appears on the computer
screen while a teacher is logged on to a
Web site popular with educators. Which
of the following questions should the
teacher consider first when assessing the
validity of this claim?
A.
Were girls and boys both included
in the study?
B.
Which standardized test was
administered to the children?
C.
How many children were included
in the study?
D.
What is the source of this
information?
—8—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
19.
Use the table below to answer the question that follows.
Measured Mass (g)
Student
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Mean
A
0.425
0.475
0.498
0.466
B
0.656
0.657
0.655
0.656
C
0.511
0.489
0.501
0.500
D
0.576
0.503
0.495
0.525
Four chemistry students have performed
an experiment designed to produce
0.500 g of product. The students have
determined the mean mass of product
produced in their individual experiments
and recorded the results shown in the table
above. Which student's result is the most
precise?
A.
student A
B.
student B
C.
student C
D.
student D
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—9—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
20.
While the potential benefits to society
from nanotechnology are wide-ranging,
some concerns about this technology are
being raised. Which of the following is a
major concern associated with this field of
research?
A.
Will health insurance companies
pay for medical procedures using
nanotechnology?
B.
Are protocols in place for the safe
handling and disposal of
nanomaterials?
C.
Can the government handle the
increasing number of patent
applications filed annually?
D.
Is nanotechnology receiving a
disproportionate amount of federal
grant money?
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—10—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
ANSWER KEY
Question
Number
Correct
Response
Test
Objective
1
D
0001
2
C
0001
3
C
0002
4
A
0003
5
B
0004
6
B
0005
7
C
0006
8
A
0007
9
B
0008
10
A
0009
11
A
0010
12
A
0011
13
D
0012
14
A
0013
15
D
0014
16
B
0015
17
D
0016
18
D
0017
19
B
0018
20
B
0019
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—11—
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Middle Level Science
REFERENCE MATERIALS
Please use the reference materials on the following pages as needed in responding to the sample
test questions. These materials will also appear in test booklets.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—12—
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—13—
5
15
90
Th
232.0
89
Ac
(227)
Actinide
Series
91
Pa
231.0
59
Pr
140.9
92
U
238.0
93
Np
(237)
94
Pu
(244)
95
Am
(243)
111
96
Cm
(247)
112
97
Bk
(247)
113
98
Cf
(251)
114
99
Es
(252)
115
16
100
Fm
(257)
116
84
Po
(209)
17
101
Md
(258)
117
85
At
(210)
102
No
(259)
118
86
Rn
(222)
54
Xe
131.3
36
Kr
83.8
18
Ar
39.9
10
Ne
20.18
103
Lr
(262)
71
Lu
175.0
53
I
126.9
35
Br
79.9
17
CI
35.5
9
F
19.00
VIIA
70
Yb
173.0
52
Te
127.6
34
Se
79.0
16
S
32.1
8
O
16.00
VIA
69
Tm
168.9
83
Bi
209.0
51
Sb
121.8
33
As
74.9
15
P
31.0
7
N
14.01
VA
68
Er
167.3
82
Pb
207.2
50
Sn
118.7
32
Ge
72.6
14
Si
28.1
67
Ho
164.9
81
TI
204.4
49
In
114.8
31
Ga
69.7
66
Dy
162.5
80
Hg
200.6
48
Cd
112.4
30
Zn
65.4
IIB
65
Tb
158.9
79
Au
197.0
47
Ag
107.9
29
Cu
63.5
IB
64
Gd
157.3
110
Ds
(271)
78
Pt
195.1
46
Pd
106.4
28
Ni
58.7
63
Eu
152.0
109
Mt
(268)
77
Ir
192.2
45
Rh
102.9
27
Co
58.9
VIIIB
62
Sm
150.4
108
Hs
(277)
76
Os
190.2
44
Ru
101.1
26
Fe
55.8
61
Pm
(145)
107
Bh
(264)
75
Re
186.2
43
Tc
(98.9)
25
Mn
54.9
VIIB
60
Nd
144.2
106
Sg
(266)
74
W
183.9
42
Mo
95.9
24
Cr
52.0
VIB
13
AI
27.0
6
C
12.01
IVA
Some of the elements 111 and above have been reported but not fully authenticated and named.
58
Ce
140.1
105
Db
(262)
57
La
138.9
104
Rf
(261)
73
Ta
180.9
41
Nb
92.9
23
V
50.9
Lanthanide
Series
89–103
72
Hf
178.5
40
Zr
91.2
22
Ti
47.9
VB
88
Ra
(226)
57–71
39
Y
88.9
21
Sc
45.0
IVB
IIIB
87
Fr
(223)
12
56
Ba
137.3
11
55
Cs
132.9
10
38
Sr
87.6
9
37
Rb
85.5
8
20
Ca
40.1
7
19
K
39.1
4
12
Mg
24.3
11
Na
23.0
3
4
Be
9.01
3
Li
6.94
5
B
10.81
IIIA
IIA
6
14
2
He
4.00
13
2
VIIIA
IA
1
H
1.01
18
1
PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS
FORMULAS
Description
Formula
Ideal gas law
PV = nRT
Boyle's law
V
V'
=p
Charles' law
V
V'
= T'
Mechanics
F = ma
p'
T
P = mv
Circular motion
v2
a= r
Pendulum
T = 2π
Wave relationship
v = fλ
Energy
ΔQ = mcΔT
L
g
1
KE = 2mv2
PE = mgh
Ohm's law
V = IR
NOTES FOR MIDDLE LEVEL SCIENCE TEST
Not all formulas necessary are listed, nor are all formulas listed used on this test.
In questions on electricity and magnetism, the term current refers to "conventional current" and the use of the
right-hand rule is assumed.
While attention has been paid to significant figures, no answer should be considered incorrect solely because of
the number of significant figures.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Evaluation Systems, Pearson, P.O. Box 226, Amherst, MA 01004
—14—