praxis elementary science 5005 practice test

A series of tests developed by ETS to assess the skills and knowledge of prospective teachers.

Of the following, which has Earth completed when it makes one revolution around the Sun?
  • A. One Earth year
  • B. One Earth day
  • C. One light year
  • D. One lunar month
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

When Earth completes one revolution around the Sun, it takes approximately 365.25 days, which defines one Earth year. Option B, one Earth day, represents the time it takes for Earth to rotate on its axis, not its orbit around the Sun. Option C, one light year, is a measure of distance that light travels in one year, not a measure of time related to Earth's orbit. Option D, one lunar month, refers to the time it takes for the Moon to orbit Earth, which is about 29.5 days, and is unrelated to Earth's revolution around the Sun.

Other Related Questions

Which TWO of the following statements about the universe are true?
  • A. The universe is expanding.
  • B. The Milky Way galaxy contains most of the stars in the universe.
  • C. A star's size, temperature, and composition typically remain constant throughout its life cycle.
  • D. A black hole is usually detected by the intense visible light it emits.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A accurately reflects current astronomical understanding, as evidence shows the universe is expanding due to the redshift of distant galaxies. Option B is incorrect; while the Milky Way is large, it contains only a small fraction of the universe's stars, which are spread across billions of galaxies. Option C is misleading; stars undergo significant changes in size, temperature, and composition throughout their life cycles, particularly during phases like red giant or supernova. Option D is also false; black holes do not emit visible light; they are detected through their gravitational effects and the radiation from material falling into them.
Which of the following is the best way to measure the volume of an irregularly shaped solid, such as a rock?
  • A. Use a balance to measure the mass of the rock and divide by its density.
  • B. Place the rock in a graduated cylinder containing water and measure the change in water level.
  • C. Use a ruler to measure the length, width, and height of the rock and multiply them together.
  • D. Use a stopwatch to measure how long it takes the rock to fall a certain distance and calculate its volume from its speed.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Measuring the change in water level in a graduated cylinder provides an accurate method for determining the volume of an irregularly shaped solid, as it directly accounts for the object's displacement of water. Using a balance to measure mass and dividing by density (Option A) only works if the density is known, which is not practical for irregular shapes. Measuring dimensions (Option C) is ineffective since irregular shapes do not conform to simple geometric formulas. Lastly, using a stopwatch to calculate volume from falling speed (Option D) is unrelated to volume measurement and introduces unnecessary complexity.
Earth's diameter is approximately 12,700 kilometers. Which of the following layers is located approximately 6,000 kilometers beneath Earth's surface and is composed primarily of iron and nickel?
  • A. The core
  • B. The crust
  • C. The lithosphere
  • D. The mantle
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

The core, located about 6,000 kilometers beneath Earth's surface, is primarily composed of iron and nickel, making it the densest layer of the planet. The crust, option B, is the outermost layer and is much shallower, averaging only about 30 kilometers thick. Option C, the lithosphere, includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle, but it does not reach anywhere near 6,000 kilometers deep. The mantle, option D, lies between the crust and the core, extending to about 2,900 kilometers down, but it is primarily composed of silicate minerals, not iron and nickel.
A metal spoon that heats up while sitting in a bowl of hot soup is an example of heat transfer by:
  • A. conduction
  • B. convection
  • C. radiation
  • D. diffusion
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Heat transfer occurs through different mechanisms, and in this scenario, the metal spoon absorbs heat from the hot soup primarily through conduction. Conduction involves direct contact, where heat moves from the hot soup molecules to the cooler spoon molecules. Convection, option B, refers to heat transfer through fluid movement, which does not apply here since the spoon is not moving the soup. Radiation, option C, involves heat transfer through electromagnetic waves, which is not relevant in this case as there is no significant radiation involved. Lastly, diffusion, option D, pertains to the movement of particles from areas of high concentration to low concentration and is unrelated to heat transfer in this context.