praxis elementary science 5005 practice test

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

The pitch of a sound is related to which of the following properties of a sound wave?
  • A. Speed
  • B. Frequency
  • C. Amplitude
  • D. Energy
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The pitch of a sound is directly related to its frequency, which refers to how many sound wave cycles occur in one second. Higher frequencies produce higher pitches, while lower frequencies result in lower pitches. Option A, speed, refers to how fast sound travels through a medium but does not affect pitch. Option C, amplitude, relates to the loudness or intensity of a sound rather than its pitch. Option D, energy, is associated with the overall power of the sound wave but does not determine pitch. Thus, frequency is the key property that defines the pitch of a sound.

Other Related Questions

Based on the food web shown, which of the following is true about the feeding relationships?
Question image
  • A. Bivalves have no natural predators in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
  • B. Wading birds are herbivores that eat aquatic vegetation.
  • C. Phytoplankton are producers that convert light energy into organic matter.
  • D. Sea ducks are primary consumers that eat only bald eagles.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

In the food web, phytoplankton are classified as producers because they perform photosynthesis, converting light energy into organic matter. This foundational role supports the entire ecosystem. Option A is incorrect; bivalves often have predators, such as certain fish and birds, that feed on them. Option B misclassifies wading birds, which are carnivores that primarily feed on small fish and invertebrates, not herbivores. Option D is misleading, as sea ducks are primary consumers but do not exclusively eat bald eagles; they primarily consume aquatic plants and invertebrates. Thus, option C accurately reflects the role of phytoplankton in the ecosystem.
Which THREE of the following processes depend directly on energy from the Sun?
  • A. Seafloor spreading
  • B. The water cycle
  • C. Photosynthesis
  • D. Atmospheric circulation
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B,C,D

Energy from the Sun drives several essential processes on Earth. **The water cycle (B)** relies on solar energy to evaporate water from oceans and lakes, facilitating condensation and precipitation. **Photosynthesis (C)** is directly powered by sunlight, as plants convert solar energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen and glucose. **Atmospheric circulation (D)** is influenced by solar heating, which creates temperature gradients that drive wind patterns and weather systems. In contrast, **seafloor spreading (A)** is a geological process driven by tectonic activity and heat from the Earth's interior, not solar energy.
A teacher is introducing the geologic time scale to third-grade students. She tells them that the entire history of Earth, from its formation to the present day, was 24 hours long, with 12:00 midnight representing the time of the formation of Earth and 12:00 midnight the following night representing the present day. About what time did humans appear in this 24-hour time scale?
  • A. 11:58 PM
  • B. 9:00 PM
  • C. 6:00 PM
  • D. 1:00 PM
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

In this 24-hour analogy of Earth's history, humans appeared very recently, approximately 200,000 years ago, which is just a fraction of the total time. This corresponds to 11:58 PM, indicating that humans emerged just two minutes before the "midnight" representing the present day. Option B (9:00 PM) suggests a much earlier appearance, which does not align with the scientific timeline of human evolution. Option C (6:00 PM) is even earlier, placing humans in a time when dinosaurs were still prominent. Option D (1:00 PM) is far too early, as it would imply humans existed when early mammals were just beginning to evolve. Thus, only 11:58 PM accurately reflects the brief time humans have existed in the context of Earth's history.
An object is lifted above the floor to a height X, as illustrated, and then released. Which of the following best describes the object's energy?
Question image
  • A. At height X, the energy is kinetic and changes to potential as the object falls.
  • B. At height X, the energy is potential and changes to kinetic as the object falls.
  • C. At height X, the energy is zero and the object gains both kinetic and potential energy as it falls.
  • D. At height X, the energy is potential and the object gains kinetic energy as it falls, while its potential energy decreases.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

At height X, the object possesses gravitational potential energy due to its elevated position. As it falls, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which increases as the object accelerates toward the ground. Option A is incorrect because at height X, the energy is primarily potential, not kinetic. Option C misrepresents the energy state; the energy is not zero at height X. Option D partially describes the process but does not clarify that the potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, which is essential to understanding energy conservation during the fall.