8th grade Science practice sheet
California Content Standards · from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
Question 1
Which has the shortest wavelength?
- infrared
- gamma rays
- visible light
- microwaves
gamma rays
Hint: Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength and the most energy.
Question 2
What unit is used to measure force?
- second
- meter
- newton
- kilogram
newton
Hint: It is named for Sir Isaac Newton.
Question 3
A roller coaster at the bottom of a hill has the most…
- nuclear energy
- potential energy
- chemical energy
- kinetic energy
kinetic energy
Hint: Fastest point.
Question 4
Gravity between two objects is stronger when they are…
- colder
- more massive and closer
- the same color
- less massive and farther
more massive and closer
Hint: Mass and distance.
Question 5
A recessive trait shows only when…
- it is cold
- two recessive alleles are present
- the parent is older
- one dominant allele is present
two recessive alleles are present
Hint: Lower-case pair.
Question 6
Finches with different beaks on different islands show…
- no variation
- same diets
- random paint
- adaptation to different foods
adaptation to different foods
Hint: Beaks match food.
Question 7
An index fossil is useful because it…
- lived everywhere forever
- has no age
- lived for a short time over a wide area
- is very rare
lived for a short time over a wide area
Hint: Dates rock layers.
Question 8
In December, the sun at noon in California is…
- straight overhead
- higher than in June
- lower in the sky than in June
- below the horizon
lower in the sky than in June
Hint: Tilt away from the sun.
Question 9
Which has the longest wavelength?
- ultraviolet
- visible light
- X-rays
- radio waves
radio waves
Hint: In order from longest to shortest: radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma.
Question 10
Which surface has the least friction?
- ice
- sandpaper
- gravel
- carpet
ice
Hint: Ice is smooth and slippery.
Answer key
- 1. gamma rays (Light & Radiation)
- 2. newton (Motion, Forces & Newton’s Laws)
- 3. kinetic energy (Kinetic & Potential Energy)
- 4. more massive and closer (Fields & Forces at a Distance)
- 5. two recessive alleles are present (Genes & Heredity)
- 6. adaptation to different foods (Natural Selection)
- 7. lived for a short time over a wide area (Earth's History & Fossils)
- 8. lower in the sky than in June (Space Systems)
- 9. radio waves (Light & Radiation)
- 10. ice (Motion, Forces & Newton’s Laws)
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback. See all science units.