4th Grade Science practice questions and exam guide

Energy is:

1. Always lost
2. Solid matter
3. Only heat
4. The ability to do work or cause change

Answer: D — The ability to do work or cause change

Energy = capacity to do work. (A) energy is conserved; (C),(B) too narrow.

A fossil of a sea creature found on a mountain suggests:

1. Sea creatures lived on mountains
2. Climate doesn't change
3. The mountain was once under sea
4. Fossils are fake

Answer: C — The mountain was once under sea

Mountain land was once seafloor — uplift over time. (A),(B),(D) wrong.

Leaves help a plant by:

1. Absorbing water
2. Storing seeds
3. Anchoring the plant
4. Photosynthesis (making food)

Answer: D — Photosynthesis (making food)

Leaves do photosynthesis. (A) is roots; (C) is roots; (B) is fruit.

To reduce flooding from storms, people might:

1. Pave more roads
2. Drain rivers
3. Cut all forests
4. Build storm barriers, plant trees

Answer: D — Build storm barriers, plant trees

Barriers and vegetation reduce flooding. (A),(C),(B) worsen it.

When light bounces off a mirror, that's:

1. Reflection
2. Refraction
3. Absorption
4. Diffusion

Answer: A — Reflection

Reflection = bouncing off. (B) is bending; (C),(D) different.

Animals get energy from:

1. Sunlight directly
2. Food they eat
3. Soil
4. Wind

Answer: B — Food they eat

Animals consume food for energy. (A) is plants; (C),(D) wrong.

A plant's flower's main job is to:

1. Reproduce (make seeds)
2. Absorb water
3. Provide shade
4. Capture sound

Answer: A — Reproduce (make seeds)

Flowers → reproduction. (B) is roots; (C),(D) wrong.

Waves can carry:

1. Energy
2. Matter only
3. Nothing
4. Heat only

Answer: A — Energy

Waves transfer energy. (B) waves transfer energy not matter (mostly); (C),(D) wrong.

When two cars collide, energy:

1. Disappears
2. Transfers to motion, sound, and heat
3. Becomes mass
4. Doubles

Answer: B — Transfers to motion, sound, and heat

Energy is conserved but transferred. (A),(C),(D) wrong.

Erosion is when:

1. Rocks stay still
2. Soil/rock pieces are moved away
3. Trees grow
4. The Sun rises

Answer: B — Soil/rock pieces are moved away

Erosion = transport of weathered material. (A),(C),(D) wrong.

A simple circuit needs:

1. A power source, conductor, and path that loops
2. Just wires
3. A magnet only
4. Just a switch

Answer: A — A power source, conductor, and path that loops

Circuit = closed loop with source + conductor. (B),(C),(D) incomplete.

A renewable energy source is:

1. Coal
2. Oil
3. Solar (Sun)
4. Natural gas

Answer: C — Solar (Sun)

Solar is renewable. (A),(B),(D) finite fossil fuels.

How does ice cause weathering?

Water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands. Pushes rocks apart.

What are the main parts of a plant?

Roots, stem, leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds.

What is 'frequency' of a wave?

How many waves pass a point per second. High frequency = high pitch (sound) or color toward blue (light).

What is a 'non-renewable resource'?

Can't be replaced quickly — once used up, it's gone. Examples: oil, coal, natural gas, minerals.

Why is energy important to all living things?

Energy is needed for everything life does — moving, growing, breathing, thinking.

How does a fish's body help it survive?

Streamlined shape for swimming, gills for breathing in water, fins for steering, scales for protection.