praxis elementary science 5005 practice test

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

Which THREE of the following are considered sources of freshwater?
  • A. Rivers
  • B. Aquifers
  • C. Oceans
  • D. Glaciers
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A,B,D

Rivers, aquifers, and glaciers are all significant sources of freshwater. Rivers provide accessible water for ecosystems and human use, while aquifers store water underground, making it available for wells and springs. Glaciers, as large ice formations, hold substantial freshwater reserves that can feed rivers and lakes as they melt. In contrast, oceans are primarily saline and not suitable for direct human consumption or most agricultural uses. Therefore, they do not qualify as sources of freshwater, making options A, B, and D the correct choices.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following was the dependent variable in this investigation?
  • A. The wingspan
  • B. The flight distance
  • C. The stopwatch
  • D. The tape measure
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

In this investigation, the dependent variable is the outcome that is measured in response to changes in the independent variable. Flight distance (B) reflects how far something travels, which depends on the conditions set by the experiment. Wingspan (A) is an independent variable if it is being manipulated to see its effect on flight distance. The stopwatch (C) is a tool used to measure time and does not represent a variable in the experiment. Similarly, the tape measure (D) is an instrument for measuring distance, not a variable being tested. Thus, flight distance is the key outcome that reflects the effects of the experiment.
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.
The preceding figure represents a cloud that has formed in the atmosphere above Earth's surface. Which of the following diagrams best illustrates the arrangement of charges in the cloud and on Earth's surface just before a cloud-to-ground lightning strike?
Question image
  • A. Cloud: top (+), middle (-), bottom (+); Ground: (-)
  • B. Cloud: top (+), middle (+), bottom (-); Ground: (+)
  • C. Cloud: top (-), middle (+), bottom (+); Ground: (-)
  • D. Cloud: top (+), middle (-), bottom (-); Ground: (+)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

In a thunderstorm, clouds typically develop a charge separation where the upper region becomes positively charged and the lower region negatively charged. This charge distribution is crucial for lightning formation. Option D accurately represents this arrangement: the top of the cloud is positively charged, the middle is negatively charged, and the bottom is also negatively charged, while the ground becomes positively charged in response to the cloud's negative charge. Option A incorrectly places a positive charge at the bottom of the cloud, which does not align with typical charge distributions. Option B misrepresents the charges by having two positive regions in the cloud, which is unlikely. Option C also fails by placing the top of the cloud negatively charged, contradicting the established understanding of charge distribution in storm clouds.
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.