STAAR

State of Texas
Assessments of
Academic Readiness

GRADE 8
Science

Administered May 2019

RELEASED

Copyright © 2019, Texas Education Agency. All rights reserved. Reproduction of all or portions of this work is prohibited without express
written permission from the Texas Education Agency.
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STAAR GRADE 8 SCIENCE STAAR

REFERENCE MATERIALS
State of Texas
Assessments of
Academic Readiness

FORMULAS

mass
Density =
volume

total distance
Average speed =
total time

Net force = (mass)(acceleration)

 1 18
1A 8A
1 Atomic number 2
14
1 H He
1.008 2 Symbol 13 14 15 16 17 4.0026
Hydrogen 2A
Si 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A Helium
Atomic mass 28.085
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Li Be Silicon Name B C N O F Ne
2
6.94 9.0122 10.81 12.011 14.007 15.999 18.998 20.180
Lithium Beryllium Boron Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen Fluorine Neon
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
3 Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
22.990 24.305 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 26.982 28.085 30.974 32.06 35.45 39.948
Sodium Magnesium 3B 4B 5B 6B 7B 8B 1B 2B Aluminum Silicon Phosphorus Sulfur Chlorine Argon
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
4 K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
39.098 40.078 44.956 47.867 50.942 51.996 54.938 55.845 58.933 58.693 63.546 65.38 69.723 72.630 74.922 78.971 79.904 83.798
Potassium Calcium Scandium Titanium Vanadium Chromium Manganese Iron Cobalt Nickel Copper Zinc Gallium Germanium Arsenic Selenium Bromine Krypton
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
5 Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
85.468 87.62 88.906 91.224 92.906 95.95 101.07 102.91 106.42 107.87 112.41 114.82 118.71 121.76 127.60 126.90 131.29
Rubidium Strontium Yttrium Zirconium Niobium Molybdenum Technetium Ruthenium Rhodium Palladium Silver Cadmium Indium Tin Antimony Tellurium Iodine Xenon
55 56 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
6 Cs Ba Lu Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
132.91 137.33 174.97 178.49 180.95 183.84 186.21 190.23 192.22 195.08 196.97 200.59 204.38 207.2 208.98
Cesium Barium Lutetium Hafnium Tantalum Tungsten Rhenium Osmium Iridium Platinum Gold Mercury Thallium Lead Bismuth Polonium Astatine Radon
87 88 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118
7 Fr Ra Lr Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts Og
Francium Radium Lawrencium Rutherfordium Dubnium Seaborgium Bohrium Hassium Meitnerium Darmstadtium Roentgenium Copernicium Nihonium Flerovium Moscovium Livermorium Tennessine Oganesson
Atomic masses are not listed for elements with
no stable or common isotopes.
57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
Lanthanide Series La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb
138.91 140.12 140.91 144.24 150.36 151.96 157.25 158.93 162.50 164.93 167.26 168.93 173.05
Lanthanum Cerium Praseodymium Neodymium Promethium Samarium Europium Gadolinium Terbium Dysprosium Holmium Erbium Thulium Ytterbium
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102
Actinide Series Ac Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No
232.04 231.04 238.03
Actinium Thorium Protactinium Uranium Neptunium Plutonium Americium Curium Berkelium Californium Einsteinium Fermium Mendelevium Nobelium
Updated 2017
Source: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
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 SCIENCE

Science
Page 5
DIRECTIONS

Read each question carefully. For a multiple-choice question, determine the

best answer to the question from the four answer choices provided. For a
griddable question, determine the best answer to the question. Then fill in the
answer on your answer document.

1 The chart lists organisms in five different categories living near the Texas Gulf Coast.

Organisms Living Near the Texas Gulf Coast

Vegetation Mammals Invertebrates Fish Birds

• Algae • River otter • Shrimp • Red drum • Laughing

• Willow oaks • Coyotes • Mosquitoes • Pygmy gulls
sunfish • Wood ducks

Based on the chart, which food chain best models a flow of energy in this ecosystem?

A Sun o Mosquitoes o Shrimp o Coyotes

B Sun o Algae o Shrimp o Red drum

C Sun o Pygmy sunfish o Shrimp o Wood ducks

D Sun o Willow oaks o Algae o River otters

Science
Page 6
 2 A student makes a model of the sun-Earth system by swinging a ball around her head. Using
this model, the student is trying to explain how Earth stays on a path around the sun.

Model of Sun and Earth

Ball = Earth

Hand = Sun

Path of ball

The student explains that this path is the result of —

F the magnetic attraction between Earth and the sun

G potential energy stored in Earth that originated in the sun

H the gravitational attraction between the sun and Earth

J electromagnetic energy from the sun pulling on Earth

3 Atoms of which two elements have a combined total of 23 protons?

A Sodium, Na, and magnesium, Mg

B Boron, B, and carbon, C

C Copper, Cu, and zinc, Zn

D None of these

Science
Page 7
 4 The spectral classes of four stars are shown in comparison with a Hertzsprung-Russell
diagram.

Temperature (K)
25,000 10,000 6,000 3,000
106

Supergiants
104
Luminosity (Lsun)

102
Giants

1
Main-sequence
Main sequence
stars
–2
10

White dwarfs
–4
10
O B A F G K M
Spectral Class

1 2 3 4

O B A F G K M
Spectral Class

Based on the information, which star is most like the sun?

F Star 1

G Star 2

H Star 3

J Star 4

Science
Page 8
 5 Primary succession occurs when pioneer species move into an area that has no plants. Which
organisms are common pioneer species?

A Conifer trees and tall grasses with roots that loosen the soil

B Mosses and lichens that can grow on rocky surfaces

C Grasses and weeds that arrive as seeds carried by the wind and then germinate in rich soil

D Vines and shrubs that help prevent the erosion of shallow soil

6 A mother and daughter press their hands together and then push apart while ice skating.

Mother Daughter
100 kg 50 kg
15 N 15 N

Immediately after they push away from each other, how does the motion of the mother and
daughter change?

F The mother moves forward, and the daughter moves backward with a greater
acceleration.

G Both move forward, but the mother moves with a greater acceleration.

H The mother moves backward, and the daughter moves forward with a greater
acceleration.

J Both move backward, but the daughter moves with a greater acceleration.

Science
Page 9
 7 A teacher asks students to make a model of a transform plate boundary. The students use
blocks to represent tectonic plates and slide the blocks past each other in the directions of the
arrows as shown.

Transform Plate Boundary

Plate
Plate

Which event can the students best demonstrate with their model?

A An earthquake

B A volcanic eruption

C Formation of a rift valley

D Building up of a mountain

8 Which statement best describes evidence that a chemical reaction occurs as a cake bakes?

F The water in the cake batter evaporates.

G The cake rises as gas bubbles form in the baking cake.

H The cake takes the shape of the container in which it is baked.

J The water in the cake batter is used to keep the cake moist as it bakes.

Science
Page 10
 9 A group of students used this diagram to classify three organisms into different kingdoms.

Which table correctly identifies the three kingdoms?

Kingdom 1 Plantae Kingdom 1 Plantae

A Kingdom 2 Fungi C Kingdom 2 Fungi
Kingdom 3 Protista Kingdom 3 Animalia

Kingdom 1 Fungi Kingdom 1 Animalia

B Kingdom 2 Protista D Kingdom 2 Protista
Kingdom 3 Plantae Kingdom 3 Plantae

10 A student is trying to classify an unidentified, solid gray material as a metal or a nonmetal.

Which question will best help the student classify the material?

F Is the material malleable or ductile?

G Does the material feel hard to the touch?

H Will the material float in water?

J Does the material feel rough or smooth?

Science
Page 11
 11 The net force on a vehicle that is accelerating at a rate of 1.5 m/s2 is 1,800 newtons. What is
the mass of the vehicle to the nearest kilogram?

Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the
correct place value.

12 Wild hogs introduced to Texas from Europe became feral after the hogs escaped from the
ranches where they lived. Feral hogs are omnivores that feed on native plants, crops, and
small animals. Feral hogs can damage an ecosystem by rooting through the soil to look for
food and trampling small plants.

© iStock.com/taviphoto

Which types of native organisms do feral hogs most likely compete with for food sources?

F Carnivores and producers

G Herbivores and carnivores

H Producers and decomposers

J Decomposers and herbivores

Science
Page 12
 13 A scientist performs tests on a sample of an element. The element is a shiny solid that
conducts electricity and heat. The scientist is able to bend and flatten the sample when
pressure is applied to it.

Based on this information, the element could NOT be a member of which group on the
periodic table?

A Group 2

B Group 8

C Group 12

D Group 18

14 A demonstration helps students understand a principle of roller coaster design.

Motion Demonstration Model

Ball
release

Ball mass = 2 kg
Z

W
4m
3m

2m X

1m
Y
0m

Which answer choice correctly describes the ball’s kinetic and potential energy?

F The ball has more potential energy at position X than at position Z.

G The ball has more kinetic energy at position Y than at position W.

H The potential energy and kinetic energy of the ball are equal at position X.

J The potential energy and kinetic energy of the ball are greatest at position Z.

Science
Page 13
 15 What are the main functions of the human skeletal system?

A To support the body, protect the organs, produce blood cells, and store calcium

B To regulate the composition of body fluids by removing metabolic wastes and retaining a
balance of water, salt, and other nutrients

C To regulate and maintain bodily functions by producing hormones and releasing them into
the bloodstream

D To enable the diffusion of oxygen into the bloodstream and the removal of carbon dioxide
from the bloodstream

16 A large rock is motionless on a flat sidewalk. Which statement best explains why the rock
remains motionless?

F There are no forces acting on the rock.

G The only force acting on the rock is directed toward the sidewalk.

H The forces acting on the rock are all balanced.

J The sidewalk exerts an unbalanced force on the rock.

17 A compound secreted by honeybees to paralyze intruders in their hive is known as

2-heptanone. The formula for this compound is shown.

CH3 C4 H8 COCH3

How many atoms of each element are in one molecule of 2-heptanone?

A 4 carbon atoms, 11 hydrogen atoms, and 1 oxygen atom

B 7 carbon atoms, 14 hydrogen atoms, and 1 oxygen atom

C 7 carbon atoms, 11 hydrogen atoms, and 8 oxygen atoms

D 6 carbon atoms, 14 hydrogen atoms, and 3 oxygen atoms

Science
Page 14
 18 A student uses this diagram to understand the parts of a fish. The student then uses an
identification key to classify different types of fish.

Dorsal fins
Tail fin

Pectoral fin Anal fin

Ventral or pelvic fin

Identification Key
Step Characteristic Identification
1a Whisker-like barbels present on head next to mouth Go to 2
1b No whisker-like barbels present on head next to mouth Go to 3
2a Tail fin forked Catfish
2b Tail fin rounded Tadpole madtom
3a Mouth located on ventral (lower) surface of head Go to 4
3b Mouth not located on ventral surface of head Go to 5
4a Front edge of dorsal fin at least four times as long as back edge Quillback
4b Front edge of dorsal fin less than four times as long as back edge Black redhorse
5a Body long and thin, more than twice as long as tail Trout
5b Body rounded, approximately twice as long as tail Bluegill

Based on the key, which of these fish is most likely a bluegill?

© iStock.com/GlobalP

© iStock.com/Willard
F H
© iStock.com/AlexRaths

© iStock.com/GlobalP

G J

Science
Page 15
 19 The weather map shows air pressures in millibars.

1008 1004
1004
1008
1004 1008
1008 1000
1000 1000
1004
996 L 1004
1000 1000
1004
1008

1004
1004

1008

Which set of conditions best describes the weather at the area of lowest air pressure?

A Bright sun with no wind

B Partly cloudy with no wind

C Mostly sunny with light winds

D Overcast skies with strong winds

Science
Page 16
 20 A diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum is shown.

Gamma ray Ultraviolet Infrared Radio

X-ray Microwave
Visible

Shorter wavelength Longer wavelength

Higher frequency Lower frequency
Higher energy Lower energy

Earth’s atmosphere blocks short wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which

telescopes must be placed in orbit around Earth in order to observe short-wavelength
radiation?

F Gamma-ray telescopes

G Visible-light telescopes

H Infrared telescopes

J Radio telescopes

21 A tiger cub has a pattern of stripes on its fur that is similar to that of its parents. Where are
the instructions stored that provide information for a tiger’s fur pattern?

A In cytoplasm inside cells

B On genes within chromosomes

C On the cell membrane

D In the mitochondria

Science
Page 17
 22 The mass of an unidentified rock is 15.5 grams. Students determine the volume of the rock by
placing the rock in a cylinder with water. The students calculate the density of the rock. They
determine the identity of the rock based on the density ranges in the table.

Rock

mL mL
50 50

40 40 Rock Density Ranges

Water
level Density Range
Rock
30 30 (g/cm3)

Coal 1.1–1.4
20 20
Dolomite 2.8–2.9
Peridotite 3.1–3.4
10 10
Sandstone 2.2–2.7

The students most likely have which type of rock?

F Coal

G Dolomite

H Peridotite

J Sandstone

23 A student observes several species of plants growing in a drainage ditch. Some species have
short roots, while others have long roots. During periods of heavy rain, the ditch fills with
fast-moving water, which uproots more plants that have short roots than long roots.

Which short-term effect will most likely result from a year with more heavy rain than normal?

A Most plants in the ditch will be plants with long roots.

B Most plants in the ditch will be plants with short roots.

C There will be no change in the numbers of plants with long roots and short roots.

D There will be an equal number of plants in the ditch with long roots and short roots.

Science
Page 18
 24 A student viewed the moon through binoculars one week after a new moon. Which image
shows the phase of the moon that the student observed?

© Delstudio/Dreamstime.com

© Delstudio/Dreamstime.com
F H

© Delstudio/Dreamstime.com

© Delstudio/Dreamstime.com
G J

Science
Page 19
 25 The distance a toy car travels over time is shown in the graph.

Motion of a Toy Car

Distance (m)
2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Time (s)

Which table best shows the average speed of the toy car at different time intervals?

A C
Average Average
Time (s) Time (s)
Speed (m/s) Speed (m/s)

02 1.0 02 2.0

24 0.5 24 3.0

46 0 46 3.0

B D
Average Average
Time (s) Time (s)
Speed (m/s) Speed (m/s)

02 2.0 02 1.0

24 0.75 24 0.75

46 0.75 46 0

Science
Page 20
 26 The blades of a wind turbine are at rest until the movement of air causes the blades to spin.

Wind Turbine
Resting Spinning

Blade

Which energy transformation happens when the blades are spinning as shown?

F Electrical to mechanical

G Chemical to electrical

H Mechanical to electrical

J Chemical to mechanical

Science
Page 21
 27 A student models moon phases. She holds a foam ball on a stick in front of her body and then
stands in front of a light as shown. The student uses herself to represent Earth. She turns her
body slowly to represent four different moon phases.

Moon Phases Model

Moon Earth Moon Earth

Light Light

1 2

Earth Earth Moon

Light Light
Moon

3 4

Which numbered diagram represents the student modeling a full moon?

A Diagram 1

B Diagram 2

C Diagram 3

D Diagram 4

Science
Page 22
 28 Giant salvinia is an aquatic plant that floats on water and reproduces rapidly. When these
plants die, decomposition by bacteria affects oxygen levels in the water. As more plants die,
less oxygen is available in the water. Students observe a pond covered by giant salvinia.

Giant Salvinia Floating on a Pond

Which statement is the best prediction the students can make about the immediate future of
the pond?

F The depth of the water in the pond will increase.

G Fish populations in the pond will begin to decrease.

H The amount of bacteria in the pond will suddenly decrease.

J The number of different types of plants around the pond will increase.

Science
Page 23
 29 The atomic number of krypton is 36. If the mass number of a krypton atom is 84, which table
shows the number of subatomic particles inside and outside the nucleus of the krypton atom?

A
Number of Particles Number of Particles
Inside Nucleus Outside Nucleus

36 36

B
Number of Particles Number of Particles
Inside Nucleus Outside Nucleus

36 48

C
Number of Particles Number of Particles
Inside Nucleus Outside Nucleus

84 36

D
Number of Particles Number of Particles
Inside Nucleus Outside Nucleus

84 48

30 Plants grow in many different shapes and sizes. Much of their shape depends on an internal
structure that is composed of carbon-containing molecules such as cellulose and lignin. Plants
that have a strong internal structure can grow larger than other plants because their structure
can support their size.

Plants obtain the majority of the carbon necessary for building these structural molecules
from —

F air

G microorganisms

H soil

J water

Science
Page 24
 31 Which diagram models a hypothetical situation in which every location on Earth would have
12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness per day?

Earth

Sun
A C

Earth orbits the sun in less

than 365 days.

Earth does not tilt on its axis.

Sun
B D

Earth
Earth has two moons.
Earth’s orbit is a perfect circle.

32 Barium sulfate, BaSO , is a white crystalline solid that is insoluble in water. It is used by
4
doctors to diagnose problems with the digestive system. Barium hydroxide, Ba(OH)2, is also a
white crystalline solid and is used in wastewater treatment.

How many more oxygen atoms are represented in the formula for barium sulfate than in the
formula for barium hydroxide?

Record your answer and fill in the bubbles on your answer document. Be sure to use the
correct place value.

Science
Page 25
 33 The model shows an area near a lake. Community leaders are planning new laws to help
protect the lake from pollution. One proposed law will make it illegal to dump trash on the
shore of the lake, but the law still allows trash to be placed in the area labeled “Flow-through
wetland.”

Model of Area Around Lake

Flow-through
wetland

Spring
Shore
Water table Lake

Groundwater flow direction

Which statement about the proposed law is supported by the model?

A The proposed law will protect the lake because plant roots between the wetland and the
lake will stop pollution from entering the lake.

B The proposed law will not protect the lake because animals that live in or near the lake will
add pollution to the lake.

C The proposed law will not protect the lake because groundwater will carry pollution from
the wetland directly into the lake.

D The proposed law will protect the lake because the high elevation of the water table will
block pollution from entering the lake.

Science
Page 26
 34 The graph shows the distance an object traveled in 11 seconds.

Distance Versus Time

10
9
8

Distance (m)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (s)

Which answer choice best describes the movement of the object between the times of
0 and 6 seconds on the graph?

F Moving at a constant speed H Moving toward the north

G Accelerating J Stopped

35 Researchers are studying lichens growing on trees in a forest ecosystem. At the beginning of
the study, the researchers identified twelve lichen species in the forest. Later, a forest fire
happened in the study area. The researchers returned to the area and found only six lichen
species.

Which inference is best supported from the researchers’ observations?

A Most lichen species are unaffected by forest fire.

B The biodiversity in a forest increases after a fire.

C Certain lichen species are better adapted to survive forest fires than others.

D Forest fires will permanently remove certain species from the ecosystem.

Science
Page 27
 36 The diagrams show forces acting on a toy car as it moves to the right. Which diagram shows
the toy car that will most likely accelerate to the right based on these conditions?

6N 8N

10 N 8N

10 N 10 N

13 N 10 N

Science
Page 28
 37 A river area is shown on the topographic map. Four riverbank areas are labeled on the map.

River Area Topographic Map

N
W E
S

Y X
Z 1,000

900 KEY
River
Riverbank area

Which two riverbanks are the steepest?

A W and X

B Y and Z

C X and Y

D W and Z

Science
Page 29
 38 The diagram shows a model of an atom. The model has four different symbols on it. Each
symbol represents a different role for one of the particles within the atom.

Model Atom
Z

Z W

X Y
Y X
X Y
X X Y
Z X Z
Y Y X
Y
X Y

W Z

In this model, which particle determines the reactivity of this atom?

F Particle W

G Particle X

H Particle Y

J Particle Z

39 Which statement best describes a galaxy?

A A cloud of gas that is the birthplace of stars

B A system of billions of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity

C A ball of plasma that experiences nuclear fusion in its core

D A mass of dust and ice that orbits a star in an elliptical pattern

Science
Page 30
 40 An environmental change drastically reduced the population of milkweed plants in an area.
The milkweed plants provided the only source of food for a nearby population of monarch
butterfly caterpillars.

Which statement describes the most likely effect of this environmental change on this
population of monarch butterflies?

F The number of monarch butterflies will decrease because their caterpillars will not have
enough food.

G The number of monarch butterflies will stay the same because butterflies reproduce so
rapidly their populations can withstand most food shortages.

H The number of monarch butterflies will stay the same because their caterpillars will begin
consuming nectar from different types of flowers.

J The number of monarch butterflies will increase because their reproduction rate will
increase to ensure some individuals survive.

41 A pitcher throws a ball toward a player holding a softball bat. The player uses the bat to hit
the ball. The bat applies a 10-newton force to the ball.

Which statement correctly describes the reaction force between the bat and ball?

A The reaction force is the force that causes the ball to move toward the bat.

B The reaction force is the force applied to the bat by the player holding the bat.

C The reaction force is the force that pulls the ball toward the ground.

D The reaction force is the force of the ball on the bat.

42 Researchers are investigating processes that happen during digestion. Which answer choice
describes only a physical change during digestion?

F Hydrochloric acid in the stomach breaks down proteins.

G Chewing in the mouth breaks food into small pieces.

H Enzymes in saliva start the digestion of starches before food is swallowed.

J Bacteria in the intestines convert dietary fiber into fats.

BE SURE YOU HAVE RECORDED ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS

Science STOP
ON THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.
Page 31
 STAAR
GRADE 8
Science
May 2019