arc_easy_test.jsonl

{"id": "Mercury_417466", "prompt": "Which statement best explains why photosynthesis is the foundation of most food webs?", "choices": ["Sunlight is the source of energy for nearly all ecosystems.", "Most ecosystems are found on land instead of in water.", "Carbon dioxide is more available than other gases.", "The producers in all ecosystems are plants."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7081673", "prompt": "Which piece of safety equipment is used to keep mold spores from entering the respiratory system?", "choices": ["safety goggles", "breathing mask", "rubber gloves", "lead apron"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7239733", "prompt": "Meiosis is a type of cell division in which germ cells divide to produce haploid cells. Where does meiosis occur?", "choices": ["brain cells", "bone cells", "muscle cells", "ovary cells"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_8", "prompt": "Which characteristic describes the texture of a kitten's fur?", "choices": ["gray", "warm", "long", "soft"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7037258", "prompt": "Which best describes the structure of an atom?", "choices": ["a lightweight core surrounded by neutral particles", "a massive core surrounded by negatively-charged particles", "a network of interacting positive and negative particles", "overlapping layers of neutral, positive, and negative particles"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "CSZ20679", "prompt": "To express the distance between the Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies, the most appropriate unit of measurement is the", "choices": ["meter.", "kilometer.", "light-year.", "astronomical unit."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_182158", "prompt": "A student has just completed a laboratory activity. What is the last action that the student should perform before leaving the lab area?", "choices": ["wash hands", "turn off all equipment", "put away all glassware", "wash instruments and table tops"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7216668", "prompt": "Students are investigating the effects of different fertilizers on plant growth. Which units would be best to measure the mass of the fertilizer used?", "choices": ["meters", "centimeters", "grams", "milligrams"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2001_5_19", "prompt": "Plants use sunlight to make", "choices": ["soil.", "minerals.", "food.", "water."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413631", "prompt": "Which of these correctly identifies the way materials are transported in a plant?", "choices": ["Xylem carries water from the roots to the leaves.", "Phloem carries minerals from the roots to the leaves.", "Xylem carries sugars from the flowers to the stems.", "Phloem carries water from the flowers to the stems."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_5_10", "prompt": "When trees develop leaves in the spring, 10 changes occur on the forest floor. Why does the development of leaves cause changes on the forest floor?", "choices": ["Rainfall increases.", "Sunlight is reduced.", "Wind speed increases.", "Animal migration is stopped."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7166145", "prompt": "The circulatory system and the endocrine system work together in the human body. Which describes one way in which these systems interact?", "choices": ["taking in oxygen and transporting it to cells of the body", "releasing hormones and transporting them to cells of the body", "absorbing nutrients from food and transporting them to cells in the body", "collecting waste products from the cells and transporting it out of the body"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MSA_2013_5_6", "prompt": "A student throws a ball into the air. While the ball travels up, the speed of the ball decreases. What force causes the ball to slow while traveling up?", "choices": ["electricity", "gravity", "magnetism", "tension"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405199", "prompt": "Which of these will most likely harm a habitat?", "choices": ["planting trees", "water pollution", "rainfall", "sunlight"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_28", "prompt": "All living and nonliving material is composed of", "choices": ["air", "elements", "water", "soil"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401777", "prompt": "Which process best explains how the Grand Canyon became so wide?", "choices": ["folding", "erosion", "deposition", "sedimentation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7198188", "prompt": "As global temperatures increase, certain organisms will be more affected than others. The changes associated with global warming may result in an increase in sea level. Which organisms will be affected most as a result of the change in sea level?", "choices": ["birds that eat fish from shallow waters", "fish that live in coral reefs in shallow waters", "mammals that swim in cold, deep ocean waters", "crustaceans at the bottom of deep sea ocean waters"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_1998_4_11", "prompt": "A dish of sugar water was left on a window sill. One week later, there were only sugar crystals left in the dish. The water was gone. The best explanation for the appearance of sugar crystals is", "choices": ["some of the water was absorbed by the dish.", "the air condensed.", "the light shining on the window sill produced more sugar.", "the water evaporated."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10784", "prompt": "Using a softball bat to hit a softball is an example of using which simple machine?", "choices": ["pulley", "lever", "inclined plane", "wheel and axle"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7033548", "prompt": "When an igneous intrusion comes into contact with surrounding rock, the surrounding rock will", "choices": ["erode.", "foliate.", "precipitate.", "recrystallize."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7146195", "prompt": "A research scientist writes a paper on the initial regrowth of a forest after a fire has damaged the entire ecosystem. Which title would be best for the paper?", "choices": ["Primary Succession", "Stable Communities", "Climax Communities", "Secondary Succession"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_36", "prompt": "Where do plants get most of the energy they need to live and grow?", "choices": ["water", "soil", "air", "sunlight"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415412", "prompt": "Which is a statement about climate?", "choices": ["The average temperature yesterday was 15\u00b0C.", "The temperature range today was 10\u00b0C to 20\u00b0C.", "The high temperature tomorrow will be 14\u00b0C.", "The average high temperature in May is 20\u00b0C."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7126840", "prompt": "While on a movie set, a stuntman jumps off the roof of a building. As he falls toward an airbag, what is increasing?", "choices": ["gravity", "wind velocity", "kinetic energy", "potential energy"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408362", "prompt": "Jessica wants to see cells in an oak tree leaf. Which tool is best for Jessica to use to see the cells?", "choices": ["binoculars", "microscope", "reading glasses", "magnifying glass"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_8_35", "prompt": "Biologists conduct investigations to learn about living organisms. Which method helps reduce bias during an investigation?", "choices": ["developing a hypothesis after collecting data in the investigation", "limiting the amount of background research before the investigation", "designing an investigation with repeated trials during the investigation", "obtaining other opinions concerning what should happen during the investigation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_21", "prompt": "Which factor is most likely to cause the number of rabbits living in an area to increase?", "choices": ["less water", "fewer predators", "lack of shelter", "limited food"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_12", "prompt": "Seeds that remain inactive until the right conditions of light, water, and soil are present are called ___.", "choices": ["pollen", "dormant", "flowers", "recycled"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10680", "prompt": "What allows a light bulb to give off light?", "choices": ["the current flowing through the wire to the light bulb", "the light bulb giving electrical energy to the battery", "the light bulb generating heat energy", "the battery pushing light through the wire"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_5_3", "prompt": "What causes sound?", "choices": ["sunlight", "vibrations", "x-rays", "pitch"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2010_5_18", "prompt": "Photosynthesis occurs in which of these organisms?", "choices": ["Sunflower plant", "Mushroom", "Sunfish", "Luna moth"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7074900", "prompt": "In order for cells to grow at a normal rate, they must", "choices": ["take in light.", "be specialized.", "take in nutrients.", "be of similar size."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408762", "prompt": "Marshall learned that plants need a substance from the air to make their own food. What does a plant take from the air in the presence of sunlight?", "choices": ["carbon dioxide", "hydrogen", "nitrogen", "oxygen"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2015_5_8", "prompt": "Antarctica is a continent at Earth's south pole. Fossils of tropical fern plants were discovered in Antarctica even though these plants do not grow there today. Which conclusion does the fossil evidence best support?", "choices": ["Millions of years ago, Antarctica was in a warmer location on Earth.", "Recently, a natural disaster killed all of the fern plants in Antarctica.", "Recently, birds stopped carrying the seeds of fern plants to Antarctica.", "Millions of years ago, Earth's south pole was much colder than it is today."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7263008", "prompt": "Which two theories of Moon formation propose that much or all of the material comprising the Moon came from Earth?", "choices": ["The Fission Theory and The Coaccretion Theory", "The Coaccretion Theory and The Capture Theory", "The Fission Theory and the Giant Impact Theory", "The Capture Theory and the Giant Impact Theory"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_4_29", "prompt": "When white, fluffy clouds appear in Massachusetts, the weather that day will MOST LIKELY be", "choices": ["fair.", "stormy.", "foggy.", "rainy."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "CSZ_2008_5_CSZ10233", "prompt": "Plants and animals are composed of organic compounds. Which of the following are the common elements found in organic compounds?", "choices": ["iron, oxygen, nickel, copper.", "sodium, potassium, gold, hydrogen.", "helium, neon, argon, krypton.", "carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7128660", "prompt": "New research uncovers information that proves that the data from an old theory is partially incorrect. What should the scientific community do about the old theory?", "choices": ["remove the old theory from historical records", "change the research notes in the original theory", "use the new information to update the old theory", "ban the public from discussing the old theory"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7100520", "prompt": "Which is the greatest benefit of sexual reproduction?", "choices": ["capable of reproducing by meiosis", "ability to reproduce without a mate", "ability to produce genetically different offspring", "capable of producing offspring genetically identical to parent"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7017728", "prompt": "The speed at which sound waves travel depends on the", "choices": ["distance between the vibration source and the receiver.", "type of material through which the sound travels.", "size of the object making the sound.", "type of device making the sound."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7032865", "prompt": "Which scientist is credited with discovering the first four moons of Jupiter?", "choices": ["Galileo Galilei", "Albert Einstein", "Charles Darwin", "Sir Isaac Newton"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_405057", "prompt": "During science class, a teacher explains that the samples the students are studying are made of two or more minerals. What are the students studying?", "choices": ["gases", "rocks", "elements", "molecules"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7057593", "prompt": "When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun causing the rays of light to hit Earth at large angles, which season occurs?", "choices": ["winter", "spring", "summer", "fall"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405231", "prompt": "A scientist found fossils of ocean shells on a mountain top. Based on this find, which statement can be made?", "choices": ["The climate was once colder.", "The shells were carried by the wind.", "The mountain was covered by water.", "The shells once lived on dry land."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2007_5_38", "prompt": "A student sees many plants around a pond. The student can determine which plants are nonvascular by", "choices": ["observing if they lack true stems, roots, or leaves", "examining the plants for spores", "counting the number of leaves on each stalk", "noticing if the plants are near rocks"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_410895", "prompt": "Darryl learns that freezing temperatures may help cause weathering. Which statement explains how freezing temperatures most likely cause weathering?", "choices": ["by freezing the leaves on trees", "by causing rocks to stick together", "by turning acid rain into acid snow", "by freezing water in the cracks of rocks"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7015978", "prompt": "A bond is formed when an electron is transferred from a sodium atom to a chlorine atom. What happens to the sodium atom during this process?", "choices": ["The mass of the atom increases.", "The atom becomes an isotope.", "The atomic number decreases.", "The atom becomes a positive ion."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_5_5", "prompt": "A group of fish was released into a local lake. This species of fish had never lived in the lake before. Scientists want to collect data on how the lake's ecosystem is affected by the new fish. Which method of data collection will give the most accurate results?", "choices": ["Measuring oxygen levels in the lake for two months", "Checking the lake water for nutrient levels on one day", "Sampling fish populations in the lake over several years", "Observing the surface of the lake for signs of the new fish after one week"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7080955", "prompt": "On a career day at school, an X-ray technician discusses her daily work with the class. Which equipment would she most likely say she uses on a regular basis to help ensure the safety of patients?", "choices": ["earplugs", "rubber gloves", "goggles", "lead aprons"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2009_5_4", "prompt": "In the United States, windmills have been used for farming for hundreds of years. Which simple machine is the most important part of a windmill?", "choices": ["lever", "pulley", "inclined plane", "wheel and axle"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7017010", "prompt": "Which tools are needed to measure the effects of friction on a block of wood?", "choices": ["meter stick, spring scale", "balance, stopwatch", "balance, meter stick", "meter stick, stopwatch"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7146108", "prompt": "Planets outside of our solar system have been detected. What suggested the presence of a planet outside of our solar system?", "choices": ["radio wave emissions", "a wobble in the rotation of the star", "regular occurring eclipses of its moons", "the discovery of a star as large as our own"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_12", "prompt": "During which process are pieces of rock material being moved over Earth's surface by water and wind?", "choices": ["conduction", "deposition", "erosion", "revolution"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_3", "prompt": "The Apollo 11 mission was able to retrieve samples of the Moon's surface because it was the first mission to have astronauts", "choices": ["land on the Moon", "orbit a planet", "return to Earth", "walk in space"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401253", "prompt": "A student mixes a teaspoon of sugar in a large glass of water. What happens to the sugar when it is mixed with the water?", "choices": ["It boils.", "It melts.", "It dissolves.", "It evaporates."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7235953", "prompt": "Particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider in Europe, accelerate subatomic particles to great speeds. These particles move in opposite directions at nearly the speed of light and collide into one another to simulate conditions that were present as the universe formed. Which property of matter in the initial moments of the universe are these accelerators designed to simulate?", "choices": ["low density", "high energy", "massive nuclei", "circular movement"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_403974", "prompt": "A doorbell circuit converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is in the form of vibrations that ultimately produce", "choices": ["chemical energy.", "thermal energy.", "radiant energy.", "sound energy."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7241063", "prompt": "Which factor determines if two individuals are members of the same species?", "choices": ["They live in the same habitat and niche.", "They forage and eat the same type of food.", "They mate and produce fertile offspring.", "They are similar in appearance and color."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_8_12015", "prompt": "Which of the following planets is always closer to the Sun than it is to Earth?", "choices": ["Jupiter", "Mercury", "Saturn", "Uranus"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7168350", "prompt": "Cells need nutrients for energy. Which system is responsible for breaking down food to provide cellular energy?", "choices": ["digestive", "excretory", "circulatory", "respiratory"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402980", "prompt": "During which activity should a student wear goggles?", "choices": ["writing a science report", "mixing baking soda with water", "measuring the length of a shadow", "examining a leaf with a microscope"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_417126", "prompt": "Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a soil bacterium that is toxic to certain insects. Genes from this bacterium have been inserted into cotton to make Bt cotton. Farmers that use Bt cotton would most likely use less of which of the following?", "choices": ["water", "fertilizer", "herbicide", "insecticide"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_2", "prompt": "A student examined a rock sample and described it as having particles of various colors that were 1 millimeter to 12 millimeters in size. The student was making", "choices": ["an inference", "a hypothesis", "a prediction", "an observation"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_13", "prompt": "What are genes composed of?", "choices": ["offspring", "DNA", "cells", "traits"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_177223", "prompt": "In a classroom demonstration, a teacher pours sulfuric acid on some granulated sugar in a beaker. The sugar turns yellow and then black. Smoke rises and a strong smell is released. This demonstration is an example of what kind of change?", "choices": ["chemical", "physical", "magnetic", "electric"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7200533", "prompt": "Marta studied different forms of energy. Which two types of energy travel in waves?", "choices": ["light and sound", "electrical and sound", "chemical and light", "chemical and electrical"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400707", "prompt": "The tops of some mountains are sharp and pointed, while the tops of others are smooth and rounded. This difference was most likely caused by", "choices": ["rivers flooding along a coastal plain.", "erosion and weathering.", "earthquakes and waves.", "rocks melted underground by lava."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400380", "prompt": "A student suggests to the school board that they use a renewable energy source. The student suggests they use", "choices": ["coal.", "wind.", "wood.", "natural gas."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7205590", "prompt": "Solar radiation provides more heat near the equator than near the poles on Earth. The greatest amount of heat is moved away from the equator by", "choices": ["ocean currents.", "aquatic plants.", "surface winds.", "tectonic plates."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_30", "prompt": "Which human activity will help conserve Earth's natural resources?", "choices": ["leaving the television on all day", "recycling plastic bottles", "cutting down trees", "burning trash in the yard"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_17", "prompt": "Which characteristic helps some animals defend themselves against predators?", "choices": ["strong odor", "poor hearing", "weak eyesight", "shivering"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_3_5", "prompt": "Most plants begin their life cycle as ___.", "choices": ["leaves", "flowers", "roots", "seeds"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415390", "prompt": "Erin wants to make a strong, light chair. Which natural material should she use?", "choices": ["iron", "granite", "clay", "wood"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408436", "prompt": "Jonathon was studying bears. He found out that bears are born with some behaviors and learn others from their environment. Which behavior does a bear most likely inherit?", "choices": ["how to find food in garbage cans", "how to hibernate during the winter", "how to seek shelter in a hollow log", "how to live in human neighborhoods"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401143", "prompt": "A group of the same species of fish swim together to increase an individual's", "choices": ["swimming speed.", "body temperature.", "chance of survival.", "visibility to predators."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP_2005_8_10403", "prompt": "In the oxygen cycle, which group of organisms replenishes a large portion of the atmospheric oxygen supply?", "choices": ["mammals", "fungi", "insects", "plants"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7108045", "prompt": "Some antibiotics used to treat infections in humans are also used to treat chickens, but some groups oppose this practice. The overuse of the antibiotics will most likely influence the natural selection of which type of organisms?", "choices": ["chickens that naturally make the antibiotics", "microbes that are resistant to the antibiotics", "microbes that are susceptible to the antibiotics", "chickens that are resistant to infection"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402251", "prompt": "A student performs a lab investigation by measuring the average time it takes for a toy car to travel 10 meters. Why is it best to perform the experiment in three trials?", "choices": ["to form a good hypothesis", "to increase the accuracy of the results", "to make the results more significant", "to better explain the investigation to others"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7071418", "prompt": "A scientist finds a metamorphic rock formation next to a magma chamber and determines that it was originally a sedimentary rock formation. He concludes that the temperature of the magma chamber caused the rock formation to become metamorphic. Which is another reliable explanation of how the rock formation was changed?", "choices": ["weight of heavy machinery moving over the rocks", "pressure on the rock formation inside Earth", "a sandstorm that caused the rocks to be eroded", "a quick burial of the rocks by tons of volcanic ash"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407370", "prompt": "Earth orbiting the Sun causes", "choices": ["the changing of the seasons.", "daily tidal cycles.", "day to become night.", "the phases of the Moon."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7084595", "prompt": "The cycle of night and day on Earth is a result of", "choices": ["the Moon revolving around Earth.", "Earth revolving around the Sun.", "the Moon rotating on its axis.", "Earth rotating on its axis."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7041335", "prompt": "Which of these traits is most influenced by environment?", "choices": ["weight", "hair color", "blood type", "handedness"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7236320", "prompt": "Which statement describes a characteristic of a gas that has a significant effect on the climates of both Earth and Venus?", "choices": ["Nitrogen is chemically inert.", "Sodium vapor reflects solar energy.", "Carbon dioxide traps solar energy.", "Argon is unable to react with water."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP__5_10308", "prompt": "DNA technology has improved greatly in the last twenty years. Which task has been made easier by the development of DNA technology?", "choices": ["identifying genetic disorders", "determining the parts of an atom", "observing distant objects in space", "making very accurate measurements"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7068425", "prompt": "Which condition is necessary for metamorphic rocks to form?", "choices": ["constant weathering and erosion", "extreme pressure and heating", "rapid burial of sediments", "slow cooling of magma"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401308", "prompt": "Which event helps to renew a resource?", "choices": ["A seed is planted from a tree.", "An offshore rig pumps oil.", "A car is filled with gasoline.", "An office is heated with coal."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_18", "prompt": "Which part of a plant takes in water and nutrients from the soil?", "choices": ["root", "stem", "flower", "leaf"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7165550", "prompt": "A certain type of hybrid car utilizes a braking system in which energy is recovered and stored in batteries. This is an example of which type of energy conversion?", "choices": ["kinetic energy converted to potential energy", "chemical energy converted to kinetic energy", "chemical energy converted to thermal energy", "thermal energy converted to potential energy"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7114923", "prompt": "Clownfish take shelter in the tentacles of sea anemones and keep sea anemones clean. Which type of relationship does this represent?", "choices": ["parasitism", "commensalism", "mutualism", "neutralism"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408434", "prompt": "Some animals have behaviors that help them find food when little is available. Which best describes an animal with this type of behavior?", "choices": ["a robin that builds a nest", "an owl that calls at night", "a duck that swims in water", "a goose that migrates in winter"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7008453", "prompt": "Part of a student's experiment is to measure changes in wind speed several hours before a storm. What piece of equipment should the student use?", "choices": ["barometer", "hygrometer", "anemometer", "weather vane"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_14", "prompt": "An organism is born with a genetic abnormality not present in any of its ancestors. This abnormality is most likely the result of", "choices": ["circulation", "competition", "mutation", "respiration"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_24", "prompt": "The length of one day on Earth is determined by how long it takes", "choices": ["the Moon to revolve once", "the Moon to rotate once", "Earth to rotate once", "Earth to revolve once"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_6", "prompt": "When a rock is placed in a graduated cylinder containing water, the height of the water will", "choices": ["decrease", "increase", "remain the same"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400279", "prompt": "A student heats the same amount of two different liquids over Bunsen burners. Each liquid is at room temperature when the student begins. If liquid 1 has a higher specific heat than liquid 2, then liquid 1 will", "choices": ["evaporate sooner.", "take longer to increase in temperature.", "condense over a longer period.", "chemically break down at a faster rate."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7092190", "prompt": "Through which activity do animals get the carbon that is needed for their bodies?", "choices": ["eating", "breathing", "running", "sleeping"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7113890", "prompt": "Scientists have discovered organisms that thrive in hot water that is 90\u00b0C (194\u00b0F) and do not need sunlight or oxygen to live. Into which kingdom would the scientists classify these organisms?", "choices": ["Archaebacteria", "Fungi", "Plantae", "Protista"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_8_17", "prompt": "A cook touches a hot stove and quickly moves his hand away. What are the two primary body systems that work together to produce this response?", "choices": ["Integumentary and endocrine systems", "Muscular and respiratory systems", "Nervous and muscular systems", "Skeletal and nervous systems"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_4_3", "prompt": "Which statement correctly describes both gases and liquids?", "choices": ["Their shapes stay the same in any container.", "Their shapes change when they are in different containers.", "Their volumes stay the same in any container.", "Their volumes change when they are in different containers."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7202353", "prompt": "When the soil is saturated, earthworms move to the top of the soil to obtain oxygen. This behavior is evidence of which biological concept in earthworms?", "choices": ["learned behavior", "migration instinct", "response to stimuli", "reproductive strategy"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_14", "prompt": "Which of the following is more likely to occur in a plant cell than in an animal cell?", "choices": ["synthesis of enzymes", "formation of cellulose", "breakdown of glucose", "active transport of ions"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MSA_2015_5_37", "prompt": "Earth revolves around the sun. The amount of time needed for Earth to complete one revolution around the sun is approximately", "choices": ["1 day", "28 days", "180 days", "365 days"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MDSA_2010_8_22", "prompt": "Excess nitrogen fertilizers sometimes drain into waterways that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. This nitrogen may cause algae blooms, which reduce dissolved oxygen in the water. How does nitrogen negatively affect the Chesapeake Bay?", "choices": ["fish births increase", "fish populations decrease", "sediment on the bottom of the bay decreases", "the rate of water runoff into the bay increases"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_4_4", "prompt": "Mount Arenal, a volcano in Costa Rica, is erupting. Heat is being released during the eruption. What is the source of the heat?", "choices": ["The heat comes from the Sun.", "The heat comes from pools of underground water.", "The heat comes from deep within Earth.", "The heat comes from decaying plants and animals."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7247923", "prompt": "Which statement describes how the umbilical cord supports a developing fetus?", "choices": ["It provides a protective barrier between the mother and the fetus.", "It keeps the fetus inside the mother until birth.", "It provides a navel when the baby is born.", "It supplies oxygen and nutrients to the fetus."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416124", "prompt": "Which two human body systems are most responsible for getting oxygen to cells?", "choices": ["digestive and skeletal", "skeletal and circulatory", "circulatory and respiratory", "respiratory and digestive"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_407530", "prompt": "In their science classroom, Sam and Julia cross a heterozygous tall (Tt) pea plant with a homozygous short (tt) pea plant. What ratio represents the results Sam and Julia can expect?", "choices": ["1 tall plant to 3 short plants", "2 tall plants to 2 short plants", "3 tall plants to 1 short plant", "4 tall plants to 0 short plants"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7271740", "prompt": "When atmospheric carbon dioxide increases, some of the carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean causing the ocean to become", "choices": ["warmer.", "cooler.", "more acidic.", "more alkaline."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7026495", "prompt": "Over time, dried lava from an old volcano is worn down and broken into small pieces. When these pieces pile up and are cemented together to form new rock, how would this new rock be classified?", "choices": ["magma", "igneous", "sedimentary", "metamorphic"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7084315", "prompt": "When potassium and bromine atoms form chemical bonds, which of these is produced?", "choices": ["an element", "a mixture", "a compound", "a new form of matter"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_4_pg51", "prompt": "How often does Earth rotate on its axis?", "choices": ["once every 12 hours", "once every 24 hours", "once every month", "once every year"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7081148", "prompt": "The elements that make up the atmosphere of Earth can be listed as percentages or can be shown in a graph. Which type of graph would best show this information?", "choices": ["a bar graph", "a pie chart", "a line graph", "a scatterplot"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400040", "prompt": "Animals give off carbon dioxide that plants take in through leaves. What do plants give off as a result of photosynthesis that animals need to breathe?", "choices": ["heat", "oxygen", "protein", "water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_7_10", "prompt": "Air is composed of many different substances. Which of the following components of air is a compound rather than an element?", "choices": ["Argon, Ar", "Oxygen, O2", "Water, H2O", "Nitrogen, N2"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_7_4", "prompt": "Which factor is responsible for the presence of equatorial deserts?", "choices": ["global warming", "asteroid impacts", "tilt of the Earth's axis", "the solar activity cycle"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405444", "prompt": "The ash borer moth looks similar to a wasp, but it does not have the ability to sting. This adaptation most likely helps the moth survive because", "choices": ["it makes food easier to find.", "predators avoid the moth.", "it aids in attracting a mate.", "the moth blends in with its surroundings."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7213675", "prompt": "Which organ system communicates with cells in muscle tissue so that the muscles contract or relax, allowing the body to move?", "choices": ["circulatory system", "nervous system", "respiratory system", "excretory system"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEA_2010_8_15-v1", "prompt": "Which device produces mechanical energy?", "choices": ["a battery", "an electric motor", "a light bulb", "a solar cooker"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7094675", "prompt": "A beach is formed when sediment is deposited along a shoreline. What would most likely happen if rivers that empty into the ocean were dammed?", "choices": ["Less sediment would be deposited along the shoreline.", "Beaches would form from different materials.", "Sand dunes would become smaller.", "Deltas would become larger."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_403912", "prompt": "Due to extreme pressure, the inner core of Earth is", "choices": ["solid.", "liquid.", "gas.", "plasma."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7009853", "prompt": "The speed and general direction of motion of a galaxy relative to the Earth can be determined by", "choices": ["measuring its red shift.", "the gravity it exerts.", "contrasting it against nearby stars.", "observing its motion across the sky."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10020", "prompt": "What are the three common states of matter?", "choices": ["liquid, gas, vapor", "gas, liquid, fluid", "solid, gas, liquid", "solid, vapor, liquid"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MEA_2013_8_2", "prompt": "What is the primary reason for breaking down food molecules?", "choices": ["to absorb water into a cell", "to provide energy for a cell", "to remove wastes from a cell", "to store materials in a cell"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7068688", "prompt": "Topsoil is considered to be most fertile when it has a", "choices": ["low pH level.", "low sand content.", "high organic matter level.", "high parent rock material level."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7271705", "prompt": "When chemicals in the atmosphere dissolve in water droplets, they precipitate with the water and pollute water reservoirs on Earth. The pollutants enter the food chain when aquatic organisms absorb them. Which of these pollutants eventually contaminates fish after coal is burned?", "choices": ["lead", "arsenic", "mercury", "aluminum"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_402456", "prompt": "An atom has a mass of 24 and a nuclear charge of 12. Which statement about the atom is accurate?", "choices": ["It has twice as many protons as electrons.", "It has twice as many neutrons as protons.", "It has equal numbers of neutrons and protons.", "It has equal numbers of nuclear particles and electrons."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_6", "prompt": "Which is an example of a renewable energy resource?", "choices": ["biomass", "coal", "gas", "oil"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7230178", "prompt": "The compression of matter due to gravitational attraction increased as the protoplanets formed. What was a result of this compression within each protoplanet?", "choices": ["initiation of nuclear fusion", "increase in noble gas destabilization", "increase in thermal energy", "initiation of photosynthesis reactions"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7215233", "prompt": "The construction of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River resulted in abundant freshwater and electrical power for the region. Which of these is a disadvantage of the construction of Hoover Dam?", "choices": ["an increase in flooding downstream", "an increase in regional humidity", "a decrease in the amount of river ecosystems", "a decrease in the amount of water for irrigation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415535", "prompt": "If you place a thermometer into a glass of boiling water, what temperature should the thermometer read?", "choices": ["32\u00b0C", "100\u00b0C", "200\u00b0C", "212\u00b0C"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "CSZ_2008_8_29", "prompt": "What characteristic of carbon [C] makes it essential to living organisms?", "choices": ["Carbon forms crystal structures under certain conditions.", "Carbon can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas.", "Carbon bonds in many ways with itself to form chains.", "Carbon exists in radioactive forms."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MSA_2012_5_28", "prompt": "Scientists found evidence of a fish that lived millions of years ago. The fish had features that were possibly used to move on land. This fish is now extinct. What scientific evidence did the scientists most likely find that confirmed the existence of this fish?", "choices": ["a fossil", "a description", "a photograph", "a cave drawing"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_8_12008", "prompt": "What is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that still has the properties of that compound?", "choices": ["a nucleus", "a molecule", "an element", "an atom"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406724", "prompt": "A student is investigating in which type of soil a plant will grow best. Which should the student measure to answer the question?", "choices": ["height of the plants", "weight of the soil", "amount of water used", "temperature of the room"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg33", "prompt": "An animal has scales and uses only its lungs to exchange gases. What is the animal most likely to be classified as?", "choices": ["a fish", "a reptile", "a mammal", "an amphibian"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7004988", "prompt": "How are igneous and sedimentary rocks similar?", "choices": ["They are both formed by erosion.", "They are both formed from cooled lava.", "Heat and pressure can turn them into lava.", "Heat and pressure can turn them into metamorphic rock."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10946", "prompt": "When both a dominant and recessive gene are present, which of the following is true?", "choices": ["The dominant trait will be visible.", "The recessive trait will be visible.", "Neither trait will be visible.", "It cannot be predicted which trait will be visible."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_8_39", "prompt": "Squirrels in cold climates gather and store food for winter. The squirrels sometimes bury nuts and then do not return for them. These nuts can grow to become trees. This chain of events is an example of", "choices": ["predation", "seed distribution", "competition", "seed fossilization"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408357", "prompt": "Kurt drinks frozen fruit juice from a small cup. He measures the amount of fruit juice in the cup. Which property is Kurt measuring?", "choices": ["density", "height", "temperature", "volume"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_178710", "prompt": "A simple machine that has a mechanical advantage equal to 1 would most likely be used to", "choices": ["decrease effort.", "decrease work.", "change direction.", "change resistance."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_410598", "prompt": "Roberto is sliding down a plastic slide on the playground. After he reaches the ground, he feels a small electric shock when he touches a piece of metal. What has been built up on his body that causes the shock?", "choices": ["atoms", "electrons", "neutrons", "protons"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_4_pg15", "prompt": "Plants grow best in soils that are rich in which of the following?", "choices": ["grains of sand", "lumps of clay", "layers of gravel", "decaying plants and animals"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7217088", "prompt": "The rate of acceleration of an object is determined by the mass of the object and", "choices": ["the initial velocity of the object.", "the forces acting on the object.", "the direction of movement of the object.", "the change in kinetic energy of the object."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7143360", "prompt": "Some aquifers are composed of limestone and dolomite. Which process increases the open spaces of the aquifer formation?", "choices": ["wave action", "wind erosion", "tensional faulting", "chemical weathering"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_8_23645", "prompt": "Leather basketballs are made for indoor use on smooth surfaces. Rubber basketballs are made for use on many different surfaces. Which of the following properties of rubber makes it better than leather for use on many different surfaces?", "choices": ["Rubber is durable.", "Rubber is lightweight.", "Rubber is dark in color.", "Rubber is quickly produced."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "LEAP__4_10228", "prompt": "On a field trip in a wooded area, you see a small, strange object. You wonder whether it is a live animal. The best way to find out is to observe the object to see if it", "choices": ["has an odor.", "has separate parts.", "can make a noise and has a lifelike color.", "carries out basic life functions."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MSA_2012_8_29", "prompt": "Ethanol is a type of alcohol made from plants. Sugarcane and corn, which are both used in foods such as cereals and breads, are used to make ethanol. Burning ethanol provides a clean source of energy because the products of ethanol are water and carbon dioxide. Therefore, mixing ethanol with gasoline reduces harmful waste products. In the 1970s, many Brazilians drove cars with engines that used an ethanol gasoline mixture. This alternative fuel conserved the limited supply of gasoline available at that time. In the 1990s, gasoline became cheaper than ethanol, and Brazilians returned to driving more gasoline-fueled cars. Recently, Brazilians started driving more cars that use an ethanol-gasoline mixture. Ethanol is a good alternative fuel because it", "choices": ["reduces air pollution", "increases biodiversity", "reduces sound pollution", "increases ozone emissions"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401774", "prompt": "A whistle produces a sound because blowing air in the whistle causes", "choices": ["the whistle material to shake.", "the air inside the whistle to vibrate.", "the air to be absorbed by the whistle.", "the air in the whistle to heat up and expand."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg14", "prompt": "Each year the Earth moves once around", "choices": ["Mars", "the Sun", "the Moon", "all the other planets"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2008_7_13", "prompt": "According to Newton's first law of motion, what counteracts gravity to keep a satellite in orbit?", "choices": ["inertia", "energy", "friction", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416096", "prompt": "How do plants get water and minerals?", "choices": ["absorbed from the soil though the roots", "absorbed from the soil through the stem", "absorbed from the air through the flowers", "absorbed from the air through the leaves"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_12", "prompt": "A cell's chromosomes contain", "choices": ["genes", "chlorophyll", "sperm", "eggs"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7222845", "prompt": "Which of these events is an example of a change in climate?", "choices": ["Afternoon clouds form and block the sunlight.", "A series of tornadoes occurs over a one-week period.", "An overnight temperature drop causes frost to form.", "The average amount of annual precipitation decreases."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401166", "prompt": "Which object works best when reflecting light?", "choices": ["mirror", "camera", "binoculars", "eyeglasses"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "LEAP_2005_4_10267", "prompt": "A wetland was drained to build a mall. Two years later, there were no more toads in that area. Why did the toads disappear?", "choices": ["The toads were destroyed by the construction equipment.", "The toads died because toads cannot breathe out of water.", "The toads were frightened and went into the woods.", "The toads go their food from the wetland ecosystem."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_18", "prompt": "Which elements are found to the right of the zigzag line in the periodic table?", "choices": ["liquids", "metals", "metals and gases", "nonmetals and gases"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7188370", "prompt": "Miranda learned how the human body carries out life functions. Which is the most basic level of organization in the human body?", "choices": ["an organ", "a system", "a tissue", "a cell"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MSA_2013_5_5", "prompt": "Pollutants, such as motor oil and gasoline, are sometimes leaked onto roads by vehicles. How do these pollutants most likely affect the environment?", "choices": ["Storms wash the pollutants into lakes and rivers.", "Animals become sick from licking the pollutants on the road.", "Animals get stuck in the pollutants when they cross the road.", "Winds blow the pollutants to the side of the road and harm the soil."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_5_8", "prompt": "Which of the following objects is probably the most flexible?", "choices": ["a ceramic dish", "a wooden block", "a short steel rod", "a new rubber hose"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_184888", "prompt": "A student practicing for the outdoor track team begins to sweat. To what stimulus is the body responding?", "choices": ["an increase in heart rate", "an increase in body temperature", "an increase in oxygen demand", "an increase in breathing rate"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7044188", "prompt": "What repeating cycle is responsible for the four seasons that occur on Earth?", "choices": ["rotation of the moon", "rotation of the Sun", "revolution of the sun in the galaxy", "revolution of the earth about the sun"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7056875", "prompt": "Which of these systems functions to protect and support vital organs?", "choices": ["digestive", "skeletal", "nervous", "excretory"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400868", "prompt": "Which characteristic would best help a rabbit survive in snow?", "choices": ["short legs", "dim eyesight", "thick, white fur", "slow movement"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409142", "prompt": "Scientists are studying a pond. Which property can the scientists measure to understand the amount of energy held by the lake water?", "choices": ["the depth of the lake", "the color of the water", "the volume of the lake", "the temperature of the water"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408900", "prompt": "Russell wants to observe changes in nature over the next few months. What can a thermometer help Russell investigate?", "choices": ["rainfall amounts each week", "tiny organisms in pond water", "the high temperatures each day", "the amount of growth in a plant"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401624", "prompt": "The egg stage in the life cycle of a bird is most like which phase in the life cycle of certain types of flowers?", "choices": ["seed", "spore", "pollen", "immature flower"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7188965", "prompt": "Peristalsis helps move nutrients through parts of the body by using wavelike contractions. In which system is the function used?", "choices": ["circulatory", "digestive", "endocrine", "nervous"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_32", "prompt": "Which is the best way to help prevent the flu from becoming a pandemic?", "choices": ["getting a vaccination", "taking antibiotics", "eating fruits and vegetables", "washing hands often"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7008208", "prompt": "Which theory states that the universe originated as a single mass?", "choices": ["Big Bang", "Steady State", "Astronomical", "Catastrophism"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7092400", "prompt": "As two continental plates collide, the edges of the plates are crumpled and uplifted. Which of these landforms is most likely a result of this type of collision?", "choices": ["normal faults", "mountain ranges", "U-shaped valleys", "shield volcanoes"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_417462", "prompt": "During a walk in the woods, Mandy finds a plant structure that had fallen onto the trail. Mandy can tell the object contained seeds, and thinks it came from a flowering plant instead of a conifer. How can she determine if the object came from a flowering plant?", "choices": ["by looking for seed coats on the seeds", "by looking for wing-like structures on the seeds", "by looking for fruit tissue around the seeds", "by looking for young sporophytes inside the seeds"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401211", "prompt": "The esophagus, stomach, and small intestine are parts of which body system?", "choices": ["nervous", "digestive", "respiratory", "muscular"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_178605", "prompt": "Which of the following is a chemical property of silver?", "choices": ["malleable", "white metal", "conductor of heat", "reacts with nitric acid"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400364", "prompt": "If the climate in an area changed over time to become very cold, which change would most likely help a species living there to survive?", "choices": ["a thicker neck and longer tail", "a larger mouth and stronger jaws", "an increase in fur and fat", "an increase in height and speed"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_15", "prompt": "A broken bone heals through the process of", "choices": ["adaptation", "mutation", "cell division", "chemical digestion"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2015_5_7", "prompt": "Which is the best example of an object with kinetic energy?", "choices": ["a plate sitting on a table", "a bird perching in a tree", "a marble rolling down a ramp", "a dam holding back some water"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7180618", "prompt": "Lions tend to prey on primary consumers like zebras and gazelles. If there were a sudden decline in a population of lions, which ecological imbalance would most likely occur in the habitat?", "choices": ["overgrazing", "eutrophication", "invasion by non-native species", "overproduction of greenhouse gases"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_415262", "prompt": "Which of the following could help to reduce a home heating bill in winter?", "choices": ["replacing wood doors with aluminum doors", "using more insulation in the walls of the home", "removing thick rugs and heavy curtains in the home", "painting the roof of the home white to reflect light"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7200200", "prompt": "Elizabeth uses a specific type of whistle to call her dogs. The noise made by the whistle is heard by the dogs but cannot be heard by the human ear. Which statement best describes why humans cannot hear the sound made by the whistle?", "choices": ["The speed of the sound is too fast.", "The amplitude of the sound is too low.", "The frequency of the sound is too high.", "The wavelength of the sound is too long."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_8_24", "prompt": "Use the information to answer the question. Over the last 150 years, the use of fossil fuels has increased, resulting in more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Some scientists think that these atmospheric gases will result in global warming. Scientists have recorded data on global temperature changes and have predicted possible changes in sea level that may affect Maryland residents. Which action helps reduce global warming?", "choices": ["developing highways", "driving large vehicles", "using renewable power sources", "using electricity from coal burning power plants"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_185238", "prompt": "As members of a food web, humans are considered to be", "choices": ["producers.", "consumers.", "decomposers.", "scavengers."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2015_8_6", "prompt": "Which of the following statements best describes the role of gravity in the formation of stars?", "choices": ["Gravity converts solid matter into gases and light energy.", "Gravity causes gases and dust particles to condense into spheres.", "Gravity cools gases and liquids until they become one solid mass.", "Gravity pushes rocks and dust particles outward from a dense center."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7015663", "prompt": "What is the name of the process in which igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are converted into one another in stages?", "choices": ["rock cycle", "erosion cycle", "magma cycle", "tectonic cycle"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10174", "prompt": "What is happening when rocks are broken down by both physical and chemical changes?", "choices": ["weathering", "deposition", "condensation", "decomposing"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7024780", "prompt": "In a laboratory procedure, students added sodium hydroxide crystals to a beaker of water and allowed the resulting solution to cool. Based on this information, which type of chemical process most likely occurred?", "choices": ["electrical", "energetic", "exothermic", "endothermic"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_404975", "prompt": "Students are attempting to make a doorbell ring using some wire and a battery. What is needed to make the bell ring?", "choices": ["friction", "gravity", "a convection current", "an electrical circuit"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7098928", "prompt": "Which concept was most likely modified due to the invention of the microscope?", "choices": ["size of subatomic particles", "composition of living things", "number of the moons of Jupiter", "formation of sedimentary rocks"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_416501", "prompt": "Which energy transformation occurs during active transport in a cell?", "choices": ["light energy -> chemical energy", "kinetic energy -> potential energy", "chemical energy -> mechanical energy", "mechanical energy -> electrical energy"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406012", "prompt": "The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that run throughout the entire body. Which of these is one function of the nervous system?", "choices": ["supports body posture", "controls body functions", "supplies the blood with oxygen", "carries blood to and from the heart"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407192", "prompt": "Which of these is most likely a result of using pesticides on farm crops?", "choices": ["rainfall levels could decrease", "air temperatures could increase", "water sources could become polluted", "caterpillars could become extinct"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7239890", "prompt": "The biological selection of a particular allele for a trait to be passed to offspring has nothing do with the selection of the allele for another trait. Which of the following supports this statement?", "choices": ["law of independent assortment", "law of dominance", "law of segregation", "law of recessiveness"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7282135", "prompt": "Air pollution can influence a person's quality of life. Which best identifies the influence of air pollution?", "choices": ["It is a behavioral influence.", "It is a genetic influence.", "It is an environmental influence.", "It is a dietary influence."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_184328", "prompt": "What information about stars can be learned by using a spectrometer?", "choices": ["chemical composition", "distance from Earth", "size", "speed"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_22", "prompt": "Which is the function of the gallbladder?", "choices": ["store bile", "produce bile", "store digestive enzymes", "produce digestive enzymes"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MDSA_2010_8_43", "prompt": "When trees are removed from a tropical rain forest, other plants and animals are affected. Which statement identifies another change that will most likely occur when a rain forest habitat is destroyed?", "choices": ["Oxygen levels will increase.", "Carbon dioxide levels will increase.", "The temperature of Earth will decrease.", "The air pollution in the atmosphere will decrease."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7044520", "prompt": "A student was given the volume and description of a substance and was asked to determine its density. What information is missing?", "choices": ["size", "mass", "boiling point", "melting point"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400518", "prompt": "A geologist found several types of seashell fossils in a rock layer. Which is the best conclusion about the rock layer?", "choices": ["The rock was once buried under a swamp.", "Water from a river washed across the rock.", "The rock was once sediment at the bottom of an ocean.", "Migrating animals dropped the seashell into the rock."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7205573", "prompt": "All of the planets in the solar system formed at about the same time from a large cloud of gas and dust. How is Earth different from other planets in the solar system?", "choices": ["Earth has no natural satellites.", "Earth's atmosphere is composed of gases.", "Water is found in all three phases on Earth.", "Volcanoes release liquid rock onto Earth's surface."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7222863", "prompt": "When light reflects off certain crystals in the atmosphere, effects called halos appear. Which substance in the atmosphere forms these crystals?", "choices": ["carbon dioxide", "oxygen", "sulfur dioxide", "water"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_19", "prompt": "During which process do animals increase in size?", "choices": ["breathing", "growing", "shedding", "repairing"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7121905", "prompt": "In what form do plants store the energy produced from sunlight?", "choices": ["radiant", "thermal", "chemical", "mechanical"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP__4_10226", "prompt": "Carmine's mother drinks four cans of soft drink each day. After drinking the soft drinks, Carmine's mother should", "choices": ["throw the cans in the trash.", "send the cans to a landfill.", "take the cans to be recycled.", "crush the cans before putting them in the trash."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7210018", "prompt": "A student observes different characteristics of a rock. Which observation best describes a fact about the rock?", "choices": ["It has a nice surface.", "It has an interesting shape.", "It is made of several layers.", "It feels warm when touched."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_7_13", "prompt": "Xylem cells have very thick walls. They make up most of a tree trunk and its branches. What system in vertebrates provides the same function as the xylem cells in a tree?", "choices": ["the skeletal system", "the endocrine system", "the respiratory system", "the integumentary system"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2014_8_11", "prompt": "At one station in a production line, a worker must drill a hole in each end of wooden boards. At the next station, another worker attaches two of the boards together using metal fasteners that fit in the holes. Which of the following processes will ensure that the wooden boards fit together with the fewest errors?", "choices": ["placing the parts on a conveyor belt to keep them moving quickly", "using a fixture to hold the boards in place as the holes are drilled", "inspecting the boards after they are attached to each other", "installing equipment to protect workers from debris"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "OHAT_2007_5_12", "prompt": "A student places a ball on the ground and kicks it. The ball moves along the ground. Why does the ball move?", "choices": ["The kick decreases the weight of the ball.", "The kick applies a contact force to the ball.", "The kick decreases the force of gravity acting on the ball.", "The kick removes friction between the ball and the ground."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_4_24", "prompt": "Why do identical twins usually look like each other?", "choices": ["They were born on the same day.", "They have the same kinds of interests.", "They inherited the same characteristics from their parents.", "They were taught the same kinds of things at home."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_8_31", "prompt": "The process by which information is encoded, transmitted, stored, decoded, and retrieved is called", "choices": ["manufacturing technology.", "transportation technology.", "construction technology.", "communication technology."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7212853", "prompt": "Elements are organized on the periodic table according to", "choices": ["electronegativity values.", "atomic mass.", "atomic number.", "the number of neutrons."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_400808", "prompt": "Chromium is characterized by a very high melting point. Use the Periodic Table of the Elements to identify which of these elements most likely has a similar melting point.", "choices": ["potassium", "manganese", "bromine", "krypton"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_404895", "prompt": "A scientist finds a plant and states that it is a new species. Which is the best way to verify that it is a new species?", "choices": ["develop a theory about the plant", "compare the plant to other plants", "observe the plant with a microscope", "determine the best growing conditions for the plant"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_19", "prompt": "The bottom of the space shuttle is covered with ceramic tile. This material was chosen because it withstands", "choices": ["moisture.", "vibration.", "heat.", "light."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_415684", "prompt": "What is the effect of absorption of infrared light by human skin?", "choices": ["sunburn on the skin surface", "disinfection of the skin tissues", "feeling of warmth on the skin", "immediate death of skin cells"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7068705", "prompt": "Some plants need to be in an environment where water drains easily. Which type of soil content will best benefit these plants?", "choices": ["sand", "shale", "clay", "silt"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_5_17668", "prompt": "Which of the following statements best describes sandy soils?", "choices": ["Sandy soils allow water to drain quickly.", "Sandy soils easily break down into clay sediments.", "Sandy soils hold plant roots tightly in place to prevent erosion.", "Sandy soils have high levels of decomposed plant and animal matter."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_402332", "prompt": "What type of rock was the fossil most likely found in?", "choices": ["igneous", "volcanic", "sedimentary", "metamorphic"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400601", "prompt": "Which source produces light from nuclear energy?", "choices": ["the Sun", "a stove burner", "the Moon", "a light bulb"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_27", "prompt": "A student rolls a ball on the ground. Which of these causes the ball to slow down and then stop?", "choices": ["The motion of the ball", "The speed of the ball", "Friction from the ground", "A magnetic field"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7180705", "prompt": "In the human body, the circulatory system works with the respiratory system by", "choices": ["producing red blood cells.", "transporting oxygen to organs.", "providing nutrients to muscles.", "controlling the movement of the lungs."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406153", "prompt": "What kind of force do brakes use to stop a moving bicycle?", "choices": ["gravity", "friction", "magnetic", "push"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408919", "prompt": "The first powerful telescopes were built during the early 1600s. Scientists at that time were able to learn more about which subject by using the telescope?", "choices": ["the shape of continents of Earth", "the effect of storms and hurricanes", "forces changing the surface of Earth", "planets and moons in the solar system"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7024745", "prompt": "A student wants to perform an experiment to determine what temperature is best for growing tomato plants. Which is the best piece of equipment to use in this experiment to measure the independent variable?", "choices": ["rain gauge", "light meter", "tape measure", "thermometer"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_5_6", "prompt": "Glaciers are slow-moving sheets of ice found on land. What process occurs when glacial ice is heated to 5\u00b0 Celsius?", "choices": ["evaporation", "freezing", "melting", "precipitation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7090930", "prompt": "Land subsidence (ground level dropping) is most likely an indication that", "choices": ["sediments are being deposited.", "water is being polluted.", "rocks are being weathered.", "ground water is being depleted."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7033373", "prompt": "The United States government limits the use of certain pesticides through laws passed in the Endangered Species Protection Program. Which is the most likely reason to enforce laws that limit pesticide use?", "choices": ["Some pesticides are expensive.", "Some pesticides fail to control insects.", "Some pesticides give off foul odors.", "Some pesticides can harm non-targeted species."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405219", "prompt": "Refrigerators were invented to keep food cold. This is helpful in", "choices": ["growing food.", "cleaning food.", "keeping food dry.", "keeping food fresh."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402238", "prompt": "What safety procedure should a student follow when a thermometer is broken during a lab experiment?", "choices": ["tell the teacher immediately", "stop the experiment immediately", "sweep the glass into a biohazard container", "use a paper towel to pick up the pieces"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7215863", "prompt": "Which process is most effective for separating sodium chloride from a saltwater solution?", "choices": ["filtration", "evaporation", "magnetic separation", "chemical separation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7041300", "prompt": "Clear cutting of old growth forests in Oregon provides lumber for housing. In the process of clear cutting, plant diversity decreases and some organisms are pushed to extinction. Clear cutting is an example of", "choices": ["a change in aquatic conditions.", "a change in societal conditions.", "a change in atmospheric conditions.", "a change in environmental conditions."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7190050", "prompt": "El Ni\u00f1o is a term that refers to the oceanic phenomenon in which the surface water temperatures increase. The increase in water temperature usually occurs in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Which will most likely occur as a result of this phenomenon to cause environmental changes?", "choices": ["melting of the polar ice caps", "varied atmospheric conditions", "an increase in volcanic eruptions", "an increase in the length of summers"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_4_10", "prompt": "An animal that has thick fur, webbed feet, and blubber would probably live in the", "choices": ["Arctic Ocean.", "Amazon Rain Forest.", "Intracoastal Waterway, Florida.", "Mojave Desert, California."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7222320", "prompt": "The rover Spirit is a robotic probe that NASA has placed on Mars. The gravitational attraction of Mars is approximately 62% less than that of Earth. Compared to its measurements on Earth, on Mars the probe has", "choices": ["the same weight and the same mass.", "a larger weight, but smaller mass.", "a smaller mass and larger weight.", "a smaller weight and the same mass."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_8_25", "prompt": "Sal is looking at a map of Massachusetts. He has measured the distance, in inches, from Boston to Salem on the map. He wants to know how many actual miles the inches represent. What feature of the map should he look for?", "choices": ["key", "scale", "legend", "compass"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7206605", "prompt": "A hammer and a screwdriver are next to each other in the sunlight. After one hour, the hammer is hotter than the screwdriver. The shape and mass of each object may affect the amount of heat each object gains. Another explanation for the difference in temperature may be that the hammer and screwdriver are", "choices": ["moving at different rates.", "made of different materials.", "used for different purposes.", "picked up in different ways."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408336", "prompt": "On January 15th, there were 10 hours and 24 minutes of daylight in Jacksonville, Florida. On the same day, there were only 9 hours and 37 minutes of daylight in New York City. Why did New York have fewer hours of daylight than Florida?", "choices": ["because Earth rotates", "because Earth tilts on its axis", "because gravity pulls Earth toward the Sun", "because the Moon reflects sunlight onto Earth"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_416579", "prompt": "A euglena has a flagellum and a paramecium has cilia. Both types of organelles help these organisms move through the water. However, a paramecium can also use its cilia to perform another task. What is this task?", "choices": ["obtain food", "defend the cell", "attach to a surface", "perform conjugation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7001575", "prompt": "Which characteristic of wolves is most likely learned?", "choices": ["fur color", "eyesight", "litter size", "social behavior"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416142", "prompt": "Which would most help pollinators find flowers that are pollinated at night?", "choices": ["shape", "color", "size", "fragrance"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_1998_8_19", "prompt": "A solar eclipse occurs when", "choices": ["the Moon blocks the Earth from the Sun.", "the first four planets in the solar system are aligned.", "Earth blocks the Moon from the Sun.", "Earth's shadow falls on the Sun."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400187", "prompt": "Which process turns a large rock into a pile of smaller stones?", "choices": ["deposition", "sedimentation", "fossilizing", "weathering"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_8_pg74", "prompt": "Where are the active volcanoes most likely to be found?", "choices": ["where rivers form", "where tectonic plates meet", "where oceans are deepest", "where land and water meet"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7013458", "prompt": "During its lifetime, a star will evolve through several stages. In which stage does a star spend most of its life?", "choices": ["red giant", "red dwarf", "white dwarf", "main sequence"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "CSZ30768", "prompt": "Which of the following elements is best able to combine with itself and hydrogen [H] to form large molecules?", "choices": ["sodium [Na]", "lithium [Li]", "sulfur [S]", "carbon [C]"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_9_10", "prompt": "Which of the following is designed to transform an electromagnetic wave into a mechanical wave?", "choices": ["a portable radio", "a television screen", "a computer monitor", "a mercury thermometer"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AIMS_2009_4_25", "prompt": "Four students tried to find out which magnet was the strongest. They each shared one idea. Which idea shows scientific thinking?", "choices": ["We can pick the longest magnet.", "We can pick the heaviest magnet.", "We can measure the strength of the magnets.", "We can vote for the magnet that we think is the strongest."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7221498", "prompt": "Energy is transferred in an electrical circuit through", "choices": ["static protons.", "moving protons.", "static electrons.", "moving electrons."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7170853", "prompt": "The life cycle of a star includes formation, life, and death. In the Universe, where do new stars originate?", "choices": ["from fusion in red giants", "in molecular clouds of gas", "in radiation from black holes", "from large fragments of antimatter"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7109690", "prompt": "What would be the initial result if a DNA molecule did not replicate accurately?", "choices": ["infertility of the organism", "incorrect protein synthesis", "increase in reproduction rate", "immediate death of the organism"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400525", "prompt": "Photosynthesis and respiration are both parts of which cycle?", "choices": ["carbon cycle", "nitrogen cycle", "phosphorous cycle", "rock cycle"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10616", "prompt": "Earth is tilted as it travels around the Sun. The tilt changes the amount of energy each area gets from the Sun, which makes some months of the year warmer than others. What are the four main temperature changes in a year called?", "choices": ["seasons", "climate", "weather", "quarters"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_4_21", "prompt": "If your hands are cold, you can warm them by rubbing them together. The heat energy that you produce is caused by", "choices": ["insulation.", "magnetism.", "friction.", "conduction."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_8_9", "prompt": "Large amounts of industrial gases are released into the atmosphere every day. What happens to those gases?", "choices": ["They are broken down by ultraviolet light from the Sun.", "They are converted into nitrogen and oxygen.", "They rise through the atmosphere and go into outer space.", "They remain in the atmosphere for long periods of time."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_415265", "prompt": "In which way is a prokaryotic cell different from a eukaryotic cell?", "choices": ["A prokaryotic cell is larger.", "A prokaryotic cell has no nucleus.", "A prokaryotic cell can reproduce itself.", "A prokaryotic cell has a cell membrane."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_20", "prompt": "What is a primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?", "choices": ["They eliminate matter by taking nitrogen from the ecosystem.", "They eliminate matter by taking phosphorus from the ecosystem.", "They cycle matter by returning carbon and other matter to the ecosystem.", "They cycle matter by returning oxygen and other matter to the ecosystem."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_415545", "prompt": "What chemical symbol represents the element copper?", "choices": ["C", "Co", "Cp", "Cu"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "AIMS_2008_4_6", "prompt": "Meteorologists study weather. Which of the following should meteorologists know about?", "choices": ["types of fronts", "types of fossils", "types of circuits", "types of adaptations"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_L7", "prompt": "The crews of two boats at sea can communicate with each other by shouting. Why is it impossible for the crews of two spaceships a similar distance apart in space to do this?", "choices": ["The sound is reflected more in space.", "The pressure is too high inside the spaceships.", "The spaceships are traveling faster than sound.", "There is no air in space for the sound to travel through."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401161", "prompt": "Which liquid most likely contains a dissolved gas?", "choices": ["whole milk", "house paint", "mud puddle", "carbonated soda"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7086765", "prompt": "Silica sand is a resource used in large volume in Nevada. This resource is used to make which product?", "choices": ["tar", "glass", "plastic", "electricity"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_183768", "prompt": "Which of these best describes the function of the skeletal system?", "choices": ["transports oxygen and nutrients throughout the body", "supports and protects tissues and organs", "removes harmful wastes from the cells of the body", "breaks down food into a form that cells can use"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_5_6", "prompt": "A student wants to find out how many different kinds of birds are found in a park. In addition to a bird identification book, the student should use ___.", "choices": ["binoculars", "goggles", "a microscope", "a hand lens"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7222775", "prompt": "Nevada mines produce greater quantities of a particular resource than any other state. What resource is produced from these mines?", "choices": ["zinc", "copper", "gold", "lead"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_20", "prompt": "A student throws a ball. Which of these best describes the moving ball?", "choices": ["The ball has light energy.", "The ball has kinetic energy.", "The ball is transferring sound energy to the air.", "The ball is transferring light energy to the air."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEA_2010_8_9-v1", "prompt": "During which process does genetic material come from two parents?", "choices": ["asexual reproduction", "photosynthesis", "respiration", "sexual reproduction"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7268030", "prompt": "Which of these is a threat to the survival of an ecosystem?", "choices": ["predator-prey population cycles", "less biomass at higher levels of the food web", "a shrinking variety of animal and plant species", "competition among some consumer populations"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_5", "prompt": "Which human organ system produces most of the hormones that regulate body functions?", "choices": ["digestive", "nervous", "muscular", "endocrine"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7239138", "prompt": "The complex, three-dimensional structure of a protein is sensitive to heat because the structure is maintained by", "choices": ["hydrogen bonds.", "covalent bonds.", "Brownian motion.", "magnetic fields."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400662", "prompt": "A few types of birds live in the same ecosystem. Which of these characteristics would most likely affect how they compete with each other for food?", "choices": ["the types of nests they build", "the lengths of their tails", "the shapes of their beaks", "the colors of their feathers"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_414097", "prompt": "Most of the United States is a part of which tectonic plate?", "choices": ["Pacific Plate", "Eurasian Plate", "North American Plate", "South American Plate"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7083598", "prompt": "At one time, scientists believed that living organisms came from nonliving objects. This theory was revised through", "choices": ["changes in popular belief.", "evidence from experiments.", "information published in books.", "advances in the scientific method."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MSA_2012_8_36", "prompt": "The human body is composed of different systems made of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Each of these structures has a specific function that aids in the survival of the human species. What is the primary function of the excretory system?", "choices": ["to digest food", "to help in defense", "to eliminate waste", "to enable movement"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2011_5_36", "prompt": "Which is the best tool for measuring the temperature of lake water?", "choices": ["Meter stick", "Balance", "Graduated cylinder", "Thermometer"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2010_3_13", "prompt": "The teeth of a carnivore are MOSTLY -", "choices": ["pointed", "rounded", "wide", "flat"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_405141", "prompt": "Panels of solar cells are used to collect energy from the Sun and convert it into energy for use in homes. Into what type of energy is the solar energy converted?", "choices": ["chemical", "electrical", "geothermal", "hydroelectric"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7026968", "prompt": "A student wants to estimate the number of dandelion plants growing in a field. He counts the number of plants in a 5 square meter section of the field. What other information should he obtain to make his estimate?", "choices": ["the total area of the field", "average rainfall in the area", "all the organisms living in the field", "energy and nutrient requirements of dandelions"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7234395", "prompt": "Overuse of which water resource tends to cause land to subside?", "choices": ["ocean water", "aquifer water", "river water", "lake water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_402535", "prompt": "Students are preparing to determine the boiling points of several aqueous solutions. In addition to proper lab attire, what devices or instruments will the students need to conduct this experiment?", "choices": ["hot plate, beaker, masking tape", "thermometer, hot plate, beaker", "matches, beaker, thermometer", "balance, hot plate, thermometer"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2011_8_2", "prompt": "One solar day on Jupiter lasts only 9 hours and 50 minutes. What causes a solar day?", "choices": ["diameter of the planet", "rotational speed of the planet", "speed of a planet in orbit around the sun", "diameter of the orbit of a planet around the sun"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7086783", "prompt": "The finest-grained soils are richest in", "choices": ["sand.", "humus.", "clay.", "iron."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405164", "prompt": "Wind and water are examples of renewable energy sources because", "choices": ["they will stop producing energy.", "they were formed millions of years ago.", "they are always available to produce energy.", "they take millions of years to start producing energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7018340", "prompt": "Gregor Mendel contributed to the study of biology by the careful, objective study of", "choices": ["heredity.", "bacteria.", "pedigrees.", "environment."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7240923", "prompt": "Which statement describes the most likely effect of transformation on bacteria such as E. coli?", "choices": ["Transformed bacteria express a new protein product.", "Transformed bacteria have multiple chromosomes.", "Transformed bacteria reproduce more quickly.", "Transformed bacteria become a new species."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401122", "prompt": "A metal pan will heat up quickly when placed over a gas or electric burner. The metal pan is a good", "choices": ["resistor.", "insulator.", "conductor.", "accelerator."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7080465", "prompt": "Which is a fact rather than an opinion about earthquakes?", "choices": ["Earthquakes occur along fault lines.", "Earthquakes are worse than hurricanes.", "Earthquakes are bad for all local businesses.", "Earthquakes always cause major damage to homes."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_7_4", "prompt": "Which statement best describes the development of a human embryo?", "choices": ["A single cell becomes many cells.", "Each cell has a different function.", "Many cells combine to form one cell.", "All the cells have the same function."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7267540", "prompt": "Which of these natural disasters is least likely to cause major damage to a prairie ecosystem?", "choices": ["a flood", "a tornado", "a hurricane", "an earthquake"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406684", "prompt": "The life cycle of a beetle is similar to the butterfly. Which process changes the beetle from larva to adult?", "choices": ["molting", "migration", "photosynthesis", "metamorphosis"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401771", "prompt": "Which adaptation helps a bird fly?", "choices": ["larger feet", "bigger eyes", "longer beaks", "hollow bones"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7228690", "prompt": "Scientists are able to correlate time and the amount of difference between homologous genes when studying the divergence of two species because scientists have reliable estimates for which value?", "choices": ["rate of genetic mutations", "survival benefit of specific genes", "pressure of selection on base pairs", "number of bases in species' genomes"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7216720", "prompt": "Which of the following is a part of the process of sexual reproduction?", "choices": ["budding", "regeneration", "pollination", "fragmentation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7057785", "prompt": "Why are diseases transmitted through the bites of infected animals not considered contagious diseases?", "choices": ["The infected animals do not show symptoms.", "The person in direct contact is the only one infected.", "Humans do not become sick from animal diseases.", "The diseases are treatable with antibiotics."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7236495", "prompt": "Scientists theorize that the original atmosphere of Earth was stripped away by the solar wind shortly after the formation of the planet. The Jovian planets are far enough from the Sun that the solar wind has less of an impact. Studies of the Jovian planets suggest the early atmosphere of Earth was mainly composed of which two gases?", "choices": ["oxygen and argon", "hydrogen and helium", "carbon dioxide and nitrogen", "sulfur dioxide and water vapor"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_9", "prompt": "Which human body systems work directly together to allow locomotion?", "choices": ["circulatory, excretory, and respiratory", "circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive", "skeletal, muscular, and nervous", "skeletal, digestive, and respiratory"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_24", "prompt": "Which is the best evidence for the theory of continental drift?", "choices": ["the appearance of volcanoes at the boundaries where plates collide", "earthquakes at boundaries where one plate slides past another", "cases where a species exists in only one isolated place", "fossils of the same species found on widely separated continents"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400298", "prompt": "Students go on a field trip to observe salmon spawning in a river. For safety reasons, the students should not", "choices": ["explore alone.", "listen to instructions.", "take notes.", "bring water."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7026425", "prompt": "Which of the following involves a learned behavior?", "choices": ["laying eggs to reproduce", "having hollow, light-weight bones", "avoiding insects that taste bad", "having white feathers on the throat"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_13-v1", "prompt": "Which of the following colors of visible light has the longest wavelength?", "choices": ["red", "blue", "green", "orange"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402084", "prompt": "Which is an example of a form of electrical energy?", "choices": ["lightning", "windmill", "radio waves", "sound waves"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_405595", "prompt": "Which of the following lists units of length from smallest to largest?", "choices": ["light-year, astronomical unit, kilometer, angstrom", "angstrom, kilometer, astronomical unit, light-year", "astronomical unit, angstrom, kilometer, light-year", "kilometer, angstrom, light-year, astronomical unit"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2013_8_2", "prompt": "Each layer of Earth has different properties. Which statement best describes the mantle of Earth?", "choices": ["The mantle lies below the core.", "The mantle is composed of hot gases.", "The mantle lies between the core and the crust.", "The mantle temperature is lower than the crust temperature."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7213868", "prompt": "Which of these is the best example of sexual reproduction?", "choices": ["binary fission", "budding", "fusing gametes", "fragmentation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_416375", "prompt": "Which of these events during a storm at sea can add oxygen from the atmosphere to ocean water?", "choices": ["high winds", "lightning", "pressure change", "temperature change"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2011_5_34", "prompt": "Which layer of Earth is the thinnest?", "choices": ["Inner core", "Crust", "Outer core", "Mantle"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_411731", "prompt": "Based on the Periodic Table of the Elements, which of these elements has properties most similar to calcium (Ca)?", "choices": ["carbon [C]", "barium [Ba]", "sodium [Na]", "manganese [Mn]"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_8_24", "prompt": "As a river enters a larger body of water, sediments are deposited over a wide area. Which of these landforms is likely to be formed at the site of deposition?", "choices": ["Cave", "Mountain", "Delta", "Valley"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7018060", "prompt": "Which of these is a chemical property of a material?", "choices": ["density", "flammability", "color", "brittleness"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402044", "prompt": "About how long is a lunar cycle?", "choices": ["1 day", "1 week", "28 days", "52 weeks"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_178938", "prompt": "Of the following types of cells, which has the highest concentration of mitochondria?", "choices": ["bone", "muscle", "nerve", "skin"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416166", "prompt": "What helps skin feel heat and pressure?", "choices": ["muscle cells", "blood cells", "nerve cells", "bone cells"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "FCAT_2008_5_7", "prompt": "Erosion and weathering can both cause changes to the surface of Earth. Which of the following happens only because of erosion and NOT because of weathering?", "choices": ["Rocks form deep underground.", "Rocks become smooth and round.", "Rocks are broken apart into small pieces.", "Rocks are moved from one place to another."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_7_15", "prompt": "Which is an advantage of sexual reproduction in the survival of a population?", "choices": ["prevents mutation", "maintains genetic diversity", "reduces the number of genes", "creates competition between siblings"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_8_2015_14", "prompt": "A species of moth in England has both a light-colored form and a dark-colored form. In the mid-1800s, the percentage of dark-colored moths increased in areas where black soot from factories covered the trees. The soot in these areas has decreased in more recent times as a result of pollution laws. Which of the following statements describes what has most likely happened to the moth populations in these areas?", "choices": ["The moth populations went extinct.", "The moth populations migrated south.", "The percentage of light-colored moths in the populations decreased.", "The percentage of dark-colored moths in the populations decreased."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_32", "prompt": "Energy appears in many forms. What form of energy is lightning?", "choices": ["electrical energy", "mechanical energy", "magnetic energy", "sound energy"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401214", "prompt": "People take in and release gases from the air when they breathe. Which exhaled gas is a waste product of respiration?", "choices": ["oxygen", "helium", "hydrogen", "carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7074953", "prompt": "A unicellular organism is best described as being", "choices": ["a complex organism.", "a microorganism.", "an organism with specialized cells.", "an organism with different types of tissues."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2008_5_5632", "prompt": "Which of the following best describes how plants use the energy they receive from sunlight?", "choices": ["They change water into heat.", "They produce their own food.", "They make minerals for their roots.", "They break down nutrients into rocks."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400556", "prompt": "What can be inferred from a food product advertisement that claims \"30% less fat than our leading competitors\"?", "choices": ["It is a sugar-free product.", "It will help a person lose weight.", "It is the healthiest choice available.", "The fat content of the item is reduced."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NAEP_2009_4_S11+1", "prompt": "Which material is the best conductor of electricity?", "choices": ["Wood", "Metal", "Stone", "Plastic"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "CSZ30263", "prompt": "A ball is dropped from the top of a tall building. As the ball falls, the upward force of air resistance becomes equal to the downward pull of gravity. When these two forces become equal in magnitude, the ball will", "choices": ["flatten due to the forces.", "fall at a constant speed.", "continue to speed up.", "slow to a stop."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEA_2014_8_2", "prompt": "Which statement describes an interaction between the hydrosphere and the atmosphere?", "choices": ["Flowing water carves through rock to form a canyon.", "Lava from an underwater volcano cools to form a mountain.", "Ashes rise from a volcanic eruption to block sunlight.", "Water vapor rises from the ocean to form clouds."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_179200", "prompt": "Often organisms seem similar in their outward appearances. For example, a porpoise and a shark seem closely related, but they are not. Such similarity is the result of", "choices": ["convergent evolution.", "adaptive radiation.", "artificial selection.", "genetic equilibrium."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407706", "prompt": "A group of frogs live together near a small pond. The frogs compete with each other most for which resource?", "choices": ["air", "insects", "plants", "sunlight"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7090755", "prompt": "Which process converts organic nitrogen into an inorganic form that can be used by plants?", "choices": ["decomposition", "sedimentation", "absorption", "radiation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_406811", "prompt": "In animals, female traits are passed down to offspring from", "choices": ["sperm.", "seeds.", "pollen.", "eggs."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7082670", "prompt": "The visible light spectrum can be subdivided according to", "choices": ["the types of waves.", "the sizes of particles.", "a range of colors.", "a type of energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7124320", "prompt": "Three scientists conducted the same experiment to analyze the effectiveness of a cleaning agent on household bacteria. What is the main advantage of having the experiment repeated?", "choices": ["More bacteria will be destroyed.", "The results will be more reliable.", "A scientific journal will publish their work.", "The conclusion will lead to new discoveries."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409251", "prompt": "Today, almost all cars have seat belts. How does improving the design of seat belts help people the most?", "choices": ["It decreases the cost of cars.", "It increases the speed at which cars can travel.", "It decreases injuries to passengers in cars.", "It increases the comfort of passengers in cars."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MEA_2014_5_15", "prompt": "Which type of organism is made of one cell?", "choices": ["trees", "bacteria", "fern", "fish"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "WASL_2003_5_8", "prompt": "At camp, Raj sees a lightning storm. He sees the lightning before he hears the thunder. What does this show?", "choices": ["Light moves faster than sound", "Light moves slower than sound", "Light and sound move at the same speed"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7106610", "prompt": "What advantage do the offspring of a dandelion have by reproducing asexually?", "choices": ["Reproduction occurs rapidly.", "Reproductive competition is increased.", "Mating compatibility improves.", "Diversity increases between generations."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_8_12012", "prompt": "Which of the following statements best describes a result of using interchangeable parts to manufacture automobiles?", "choices": ["The automobiles are identical.", "The automobiles wear out quickly.", "The automobiles are difficult to design.", "The automobiles can be produced on an assembly line."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_8_12019", "prompt": "A stone arch bridge relies primarily on which of the following for its load strength?", "choices": ["bending", "compression", "tension", "torsion"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7159425", "prompt": "After a storm, a hospital may have to rely on backup generators to power some equipment. Which is the energy conversion provided by the generators?", "choices": ["mechanical energy to electrical energy", "thermal energy to mechanical energy", "nuclear energy to mechanical energy", "thermal energy to electrical energy"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_192343", "prompt": "Many flowers attract bees. Bees consume nectar from the flower for energy. How does this interaction benefit the plant?", "choices": ["by increasing photosynthesis", "by pollinating it", "by limiting growth", "by reducing competition"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_9", "prompt": "In living things, traits are passed on from one generation to the next by the transfer of", "choices": ["blood", "minerals", "Calories", "DNA"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405783", "prompt": "Every organism in an ecosystem receives energy from another source. Which of these organisms receives its energy directly from the Sun?", "choices": ["deer", "fungus", "grass", "hawk"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_7_1", "prompt": "Aristotle taught that a force was always required to keep an object moving. Which of the following states what Newton believed?", "choices": ["Aristotle was correct.", "Aristotle was correct for objects on Earth but not in space.", "An object will keep moving unless an unbalanced force stops it.", "A moving object will eventually stop even though an unbalanced force keeps pushing on it."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_8_13", "prompt": "The solar system containing Earth consists of a sun and planets. Which statement best describes the motion of the planets in our solar system?", "choices": ["The planets rotate around the sun.", "The sun rotates around the planets.", "The planets revolve around the sun.", "The sun revolves around the planets."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2011_5_35", "prompt": "Animal wastes contain bacteria that make organisms sick. These wastes are often washed into water supplies by storms. How might a pet owner prevent these bacteria from polluting water supplies?", "choices": ["Brush the pet daily to remove bacteria.", "Feed pets food that produces less waste.", "Bag the pet waste and throw it in the trash.", "Wash the pet with shampoo to kill the bacteria."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_8_17", "prompt": "Which of the following is performed by the quality control division of a company that is manufacturing a chair?", "choices": ["applying the varnish", "assembling the parts", "cutting the material", "inspecting the finish"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_24", "prompt": "Which type of storm causes the most flooding in areas located near an ocean coastline?", "choices": ["Tornado", "Hurricane", "Blizzard", "Freezing rain"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "LEAP_2008_4_10287", "prompt": "Anne and her father find a 30-million year-old tropical plant fossil in Louisiana. Which question does the fossil help them answer?", "choices": ["Were there mountains in Louisiana 30 million years ago?", "What was the climate like in Louisiana 30 million years ago?", "Were there earthquakes in Louisiana 30 million years ago?", "What kind of animals lived in Louisiana 30 million years ago?"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_192868", "prompt": "In the Four Corners area in the US Southwest, there are large rocky outcroppings of basalt. These were formed by ancient lava flows. Using this information, what class of rock is this?", "choices": ["metamorphic", "sedimentary", "igneous", "weathered"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_8_22", "prompt": "The heath hen, an extinct small wild fowl, was a relative of the prairie chicken. Which of the following most likely caused extinction of the heath hen?", "choices": ["overhunting", "stable climate", "plentiful food supply", "abundant nesting sites"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7013195", "prompt": "A stationary air mass over the Gulf of Mexico would typically be", "choices": ["warm and dry.", "warm and humid.", "cool and dry.", "cool and humid."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_5_14", "prompt": "Which of the following metals will be attracted to a magnet?", "choices": ["copper", "gold", "iron", "silver"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7220343", "prompt": "A student wants to create a drawing of the water cycle. Which image can the student use to represent water cycling through the atmosphere?", "choices": ["a cloud", "a stream", "a frozen lake", "a drop of dew"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_K16", "prompt": "Which is made with the help of bacteria?", "choices": ["Yogurt", "Cream", "Soap", "Cooking oil"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408031", "prompt": "Lamar learned that birds, mammals, and reptiles are all vertebrates. Which characteristic do all vertebrates share?", "choices": ["They all lay eggs.", "They all have feathers.", "They all have a backbone.", "They are all warm-blooded."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7015925", "prompt": "Which of these is most likely to create large areas of land subsidence?", "choices": ["eruptions of volcanoes", "extraction of ground water", "global warming", "greenhouse effect"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7085873", "prompt": "Which of the following best describes two atoms of oxygen that are chemically bonded to each other?", "choices": ["molecule", "compound", "solution", "mixture"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7217035", "prompt": "If the climate in an area were to become much drier, which plant variation would be most advantageous to the survival of the species?", "choices": ["bigger branches", "larger flowers", "thicker leaves", "longer stems"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7003728", "prompt": "Which form of energy is in firewood?", "choices": ["light", "sound", "kinetic", "potential"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg10", "prompt": "What covers most of the Earth's surface?", "choices": ["Water", "Bare rock", "Farm land", "Cities and towns"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401120", "prompt": "Which tool is best used to observe a soil sample?", "choices": ["camera", "compass", "hand lens", "telescope"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_407132", "prompt": "A student walks along a trail by a lake on a cool summer morning. Which statement is an observation the student could make?", "choices": ["Fog is rising from the lake.", "The water is too cold for swimming.", "The water is cold because it comes from melted snow.", "The temperature of the air is rising because the Sun is out."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7074988", "prompt": "Eating food that is undercooked can lead to a disease that affects the digestive system. Which body part is directly affected by the disease?", "choices": ["intestines", "arteries", "nerves", "sinuses"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7227798", "prompt": "Which property supports the hypothesis that eukaryotic mitochondria were once prokaryotic organisms?", "choices": ["They lack genetic material.", "They lack a mechanism of motility.", "They lack internal membrane-bound organelles.", "They lack a need for proteins in their life functions."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401827", "prompt": "Metals that easily transfer electricity are called", "choices": ["resistors.", "magnets.", "insulators.", "conductors."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401403", "prompt": "Animals and plants need oxygen to live. Oxygen is released in photosynthesis. Which cycle includes photosynthesis?", "choices": ["the carbon cycle", "the nitrogen cycle", "the water cycle", "the rock cycle"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MDSA_2010_5_19", "prompt": "The Statue of Liberty was built in France and then taken apart into 350 pieces for shipping. When the pieces arrived in New York, the statue was put together. Which statement describes the relationship between the mass of the 350 pieces and the mass of the whole statue?", "choices": ["The mass of the pieces is greater than the mass of the statue.", "The mass of the pieces is the same as the mass of the statue.", "The mass of the statue is greater than the mass of the pieces.", "The mass of the statue is not related to the mass of the pieces."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEA_2014_5_12", "prompt": "Which statement describes the weather when water droplets in clouds become heavy and the temperature is 20\u00b0C (68\u00b0F)?", "choices": ["It is clear and breezy.", "It is raining.", "It is snowing.", "It is sunny and clear."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MSA_2012_5_22", "prompt": "Scientists use different tools during their investigations. What tool does a scientist use to study cells?", "choices": ["a balance", "a microscope", "a centimeter ruler", "a graduated cylinder"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407577", "prompt": "Snowy owls live in very cold areas. Which adaptation is most likely a result of living in this type of environment?", "choices": ["sharp claws", "curved beaks", "large, yellow eyes", "thick, white feathers"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_401760", "prompt": "Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO_{3}) will neutralize stomach acid (HCl) in a double replacement reaction as follows: NaHCO_{3} + HCl -> NaCl + CO_{2} + \\Box What is the product necessary to make this reaction complete?", "choices": ["2HO", "HO_{2}", "H_{2}O_{2}", "H_{2}O"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_33", "prompt": "Heat transfer by conduction occurs when molecules", "choices": ["flow as currents through liquids", "form waves that travel through space", "become less dense and rise", "collide with other molecules"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg34", "prompt": "The color of an object such as an apple is the same as the color the light waves", "choices": ["that travel through the object", "that are absorbed by the object", "that are reflected by the object", "that travel around the object"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7090633", "prompt": "What causes the tectonic plates of Earth to continually move?", "choices": ["convection currents in the mantle", "volcanic and seismic activity in the crust", "strong winds and storms", "rotation of the solid core"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_404924", "prompt": "Which is the correct order in the process of sedimentary rock formation?", "choices": ["compaction, erosion, cementation, deposition", "compaction, weathering, erosion, cementation", "weathering, deposition, cementation, burial", "weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7218488", "prompt": "The discovery of tectonic plates and the cause of their movement is best described as a result of which scientific procedure?", "choices": ["direct observation of the important properties of the Earth system", "controlled laboratory experimentation on a simulation of geological systems", "methodical testing of a valid hypothesis statement", "inquiry into the causes of observed geological phenomena"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_12", "prompt": "Cancer is most often the result of", "choices": ["abnormal cell division", "natural selection", "bacterial infection", "biological adaptation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MDSA_2011_4_16", "prompt": "All organisms need food to survive. Which statement best describes the purpose of food for organisms?", "choices": ["Food provides skin color.", "Food provides oxygen for life.", "Food provides water for energy.", "Food provides energy for growth."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_3_33", "prompt": "Soil is important to a forest because the soil ___.", "choices": ["stores sunlight in the leaves", "attracts insects that eat leaves", "provides nutrients to the trees", "warms the air around the trees"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7247853", "prompt": "How do muscles and bones work together to create body movement?", "choices": ["The muscles pull on the bones.", "The muscles protect the bones.", "Muscles grow at the same rate as bones.", "Muscles send electrical impulses to bones."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7094553", "prompt": "Biologists moved a predator from sea level to a higher altitude, where they noticed that the predator became tired more quickly. If this predator had to live at a higher altitude, which adaptation would be necessary for it to survive?", "choices": ["increased digestion rate", "growth of additional teeth", "reduction of respiration rate", "production of more red blood cells"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415492", "prompt": "Ernie made a diagram to model Earth's orbit. What shape is most like what Ernie drew for the orbit?", "choices": ["square", "oval", "triangle", "rectangle"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7135853", "prompt": "Classification of galaxies is based on which characteristic?", "choices": ["the color of the galaxy", "the shape of the galaxy", "how many stars make up the galaxy", "how many planets make up the galaxy"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400363", "prompt": "Which physical characteristic of a puppy is most likely inherited from its parents?", "choices": ["coat color", "desire to play fetch", "body weight", "ability to follow commands"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_10", "prompt": "A scientist crosses two different varieties of corn to produce a single variety that has traits from both parents. This technique is an example of", "choices": ["competition", "natural selection", "selective breeding", "ecological succession"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415584", "prompt": "A class measures the time it takes for two different trucks to drive across the parking lot. How can they tell which truck is faster?", "choices": ["The truck that starts moving first is faster.", "The truck that takes less time is faster.", "The truck that has bigger tires is faster.", "The truck that takes more time is faster."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg12", "prompt": "The fossils of dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago can be found in", "choices": ["the water of oceans.", "the ice on ponds.", "the trunks of trees.", "rocks in the ground."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "AIMS_2008_4_18", "prompt": "Which of the following contains salt water?", "choices": ["oceans", "raindrops", "groundwater", "polar icecaps"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7246960", "prompt": "During digestion, fructose is produced by the breakdown of larger molecules. Which type of molecule could be broken down to increase the body's fructose levels?", "choices": ["proteins", "vitamins", "triglycerides", "carbohydrates"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7217350", "prompt": "Which is the most important reason for scientists to publish their data and findings that result from a scientific investigation?", "choices": ["to become famous", "to get paid for their research", "to allow other scientists to try to replicate their results", "to gain respect from their peers in the scientific community"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402052", "prompt": "Which reflects light?", "choices": ["mirror", "camera", "telescope", "eyeglasses"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_8_5", "prompt": "Which of the following is a necessary condition for a lunar eclipse to occur?", "choices": ["The Moon must be full.", "The Moon must be waxing.", "It must be the beginning of the month.", "It must be winter in the Northern Hemisphere."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7015733", "prompt": "The excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers causes runoff that increases the nitrogen content of lakes and bays. These nitrogen compounds directly affect the aquatic ecosystems by", "choices": ["interfering with the water cycle.", "decreasing the predator population.", "increasing the rate of algae growth.", "causing aquatic animals to grow larger."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_5_12", "prompt": "A blacksmith bends a metal rod into a round wheel. Which statement best describes the wheel?", "choices": ["The wheel weighs less than the rod.", "The wheel weighs more than the rod.", "The wheel is made of the same substance as the rod.", "The wheel is made of a different substance than the rod."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7214428", "prompt": "Which moon phase occurs approximately 14 days after a full moon?", "choices": ["waxing gibbous", "waning crescent", "first quarter", "new moon"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_405465", "prompt": "After a person eats, the food is converted into energy by", "choices": ["muscles.", "tissues.", "bones.", "cells."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7101518", "prompt": "Which statement best describes the primary role of perspiration in humans?", "choices": ["Perspiration rids the body of excess water.", "Perspiration eliminates bacteria from the skin.", "Perspiration opens skin pores to absorb more oxygen.", "Perspiration helps to maintain a stable body temperature."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NAEP_2005_8_S11+11", "prompt": "A person produces two sound waves with a flute, one immediately after the other. Both sound waves have the same pitch, but the second one is louder. Which of the following properties is greater for the second sound wave?", "choices": ["Frequency", "Amplitude", "Wavelength", "Speed in air"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7005058", "prompt": "Why is the light year often used to describe distances between objects in the universe?", "choices": ["because of the way planets reflect light", "because of the great number of bright stars", "because of the way objects rotate and revolve", "because of the large distance between objects in space"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7058503", "prompt": "Which organisms break down dead matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem?", "choices": ["grasses and trees", "rabbits and deer", "lions and alligators", "mushrooms and bacteria"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_2", "prompt": "A student viewing a cell with a microscope observes a cell wall, a cell membrane, and a nucleus. The presence of these structures indicates that the student is looking at a cell from a", "choices": ["rabbit", "carrot", "worm", "fly"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_407259", "prompt": "Which action results in a chemical change?", "choices": ["apples being cut into slices", "wood burning in a fireplace", "wet clothes drying on a clothesline", "snow being shoveled off of a sidewalk"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7017798", "prompt": "What has occurred when bubbles form in a liquid that is being heated?", "choices": ["Oxygen is absorbed from the air.", "Heat is radiating in the liquid.", "The boiling point has been reached.", "Molecular stability in the liquid is increasing."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7124128", "prompt": "The breakfast that a student ate provided energy for bicycling later in the day. Which energy transformation most likely occurred?", "choices": ["radiant to nuclear", "chemical to nuclear", "radiant to mechanical", "chemical to mechanical"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402258", "prompt": "In an experiment, water and salt are mixed together. What is the best way to separate the salt from the water?", "choices": ["filter the salt", "freeze the mixture", "evaporate the water", "pour the water out of the container"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_4_pg97", "prompt": "A metal spoon and a wooden spoon are used to stir a pot of hot soup. After a few minutes, the metal spoon feels hotter than the wooden spoon. What explains this?", "choices": ["Metal is always hotter than wood.", "Metal conducts heat better than wood.", "Metal conducts electricity better than wood.", "Metal heats up the water better than the wood."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7162558", "prompt": "Materials made of the same substance will have characteristics in common. Which property is most likely to remain constant in different samples of the same material?", "choices": ["density", "mass", "shape", "volume"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_416414", "prompt": "Which is Earth's largest source of drinkable water?", "choices": ["lakes", "rivers", "oceans", "aquifers"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405081", "prompt": "Some classrooms have computers. The computer is most useful to the students because it helps them", "choices": ["play games.", "watch movies.", "listen to music.", "find information."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_3_20", "prompt": "Which of these is an example of something being recycled?", "choices": ["Taking glass bottles to a place that makes them into new bottles", "Using the same foil to cover food several times", "Wrapping glasses with newspaper to put them in a moving box", "Carrying lunch to school every day in the same plastic bag"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_177345", "prompt": "Which of the following is an example of a compound?", "choices": ["copper", "iron", "carbon", "water"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408033", "prompt": "One rabbit runs faster than other rabbits in its population. How will the ability to run fast most likely benefit the rabbit?", "choices": ["by keeping the rabbit warmer in the winter", "by helping the rabbit blend with its environment", "by allowing the rabbit to find more sources of food", "by making it easier for the rabbit to escape from predators"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_I10", "prompt": "What is the BEST reason for including fruits and leafy vegetables in a healthy diet?", "choices": ["They have a high water content.", "They are the best source of protein.", "They are rich in minerals and vitamins.", "They are the best source of carbohydrates."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_415085", "prompt": "In one day, a family in a car rode for 2 hours, stopped for 3 hours, and then rode for another 5 hours. During the day, the family traveled a total distance of 400 kilometers. What was their average speed for the whole trip?", "choices": ["10 km/h", "20 km/h", "40 km/h", "50 km/h"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_416550", "prompt": "A Raleigh man turned on his kitchen faucet and filled a glass with water. When he looked at the water, he thought that it might not be safe to drink, so he called the water company to find out. What factor did the man use to evaluate the safety of the water?", "choices": ["pH", "turbidity", "nitrate concentration", "phosphate concentration"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7137043", "prompt": "Which of these is the main source of the electromagnetic energy we use?", "choices": ["battery", "wind", "sun", "coal"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7216633", "prompt": "Which of the following is the starting point for a new scientific investigation?", "choices": ["identifying experimental variables", "forming a question that is the basis of a hypothesis", "conducting repeated trials and graphing the data", "writing out a procedure and collecting the needed equipment"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408620", "prompt": "All organisms depend on the transfer of energy to survive. Which best shows the energy transfer between animals in a shoreline ecosystem?", "choices": ["Fish -> Plants -> Birds", "Plants -> Birds -> Fish", "Plants -> Fish -> Birds", "Fish -> Birds -> Plants"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2009_7_5", "prompt": "Which investigation might be used to demonstrate potential energy?", "choices": ["Roll one ball toward another, and see what happens when they collide.", "Place a glass of water in the freezer, and see how long the water takes to become solid.", "Compress a spring by different amounts, and see how far it can launch a ball into the air.", "Roll a ball from the top of an inclined plane and determine the amount of time it takes to get to the bottom."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406674", "prompt": "The fossil record shows that trees have changed throughout the years. Which of the following conclusions would be best supported by the fossil record?", "choices": ["The environment has changed.", "Animals need leafy trees.", "Rocks can destroy trees.", "Trees give off oxygen."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7099348", "prompt": "An agriculturalist predicts that the tomato harvest will be very good this year. Which has the greatest effect on the size of the tomato harvest?", "choices": ["the time of day the seeds are planted", "the amount of fruit picked after dark", "the type of soil in which the crops are grown", "the number of times daily that the farmer observes the crop"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_403937", "prompt": "A student investigates the effect of temperature on the distance a caterpillar travels in one minute. The student performs the investigation at four different times of day using one caterpillar. This experiment could be improved if the student", "choices": ["uses more than one caterpillar.", "performs the investigation on a wet surface.", "uses earthworms instead of caterpillars.", "performs the investigation at the same time on four days."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_26", "prompt": "A bright object with a long tail of glowing gases is in orbit around the Sun. This object is most likely", "choices": ["a planet", "a star", "an asteroid", "a comet"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_8_2015_17", "prompt": "A hearing aid is a small device that contains an amplifier, a battery, a microphone, and a speaker. Which part of a hearing aid functions to detect sounds in the user's environment?", "choices": ["the amplifier", "the battery", "the microphone", "the speaker"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7228393", "prompt": "In an experiment studying phototropism, students grew bean plants in labeled cardboard milk cartons. Afterward, the plants and soil were properly discarded. Which instruction line BEST conserves the remaining resources?", "choices": ["recycle the markers, reuse the milk cartons", "reuse the markers, discard the milk cartons", "discard the markers, reuse the milk cartons", "reuse the markers, recycle the milk cartons"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_415745", "prompt": "How are electromagnetic waves different from other waves?", "choices": ["They have very short wavelengths.", "They transmit energy instead of matter.", "They can travel through a vacuum and through matter.", "They can change direction by reflection when they strike an object."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415338", "prompt": "The Sun releases light and heat energy that cause changes on Earth. How does the Sun's energy change water?", "choices": ["The energy makes liquid water freeze.", "The energy makes water vapor from liquid water.", "The energy makes clouds release rain.", "The energy makes water collect into puddles."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7108238", "prompt": "In the 18th century, smallpox was a common and deadly disease. A country doctor, Edward Jenner, observed that patients working with cattle who contracted a mild disease called cowpox, never came down with the more serious smallpox. When Jenner obtained liquid from cowpox sores and injected it into healthy patients, they became immune to smallpox. What term best describes Jenner's treatment for smallpox?", "choices": ["vaccination", "gene therapy", "chemotherapy", "genetic engineering"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_177485", "prompt": "What is the name of a circuit in which the current splits at the junctions?", "choices": ["closed circuit", "parallel circuit", "series circuit", "short circuit"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405120", "prompt": "A coach is standing at the finish line of a race. He is holding a stopwatch. What is the coach most likely measuring with the stopwatch?", "choices": ["the time of day", "the distance of the race", "the time it took to run the race", "the number of steps taken by the runners"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2009_8_25", "prompt": "A growing community relies on a nearby lake to provide fresh water for drinking and bathing. An increase in the use of fresh water will cause the lake to become", "choices": ["colder", "deeper", "larger", "smaller"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_3_26", "prompt": "Which of these senses lets Dora know when a skunk has been close to her house?", "choices": ["Taste", "Touch", "Smell", "Hearing"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7264180", "prompt": "In 2001, NASA launched a probe to investigate very low-energy radiation emitted when the universe began. What part of the electromagnetic spectrum does this probe observe and record?", "choices": ["infrared", "microwave", "ultraviolet", "visible"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7004183", "prompt": "What electrical charge does a proton have in an atom?", "choices": ["+2", "+1", "-1", "-2"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10026", "prompt": "Work is a product of force and distance. Which of the following is an example of work?", "choices": ["sitting at a desk", "pushing on a wall", "riding a bike", "reading a book"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_20", "prompt": "All of the different organisms interacting in a pond make up", "choices": ["a community", "a population", "the water cycle", "the habitat"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_407359", "prompt": "If a lake is polluted, which organisms would most likely accumulate the highest concentration of contaminants?", "choices": ["bass", "minnows", "aquatic plants", "fish-eating birds"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_4_39", "prompt": "Sand is a type of soil that is made of very tiny pieces of material. Which process most likely forms sand?", "choices": ["the rotation of Earth", "the growth of animals", "the decay of large trees", "the weathering of rocks"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7034790", "prompt": "What is needed to change ice into water?", "choices": ["air", "energy", "stirring", "chemicals"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7194268", "prompt": "Stars form from nebulae of dust and gases. Depending on its properties, a star may become a red, yellow, white, or blue star. Which property determines this star type?", "choices": ["age", "location", "mass", "shape"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_3_21", "prompt": "Which of these is MOST likely made from only one material?", "choices": ["A pencil", "A bicycle", "A paper clip", "A pair of shoes"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_5_11981", "prompt": "Francis plugged a toaster into an electric outlet. He put a piece of bread in the toaster and turned the toaster on. While the toaster was on, it changed the electrical energy from the outlet into other forms of energy. Which form of energy toasted the bread?", "choices": ["chemical", "heat", "magnetic", "sound"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402241", "prompt": "A student measured liquid with a graduated cylinder. Which of the following units could be used to record the volume of the liquid?", "choices": ["pounds", "meters", "grams", "milliliters"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_23", "prompt": "Which term is an example of a life process?", "choices": ["coloration", "camouflage", "migration", "reproduction"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "CSZ40385", "prompt": "A student divides several cubes into two groups, based on whether or not each cube can float in later. What property is the student using to classify the cubes?", "choices": ["weight", "density", "conductivity", "mass"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2007_8_4", "prompt": "Use The Periodic Table of the Elements and the information below to answer the question. Magnesium metal (Mg) is grayish-white in color and reacts actively with water. Fluorine (F2) is a greenish-yellow gas at room temperature and is a member of the halogen family. These two elements react to produce magnesium fluoride (MgF2), a chemical commonly used in making windows and lenses. According to the Periodic Table of the Elements, which element is most similar to magnesium (Mg)?", "choices": ["calcium (Ca)", "iodine (I)", "sodium (Na)", "sulfur (S)"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_405469", "prompt": "How do word processors on computers benefit most students?", "choices": ["It makes them understand how to write a good story.", "It helps them gather historical information.", "It exposes them to data that is hard to find.", "It allows them to edit papers quickly."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402036", "prompt": "Students observed that a diamond was able to scratch a piece of talc. What does this observation best support?", "choices": ["Diamonds have sharp edges.", "Talc is softer than diamonds.", "Diamonds are very valuable.", "Talc and diamonds are both minerals."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7230423", "prompt": "Which was a main force driving extensive speciation when the environment became hospitable to life after the Permian mass extinction?", "choices": ["increase in available ecological niches", "increase of atmospheric oxygen to present levels", "increase in genetic diversity among surviving organisms", "increase in interbreeding between organisms of different species"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_8_23649", "prompt": "Some types of bacteria can only live where oxygen is not present. These bacteria were well adapted to life on Earth over 2 billion years ago. Which of the following changes caused many of these bacteria to become extinct?", "choices": ["the slow movement of tectonic plates", "the varying temperatures of each season", "an increase in volcanic activity under the oceans", "an increase in the number of photosynthetic organisms"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416135", "prompt": "Which two are functions of flowers?", "choices": ["attract pollinators and make seeds", "make seeds and store food", "store food and take in water", "take in water and attract pollinators"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEAP_2005_8_33", "prompt": "When soil becomes saturated during rainfall, excess water begins to collect on the surface. Downslope movement of this excess water to rivers, lakes, and streams is called", "choices": ["runoff.", "filtration.", "groundwater.", "condensation."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_415686", "prompt": "What type of energy is transmitted from the Sun to Earth through space?", "choices": ["heat energy", "kinetic energy", "electrical energy", "electromagnetic energy"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_49", "prompt": "What is the cause of rising surface temperatures of the Pacific Ocean, drought in the western United States, and flooding on the Pacific coast of South America?", "choices": ["the Gulf Stream", "the jet stream", "La Ni\u00f1a", "El Ni\u00f1o"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7027265", "prompt": "Use of nuclear fuel would most likely reduce human contributions to which environmental problem?", "choices": ["ozone thinning", "landfill creation", "shoreline erosion", "greenhouse heating"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MEAP_2004_8_48", "prompt": "What unit of measure should Jerry use to report the volume of a liquid?", "choices": ["degrees Celsius", "kilograms", "milliliters", "centimeters"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2001_8_9", "prompt": "Use the information below to answer the question. Manufacturing uses many steps to change natural resources into products. Some of these steps change natural resources into industrial materials. These steps are called primary processes. All of the following are primary processes except", "choices": ["melting iron ore.", "producing lumber.", "molding plastic.", "crushing rock into gravel."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_9_20", "prompt": "What part of a communication system converts binary codes in a computer into recognizable characters?", "choices": ["decoder", "encoder", "receiver", "transmitter"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_27", "prompt": "Which geologic process occurs when the acid in precipitation dissolves certain types of rock?", "choices": ["faulting", "tilting", "weathering", "erupting"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400871", "prompt": "Water evaporates mostly from", "choices": ["land.", "snow.", "clouds.", "oceans."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408250", "prompt": "Robin compared the properties of some rocks. Which property did she most likely compare with a balance?", "choices": ["density", "mass", "temperature", "volume"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_36", "prompt": "Because copper is a metal, it is", "choices": ["liquid at room temperature", "nonreactive with other substances", "a poor conductor of electricity", "a good conductor of heat"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10523", "prompt": "What process makes it possible for the nutrients from organic material to be added to soil?", "choices": ["weathering", "erosion", "decomposition", "succession"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7044083", "prompt": "Why is it not a safe practice to place a fuel depot over an aquifer?", "choices": ["Aquifers are too high up in the mountains.", "The weight of the depot is too great over the aquifer.", "The fumes escaping from the fuel depot are explosive.", "If the fuel leaks, the water in the aquifer will become contaminated."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_402144", "prompt": "Look at the equation. 2H_{2} + O_{2} -> 2H_{2}O What does the equation show?", "choices": ["heat being added to oxygen", "helium mixing with oxygen", "heat combining with oxygen", "hydrogen and oxygen combining"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_49", "prompt": "Which statement best describes the Law of Superposition?", "choices": ["Each sedimentary layer of rock represents 1,000 years of Earth's age, much like the rings of a tree.", "In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.", "In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.", "Rocks that form near volcanoes are older than surrounding rock."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_12", "prompt": "Which object is the best conductor of electricity?", "choices": ["glass rod", "wooden stick", "plastic straw", "metal nail"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_20", "prompt": "Green plants get the energy they need to make food from", "choices": ["water", "air", "soil", "sunlight"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7068600", "prompt": "Which property of a mineral is most likely being tested when it is scratched with a nail?", "choices": ["color", "hardness", "cleavage", "luster"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_14", "prompt": "Ricardo has an igneous rock in his rock collection. Where did this rock most likely form?", "choices": ["in a volcano", "on a forest floor", "on a coral reef", "at the bottom of a river"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409024", "prompt": "Animals get energy from eating food that comes from plants. Plants survive by taking in substances that are released by animals. What substance do animals release that plants take in?", "choices": ["carbon dioxide", "oxygen", "salt", "sugar"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7007928", "prompt": "Which factor determines whether precipitation will be in the form of rain or snow?", "choices": ["wind", "humidity", "air pressure", "temperature"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7038850", "prompt": "Which of these materials transfers heat energy quickest?", "choices": ["metal", "glass", "plastic", "wood"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_400598", "prompt": "Electrical wires are coated with a rubber or plastic because these materials are good", "choices": ["resistors.", "magnets.", "insulators.", "conductors."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7239313", "prompt": "An increase in which ecosystem factor could cause a population decline in a bird species?", "choices": ["emigration", "immigration", "number of births", "amount of food"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7011760", "prompt": "Twentieth-century research and development of vaccines significantly reduced the threat of", "choices": ["polio.", "stroke.", "diabetes.", "osteoporosis."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7008785", "prompt": "The tendency of an element to react chemically is closely related to", "choices": ["the number of valence electrons.", "the ratio of protons to neutrons.", "how tightly atoms are packed.", "the number of neutrons in atoms."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_180863", "prompt": "Modern submarines have advanced atmosphere-control systems that enable submarine crews to stay below the surface of the ocean for months at a time. Which of the following also benefits from this technology?", "choices": ["architectural design", "pollution control", "fire prevention", "space exploration"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7014560", "prompt": "Which pieces of equipment would be used to measure the density of a solution?", "choices": ["a ruler and a protractor", "a magnet and a thermometer", "a graduated cylinder and a balance", "an Erlenmeyer flask and a Bunsen burner"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405059", "prompt": "Gasoline is a nonrenewable energy resource used in most cars and trucks. Gasoline is made from which source?", "choices": ["oil", "hydrogen", "natural gas", "water vapor"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_179130", "prompt": "The average temperature of Earth's surface has increased approximately 1\u00b0C in the past century. Which of the following can best explain this increase in temperature?", "choices": ["higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere", "lower levels of ozone in the atmosphere", "higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere", "lower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_5_17671", "prompt": "The Sun is the largest body in the solar system. The Sun is a ___.", "choices": ["moon", "planet", "satellite", "star"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_14", "prompt": "Which activity is a good health habit?", "choices": ["drinking alcohol", "exercising regularly", "sleeping only 5 hours daily", "smoking cigarettes"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_6", "prompt": "The fur of the snowshoe rabbit changes to a lighter color in the winter. This allows the rabbit to blend in with its surroundings. This change is an example of", "choices": ["extinction", "competition", "biological adaptation", "ecological succession"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407227", "prompt": "What does a plant need to make sugar through photosynthesis?", "choices": ["soil, water, and oxygen", "oxygen, sunlight, and soil", "carbon dioxide, sunlight, and soil", "sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_27", "prompt": "Some birds fly south in the fall and return in the spring. This is an example of", "choices": ["migration", "camouflage", "hibernation", "growth"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401779", "prompt": "Which of the following is the best conductor of heat?", "choices": ["oven mitts", "a metal bowl", "a wooden spoon", "rubber soled shoes"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "OHAT_2008_5_30", "prompt": "Some processes that shape Earth's surface are slow. Other processes are rapid. Which statement describes a rapid change?", "choices": ["Glaciers melt and form rivers.", "Wind weathers rocks into sand.", "Earthquakes move land and rocks.", "Rivers carry sediment and build deltas."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400181", "prompt": "Which characteristic best identifies a pure substance?", "choices": ["shape", "texture", "melting point", "state of matter"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7222670", "prompt": "Structures in the universe are grouped into large systems, each of which are made up of smaller systems. Which of the following is the largest system of which Earth is only a very small part?", "choices": ["Jovian planets", "Halley's comet", "Milky Way galaxy", "Orion's belt"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7016328", "prompt": "Which atomic structure has the greatest mass?", "choices": ["electron", "neutron", "nucleus", "proton"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MEAP_2005_8_14", "prompt": "When European settlers first came to North America, the average thickness of the top layer of soil was approximately 23 cm. Today, the average thickness of the top layer of soil is less than 15 cm. Which of the following factors has most likely had the greatest effect on erosion of the top layer of soil?", "choices": ["farming", "restoring wetlands", "species reintroduction", "excessive groundwater use"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg4", "prompt": "Which of the following is closest to the percentage of the total water on earth that is freshwater?", "choices": ["100%", "90%", "70%", "3%"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_34", "prompt": "Most scientists agree that an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases entering Earth's atmosphere causes", "choices": ["a decrease in sea level", "a decrease in average surface temperatures", "an increase in melting of polar ice caps", "an increase in crustal plate movement"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7202125", "prompt": "Scientists determined that cabbages grown using Fertilizer A grew bigger than cabbages grown using Fertilizer B or no fertilizer at all. The scientists repeated the investigation and produced the same results. Which best explains the purpose of repeating this investigation?", "choices": ["to ensure that the cabbages are safe for human consumption", "to discover the scientific principle that causes the increased growth", "to confirm that the observed differences were caused by the fertilizer", "to determine the difference between the experimental and control groups"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7242900", "prompt": "When a small group of organisms colonizes a new habitat, the population may be genetically different from the parent population due to differences in allele frequencies. The process responsible for this is", "choices": ["natural selection.", "disruptive selection.", "genetic drift.", "genetic equilibrium."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400588", "prompt": "When conducting a scientific experiment in the field, you are expected to", "choices": ["completely clear the area.", "leave the area as you found it.", "take anything you may need later.", "destroy specimens once you have observed them."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7282695", "prompt": "Which two behaviors best demonstrate stewardship?", "choices": ["reducing consumption, recycling wastes", "increasing consumption, discarding wastes", "reducing consumption, discarding wastes", "increasing consumption, recycling wastes"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7018498", "prompt": "Beakers and graduated cylinders are designed to measure", "choices": ["mass.", "density.", "volume.", "viscosity."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "CSZ20770", "prompt": "Iron oxides, such as rust, form when iron metal reacts with oxygen in the air. What are the chemical symbols for the two elements found in iron oxide?", "choices": ["I and O", "Ir and O", "Fe and O", "Pb and O"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7174895", "prompt": "Scientists often use mathematical models and computer simulations to study systems. What is the main advantage of using these techniques for studying the spread of infectious diseases?", "choices": ["to reduce the amount of work for all involved", "to reduce the cost of conducting experiments on people", "to obtain results quickly in a short period of time", "to perform experiments that would be irresponsible using human subjects"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400375", "prompt": "Which of these actions causes wind?", "choices": ["rotation of Earth on its axis", "movement of air from water to land", "uneven heating of Earth's surface", "air passing Earth as it revolves around the Sun"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415394", "prompt": "A company wants to make a game that uses a magnet that sticks to a board. Which material should it use for the board?", "choices": ["cardboard", "glass", "steel", "wood"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_412693", "prompt": "Which sequence has the states of matter listed from least to greatest kinetic energy?", "choices": ["solid -> gas -> liquid", "gas -> liquid -> solid", "liquid -> solid -> gas", "solid -> liquid -> gas"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7056665", "prompt": "A student is given a mixture of gravel and sand and instructed to separate them. Which tool should the student use to best complete this task?", "choices": ["a scale and weights", "a magnet", "a sieve", "a battery and wire"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_8_26", "prompt": "A container is filled with 100 mL of water and placed in a freezer. The water in the container freezes at 0\u00b0C. A second container filled with 90 mL of water is placed in a second freezer. At what temperature does this second container of water freeze?", "choices": ["-10\u00b0C", "-1\u00b0C", "0\u00b0C", "10\u00b0C"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg35", "prompt": "What gas in the air do we need to breathe in order to live?", "choices": ["nitrogen", "oxygen", "carbon dioxide", "hydrogen", "water vapor"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7218050", "prompt": "A city is experiencing heavy smog formed by motor vehicle exhaust. Which of these weather conditions contributes most to the formation of smog?", "choices": ["dry line", "cold front", "tropical cyclone", "temperature inversion"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7010063", "prompt": "Ocean currents, like the Gulf Stream, affect world climate by", "choices": ["spreading plant and animal life over a wider area.", "ensuring ocean density is not the same globally.", "carrying sediment from rivers and inland basins.", "transferring heat to and from various regions."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405499", "prompt": "Jagged mountains would most likely become rounded hills through which process?", "choices": ["erosion", "deposition", "volcanic activity", "chemical change"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401172", "prompt": "While performing an experiment involving four different clear liquids, a student forgets to label the test tubes. What should the student do?", "choices": ["try to identify the liquids by smell", "ask another student to identify the liquids", "ask the teacher how to dispose of the liquids", "continue the experiment with the unidentified liquids"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7056315", "prompt": "During the light reactions of photosynthesis, energy is stored in the compounds ATP and NADPH. A second set of reactions uses this stored energy to produce vital compounds such as glucose. This second set of reactions involves a biochemical pathway called", "choices": ["the Calvin cycle.", "carbon fixation.", "respiration.", "transpiration."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7271198", "prompt": "What is the relationship between an ecosystem and a community?", "choices": ["A community is a very large ecosystem.", "An ecosystem is a very large community.", "An ecosystem includes a community and abiotic factors.", "A community includes an ecosystem and abiotic factors."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7248203", "prompt": "Two species of garter snake in the genus Thamnophis originated from a single ancestor. These two species live in the same geographic area, however, one lives in arid land and the other lives in water.Which of the following best identifies the cause of speciation between these two garter snakes?", "choices": ["mechanical isolation", "behavioral isolation", "habitat isolation", "allopatric isolation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_I16", "prompt": "A metal spoon, a wooden spoon, and a plastic spoon are placed in hot water. After 15 seconds, which spoon will feel hottest?", "choices": ["The metal spoon", "The wooden spoon", "The plastic spoon", "The three spoons will feel the same."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7201163", "prompt": "The bacterium Brucella abortus causes fever in humans. Biologists studying this bacterium found that when exposed to light, the bacterium becomes more virulent. How can this change in virulence most likely be described?", "choices": ["as a behavioral adaptation", "as a survival disadvantage", "as a response to a stimulus", "as an acquired characteristic"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7064698", "prompt": "When iron combines with oxygen in a moist environment, rust forms because of a", "choices": ["chemical reaction.", "physical reaction.", "change in density.", "change in temperature."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7081550", "prompt": "A student counts ants in an ant colony every day at the same time. The student writes the date of observation in one column in a notebook and the number of ants counted on each date in a second column. Which best describes how the student arranged the information?", "choices": ["pie chart", "data table", "bar graph", "scatterplot"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2015_7_7", "prompt": "Which human body systems work together to send messages?", "choices": ["muscular and skeletal", "nervous and endocrine", "excretory and digestive", "circulatory and respiratory"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400278", "prompt": "In order for a material to be effective for cooking, it must have which physical property?", "choices": ["low melting point", "high electric charge", "high reactivity with water", "low thermal expansion"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_24", "prompt": "Which sequence shows the life cycle of some insects?", "choices": ["adult -> pupa -> larva -> egg", "egg -> pupa -> larva -> adult", "larva -> pupa -> egg -> adult", "egg -> larva -> pupa -> adult"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP__7_10341", "prompt": "A scientist studied a species of fish. She found that when a certain nutrient was added to the diet of the fish just after hatching, the fish gained an average of 3 kilograms in the first year. What additional information is needed to determine whether the nutrient is affecting the growth of the fish?", "choices": ["how much adult fish gained on average when the same nutrient was added to their diet", "how much newly hatched fish in this species gain in the first year without the nutrient in their diet", "how much of the nutrient is available for the fish species in their natural surroundings", "how much other species of fish gain in the first year when the nutrient is added to their diet"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg8", "prompt": "Humans interpret seeing, hearing, tasting, and smelling in the", "choices": ["brain", "spinal cord", "receptors", "skin"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409577", "prompt": "Dan knows the Earth is tilted 23.5\u00b0 on its axis. Which is caused because of this tilt?", "choices": ["day can become night", "different seasons occur", "low tide can become high tide", "the change in phases of the Moon"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7198993", "prompt": "Gel electrophoresis is a technology which allows researchers to reliably separate and sort DNA fragments. This technology is most useful for which application?", "choices": ["selective breeding", "medical gene repair", "genetic engineering", "cell metabolism analysis"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409272", "prompt": "Some sea grasses grow near a group of palm trees on a sandy shore. Which best describes the role of both the palm trees and sea grasses?", "choices": ["They get energy from living organisms.", "They turn decaying matter into nutrients.", "They provide food for other organisms.", "They absorb oxygen from the environment."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_11", "prompt": "Students collect pond water in their beakers. Which is the best unit of measurement for the volume of water they collect?", "choices": ["Grams", "Meters", "Milliliters", "Centimeters"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7199938", "prompt": "When tectonic plates move, they can form different landforms. Which is least likely to be associated with the tectonic plate movement that forms volcanoes?", "choices": ["hot spot", "rift valley", "subduction zone", "transform boundary"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_27", "prompt": "The thin layer of rock on Earth's surface is the", "choices": ["atmosphere", "hemisphere", "hydrosphere", "lithosphere"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7264145", "prompt": "Which type of radiation provides astronomers with the most useful information about high-energy events such as stars colliding?", "choices": ["gamma radiation", "infrared radiation", "radio waves", "visible light"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_192990", "prompt": "All of the following are renewable resources except", "choices": ["minerals.", "trees.", "wind.", "water."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_405777", "prompt": "What is the most important property architects must consider when selecting materials for the walls, ceilings, and floors for a new concert hall?", "choices": ["thermal properties", "chemical properties", "electrical properties", "acoustical properties"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409153", "prompt": "Eduardo saw some cats living in an alley. Which of these does a cat need to survive?", "choices": ["grass to sleep in", "large trees to climb", "predators to chase it", "small animals to eat"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_3_27", "prompt": "A puddle of water on a concrete driveway will disappear after a few hours during a sunny day. Where does the water go as it disappears?", "choices": ["It goes into the air.", "Animals drink it.", "It soaks into the concrete.", "It becomes a different substance."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MDSA_2009_8_32", "prompt": "Science students investigated the cause of the different phases of the moon. The model that would best demonstrate the cause of the phases of the moon would include representations of", "choices": ["the moon and Earth", "the moon and the sun", "the moon, the sun, and Earth", "the moon, the sun, and Venus"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400115", "prompt": "Electrical energy is best described as", "choices": ["coming from the Sun.", "attracting objects.", "moving negative charges.", "developing radiation."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MSA_2012_5_21", "prompt": "A car and a truck are traveling at the same rate of speed. The vehicles approach a stop sign. Which statement best explains why the car stops in a shorter distance than the truck?", "choices": ["The car has a larger mass requiring less force to stop.", "The car has a smaller mass requiring more force to stop.", "The truck has a smaller mass requiring less force to stop.", "The truck has a larger mass requiring more force to stop."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_24", "prompt": "After a rain, a puddle of water remains on a sidewalk. After a day of sunshine, the puddle is gone. Which process is most responsible for the disappearance of the puddle?", "choices": ["precipitation", "transpiration", "evaporation", "condensation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7245245", "prompt": "After which event will primary succession most likely occur?", "choices": ["thunderstorm", "crop harvest", "volcanic eruption", "urban development"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "FCAT_2012_8_4", "prompt": "An object moves through space with balanced forces acting on it. Which statement best describes the speed and direction of the object as long as the forces acting on it remain balanced?", "choices": ["The speed and direction of the object will both change.", "The speed and direction of the object will remain constant.", "The speed will change, but the direction will remain constant.", "The speed will remain constant, but the direction will change."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402124", "prompt": "About how long does it take Earth to make a complete revolution around the Sun?", "choices": ["1 year", "1 week", "1 day", "1 hour"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7219695", "prompt": "Scientists found trilobite and brachiopod index fossils in cliffs a great distance apart from each other. What can scientists infer about the rocks in which these fossils were found?", "choices": ["the age of the rock", "the slope of the rock", "the density of the rock", "the weathering of the rock"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402122", "prompt": "Which of the following is a function of the digestive system of the human body?", "choices": ["carrying oxygen to the lungs", "sending signals from the brain to the spinal cord", "breaking down food into nutrients", "providing support for the body"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405800", "prompt": "A person must lift a heavy load of bricks to the top of a building. Which simple machine is best used for this task?", "choices": ["a wedge", "a pulley", "an inclined plane", "a wheel and axle"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400048", "prompt": "Which form of energy is required for a television set to work?", "choices": ["electrical", "heat", "light", "solar"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7163870", "prompt": "The water cycle is important for recycling the water on Earth. Which of these is the source of most of the water vapor in Earth's atmosphere?", "choices": ["river flooding", "glacier melting", "ocean evaporation", "plant transpiration"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_2", "prompt": "The molecule ATP is composed of elements commonly found in organic molecules. Which of the following is one of these elements?", "choices": ["aluminum", "calcium", "phosphorus", "tin"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_7", "prompt": "Which energy transformation occurs when a person hits a drum with a drumstick?", "choices": ["electrical to light", "sound to electrical", "light to mechanical", "mechanical to sound"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401170", "prompt": "Which best describes the energy conversion by a household toaster?", "choices": ["electrical to heat", "heat to chemical", "electrical to chemical", "heat to mechanical"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_24", "prompt": "In late fall, a rabbit's fur grows thicker. This adaptation occurs to", "choices": ["keep the rabbit's body warm", "keep the rabbit safe from predators", "help the rabbit find a mate", "help the rabbit find green plants"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401238", "prompt": "Many birds avoid eating the viceroy butterfly because it looks like the monarch butterfly. Monarch butterflies contain a substance that makes the birds sick when monarchs are eaten. The development of the pattern of the viceroy butterfly to look like the monarch butterfly is an example of", "choices": ["camouflage.", "coloration.", "diversity.", "mimicry."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7218663", "prompt": "Which difference between water and ice results in ice floating on cold water?", "choices": ["heat", "shape", "density", "volume"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7024938", "prompt": "When buying a sunscreen, which is the best question to keep in mind while reading the label for maximum effectiveness?", "choices": ["What is the cost per ounce?", "Who is the manufacturer?", "Is the product waterproof?", "How much protection does it provide?"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_182263", "prompt": "Which of the following is a description of an organism's development?", "choices": ["A sunflower grows toward the Sun.", "A Venus's-flytrap plant closes its leaves around a fly.", "An egg hatches, grows into a tadpole and then into a frog.", "A lizard loses its tail and grows a new one."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7086800", "prompt": "Soil that drains slowly most likely has a high amount of", "choices": ["ash.", "sand.", "clay.", "peat."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7248308", "prompt": "Bile salts play a crucial role in gastrointestinal homeostasis and digestion. Which phrase is the best description of the gastrointestinal function of bile salts?", "choices": ["digestion and absorption of proteins in the liver", "digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine", "digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the liver", "digestion and absorption of cholesterol in the large intestine"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_31", "prompt": "Which type of energy is transferred by vibrational waves?", "choices": ["nuclear", "light", "chemical", "sound"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7228078", "prompt": "The process of gene regulation directly impacts", "choices": ["how much DNA is stored.", "how much DNA is replicated.", "which mRNA is produced.", "which tRNA is produced."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402040", "prompt": "What is the most important thing a cylinder, a measuring cup, and a beaker all have in common?", "choices": ["They all hold liquids.", "They can all be made of glass.", "They can all be marked in milliliters.", "They can all be used to measure the volume of a liquid."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7026758", "prompt": "Scientists have shown that clearing the forest in the Amazon for farming is causing the extinction of native species. Which is the most direct cause of extinction from clear-cutting of land?", "choices": ["pollution", "habitat loss", "climate change", "use of fertilizers"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409676", "prompt": "James read that plants benefit animals by changing the atmosphere. How do plants most likely change the atmosphere in a way that is beneficial for animals?", "choices": ["Plants release oxygen.", "Plants absorb sunlight.", "Plants produce heat energy.", "Plants make carbon dioxide."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_9", "prompt": "What model is used to show the pattern of traits that are passed from one generation to the next in a family?", "choices": ["pedigree chart", "dichotomous key", "energy pyramid", "line graph"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10906", "prompt": "Tiny droplets of water seen floating in the air can give scientists a clue about the weather. What are groups of these droplets called?", "choices": ["hail", "rain", "a front", "a cloud"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MDSA_2010_8_38", "prompt": "When taken to a new habitat, non-native plants often threaten native plants of the new habitat. Why do non-native plants threaten native plants?", "choices": ["Non-native plants are able to mutate rapidly.", "Non-native plants cause native animals to relocate.", "Non-native plants are able to be used for medicine.", "Non-native plants compete with native plants for resources."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_416672", "prompt": "Which technology enables doctors to monitor the function of the heart?", "choices": ["dialysis machine", "electrocardiogram", "electroencephalogram", "automatic external defibrillator"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_7_12", "prompt": "Which substance contributes most to the greenhouse effect?", "choices": ["wood smoke", "nitrous oxides", "carbon dioxide", "nuclear radiation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_26", "prompt": "A large amount of oil was spilled in a lake environment. Within a few weeks, the number of plants and animals living in the area where the oil was spilled will most likely", "choices": ["decrease", "increase", "remain the same"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "OHAT_2008_8_29", "prompt": "Which explains the relationship between hours of sunlight and seasons?", "choices": ["the rotation of Earth on its axis", "the tilt of Earth's axis relative to the sun", "the location of Earth's orbit in the solar system", "the motion of the moon as it travels around Earth"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_184170", "prompt": "The temperature of the stratosphere increases with altitude because of the presence of", "choices": ["nitrogen.", "water vapor.", "ozone.", "carbon monoxide."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_405769", "prompt": "Which structure refers to a group of specialized cells that all perform the same function?", "choices": ["virus", "tissue", "organ", "nucleus"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400359", "prompt": "Which event occurs only twice each year?", "choices": ["lunar eclipse", "full moon", "equinox", "low tide"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7011393", "prompt": "What would be the phenotype of a cross between a homozygous dominant tall plant and a homozygous recessive short plant?", "choices": ["100% tall", "100% short", "25% short, 75% tall", "50% short, 50% tall"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409682", "prompt": "Joey is making breakfast and pours a glass of milk over a bowl of dry cereal. Which best describes what Joey made for breakfast?", "choices": ["element", "compound", "mixture", "solution"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7220028", "prompt": "Scientists determined that specific agents produce specific diseases, and many are transmitted by sneezing. What must the droplets contain for a disease to be transmitted by sneezing?", "choices": ["the disease-causing particles", "cells exposed to the disease", "toxins released by diseased cells", "disease-specific antibodies"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_5_15", "prompt": "Which of the following organisms would most likely get its food energy only from consumers?", "choices": ["deer", "grass", "hawk", "mushroom"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400217", "prompt": "Coal is a fossil fuel that is formed from", "choices": ["water eroding the land.", "meteors hitting Earth.", "repeated volcanic eruptions.", "the decay of organic material."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_4_pg7", "prompt": "What do birds, bats and butterflies have in common?", "choices": ["feathers", "hair", "internal skeleton", "wings"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7263515", "prompt": "Changes at the molecular level can turn proto-oncogenes into oncogenes. These changes cause unregulated cell division. Which disease is caused by this transformation?", "choices": ["diabetes", "leukemia", "pneumonia", "hemophilia"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7018463", "prompt": "Which characteristic of sound makes it possible for bats to fly in the dark without hitting any objects?", "choices": ["refraction", "reflection", "conduction", "amplification"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401833", "prompt": "Students went on a class field trip to Natural Bridge Caverns. They noticed rock formations in the cave called stalactites. Which of these processes caused the stalactites to form?", "choices": ["heat", "pressure", "freezing", "deposition"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_187460", "prompt": "A switch that can open or close an electric circuit can be used to", "choices": ["increase the amount of current.", "reverse the current's direction.", "stop the current.", "accelerate the current."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409149", "prompt": "Jesus learned that a space probe named Voyager 1 was launched from Earth in 1977. It will take Voyager 1 more than 500 years to travel 1 light year. What is a light year used to measure in space?", "choices": ["distance", "energy", "force", "time"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_417589", "prompt": "Scientists think that the rise in global temperature during the last one hundred years is due to an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Which question would best help scientists assess the claim that humans are responsible for the rising global temperature?", "choices": ["What is the mechanism by which carbon dioxide heats Earth?", "What is the source of most of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?", "What is the source of the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?", "What is the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2011_5_14", "prompt": "Which structure controls what enters both plant cells and animal cells?", "choices": ["nucleus", "cell wall", "chloroplast", "cell membrane"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_400837", "prompt": "Appearance, texture, and density are classified as", "choices": ["physical properties.", "chemical properties.", "magnetic properties.", "thermal properties."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_405942", "prompt": "A student compares a plant cell to an animal cell. Which structure will the student find ONLY in the plant cell?", "choices": ["chloroplast", "nucleus", "mitochondrion", "cytoplasm"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7186935", "prompt": "One hot summer, a grassland experienced a drought. Which most likely happened in the ecosystem during this time?", "choices": ["The competition for food among primary consumers increased.", "Nutrients cycled through the system at a faster rate.", "Less solar radiation was able to enter the system.", "Secondary consumers became extinct."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MDSA_2011_8_13", "prompt": "The need for farmland in Brazil has led to the cutting of the rain forests in the Amazon. Cutting trees in the Amazon rain forest might have a global effect by", "choices": ["decreasing the amount of fresh water", "increasing the number of animal species", "decreasing the average yearly temperatures", "increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7252263", "prompt": "Which two body systems maintain the level of glucose in the blood?", "choices": ["nervous and respiratory systems", "digestive and endocrine systems", "muscular and immune systems", "skeletal and cardiac systems"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_45", "prompt": "A student writes in a laboratory notebook: I placed a piece of iron in a beaker of water and the iron sank to the bottom of the beaker. What the student wrote in the laboratory notebook is an example of a(n)", "choices": ["observation", "prediction", "inference", "hypothesis"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_412625", "prompt": "Which series correctly represents the levels of organization in an organism?", "choices": ["cells -> organs -> organ system -> tissue", "cells -> tissue -> organs -> organ system", "tissue -> cells -> organ system -> organs", "tissue -> organ system -> cells -> organs"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406672", "prompt": "Which is a function of a seed?", "choices": ["forming fruit", "making pollen", "storing food for a new plant", "taking in water from the ground"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_8_12", "prompt": "Which process below uses carbon dioxide and the sun's radiant energy to produce chemical energy?", "choices": ["Evaporation", "Photosynthesis", "Respiration", "Decomposition"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7270270", "prompt": "A serotinous cone is a seed enclosure that requires intense heat to open. When would a population of trees most benefit from having serotinous cones?", "choices": ["after a drought", "after a heat wave", "after a forest fire", "after a tornado"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS11008", "prompt": "A lumber company plants new trees where a forest once stood. This is an example of", "choices": ["conserving resources.", "consuming resources.", "recycling resources.", "replacing resources."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_414087", "prompt": "Some pea plants always have peas with smooth skin. Other pea plants always have peas with wrinkled skin. How can a student best predict which kind of pea will grow from a seed that is planted?", "choices": ["by checking the amount of water in the soil", "by checking how often the pea plant receives sunlight", "by checking how much space the plant will have to grow", "by checking the type of peas growing on the parent plants"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MEA_2016_5_8", "prompt": "How do plants affect their environment?", "choices": ["Plants clean the soil.", "Plants make sunlight brighter.", "Plants make food used by other organisms.", "Plants create water"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_5_13", "prompt": "Which is an example of a physical property of an object?", "choices": ["The object bends without breaking.", "The object bubbles when put into an acid.", "The object burns when touched by a flame.", "The object gives off sparks when put into water."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEA_2014_5_3", "prompt": "What happens when a warm object is put inside a cooler object?", "choices": ["The warm object loses energy and the cool object gains energy so that both objects stay at different temperatures.", "The warm object gains energy and the cool object loses energy so that both objects stay at different temperatures.", "The warm object loses energy and the cool object gains energy until both objects are the same temperature.", "The warm object gains energy and the cool object loses energy until both objects are the same temperature."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401125", "prompt": "Newborn white-tailed deer have hundreds of spots on their coats which gradually disappear at three to four months of age. The spots on their coats make the newborns blend in with the environment through", "choices": ["mimicry.", "migration.", "hibernation.", "camouflage."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7212625", "prompt": "What is the smallest particle of an element that still exhibits all the properties of that element?", "choices": ["an electron", "an atom", "a molecule", "a proton"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7250285", "prompt": "A population of tree-climbing lizard lives on one bank of a large river. The other bank of the river is a treeless prairie. During a flood, 40 lizards were transferred to the prairie side of the river. After 200 generations, this transferred population of lizard lost the ability to climb.Which mechanism is most likely responsible for this loss of function within the transferred population?", "choices": ["gene flow", "natural selection", "genetic drift", "mutation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_7", "prompt": "When a cup of water at room temperature is put in a freezer, the water's state of matter will change from", "choices": ["liquid to gas", "gas to liquid", "liquid to solid", "solid to liquid"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7168718", "prompt": "The weight of an object can change because of the force that acts on that object. Which force causes the weight of an object to change?", "choices": ["gravitational", "electrical", "magnetic", "friction"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MDSA_2012_8_36", "prompt": "Use the information below to answer the question. The human body is composed of different systems made of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Each of these structures has a specific function that aids in the survival of the human species. What is the primary function of the excretory system?", "choices": ["to digest food", "to help in defense", "to eliminate waste", "to enable movement"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7044065", "prompt": "What is the MAJOR cause of acid rain?", "choices": ["smelting ore", "evaporation of polluted water", "jet airplane exhaust high in the sky", "sulfur combining with water vapor in the atmosphere"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_410619", "prompt": "In 1921, Earl Dickson invented a bandage after he noticed his wife was unable to easily cover cuts on her hands. He covered the bandage with a chemical that sealed it so air would not enter the cut. How did solving this problem benefit others medically?", "choices": ["People relied on bandages more than doctors.", "The bandages cured cuts that were infected.", "The bandages helped keep cuts clean.", "People cut themselves less often."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406026", "prompt": "Which is a factor that most likely would affect the climate in a particular area?", "choices": ["amount of lightning", "distance from an ocean", "number of earthquakes", "shape of the shoreline"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406024", "prompt": "Pond ecosystems depend on the water cycle to ensure the survival of the animals that live in or near the pond. If a drought reduces the water level, which population of animals would be most affected?", "choices": ["duck", "fish", "mouse", "snake"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_406773", "prompt": "Some plants rely on hummingbirds for pollination. If a deadly disease infected the hummingbird population, what would most likely happen to the plants?", "choices": ["They would die within hours.", "They would become endangered.", "They would need to migrate.", "They would grow at a slower rate."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400857", "prompt": "When salt is added to ice, the ice begins to melt because the salt", "choices": ["raises the freezing point.", "lowers the freezing point.", "raises the boiling point.", "lowers the boiling point."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_8_29", "prompt": "Leaf cells are one type of tree cell. Which process occurs in a growing leaf cell?", "choices": ["evolution", "adaptation", "sugar production", "sexual reproduction"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407219", "prompt": "Which diagram correctly shows the flow of energy in a food chain?", "choices": ["Decomposer -> Consumer -> Producer", "Producer -> Consumer -> Decomposer", "Consumer -> Producer -> Decomposer", "Producer -> Decomposer -> Consumer"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_8", "prompt": "Which form of energy is produced when paper is burned?", "choices": ["heat", "magnetic", "electrical", "chemical"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7083405", "prompt": "A group of cells performing the same function in the body is called", "choices": ["a tissue.", "an organelle.", "an organism.", "a system."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402079", "prompt": "Which material is a good conductor of heat?", "choices": ["plastic", "rubber", "glass", "copper"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_17", "prompt": "All living organisms have certain needs in order to stay alive. Which is most necessary for both plants and animals?", "choices": ["food", "water", "chlorophyll", "carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7093013", "prompt": "Plant leaves have tiny pores. These pores help plants release water from their tissues into the", "choices": ["lithosphere.", "biosphere.", "hydrosphere.", "atmosphere."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg17", "prompt": "How can washing your hands help keep you from getting sick?", "choices": ["It washes away germs.", "It makes your hands look nice.", "It keeps your skin from drying out.", "It makes your hands warmer."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416527", "prompt": "Which part of a plant makes sugar from carbon dioxide?", "choices": ["stem", "leaf", "root", "flower"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_9_9", "prompt": "One method of heat distribution is a baseboard forced hot water system. A baseboard system carries hot water through a pipe that passes through many small, flat plates called fins. What is the purpose of these fins?", "choices": ["to dissipate the heat of the hot water flowing through the pipe", "to prevent the baseboard from coming in contact with hot surfaces", "to replace the heated air leaving the system with cold air", "to prevent dust and other particles from entering the baseboard"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7161403", "prompt": "Aerogels are compounds formed by the drying of certain gels. Although the aerogel hardens into a solid material, the particles in the gel are much farther apart than those of most solids and particles are held together by strong bridges of covalently bonded atoms. Which of the following is a likely property of aerogels?", "choices": ["very low density", "high electrical conductivity", "very low melting point", "very flexible"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405062", "prompt": "What renewable energy source used to make electricity is thought to be always available?", "choices": ["oil", "coal", "wind", "nuclear"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7142748", "prompt": "When heat flows from a hot spot to a cooler spot, entropy increases. When heat is forced to flow from a cool spot to a warmer spot, entropy decreases. Marta is looking for something in her house that causes a decrease in entropy. Which of these should she choose?", "choices": ["an ice cube melting", "the refrigerator", "an egg frying", "the toaster"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7024675", "prompt": "Which of the following is influenced by both genetics and behavior?", "choices": ["eye color", "hair texture", "blood type", "body weight"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7267575", "prompt": "Which of the following natural disasters is likely to cause the most widespread damage in a coastal ecosystem?", "choices": ["a landslide", "a tornado", "a tsunami", "an earthquake"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7170905", "prompt": "One function of the circulatory system is to carry cellular nutrients to the body. Which part of the circulatory system is responsible for exchanging nutrients and wastes?", "choices": ["arteries", "capillaries", "heart", "veins"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400158", "prompt": "How does sedimentary rock form?", "choices": ["sediments cool", "sediments melt", "sediments separate", "sediments compress"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_5_11", "prompt": "Which of the following best explains why electrical wires are usually covered with plastic or rubber?", "choices": ["to insulate the electrical wire", "to keep the electrical wire warm", "to make the electrical wire stronger", "to make the electrical wire more flexible"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400595", "prompt": "The Moon revolves around Earth about once every", "choices": ["day.", "year.", "week.", "month."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_4_pg58", "prompt": "Calcium is a mineral that helps make your bones and teeth strong. Which of these foods is the best source of calcium?", "choices": ["candy", "rice", "cheese", "meat"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7245578", "prompt": "According to the endosymbiotic theory, the outer membrane of the chloroplast originated from which organelle?", "choices": ["the lysosome of an engulfed prokaryotic cell", "the chloroplast of an engulfed prokaryotic cell", "the cell membrane of an eukaryotic host cell", "the chloroplast of an eukaryotic host cell"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7217280", "prompt": "Students performing a scientific investigation are most likely trying to", "choices": ["produce a new theory.", "disprove a hypothesis.", "reject a conclusion.", "answer a question."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_405951", "prompt": "Which statement describes a function of bones in mammals such as dogs and horses?", "choices": ["Bones provide protection for organs in the body.", "Bones send messages to the brain to move the muscles.", "Bones carry oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.", "Bones connect the brain and the spinal cord."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7017920", "prompt": "To a person standing motionless on the Earth's surface on a day with no wind, in which direction would the rain appear to fall?", "choices": ["vertically", "diagonally", "horizontally", "circularly"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415005", "prompt": "Which two things interact most in the water cycle?", "choices": ["oceans and the Moon", "oceans and the Sun", "lakes and the Moon", "lakes and the Sun"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEA_2013_5_16", "prompt": "Some animals have advantages and disadvantages because they are different. Which of the following has a disadvantage compared to other animals in its population?", "choices": ["a polar bear that has dark-colored fur", "a deer with long legs", "a rabbit that can run fast", "a hummingbird with a long beak"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401155", "prompt": "Which is a characteristic of both plants and animals?", "choices": ["life cycles", "learned behaviors", "produce their own food", "reproduce using seeds"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_8_pg19", "prompt": "What is the main difference between planets and moons in our solar system?", "choices": ["All planets can support life; moons cannot.", "All planets have atmospheres; moons do not.", "All planets orbit the Sun; all moons orbit planets.", "All planets are larger than all moons."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7013685", "prompt": "Which is a response of the autonomic nervous system that helps maintain equilibrium in the body?", "choices": ["shivering in cold temperatures", "eating due to appetite", "slapping at biting insects", "pulling away from hot objects"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401119", "prompt": "Maria Mitchell discovered a comet in 1847 that was later named after her. Maria Mitchell's discovery contributed to which branch of science?", "choices": ["biology", "chemistry", "geology", "astronomy"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_10", "prompt": "When a lightbulb is lit, electrical energy is changed into light energy and", "choices": ["chemical energy", "magnetic energy", "heat energy", "mechanical energy"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2016_5_16", "prompt": "Water moves directly from a lake to the air by which of the following processes?", "choices": ["condensation", "evaporation", "precipitation", "sedimentation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_178308", "prompt": "In the late 1700s, Antoine Lavoisier performed a series of experiments to find out what happened when a substance burned. In each experiment, he observed that the weight of a container and its contents was the same at the end of the experiment as it had been in the beginning. These observations led him to propose the law of", "choices": ["combustion.", "fixed proportions.", "conservation of mass.", "conservation of energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_405107", "prompt": "A student has a mineral sample. He wonders if the sample is the mineral mica. He knows the cleavage pattern of mica is a smooth, flat sheet. The student can best find out the cleavage pattern of the sample by", "choices": ["shining a light on the mineral.", "soaking the mineral in water.", "rubbing a penny against the mineral.", "breaking off a piece of the mineral."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_28", "prompt": "A full Moon is observed in Buffalo, New York, on June 1. Approximately when will the next full Moon be observed in Buffalo?", "choices": ["June 7", "June 15", "July 1", "July 7"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_400799", "prompt": "A computer model of an insect population takes into account the following parameters: * available food resources * annual temperature variation * timing of insect reproductive cycles Which additional parameter would most significantly improve the model's accuracy when predicting the insect population size?", "choices": ["decomposers recycling dead insects", "annual variation in oxygen availability", "activities of predators preying on insects", "variation in barometric pressure"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401219", "prompt": "Many insects go through metamorphosis. Which series shows the stages of complete metamorphosis correctly?", "choices": ["egg, nymph, pupa, adult", "egg, larva, nymph, adult", "egg, nymph 1, nymph 2, adult", "egg, larva, pupa, adult"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_22", "prompt": "Which of these describes rotation?", "choices": ["Mercury goes around the Sun every 88 days.", "The Moon goes around Earth every 28 days.", "Earth orbits the Sun about every 365 days.", "Earth makes one turn on its axis every 24 hours."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_5_5", "prompt": "Sam looks into a fish pond and points at a goldfish. Sam's grandfather looks where Sam is pointing and tells Sam that the fish is actually in a different location. Which property of light explains why Sam's grandfather is correct?", "choices": ["reflection", "refraction", "diffraction", "absorption"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_27", "prompt": "People sitting around a campfire are able to feel the heat from the fire. How are the people able to feel the heat from the fire without touching the fire?", "choices": ["The heat from the fire travels through the ground and heats the ground around the people.", "The heat from the fire is conducted through air molecules to the people.", "The heat from the fire rises in the air and then settles around the people.", "The heat from the fire radiates from the fire to the people."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2008_5_12", "prompt": "In which case does a physical change occur?", "choices": ["Ice melts into water.", "Bread burns in a toaster.", "A cake bakes in an oven.", "Two chemicals form a new substance."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2008_7_17", "prompt": "Which energy source could involve a dam?", "choices": ["biomass", "solar power", "geothermal energy", "hydroelectric power"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7250110", "prompt": "Which cellular structure do organisms in the kingdoms Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, and Protista have in common?", "choices": ["a nucleus", "a cell membrane", "a circular chromosome", "a mitochondrion"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "WASL_2005_5_10", "prompt": "Sheri went on a field trip with her class and saw a stream with floating garbage. How could this pollution affect humans?", "choices": ["There may not be enough drinking water.", "There may not be enough water in the water cycle.", "There may not be enough oxygen for humans to breathe."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_24", "prompt": "Which information would probably be most helpful to someone trying to identify a mineral sample?", "choices": ["location and mass of the sample", "shape and texture of the sample", "hardness and streak of the sample", "color and size of the sample"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7091858", "prompt": "Which of these is most likely an effect of releasing carbon dioxide pollution into the atmosphere?", "choices": ["a reduction in the ozone layer", "a reduction in photosynthesis", "an increase in radioactive wastes", "an increase in the greenhouse effect"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_405948", "prompt": "Plastic conducts very little thermal energy or electricity. Because of this property, plastic would most likely be used to cover", "choices": ["metal.", "wood.", "solids.", "liquids."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "OHAT_2009_8_8", "prompt": "Which unit of measurement do astronomers use when measuring the distance between two stars found in the Milky Way?", "choices": ["meter", "light-year", "kilometer", "astronomical unit"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408425", "prompt": "The human body is made up of several systems. The mouth, esophagus, and stomach are all parts of which system?", "choices": ["circulatory", "digestive", "nervous", "skeletal"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415489", "prompt": "Which term describes the path the Moon travels around Earth?", "choices": ["rotation", "day", "orbit", "phase"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7037678", "prompt": "Which best describes an exothermic reaction?", "choices": ["a physical change occurs", "equal amounts of products are produced", "energy is required", "energy is released"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_4_pg14", "prompt": "During freezing, melting, and boiling, water changes from one state to another state. Heat needs to be supplied for which of these to take place?", "choices": ["boiling only", "melting only", "melting and freezing but not boiling", "melting and boiling but not freezing"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10391", "prompt": "Which of the following is a first-level consumer?", "choices": ["wolf", "hawk", "carrot", "rabbit"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "CSZ_2009_8_CSZ30764", "prompt": "A force of 5 N is required to increase the speed of a box from a rate of 1.0 m/s to 3.0 m/s within 5 s along a level surface. What change would most likely require additional force to produce the same results?", "choices": ["reduce the mass of the box", "increase the mass of the box", "make the surfaces of the box smooth", "make the surface of the floor smooth"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7040933", "prompt": "What is the MAJOR reason Earth has seasons?", "choices": ["Earth has a moon", "Earth has a tilted axis", "Earth has a magnetic field", "Earth has an elliptical orbit"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7175805", "prompt": "In a particular habitat, Animal X has two sources of food. One source is found in the water and the other source is found on land. If the main predator of Animal X is found only on land, what is the most likely structural adaptation that will be selected for in the population of Animal X?", "choices": ["development of claws", "increase in leg strength", "increase in visual acuity", "development of webbed feet"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7128870", "prompt": "A teacher uses an instrument that records decibel levels. What is the teacher measuring?", "choices": ["noise levels", "intensity of light", "relative humidity", "types of thermal energy"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406851", "prompt": "Which best explains how nutrients get into soil?", "choices": ["through exposure to air", "by absorbing sunlight", "through decaying matter", "by rocks eroding"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_409822", "prompt": "Lichens grow on rocks and produce an acid that reacts with part of the rock, forming soil. Which best describes the action of lichens on the rocks?", "choices": ["erosion", "fertilizer", "chemical weathering", "mechanical weathering"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP_2005_4_10266", "prompt": "Why do the Sun and Moon appear to move across the sky?", "choices": ["The rotation of the solar system makes the Sun and Moon seem to move.", "The rotation of Earth makes the Sun and Moon seem to move.", "The Sun and Moon revolve around Earth.", "Earth revolves around the Sun and the Moon."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7024360", "prompt": "Which human activity would have the greatest positive impact on the water quality of a stream?", "choices": ["releasing warm water into the stream", "driving cars through the stream", "reducing use of fertilizers near the stream", "increasing use of chemicals near the stream"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_10", "prompt": "A student pours water into a cup and places the cup in a freezer. After many hours, the water will change from", "choices": ["solid to gas", "solid to liquid", "liquid to solid", "liquid to gas"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401141", "prompt": "Which gas is given off by a plant during photosynthesis?", "choices": ["oxygen", "nitrogen", "hydrogen", "carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_5_23619", "prompt": "Which of the following processes makes it possible for plants to use energy from sunlight to produce their own food?", "choices": ["metamorphosis", "photosynthesis", "pollination", "reproduction"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_416642", "prompt": "Which protist has starch granules in its cytoplasm?", "choices": ["amoeba", "euglena", "paramecium", "volvox"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7210193", "prompt": "Which resource is more available due to improvements in deep-sea drilling technology?", "choices": ["crude oil", "fresh water", "thermal energy", "salt reserves"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7057330", "prompt": "Tooth decay is an infection that causes deterioration of the protective enamel on teeth, resulting in damage. Tooth decay is most likely caused by", "choices": ["bacteria.", "acidic food.", "allergies.", "genetic defects."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7250128", "prompt": "Which structure do a rabbit cell and a bacillus cell have in common?", "choices": ["mitochondrion", "capsule", "nucleus", "DNA"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10338", "prompt": "Which of these is necessary for life on Earth?", "choices": ["water", "trees", "wind", "soil"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7008960", "prompt": "During a collision, a seat belt slows the speed of a crash dummy. What is the direction of the net force exerted by the seat belt compared to the direction of the crash dummy's motion?", "choices": ["in the same direction", "in a vertical direction", "in a downward direction", "in the opposite direction"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MEA_2010_8_13", "prompt": "By inserting a gene into crop plants, scientists have developed plants that are resistant to insects. If an insect eats the plant, the insect dies. Which practice is unnecessary with this new plant variety?", "choices": ["eroding the land by tilling", "overproducing food crops", "removing weeds from crops", "spraying plants with pesticides"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409595", "prompt": "As wood in a campfire burns, it releases heat and becomes ash. What kind of change occurs in the wood when it burns and releases heat?", "choices": ["nuclear", "magnetic", "chemical", "mechanical"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_3", "prompt": "Which statement is an inference?", "choices": ["A thermometer shows that the air temperature is 56\u00b0F.", "A mineral sample of galena produced a gray-black streak when tested.", "Based on previous data, ten hurricanes may occur in the year 2013.", "A weather vane indicates the wind is coming from the west."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7008383", "prompt": "Which process moves water from the oceans to the atmosphere?", "choices": ["condensation", "transpiration", "evaporation", "precipitation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7248150", "prompt": "At concentrations of 0.1-1 \u00b5g/ml colchicine, a natural plant product, can cause the mitotic arrest of dividing cells at metaphase through disrupting the spindle apparatus. Colchicine interferes with which of these cell functions during cell division?", "choices": ["microtubule organization of spindle fibers", "DNA synthesis of spindle protein", "membrane transport of spindle fibers", "RNA synthesis of spindle protein"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_401240", "prompt": "Most species of ducks have webbed feet. The webbed feet are an example of", "choices": ["behavioral trait.", "a learned trait.", "an inherited trait.", "an instinctive trait."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_30", "prompt": "On which date does North America usually experience the longest period of daylight?", "choices": ["March 21", "June 21", "September 21", "December 21"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_4_pg102", "prompt": "What causes an object to fall to the ground when you let it drop from your hand?", "choices": ["magnetism", "gravity", "air resistance", "the push from your hand"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400693", "prompt": "The phases of the Moon are caused by the", "choices": ["tilt of the Earth.", "tilt of the Moon.", "revolution of the Earth around the Sun.", "revolution of the Moon around the Earth."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7168140", "prompt": "One system of the human body works along with the skeletal system by assisting movement and maintaining posture. Which system is being described?", "choices": ["respiratory", "circulatory", "muscular", "digestive"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_175963", "prompt": "The discovery of penicillin helped in the", "choices": ["treatment of infections.", "healing of bones.", "discovery of viruses.", "search for diseases."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_15", "prompt": "When the environment changes more quickly than a species can adapt, the species may become", "choices": ["extinct", "dominant", "diverse", "overpopulated"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400676", "prompt": "A student hears on the radio that the outside temperature is 32\u00b0C. What type of weather will the student most likely expect when she steps outside?", "choices": ["cool, rainy fall weather", "cold, snowy winter weather", "hot, sunny summer weather", "spring weather with flowers blooming"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7007683", "prompt": "Which parts of an atom are reactive during a chemical process?", "choices": ["electrons", "protons", "neutrons", "molecules"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "LEAP_2004_4_10258", "prompt": "What is one way people are helping the environment?", "choices": ["They are planting trees to replace the ones that are cut.", "They are building more roads so more people can see natural areas.", "They are building more dumps to hold the trash we create.", "They are using their cars more to get to places faster."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7268153", "prompt": "What is the function of hollow bones in birds?", "choices": ["to streamline birds for efficient flight", "to reduce the weight of birds for flight", "to store oxygen for high-altitude flight", "to make bones strong enough for flight"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10795", "prompt": "A screwdriver is used to pry the lid off a paint can. The resistance arm is 0.5 centimeters. The effort arm is 20 centimeters. What is the mechanical advantage of the screwdriver?", "choices": ["0.025", "10", "19.5", "40"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7176208", "prompt": "Food provides calories needed by the body for energy. However, the body must use energy between meals when food is not consumed. What is the most likely response of the body when more energy is used than the calories consumed provide?", "choices": ["to increase blood flow to the limbs for energy production", "to release energy from lipids stored throughout the body", "to transform stored proteins into carbohydrates for energy", "to contract muscles to create heat energy for the body"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7206063", "prompt": "The climate of an area would be expected to have the least fluctuations in temperatures where the", "choices": ["atmospheric nitrogen is low.", "vegetation is sparse.", "days are longest.", "humidity is high."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415028", "prompt": "Why would animals most likely have to leave an area during a drought?", "choices": ["to find mates", "to find shelter", "to escape predators", "to find water and food"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_400471", "prompt": "Secondary pollutants are produced in the environment by chemical reactions involving primary or emitted chemicals. Which of the following is a secondary pollutant?", "choices": ["carbon monoxide (CO)", "nitrogen oxide (NO)", "methane (CH_{4})", "ozone (O_{3})"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7072625", "prompt": "The human brain is an organ that is made up of many tissues. This information can be used to determine that the brain is", "choices": ["unicellular.", "multicellular.", "part of a bacterial colony.", "able to function independently."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_25", "prompt": "A bicyclist rides on a flat road and then stops pedaling but does not apply the brakes. The bicycle stops because of ___.", "choices": ["balance", "friction", "attraction", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_410275", "prompt": "One student rubs a balloon against his hair several times. Another student passes a comb through her hair several times. The students place the comb near the balloon and observe that the comb repels the balloon. Which is the most likely reason the comb is able to repel the balloon?", "choices": ["The balloon has a positive charge and the comb is neutral.", "The balloon and the comb have the same electrical charge.", "The balloon has a negative charge and the comb is neutral.", "The balloon and the comb have opposite electrical charges."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415413", "prompt": "How is weather related to climate?", "choices": ["Climate is the long-term average of a region's weather.", "Climate describes the weather of a large area.", "Weather is the long-term average of a region's climate.", "Weather describes the climate of a large area."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_4_pg34", "prompt": "Katie has a mixture of iron filings and sand. She wants to separate them. How can she do this?", "choices": ["Shake the mixture, and the iron filings will rise to the surface.", "Add water to the mixture, and the sand will dissolve in the water.", "Put the mixture through a sieve, and the sand will remain in the sieve.", "Pass a magnet over the mixture, and the magnet will attract the iron fillings."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_17", "prompt": "Which process is common to most living things?", "choices": ["flying", "talking", "seeing", "reproducing"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7016853", "prompt": "The angle of a ramp is changed several times during an experiment. Which tool is needed to measure the different angles?", "choices": ["compass", "protractor", "meter stick", "spring scale"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401817", "prompt": "All of these are examples of observation and measurement except", "choices": ["charting where birds fly.", "attracting birds with birdseed.", "counting the number of birds that fly by.", "illustrating the different birds that fly by."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2007_5_51", "prompt": "The piping plover is a bird that builds its nest on sand dunes along the Atlantic Ocean. Which of these actions most likely damages the nests of the piping plover?", "choices": ["people fishing from a boat", "children playing in the ocean waves", "children digging holes along the sand dunes", "people walking on a sidewalk along the sand dunes"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_7_17", "prompt": "Which is an effect that cities have on the weather?", "choices": ["Small numbers of plants cause rain to fall more often.", "Large numbers of houses cause the wind to be stronger.", "Small areas of open water cause fog to be more common.", "Large areas of pavement cause the temperature to be hotter."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7008155", "prompt": "A \"shooting star\" is", "choices": ["a comet.", "a meteor.", "an asteroid.", "a small star."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_19", "prompt": "Which type of organism converts wastes and dead materials into nutrients that can be used by plants?", "choices": ["carnivore", "herbivore", "decomposer", "producer"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7148208", "prompt": "Biochemical reactions that require high temperatures to proceed are able to take place at body temperature within the cells of living organisms. Which factor is mainly responsible for allowing biochemical reactions to proceed at body temperature?", "choices": ["The cellular enzymes act as catalysts.", "The small size of cells keeps reactants together.", "The pH of the cytoplasm increases reaction rate.", "The reactants are present in small quantities in the cell."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400709", "prompt": "Which statement best compares gravity on the Moon to gravity on Earth?", "choices": ["Gravity on the Moon is greater because it is closer to the Sun.", "Gravity on the Moon is less because it is smaller than the Earth.", "Gravity on the Moon is less because it has less atmosphere than the Earth.", "Gravity on the Moon is greater because it has less mass than the Earth."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_412755", "prompt": "An enclosed 20 mL metal cylinder was filled with a gas sample at room temperature. The sample then was transferred to an empty 40 mL enclosed container, also at room temperature. After being transferred, the volume of the gas was", "choices": ["10 mL.", "20 mL.", "30 mL.", "40 mL."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401331", "prompt": "Melting, boiling, and freezing are examples of", "choices": ["physical changes.", "chemical changes.", "magnetic changes.", "electrical changes."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_3", "prompt": "There is a shadow under a tree. Which form of energy must be present for the shadow to occur?", "choices": ["heat", "light", "sound", "mechanical"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413002", "prompt": "Seismometers measure quick changes that happen in the crust of our planet. Which of the following is a seismometer used to measure?", "choices": ["earthquake", "erosion", "flooding", "weathering"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7042630", "prompt": "In some lakes, excessive blooms of algae appear when human activity causes degradation of water quality resulting in conditions more favorable for algae growth. Which human activity primarily causes this problem?", "choices": ["mining", "farming", "transportation", "manufacturing"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_5_10", "prompt": "Drake has started a garden. What can Drake do to enrich the soil so that his plants will grow better?", "choices": ["remove earthworms", "add more water to the soil", "increase the amount of pesticide he uses", "mix decomposed plant matter into the soil"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_4_pg105", "prompt": "Which of these objects will rust?", "choices": ["wood chips", "plastic straws", "iron nails", "glass beads"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_13", "prompt": "Which color baseball cap would absorb the most light on a sunny day?", "choices": ["pink", "black", "white", "yellow"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7024203", "prompt": "Which body systems are most involved in the response when someone stubs his or her toe?", "choices": ["nervous and muscle", "muscle and endocrine", "nervous and digestive", "reproductive and circulatory"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7007543", "prompt": "Which part of a sound wave measures loudness?", "choices": ["wavelength", "magnitude", "amplitude", "frequency"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7241255", "prompt": "Neurons respond to stimuli and transmit impulses to coordinate body functions. Which of these indicates the rapid change in the membrane potential when a neuron is stimulated?", "choices": ["action potential", "resting potential", "refractory period", "threshold period"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7222408", "prompt": "Materials that let electrons flow very easily from one atom to another", "choices": ["are called insulators.", "are called conductors.", "are called non-metals.", "are called resistors."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7016240", "prompt": "Which is the most important safety measure to follow when using an acid in a classroom laboratory?", "choices": ["wearing protective clothing and goggles", "keeping the window open", "closing the door to the hall", "using bright fluorescent lights"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg57", "prompt": "In a deep valley on Earth, a person shouting will hear an echo as the sound is reflected back off the surrounding mountains. In a similar valley on the Moon, no echo will be heard. This is because", "choices": ["the gravitational pull on the Moon is too low", "the temperature on the Moon is too low", "there is no air on the Moon for the sound to travel through", "the mountains on the Moon cannot reflect sound"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2007_8_23", "prompt": "The motion of a car accelerating in a straight line differs from the motion of a car moving in a straight line at a constant speed. Which change best describes acceleration of a car?", "choices": ["a change in the direction of the car", "a change in the distance the car travels", "the change in velocity divided by the time for that change", "the change in the time for the car to travel a distance"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MEA_2016_5_3", "prompt": "During which time of day are the highest temperatures most often recorded?", "choices": ["sunset", "afternoon", "sunrise", "night"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEAP_2005_5_16", "prompt": "When butterfly eggs hatch, the young are called ___.", "choices": ["worms", "cocoons", "caterpillars", "little butterflies"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7009818", "prompt": "Louis Pasteur's work in the nineteenth century on pasteurization greatly improved", "choices": ["the quality of food.", "the prediction of weather.", "the availability of medication.", "the effectiveness of vaccinations."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_22", "prompt": "An earthworm was placed on top of a thick layer of moist topsoil in a pan. The pan was placed in a room with the lights on. How did the earthworm most likely respond to these conditions?", "choices": ["by burrowing under the soil", "by crawling around in the pan", "by staying where it was placed", "by trying to crawl out of the pan"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_27", "prompt": "What is the liquid layer of Earth that lies beneath the mantle?", "choices": ["inner core", "outer core", "mesosphere", "asthenosphere"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_5_25", "prompt": "Many natural resources are found in Maryland and the surrounding area. Some of these natural resources are renewable and some are nonrenewable. People use both kinds of resources in daily activities. Using natural resources often produces waste products. Burning fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and gasoline produces pollution. Which type of pollution is most often produced by burning fossil fuels?", "choices": ["air pollution", "land pollution", "noise pollution", "water pollution"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_L5", "prompt": "When a bird sings, it is most likely singing in order to", "choices": ["frighten away other types of birds", "mark the bird's territory against the same type of bird", "attract insects", "wake up other animals"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7217438", "prompt": "Coal is used for generating about 53% of the electrical energy in the United States. Which of these environmental issues is directly contributed to by the burning of coal?", "choices": ["beach erosion", "ozone depletion", "overfishing", "air pollution"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_411809", "prompt": "Which term correctly describes all of the following materials? salt water, vinegar, bronze, air, beach sand", "choices": ["compounds", "mixtures", "solutions", "elements"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7188213", "prompt": "Isle Royale is a large island in Lake Superior. During the 1800s, most of the trees were removed, and the wolves and moose that lived on the island died. In the early 1900s, moose were reintroduced to the island. By 1925, the moose population on Isle Royale rose to about 2,000 individuals. Which best explains how the moose population grew so rapidly?", "choices": ["The death rate was greater than the birth rate.", "There was unlimited food for the moose to eat.", "The birth rate was constant and few moose died.", "There were no predators to control the population."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401800", "prompt": "Which is a characteristic Earth and the Moon have in common?", "choices": ["seas", "craters", "thunderstorms", "atmosphere"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406273", "prompt": "As Bobby entered a dark room, he pushed the switch on the wall to turn on the light. What makes the light turn on when Bobby pushes the switch?", "choices": ["electricity", "friction", "gravity", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_7", "prompt": "Which human organ system eliminates liquid and gaseous wastes from the body?", "choices": ["circulatory", "endocrine", "excretory", "reproductive"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7174668", "prompt": "When visiting the beach, Felicity observed that a breeze blew in from the ocean during the day and out toward the ocean at night. Which factor is most responsible for the direction of land and sea breezes in coastal regions?", "choices": ["the revolution of Earth around the Sun", "the uneven heating between the land and water", "the gravitational pull of Earth on the atmosphere", "the daily rise and fall of tides in a regular pattern"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_16", "prompt": "Which pathway do most nutrients take after a person takes a bite of food?", "choices": ["digestive system -> circulatory system -> body cells", "circulatory system -> body cells -> digestive system", "digestive system -> body cells -> circulatory system", "circulatory system -> digestive system -> body cells"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_5_33", "prompt": "Sound reaches our ears because sound makes air particles", "choices": ["heat up.", "cool down.", "slow down.", "vibrate."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7056648", "prompt": "Which event is an example of conduction?", "choices": ["Sunlight travels from the Sun to warm Earth.", "Boiling water in a pot warms a spoon inside the pot.", "A fire in a fireplace warms the air in a room.", "Cold water is heated in a microwave oven."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_43", "prompt": "Which type of energy is transferred from one object to another by simple machines?", "choices": ["mechanical", "chemical", "nuclear", "electrical"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_50", "prompt": "Which statement best describes how energy transfer within Earth's atmosphere can affect a weather condition?", "choices": ["During radiation, objects directly transfer heat to each other which affects the air temperature.", "During radiation, electromagnetic waves transfer heat and light energy which affects the air temperature.", "During convection, objects directly transfer heat to each other which affects the amount of precipitation.", "During convection, electromagnetic waves transfer heat and light energy which affects the amount of precipitation."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7205363", "prompt": "What is the smallest part of a gold ring that is still gold?", "choices": ["an atom", "an electron", "a molecule", "a compound"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407507", "prompt": "Which tool should a carpenter use to measure the length of a wooden board?", "choices": ["balance", "meter stick", "thermometer", "graduated cylinder"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_23", "prompt": "If an ecosystem's balance is disturbed by a volcanic eruption, what will most likely occur?", "choices": ["The ecosystem will not change from its original state.", "The ecosystem will eventually become balanced again.", "The consumers in the ecosystem will begin to consume carbon dioxide.", "The consumers in the ecosystem will begin to produce more oxygen."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_5_20", "prompt": "One example of a trait passed from a parent plant to its offspring is ___.", "choices": ["the amount of water in the plant's environment", "the amount of sunlight shining on the plant", "the color of the flowers on the plant", "the nutrients in the soil where the plant grows"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2010_8_8", "prompt": "Many organisms have structures for protection and survival. Which structure is most similar to tree bark?", "choices": ["bird beak", "bear claws", "human skin", "snake fangs"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_13", "prompt": "The human respiratory system is responsible for removing", "choices": ["fat from cells", "carbon dioxide from blood", "hormones from glands", "nutrients from food"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_8", "prompt": "Humans are protected from some infections by specialized cells which produce chemicals that", "choices": ["destroy microbes", "recycle nutrients", "allow locomotion", "coordinate movement"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_5_10", "prompt": "Which two forms of energy could best be used to increase the temperature of a sheet of copper?", "choices": ["heat and light", "heat and sound", "light and magnetism", "electricity and sound"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_7_10", "prompt": "Which gas is the most abundant in Earth's atmosphere?", "choices": ["oxygen", "nitrogen", "water vapor", "carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408435", "prompt": "Which best explains why stars seen in the night sky are less bright than the Sun?", "choices": ["Other stars are farther from Earth than the Sun.", "Other stars are facing away from Earth.", "Other stars are smaller than the Sun.", "Other stars are producing less light."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7245788", "prompt": "A scientist observed that the loss of plants near a stream resulted in more soil being washed downstream. How will the excess soil that travels downstream reduce biodiversity?", "choices": ["It will destroy the fish habitat.", "It will provide nutrients to algae.", "It will change the water temperature.", "It will introduce an invasive species."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_25", "prompt": "When Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, the shadow causes a", "choices": ["high tide", "low tide", "lunar eclipse", "Moon phase"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_8_20", "prompt": "A class conducts an experiment to determine the best color to paint a solar water heater that they plan to build. For their experimental test, the students have four identical cans. They paint one black, one green, one red, and one white. Each can is filled with 500 mL of 22\u00b0C water, and is allowed to sit in the sun for two hours. Which color can will have the greatest increase in water temperature?", "choices": ["black", "green", "red", "white"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7207463", "prompt": "Which of these properties of water has the greatest effect on the water cycle?", "choices": ["neutral pH", "freezing and boiling points", "dissolves many substances", "forms six-sided crystals"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "OHAT_2007_5_40", "prompt": "What causes day and night on Earth?", "choices": ["tilting of Earth's axis", "rotation of Earth on its axis", "movement of Earth around the sun", "movement of the sun around Earth"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_33", "prompt": "Which process is an example of a physical change?", "choices": ["wood burning", "iron rusting", "ice melting", "milk souring"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MSA_2012_5_13", "prompt": "The water cycle requires energy. The main source of energy for the water cycle is", "choices": ["wind", "gravity", "the sun", "the moon"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7211015", "prompt": "Which of these is the fundamental unit of life?", "choices": ["system", "organ", "tissue", "cell"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_8_17", "prompt": "Which would be the most important to consider when selecting material for the walls and ceiling of a concert hall?", "choices": ["chemical properties", "mechanical properties", "thermal properties", "acoustical properties"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7071978", "prompt": "When microorganisms deplete the oxygen in soil through respiration, the soil becomes", "choices": ["humus.", "anaerobic.", "compost.", "aerobic."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_414500", "prompt": "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the agency responsible for the space program in the United States. What was the goal of NASA's Apollo program?", "choices": ["to search for life on planets other than Earth", "to land on a planet in another solar system", "to determine the composition the Sun", "to send a human to land on the Moon"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7014000", "prompt": "A lack of control in the muscular system is most likely related to a problem in what other organ system?", "choices": ["nervous", "immune", "excretory", "digestive"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400224", "prompt": "The Russian thistle, commonly known as the tumbleweed, is a big, round plant with many branches and short, stiff leaves. This plant spreads a large number of seeds when it breaks off from its stalk. The thistle is most likely found in what kind of environment?", "choices": ["swamp", "prairie", "forest", "tundra"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_29", "prompt": "Scientists find dinosaur fossils in the bottom rock layers of a cliff and mammal fossils in the middle rock layer of the cliff. Which could best be concluded from this evidence?", "choices": ["Dinosaurs ate plants.", "Dinosaurs were eaten by the mammals.", "Dinosaurs lived on Earth before the mammals.", "Dinosaurs and mammals lived at the same time."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP_2002_8_10389", "prompt": "Joyce put 200 milliliters of water in a beaker, put a thermometer in it, and heated it until it started to boil. She recorded a temperature of 100\u00b0C when it started to boil. She repeated the process with 400 milliliters of water. What would be the temperature when the second sample started to boil?", "choices": ["twice as high as the first sample's", "slightly higher than the first sample's", "half as high as the first sample's", "the same as the first sample's"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_416507", "prompt": "A student wrote the following claim on a homework assignment: \"Eukaryotic cells need more lipids than prokaryotic cells.\" Which statement below provides the BEST support for her claim?", "choices": ["Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus.", "Eukaryotic cells make up multicellular organisms.", "Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles.", "Eukaryotic cells perform cellular respiration."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_3_35", "prompt": "A black bear eats many different things, including grasses, roots, and berries. It also eats insects, fish, and other small animals. Which of these BEST describes a black bear?", "choices": ["Omnivore", "Carnivore", "Herbivore", "Producer"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7010798", "prompt": "A student finds a beaker with a chip in the rim. What should he do with the beaker?", "choices": ["use it and then dispose of it", "use it and then return it to where he got it", "dispose of the beaker and get a new one", "put it back where he found it and get a new one"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7018078", "prompt": "The sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom is called the", "choices": ["valence.", "mass number.", "chemical property.", "electrical charge."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7141278", "prompt": "In which of the following are nutrients directly absorbed from the bloodstream?", "choices": ["cell", "organ", "organisms", "tissue"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400988", "prompt": "Making aluminum cans from recycled materials instead of raw materials is a wise choice because it", "choices": ["saves time.", "saves trees.", "creates energy.", "reduces pollution."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415415", "prompt": "What happens to climate and weather over a summer?", "choices": ["Weather varies more than climate.", "Climate varies more than weather.", "Climate varies, but weather stays the same.", "Weather and climate vary to the same degree."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NAEP_2009_4_S7+6", "prompt": "A thermometer shows that the outside air temperature is colder than the temperature at which water turns to ice. However, ice on the sidewalk melts. What probably caused this?", "choices": ["The air heating the sidewalk", "The sidewalk reflecting sunlight into the air", "The wind causing the ice on the sidewalk to melt", "The sunlight making the sidewalk warmer than the air"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401296", "prompt": "Which trait gives owls an advantage when hunting at night?", "choices": ["large eyes", "broad wings", "straight beak", "smooth feathers"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400406", "prompt": "Wood is considered a renewable resource because", "choices": ["oxygen is released by trees.", "trees can be replanted.", "there are many varieties of trees.", "trees are used for many purposes."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7023275", "prompt": "Which event is an example of a chemical change?", "choices": ["fog rising off a river", "wood burning in a fireplace", "ice cream melting in the sunshine", "grinding peppercorn into pepper flakes"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405020", "prompt": "Oxygen-rich blood returns from the lungs to the heart. Which two systems are most directly involved in this process?", "choices": ["excretory and digestive", "circulatory and excretory", "digestive and respiratory", "respiratory and circulatory"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_405940", "prompt": "From simplest to most complicated, how are multicellular organisms organized?", "choices": ["organ system, organ, cell, tissue", "organ, tissue, cell, organ system", "tissue, cell, organ system, organ", "cell, tissue, organ, organ system"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405734", "prompt": "A student wants to find out whether storms with lightning produce more rain than storms without lightning. Which is the best way to answer this question?", "choices": ["average the amount of rain that fell during a lightning storm", "count number of lightning strikes during a one-hour period", "record rainfall amounts in storms with and without lightning", "calculate the number of fires that are caused by lightning strikes"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_8_20", "prompt": "How many different elements are in the 20 compound sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)?", "choices": ["1", "3", "6", "7"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7197960", "prompt": "In a lab, a bacterial strain shows resistance to an antibiotic. The presence of the antibiotic allows an existing variant within the genetic code to help the bacteria survive. The resistance of bacteria due to an existing genetic variant can be best described as which process?", "choices": ["natural selection", "selective breeding", "asexual reproduction", "behavioral adaptation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg57", "prompt": "Which of the following is NOT a mixture?", "choices": ["Smoke", "Sugar", "Milk", "Paint"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_5_29", "prompt": "Which two properties of a crayon will stay about the same after the crayon is melted?", "choices": ["Shape and physical state", "Temperature and hardness", "Color and mass", "Thickness and texture"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_8", "prompt": "Which human organ system produces hormones to regulate growth, development, and reproduction?", "choices": ["circulatory", "digestive", "nervous", "endocrine"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7219030", "prompt": "As some organisms die, their remains become buried by mud and are eventually compressed into a type of rock. Which of these is a rock type that forms from this process?", "choices": ["igneous", "sedimentary", "magma", "metamorphic"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7141890", "prompt": "Based on the organization of living things, tissues", "choices": ["form systems.", "are made of cells.", "are made of organs.", "do the work of cells."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7075215", "prompt": "Which body system is directly threatened when bacteria infect the lungs?", "choices": ["muscular", "nervous", "respiratory", "excretory"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416173", "prompt": "Where do good bacteria grow to help keep people healthy?", "choices": ["in the brain", "in the blood", "on the skin", "on the bones"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7283885", "prompt": "The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. The first known human cases AIDS were in Africa in the late 1950s. Since then, tens of millions of people have died from the disease, and tens of millions more people all over the world are infected. Which term best describes the disease AIDS?", "choices": ["isolated cases", "outbreak", "epidemic", "pandemic"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_1998_4_7", "prompt": "7. What is the cause of most earthquakes?", "choices": ["the rotation of Earth", "the direction of the wind", "the pull of Earth's gravity", "the movement of plates on Earth's crust"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "OHAT_2007_8_42", "prompt": "Which phenomena occur as a result of the gravitational attraction between the moon and Earth?", "choices": ["eclipses", "ocean tides", "seasonal changes", "phases of the moon"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_8_7", "prompt": "Which statement best describes how the circulatory system and respiratory system can work together?", "choices": ["Toxins are removed from the bloodstream by the liver.", "The stomach signals for the production of gastric juices.", "Food molecules are transported to the organs of the body.", "Gases are exchanged between the lungs and blood vessels."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10993", "prompt": "Animals depend on plants for many things, including food. What do plants depend on from animals?", "choices": ["energy for photosynthesis", "pest control", "carbon dioxide", "oxygen"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7084018", "prompt": "Less force is required to launch a spaceship from the surface of the Moon than to launch an identical ship from the surface of Earth because", "choices": ["the Moon has a smaller surface area than Earth.", "the mass of an object on Earth is greater than on the Moon.", "the gravitational field of the Moon is less than that of Earth.", "the atmosphere of the Moon is much thinner than that of Earth."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415399", "prompt": "Two of Earth's plates pushed together, and the ground moved. What happened?", "choices": ["an earthquake", "a landslide", "a volcano", "an avalanche"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7071803", "prompt": "Which of these were formed by glaciers that flowed through the Ruby Mountain region in northeastern Nevada?", "choices": ["lakes", "deserts", "volcanic necks", "V-shaped valleys"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_8_17683", "prompt": "A student prepared the following list of characteristics about a cellular organelle. present in animal cells present in plant cells helps make energy available to the cell Which of the following cellular structures is the student describing?", "choices": ["cell wall", "chloroplast", "mitochondrion", "nucleus"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408439", "prompt": "Brian knows deserts get less rain than other ecosystems. However, he also knows that plants can survive in the desert. Which characteristic of a plant most likely helps it live in a desert?", "choices": ["the ability to store water", "the ability to attract insects", "the ability to stop predators", "the ability to drop its leaves"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7115290", "prompt": "After a volcanic eruption, it takes a long time for large ecosystems to fully recover. Which statement best explains why the development takes so long?", "choices": ["Space is limited for growth.", "The quality of light is low.", "Soil must be created.", "Minerals are destroyed."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7007613", "prompt": "The atomic number of an element refers to the number of", "choices": ["electrons in the outer shell.", "neutrons in the outer shell.", "electrons in the nucleus.", "protons in the nucleus."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7161298", "prompt": "In an ecosystem, not all of the energy that is available is used by the organisms. Some energy becomes unavailable before it can be transferred to organisms in the next trophic level. How does the energy most likely become unavailable?", "choices": ["The energy is stored as food.", "The energy is dissipated as heat.", "The energy is trapped in dead organisms.", "The energy is moved to another ecosystem."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_180198", "prompt": "Which of the following is a direct result of Earth's tilt on its axis?", "choices": ["tides", "seasons", "weather", "gravity"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEAP_2004_8_1", "prompt": "Tony always drinks water before and after his long bike rides. Why does his body need water when he exercises?", "choices": ["Drinking water after exercise allows the body to sleep.", "Drinking water after exercise helps to replace lost fluids.", "Drinking water before exercise helps increase the heart rate.", "Drinking water before exercise prevents the body from sweating."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "LEAP_2001_4_10240", "prompt": "On a field trip in a wooded area, you see a small, strange object. You wonder whether is is a live animal. The best way to find out is to observe the object to see if it", "choices": ["has an odor.", "has separate parts.", "can make a noise and has a lifelike color.", "carries out basic life functions."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_4_2", "prompt": "Liquid cooking oil was poured into a container. Which statement best describes a property of the cooking oil after it was poured into the container?", "choices": ["Its color changed.", "Its mass increased.", "Its volume stayed the same.", "Its temperature quickly increased."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_18", "prompt": "The Sun heats the atmosphere of Earth unevenly. Which of the following is the most likely result of this uneven heating?", "choices": ["Convection in the atmosphere causes a change in air density, resulting in winds.", "Conduction through the atmosphere causes evaporation to occur over oceans, resulting in rain.", "Radiation from the Sun will reflect through the atmosphere back into space resulting in cooler evenings.", "Radiation from the Sun will cause atmospheric moisture to collect over mountain ranges resulting in snowfall."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_400347", "prompt": "A 20-N force acts on a 5-kg object at rest. How fast will the object accelerate on a frictionless surface?", "choices": ["4 m/s^2", "15 m/s^2", "25 m/s^2", "100 m/s^2"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7001313", "prompt": "Increasing and revising scientific knowledge of different types of bacteria will most likely enable scientists to develop ways to", "choices": ["help patients spend less time in the emergency room.", "aid research students who are studying complex organisms.", "help make medicines from newly discovered plants.", "develop specialized antibiotics that are directed at single-celled organisms."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_18", "prompt": "What are produced in both the male and female reproductive systems in humans?", "choices": ["sperm", "nutrients", "fertilized eggs", "sex cells"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7026810", "prompt": "The burning of fossil fuels in cities results in high levels of air pollution. Which urban design would best help reduce air pollution?", "choices": ["numerous park areas", "frequent trash recycling", "efficient public transportation", "effective street lighting"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415352", "prompt": "Which is an inherited trait?", "choices": ["dimples", "scrapes", "short hair", "dirty fingernails"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413632", "prompt": "How is xylem similar to phloem in a plant?", "choices": ["They both take in water from the soil.", "They both transport materials through the plant.", "They both make sugar in the leaves.", "They both store waste products in the plant cells."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408881", "prompt": "In a recycling program, people can separate paper from their other trash. The paper is sent to factories and turned into new products. What does paper recycling help conserve the most?", "choices": ["air", "gasoline", "trees", "water"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MSA_2013_5_15", "prompt": "Water cycles through three states of matter on Earth. What has the greatest effect on the state of matter of water?", "choices": ["tides", "gravity", "the sun", "the moon"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401316", "prompt": "Which physical feature exists both on Earth and on the Moon?", "choices": ["lakes", "forests", "mountains", "clouds"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg99", "prompt": "Animals and plants are made up of a number of different chemical elements. What happens to all of these elements when animals and plants die?", "choices": ["They die with the animal or plant.", "They evaporate into the atmosphere.", "They are recycled back into the environment.", "They change into different elements."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_405056", "prompt": "Students are comparing different rocks. What do all rocks have in common?", "choices": ["Rocks are made of one or more minerals.", "Rocks are made of two or more elements.", "Rocks are made of magma and sediments.", "Rocks are made of sand changed by pressure."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7113978", "prompt": "What is the most likely result of large-scale agricultural fertilization on aquatic systems?", "choices": ["increased fish populations", "more biodiversity over time", "less oxygen available for fish", "reduced water levels"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7041388", "prompt": "In order for magma to be converted to igneous rock, which actions must occur?", "choices": ["melting and cooling", "heating and pressure", "weathering and erosion", "crystallization and cooling"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_23", "prompt": "Trees start as seeds and grow into mature trees that produce more seeds. This pattern represents a", "choices": ["food chain", "life cycle", "food supply", "life span"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_1", "prompt": "Which sequence identifies the levels of organization of body structures in a human from simplest to most complex?", "choices": ["cell -> organ -> tissue -> organ system", "organ system -> cell -> tissue -> organ", "tissue -> organ -> organ system -> cell", "cell -> tissue -> organ -> organ system"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7238893", "prompt": "A cell completes the synthesization of a protein by adding a carbohydrate to the protein's structure. At which site in the cell is the carbohydrate added?", "choices": ["the nucleus", "a ribosome", "a mitochondrion", "the Golgi apparatus"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7018095", "prompt": "All atoms of an element have in their nuclei the same number of", "choices": ["electrons.", "isotopes.", "molecules.", "protons."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408344", "prompt": "Henry learned that without the right kind of energy, plants cannot survive. What form of energy is used by plants to perform photosynthesis?", "choices": ["electrical", "light", "mechanical", "wind"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7171955", "prompt": "As a corn plant ages, its leaves grow. Which process is directly responsible for the growth of these leaves?", "choices": ["the division of cells in the plant", "the release of oxygen from the plant", "the absorption of carbon dioxide in the stem", "the transportation of nutrients from the roots"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7013895", "prompt": "Which scientist is best known for research that led to the modern understanding of the atom?", "choices": ["Newton", "Dalton", "Galileo", "Copernicus"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_8_17682", "prompt": "Which body system typically recognizes, attacks, and destroys foreign cells or substances that may cause disease?", "choices": ["digestive", "excretory", "immune", "respiratory"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7194320", "prompt": "Cell membranes allow some molecules to move freely across the membrane, while other molecules are restricted. Which term best describes this capability of a cell membrane?", "choices": ["semipermeable", "impervious", "resilient", "unyielding"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7029785", "prompt": "Which statement describes the transfer of energy when an ice cube is placed in a cup of hot tea?", "choices": ["Heat flows from the tea to the ice.", "Cold flows from the ice to the tea.", "Cold flows from the ice, and heat flows from the tea.", "Heat flows simultaneously between the ice and the tea."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7284008", "prompt": "Which is the most cooperative relationship between species?", "choices": ["mutualism", "predation", "parasitism", "coexistence"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_402093", "prompt": "A dog rolls over and receives a treat. The dog rolls over again. This is an example of", "choices": ["learned behavior.", "adaptive behavior.", "inherited behavior.", "instinctive behavior."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_401313", "prompt": "Which type of rock is formed when particles are compacted and cemented together?", "choices": ["igneous", "metallic", "metamorphic", "sedimentary"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405490", "prompt": "Tree roots can grow into rock and break it apart. Water can freeze in the cracks of rock, causing it to break apart. How are these two processes alike?", "choices": ["Both are forces.", "Both affect weather.", "Both form new kinds of rock.", "Both are forms of weathering."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7160528", "prompt": "Energy is absorbed and released through endothermic and exothermic processes. Which is an example of an exothermic process?", "choices": ["ice melting", "ice sublimating", "water evaporating", "water freezing"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg130", "prompt": "Where is most fresh (non-salty) water on Earth located?", "choices": ["oceans", "rivers", "lakes", "polar ice caps"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7083773", "prompt": "When a molecule is separated into its component parts, it forms", "choices": ["compounds.", "atoms.", "protons.", "ions."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7188860", "prompt": "The universe is believed to be approximately 14 billion years old. As a result of gravitational attraction, which most likely developed first after the Big Bang?", "choices": ["a planet", "a comet", "a moon", "a star"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_14", "prompt": "Which is a function of the cardiovascular system?", "choices": ["to move water throughout the body", "to provide structural support for the body", "to eliminate waste from the body", "to transport gases throughout the body"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7113803", "prompt": "When a fern reproduces with spores, the offspring", "choices": ["will be genetically identical to the parent plant.", "will be better able to adapt to the environment.", "will have half the genetic materials of the parent plant.", "will have twice the genetic materials of the parent plant."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401136", "prompt": "The process of water changing from its liquid state to a gas in the water cycle is known as", "choices": ["precipitation.", "evaporation.", "condensation.", "translation."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "LEAP__7_10342", "prompt": "In which situation would osmosis most likely occur in cells?", "choices": ["across a permeable membrane that separates solutions of the same concentration", "across a permeable membrane that separates solutions of different concentrations", "across a nonpermeable membrane that separates solutions of the same concentration", "across a nonpermeable membrane that separates solutions of different concentrations"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405838", "prompt": "A scientist is watching birds from far away. Which object is the scientist most likely using to watch the birds?", "choices": ["goggles", "binoculars", "sunglasses", "microscope"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_26", "prompt": "Studies of earthquake waves have helped scientists determine the", "choices": ["structure of Earth's interior", "depth of the oceans", "cause of dinosaur extinction", "age of Earth"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_4_15", "prompt": "Needles on a cactus plant are actually leaves. This needle shape helps the plant survive by", "choices": ["catching food.", "preventing water loss.", "staying in place.", "reproducing."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_414155", "prompt": "Compost piles have many parts, such as leaves, moisture, vegetables, and microorganisms. Which part of a compost pile breaks down materials and adds nutrients to the soil?", "choices": ["leaves", "moisture", "vegetables", "microorganisms"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "CSZ_2008_8_12", "prompt": "A piece of pine wood floats on the surface of a lake because the water exerts", "choices": ["an upward force equal to the weight of the wood.", "a downward force equal to the weight of the wood.", "an upward force equal to the weight of the displacement water.", "a downward force equal to the weight of the displacement water."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "CSZ_2005_5_CSZ20517", "prompt": "All living things contain which element?", "choices": ["helium.", "sodium.", "copper.", "carbon."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406543", "prompt": "A student performed an experiment to see how long it would take for a cup of water to freeze. Which information would another student most likely need in order to perform the same experiment?", "choices": ["the time to begin", "the volume of the cup", "the temperature of the ice", "the type of thermometer to use"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406688", "prompt": "A student wants to know which type of soil holds the most water. Which action should the student most likely do to answer the question?", "choices": ["compare how the soils are alike", "put the soils into different groups", "record the weight of the soil", "watch how quickly the soil drains"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7205748", "prompt": "Which of these is required to support the theory of star formation?", "choices": ["laws passed by the government", "Internet sites discussing star formation", "pictures of stars of different ages", "evaluation of data by many scientists"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7007473", "prompt": "The frequency of a wave is measured in", "choices": ["hertz.", "meters.", "hertz/second.", "meters/minute."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_4_14", "prompt": "Which process causes the fastest changes to the surface of Earth?", "choices": ["a large glacier forming on a mountain", "strong winds wearing away a rock cliff", "a major earthquake happening in a mountain range", "many waves on a lake moving pebbles onto a beach"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7008348", "prompt": "Organisms contribute to the water cycle mainly through the process of", "choices": ["irrigation.", "evaporation.", "precipitation.", "transpiration."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401838", "prompt": "Which of these tools is most helpful to a scientist observing very small bacteria?", "choices": ["ruler", "telescope", "microscope", "meter stick"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7018428", "prompt": "Apple slices were divided evenly between two identical metal boxes. A lighted 20-watt incandescent light bulb was placed in box A, and a lighted 20-watt fluorescent light was placed in box B. The apple slices in box A dried faster than those in box B because", "choices": ["fluorescent light is a luminous light.", "incandescent light produces more heat.", "fluorescent light has a lower frequency.", "incandescent light causes a chemical reaction."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10272", "prompt": "What season is it in the United States when the South Pole is tilted toward the Sun?", "choices": ["summer", "fall", "winter", "spring"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_411737", "prompt": "Which of these colors of visible light has the shortest wavelength?", "choices": ["red", "green", "violet", "yellow"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_8_17696", "prompt": "Which of the following units best represents the density of an object?", "choices": ["kg", "hr", "m/s^2", "g/cm^3"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_400060", "prompt": "Which statement below best explains why several fossils of sea organisms were discovered buried deep in an area of dry land?", "choices": ["The fossils changed locations.", "The area had a shift in climate.", "The land was once underwater.", "A glacier once covered the area."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7094395", "prompt": "Last year Steve was shorter than his brother. This year Steve is taller than his brother. What cell process is directly responsible for Steve's growth?", "choices": ["diffusion", "mitosis", "osmosis", "respiration"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_402634", "prompt": "In which state are molecules of a substance arranged in the most orderly way?", "choices": ["gas", "liquid", "plasma", "solid"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7218908", "prompt": "Weather stations built in urban areas can be influenced by the human-made structures that surround these stations. Some of these weather stations used to determine mean temperatures in the United States have had the validity of the data questioned. Which human-produced effect could these urban weather stations be measuring?", "choices": ["heat island", "rain shadow", "land breeze", "cold front"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7037275", "prompt": "How is the mass of an atom calculated?", "choices": ["add the number of protons to the number of electrons", "add the number of protons to the number of neutrons", "subtract the number of protons from the number of neutrons", "subtract the number of electrons from the sum of protons and neutrons"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "LEAP__8_10366", "prompt": "Over a long period, some flowering plants have become dependent on honey bees for pollination. In recent years, a form of mite has infected and killed the honey bees in many areas of the country. Since this has happened, the once bee-dependent plants with the best chance of surviving are those that", "choices": ["grow taller so that the few remaining honey bees will find them.", "change their flowers so that wind will fertilize them.", "have always attracted many other insects as wells as honey bees.", "have seeds that stay alive for a long time in the environment."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7012495", "prompt": "Which of these atomic structures has the least amount of mass?", "choices": ["an ion", "a proton", "a neutron", "an electron"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7210350", "prompt": "An increase of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere is most likely to have which effect?", "choices": ["decreased variations in day length", "increased average air temperature", "increased burn rate for incoming meteoroids", "decreased rate of ozone layer destruction"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10270", "prompt": "Which of the following is an inherited human trait?", "choices": ["eye color", "sleep patterns", "sense of balance", "sense of humor"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405090", "prompt": "Snow turns to liquid water when it", "choices": ["freezes.", "melts.", "condenses.", "evaporates."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_34", "prompt": "Which energy source is nonrenewable?", "choices": ["sunlight", "biomass", "wind", "fossil fuel"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_402102", "prompt": "The Moon is in orbit around Earth. What keeps the Moon from changing its orbit?", "choices": ["friction", "gravity", "weight", "rotation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7220430", "prompt": "Which form of water, when present in the atmosphere, is most likely to contribute to global warming?", "choices": ["cloud", "rain", "vapor", "snow"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_31", "prompt": "Which statement explains why ducklings follow their mother when swimming across a pond?", "choices": ["Survival behavior is acquired by interaction with the parent duck.", "Survival behavior is learned by interacting with their environment.", "Inherited behavior is genetically obtained through their environment.", "Inherited behavior is genetically passed on from parents to offspring."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_8_29", "prompt": "Some students measure the mass of a small pile of leaves before and after the leaves decompose. Each time the students measure the mass, they place a container with the decomposing leaves on a balance. Before recording the mass of the leaves, the students must do which of the following?", "choices": ["Subtract the mass of the container", "Add leaves from other plants to the container", "Allow the leaves to settle in the container for a few days", "Use a metric ruler to measure the volume of the container"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7137480", "prompt": "Ava conducted an experiment to determine respiratory rates during different activities. She counted the number of breaths per minute. Ava noted that the number of breaths increases as physical activity increases. Why is there an increase in the number of breaths per minute as activity increases?", "choices": ["As activity increases, more oxygen is exhaled.", "As activity increases, breathing becomes more efficient.", "As activity increases, the oxygen needs of cells increase.", "As activity increases, the rate of the heart beating increases."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2015_8_20", "prompt": "The temperature in a classroom is 15\u00b0C (59\u00b0F). The teacher turns the thermostat to 20\u00b0C (68\u00b0F) and keeps the door closed. Which of the following statements best describes the change that occurs as the temperature in the room increases to 20\u00b0C?", "choices": ["Cold air molecules collide to generate heat energy.", "Cold energy in the room transforms into heat energy.", "The room becomes warmer as heat energy is added to the room.", "The room becomes warmer as cold energy is pushed out of the room."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7069388", "prompt": "A flat piece of paper has a mass of 5 grams. When the paper is crumpled into a ball, the mass of the crumpled paper is", "choices": ["much more than that of the flat paper.", "slightly more than that of the flat paper.", "the same as that of the flat paper.", "slightly less than that of the flat paper."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg87", "prompt": "Minerals are used for making many things including jewelry, chalk, and concrete. Where do we get the minerals needed to make these things?", "choices": ["from air", "from wood", "from rocks", "from crops"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7194495", "prompt": "Scientists have observed that, even within the same nest, some young birds call louder than others. Which describes how a louder cry helps to ensure survival?", "choices": ["Lung capacity is increased.", "Exposure to bacteria is increased.", "Parents are able to identify the nest.", "Parents respond by giving more food."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "OHAT_2008_8_15", "prompt": "Two galaxies are interacting with each other. What is the force that draws these two galaxies toward each other?", "choices": ["friction", "gravity", "electricity", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_49", "prompt": "Which procedure correctly describes materials combining?", "choices": ["Salt and sand are added to hot water and stirred making a mixture.", "Oil and water are placed in a sealed bottle and shaken making a compound.", "Sugar and water are added to flour and cooked in an oven making an element.", "Soil and water are shaken in a container and left to separate forming two elements."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408746", "prompt": "Plants growing in a pond release a gas that fish need to survive. Which gas do the plants release that fish use?", "choices": ["helium", "hydrogen", "nitrogen", "oxygen"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2009_7_9", "prompt": "A ball rolling on the ground is observed to slow down and stop. Based on Newton's first law of motion, what is the best conclusion?", "choices": ["An object in motion eventually stops.", "The ball must have been going slightly uphill.", "The ball did not have enough mass to keep going.", "There must have been an outside force acting on the ball."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_8_pg98", "prompt": "What is the chemical formula for carbon dioxide?", "choices": ["CO", "CO2", "C", "O2"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_7", "prompt": "A student rubs his hands together to warm them. His hands get warm due to", "choices": ["friction", "gravity", "magnetism", "sound"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7263655", "prompt": "Scientists studying migrating birds and homing pigeons have discovered that they navigate by monitoring differences in the intensity and inclination of Earth's magnetic field. Special cells in bird beaks can detect these changes as the birds fly over Earth's surface. Which metal did the scientists find in the cells that birds use as a magnetometer?", "choices": ["iron", "gold", "mercury", "aluminum"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2011_5_16", "prompt": "A scientist found a fossil of an organism that had gills. When the organism was living, the area in which it lived was most likely covered by ___.", "choices": ["forest", "grassland", "bare rock", "water"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400021", "prompt": "Which is the best way to help protect the environment?", "choices": ["wash hands before each meal", "do a science project about energy", "ride a bike to school instead of riding in a car", "pack a lunch instead of buying a school lunch"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_36", "prompt": "An electric motor is designed to turn electrical energy into ___.", "choices": ["solar energy", "potential energy", "static electricity", "mechanical energy"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405154", "prompt": "If a student playing the drums hits the drums with greater force, the sound would be", "choices": ["quieter.", "louder.", "lower in pitch.", "higher in pitch."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7128853", "prompt": "As the loudness of a sound wave increases, which will also increase?", "choices": ["amplitude", "frequency", "velocity", "wavelength"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7044240", "prompt": "Telescopes use lenses to observe distant objects such as stars. Which term best describes what happens when lenses bend and concentrate light?", "choices": ["reflecting", "polarizing", "diffracting", "refracting"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_407661", "prompt": "Which of these must occur when a substance goes through a chemical change?", "choices": ["The substance gets larger.", "The substance changes phases.", "The substance changes shape.", "The substance forms a new substance."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7234518", "prompt": "Scientists use ice cores to identify and explain previous climatic trends. By correlating climatic conditions recorded in the ice, with solid, nonsnow particles also found in the ice, scientists can help to predict the climatic impact of which phenomena?", "choices": ["atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration changes", "radioactive decay rate changes in the outer core", "volcanic eruptions", "magnetic pole reversals"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7179340", "prompt": "Coal, oil, and natural gas have high potential energies, which makes them valuable energy resources. In order to benefit from the energy available in these fossil fuels, the potential energy is converted most directly into which type of energy?", "choices": ["chemical", "electrical", "solar", "thermal"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "OHAT_2007_8_44", "prompt": "What change would occur if Earth's rate of rotation significantly increased?", "choices": ["The year would be shorter.", "The year would be longer.", "The day would be shorter.", "The day would be longer."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7099225", "prompt": "Humans can do many things to impact the environment. Which of these is an example of how humans negatively impact the environment?", "choices": ["planting more trees", "burning less fossil fuel", "reducing beach erosion", "increasing water runoff"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400183", "prompt": "Eyeglasses help a nearsighted person see as a result of", "choices": ["absorption.", "diffraction.", "reflection.", "refraction."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7206623", "prompt": "A student measures the rising temperature of heated water for 20 minutes in two-minute intervals. Which of these tools will best help the student organize the data?", "choices": ["flow chart", "pie chart", "data table", "bar graph"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7026513", "prompt": "A rock formation in a land area contains fossils. Over time, tremendous heat and pressure change the formation to produce a harder rock formation without fossils. Which change in rock type has occurred in this land area?", "choices": ["Igneous rock has turned into sedimentary rock.", "Igneous rock has turned into metamorphic rock.", "Sedimentary rock has turned into igneous rock.", "Sedimentary rock has turned into metamorphic rock."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_402092", "prompt": "Which is not an inherited trait in humans?", "choices": ["blue eyes", "long fingers", "calloused hands", "attached earlobes"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2007_5_31", "prompt": "The wind helps many plants reproduce by ___.", "choices": ["cooling the plants", "giving the plants moisture", "spreading the plants' pollen", "strengthening the plants' root systems"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_409111", "prompt": "The human hearing range is 20-20,000 hertz. A sound Peggy heard was measured at 15,000 hertz. Which characteristic best describes the sound wave that Peggy heard?", "choices": ["fast speed", "high frequency", "large amplitude", "long wavelength"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_8_1", "prompt": "A student is asked to measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling in a classroom. Which unit of measurement should the student most likely use to accurately measure this distance?", "choices": ["liter", "kiloliter", "meter", "kilometer"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_5", "prompt": "Which of the following explains why elements, such as carbon and oxygen, that are used in organic molecules are not permanently removed from the environment?", "choices": ["They are replenished by sunlight.", "They are cycled through ecosystems.", "They are replaced by volcanic eruptions.", "They are produced constantly from nutrients."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2007_5_57", "prompt": "A student is measuring the speed at which a ball rolls down a ramp. Which unit of measurement is the student most likely using to describe the speed of the ball?", "choices": ["meter per liter", "seconds per gram", "milligrams per liter", "centimeters per second"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408628", "prompt": "Marta and Roger are comparing how long it takes two different types of seeds to sprout. They plant both types of seeds in similar pots, place them in a sunny window, and water them daily. If they want to conduct their investigation correctly, which information is most important to record?", "choices": ["the depth of the soil", "the temperature of the water", "the number of days until the seeds sprout", "the size of pot used for growing the seeds"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401310", "prompt": "Deposition of sediment will most likely form a", "choices": ["cave.", "delta.", "river.", "mountain."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409172", "prompt": "During a space mission, scientists will send experiments for the astronauts to conduct in space. In many cases, scientists have made predictions about the outcome of the experiment. Why do astronauts perform the experiment if the results have already been predicted?", "choices": ["to obtain data to test a hypothesis", "to make a complete observation", "to make a report of the procedures", "to make a hypothesis understandable"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7211628", "prompt": "Approximately 14,000 years ago, the climate in North America began to warm rapidly. At the same time, human hunters migrated to the continent. Which of these most likely resulted from a combination of these two factors?", "choices": ["a reduction in the rate of species change", "an increase in the rate of large mammal extinctions", "an increase in the amount of interspecies cooperation", "a reduction in the total number of small parasitic insects"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_412777", "prompt": "Which is an SI unit for density?", "choices": ["lb", "kg", "lb/ft^3", "kg/m^3"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_4_35", "prompt": "In the United States, each day the Sun appears to", "choices": ["rise in the west and set in the east.", "rise in the east and set in the west.", "rise in the north and set in the south.", "rise in the south and set in the north."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401358", "prompt": "Which substance is magnetic and conducts heat?", "choices": ["wood", "plastic", "iron", "paper"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7181633", "prompt": "During a biochemical reaction, pyruvate (C3H4O3) is converted into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). In what cellular organelle does this biochemical reaction occur?", "choices": ["nucleus", "cytoplasm", "mitochondria", "endoplasmic reticulum"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_6", "prompt": "A student fails to eat a balanced diet over a period of time. This lack of a balanced diet can lead to", "choices": ["selective breeding", "dynamic equilibrium", "extinction", "disease"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_411027", "prompt": "In 1989, an oil spill off the coast of Alaska led to a decline in the population of many organisms. Which other population was most likely affected by the drop in population of the fish, otters, and seals?", "choices": ["deer", "eagles", "frogs", "snakes"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7267943", "prompt": "Which of these is the best reason for exercising on space flights?", "choices": ["to increase strength for moving around in the cabin", "to keep from becoming overweight on a space mission", "to minimize the loss of muscle mass due to microgravity", "to ensure that bodily fluids do not tend to collect in the feet"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406467", "prompt": "With the development of the microscope, scientists were able to see cells for the first time. Why was it difficult to view cells without a microscope?", "choices": ["Cells are small.", "Cells are alive.", "Cells move quickly.", "Cells have an electrical charge."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_29", "prompt": "Fertilizers can enable farmers to grow the same crop in a field for several years in a row. Farmers who use less fertilizer often rotate their crops by planting the crop one year and legumes, such as beans and clover, the following year. Fertilizer use and crop rotation with legumes both increase the availability of which of the following nutrients in soil?", "choices": ["calcium", "nitrogen", "oxygen", "protein"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_22", "prompt": "Which two processes occur during the life spans of all animals?", "choices": ["hibernation and migration", "growth and development", "changing color and shedding fur", "building nests and communication"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEAP_2005_8_16", "prompt": "Which of the following is true regarding the properties of an air mass?", "choices": ["An air mass is warmer at the leading edge and cooler at the trailing edge.", "An air mass has similar temperature and moisture properties throughout it.", "An air mass is cooler near the edges and has greater moisture near the center.", "An air mass has greater moisture near the edges and is cooler near the center."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402074", "prompt": "When entire communities in an ecosystem change over time, it is known as", "choices": ["migration.", "extinction.", "overpopulation.", "ecological succession."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7056543", "prompt": "What should be added to soil to increase its water retention?", "choices": ["pebbles", "sand", "rocks", "clay"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_4_11", "prompt": "A rosebush and a bird are similar because they both", "choices": ["are living organisms.", "need to search for food.", "make their own food.", "are non-living organisms."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7219118", "prompt": "The mineral quartz naturally forms in various colors. Which difference in quartz formation results in the different colors?", "choices": ["pressure at which the processes occurred", "temperature at which the processes occurred", "chemical impurities present as the processes occurred", "amount of time passed since the processes occurred"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7043873", "prompt": "What happens to a moist air mass as it moves upward in the atmosphere?", "choices": ["It becomes warmer and forms clouds.", "It becomes cooler and forms clouds.", "Its temperature remains the same.", "Its temperature varies greatly."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7207060", "prompt": "Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation from Earth's surface and re-radiates some of it back to Earth. Which of these gases have the most significant impact on the temperature of Earth's atmosphere?", "choices": ["nitrogen and argon", "oxygen and sulfur dioxide", "carbon dioxide and water vapor", "hydrochloric acid and hydrogen"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7090563", "prompt": "Volcanoes are considered constructive because they", "choices": ["deposit lava.", "cause erosion.", "trigger earthquakes.", "release gases."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402623", "prompt": "What happens to sugar when it is combined with water?", "choices": ["it separates", "it dissolves", "it floats to the top", "it becomes warm"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416138", "prompt": "Pesticides are chemicals that kill insects. What could happen if the pesticides killed all the pollinators near some apple trees?", "choices": ["The trees could not make leaves.", "The trees could not make flowers.", "The trees could not make seeds.", "The trees could not make bark."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405510", "prompt": "Which statement describes the formation of a delta?", "choices": ["A large mass of ice and snow accumulates.", "A mound of sand is built by wind.", "A low area of land is surrounded by mountains.", "A mass of sediment is deposited at the mouth of a river."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MDSA_2013_8_33", "prompt": "Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water. The water in this reaction is described as", "choices": ["an atom", "a reactant", "an element", "a compound"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7271373", "prompt": "Which of these cell parts store genetic instructions for the entire organism and transfers them from one generation to the next?", "choices": ["chloroplasts", "mitochondria", "DNA molecules", "nuclear membranes"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_400629", "prompt": "Which list describes the particles that make up an atom?", "choices": ["nucleus, electrons, and quarks", "protons, neutron, and electrons", "ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and ions", "nucleus, electron cloud, and energy levels"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEA_2010_8_9", "prompt": "Earth has a limited supply of fresh drinking water. Which method is used to recycle water for humans to use?", "choices": ["bottling water", "dam construction", "collecting rainwater", "wastewater treatment"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7217595", "prompt": "A plover bird eats bits of food that become stuck in a crocodile's teeth without being hurt. The crocodile gets its teeth cleaned and the bird gets food. Which type of relationship exists between the bird and the crocodile?", "choices": ["mutualism", "commensalism", "parasitism", "phototropism"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEA_2010_8_6-v1", "prompt": "What can scientists learn about the past by studying sedimentary rocks?", "choices": ["how a species changed over time", "how animals made a shelter", "the color of leaves on a plant", "the number of chambers in a dinosaur's heart"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_39", "prompt": "A scientific explanation should include a demonstration of the relationships between", "choices": ["measurement, form, and function.", "changes, interactions, and formulas.", "logic, evidence, and current knowledge.", "hypothesis, problem solving, and lab equipment."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_406546", "prompt": "A plant that has traits identical to the parent plant provides evidence that the plant", "choices": ["resulted from sexual reproduction.", "resulted from asexual reproduction.", "will develop many seeds.", "will have large leaves."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_8_15", "prompt": "Which property would best help a student determine if two substances are made of two different elements?", "choices": ["mass", "shape", "density", "volume"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400610", "prompt": "Evidence of organisms that lived on Earth a long time ago would most likely be found in", "choices": ["crystals.", "lava.", "sedimentary rock.", "metamorphic rock."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400532", "prompt": "Which type of energy does a radiator give off ?", "choices": ["heat", "light", "solar", "electrical"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_8_1", "prompt": "While hiking through Granville State Forest, a student finds an unusual plant-like organism that appears to lack chlorophyll. When the student examines a sample using a microscope, he sees many cells with cell walls and no chloroplasts. This organism is most likely a member of what Kingdom?", "choices": ["Animalia", "Eubacteria", "Fungi", "Protista"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_400620", "prompt": "A student conducts an experiment to determine the effect soap has on the growth of radish seeds. He puts 30 seeds in three different dishes: one with water, one with a 1% soap solution, and one with a 10% soap solution. Which type of data should he collect?", "choices": ["size of seeds and amount of solution used", "time of day and number of seeds germinated", "type of detergent and amount of solution used", "number of seeds germinated and average length of shoot"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_8_2015_12", "prompt": "Which of the following statements best describes how the use of interchangeable parts has affected car manufacturing?", "choices": ["The number of cars produced has decreased.", "The need for custom manufacturing has increased.", "The efficiency of manufacturing plants has increased.", "The number of countries producing cars has decreased."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7234623", "prompt": "Which quantity must equal zero if a car is moving at a constant rate along a straight line?", "choices": ["speed of the car", "direction of the car", "energy of the car", "acceleration of the car"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7211260", "prompt": "Which widely used energy sources are nonrenewable and also a source of greenhouse gas emissions?", "choices": ["wind turbines", "hydroelectric dams", "fossil fuels", "solar cells"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2001_8_19", "prompt": "Use the information below to answer the question. In solid fuel rockets, a fuel mixture is burned and once the mixture starts burning it cannot be stopped. In liquid fuel rockets, there is a tank of fuel and a tank of oxygen. The burning of the fuel can be stopped by preventing the flow of fuel and oxygen into the combustion chamber. Based on this information, which system is more highly developed in liquid fuel rockets than in solid fuel rockets?", "choices": ["propulsion", "suspension", "control", "structure"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402117", "prompt": "Some research has shown that the burning of fossil fuels contributes to an effect called global warming, which scientists believe is changing the chemical makeup of Earth's atmosphere. Use of which invention would help lower this effect?", "choices": ["electric car", "digital camera", "high-speed Internet", "battery-powered radio"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg29", "prompt": "Which food contains the highest percentage of protein?", "choices": ["rice", "dates", "carrots", "chicken"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401126", "prompt": "When conducting an investigation involving an open flame, it is most important to", "choices": ["turn out the lights to see better.", "smell the product that is being burned.", "work near the sink to put out possible fires.", "wear appropriate protective clothing and eyewear."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7267488", "prompt": "In ecosystems where people live, which of the following are most likely to cause an increase in diseases transmitted by water?", "choices": ["floods", "blizzards", "hailstorms", "avalanches"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "OHAT_2010_8_29", "prompt": "Aphids are small insects that sometimes live near ants. The ants protect the aphids from predators. The aphids produce a sweet substance that the ants eat. Which statement describes the relationship between ants and aphids?", "choices": ["Both ants and aphids benefit.", "Both ants and aphids are unaffected.", "The ants benefit and the aphids are harmed.", "The aphids benefit and the ants are unaffected."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7132370", "prompt": "Soil will pack down over time which decreases the ability of the soil to hold water. Which animals would best help the soil hold water?", "choices": ["earthworms making tunnels under the surface", "cattle making depressions with their hooves", "horses making trenches when they gallop", "sheep pulling up plants by their roots"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7162803", "prompt": "At an archaeological dig site, scientists, volunteers, and students collect items used by people living hundreds of years ago. To determine the history of the different people who may have lived at the site, which is the best method to classify the recovered items?", "choices": ["by the type of item", "by the size of the item", "by the person who located the item", "by the soil layer where the item was found"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7026530", "prompt": "It is hypothesized that in the next 200 years, the lowest land areas on Earth could be submerged beneath rising oceans. Which climate change would most likely cause this to occur?", "choices": ["global warming", "decreased winds", "the start of an ice age", "increased desertification"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_8_23653", "prompt": "Miriam notices when she goes to the beach that sometimes the water rises as high as the pier. At other times of the day, the water barely covers the pillars under the pier. These differences in water level are primarily due to the gravitational influence of which of the following?", "choices": ["the Sun", "the Moon", "asteroids", "comets"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "CSZ_2009_8_CSZ30585", "prompt": "Copper (Cu) reacts with oxygen (O) to form copper oxide (CuO). The properties of CuO are most likely", "choices": ["different from copper or oxygen.", "similar to both copper and oxygen.", "similar only to copper.", "similar only to oxygen."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_8_2014_13", "prompt": "Carbon dioxide produced by cells is removed from the body primarily by which body system?", "choices": ["digestive", "excretory", "immune", "respiratory"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_416377", "prompt": "The ocean minimum zone, or OMZ, is an area from 200 to 600 meters below the ocean's surface. The OMZ is dark and cold, with oxygen concentrations less than 10% of concentrations in surface water. Oxygen concentrations are so low because of bacterial activity that breaks down organic material falling from surface waters. Given the conditions in the OMZ, which of these dissolved gases would you expect to find in large concentrations in this zone?", "choices": ["argon", "nitrogen", "carbon dioxide", "carbon monoxide"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_407668", "prompt": "Two students went fishing one morning and caught 20 fish. The afternoon before, they caught 5 fish. Because of their morning success, they claimed that morning was the best time to fish. Which of these would most likely disprove their claim?", "choices": ["catching more than 20 fish in the same location", "catching more than 20 fish in another location", "catching more than 20 fish the next afternoon", "catching more than 20 fish the next morning"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406664", "prompt": "Which question can be answered by scientific experimentation and observation?", "choices": ["Are dogs better pets than cats?", "How many stars are in the universe?", "In what type of light will a plant grow best?", "How many organisms have lived on Earth?"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7188510", "prompt": "During cellular respiration glucose molecules undergo a series of reactions. This process results in the formation of up to 38 molecules of high-energy ATP per each molecule of glucose. Which is the source of the energy stored in these ATP molecules?", "choices": ["kinetic energy generated by the chemical reactions", "chemical energy originally stored in the glucose molecule", "electric current created during the destruction of electrons in the glucose", "potential energy from the difference in the concentration gradients of the cell"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7146178", "prompt": "Lea is investigating how phosphates affect oxygen levels in pond water. For part of the investigation, she uses pond water that contains no phosphates. The pond water without phosphates would be what part of the investigation?", "choices": ["conclusion", "hypothesis", "control group", "experimental group"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_16", "prompt": "Which tool should a student use to examine spots on a frog?", "choices": ["thermometer", "hand lens", "graduated cylinder", "magnet"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408740", "prompt": "A group of scientists is studying the effect of cell phone signals on honeybees. Before starting the investigation, the scientists stated that the bees exposed to cell phone signals will have difficulty finding their way back to the hive. Which term best describes the statement made by the group of scientists?", "choices": ["control", "data", "hypothesis", "variable"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401811", "prompt": "Which system is most responsible for transporting blood throughout the body?", "choices": ["skeletal system", "excretory system", "digestive system", "circulatory system"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_8_23", "prompt": "Five hundred flies of one species were sprayed with a new insecticide. Twenty-four hours later, nearly all the flies were dead. However, a few survived. Which principle best explains why some flies survived?", "choices": ["Animals adapt to new environments.", "New species develop from survivors.", "There is variation among individuals within a species.", "Insecticides may cause genetic mutations."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7124268", "prompt": "A student investigated the effect of the color of light on the growth of plants. Red, yellow, and green lights were used in the experiment. If another student were to conduct the same experiment, which would be the most important procedure to follow to yield the same results?", "choices": ["to do the investigation at the same time of year", "to use the same chart for recording growth", "to do the investigation in the same room", "to use the same colors of lights"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400663", "prompt": "A large mammal lives in a cold, snowy environment. Which adaptation would best help the mammal survive in low temperatures?", "choices": ["thick fur", "sharp claws", "large ears", "strong muscles"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7207078", "prompt": "The temperatures in space vary from extremely cold to extremely hot. Earth's surface temperature is relatively stable. Which of these is most responsible for Earth's surface temperatures?", "choices": ["solar radiation reflected from the Moon", "many volcanic eruptions near the Ring of Fire", "the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere", "plankton distribution in shallow ocean waters"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_8_10", "prompt": "Which of the following correctly lists the organizational hierarchy of organisms from simplest to most complex?", "choices": ["cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, organisms", "cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms", "tissues, cells, organs, organ systems, organisms", "tissues, organs, cells, organ systems, organisms"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416136", "prompt": "The carrion flower smells like rotting meat. What kind of pollinator is most likely attracted to the carrion flower?", "choices": ["moth", "butterfly", "wasp", "fly"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NAEP_2000_8_S11+5", "prompt": "Which of the following best explains why the pressure inside a high-flying airplane must be controlled?", "choices": ["At high altitudes there is greater atmospheric pressure than on the surface of the Earth.", "At high altitudes there is lower atmospheric pressure than on the surface of the Earth.", "If the cabin is not pressurized, ozone and other upper atmospheric gases will enter the airplane.", "If the cabin is not pressurized, carbon dioxide will escape from the airplane."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400376", "prompt": "Hurricanes are large, powerful storms that form as they travel over warm ocean waters. What do oceans add to make hurricanes so strong?", "choices": ["salt and water", "wind and tides", "heat and moisture", "waves and flooding"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_19", "prompt": "Abnormal cell division may result in", "choices": ["disease prevention", "tissue repair", "metamorphosis", "cancer"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP__7_10345", "prompt": "What is the main reason humans need nitrogen to survive?", "choices": ["Nitrogen is used in respiration to generate energy.", "Nitrogen is used in making the proteins in the body.", "Nitrogen is used to help the body eliminate wastes.", "Nitrogen is used by nerve cells to conduct impulses."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7161473", "prompt": "The phases of the Moon are daily changes in the appearance of the Moon. One reason Moon phases occur is because the Moon reflects sunlight. Which is another reason that the phases of the Moon occur?", "choices": ["Earth is tilted on the axis.", "The Moon rises and sets.", "The Moon orbits Earth.", "Earth orbits the Sun."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_42", "prompt": "Some campers are sitting around a campfire outside their tent. Which product of the fire is in the form of electromagnetic waves?", "choices": ["light", "smoke", "sound", "water vapor"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_410467", "prompt": "Jon had a flat tire on his car. He used a hydraulic jack to lift the car up so that he could change the tire. If Jon knows the amount of force used to lift the car 0.25 meter off of the ground, what is he able to calculate?", "choices": ["momentum", "power", "pressure", "work"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416161", "prompt": "Which organ is made mostly of muscle?", "choices": ["heart", "lung", "ear", "brain"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_404614", "prompt": "Which is considered a property of soil?", "choices": ["streak", "fracture", "texture", "luster"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7220833", "prompt": "Which of these had the greatest impact on the current shape of Nevada's basin and range landscape?", "choices": ["tidal forces", "wind erosion", "plate tectonics", "global warming"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_9_19-v1", "prompt": "Which of the following is the primary way that evergreen trees planted on the north and west sides of residences in Massachusetts help reduce winter heating costs?", "choices": ["They insulate against cold air.", "They optimize solar heating.", "They reduce radiant cooling.", "They act as a windbreak."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407376", "prompt": "Air is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases. Based on that information, air can be described as", "choices": ["a compound.", "an element.", "a mixture.", "a molecule."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2008_5_5", "prompt": "Which action should be taken in order to identify the streak of a mineral during an investigation?", "choices": ["Weigh the mineral", "Dip the mineral in acid", "Heat the mineral until it melts", "Drag an edge of the mineral across a tile"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7220010", "prompt": "In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. Without insulin, people that have Type 1 diabetes are unable to regulate blood glucose levels. What two symptoms are most likely associated with Type 1 diabetes?", "choices": ["extreme thirst and weight loss", "intense aches and spasms", "severe loss of hearing and vision", "excessive loss of coordination and memory"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7041878", "prompt": "When the cardboard cone of a radio speaker vibrates, it produces a sound in the air around it. The cone produces this sound by transferring which of the following to the air around it?", "choices": ["heat", "current", "wave motion", "magnetic force"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10126", "prompt": "During a demonstration, a teacher pours CO_{2} gas over a candle, putting out the flame. Which physical property allows the teacher to pour the CO_{2} gas?", "choices": ["The gas is more dense than the air.", "The gas is more visible than the air.", "The gas smells different from the air.", "The gas evaporates faster than the air."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7030783", "prompt": "Atoms of the same element can have different atomic masses because they can have different numbers of", "choices": ["neutrons.", "protons.", "electrons.", "neutrinos."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402642", "prompt": "Which would be the best conductor of electricity?", "choices": ["air", "cork", "water", "silver"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401269", "prompt": "Part of a scientific method involves collecting data in order to", "choices": ["change a theory.", "test a hypothesis.", "write a procedure.", "make an observation."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7162785", "prompt": "Gravity is a measurable force of attraction which acts upon objects. Which characteristic determines the gravity of an object?", "choices": ["friction", "mass", "tension", "weight"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg102", "prompt": "Which is NOT an example of a chemical change?", "choices": ["Melting ice", "corroding silver", "Burning match", "Rotting vegetation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_30", "prompt": "Seasons in Alaska are primarily caused by which factor as Earth revolves around the Sun?", "choices": ["the tilt of Earth on its axis", "the rate of rotation of Earth", "the effects of solar flare activity", "the relative distance between Earth and the Sun"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7032393", "prompt": "A student needs to measure out a precise amount of liquid. What is the best tool for the student to use?", "choices": ["test tube", "meter stick", "balance scale", "graduated cylinder"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_23", "prompt": "An octopus squirts black ink around itself to hide from predators. This adaptation is an example of", "choices": ["creating shelter", "recycling nutrients", "a transfer of energy", "a defense mechanism"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10177", "prompt": "Earthquakes are vibrations of Earth's crust. What device is used to measure the size of an earthquake?", "choices": ["barometer", "Doppler radar", "depth scale", "seismograph"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_L3", "prompt": "A girl found the skull of an animal. She did not know what the animal was but she was sure that it preyed on other animals for its food. What clue led to this conclusion?", "choices": ["The eye sockets faced sideways.", "The skull was much longer than it was wide.", "There was a projecting ridge along the top of the skull.", "Four of the teeth were long and pointed.", "The jaws could move sideways as well as up and down."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg25", "prompt": "Which one of these animals does NOT lay eggs?", "choices": ["chickens", "dogs", "frogs", "turtles"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_416637", "prompt": "Which characteristic does a euglena share with an amoeba?", "choices": ["They reproduce by mitosis.", "They eat by phagocytosis.", "They respond to light stimuli.", "They move by changing shape."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEAP_2005_8_1", "prompt": "Which of the following is most likely to disrupt the natural balance in an ecosystem?", "choices": ["introduction of a non-native species", "reduced daylight hours during winter", "preventing the cutting of trees in forests", "riverbank erosion resulting from springtime flooding"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10287", "prompt": "Which of these correctly lists Earth's layers in order from the center to the surface?", "choices": ["outer core, inner core, asthenosphere, lithosphere", "asthenosphere, lithosphere, outer core, inner core", "inner core, asthenosphere, lithosphere, outer core", "inner core, outer core, asthenosphere, lithosphere"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7107993", "prompt": "The element nitrogen can be found in simple, nonliving substances, such as air, and in complex molecules in living organisms, such as DNA. Which statement explains why nitrogen can exist in many compounds?", "choices": ["Nitrogen atoms are different sizes.", "Nitrogen atoms are different ages.", "Nitrogen atoms can bond to different atoms.", "Nitrogen atoms have different amounts of energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7238928", "prompt": "An enzyme in the Golgi apparatus catalyzes the addition of phosphates to which class of molecule?", "choices": ["lipid", "carbohydrate", "nucleic acid", "protein"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NAEP_2005_8_S13+8", "prompt": "Which is an example of water condensing? 1.", "choices": ["puddle disappearing on a hot summer afternoon", "Sweat forming on your forehead after you do a lot of exercise", "Ice cubes melting when you put them out in the sun", "Dew forming on plants during a cold night"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400306", "prompt": "A delta at the mouth of a river is the direct result of", "choices": ["runoff from sewage.", "deposition of sediment.", "an ancient glacier that passed through.", "an underground river flowing to the ocean."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7173880", "prompt": "Scientists have studied convergent boundaries and the results of the collisions. Besides the fact that mountains occur at these boundaries, which other part of the rock cycle is most likely associated with these areas of convergence?", "choices": ["development of chemical rocks", "development of extrusive rocks", "development of layered rocks", "development of folded rocks"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2015_7_1", "prompt": "Which statement best describes the effect deforestation has on Earth's atmosphere?", "choices": ["The amount of oxygen increases.", "The amount of methane increases.", "The amount of water vapor increases.", "The amount of carbon dioxide increases."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401275", "prompt": "Many scientists think that when birds migrate to the same location each year, they find this location by using Earth's", "choices": ["jet stream.", "weather patterns.", "magnetic patterns.", "electrical discharges."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400361", "prompt": "Which form of energy do plants need to capture in order to perform photosynthesis?", "choices": ["heat", "solar", "chemical", "electrical"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7026775", "prompt": "A large number of species on Earth became extinct during a short time period about 65 million years ago. Based on this pattern of extinction, which is the most likely cause?", "choices": ["gradual climate change", "continued climate stability", "sudden global climate change", "gradual ecosystem succession"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7284095", "prompt": "Sofia put a bat house in a tree in her yard. The bats ate mosquitos in Sofia's yard at night and roosted in the house during the day. Droppings from the bat house nourished the tree. What kind of relationship exists between Sofia, the bats, and the tree?", "choices": ["The relationship is competitive.", "The relationship is cooperative.", "The relationship is parasitic.", "The relationship is predatory."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10901", "prompt": "Which of the following is the most basic need for a plant?", "choices": ["shade", "heat", "water", "sand"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7123445", "prompt": "A scientific article about the universe will most likely describe the universe as", "choices": ["consisting of billions of galaxies.", "being less than two billion years old.", "containing approximately ten planets.", "becoming smaller over time."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_11", "prompt": "Which tool would be most useful for observing the details of an insect's wings?", "choices": ["thermometer", "balance", "hand lens", "graduated cylinder"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_40", "prompt": "The instructions below outline the procedure for a demonstration. Materials: four 100 g metal blocks, each of a different metal four polystyrene foam cups, each containing 150 g of 10\u00b0C water Procedure: 1. Place the four cups of water next to each other on the lab bench. 2. Heat each block to a temperature of 60\u00b0C. 3. Place each heated block in a separate cup of 10\u00b0C water. 4. Measure the temperature change in each cup of water after 100 s. At the end of the demonstration, which block raised the temperature of the 10\u00b0C water the greatest amount?", "choices": ["the block with the greatest density", "the block with the lowest surface area", "the block with the greatest specific heat", "the block with the lowest thermal conductivity"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402270", "prompt": "On the Galapagos Islands, an iguana that lives in the water is most likely able to survive without competition from an iguana that lives on land because it", "choices": ["swims faster.", "has a larger body.", "has a tougher scaly skin.", "has a different food source."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2007_3_15", "prompt": "Which of these warms most of the air, water, and land on Earth?", "choices": ["Coal", "Electricity", "Sunlight", "Wind"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7138863", "prompt": "A teacher was discussing with the class that a bowling ball has more inertia than a basketball. Which physical property is most likely being compared?", "choices": ["area", "mass", "weight", "volume"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415738", "prompt": "A dark colored wall becomes warm when the Sun is shining on it. After the Sun sets, a person standing a meter away can feel warmth from the wall. How does heat transfer from the wall to the person?", "choices": ["radiation", "conduction", "convection", "insulation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7009573", "prompt": "During exercise, the cardiovascular system works together with the respiratory system to", "choices": ["maintain blood pressure.", "remove carbon dioxide.", "produce red blood cells.", "filter out waste products."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402053", "prompt": "How does flipping a switch turn on a light?", "choices": ["It creates a spark.", "It breaks an electrical circuit.", "It generates electricity.", "It completes an electrical circuit."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_8_23650", "prompt": "A ship has a satellite communication device to identify the ship's position at sea. For which of the following activities is this device most likely used?", "choices": ["control", "guidance", "propulsion", "suspension"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_5_12", "prompt": "The purpose of thorns on a plant is most likely to", "choices": ["help the plant to get moisture.", "anchor the plant in the ground.", "protect the plant from harm.", "support the stems and branches."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_5_21", "prompt": "Which of the following is best classified as a nonrenewable resource?", "choices": ["Grass", "Aluminum", "Sunlight", "Oxygen"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_26", "prompt": "Which of these are the deepest parts of the ocean?", "choices": ["Continental shelves", "Continental slopes", "Ocean trenches", "Abyssal plains"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_7_2", "prompt": "Which human body system forms a barrier between internal body structures and the external environment?", "choices": ["nervous", "digestive", "circulatory", "integumentary"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400523", "prompt": "Decaying plants and animals are important to an ecosystem because they", "choices": ["cause disease in living organisms.", "reduce soil erosion.", "recycle oxygen to the air.", "return nutrients to the soil."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402094", "prompt": "The area of a small ocean island is slowly shrinking. This is most likely the result of which occurrence?", "choices": ["plant growth", "beach erosion", "dissolving rock", "falling water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7122500", "prompt": "Which of these will most likely result from small meteoroids entering the atmosphere of Earth?", "choices": ["a decrease in air temperature", "the appearance of shooting stars", "an decrease in atmospheric ozone", "the appearance of the Northern Lights"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7107310", "prompt": "A main advantage to organisms that reproduce sexually is", "choices": ["being able to conserve energy.", "having large numbers of offspring.", "greater genetic diversity.", "longer life spans."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7007840", "prompt": "A pan containing hot water is left on the counter and becomes cool mainly due to", "choices": ["water molecules moving apart.", "cold air penetrating the hot water.", "heat from the water moving into the cooler air.", "hot water reacting with the metal pan."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "AIMS_2008_8_12", "prompt": "James placed a breath mint and a lump of toothpaste in a cup of water and let it sit overnight. Which statement best explains why the breath mint was gone the following morning, but the toothpaste was still at the bottom of the cup?", "choices": ["The breath mint was less soluble than the toothpaste.", "The breath mint was more soluble than the toothpaste.", "The breath mint had a lower density than the toothpaste.", "The breath mint had a greater density than the toothpaste."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415350", "prompt": "Which is an inherited characteristic on a horse?", "choices": ["a long mane", "a steel shoe", "a missing tooth", "a bruised leg"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_17", "prompt": "Scientists classify matter into various groups. Which group is typically described by the characteristics listed below? \u2022 usually solid at room temperature \u2022 can be bent or changed in shape without breaking \u2022 show a shiny luster when scratched or polished", "choices": ["metals", "nonmetals", "elements", "compounds"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_404998", "prompt": "Sound waves travel the fastest through dense materials. Through which of these would sound waves travel the SLOWEST?", "choices": ["air", "glass", "metal", "water"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400600", "prompt": "A student dissolves a spoonful of sugar in a glass of water and makes a", "choices": ["solute.", "solvent.", "solution.", "suspension."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401611", "prompt": "Many scientists are convinced that an increase of certain gases in the atmosphere is affecting global temperatures. What makes this hypothesis difficult to prove?", "choices": ["Trees absorb these gases.", "Global temperatures are rising.", "Many variables affect global temperatures.", "Many human activities produce these gases."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_53", "prompt": "How can the rate of an infectious disease be drastically reduced?", "choices": ["by taking medication daily", "by preventing transmission between people", "by wearing clean clothing daily", "by performing dental hygiene three times each day"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7077490", "prompt": "Which is needed to determine the amount of gravitational force between two objects?", "choices": ["weight and time", "distance and mass", "volume and mass", "area and weight"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_38", "prompt": "Which tool, when properly used, would best help a student classify a basket of apples into groups based on mass?", "choices": ["balance", "thermometer", "meter stick", "graduated cylinder"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_3_38", "prompt": "Ice cubes are an example of which form of water?", "choices": ["Gas", "Liquid", "Solid", "Natural"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7251720", "prompt": "Which explains how the epithelium offers protection to land-dwelling vertebrates?", "choices": ["Epithelium provides a rigid shell to prevent punctures.", "Epithelium has capillaries to resist iron deficiency.", "Epithelium insulates the vertebrate from hypothermia.", "Epithelium prevents dehydration in vertebrates."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_405461", "prompt": "Which is the most likely way a scientist collects data during an experiment?", "choices": ["calculator", "graphs", "observations", "computer"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_404899", "prompt": "Which must be present in order for something to be classified as an organism?", "choices": ["nucleus", "organ", "cell", "organelle"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_404107", "prompt": "Which mineral is most likely to be found in all of the three major rock types known as metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary?", "choices": ["halite", "quartz", "gypsum", "sulfur"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_10", "prompt": "A student rubs her hands together on a cold winter day. The heat that warms her hands is produced by", "choices": ["friction", "gravity", "light", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_19", "prompt": "When ocean waters become too warm, some whales travel to colder water. This movement is an example of", "choices": ["nest building", "hunting", "migrating", "hibernating"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_405852", "prompt": "Students visit an aquarium and watch how an octopus behaves in its tank. Which behavior did the octopus most likely learn from its aquarium environment?", "choices": ["waiting to be fed at the aquarium door", "catching food using its arms", "being more active at night", "hiding behind rocks"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_18", "prompt": "The main function of a fish's fins is to help the fish", "choices": ["reproduce", "see", "breathe", "move"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7166950", "prompt": "Stars appear to be blue, white, yellow, and red, even without the aid of a telescope. What causes the different colors of the stars?", "choices": ["the surface temperature", "the distance from Earth", "the distance from the Sun", "the gases that compose the star"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400065", "prompt": "What keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?", "choices": ["air resistance", "friction", "gravity", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2009_8_29", "prompt": "Use the information below to answer the question. Cotton is a plant product used to make fabric. Cotton is made of cellulose, a fiber not digestible by humans. Cellulose is composed of many sugar molecules bonded together into long chains. Each sugar molecule contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. When cotton fabric is washed, wrinkles often form. The clothing industry uses chemicals to manufacture some cotton fabrics that are wrinkle-free. Dyes are also added to color the cellulose fibers in cotton. A feature that is common to both cellulose and sugar is that both are", "choices": ["magnetic", "elements", "compounds", "soluble in water"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_417461", "prompt": "Which animal is an example of an annelid?", "choices": ["an anteater", "a honey bee", "a sea star", "an earthworm"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7271163", "prompt": "What ALWAYS happens when the nucleotides in a strand of DNA is rearranged?", "choices": ["The information on the strand changes.", "The mass of the strand changes.", "The organism dies.", "The organism thrives."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7139720", "prompt": "The surface of Earth is composed of large tectonic plates that are constantly shifting as they float on top of molten rock. Which process must occur in the mantle to make the plates move?", "choices": ["normal faulting", "seafloor spreading", "igneous intrusions", "convection currents"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_400256", "prompt": "Which set of tools would be best to use for dissecting in a biology lab?", "choices": ["pen, paper, and a computer", "scissors, forceps, and a scalpel", "petri dish, flask, and a Bunsen burner", "glass slides, dye, and a light microscope"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10618", "prompt": "Which of these moves in a regular path around the Sun?", "choices": ["a planet", "a constellation", "a meteor", "a star"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_39", "prompt": "Which would best allow a species to survive environmental changes?", "choices": ["similar physical features", "low mutation rate", "small population", "genetic diversity"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400603", "prompt": "An electrical component that has a continuous path for electrons to flow is called", "choices": ["a closed circuit.", "an open circuit.", "a filament.", "a battery."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7174003", "prompt": "In certain areas, tectonic plates move over hot spots. Which landforms are most likely associated with these hot spots?", "choices": ["trenches", "volcanoes", "island arcs", "mid-ocean ridges"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401629", "prompt": "Which tools are used to determine the boiling point of water?", "choices": ["hot plate and stopwatch", "thermometer and balance", "hot plate and thermometer", "balance and graduated cylinder"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7037345", "prompt": "A substance that carries sound waves is called", "choices": ["a fulcrum.", "a medium.", "a spectrum.", "an equilibrium."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_12", "prompt": "Which force causes a bicycle to slow down when the brakes are used?", "choices": ["friction", "electricity", "gravity", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7112805", "prompt": "The ichthyornis was a type of bird that lived over 65 million years ago. It lived near the sea and hunted for fish over the water. Fossils have been found in Kansas, many miles from the present-day ocean. Which cause of extinction is most likely to be found in the fossil record along with ichthyornis fossils?", "choices": ["changes in the environment", "diseases causing illness", "changes in the weather", "predator animals"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405482", "prompt": "Indigo buntings are birds that nest in Florida during the summer. Male buntings are bright blue in color while females are a dull brown. How does the dull brown color of the female buntings help the species survive?", "choices": ["It helps male birds find a mate.", "It helps the birds find food more easily.", "It helps hide the birds while they sit on their nests.", "It helps the birds find the flock when migrating."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg81", "prompt": "Which of these things will dissolve in water?", "choices": ["iron filings", "wood chips", "sand", "sugar"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MDSA_2011_8_33", "prompt": "Students combined baking soda and vinegar to demonstrate a chemical reaction. What indicates that a chemical reaction occurred?", "choices": ["the formation of bubbles", "a reduction in total mass", "the disappearance of atoms", "an increase in the number of atoms"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7137130", "prompt": "The loudness of sound can be changed by", "choices": ["decreasing the pitch.", "increasing the frequency.", "increasing the amplitude.", "decreasing the wavelength."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_26", "prompt": "A mineral sample is obtained from a box, and acid is dropped on the sample to determine if it bubbles. Which best describes what should be done with the mineral after testing it?", "choices": ["Return the mineral to its box.", "Rinse the mineral with water, dry it, and return it to the box.", "Wipe the mineral with a paper towel and return it to the box.", "Put the mineral in the sink and leave it for the teacher to clean up."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413135", "prompt": "At what temperature does water begin to boil?", "choices": ["0\u00b0C", "32\u00b0C", "100\u00b0C", "212\u00b0C"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_409065", "prompt": "Rosa and Ted ate granola bars before competing in a swimming competition. Less than 50% of the chemical energy in the granola bars was converted to mechanical energy during the swim competition. If all the energy in the granola bars was used, which most likely happened to the rest of the energy?", "choices": ["It was lost as potential energy.", "It was lost as chemical energy.", "It was converted to thermal energy.", "It was converted to magnetic energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7230598", "prompt": "What is the primary energy source driving circulation of ocean currents on Earth?", "choices": ["geothermal heating", "planetary rotation", "solar heating", "lunar tidal forces"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7131023", "prompt": "Which statement best explains why the force of a hurricane diminishes as the hurricane moves over land?", "choices": ["A high pressure area develops.", "The sea level rises on the coast.", "The winds start to spin clockwise.", "The supply of warm, moist air decreases."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_8_48", "prompt": "n 1931, Barbara McClintock discovered that genes could change position on a chromosome. In corn plants, if a certain gene was moved next to the gene that controls kernel color, the kernels in an ear of corn were various colors. Which statement best supports McClintock's discovery?", "choices": ["Genes control inherited traits in organisms.", "Corn plants can reproduce in laboratory environments.", "Chromosomes can move around in the nucleus of a cell.", "Genes are able to disappear and reappear in later generations."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7085558", "prompt": "The breaking of a mineral into small, flat sheets is known as", "choices": ["luster.", "streak.", "cleavage.", "hardness."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "CSZ20228", "prompt": "Which location on Earth receives the most direct sunlight?", "choices": ["the deserts", "the South Pole", "the equator", "the Western Hemisphere"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7250005", "prompt": "All living things are made up of prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. Which function is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?", "choices": ["aerobic respiration", "sexual reproduction", "protein production", "nitrogen fixation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408039", "prompt": "Jamal lives in the Northern Hemisphere. Which season is it when the Northern Hemisphere is pointed away from the Sun?", "choices": ["fall", "spring", "summer", "winter"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP_2006_4_10275", "prompt": "What is an energy change that takes place in a light bulb?", "choices": ["Chemical energy changes to light energy.", "Chemical energy changes to heat energy.", "Electrical energy changes to light energy.", "Electrical energy changes to chemical energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_8", "prompt": "When an electric fan is running, most of the incoming electrical energy changes into which kind of energy?", "choices": ["heat energy", "light energy", "mechanical energy", "sound energy"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_401643", "prompt": "Which trait does a cactus seedling inherit from its parents?", "choices": ["the amount of water it absorbs", "the length of its spines", "the type of organism that pollinates its flowers", "the number of organisms that consume its fruit"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_8_2015_4", "prompt": "The freezing point of nitrous oxide is -91\u00b0C. Which of the following statements best describes the effect on the particles in liquid nitrous oxide as its temperature is lowered to -91\u00b0C?", "choices": ["The speed of the particles decreases.", "The particles begin to move in a straight line.", "The particles begin to move with a greater force.", "The motion of the particles becomes more random."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_186568", "prompt": "Which of the following will absorb heat energy?", "choices": ["two sticks being rubbed together", "a piece of wood burning", "steel wool rusting", "ice cubes melting"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_16", "prompt": "Which behavior will best help a student stay healthy?", "choices": ["watching television five hours a day", "sleeping three hours each night", "eating fruits and vegetables each day", "exercising once a month"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7210630", "prompt": "Which of these includes Earth?", "choices": ["the asteroid belt", "the Andromeda Galaxy", "the solar system", "the Eagle Nebula"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401264", "prompt": "The vertical axis on a graph is the y-axis. What is most likely placed along the y-axis?", "choices": ["element symbols", "negative numbers", "dependent variables", "independent variables"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406016", "prompt": "Monica learned that humans are born knowing how to do some things and they learn how to do other things. Which is a behavior humans learn?", "choices": ["blinking", "breathing", "crying", "swimming"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_13", "prompt": "Which factor will cause a decrease in the force of attraction between two magnets?", "choices": ["increasing the size of the two magnets", "increasing the distance between the two magnets", "changing the color of the two magnets", "changing the texture of the two magnets"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402071", "prompt": "What event occurs because of the rotation of Earth?", "choices": ["tides", "four seasons", "night and day", "changes in the weather"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7025130", "prompt": "The identifying characteristic of an element is its number of", "choices": ["protons.", "neutrons.", "electrons.", "orbitals."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEA_2013_8_19", "prompt": "A species of wasp lays its eggs in the larva of another insect. The wasp is a parasite, and the larva is the host. What is the relationship between the parasite and the host?", "choices": ["Both the parasite and the host benefit.", "Both the parasite and the host are harmed.", "The parasite benefits and the host is harmed.", "The parasite is harmed and the host benefits."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_416581", "prompt": "Which structural characteristic is present in a paramecium that is not present in an amoeba?", "choices": ["pellicle", "cell wall", "cytoplasm", "cytoskeleton"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_410593", "prompt": "The structures in the bodies of many organisms have levels of organization that help the body to carry out life processes. Which list correctly shows how these levels are organized from the simplest to the most complex?", "choices": ["tissue, cell, organ, organ system", "organ, cell, organ system, tissue", "cell, tissue, organ, organ system", "organ system, tissue, organ, cell"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400842", "prompt": "Which safety gear are most important to wear when working near an open flame?", "choices": ["lab apron and goggles", "sunglasses and thermal gloves", "rubber shoes and sunglasses", "thermal gloves and goggles"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405881", "prompt": "Recycling is important to the environment because it", "choices": ["is a good way to earn money.", "produces more carbon dioxide for plants.", "decreases the amount of natural resources.", "is a way of conserving nonrenewable resources."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409563", "prompt": "Jamil studied how the position of Earth around the Sun affects the energy available on Earth. Which best explains why a particular place on Earth receives more energy during summer months than winter months?", "choices": ["the tilt of Earth", "the rotation of Earth", "the distance between Earth and the Sun", "the amount of rays produced by the Sun"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7206133", "prompt": "Shale is a common sedimentary rock. Which of these was required to form shale?", "choices": ["evaporating", "condensing", "melting", "compacting"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_5_1", "prompt": "In the water cycle, rain, snow, or sleet falling to the ground is a form of", "choices": ["precipitation.", "condensation.", "evaporation.", "transpiration."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7200585", "prompt": "Cells perform many different processes that an organism needs to survive and grow. Which is the main function of the process of cellular respiration?", "choices": ["the production of sugar", "the release of energy", "the formation of new proteins for the cell", "the removal of waste products from the cell"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_18", "prompt": "A student places soil in a plastic container to make a home for some worms. The student cuts holes in the top of the container because the worms need", "choices": ["space to move", "air to breathe", "sunlight to grow", "sound to communicate"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7083738", "prompt": "If it is determined that the particles in one solid are arranged in a repeating pattern and the particles in another solid are arranged randomly, what must be true about the solids?", "choices": ["They are different substances.", "They have the same weight.", "They have the same densities.", "They are different mixtures."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7247083", "prompt": "When manned space exploration began, NASA used the gravity assist concept so that spacecraft could conserve fuel. Which statement explains why the gravity assist concept was useful for spacecraft to successfully travel and return to Earth?", "choices": ["It gave spacecraft a timed trajectory.", "It ensured spacecraft would return home safely.", "It was helpful in planning spacecraft trajectories.", "It ensured spacecraft would avoid being pulled into the sun."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_182945", "prompt": "In which of the following organs is an acid produced?", "choices": ["esophagus", "large intestine", "small intestine", "stomach"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7200148", "prompt": "It took Stephen 12 seconds to run across a grass field. Which additional information does he need in order to calculate his acceleration during the run?", "choices": ["the direction he ran and the average speed", "the distance he ran and the average velocity", "the beginning speed and the direction he ran", "the beginning velocity and the ending velocity"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MEA_2016_8_18", "prompt": "What are two of Earth's natural resources?", "choices": ["nuclear power plants and batteries", "forests and nuclear power plants", "batteries and waterfalls", "forests and waterfalls"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2001_5_15", "prompt": "In New England, there are noticeable patterns of seasonal change. Which information could you collect to BEST illustrate this change?", "choices": ["air temperature", "wind speed", "amount of precipitation", "number of cloudy days"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_15", "prompt": "Volume and mass are properties of", "choices": ["friction", "light", "matter", "sound"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2013_8_29418", "prompt": "Which of the following do water (H2O), rust (Fe2O3), and salt (NaCl) have in common?", "choices": ["Water, rust, and salt are atoms.", "Water, rust, and salt are mixtures.", "Water, rust, and salt are elements.", "Water, rust, and salt are compounds."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_13", "prompt": "Which of these careers would a student studying biotechnology most likely pursue?", "choices": ["electrical engineering", "astronomy", "agricultural research", "geology"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_177153", "prompt": "The first person to introduce the idea of the continents moving around the surface of Earth was", "choices": ["Niels Bohr.", "Albert Einstein.", "Charles Darwin.", "Alfred Wegener."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7228305", "prompt": "The cells of organisms found in the phylum Porifera (sponges) are not organized into tissues. What structures are absent in organisms belonging to the phylum Porifera?", "choices": ["organelles", "cells", "genes", "organs"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405856", "prompt": "A class wanted to see which paper airplane design could fly the farthest. In order to have the most accurate results, every student should", "choices": ["use the same size of paper.", "buy the same color of paper.", "fold the paper the same way.", "decorate the paper the same way."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401000", "prompt": "The following advertisement was placed in the window of a camping supply store. \"The double-thermal 'Polar Snooze' sleeping bag is here! It will keep you warm for winter camping!\" Based on this advertisement, the best conclusion about Polar Snooze sleeping bags is that they", "choices": ["are lightweight.", "have insulation.", "make winter camping easy.", "cost less than other sleeping bags."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_9", "prompt": "About how long does it take for Earth to make one revolution around the Sun?", "choices": ["one day", "one week", "one month", "one year"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_8_pg25", "prompt": "Twins are born. One is a boy and one is a girl. Which statement is correct about their genetic makeup?", "choices": ["The boy and girl inherit genetic material from the father only.", "The boy and girl inherit genetic material from the mother only.", "The boy and girl inherit genetic material from both parents.", "The boy inherits genetic material from the father only and the girl inherits it from the mother only."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7004795", "prompt": "Which particles are responsible for the electric charge of an atom?", "choices": ["protons and neutrons", "protons and electrons", "neutrons and molecules", "molecules and electrons"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_4_pg64", "prompt": "Which is the best source of vitamins and minerals?", "choices": ["fruits and vegetables", "bread, rice, and pasta", "milk and milk products", "meat, fish, and poultry"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_14", "prompt": "Copper wire is often wrapped in plastic. Plastic material is a good", "choices": ["electromagnet", "insulator", "circuit", "current"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_416636", "prompt": "Teresa is making a list of the similarities and differences between a euglena and a volvox cell. In which way is the euglena different from the volvox cell?", "choices": ["A euglena can respond to light.", "A euglena can live in fresh water.", "A euglena can regulate water intake.", "A euglena can only reproduce asexually."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg11", "prompt": "If the body takes in more food than it uses.", "choices": ["breathing becomes faster.", "weight is lost.", "the heart rate increases.", "the food is stored as fat."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401129", "prompt": "The mass of an object is measured using which unit?", "choices": ["liter", "gram", "meter", "yard"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7263095", "prompt": "The Sun transforms matter into energy through nuclear fusion. What can be inferred about the Sun from this fact?", "choices": ["The Sun is losing mass and hydrogen.", "The Sun is losing volume and hydrogen.", "The Sun is losing mass and helium.", "The Sun is losing volume and helium."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_3_25", "prompt": "Which job is done in Virginia only during the fall season?", "choices": ["Picking apples", "Feeding animals", "Selling clothes", "Building houses"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_8_28", "prompt": "A scientist is studying the effect of acid rain on oak trees. Of the numbers below, which would be the number of oak trees the scientist should use to obtain the most reliable data?", "choices": ["1", "2", "20", "200"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_3_28", "prompt": "Camouflage MOST helps an animal with which of these life needs?", "choices": ["Finding shelter", "Hiding from predators", "Gathering enough food", "Raising young"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7191188", "prompt": "There are a variety of events that can disrupt ecosystems. Some events result in local disturbances and others can affect a much larger area. Which event would most likely result in change on a global scale?", "choices": ["land scarred by forest fires", "erosion of ocean shorelines", "converging plate boundaries", "destruction of tropical rain forests"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7027545", "prompt": "A hardware designer finds that the wiring in a circuit is releasing enough heat to make the circuit dangerously hot. Which change would best solve this problem?", "choices": ["increasing the current in the circuit", "placing rubber insulation on wires in the circuit", "reversing the direction of current flow in the circuit", "using circuit wires with a lower resistance"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408884", "prompt": "There are different kinds of muscles in the human body. Each muscle is formed from a group of cells that works together. The main function of a group of muscle cells is to", "choices": ["make oxygen.", "release energy.", "digest nutrients.", "cause movement."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405865", "prompt": "Four objects are on a wooden ramp. Which object is most likely to roll off the ramp if it is pushed gently?", "choices": ["flat eraser", "round ball", "bent paper clip", "wooden cube"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401225", "prompt": "When zinc and copper are melted together, brass is formed. Brass is an example of", "choices": ["a solute.", "an element.", "a mineral.", "a mixture."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP_2008_4_10286", "prompt": "Choose the investigation that would best answer the question: Does the length of a string change how fast a pendulum swings?", "choices": ["Tie identical weights to two strings of different lengths.", "Tie two different weights to a string.", "Tie identical weights to a long string.", "Tie two different weights to two identical strings."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7283343", "prompt": "Meiosis is necessary for which reproductive event to occur?", "choices": ["vegetative budding", "binary fission", "cloning", "fertilization"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7123533", "prompt": "Some astronauts may spend several months in space orbiting Earth. Where do these astronauts most likely stay while in space?", "choices": ["on a space station", "in a space shuttle", "on a space probe", "in a lunar module"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7008260", "prompt": "Which is a possible consequence of global warming?", "choices": ["an increase in the amount of coral reefs", "a decrease in temperature, causing earlier frosts", "an increase in the number of heat waves, causing droughts", "a decrease in temperature, causing shorter growing seasons"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400658", "prompt": "A brown bear eats a variety of foods including berries, insects, and small animals. Which best describes a brown bear?", "choices": ["producer", "herbivore", "carnivore", "omnivore"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_7", "prompt": "In which part of a plant cell does photosynthesis occur?", "choices": ["nucleus", "chloroplast", "cell membrane", "cell wall"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415454", "prompt": "Which alternative energy resource adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?", "choices": ["nuclear energy", "biofuel energy", "wind energy", "geothermal energy"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405340", "prompt": "Energy from the Sun changes a liquid to a gas by the process of", "choices": ["condensation.", "evaporation.", "freezing.", "melting."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407371", "prompt": "Which of the following is a result of the tilt of Earth's axis?", "choices": ["seasonal changes", "hours in a day", "heights of tides", "moon phases"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7211505", "prompt": "Chloroplasts absorb light energy. The function of the chloroplast is to", "choices": ["synthesize sugars.", "synthesize proteins.", "transform sugar into cellular energy.", "transform proteins into useful nutrients."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400114", "prompt": "When water changes from a liquid to a gas and then the steam condenses back to the liquid form, these types of changes are", "choices": ["physical.", "chemical.", "electrical.", "mechanical."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7040758", "prompt": "What direction is the movement of the energy in a food web?", "choices": ["consumer to producer", "producer to consumer", "decomposer to producer", "decomposer to consumer"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7043943", "prompt": "When the velocity of an ocean wave decreases as it approaches a shore, what happens to the wave?", "choices": ["Its height increases.", "Its height decreases.", "Its length shortens.", "It crests."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_401246", "prompt": "Which is a force that keeps Earth in orbit around the Sun?", "choices": ["friction", "gravity", "radiation", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_8_12003", "prompt": "Substances enter any plant or animal cell by passing through which of the following structures?", "choices": ["nucleus", "cell membrane", "vacuole", "chloroplast"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_4_33", "prompt": "Many years ago, purple dye was made from some sea animals. Then, in 1856, William Perkins tried to make a new medicine. Instead, he found a way to make purple dye from coal. What is a positive effect of his discovery?", "choices": ["Some diseases can be treated.", "Purple clothing can be made.", "Sea animals are not needed to make purple dye.", "Perkins is famous for discovering a new medicine."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "CSZ20823", "prompt": "When magnesium (Mg) metal is burned in the presence of oxygen (O?), magnesium oxide (MgO) is produced. The properties of magnesium oxide are different than the individual properties of magnesium and oxygen because magnesium oxide is", "choices": ["a solution.", "a mixture.", "a compound.", "an element."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_5_8", "prompt": "Fossils of sea animals were found in a cave in Arkansas. What does this mean about that area of Arkansas in the past?", "choices": ["It was once underwater.", "It was once much warmer.", "It has become a rockier place.", "It has changed little from then."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7001278", "prompt": "Which instrument would be best for measuring the volume of a pebble?", "choices": ["metric ruler", "stopwatch", "triple beam balance", "graduated cylinder"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10952", "prompt": "Which of these is a waste product of plant cells?", "choices": ["minerals", "oxygen", "heat", "water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407606", "prompt": "It can take millions of years for fossil fuels to form. These fossil fuels form underground from decaying plants and animals. Which term best describes a fossil fuel?", "choices": ["a source of solar power", "a source of electrical power", "a source of renewable energy", "a source of nonrenewable energy"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_31", "prompt": "Earth's hydrosphere is best described as the", "choices": ["relatively thin layer of rock found above Earth's mantle", "relatively thin layer of water covering most of Earth's crust", "hot liquid rock located in Earth's outer core", "very dense rock located in Earth's inner core"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7044713", "prompt": "When riding a roller coaster, an electric motor pulls the roller coaster to the top of the first hill. What force pulls the roller coaster down the hill?", "choices": ["friction", "speed", "gravity", "mass"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7056910", "prompt": "Which of these organisms is classified as a decomposer?", "choices": ["hawk", "mushroom", "mouse", "grass"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10390", "prompt": "A cold-blooded vertebrate with smooth skin belongs to what class of animals?", "choices": ["reptile", "fish", "amphibian", "mammal"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_16", "prompt": "Which of these best describes a tornado?", "choices": ["A winter storm that produces frozen precipitation", "A rotating funnel-shaped cloud with strong winds and thunderstorms", "A severe weather condition with low temperatures and blowing snow", "A storm that forms over warm ocean water and has extremely strong winds"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7005513", "prompt": "Plants use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during the process of", "choices": ["respiration.", "fertilization.", "evaporation.", "photosynthesis."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7092488", "prompt": "A reverse fault occurs when one side of a fault plane is driven up over the other side. Reverse faults can cause which of these landforms?", "choices": ["deltas", "mountains", "dunes", "islands"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2016_5_2", "prompt": "A student is collecting water samples. The student needs a container that holds water, will not break easily, and can be used many times. Which of the following containers will best meet the student's needs?", "choices": ["a glass jar", "a paper cup", "a wooden box", "a plastic bottle"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7220973", "prompt": "What condition is most likely to spread an illness between people?", "choices": ["a virus suspended in the air", "an accident on a playground", "a genetic mutation in somatic cells", "an occurrence of acid rain"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7016520", "prompt": "When scientists proposed the Theory of Continental Drift, there were many skeptics. Which discovery confirmed that the continents move on plates?", "choices": ["deep-sea currents", "earthquake formation", "spreading of the sea floor", "sedimentary rocks"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413638", "prompt": "Which two things are produced when a plant breaks down sugar to release energy?", "choices": ["carbon dioxide and water", "oxygen and carbon dioxide", "carbon dioxide and food", "oxygen and food"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7236618", "prompt": "A scientist wants to track contaminant movement in the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is a warm water current in the North Atlantic Ocean and is part of the North Atlantic gyre. The gyre is influenced by the Coriolis effect. To follow the contaminant after it exits the Gulf Stream, the scientist needs to know characteristics of the North Atlantic gyre. Which of these best describes a movement of the North Atlantic gyre the scientist needs to know?", "choices": ["linear movement due west", "linear movement due south", "clockwise movement", "counterclockwise movement"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7183523", "prompt": "The growing human population has many practices that adversely impact the environment. Acid rain is one example of environmental damage that is related to human activities. Which human activity is most likely the largest contributor to acid rain?", "choices": ["burning fossil fuels in power plants", "using pesticides on agricultural crops", "dumping waste matter into ocean waters", "clearing native forests for industrialization"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7043890", "prompt": "What happens to the water vapor in an air mass as it ascends?", "choices": ["It freezes.", "It condenses.", "It vaporizes.", "It polarizes."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_4", "prompt": "Which two terms are used to describe weather?", "choices": ["wind direction and amount of erosion", "gravity and amount of rain", "groundwater and cloud cover", "air temperature and wind speed"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MEA_2016_8_19", "prompt": "In what unit of time does Earth orbit the Sun?", "choices": ["day", "month", "year", "century"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7080973", "prompt": "While conducting an experiment on gravity, what will be needed to ensure the safety of students?", "choices": ["quiet zones", "drop zones", "heavy objects", "frictionless surfaces"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2011_5_25", "prompt": "All of the populations of species in an area make up a", "choices": ["region", "niche", "family", "community"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7215548", "prompt": "Cell division is necessary for an organism to", "choices": ["obtain nutrients.", "grow and reproduce.", "make proteins.", "conserve matter and energy."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7239365", "prompt": "A large plant population may impose selective pressure on a smaller, isolated group of plants, resulting in a change in allele distribution. Which mechanism is responsible for this change in the allele distribution?", "choices": ["mutation", "hybridization", "genetic drift", "trait acquisition"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7223423", "prompt": "Two samples of gold must have the same", "choices": ["mass.", "volume.", "length.", "density."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7081288", "prompt": "A student organizes a list of the distances that five students ran in 10 minutes. Another way to best organize this data is by using a", "choices": ["pie graph.", "bar graph.", "line graph.", "pictograph."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400198", "prompt": "What is the dependent variable in this experiment?", "choices": ["type of soil used", "amount of water used", "length of sunlight exposure", "growth of the bean plants"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "OHAT_2007_8_43", "prompt": "Electricity is produced in a hydroelectric plant when moving water turns a turbine. Which describes this energy transformation from the turning turbine to electricity?", "choices": ["kinetic energy into electric energy", "nuclear energy into electric energy", "thermal energy into electric energy", "chemical energy into electric energy"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10817", "prompt": "When a star explodes, an intensely bright object is formed. What is the name of this object?", "choices": ["nova", "red giant", "supernova", "white dwarf"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_189753", "prompt": "The Earth's equator receives more direct sunlight than the regions to its north and south. This distribution of sunlight accounts directly for which phenomenon?", "choices": ["The westward deflection of equatorial winds.", "The movement of rising air currents away from the equator.", "The rotation of storm systems.", "The formation of calm \"eyes\" in the centers of cyclones."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "OHAT_2011_5_37", "prompt": "The class puts the planters by the window so that the plants can get more sunlight. How do the tomato plants use sunlight?", "choices": ["to make sugar in the leaves", "to use starch from the stems", "to move water to the flowers", "to get nutrients through the roots"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7247048", "prompt": "Which of these is the most serious impact to an ecosystem after a tornado?", "choices": ["an increase in biodiversity", "soil erosion along with water pollution", "the growth of plants in newly cleared areas", "animals relocating to different habitats"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "CSZ20334", "prompt": "Gravity is responsible for the ___.", "choices": ["orbits of the planets around the Sun", "rotation of a planet on its axis", "tilt of Earth's axis", "phases of the Moon"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7195178", "prompt": "Some runners ate pasta before a race. The pasta was broken down into simple sugars and was absorbed by the blood stream. What body system was responsible for breaking down the pasta into small nutrients for use in the cells of the runners?", "choices": ["the nervous system", "the digestive system", "the excretory system", "the endocrine system"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7246278", "prompt": "Which crustal feature forms when two continental plates collide?", "choices": ["trenches", "rift zones", "tidal zones", "mountain ranges"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7015908", "prompt": "At which location does the movement of tectonic plates form isolated volcanic islands, such as Hawaii?", "choices": ["transform boundary", "divergent boundary", "subduction zone", "hot spot"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7235603", "prompt": "Which current property of our solar system is mainly due to solar emissions occurring soon after the initiation of fusion in the Sun's core?", "choices": ["directions of revolution of the planets", "directions of rotation of the planets", "distribution of moons among the planets", "distribution of elements among the planets"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7097440", "prompt": "Water puddles on a sidewalk evaporate when the Sun heats the water. Which of these best describes what is happening as the water evaporates?", "choices": ["Water changes phase as it releases heat to the environment.", "Water boils as it absorbs energy from the sidewalk.", "Water becomes a gas as it absorbs energy from the Sun.", "Water evaporates as its thermal energy is transferred to the air."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_417579", "prompt": "Clara says that her school is in a desert. Which fact about her schoolyard most helps her claim?", "choices": ["The schoolyard has few trees.", "The schoolyard has rocks and sand.", "The schoolyard gets warm in the summer.", "The schoolyard gets little rain during the year."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_56", "prompt": "What process is most responsible for the extinction of most species of plants and animals that have lived on Earth?", "choices": ["gene mutation", "environmental changes", "selective breeding", "decrease in reproduction"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7217333", "prompt": "The scientific method is the inquiry process by which scientists raise and attempt to answer new questions. Which is the best way to communicate findings that result from scientific inquiry?", "choices": ["discuss the findings with scientists who agree with you", "discuss the findings with a well-known scientist", "publish the findings in scientific journals", "publish the findings in local newspapers"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409574", "prompt": "Trevor turns on a lamp. When the lamp is on, electrical energy changes into which other form of energy?", "choices": ["chemical", "light", "mechanical", "potential"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_40", "prompt": "People often wear sunglasses in polar regions because most of the sunlight that strikes a snow-covered surface is", "choices": ["reflected", "absorbed", "refracted", "transmitted"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7216913", "prompt": "A plant is discolored and has large brown blotches on its leaves. This condition is most likely caused by", "choices": ["pollination.", "photosynthesis.", "nourishment.", "disease."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2008_5_13", "prompt": "Which is a characteristic of sedimentary rock?", "choices": ["forms in layers", "looks very shiny", "contains crystals", "forms from magma"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_11", "prompt": "Which gas is transported by the circulatory system in humans and is used by cells during respiration to release energy stored in food?", "choices": ["carbon dioxide", "nitrogen", "hydrogen", "oxygen"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_8_35", "prompt": "Which of the following planets has the shortest orbit around the Sun?", "choices": ["Earth", "Mars", "Mercury", "Venus"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413004", "prompt": "Rivers leave behind small pieces of rocks after they flood. These small pieces of rock form a floodplain. Which words best describe a floodplain?", "choices": ["flat lands", "many sinkholes", "rugged peaks", "long rows of ridges"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7014385", "prompt": "Some scientists believe that the mass extinction of dinosaurs was caused by the impact of a large meteorite on Earth. This impact would have caused a darkening of the sky due to dust blown into the upper atmosphere. This darkening would have reduced the sizes of some ecosystems because of", "choices": ["longer seasons.", "accelerated erosion.", "reduced photosynthesis.", "increased number of hurricanes."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_4", "prompt": "Which material is the best conductor of electricity?", "choices": ["metal", "glass", "wood", "plastic"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_26", "prompt": "Which is an example of a nonliving thing?", "choices": ["bird", "insect", "dog", "water"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_5_4", "prompt": "What is a characteristic of sedimentary rock?", "choices": ["high hardness", "glassy texture", "contains fossils", "shiny silver luster"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg43", "prompt": "Rock that is made of material that has settled to the bottom of lakes and oceans and been compressed and hardened is", "choices": ["conglomerate rock", "volcanic rock", "sedimentary rock", "metamorphic rock"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_7_8", "prompt": "Which are caused by the Coriolis Effect?", "choices": ["tornadoes", "volcanoes", "wind patterns", "stationary fronts"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "CSZ_2009_8_CSZ30651", "prompt": "Which of the following compounds is most likely to be part of living organisms?", "choices": ["C?H??O?", "BF?", "MoCl?", "CsI"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10688", "prompt": "The Sun produces energy through", "choices": ["chemical reactions.", "fission of uranium.", "nuclear fusion.", "volcanic eruptions."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_S2", "prompt": "Which device is used to determine the volume of a liquid?", "choices": ["anemometer", "graduated cylinder", "test tube", "thermometer"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_410835", "prompt": "Mrs. Garry's class wants to know if their area has more acid rain than other parts of the state. Which would be the best way for them to begin research?", "choices": ["contact other schools within the state", "study science textbooks in the library", "look for current acid rain studies on the Internet", "examine soil samples taken at different locations"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2008_7_7", "prompt": "Which illustrates the correct order of relationships in organisms?", "choices": ["tissue -> organ system -> organ -> cell", "organ -> cell -> organ system -> tissue", "cell -> tissue -> organ -> organ system", "organ system -> organ -> cell -> tissue"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7015890", "prompt": "Which is evidence that the universe is expanding?", "choices": ["the presence of dark matter", "red shift of light from distant galaxies", "constant speed of light from every perspective", "emission of high-energy gamma rays by distant objects"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7077665", "prompt": "Which of these statements is true about the parts that make up the atom?", "choices": ["Protons are larger than neutrons.", "Electrons have a positive charge.", "Electrons are inside the nucleus.", "Neutrons have no charge."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7234168", "prompt": "A certain fossil (Y) is found in a layer of rock that lies between two index fossils, X and Z. Surprisingly, the older of the index fossils (Z) is found above the other fossils, suggesting that the rock layer has overturned. Which dating method is best to confirm the rock layer has overturned by determining the ages of these fossils?", "choices": ["anatomical comparison", "gene sequencing", "radiometric analysis", "fossil depth measurement"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_29", "prompt": "Which items would be most useful at home during a power failure?", "choices": ["flashlights and extra batteries", "hats and sunscreen", "raincoats and umbrellas", "insect spray and jackets"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7188353", "prompt": "Energy flows in an ecosystem through food webs. Which form of energy is the least available for reuse in a food web?", "choices": ["heat energy", "sunlight energy", "energy from producers", "energy from consumers"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_5_21", "prompt": "Which of the following fasteners are best to use to fasten the sides of a wooden birdhouse?", "choices": ["bolts", "hooks", "nails", "pins"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409157", "prompt": "In areas where a lot of earthquakes occur, architects are designing buildings with the ability to move with the land. How are the new building designs most likely to help people?", "choices": ["The new designs can help save lives.", "The new designs are more attractive.", "The new designs cost less to make.", "The new designs are much taller."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEA_2016_8_20", "prompt": "In which form is most of the energy released from gasoline when burned by an automobile?", "choices": ["heat energy", "nuclear energy", "solar energy", "sound energy"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7084245", "prompt": "Heart disease can result in a reduced amount of oxygen moving properly through the body. Which body system does heart disease most directly affect?", "choices": ["skeletal", "excretory", "circulatory", "nervous"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405137", "prompt": "The oil used today is made from the ancient remains of tiny sea creatures called \"Diatoms.\" When they were alive, the Diatoms converted sunlight into stored energy. Based on this information, which of the following statements is true?", "choices": ["The Sun turned diatoms into oil after 10-20 years.", "Diatoms are the original source of energy for oil.", "The Sun is the original source of energy for oil.", "Diatoms converted oil into energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2010_3_2", "prompt": "Skunks spray a strong-smelling liquid to ___.", "choices": ["get rid of wastes", "attract prey", "defend themselves", "help nearby plants grow"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7008033", "prompt": "Which is an example of mechanical weathering?", "choices": ["a rockslide", "a volcano erupting", "an earthquake occurring", "a rock freezing and thawing"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400987", "prompt": "Recycling newspapers is good for the environment because it", "choices": ["increases the need for trees.", "helps conserve resources.", "increases the need for landfills.", "helps remove pollutants from the air."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_5_29", "prompt": "Rocks and minerals are common materials found on Earth. Which property do most rocks and minerals share?", "choices": ["They are pure.", "They are solid.", "They are liquid.", "They are magnetic."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7041055", "prompt": "Which organs belong to the lymphatic system?", "choices": ["lungs, trachea", "spleen, thymus", "kidneys, bladder", "pancreas, pituitary gland"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_7", "prompt": "The hardness, odor, and taste of an object can all be", "choices": ["measured with a metric ruler", "measured with a spring scale", "observed with the senses", "observed with a hand lens"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_4_8", "prompt": "A bird called a ptarmigan has feathered feet. The feathers on the feet of the ptarmigan are most helpful when this bird ___.", "choices": ["digs up food", "walks in deep snow", "climbs rocky cliffs", "runs under bushes"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402064", "prompt": "What is responsible for changing the remains of prehistoric sea animals into natural gas?", "choices": ["time", "water", "gravity", "pressure"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_404898", "prompt": "Which is a basic structure found in all living organisms?", "choices": ["cell", "organ", "compound", "element"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_177678", "prompt": "To calculate the relative age of rocks, geologists use the rate of radioactive decay of isotopes present in their samples. What is the term used for the original amount of the elemental isotopes being investigated?", "choices": ["rare earth isotopes", "son isotopes", "daughter isotopes", "parent isotopes"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10606", "prompt": "An echo is a sound wave that has been", "choices": ["absorbed.", "refracted.", "scattered.", "reflected."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402630", "prompt": "The central nervous system consists of two parts: the brain and the", "choices": ["senses.", "organs.", "muscles.", "spinal cord."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_416586", "prompt": "A small town is building their first water treatment plant. Their primary disinfectant is UV radiation. Which contaminant will UV radiation eliminate?", "choices": ["bacteria", "metals", "sediment", "oil"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_38", "prompt": "Which of the following must be included with magnitude to represent a vector?", "choices": ["mass", "direction", "acceleration", "volume"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415469", "prompt": "What does a fire take away from a forest that squirrels need to survive?", "choices": ["food and soil", "food and shelter", "water and soil", "water and shelter"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2009_8_12", "prompt": "Nitrogen, a nutrient found in fertilizer, helps plants increase in size. Rainwater runoff often carries fertilizer into ponds and lakes. What effect does excess nitrogen have on organisms in a pond or lake ecosystem?", "choices": ["Algae grows rapidly.", "Mutations occur gradually in fish.", "Clam shells are slowly weakened.", "Frogs adapt quickly to new food sources."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7015803", "prompt": "Which measurement is the most accurate way to describe the distance between the Sun and its nearest neighboring star?", "choices": ["4 light-years", "400 light-years", "4 billion kilometers", "400 billion kilometers"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_414146", "prompt": "Which four elements make up most of the human body?", "choices": ["oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen", "silicon, calcium, oxygen, aluminum", "carbon, sodium, hydrogen, oxygen", "sulfur, phosphorous, calcium, nitrogen"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_405895", "prompt": "An area is semiarid, has few trees, and is home to ground-nesting birds. This area is most likely part of which biome?", "choices": ["tundra", "taiga", "grassland", "desert"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7063980", "prompt": "Which organisms make energy available to all other organisms in a food chain?", "choices": ["producers", "decomposers", "consumers", "scavengers"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7029855", "prompt": "Which of these substances is correctly identified as a mineral?", "choices": ["coal", "quartz", "granite", "sandstone"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_404720", "prompt": "Two objects are at rest and are 1.0 meter apart. To reduce the gravitational pull between the two objects, they should be", "choices": ["stacked vertically.", "placed side by side.", "moved 0.5 meter apart.", "moved 1.5 meters apart."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7071960", "prompt": "Soil color is closely related to its content. Which element causes soil to appear red?", "choices": ["iron", "silicon", "calcium", "magnesium"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7004778", "prompt": "Which particles make up the mass of an atom?", "choices": ["protons and neutrons", "protons and electrons", "neutrons and molecules", "electrons and molecules"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7263848", "prompt": "Auroras occur where Earth's magnetosphere traps high-energy particles in which region of the atmosphere?", "choices": ["troposphere", "stratosphere", "thermosphere", "exosphere"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402260", "prompt": "An experiment was performed at sea-level. 400 mL of water was put in 4 different-shaped containers and placed on hot plates with 4 different temperature settings as shown below. Beaker - 110\u00b0C Petri dish - 95\u00b0C Erlenmeyer flask - 60\u00b0C Round bottom bowl - 45\u00b0C Which characteristic of water remained the same in each container?", "choices": ["the shape of the water", "the rate of evaporation", "the boiling point of water", "the amount of steam released per minute"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10041", "prompt": "In plants, what is responsible for passing traits from one generation to the next?", "choices": ["chloroplasts", "photosynthesis", "roots", "genes"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401786", "prompt": "Which safety measure should a student take when handling a microscope?", "choices": ["clean the lenses with your fingers", "keep switching the magnifications", "carry the microscope with two hands at all times", "make sure to put the microscope on an uneven surface"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2011_5_13", "prompt": "Which statement best describes the size of the Sun?", "choices": ["The Sun is medium-sized compared to other stars.", "The Sun is the largest and brightest star in the universe.", "Most of the stars in the universe would fit inside the Sun.", "Most of the stars in the universe are smaller than the Sun."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "LEAP__4_10227", "prompt": "A wetland was drained to build a mall. Two years later, there were no more toads in that area. Why did the toads disappear?", "choices": ["The toads were destroyed by the construction equipment.", "The toads died because toads cannot breathe out of water.", "The toads were frightened and went into the woods.", "The toads got their food from the wetland ecosystem."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7195125", "prompt": "Technological advances are allowing scientists to develop methods for replacing abnormal human genes with healthy copies of the same genes. Which is the most likely use for this gene therapy?", "choices": ["killing viruses", "healing wounds", "treatment of airborne infections", "treatment of inherited diseases"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP__8_10368", "prompt": "Which statement about plant and animal cells is true?", "choices": ["Both have a cell wall to give them support.", "Both have a large vacuole to store water.", "Both use mitochondria to produce energy.", "Both use chloroplasts to store energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401307", "prompt": "Finding fossils of warm-weather plants in the rock layers of a cold northern island suggests that", "choices": ["the plants used to be harvested for food.", "the island used to be located farther south.", "the climate of the island used to be warmer.", "the fossils used to be more resistant to cold."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_8", "prompt": "The hereditary material in corn plants can be altered by scientists so the plants produce more corn. Which term identifies this process?", "choices": ["environmental degradation", "ecological succession", "natural selection", "genetic engineering"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg40", "prompt": "What is the main function of red blood cells?", "choices": ["To fight disease in the body", "To carry oxygen to all parts of the body", "To remove carbon monoxide from all parts of the body", "To produce materials which cause the blood to clot."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_8_38", "prompt": "Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur both on land and in water. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions most often occur", "choices": ["near plate boundaries", "on large pieces of land", "in large bodies of water", "in regions near the equator"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_5_22237", "prompt": "An earthworm has a length of 12.8 centimeters. What is the length, in millimeters, of the earthworm?", "choices": ["0.128 millimeter", "1.28 millimeters", "128 millimeters", "1280 millimeters"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7223948", "prompt": "Which material has the least resistance to the flow of electricity?", "choices": ["rubber", "aluminum", "granite", "wood"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7263428", "prompt": "Which are replenished more quickly than they are used?", "choices": ["energy resources", "material resources", "renewable resources", "nonrenewable resources"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402983", "prompt": "What is the first thing a student should do before starting an experiment?", "choices": ["read all the directions", "find a lab partner", "make notes about observations", "write a report on the investigation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_8_23648", "prompt": "Which of the following parts of the human body is most complex?", "choices": ["heart", "kidney", "white blood cell", "central nervous system"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10976", "prompt": "The Wright Brothers' invention has had the greatest impact on", "choices": ["transportation.", "communication.", "mass production.", "space exploration."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408925", "prompt": "Which best describes how earthworms improve soil as they eat dead plant material?", "choices": ["They make the soil clean.", "They keep disease out of the soil.", "They recycle nutrients into the soil.", "They remove extra water from the soil."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2009_8_30", "prompt": "Use the information below to answer the question. Cotton is a plant product used to make fabric. Cotton is made of cellulose, a fiber not digestible by humans. Cellulose is composed of many sugar molecules bonded together into long chains. Each sugar molecule contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. When cotton fabric is washed, wrinkles often form. The clothing industry uses chemicals to manufacture some cotton fabrics that are wrinkle-free. Dyes are also added to color the cellulose fibers in cotton. How would a clothing manufacturer separate colors to determine the purity of the dyes?", "choices": ["through filtration", "by their boiling points", "by their freezing points", "through paper chromatography"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NAEP_2000_8_S21+3", "prompt": "What property of water is most important for living organisms?", "choices": ["It is odorless.", "It does not conduct electricity.", "It is tasteless.", "It is liquid at most temperatures on Earth."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7106785", "prompt": "An astronomer and a marine biologist were having lunch and discussing their current experiments. They discovered that although they investigate different areas of science, they most likely use the same", "choices": ["scientific tools used in experiments.", "publications for conducting research.", "scientific method to test hypotheses.", "locations for conducting their experiments."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400193", "prompt": "Fossil fuels are formed", "choices": ["in shallow areas over short periods of time.", "from the remains of organisms.", "in underground reservoirs that are relatively cool.", "by high winds and temperatures."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7029313", "prompt": "Which had the greatest impact on the way humans heat their homes?", "choices": ["Newton's theory of gravity", "Mendel's experiments with pea plants", "Franklin's experiments with electricity", "Darwin's research on the Galapagos islands"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_23", "prompt": "Use the information below to answer the question. Many people are concerned that the reduction in the number of acres of forested area on Earth will lead to a large reduction in the amount of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere. If this happens, an organism's ability to breathe would be affected. The effect would be similar to moving the organism from", "choices": ["sea level to a mountaintop.", "sea level to a valley below sea level.", "a mountaintop to sea level.", "a beach at sea level to a valley at sea level."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7001435", "prompt": "Which of these is an example of a chemical reaction?", "choices": ["storing milk by putting it into the freezer", "milk turning sour when left in a warm place", "mixing milk into a glass with chocolate powder", "allowing milk to evaporate, leaving behind powdered milk"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402031", "prompt": "Which of these tools is best for recording observations outdoors?", "choices": ["a ruler", "a graph", "a notebook", "a calculator"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_8_39", "prompt": "Students are investigating the physical properties of three solid mixtures by placing each solid mixture in liquid water. What physical property are the students testing?", "choices": ["solubility", "conductivity", "boiling point", "melting point"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10619", "prompt": "What remains in the same location in the sky of the Northern Hemisphere each night?", "choices": ["the Sun", "the Little Dipper", "the North Star", "the Moon"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_414361", "prompt": "Which feature makes up most of the surface of Earth?", "choices": ["hot gases", "dry land", "craters", "water"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_400089", "prompt": "Which of these situations would most likely be a result of climate change?", "choices": ["weaker storms, causing less shoreline erosion", "shorter days, causing longer hibernation periods", "shrinking glaciers, causing sea levels to rise", "increased radioactivity, causing damage to cells"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7165690", "prompt": "A student performs an investigation using anti-bacterial hand soap. The student washes only his left hand with anti-bacterial soap, but cultures swabs from both hands. The cultures from both hands were incubated at room temperature for 48 hours before being examined. Which best explains the purpose of using soap on only the left hand?", "choices": ["to act as a controlled variable for the investigation", "to act as the dependent variable for the investigation", "to provide another testable variable for the investigation", "to serve as the independent variable for the investigation"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP_2006_8_10411", "prompt": "Raquel fed a litter of five kittens an all-meat diet for two weeks and found that they gained an average of 15 ounces. She concluded that eating meat is the best way to help kittens grow. What should Raquel have done to make this a better experiment?", "choices": ["tested five kittens on a non-meat diet also", "weighed the kittens in grams", "used only one kitten", "tested dogs as well as cats"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408984", "prompt": "In the 1600s a scientist named Anton van Leeuwenhoek worked toward improving microscopes and created his own lenses. With his microscopes, Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria and muscle fibers. Which type of job benefited most from these discoveries?", "choices": ["glass making", "astronomy", "medicine", "teaching"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400173", "prompt": "One advantage of a hand lens over a microscope is that the hand lens", "choices": ["is easier to carry on field investigations.", "is less likely to be infected by bacteria.", "makes very tiny objects appear larger.", "produces a more accurate image."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7201058", "prompt": "Raising livestock, such as sheep and cattle, results in the production of large amounts of methane gas (CH4). Methane has the same effect in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2). As more livestock are raised to provide food for humans, what is the most likely effect of the increase in methane?", "choices": ["acid rain", "ozone thinning", "water pollution", "global warming"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7011288", "prompt": "Which is most directly responsible for building up a river delta?", "choices": ["erosion", "leaching", "subsidence", "deposition"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_4_16", "prompt": "What explains how day and night occur in different parts of Earth?", "choices": ["Earth rotates on its axis.", "Earth revolves around the Sun.", "The Sun rotates on its axis.", "The Sun revolves around the galaxy."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7168613", "prompt": "The human body is made up of different levels of organization. A tissue is a group of cells that work together to perform a specific function. Which would be an example of a tissue in the human body?", "choices": ["stomach", "platelets", "muscle", "hair"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_400574", "prompt": "In the rock cycle, sedimentary rock forms when rock is", "choices": ["crystallized into natural glass.", "exposed to great temperature.", "melted into liquid magma.", "broken down by weathering."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MDSA_2010_5_3", "prompt": "Heating and cooling water change the state of matter of water. What happens when a block of ice is heated to 10\u00b0 Celsius?", "choices": ["It melts to form liquid water.", "It condenses to form liquid water.", "It freezes to become heavier ice.", "It evaporates to become a vapor (gas)."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_401785", "prompt": "Which situation is the best example of an inherited trait?", "choices": ["a boy playing with a ball", "a bird building a nest", "a horse pulling a wagon", "a dog sitting on command"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7145548", "prompt": "Physical features help animals survive. Which statement best describes physical adaptations that occur through natural selection in changing environments?", "choices": ["They result in population decline.", "They are all observable in the fossil record.", "They occur slowly over long periods of time.", "They are more likely to be observed in plants."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_35", "prompt": "The amount of which greenhouse gas in the air will increase the most if large forests are cut down to be used for building materials without planting new trees in their place?", "choices": ["ozone", "methane", "water vapor", "carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7141733", "prompt": "A carpenter rubs sandpaper on a wooden bench to make the bench smoother. The sandpaper will get warm as it is rubbed on the bench. As a result of the friction between the sandpaper and the bench, thermal energy is converted to", "choices": ["chemical energy that is stored by the sandpaper.", "radiant energy that is transferred to the bench.", "potential energy that is stored by the wood.", "heat energy that is transferred to the air."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10388", "prompt": "What is the green pigment that allows plants to change the Sun's energy into chemical energy?", "choices": ["glucose", "chlorophyll", "mitochondria", "photosynthesis"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401615", "prompt": "Which scientist hypothesized that the environment can affect the characteristics of a species?", "choices": ["Darwin", "Einstein", "Mendel", "Newton"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7007858", "prompt": "Which statement describes the reason why an ice cube melts when set out in a warm room?", "choices": ["Heat from the room is absorbed by the ice cube.", "The ice cube molecules move more slowly.", "One side of the ice cube is colder than the other.", "Heat from the ice cube moves into the air."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7212940", "prompt": "Two characteristics of the Nevada climate are low humidity and abundant sunshine. This combination of characteristics most likely results in", "choices": ["low altitude fog.", "rapid evaporation.", "high elevation snowfall.", "frequent thunderstorms."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_17", "prompt": "In order to survive, all animals need", "choices": ["heat, water, and soil", "sunlight, soil, and heat", "sunlight, air, and food", "food, water, and air"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7110968", "prompt": "Which best explains why population growth can result in water shortages and rationing in certain areas?", "choices": ["Aquifers recharge slowly.", "Lake water is reserved for recreation.", "Increasing biomass decreases evaporation rates.", "Tall buildings impede the development of rain clouds."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7174143", "prompt": "Professor Walden studies genetics at a local university. She believes that she has discovered information that contradicts a widely accepted theory. As a scientist and leader in the study of genetics, which action should she take?", "choices": ["Announce to the world that her theory is better than the old theory.", "Call the news media and tell them about her new theory.", "Challenge the old theory with scientific evidence.", "Request that the old theory be banned."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7191520", "prompt": "Canadian physician Sir William Osler once said, \"In Science the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurred.\" How does this quote apply to scientific knowledge?", "choices": ["Famous scientists have the best ideas.", "Ideas must be communicated to the public", "In order to be important, ideas must be believable.", "The results are less important than the ideas in an experiment."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7027108", "prompt": "Which event or principle cannot have its validity directly tested by laboratory experiment?", "choices": ["the Big Bang Theory", "the Conservation of Energy", "the Periodicity of Element Properties", "the Acceleration of Objects due to Gravity"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_51", "prompt": "How do the circulatory system and the respiratory system depend on one another?", "choices": ["Oxygen collected by the respiratory system is carried throughout the body by the circulatory system.", "Solid wastes collected by the circulatory system are carried throughout the body by the respiratory system.", "Nutrients collected by the respiratory system are carried throughout the body by the circulatory system.", "Carbon dioxide collected by the circulatory system is carried throughout the body by the respiratory system."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_8_23639", "prompt": "Oxygen and iron combine chemically to form rust. Rust is classified as which of the following?", "choices": ["an atom", "a compound", "an element", "a mixture"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2007_5_30", "prompt": "A student made observations of four rock samples. Which of these observations most likely describes a sedimentary rock?", "choices": ["Sample 1 has bands of light and dark crystals.", "Sample 2 has pink, gray, and white crystals grown together.", "Sample 3 is made up of one huge, pale pink crystal.", "Sample 4 is made up of layers of sand grains cemented together."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "AMP_2016_8_48", "prompt": "In 1931, Barbara McClintock discovered that genes could change position on a chromosome. In corn plants, if a certain gene was moved next to the gene that controls kernel color, the kernels in an ear of corn were various colors. Which statement best supports McClintock's discovery?", "choices": ["Genes control inherited traits in organisms.", "Corn plants can reproduce in laboratory environments.", "Chromosomes can move around in the nucleus of a cell.", "Genes are able to disappear and reappear in later generations."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_21", "prompt": "Herbivores obtain most of their energy by", "choices": ["consuming animals", "consuming plants", "producing sugar", "absorbing sunlight"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7220465", "prompt": "Which factor has the greatest effect on a community's stores of freshwater?", "choices": ["the location of the nearest ocean", "the average annual rainfall", "the location of the nearest mountain", "the average winter temperature"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_404086", "prompt": "A researcher's plan is to place five fish in separate tanks, give them the same amount of food each day, and keep the temperature the same. One fish will be exposed to artificial light for 24 hours each day, while the others will have light for 22 hours and then no light for 2 hours each day. Which is the control for this experiment?", "choices": ["the separate tanks", "the amount of food", "the fish deprived of light", "the fish exposed to light for 24 hours"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MDSA_2007_8_6", "prompt": "Use The Periodic Table of the Elements and the information below to answer the question. Magnesium metal (Mg) is grayish-white in color and reacts actively with water. Fluorine (F2) is a greenish-yellow gas at room temperature and is a member of the halogen family. These two elements react to produce magnesium fluoride (MgF2), a chemical commonly used in making windows and lenses. How does adding heat energy affect magnesium fluoride (MgF2) molecules?", "choices": ["The motion of the molecules stops.", "The motion of the molecules increases.", "The motion of the molecules decreases.", "The motion of the molecules is at a constant rate."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7179288", "prompt": "A shift in climate changes a forested area with little annual snowfall to an area with snowfall most of the year. Natural selection would most likely favor a rabbit with which adaptation?", "choices": ["dark coat color", "increased body fat", "large ears to release body heat", "more powerful legs for burrowing"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7163363", "prompt": "When humans move into an area, they sometimes plant grasses, flowers, or trees that are not native to the area. The non-native species sometimes choke out the native species. Which organism would most likely be harmed by a loss of native plants in the area?", "choices": ["the fungi that break down dead plants", "the beetles that eat a variety of grass roots", "the mosquitoes that hide under plant leaves", "the caterpillars that eat only one type of plant"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405883", "prompt": "What is a way of improving air quality?", "choices": ["driving large cars", "building more factories", "burning wood in the fireplace", "using solar energy to produce electricity"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7081655", "prompt": "Which tool should be used to measure the stem length of a plant?", "choices": ["a balance", "a metric ruler", "a graduated cylinder", "a thermometer"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_176820", "prompt": "In which of these organs does most absorption of nutrients take place?", "choices": ["liver", "stomach", "small intestine", "large intestine"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400583", "prompt": "Proper use and care of a microscope includes", "choices": ["carrying it with both hands.", "reflecting sunlight to the stage.", "removing the objectives after you are done.", "adjusting the coarse focus under high power."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_37", "prompt": "All matter is made up of", "choices": ["cells", "atoms", "molecules", "compounds"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_20", "prompt": "Which physical change would most likely help an animal survive during the winter?", "choices": ["tail gets longer", "fur gets thicker", "feathers are shed", "whiskers get shorter"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7085383", "prompt": "Which of these steps in the rock cycle occurs ONLY in the formation of metamorphic rock?", "choices": ["erosion", "compaction", "cementation", "recrystallization"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7268275", "prompt": "A tulip growing in a pot is placed at the center of a table. Which of these nearby objects will the tulip grow toward?", "choices": ["a sunny window", "an electric heater", "a large bowl of water", "a fan blowing gently"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MSA_2012_8_28", "prompt": "Common soaps are often basic. Which of these is a property of a chemical base?", "choices": ["sour taste", "pH equal to 6", "turns litmus paper blue", "forms bubbles with limestone"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7213045", "prompt": "As temperatures increase, which process is responsible for increasing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere?", "choices": ["ionization", "evaporation", "respiration", "condensation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_22", "prompt": "Why do some animals hibernate in the winter?", "choices": ["to find food for their young", "to adapt to environmental changes", "to attract a mate", "to avoid predators"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_416684", "prompt": "Which wind-water interaction is responsible for cycling nutrient-rich waters from the ocean floor to the sea surface?", "choices": ["upwelling", "storm surge", "downwelling", "surface currents"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_184643", "prompt": "If a cell is exposed to a chemical that inhibits the production of spindle fibers as the cell is preparing for mitosis, what would most likely happen?", "choices": ["The cell would continue with mitotic division.", "The cell would undergo meiotic division.", "The cell would break open.", "The cell would not divide."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408871", "prompt": "Norma's flashlight was not working. She replaced the old batteries with new ones, and the flashlight turned on. Why did the flashlight work after she replaced the batteries?", "choices": ["because the batteries conduct the electricity", "because the batteries supply the energy", "because the batteries produce light", "because the batteries produce heat"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MSA_2012_5_16", "prompt": "The sun provides heat and light to Earth. The sun is best described as", "choices": ["a planet close to Earth", "the closest star to Earth", "a planet that reflects light", "the center of the universe"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415078", "prompt": "A large piece of ice is placed on the sidewalk on a warm day. What will happen to the ice?", "choices": ["It will melt to form liquid water.", "It will melt to form water vapor.", "It will freeze to form liquid water.", "It will not change at all."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AIMS_2009_4_20", "prompt": "Ducks live near ponds and lakes. The shape of a duck's foot helps it swim and walk on muddy ground. Which factor is most important in determining the shape of a baby duck's foot?", "choices": ["the shape of the parent ducks' feet", "the temperature of the pond water", "the amount of mud in the bottom of the pond", "the amount of rain that fell before the duck was born"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7094938", "prompt": "The Moon revolves around the Earth because of a non-contact force. What force of Earth keeps the Moon in orbit?", "choices": ["electrical force", "magnetic force", "centripetal force", "gravitational force"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "OHAT_2008_5_26", "prompt": "Which motion causes the pattern of day and night on Earth?", "choices": ["Earth rotates on its axis", "Earth orbits around the sun", "the moon rotates on its axis", "the moon orbits around Earth"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415417", "prompt": "What causes ocean water to evaporate in the water cycle?", "choices": ["energy from the Sun", "energy from ocean waves", "energy from Earth's rotation", "energy from Earth's moon"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_7", "prompt": "Some cells, such as human nerve and muscle cells, contain many more mitochondria than do other cells, such as skin cells. Why do some cells have more mitochondria than others?", "choices": ["The cells use more energy.", "The cells store more nutrients.", "The cells degrade more proteins.", "The cells divide more frequently."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7222758", "prompt": "A student finds that an unidentified mineral sample can scratch gypsum but is unable to scratch quartz. The student has made an observation about which property of the sample?", "choices": ["luster", "hardness", "density", "reactivity"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401305", "prompt": "Which process is the best example of weathering?", "choices": ["A cloud releases freezing rain.", "A tree root breaks apart a rock.", "Dry weather results in a small harvest.", "Sediments flow into a bay."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_25", "prompt": "What is the major source of energy for food chains?", "choices": ["water", "air", "sunlight", "grass"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7145583", "prompt": "Elias investigates whether soaking beans in water before planting affects how the beans grow. Which beans would most likely be the control group?", "choices": ["the beans that were soaked the least amount of time", "the beans that were not soaked in water", "the beans that had the greatest mass", "the beans that grew the tallest"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7100748", "prompt": "What type of galaxy most likely can be described as a large, flat disk surrounded by arms of stars and dust?", "choices": ["elliptical", "irregular", "ring", "spiral"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2008_5_15", "prompt": "Which is true of a car that is accelerating along a horizontal roadway?", "choices": ["Its kinetic energy is increasing", "Its kinetic energy is decreasing.", "Its potential energy is increasing.", "Its potential energy is decreasing."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_185115", "prompt": "A hypothesis that is successfully tested many times may become a", "choices": ["conclusion.", "theory.", "constant.", "law."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_28", "prompt": "Which of the following do plants need to make their own food?", "choices": ["Flowers", "Bacteria", "Sunlight", "Oxygen"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413085", "prompt": "What is the result of the rapid shifting in Earth's surface?", "choices": ["a tornado", "an earthquake", "a volcano", "an avalanche"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405004", "prompt": "Ned learned that light is a source of energy. Which can only result from light energy?", "choices": ["an ice cube melting", "a rainbow forming", "water evaporating", "thunder booming"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_20", "prompt": "At which location are oceans the deepest?", "choices": ["Mid-ocean ridge", "Abyssal plain", "Ocean trench", "Volcanic island"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_8_28", "prompt": "Kendra's mom is purchasing a car, but cannot decide what color to get. Kendra advises her mom that a car with a black exterior will be uncomfortable in the summer. This observation is correct because dark objects, as compared to lighter colored objects,", "choices": ["reduce heat transfer.", "are generally more dense.", "absorb more of the Sun's energy.", "reflect sunlight more efficiently."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7167038", "prompt": "Heart cells have fibers that slide up and down and cause contractions. Which types of specialized cells can contract?", "choices": ["bone cells", "nerve cells", "muscle cells", "white blood cells"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_4_32", "prompt": "What can we learn by studying fossils?", "choices": ["how hurricanes formed long ago", "how the solar system was formed", "the cause of strong earthquakes", "how Earth's environments have changed"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2001_5_14", "prompt": "If a string on a musical instrument like a guitar is made tighter, the sound produced by that string will always be", "choices": ["lower pitched.", "higher pitched.", "louder.", "quieter."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2012_7_2", "prompt": "Iron oxide, also known as rust, is formed when iron chemically combines with oxygen. Which term best describes iron oxide?", "choices": ["element", "mixture", "solution", "compound"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_400704", "prompt": "Which is a trait that a child can inherit from its parents?", "choices": ["eye color", "a broken leg", "length of hair", "language skills"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7215478", "prompt": "Some dairy farmers want their cows to produce greater amounts of milk than average cows. Which process will help the dairy farmers develop cows with this trait?", "choices": ["selective breeding", "behavioral modification", "ecological succession", "geographical isolation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7033600", "prompt": "Which tool will best help scientists understand relationships between oceans and climate changes?", "choices": ["a computer model", "a weather balloon", "a rain gauge", "radar"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2015_7_4", "prompt": "A student mixes a spoonful of sand into a beaker of water. Which two methods can be used to separate the sand from the water?", "choices": ["filtration and evaporation", "settling and chromatography", "chromatography and filtration", "settling and magnetic attraction"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10949", "prompt": "A warm-blooded organism that nurses its young would be called", "choices": ["a bird.", "an insect.", "a mammal.", "a reptile."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_30", "prompt": "Elements on the Periodic Table of the Elements are classified into categories such as", "choices": ["rocks and minerals", "molecules and atoms", "mixtures and compounds", "metals and nonmetals"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_411782", "prompt": "In a genetics investigation, students used two red straws to represent male parent DNA. They used two green straws to represent female parent DNA. The offspring in this activity are best represented by", "choices": ["either one red straw or one green straw.", "two green straws.", "two red straws.", "one red straw and one green straw."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP_2003_8_10393", "prompt": "The process of cellular respiration occurs in", "choices": ["both plant and animal cells.", "plant cells only.", "animal cells only.", "neither plant nor animal cells."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_5_15", "prompt": "Ana rolled her wagon down the ramp to reach the playground. There, she and her sister played on the seesaw. Which set of simple machines has Ana used?", "choices": ["Lever, pulley, and wedge", "Pulley, inclined plane, and screw", "Wedge, wheel and axle, and screw", "Wheel and axle, inclined plane, and lever"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7214235", "prompt": "Which of these features, formed east of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, is due to moist air rising along the western slope of the mountain range?", "choices": ["desert", "grassland", "rain forest", "temperate forest"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_8_17685", "prompt": "Human activity most likely contributes to which of the following changes on Earth?", "choices": ["an increase in the length of a day", "a decrease in the number of volcanic eruptions", "a decrease in the magnitude of large earthquakes", "an increase in the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7165813", "prompt": "A student is reading the nutritional information on a box of cereal. It says that a single serving contains 215 calories. Which type of energy is being measured by this unit?", "choices": ["kinetic", "chemical", "electrical", "mechanical"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7071750", "prompt": "Crustal plates that pull apart from one another most likely form", "choices": ["volcanic island arcs.", "strike-slip faults.", "oceanic trenches.", "rift zones."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7120820", "prompt": "A change in the position of an object as time changes best describes", "choices": ["direction.", "waves.", "motion.", "frequency."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7004585", "prompt": "What two organ systems are involved in the transfer of oxygen to the cells from outside the body?", "choices": ["skeletal and digestive", "skeletal and respiratory", "circulatory and digestive", "circulatory and respiratory"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MSA_2012_8_34", "prompt": "Sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) are two reactive and dangerous elements. Chlorine is a halogen gas that can cause respiratory damage and sodium is an alkali metal that reacts violently with water. What happens to the properties of sodium and chlorine when they react to form sodium chloride (NaCl), common table salt?", "choices": ["The properties of both sodium and chlorine change.", "The properties of both sodium and chlorine remain the same.", "The properties of sodium are different but chlorine remains a dangerous gas.", "The properties of sodium remain the same but the properties of chlorine change."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_4_48", "prompt": "Which list includes only examples of matter that can take the shape of a container?", "choices": ["oil, air, and rock", "water, air, and milk", "sand, ice, and wood", "nail, stick, and paper"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408747", "prompt": "Which source of energy is nonrenewable?", "choices": ["coal", "sunlight", "water", "wood"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7267838", "prompt": "Which of the following is most necessary for life to develop on another planet?", "choices": ["liquid water", "rocky surfaces", "warm soil", "atmospheric oxygen"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_411419", "prompt": "Plants that are different from each another may have similar structures. Which structure do all plants have in common?", "choices": ["flowers", "fruit", "roots", "trunks"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_16", "prompt": "Which organism is a producer?", "choices": ["frog", "mushroom", "grass", "lizard"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7093100", "prompt": "Some machines have been designed to perform complicated tasks which result from a demand for", "choices": ["minimizing illness from disease.", "minimizing the need for manual labor.", "maximizing the price of consumer goods.", "maximizing the use of non-renewable resources."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407608", "prompt": "Scientists are developing new satellite technology to help predict the weather. How will developing this technology most likely benefit people?", "choices": ["It will show people that storms can be prevented.", "It will show people that science is interesting.", "It will help warn people about dangerous storms.", "It will help people drive in the rain."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_7_10", "prompt": "Which statement about gravity is written as a law?", "choices": ["The reason gravity works is because masses bend time and space.", "The effect of gravity on plants might be reduced if certain minerals are added to the soil.", "The force of gravity between two objects depends upon their masses and the distance between them.", "The experiments being done on gravity today are better than what were done in the past and a full understanding is only a few years away."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7271320", "prompt": "What does the brain monitor to control the rate of breathing during normal activities?", "choices": ["the level of carbon dioxide in the blood", "the level of carbon dioxide in the cells", "the level of carbon dioxide in the lungs", "the level of carbon dioxide in the air"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_412714", "prompt": "A researcher is measuring changes in the density of the upper atmosphere over time. Which units should be used for the density measurements?", "choices": ["kg/s", "m^3/s", "L/m^3", "kg/m^3"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7250268", "prompt": "Which function requires the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems to work together?", "choices": ["movement of appendages", "completion of blood circulation", "absorption of nutrients", "regulation of hormones"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_33", "prompt": "Michael Faraday showed how electric current in a wire produces", "choices": ["molecules", "chemicals", "a vibration", "a magnetic field"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408390", "prompt": "Mrs. Moyers teaches her students about different energy sources. Which example comes from a renewable source of energy?", "choices": ["water heated by solar panels", "food cooked over natural gas", "electricity produced from coal", "an engine powered by gasoline"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "CSZ_2008_5_CSZ10081", "prompt": "What is at the center of our solar system?", "choices": ["a medium planet with an atmosphere.", "a star composed of carbon and nitrogen.", "a black hole that was once a star.", "a star composed of hydrogen and helium."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_32", "prompt": "Which device directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy?", "choices": ["solar-powered calculator", "wood-burning stove", "battery-powered flashlight", "wind-powered sailboat"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400679", "prompt": "Some students have gathered a collection of rock samples from the school yard to study. They scraped the rocks against a piece of quartz from the school lab. Which property of minerals are the students investigating?", "choices": ["texture", "hardness", "color", "streak"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7058520", "prompt": "Which organisms eat only plants?", "choices": ["producers", "omnivores", "herbivores", "scavengers"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7005075", "prompt": "Which of the following is a characteristic of the \"steady state theory\" of the universe?", "choices": ["The universe is constantly growing and changing.", "A great explosion caused the origin of the universe.", "The nature of the universe has always been the same.", "Light moving from the center of the universe appears red."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_189105", "prompt": "A sunspot appears as a dark spot on the sun that is cooler than the surrounding area. On which region of the sun do sunspots occur?", "choices": ["chromosphere", "core", "corona", "photosphere"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7091893", "prompt": "The Great Miami Aquifer is a large underground water supply that lies under much of southwest Ohio. The water level of the aquifer could be reduced over time by too much", "choices": ["rainfall.", "pollution.", "irrigation.", "evaporation."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10706", "prompt": "What kind of energy conversion occurs after a candle is lit?", "choices": ["friction to electrical energy", "light energy to heat energy", "mass to kinetic energy", "chemical energy to light energy"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7012583", "prompt": "What is one way the body reacts to cold weather?", "choices": ["sneezing", "swallowing", "shivering", "sweating"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_2", "prompt": "Running to escape danger is an action that requires the nervous system to coordinate the interaction of which two body systems?", "choices": ["digestive and endocrine", "muscular and skeletal", "reproductive and excretory", "circulatory and digestive"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_5_20", "prompt": "What causes day and night on Earth?", "choices": ["Earth's rotation on its axis", "the Sun's revolution around Earth", "Earth's revolution around the Sun", "the Sun's rotation on its axis"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402077", "prompt": "Which is the best explanation of why the Moon revolves around Earth?", "choices": ["The Moon has a thinner atmosphere than Earth.", "The Moon is too large to move away from Earth.", "The Moon is attracted by the gravity of Earth.", "The Moon has a smaller gravitational force than Earth."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7235935", "prompt": "Which observation provides evidence of the existence of planets orbiting other stars?", "choices": ["periodic dimming of the stars", "periodic X-ray bursts from the stars", "rapid location changes of the stars", "regular spectrum changes from the stars"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7216773", "prompt": "Mutations that occur in sex cells can be passed from parent to offspring during", "choices": ["cloning.", "budding.", "binary fission.", "sexual reproduction."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416653", "prompt": "Which type of ecosystem has the greatest variation in temperature from its top to its bottom?", "choices": ["lake", "pond", "ocean", "estuary"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7007770", "prompt": "What two factors determine the location of an electron around the nucleus of the atom?", "choices": ["speed and direction of the electron", "size of the electron and the neutron", "direction and strength of the electron", "energy and the attraction of the nucleus"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7137008", "prompt": "The removal of waste from Florida's East Bay and Pensacola Bay is intended to speed the bay ecosystem's natural tendency to do which of the following?", "choices": ["adapt to a changed landscape", "undergo ecosystem progression", "return to its pre-pollution conditions", "produce organisms that can survive changed conditions"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_4", "prompt": "Matter is defined as anything that takes up space and has", "choices": ["mass", "texture", "odor", "color"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2008_5_14", "prompt": "Which is the order of the planets from closest to the Sun to farthest from the Sun?", "choices": ["Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars", "Mars, Mercury, Earth, Venus", "Earth, Venus, Mercury, Mars", "Venus, Earth, Mars, Mercury"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg26", "prompt": "In living things, large and complex molecules are broken down into small and simple molecules. What is this process called?", "choices": ["excretion", "absorption", "digestion", "circulation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400529", "prompt": "Meadow voles are small mouse-like animals that eat plants and insects. Their niche in an ecosystem is a", "choices": ["omnivore.", "herbivore.", "producer.", "scavenger."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_409465", "prompt": "A dietary supplement manufacturer developed a new calcium supplement that appears to increase the bone density in middle-aged women. When tested in a small clinical trial, the supplement was shown to cause a 15% increase in bone density in 8 out of 10 women. Before the supplement is offered to the general public, which step should the manufacturer take next?", "choices": ["add a variety of vitamins to the supplement", "test the supplement on mice in the laboratory", "develop packaging that is attractive to women", "test the supplement on a larger sample of women"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7201268", "prompt": "The European starling entered North America in the late 1800s. It proved very successful and was able to spread throughout the United States by 1955. The survival and rapid reproduction of starlings most likely limited the population size of which organisms within its habitats?", "choices": ["its decomposers", "its competitors", "its mutualists", "its predators"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_408093", "prompt": "Which does 12.0 grams represent?", "choices": ["mass", "volume", "speed", "force"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2014_8_19", "prompt": "Which of the following statements best describes the process of natural selection in a population?", "choices": ["All individuals develop traits to match changes to their environment.", "All individuals learn to adapt to specific changes that occur slowly in their environment.", "Some individuals respond to their environment by mutating to make themselves more likely to survive.", "Some individuals have genetic differences that make them more likely to survive and reproduce in their environment."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7214043", "prompt": "A researcher is working on a family genetics project. She wants to trace a particular trait back through several generations of her ancestors. Which type of display will best help the researcher organize the information?", "choices": ["flow chart", "cycle diagram", "pedigree chart", "Punnett square"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP__8_10369", "prompt": "Joyce put 200 milliliters of water in a beaker, put a thermometer in it, and heated it until it started to boil. She recorded a temperature of 100\u00b0C when it started to boil. She repeated the process with 400 milliliters of water. What would be the temperature when this second sample started to boil?", "choices": ["twice as high as the first sample's", "slightly higher than the first sample's", "half as high as the first sample's", "the same as the first sample's"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7032883", "prompt": "Between 40 and 50 million years ago, the landmass on the Indian plate collided with the landmass on the Eurasian plate. What formed when these landmasses collided?", "choices": ["the Grand Canyon", "the Great Plains", "the Himalayan Mountains", "the Mariana Trench"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7235673", "prompt": "Hawaii is composed mainly of volcanoes with gentle slopes and large surface areas. Which characteristics best describe the lava these volcanoes have released?", "choices": ["relatively fluid and low viscosity", "highly viscous and relatively cool", "mix of hot gas and rock shards", "mainly water vapor and large boulders"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "LEAP__4_10224", "prompt": "Mrs. Henderson's class has five small covered boxes. One contains perfume; another contains dried onions. There is also a box of pine needles, a box of lemon pieces, and a box with a paper towel wetted with vanilla flavoring. Which should they do to get the best information about what is in each box?", "choices": ["Shake the boxes.", "Smell the boxes.", "Listen to the boxes.", "Weigh the boxes."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2007_5_12", "prompt": "Which of these best describes the relationship between Earth's layers?", "choices": ["The hottest layers are closest to the core.", "The more liquid layers are closest to the crust.", "The lightest layers are closest to the core.", "The more metallic layers are closest to the crust."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7007648", "prompt": "A neutral atom is best described as having", "choices": ["more protons than neutrons.", "more electrons than protons.", "an equal number of protons and neutrons.", "an equal number of protons and electrons."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_406802", "prompt": "Which statement best describes a learned characteristic in a dog?", "choices": ["A dog scratches at a door to go outside.", "A dog has floppy ears.", "A dog pants to cool itself on a hot day.", "A dog has a dark coat."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407692", "prompt": "In the Northern Hemisphere, June 21st has more hours of sunlight than any other day. However, June 21st has the fewest hours of sunlight in the Southern Hemisphere. Which best explains why the Northern Hemisphere receives more daylight than the Southern Hemisphere on the same day?", "choices": ["Earth rotates on its axis", "Earth is tilted on its axis", "The Sun moves closer to the Northern Hemisphere", "The Sun releases more energy to the Northern Hemisphere"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10516", "prompt": "Which of these shows the correct order needed for a solar eclipse to happen?", "choices": ["Sun, Earth, Moon", "Sun, Moon, Earth", "Moon, Sun, Earth", "Moon, Earth, Sun"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7122973", "prompt": "A greenhouse is an example of a closed system. Which two types of energy are exchanged in this system?", "choices": ["radiant energy for nuclear energy", "radiant energy for thermal energy", "thermal energy for nuclear energy", "nuclear energy for chemical energy"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2013_8_29426", "prompt": "Which of the following has changed over the last 200 years primarily due to human activity?", "choices": ["Earth's magnetic field", "the frequency of earthquakes", "Earth's tectonic plate activity", "the composition of the atmosphere"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7274365", "prompt": "What physical property is characteristic of all of the elements in the group located in the rightmost column of the periodic table?", "choices": ["very high melting point", "gas state at room temperature", "good conductor of electric current", "extremely brittle solid at room temperature"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7234343", "prompt": "Which difference between land and water contributes most directly to global climate change resulting from tectonic movement?", "choices": ["mean material densities", "magnetic material content", "heat absorption and retention properties", "rate of radioactivity-related heat release"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413242", "prompt": "How does the Sun most affect the water cycle?", "choices": ["The Sun causes the ocean water to evaporate.", "The Sun creates water droplets in the clouds.", "The Sun forces water to drain back into the ocean.", "The Sun makes the clouds produce precipitation."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_410624", "prompt": "Many sports stadiums use grass, but some use fake grass called artificial turf. Artificial turf is made of fibers that look like real grass. In which way is this technology most likely beneficial?", "choices": ["It uses less water.", "It produces more heat.", "It releases less moisture.", "It absorbs more carbon dioxide."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7254538", "prompt": "The western coast of the United States has been increasing in size for millions of years. Which process has added material to the western coast of the United States?", "choices": ["deposition at transform boundaries", "accretion at convergent boundaries", "landslides at divergent boundaries", "meteorite impact at convergent boundaries"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_182368", "prompt": "Which of the following structures enables fish to remain at a certain depth without expending energy through swimming?", "choices": ["swim bladder", "lateral line", "dorsal fin", "gill slits"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7005128", "prompt": "Before strip mining for coal, the topsoil in the area is removed and stored. After mining operations are completed, the land is leveled and topsoil is replaced. The purpose of replacing topsoil is", "choices": ["to prevent wind from weathering and eroding surface coal.", "to prevent radioactive elements from polluting water sources.", "to provide an environment for new coal formation.", "to restore the area to a natural condition."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_12", "prompt": "Which event is the best example of competition between species in a pond environment?", "choices": ["dragonflies landing on lily pads", "frogs and toads eating flies", "lizards and snakes lying in the sun", "hawks eating mice"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7016363", "prompt": "What is the most likely effect of a drought on a population of frogs that live in a shallow swamp?", "choices": ["only younger frogs will survive", "the number of predators will increase", "decrease in frog population as water evaporates", "increase in frog population as more land is exposed"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_8_pg23", "prompt": "The following waste materials are buried in a landfill. Which will break down most quickly?", "choices": ["steel", "plastic", "glass", "paper"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MEA_2014_8_18", "prompt": "What is the source of genetic information of offspring produced by sexual reproduction?", "choices": ["the father only", "the mother only", "the mother and the father", "neither the mother nor the father"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_13", "prompt": "Why do multicellular organisms need transport systems?", "choices": ["Most have cells that are not able to exchange gases with the outside environment.", "Most have cells that are unable to grow and survive in their environment.", "Most have cells that need food from sources outside their environment.", "Most have cells that require more energy to survive than single-celled organisms."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7110215", "prompt": "Scientists frequently monitor levels of microorganisms at beaches in the summer time. High temperatures, pollution, runoff, and illegal dumping all affect water quality. What do these scientific efforts illustrate?", "choices": ["Pollution can be eliminated through water testing.", "High temperatures increase runoff from agricultural fields.", "Water testing identifies origination of illegal dumping.", "Monitoring water quality is important to public health."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7173653", "prompt": "Machines are often full of moving parts that rub against each other. In machines, a lubricant such as oil is often applied to these moving parts. Why is this oil necessary?", "choices": ["to enhance the effectiveness of friction", "to increase the efficiency of the machine", "to provide an additional source of energy", "to produce more thermal energy on the machine"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_8_33", "prompt": "The manufacturing process used to permanently put parts together is called", "choices": ["cutting.", "shaping.", "finishing.", "assembling."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_15", "prompt": "Solids, liquids, and gases are all different states of which of the following?", "choices": ["mass", "matter", "weight", "volume"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7179253", "prompt": "Animals respond to environmental stimuli obtained through their sensory organs. How does the body convert information from the environment to an internal response?", "choices": ["increased cellular temperature", "selective membrane transport", "chemical signaling", "osmotic pressure"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_404991", "prompt": "Which is a primary energy source used by power plants to generate electricity?", "choices": ["coal", "wood", "gasoline", "batteries"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408509", "prompt": "Perry studies the ways in which animals are adapted for survival. Which is a behavioral adaptation that helps the organism to survive?", "choices": ["the long neck on a giraffe", "the webbed feet on a duck", "a bear hibernating in winter", "a flower attracting a honeybee"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7126875", "prompt": "A helium-filled balloon is released into the atmosphere. As the balloon rises, which would most likely increase and cause the balloon to burst?", "choices": ["the mass of the helium", "the density of the helium", "the volume of the helium", "the temperature of the helium"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7068950", "prompt": "Which of the following is composed of many cells?", "choices": ["virus", "bacterium", "paramecium", "plant"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7201040", "prompt": "As a result of human activity, many lakes in Florida have increased levels of nutrients that support algal growth. These algae grow very rapidly, then die and decompose. What impact does this overgrowth of algae most likely have on the lake ecosystem?", "choices": ["The number of fish species increases.", "The volume of lake water increases.", "The buildup of bottom sediments decreases.", "The amount of dissolved oxygen decreases."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400365", "prompt": "The color of which animal allows it to blend into its environment?", "choices": ["penguin", "squirrel", "cardinal", "polar bear"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7172813", "prompt": "In the Adirondack forests of New York, some trees have died. The change in the forest is thought to be related to air pollution and rain. Which abiotic factor most likely has been changed as a result of the pollution and rain which resulted in the death of the trees?", "choices": ["a decrease in the amount of available oxygen", "an increase in the amount of sunlight", "a decrease in the pH of the soil", "an increase in the nutrients"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_8", "prompt": "The Sun is classified as", "choices": ["an organism", "a decomposer", "a star", "a planet"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400843", "prompt": "Which material is attracted to a magnet?", "choices": ["iron", "wood", "plastic", "ice"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7008593", "prompt": "What are the building blocks of all matter?", "choices": ["atoms", "forces", "cells", "vacuoles"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7200568", "prompt": "Mrs. Henry's class studied the arrangement of planets in the solar system. Which planets are closest to each other?", "choices": ["Mars and Earth", "Saturn and Jupiter", "Mercury and Venus", "Uranus and Neptune"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_6", "prompt": "The primary role of the endocrine system is to", "choices": ["produce hormones that regulate body functions", "form chemicals that destroy microbes", "break down food to release nutrients", "supply red blood cells to carry oxygen"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_P4", "prompt": "What happens when an animal hibernates?", "choices": ["There is no life in any of its parts.", "It stops breathing.", "Its temperature is higher than when it is active.", "It is absorbing energy for use when it is active.", "It is using less energy than when it is active."], "answer_idx": 4}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408851", "prompt": "The invention of the microscope was important to the advancement of science. Many other discoveries were only possible with the help of the microscope. The microscope was used to make which discovery?", "choices": ["Matter is made of elements.", "Plants can make their own food.", "Some organisms have only one cell.", "White light can be broken into colors."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "CSZ30179", "prompt": "A galaxy is best described as a cluster of", "choices": ["hundreds of stars.", "thousands of stars.", "millions of stars.", "billions of stars."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400214", "prompt": "A student in science class finds an unlabeled bottle containing a liquid. For safety purposes the student should", "choices": ["tell the teacher about the bottle and liquid.", "pour the liquid down the drain.", "compare the liquid to other liquids.", "find the mass of the bottle and liquid."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409669", "prompt": "A scientist discovered a way to turn plant material into fuel. This more cleanly burning fuel can be used in cars. How do people most likely benefit from turning plant material into fuel?", "choices": ["Cars are safer to drive.", "Farmers grow more plants.", "The amount of air pollution is reduced.", "The number of cars around the world increases."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7041213", "prompt": "Sunlight is able to penetrate the top several meters of marine water, where most plant and animal life exists. Which of these systems are interacting in this description?", "choices": ["solar energy and ocean systems", "solar energy and weather systems", "weather systems and ocean systems", "solar energy, ocean systems, and weather systems"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_23", "prompt": "A male puppy inherits traits from", "choices": ["both parents", "its mother, only", "its father, only"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7269098", "prompt": "Fossil fuels were made from specific kinds of ancient organisms. The fossilized remains of tiny ocean organisms formed", "choices": ["only coal.", "only natural gas.", "oil and coal.", "oil and natural gas."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_403011", "prompt": "In the water cycle, where does water go after reaching the ocean?", "choices": ["The water flows into a river.", "The water falls from the clouds.", "The water sinks to the ocean floor.", "The water changes into water vapor."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7017903", "prompt": "Mountain bike tires have large, knob-like treads. These tires are useful on steep slopes because they", "choices": ["increase friction.", "carry heavy weights.", "increase the stopping distance.", "prevent braking of the bicycle."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406663", "prompt": "A student plans to write a report about a type of bird that includes only facts. Which statement should the student leave out of the report?", "choices": ["These birds are blue.", "These birds are beautiful.", "Most of these birds are 13 cm tall.", "Most of these birds are about 10 grams."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400611", "prompt": "Over a long time, oil can form when layers of sediment push down on decomposing", "choices": ["trees.", "animals.", "fungi.", "algae."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_22", "prompt": "A biological community is made up of all the", "choices": ["populations living in an area", "natural resources present in an area", "members of a species on Earth", "environments on Earth"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_31", "prompt": "Which temperature and moisture conditions describe an air mass that originates over the Atlantic Ocean near the equator?", "choices": ["warm and dry", "warm and humid", "cool and dry", "cool and humid"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_4_32", "prompt": "The parts of plants that make seeds are the", "choices": ["roots.", "stems.", "flowers.", "leaves."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_K15", "prompt": "Fossil fuels were formed from", "choices": ["uranium", "sea water", "sand and gravel", "dead plants and animals"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405792", "prompt": "Over time, iron becomes rust when it combines with water and oxygen. Which type of change must occur for rust to form?", "choices": ["chemical", "mechanical", "nuclear", "physical"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_13", "prompt": "When a bottle of strong perfume is opened at the front of a classroom, the smell gradually spreads throughout the entire room. Which process explains this occurrence?", "choices": ["osmosis", "diffusion", "cell activity", "cell transport"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402116", "prompt": "A student is trying to model an ocean environment. What is the most important factor the student should add to the aquarium in order to make sure that the model is accurate?", "choices": ["starfish", "seaweed", "salt water", "coral reef"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MSA_2015_5_34", "prompt": "Students measured how long it took for an ice cube to melt. Which measurement best represents how long it took for the ice cube to melt?", "choices": ["20\u00b0 Celsius", "40 grams", "60 milliliters", "80 seconds"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_30", "prompt": "Rocks are classified as sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous on the basis of the", "choices": ["age of the rocks", "way the rocks were formed", "types of fossils the rocks contain", "number of minerals found in the rocks"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7222303", "prompt": "Which basic units of matter have the same properties as an element?", "choices": ["protons", "electrons", "atoms", "neutrons"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7220483", "prompt": "Some jet airplanes fly in a layer of the atmosphere where temperature generally increases with altitude. What is this layer of the atmosphere?", "choices": ["mesosphere", "stratosphere", "thermosphere", "troposphere"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7034773", "prompt": "One unique characteristic of water is that its specific heat", "choices": ["can only be measured in calories.", "is lower than other common substances.", "is higher than other common substances.", "requires little energy for a big temperature change."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7210893", "prompt": "An earthquake occurs in western Nevada. What most likely causes the earthquake?", "choices": ["stress due to the movement of Earth's crustal plates", "gravitational variation due to the Moon's orbit around Earth", "temperature variation due to Earth's orbit around the Sun", "rotational imbalance due to changes in the location of Earth's poles"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_187093", "prompt": "A scientist puts more food than a lab rat can eat in each of 100 cages containing lab rats. She surveys the mass of food each rat eats in one day. To determine the difference between the largest and smallest masses of food eaten, she should find her data's", "choices": ["mean.", "range.", "mode.", "median."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7271355", "prompt": "Which of these is defined as \"the passage of genetic instructions from one generation to the next?\"", "choices": ["growth", "heredity", "development", "reproduction"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7033530", "prompt": "What is the primary source of stored thermal energy in oceans?", "choices": ["sunlight", "plankton", "volcanoes", "hurricanes"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_8", "prompt": "Two empty metal cans, one black and one white, were placed outside on a hot day. Both cans were the same size and were left in the Sun for 3 hours. Compared to the white can, the black can would most likely be", "choices": ["cooler, because it absorbs less sunlight", "cooler, because it absorbs more sunlight", "warmer, because it absorbs less sunlight", "warmer, because it absorbs more sunlight"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409026", "prompt": "Oil and gas are two sources of energy used in America. Which is the main reason oil and gas may be replaced with other sources of energy in the future?", "choices": ["Oil and gas produce very little power.", "Oil and gas work in too few machines.", "Oil and gas are limited in their supplies.", "Oil and gas are too costly to remove from the ground."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7214253", "prompt": "Which of these are parts of the geologic process that changes metamorphic rock into sedimentary rock?", "choices": ["volcanic eruption and lava flow", "igneous intrusion and solidification", "faulting and displacement", "erosion and deposition"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400923", "prompt": "In a forest, a brown-colored bird sits on a tree branch. How does the bird's brown color most likely help it survive in the forest?", "choices": ["attracts insects for food", "warns predators of its defense", "hides it from predators", "allows it to stay warm"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405496", "prompt": "Rock layers with sand-sized particles were most likely deposited by", "choices": ["wind.", "water.", "glaciers.", "landslides."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_16", "prompt": "The living systems of plants and animals are constantly taking in water to continue the processes of life. What eventually happens to most of that water?", "choices": ["It is converted into hydrogen and oxygen.", "It is returned to the environment.", "It is broken down by bacterial decay.", "It is permanently combined with other compounds."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7090580", "prompt": "MOST of the volcanoes that make up the \"Ring of Fire\" were formed near", "choices": ["hot spots.", "subduction zones.", "divergent boundaries.", "normal faults."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7044555", "prompt": "Which is not considered an instrument to be used to determine weather?", "choices": ["a barometer", "a thermometer", "an anemometer", "a millimeter"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401789", "prompt": "Which natural process is responsible for the formation of the Mississippi Delta?", "choices": ["snow", "drought", "deposition", "weathering"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7001873", "prompt": "Neon (Ne), argon (Ar), and krypton (Kr) are in the same column on the Periodic Table of the Elements. What characteristic do these elements have in common?", "choices": ["atomic mass", "negative electrical charge", "number of neutrons", "full valence electron shells"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415071", "prompt": "Screech owls nest in holes in trees. They eat mice and crickets. Where would a screech owl most likely live?", "choices": ["a beach", "a forest", "a desert", "a rainforest"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408991", "prompt": "Carlos was playing on a slide on a sunny summer day. Which property of the slide tells Carlos how much energy the slide absorbed from the Sun?", "choices": ["the mass", "the color", "the height", "the temperature"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_8_pg101", "prompt": "Which equation summarizes the process of respiration?", "choices": ["water + carbon dioxide + energy -> sugar + oxygen", "oxygen + sugar -> carbon dioxide + water + energy", "carbon dioxide + oxygen + water -> sugar + energy", "sugar + carbon dioxide + energy -> oxygen + water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407441", "prompt": "When a baker bakes bread, he prepares the dough by mixing 2 cups of flour with 1 cup of water. The water needs to be 85\u00b0F. Which tools are best for the baker to measure both the volume and temperature of the water?", "choices": ["a balance and a ruler", "a balance and a thermometer", "a measuring cup and a balance", "a measuring cup and a thermometer"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2015_5_11", "prompt": "What form of energy makes a compass needle point north?", "choices": ["electrical", "heat", "light", "magnetic"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7091875", "prompt": "Which process in the water cycle is directly caused by the heat from the Sun?", "choices": ["evaporation", "runoff", "cloud formation", "stream flow"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400848", "prompt": "Which tool is used to observe the cell wall of a leaf?", "choices": ["ruler", "camera", "hand lens", "microscope"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400844", "prompt": "Which material best conducts electricity?", "choices": ["wool coat", "copper pipe", "plastic straw", "wooden stick"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_177730", "prompt": "In 1922 N. L. Bowen developed the concept of magmatic evolution which is also known as Bowen's Reaction Series. Applying the Bowen's Series principles, what mineral forms and crystallizes first in the region of highest temperature and pressure?", "choices": ["olivine", "pyroxene", "amphibole", "quartz"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_406923", "prompt": "A cyclist travels 3 km north in 25 minutes. What does this information describe?", "choices": ["mass", "force", "motion", "gravity"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10169", "prompt": "Which of these occurs when the North Pole is tilted toward the Sun and the United States has the most daylight hours of the year?", "choices": ["summer solstice", "winter solstice", "spring equinox", "fall equinox"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_185500", "prompt": "A ball rolls across the floor and slows down to a stop. Which force caused the ball to slow down?", "choices": ["friction", "gravity", "magnetic", "inertia"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2008_7_16", "prompt": "Which energy source might involve burning wood or producing gasohol?", "choices": ["biomass", "wind turbine", "nuclear fission", "hydroelectric power"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401642", "prompt": "A marine iguana is an animal that lives on the shoreline of warm islands. Its tail is long and thick. Which of these is improved by the shape of its tail?", "choices": ["swimming in the ocean", "blending in with rocks", "absorbing nutrients", "finding food inland"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "LEAP__7_10355", "prompt": "Leslie's science teacher told her she must take a flexible approach to solving problems. What did Leslie's teacher most likely mean?", "choices": ["Leslie should not follow the experimental instructions exactly.", "Leslie should only write down lab results that seem to be correct.", "Leslie should accept all scientific theories even if they have been proven wrong.", "Leslie should be willing to consider many possible causes for her observations."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400836", "prompt": "What would happen if a magnet was placed in the center of a plastic bowl containing a mixture of iron filings and sand?", "choices": ["The sand will be repelled by the magnet.", "The iron filings will be attracted to the magnet.", "The sand will be attracted to the magnet.", "The iron filings will be repelled by the magnet."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_2", "prompt": "Which property of an object is identified using the sense of smell?", "choices": ["color", "odor", "temperature", "weight"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406885", "prompt": "Hector's class is counting the number of ducks in a pond. Hector counts a different number than the rest of the class. Which of the following actions should Hector most likely perform?", "choices": ["keep the result", "change the number he counted", "think that the class results are wrong", "remove his number from the class result"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401160", "prompt": "Which property of sugar remains after sugar is dissolved in water?", "choices": ["color", "taste", "shape", "texture"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7221393", "prompt": "Which substance is composed of only one type of atom?", "choices": ["water", "gold", "salt", "sugar"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7071610", "prompt": "Over a two-week period, several students complain of feeling sick. Their symptoms include a cough, fever, and a sore throat. What describes the most likely cause of these symptoms?", "choices": ["exposure to hot weather", "decrease in physical exercise", "consumption of bad food", "infection by a virus"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_8_12006", "prompt": "The Appalachian Mountains, which extend from Canada to Alabama, were much taller in the past than they are today. Which of the following two processes are most responsible for the decrease in the height of the Appalachian Mountains?", "choices": ["weathering and erosion", "sedimentation and flooding", "volcanic eruptions and landslides", "tectonic collisions and earthquakes"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_13", "prompt": "Which organisms break down and recycle dead plants and animals?", "choices": ["predators", "prey", "decomposers", "producers"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_20", "prompt": "Which is not a significant reason why people are living longer today than 100 years ago?", "choices": ["development of sugar substitutes", "development of medicines", "better health care", "better nutrition"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7137445", "prompt": "Joann repeatedly overfed the fish in the pond behind her house. The nitrates from the excess food contributed to an overgrowth of algae. To correct the problem, Joann added more plants to the pond. How will adding more plants help?", "choices": ["The plants make the pond look beautiful.", "The plants will camouflage the green algae.", "The plants will compete with algae for nutrients.", "The plants will provide all the food for the fish."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7283693", "prompt": "The engineering team that is designing a scientific research station on the Arctic permafrost has to provide the station with energy for cooking, heating, and lighting. Considering the fragile environment and other conditions there, the best choice is probably to", "choices": ["build a wind turbine.", "have fuel trucked in.", "have a pipeline built.", "build a solar collector."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEA_2016_5_5", "prompt": "A student walks to school each morning in Maine. It is dark outside when he begins walking. As the days pass, the student notices the mornings are becoming brighter. The Sun is rising earlier each day. He also notices that there is more daylight after school. The Sun is setting later in the day. Which change of seasons is occurring?", "choices": ["winter to spring", "summer to fall", "spring to winter", "fall to winter"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_8_pg50", "prompt": "Where did organisms live when they first appeared on Earth?", "choices": ["in the water", "in the air", "on the land", "under the ground"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7217228", "prompt": "Which of the following will always produce a magnetic force on a nearby iron nail?", "choices": ["a long piece of copper wire", "a large static electric charge", "an electric current", "an electric field"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401190", "prompt": "Which of these items is designed to produce heat from electricity?", "choices": ["a toaster", "a camera", "a blender", "a television"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7210105", "prompt": "A student records the temperature in the schoolyard every day for a month. Which is the best way to present the temperature data so each day can be compared?", "choices": ["summary paragraph", "labeled diagram", "pie chart", "bar graph"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_10", "prompt": "At approximately which time of day is the Sun at the highest point in the sky to an observer in New York State?", "choices": ["6 a.m.", "noon", "6 p.m.", "midnight"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7122955", "prompt": "When one form of energy is converted into other forms of energy, the total amount of energy", "choices": ["varies throughout the conversion.", "increases because some energy is created.", "remains constant throughout the conversion.", "decreases because some energy is destroyed."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_1998_8_11", "prompt": "To study the effect of heat on plant growth, Andy divided ten identical seedlings into groups. She placed one group on a windowsill in the sun and the other group in a dark closet on the cool (north) side of the house. Think about the characteristics of a properly designed scientific experiment. What is wrong with the above experiment?", "choices": ["The temperature difference between the two groups was not great enough.", "The amount of light was different for the two groups.", "One group of seedlings got less water than the other.", "Nothing is wrong with the experiment."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7092278", "prompt": "Which of these groups would be most concerned with technological developments in insect control?", "choices": ["paleontologists", "archaeologists", "agriculturists", "meteorologists"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401658", "prompt": "A model of Earth would be different from a model of the Moon because the Moon model would be", "choices": ["shinier", "heavier", "smaller", "rougher"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7211558", "prompt": "A student sees a bird at a feeder. The student identifies the bird as a sparrow. Which organ system did the student use to identify the bird?", "choices": ["circulatory", "muscular", "nervous", "skeletal"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402070", "prompt": "Which tool is the best to use when studying small organisms not visible to the eye?", "choices": ["telescope", "hand lens", "microscope", "magnifying glass"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7004130", "prompt": "Which would most likely cause a decrease in the number of woodpeckers in an ecosystem?", "choices": ["draining a spring-fed pond", "plowing and planting meadows", "destroying all dead trees and stumps", "building a road around a small forest"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_12", "prompt": "Which is not a characteristic common to organisms?", "choices": ["requires energy", "reproduction", "rigidity", "presence of DNA"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7141785", "prompt": "Which calculation is used to determine acceleration?", "choices": ["divide change in velocity by change in time", "multiply average velocity by change in time", "divide average velocity by mass", "multiply change in velocity by distance traveled"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406040", "prompt": "Dogs have some learned behaviors. Which is most likely a learned behavior in a dog?", "choices": ["sniffing to find food", "panting when it feels hot", "chasing a squirrel up a tree", "barking when it wants to go outside"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7115255", "prompt": "Some wasp species lay their eggs inside living caterpillars. As the eggs mature, they use the caterpillar as a food resource. Eventually, the wasp larvae hatch out of the caterpillar. This type of relationship is best described as", "choices": ["predator-prey.", "parasitic.", "mutualistic.", "commensalistic."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_5", "prompt": "Which is the best action to help protect water resources in Virginia?", "choices": ["Dispose of pet waste in a stream.", "Rinse spilled gasoline with a hose.", "Organize a river cleanup program.", "Put hazardous waste in with house trash."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7040950", "prompt": "The Moon's rotation is", "choices": ["faster than its revolution.", "slower than its revolution.", "half as fast as its revolution.", "about the same as its revolution."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_15", "prompt": "Which process involves choosing certain organisms to reproduce with one another in order to pass on specific, desirable traits to their offspring?", "choices": ["selective breeding", "asexual reproduction", "resource acquisition", "natural selection"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_404900", "prompt": "During which process are nuclei duplicated?", "choices": ["mitosis", "respiration", "photosynthesis", "fertilization"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415583", "prompt": "In a turtle race, each turtle walks one a 3-meter track. If the turtles walk one at a time, how can you tell which turtle was fastest?", "choices": ["The turtle that started first is fastest.", "The turtle that finished first is fastest.", "The turtle that took the shortest time is fastest.", "The turtle that took the longest time is fastest."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "OHAT_2009_5_42", "prompt": "Which organism is a decomposer?", "choices": ["frog", "worm", "oak tree", "grasshopper"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400522", "prompt": "Parents with freckles often have children with freckles. This occurs because", "choices": ["freckles develop from light.", "certain foods cause freckles.", "certain habits cause freckles.", "freckles are an inherited trait."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7116358", "prompt": "Two fossils of the same species were found on two different continents. The continents are separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists dated the fossils to be 2 million years old. Which is the least likely explanation for these findings?", "choices": ["A great land bridge once connected the continents.", "The remains were carried by ocean currents.", "A single landmass once existed with both continents.", "The animals swam across the ocean."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407796", "prompt": "Students visited a garden to observe hummingbirds. They wanted to find out if hummingbirds were more likely to visit colored flowers or white flowers. Which should the students do first for this investigation?", "choices": ["conclude that hummingbirds prefer white flowers", "write a report about the kinds of flowers in the garden", "observe hummingbirds at flowers and record the flower color", "research the number of different hummingbirds that live in the garden"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7043978", "prompt": "What is the name of the author who proposed natural selection as the mechanism of evolution?", "choices": ["Mendel", "Darwin", "Lamarck", "Hardy-Weinberg"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_13", "prompt": "Which pair of terms describes the usual location for fertilization and the first stages of development in human reproduction?", "choices": ["external fertilization and external development", "external fertilization and internal development", "internal fertilization and external development", "internal fertilization and internal development"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7025025", "prompt": "In the rock cycle an igneous rock forms from", "choices": ["cooling temperatures", "high pressure and heat", "weathering and erosion", "compacted plant remains"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7188825", "prompt": "Mars is an inner planet and Jupiter is an outer planet. Which best describes the relationship between the two planets?", "choices": ["They are made of the same materials.", "They orbit the Sun in opposite directions.", "They have the same orbital periods around the Sun.", "They are located on opposite sides of the asteroid belt."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400118", "prompt": "In order for electricity from a battery to power a light bulb, the wire has to provide the electricity a path to do what?", "choices": ["flow through the entire closed circuit", "charge the air molecules near the circuit", "jump from one battery terminal to the other", "change the chemical properties of the wire"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_410972", "prompt": "Many cities encourage people to recycle. The items that can be recycled are placed in a special container and picked up each week from people's homes. How does recycling most likely help the environment?", "choices": ["Recycling reduces littering.", "Recycling makes products last longer.", "Recycling puts less trash in the city landfill.", "Recycling increases the amount of dust in the air."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7015575", "prompt": "When coal burns, the reaction", "choices": ["releases heat and is endothermic.", "releases heat and is exothermic.", "absorbs heat and is endothermic.", "absorbs heat and is exothermic."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7184748", "prompt": "Scientists have discovered that there has been a reduction in the butterfly population in an ecosystem. After much research, they have identified that the carrying capacity for butterflies has been decreased. If the scientists want to increase the butterfly population, which action should they recommend?", "choices": ["removing primary producers", "spraying of insecticides", "increasing runoff", "planting flowers"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2010_5_15", "prompt": "Which do meteorologists use to measure the amount of precipitation that falls during a storm?", "choices": ["Anemometer", "Barometer", "Rain gauge", "Weather vane"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_5", "prompt": "Which terms are both used to describe the weather?", "choices": ["gravity and wind direction", "precipitation and runoff", "groundwater and erosion", "air temperature and wind speed"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7108063", "prompt": "Which of these has been controlled in an attempt to reduce the depletion of ozone in Earth's atmosphere?", "choices": ["methods of filtering gasoline", "use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)", "methods of radioactive waste storage", "use of mercury (Hg) compounds"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400609", "prompt": "Today's limestone caverns were once solid rock. Acidic rainwater seeping through the rock over hundreds of years dissolved part of the rock, forming caverns. This is an example of", "choices": ["erosion.", "deposition.", "physical weathering.", "chemical weathering."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_416411", "prompt": "Which of the following contains most of the water on Earth?", "choices": ["the oceans", "watersheds", "the atmosphere", "ice and aquifers"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_16", "prompt": "Which substance do all living things require to survive?", "choices": ["blood", "water", "carbon dioxide", "organic soil"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7027388", "prompt": "A student plans to measure the thermal expansion of a strip of metal as it is heated from 0\u00baC to 50\u00baC. Which piece of equipment should he use to measure the expansion?", "choices": ["a ruler", "a balance", "a compass", "a protractor"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7271425", "prompt": "Which of these was used by Alfred Wegener as evidence that Earth's continental landmasses had drifted apart over time?", "choices": ["the age of the continents", "the shape of the continents", "the thickness of the continents", "the composition of the continents"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7221445", "prompt": "The driver of a car at a railroad crossing hears a change in pitch of the train whistle as the train passes by. This change in pitch is most likely due to", "choices": ["the Doppler effect.", "the Compton effect.", "a change in medium.", "a change in speed."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_5_9", "prompt": "Which is an example of a hypothesis?", "choices": ["Large mice will eat more food than smaller mice.", "One flower was measured to be 13 centimeters tall.", "On a dark night, a student counted hundreds of stars.", "People should be careful to protect endangered animals."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401781", "prompt": "Which would be considered an inexhaustible resource?", "choices": ["oil", "topsoil", "sunlight", "aluminum"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7032690", "prompt": "Which factor causes surface ocean currents?", "choices": ["the Sun", "the wind", "the Moon", "hurricanes"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_2", "prompt": "Marta has a radio in her room. It requires electricity in order to play. Which of the following is necessary in order for electricity to move from the source to the radio?", "choices": ["a circuit", "a magnet", "a light bulb", "an insulator"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2010_3_20", "prompt": "Having dry, hot weather for a long time can cause a", "choices": ["drought", "thunderstorm", "tornado", "flood"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_191503", "prompt": "What is the primary function of white blood cells in humans?", "choices": ["carry oxygen", "fight disease", "grow tissues", "remove waste"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7119875", "prompt": "Which trait most likely helps an animal survive in a very cold environment?", "choices": ["long ears", "large eyes", "thick fur", "sharp claws"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7140298", "prompt": "Which is most likely a genetic adaptation of desert plants to survive the hot, dry climate conditions?", "choices": ["thin bark", "waxy leaves", "leaves that remain all year", "flowers that bloom all year"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_43", "prompt": "Charles Darwin made a number of observations and inferences during his travels. He studied island finches during a long period of time. Which statement is an inference?", "choices": ["Individual birds have different colored feathers.", "Island finches have a large number of offspring.", "Individual birds of an island finch species have many differences.", "Island finches share a common ancestry with mainland finch species."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7057243", "prompt": "A student mixes salt and water in a beaker to form a solution. What properties of the substances would allow the student to then separate the components?", "choices": ["densities", "particle sizes", "boiling points", "electrical conductivity"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_404987", "prompt": "In a lab investigation, students had to identify different mineral specimens. Which property is the most reliable for identifying one mineral from another?", "choices": ["texture", "hardness", "crystal shape", "surface color"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "CSZ_2004_5_CSZ10100", "prompt": "Which of these revolves around a planet?", "choices": ["an asteroid.", "a star.", "a comet.", "a moon."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2013_8_29417", "prompt": "A scientist wants to collect several bird eggs on an island. She needs a case that will protect the eggs she collects. Which of the following cases would best protect the eggs?", "choices": ["a hard metal case with flexible foam lining", "a flexible metal case with smooth plastic lining", "a strong wooden case with lightweight plastic lining", "a lightweight wooden case with strong aluminum lining"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_14", "prompt": "Which process is a cause of variation in a species?", "choices": ["metamorphosis", "cellular respiration", "sexual reproduction", "regulation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_21", "prompt": "The leaves of a tree change color in the fall. This is an example of a tree", "choices": ["completing its life cycle", "preparing for migration", "responding to its environment", "beginning hibernation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_20", "prompt": "A dog growls when a predator gets close. Growling is an example of which animal behavior?", "choices": ["migration", "hibernation", "communication", "germination"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7041930", "prompt": "In what respect are protons and electrons always equal?", "choices": ["mass number", "kinetic energy", "sign of charge", "magnitude of charge"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413009", "prompt": "How does the Sun help move water from the ocean through the water cycle?", "choices": ["by causing surface water to evaporate", "by adding particles to the water", "by increasing the amount of water", "by blowing water toward land"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_401010", "prompt": "What would a model of the Sun, Earth, and Moon best help students visualize?", "choices": ["the phases of the Moon", "the effects of gravitation", "the effects of volcanic eruptions", "the consequences of earthquakes"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_416405", "prompt": "How are bacterial cells and human cells alike?", "choices": ["They allow oxygen through the cell wall.", "They allow carbon dioxide through the cell wall.", "They allow nutrients through the cell membrane.", "They allow nutrients through the nuclear membrane."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_27", "prompt": "The Moon's surface is visible to an observer on Earth because the Moon", "choices": ["reflects sunlight", "absorbs light from Earth", "produces its own light", "transmits sunlight"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_183925", "prompt": "Why do trees like oaks and walnuts depend upon squirrels?", "choices": ["to control population size", "to pollinate their flowers", "to remove dead wood", "to aid in seed distribution"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7004760", "prompt": "When an atom gains an electron, the atom will", "choices": ["lose a proton.", "reduce its mass.", "become radioactive.", "have a negative charge."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7075180", "prompt": "A paramecium is an example of", "choices": ["a single-celled organism.", "multiple organisms.", "an inorganic substance.", "a group of cells."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401283", "prompt": "A sea anemone uses poisonous darts to", "choices": ["absorb food.", "defend itself.", "attract a mate.", "protect its young."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7092453", "prompt": "Rivers and streams can carry sediments long distances before they are deposited. What is formed when sediments are deposited at the mouth of a river?", "choices": ["a levee", "a gully", "a delta", "a rift"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2002_8_14", "prompt": "Steel is used for cables in suspension bridges because of its capacity for", "choices": ["tension.", "torsion.", "compression.", "contraction."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7210385", "prompt": "In which layer of the atmosphere does most of Earth's weather occur?", "choices": ["the exosphere, which is the outermost layer", "the troposphere, which is the lowest layer", "the thermosphere, which has the highest temperature", "the stratosphere, which contains a sub-layer of ozone"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402627", "prompt": "When light is reflected off an object and enters the eye, it falls on the", "choices": ["lens.", "pupil.", "retina.", "cornea."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7013230", "prompt": "The skin, lungs, and kidneys work together to", "choices": ["help eliminate body wastes.", "help blood circulate.", "aid in digestion.", "aid in respiration."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_178553", "prompt": "Which type of matter can be separated by physical means?", "choices": ["atom", "element", "compound", "mixture"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416097", "prompt": "Which plant part is described correctly?", "choices": ["Stems make seeds.", "Roots absorb nutrients.", "Leaves absorb water.", "Flowers make food."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_404096", "prompt": "Which process causes sand grains to stick together to form sandstone?", "choices": ["abrasion", "cementation", "combustion", "erosion"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401164", "prompt": "Plants store energy in what form?", "choices": ["heat", "light", "chemical", "mechanical"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_37", "prompt": "A student placed a rock in a graduated cylinder containing water, causing the water level in the cylinder to increase by 20 mL. This increase represents the rock's", "choices": ["mass", "volume", "solubility", "temperature"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7144498", "prompt": "Researchers are investigating whether dinosaurs were endothermic like birds. Which evidence from the fossil record could be effectively compared with modern day evidence to support this hypothesis?", "choices": ["similarities in bone structure", "seasonal shifts in food supply", "consumption of the same plant species", "tree rings indicating the return of a similar climate"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7010973", "prompt": "A student pushes a box to slide it across the floor. Which statement explains why the box begins to move?", "choices": ["The weight of the box is greater than the force of friction.", "The weight of the box is less than the force of friction.", "The applied force is greater than the force of friction.", "The applied force is less than the force of friction."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_2", "prompt": "Which article might appear in a scientific magazine?", "choices": ["\"The Religions of South America\"", "\"The Money Systems of South America\"", "\"The Flora and Fauna of South America\"", "\"The Political Systems of South America\""], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_411070", "prompt": "A train travels at a rate of 13 meters per second (m/s). Over the next 60 seconds, the speed of the train increases to speed to 22 m/s. What is the average rate of acceleration of the train?", "choices": ["0.15 m/s^2", "0.21 m/s^2", "0.36 m/s^2", "0.58 m/s^2"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7220518", "prompt": "Which trait is common in gases that contribute to Earth's greenhouse effect?", "choices": ["the ability to trap heat", "a tendency to lose electrons", "a tendency to exist as diatomic molecules", "the ability to bond with multiple other elements"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408243", "prompt": "George is studying erosion. He learns how rocks break apart over time. Which of these most likely forms when a rock weathers and breaks into small pieces?", "choices": ["fossils", "crystals", "minerals", "sediments"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_176610", "prompt": "As wave frequency is increased, wave energy", "choices": ["stays constant.", "is unaffected.", "increases.", "decreases."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406070", "prompt": "A student is pouring equal amounts of water, maple syrup, and cooking oil into a glass beaker and looking at how the layers settle. Which property of the liquids is the student most likely comparing?", "choices": ["density", "mass", "temperature", "volume"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408905", "prompt": "Betsy tries to attract a variety of birds to her backyard. She puts up a bird feeder that contains sunflower seeds and corn. Which term best describes the contents of the bird feeder?", "choices": ["a mixture", "a solution", "an element", "a compound"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_2", "prompt": "Which best describes construction technology?", "choices": ["exchanging information electronically", "changing raw materials into goods", "building and finishing a structure", "converting and transmitting energy"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_5", "prompt": "What eventually happens to a species when the environment changes and the organisms do not adapt?", "choices": ["classification", "development", "extinction", "regulation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_182928", "prompt": "Similar types of cells form tissues. What is the next level of complexity formed from the grouping of tissues?", "choices": ["organs", "organelles", "organisms", "organ systems"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_41", "prompt": "Which form of energy is produced when a rubber band vibrates?", "choices": ["chemical", "light", "electrical", "sound"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10940", "prompt": "Which discovery was necessary before radio could be invented?", "choices": ["reflection", "radiation", "electricity", "gravity"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_28", "prompt": "Which statement would most likely be included in a news report about an approaching hurricane?", "choices": ["Open the windows to equalize air pressure.", "Install snow tires and check the antifreeze in the car radiator.", "Evacuate low-lying areas near the coast.", "Expect wind speed to decrease for the next several hours."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405784", "prompt": "The energy produced by a burner on a gas stove is primarily", "choices": ["electrical.", "heat.", "mechanical.", "sound."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407155", "prompt": "Students compare two different rocks. The rocks are both bright and spotted. Which property are the students most likely observing?", "choices": ["layers", "textures", "colors", "ages"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7069510", "prompt": "Which of the following makes up the smallest region in the electromagnetic spectrum?", "choices": ["radio waves", "infrared light", "visible light", "gamma rays"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7027563", "prompt": "In a northern state, a room used for growing plants is not allowing enough light to enter for healthy plant growth. Adding windows in walls facing which direction would best solve this problem?", "choices": ["north", "south", "east", "west"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_181545", "prompt": "A student finds a bottle that is labeled with a long chemical name. What is the best way for the student to learn more about the chemical properties of this substance?", "choices": ["shake the container vigorously", "smell a very small amount of it", "look up the name in a science book", "test a small amount to see if it feels slippery"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_410702", "prompt": "The length of a year on Earth is a little over 365 days. The length of a year on a planet is best described as the time it takes for which to occur?", "choices": ["the planet to revolve once around the Sun", "the seasons to complete a full cycle", "the planet to rotate once on its axis", "the Sun to rotate once on its axis"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7171588", "prompt": "The human body has different levels of organization. In the structural organization of the central nervous system, which is an organ?", "choices": ["brain", "grey matter", "nerve", "neuron"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_412298", "prompt": "Increased human populations can lead to the depletion of locally available resources within communities. Compared to other communities, which of these locally available resources is most likely to be depleted in desert communities?", "choices": ["mineral", "oxygen", "gasoline", "water"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7013843", "prompt": "A hot pack is a product that releases heat when chemicals inside of it interact. What is taking place inside an active hot pack?", "choices": ["electric current", "a net loss of mass", "thermal insulation", "an exothermic reaction"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7170643", "prompt": "Respiration is a process during which energy is released from glucose. This energy is used for processes such as growth of the body. Which type of energy does respiration release?", "choices": ["chemical", "kinetic", "potential", "thermal"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401319", "prompt": "An organism that breaks down dead plants and animals, returning matter back into the soil, is called a", "choices": ["herbivore.", "producer.", "competitor.", "decomposer."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7211418", "prompt": "What type of cell passes on mutations?", "choices": ["skin cell", "nerve cell", "red blood cell", "egg cell"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405232", "prompt": "Which population would be harmed first by a long period of drought?", "choices": ["seaweed in an ocean", "fish in a lake", "plants in a pond", "fish in a bay"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7141418", "prompt": "The house cat was believed to be tamed in ancient Egypt. In 2004, the remains of an eight-month old cat buried with its owner were discovered on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The date of burial, however, came before Egyptian civilization. Which best explains the importance of the discovery?", "choices": ["Wildcats are not related to house cats.", "Cats were domesticated earlier than originally thought.", "Wildcats were not domesticated.", "The period of Egyptian civilization was older than originally thought."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10064", "prompt": "Which activity requires the use of safety goggles to protect the eyes?", "choices": ["collecting rain water", "measuring air temperature", "classifying flowers", "pouring vinegar"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7085435", "prompt": "The most common source of nonrenewable resources used to generate electricity in the state of Nevada is", "choices": ["oil.", "coal.", "geothermal.", "hydroelectric."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7012688", "prompt": "A \"light year\" refers to", "choices": ["the distance light travels in one year.", "the of time it takes light to travel from Earth to the Sun.", "the amount of light required on Earth in one year.", "the distance between two sources of light."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AIMS_2009_4_13", "prompt": "All animals need air to survive. An insect gets air through tiny holes on the sides of its body. A whale breathes through a blow hole. What body part do fish use to breathe?", "choices": ["gills", "skin", "nose", "mouth"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_5_8", "prompt": "Which of the following tools would be most useful in determining the length and width of a school cafeteria?", "choices": ["scale", "centimeter ruler", "tape measure", "thermometer"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7239453", "prompt": "The extensive branching of neurons helps them to perform which function?", "choices": ["maintain structural stability", "stockpile chemical energy", "communicate with other neurons", "secrete hormones"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_180390", "prompt": "Which of the following are narrow belts of strong winds found in the upper troposphere?", "choices": ["doldrums", "westerlies", "trade winds", "jet streams"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407405", "prompt": "A hiker wants to know if air is warmer in a forest than in the nearby farm field. Which activity would best help the hiker find out which area is warmer?", "choices": ["reading a book about farm fields", "making a weather prediction for the forests", "measuring the wind speed at both locations", "recording the temperatures at both locations"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_1998_8_12", "prompt": "Recently the telephone company announced the implementation of a new telephone area code for Massachusetts. What technological changes are responsible for the need for a new area code?", "choices": ["the increased size of the telephone book", "the increase in use of modems, fax machines, and cellular phones", "the increase in use of speed dialing and call waiting", "the increased demand for telephone repairs and installation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AIMS_2008_8_7", "prompt": "Which of the following is a benefit of using radiation as a medical treatment?", "choices": ["It kills cancer cells.", "It produces healthy cells.", "It improves immune system function.", "It prevents many forms of illness in patients."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7217910", "prompt": "Which of these statements best describes temperature as elevation in the atmosphere increases?", "choices": ["Temperature remains constant with elevation in the thermosphere.", "Temperature remains constant with elevation in the mesosphere.", "Temperature generally decreases with elevation in the stratosphere.", "Temperature generally decreases with elevation in the troposphere."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7029768", "prompt": "The transfer of heat in the atmosphere by winds that circulate between the equator and the poles is an example of", "choices": ["radiation.", "insulation.", "convection.", "conduction."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_6", "prompt": "Which is most responsible for the uneven heating of the air in the atmosphere?", "choices": ["radiation", "convection", "conduction", "condensation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg48", "prompt": "Three gases found in Earth's atmosphere are carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen. What is their order of abundance from greatest to least?", "choices": ["nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide", "nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen", "oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide", "carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7003623", "prompt": "Copper, silver, and nickel are all classified as", "choices": ["noble gases.", "transition metals.", "halogens.", "nonmetals."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7099260", "prompt": "The body is made up of many systems that interact with one another. For example, the skeletal system and the muscular system work together to help the body move. Which system works with the respiratory system to distribute oxygen to the body?", "choices": ["muscular system", "digestive system", "lymphatic system", "circulatory system"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7025095", "prompt": "Sediment that is deposited on a beach may come from a local source or be transported by which action?", "choices": ["swash", "rip currents", "river currents", "longshore drift"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7009748", "prompt": "Sonar can be used to measure distances underwater. This is accomplished by sending a sound wave to a \"target\" while measuring the total time it takes for the wave to reach the target and then return to its source. Which of the following sound wave characteristics must be known when using sonar to measure distances?", "choices": ["amplitude", "wavelength", "frequency", "speed"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7008418", "prompt": "What major events cause islands to form in the Pacific Ocean?", "choices": ["tsunamis", "severe storms", "volcanic eruptions", "erosion"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2012_8_1", "prompt": "Fossil fuels are common sources of energy. What type of pollution is most often associated with burning fossil fuels?", "choices": ["air", "land", "noise", "water"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_29", "prompt": "A boy and his sister both play piano. Playing piano is an example of", "choices": ["a physical change", "an inherited trait", "a life function", "a learned behavior"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_28", "prompt": "Which is the best way to generate an electrical current in a coil of wire?", "choices": ["stroking the coil with a piece of silk", "heating the coil uniformly", "laying the coil near a magnet", "rotating the coil in a magnetic field"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7056735", "prompt": "What property of water best helps aquatic life survive in lakes during the winter?", "choices": ["water has a high specific heat capacity", "water has a high surface tension", "water is less dense as a solid than as a liquid", "water is a polar molecule"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406840", "prompt": "Which part of a plant helps the plant make food from sunlight?", "choices": ["leaf", "seed", "fruit", "pollen"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_8_17681", "prompt": "Which of the following is the main reason water at the surface of the ocean is warmer than water at the bottom of the ocean?", "choices": ["Water at the bottom of the ocean contains more dissolved solids.", "Water at the surface of the ocean absorbs more energy from the Sun.", "Friction is created by fast moving currents at the surface of the ocean.", "Wave action transfers heat from the bottom of the ocean to the surface."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406703", "prompt": "A student finds an animal in the wild. He decides it is a bird because it has", "choices": ["fins.", "scales.", "feathers.", "four legs."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP_2000_8_1", "prompt": "Many scientists accept the theory that excess emission of carbon dioxide from cars and industry causes a layer of gas in the upper atmosphere that traps heat. This, in turn, causes the average temperature on Earth to rise. Which of the following observations supports that theory?", "choices": ["The summer of 1998 was one of the hottest summer seasons on record.", "Carbon dioxide gas from cars and industry is a product of burning that produces heat.", "Carbon dioxide in the upper atmosphere reflects heat radiated from Earth's surface.", "Radiation on Earth's surface is increasing because of a hole in the ozone layer"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2010_3_6", "prompt": "Why is it important to protect soil?", "choices": ["It covers the bedrock layer in the earth.", "It has nutrients used by plants to grow.", "It holds many harmful pollutants.", "It dries quickly in sunlight."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "OHAT_2010_8_24", "prompt": "Fungi recycle leaves in forests. Fungi release chemicals onto the leaves to break them down into smaller particles. The fungi use the small particles for growth. Which process allows fungi to obtain the nutrients they need from dead leaves?", "choices": ["circulation", "digestion", "reproduction", "respiration"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7207183", "prompt": "Sandstone and all other types of sedimentary rock are made up of particles. The source materials of these particles consist of", "choices": ["fragments that broke off of older rocks.", "magma that cooled deep below a volcano.", "gases that condensed in the atmosphere.", "vegetation that decayed in thick layers."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400005", "prompt": "A tree uses gas A to produce gas B. An animal uses gas B to produce gas A. What is gas B in this cycle?", "choices": ["oxygen", "nitrogen", "carbon dioxide", "carbon monoxide"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_8_17692", "prompt": "Which of the following is produced when two or more elements combine in a chemical reaction?", "choices": ["atom", "compound", "mixture", "solution"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7207113", "prompt": "A research team has made new discoveries about magnetism. Which of these statements best describes the value to society of publishing their discoveries?", "choices": ["Their results will be unchangeable.", "The research team may become famous.", "The publishing company may make money.", "Their discoveries can be built on by other researchers."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP_2004_4_10260", "prompt": "Which object in the sky is a satellite of the planet Earth?", "choices": ["Sun", "Moon", "Mars", "Saturn"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_4_29", "prompt": "Which statement describes a property of water that most likely causes large rocks to break apart?", "choices": ["Water expands when it freezes.", "Water forms droplets as it falls.", "Water turns into a gas when it boils.", "Water takes the shape of its container."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7085470", "prompt": "Which of these provides the best evidence that an environmental change has occurred?", "choices": ["a freshwater lake in the mountains", "marine fossils in a freshwater lake", "saltwater clams in the ocean", "a sandy beach next to the ocean"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_3", "prompt": "An ice cube is put into a heated pan. What will most likely happen to the molecules in the ice as the ice is heated?", "choices": ["The molecules will begin to move slower.", "The molecules will begin to move faster.", "The molecules will begin to increase in density.", "The molecules will begin to condense in the air."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7164920", "prompt": "Dr. Mendez specializes in patients who have osteoarthritis. His patients often complain of pain and swelling due to loss of cartilage. Which system is most affected by this disease?", "choices": ["cardiovascular", "digestive", "immune", "musculoskeletal"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_8_17697", "prompt": "During the construction of a new building, workers dug round holes in the ground and filled the holes with steel and concrete. Which of the following parts of the building was being built during this stage of construction?", "choices": ["the floor", "the foundation", "the plumbing", "the walls"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10939", "prompt": "Centuries ago, people used their knowledge of the stars to", "choices": ["navigate ships.", "study the weather.", "predict volcanic eruptions.", "map the Earth's surface."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2010_3_11", "prompt": "Which of these is the BEST way to save animals and trees?", "choices": ["Ride bikes more", "Make more farmland", "Take care of forests", "Move to the city"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_3_21", "prompt": "From what source does almost all heat energy on Earth come?", "choices": ["Wind", "Water", "The Sun", "The Moon"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg33", "prompt": "Overgrazing of land by livestock contributes to a major problem. That problem is", "choices": ["depletion of ground water", "increased pollution", "erosion of soil", "acid rain"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7016415", "prompt": "Which tool would be most useful in studying the living organisms the students collected from the pond?", "choices": ["balance", "pH meter", "microscope", "thermometer"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7029820", "prompt": "Which is the Sun most likely to become toward the end of its lifetime?", "choices": ["a protostar", "a black hole", "a neutron star", "a white dwarf star"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7014403", "prompt": "Acid rain is the result of pollutants being released into the", "choices": ["air.", "soil.", "rivers.", "oceans."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413637", "prompt": "The job of the bladder in an animal is to store wastes. Which organ in an animal removes wastes from the blood?", "choices": ["liver", "heart", "stomach", "kidney"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_19", "prompt": "Animals get the energy they need for growth and repair by", "choices": ["eating food", "absorbing sunlight", "eliminating waste", "drinking water"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_415267", "prompt": "Which of these cell types has DNA that is not bound in a nuclear membrane?", "choices": ["a plant cell", "a protist cell", "an animal cell", "a prokaryote cell"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7136150", "prompt": "In humans, digestion begins in the mouth. The complete process of digestion occurs with the help of many different parts of the body. Which term best identifies the parts of the body that carry out the function of digestion?", "choices": ["an organ", "an organism", "a system", "a tissue"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7199045", "prompt": "Anita heats a beaker containing water. As the temperature of the water increases, which change to the water molecules occurs?", "choices": ["The molecules move at a faster rate.", "The molecules become more massive.", "The molecules expand and become wider.", "The molecules separate into atoms of hydrogen and oxygen."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7267505", "prompt": "Which of the following are likely to do the most damage to ecosystems along the Rio Grande River?", "choices": ["floods", "tsunamis", "blizzards", "earthquakes"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_5", "prompt": "Which process is responsible for the growth and repair of human tissue?", "choices": ["evolution", "germination", "cell division", "natural selection"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_6", "prompt": "Which sequence represents the correct levels of organization for multicellular organisms?", "choices": ["cell -> tissue -> organ -> organ system", "tissue -> organ -> cell -> organ system", "organ system -> organ -> cell -> tissue", "cell -> organ -> tissue -> organ system"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7175735", "prompt": "Convection currents in the mantle are thought to be the driving force behind tectonic movement. At which location do the convection currents cause the plates to diverge?", "choices": ["strike-slip fault", "subduction zone", "mid-ocean ridges", "folded mountains"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405026", "prompt": "A class made a solar cooker out of a large can. What color should they paint the can in order to collect the most heat?", "choices": ["black", "green", "pink", "white"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_8_23643", "prompt": "Ann makes hats for people. She has each person select the fabric and a hat style before she makes the hat to fit the person's head size. Which type of manufacturing system is Ann most likely using to make hats?", "choices": ["mass production", "custom production", "automated production", "assembly line production"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400031", "prompt": "What information would be most helpful to a person with allergies when selecting food products?", "choices": ["the ingredients", "the serving size", "the nutritional information", "the company that makes it"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400041", "prompt": "Which event takes about one year to complete?", "choices": ["Earth making a complete rotation", "the Moon making a complete rotation", "Earth revolving completely around the Sun", "the Moon revolving completely around Earth"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2009_5_1", "prompt": "Which planet is fourth from the Sun in our solar system?", "choices": ["Mars", "Earth", "Venus", "Jupiter"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_5", "prompt": "What force causes objects to be pulled toward Earth?", "choices": ["friction", "gravity", "light", "electricity"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416110", "prompt": "What do the long vine of an ivy plant and the trunk of an oak tree have in common?", "choices": ["They are both flexible.", "They are both stiff.", "They both make food for a plant.", "They both give support to a plant."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405999", "prompt": "Students wanted to see if the growth of a plant was affected by using four different types of soil. How should the students best carry out this investigation after potting the plants in the four different types of soil?", "choices": ["observe the plants and record observations daily", "move the plants to new locations every day", "measure the height of each plant every hour", "add different amounts of water to each plant"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_5_2", "prompt": "In the 16005 Robert Hooke invented an improved type of microscope. Which of these was a direct result of this invention?", "choices": ["The first view of atoms and molecules", "Detailed observations of Jupiter and Mars", "The name spectrum for the colors of light", "The term cell to describe the smallest unit of life"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7008698", "prompt": "The number of neutrons in an atom is found by subtracting", "choices": ["atomic number from mass number.", "mass number from atomic number.", "atomic number from electron number.", "isotope number from electron number."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_15", "prompt": "As the distance between a magnet and a metal paper clip increases, the force of attraction between them", "choices": ["decreases", "increases", "remains the same"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_16", "prompt": "Nutrients enter the bloodstream during the process of", "choices": ["locomotion", "respiration", "elimination", "absorption"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_412695", "prompt": "Which set of elements have chemical properties similar to those of phosphorus?", "choices": ["nitrogen, arsenic, and antimony", "carbon, selenium, and iodine", "silicon, sulfur, and germanium", "silicon, sulfur, and chlorine"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7003990", "prompt": "Tides occur in the oceans at regular times every day because of", "choices": ["upper atmospheric disturbances.", "the tilt of Earth's rotational axis.", "density differences caused by temperature changes.", "the gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_400203", "prompt": "What is the name of the process in the water cycle shown by label 1?", "choices": ["infiltration", "evaporation", "condensation", "precipitation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_4_7", "prompt": "What force pulls things towards the center of Earth?", "choices": ["magnetism", "gravity", "friction", "energy"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7160738", "prompt": "Earth can be viewed as an engine and heat exchange is part of the engine system. Which would be an example of a transfer of energy from the atmosphere to the lithosphere?", "choices": ["A volcano erupts in the state of Washington.", "An earthquake takes place off the coast of Japan.", "A wild fire scorches a prairie in the upper Midwest.", "A hurricane moves from the Gulf of Mexico onto land."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7283710", "prompt": "All energy resources have benefits, risks, and drawbacks. Which two resources present the most dangerous risks and consequences for the environment during their acquisition?", "choices": ["oil and coal", "coal and solar energy", "geothermal energy and oil", "solar energy and geothermal energy"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MDSA_2007_8_60", "prompt": "A puppy has traits from its mother and its father. Which of these structures provides genetic information from the father to the puppy?", "choices": ["a muscle cell", "a nerve cell", "a blood cell", "a sperm cell"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7201320", "prompt": "A scientist performs an experiment which suggests a new explanation for the digestion of certain proteins in humans. These results should first be communicated to the scientific community by which means?", "choices": ["submission of an article to a peer-reviewed journal", "inclusion of the new explanation in a biology textbook", "posting observations and conclusions on the scientist's website", "inviting reporters from many organizations to a press conference"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408939", "prompt": "Juan noticed that sunny skies suddenly became stormy. Which most likely happened when the weather changed in this way?", "choices": ["Winds weakened.", "Humidity decreased.", "Air pressure dropped.", "Temperatures increased."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7103548", "prompt": "Which process causes water to move from the ocean to the atmosphere during the formation of a hurricane?", "choices": ["condensation", "evaporation", "precipitation", "runoff"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7001540", "prompt": "A student places a chemical in an insulated container and measures the temperature. A second chemical is added and the container is sealed and the temperature is monitored. What is the student trying to determine?", "choices": ["What color changes can be observed?", "How much precipitate is formed?", "Is heat absorbed or released?", "How can this reaction be reversed?"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_32", "prompt": "Which is an example of asexual reproduction?", "choices": ["one cell divides into two cells", "two cells unite to form one cell", "a gene in a cell mutates", "egg cells are produced"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_18", "prompt": "The sum of all chemical reactions that take place within an organism is known as", "choices": ["evolution", "metabolism", "circulation", "reproduction"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_4_10", "prompt": "The appearance of the Moon as observed from Earth changes over time because of the Moon's", "choices": ["path around Earth", "length of daylight", "gravity", "temperature"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_17", "prompt": "The basic life functions of an organism are carried on by", "choices": ["cells", "nutrients", "atoms", "hormones"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7268993", "prompt": "What keeps stars such as the Sun from collapsing from their own self-gravity?", "choices": ["the centrifugal force created by rapid rotation", "the electrical repulsion of nuclei in the plasma", "the gravitational pull created by orbiting planets", "the outward pressure created by nuclear fusion"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7210158", "prompt": "The increasing use of internal combustion engines could eventually deplete which resource?", "choices": ["wind energy", "petroleum", "uranium", "solar energy"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10266", "prompt": "If the results of an experiment do not support the hypothesis, the scientist will most likely do all of the following except", "choices": ["check for errors in the experimental procedure.", "repeat the experiment.", "change data to support the hypothesis.", "ask new questions."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_411744", "prompt": "Which has the longest wavelength?", "choices": ["red light", "green light", "violet light", "yellow light"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "LEAP_2012_8_10442", "prompt": "Which statement best describes how birth and death rates compare in a population at carrying capacity?", "choices": ["The birth rate is greater than the death rate.", "The birth rate is less than the death rate.", "The birth rate is equal to the death rate.", "The birth rate and the death rate are zero."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_8_33", "prompt": "Your community is planning to build a new sanitary landfill. In locating the landfill, which is the most important environmental consideration?", "choices": ["the cost of the land", "the location of the groundwater", "the proximity to an industrial park", "the accessibility to a major highway"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_34", "prompt": "Which is the best conductor of electricity?", "choices": ["air", "glass", "water", "wood"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7216983", "prompt": "Students compared the growth rate of the roots of basil plants in three different water solutions. Measurements were recorded every other day for eight weeks. Which unit of measure is most appropriate for this investigation?", "choices": ["meters", "centiliters", "millimeters", "liters"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7137078", "prompt": "When placed in a container at room temperature, which substance has a definite volume but takes the shape of the container?", "choices": ["ice", "copper", "water", "wood"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7222145", "prompt": "Elements on the right side of the periodic table differ from the elements on the left side in that the elements on the right side", "choices": ["are solid at room temperature.", "are good electrical conductors.", "generally have very high densities.", "tend to form ions by gaining electrons."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7042543", "prompt": "Astronomers have found low-energy background radiation in every part of the sky that they have studied. This radiation is taken as evidence of energy remaining from which event?", "choices": ["supernovas", "the big bang", "collisions of galaxies", "modern decay of unstable atoms"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400675", "prompt": "A class is studying how gravity affects objects in motion. Which tool would best measure the distance an object travels after it is thrown?", "choices": ["a magnetic compass", "a meter stick", "a calculator", "a stop watch"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10778", "prompt": "If the Earth did not tilt on its axis in relation to the sun, which of the following would also be true?", "choices": ["There would be no seasons.", "One Earth-year would be 14% longer.", "The Earth would spin at a different rate.", "Temperatures at the Earth's equator would cool."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7027335", "prompt": "In the 20th century, Edwin Hubble deduced from observations that there are galaxies other than the Milky Way. Hubble's observations depended on improvements in a technology first developed by which scientist?", "choices": ["Democritus", "Isaac Newton", "Galileo Galilei", "Anton Van Leeuwenhoek"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7012863", "prompt": "What is one of the major advantages of using hydroelectric power?", "choices": ["It uses renewable natural resources.", "It is easily generated in most big cities.", "It can be generated from any area on Earth.", "It does not require special buildings or equipment."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415395", "prompt": "What is the difference between magma and lava?", "choices": ["Magma is below ground. Lava is above ground.", "Magma is cool. Lava is hot.", "Magma comes out of earthquakes. Lava comes out of volcanoes.", "Magma is solid. Lava is liquid."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10579", "prompt": "Scientists today understand how forces work due to Isaac Newton's study of", "choices": ["electricity.", "magnetism.", "atoms.", "gravity."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_30", "prompt": "On a day in early spring, the number of hours of daylight and of night are about the same. From sunrise to sunset on a spring day, Earth has", "choices": ["completed half of one rotation.", "been in the shadow of the Moon.", "been circled by the Moon one time.", "moved to the opposite side of the Sun."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_4_21", "prompt": "A marsh in your neighborhood dried up during a long, hot summer. This is most likely to cause which of the following changes in the neighborhood?", "choices": ["an increase in the number of bats", "a decrease in the number of mosquitoes", "an increase in the number of insect-eating birds", "a decrease in the number of Japanese beetles"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_8_2", "prompt": "In an effort to preserve wildlife on his farm in Massachusetts, a farmer decides to stop using a 10-acre field. The farmer fences off the area, stops cutting the grass, and stops allowing livestock to graze on it. After twenty years, the area would most likely", "choices": ["be covered with moss and rocks.", "be a mature hardwood forest.", "be grown over with bushes and small trees.", "be barren due to lack of maintenance."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407690", "prompt": "Penny's class was learning how rapidly some changes can happen on Earth. Which event causes the fastest change to the surface of Earth?", "choices": ["water flowing in a riverbed", "a wave crashing on a beach", "an earthquake cracking a road", "wind blowing against a mountain"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7148155", "prompt": "Air that travels away from the equator fails to maintain a straight path. The path of the air is deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. The apparent deflection of air to either the right or left is known as the Coriolis Effect. Which factor produces the Coriolis Effect?", "choices": ["the gravity of Earth", "the rotation of Earth", "the axial tilt of Earth", "the revolution of Earth"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_8_32", "prompt": "When coal is burned to produce electricity, the electrical energy produced is less than the potential energy in the coal. Which best explains this observation?", "choices": ["As coal is heated, some of the molecules move so fast that they are destroyed.", "Some of the energy in coal is destroyed by the intense heat required to release its potential energy.", "Some of the potential energy in coal is converted into forms of energy other than electricity.", "The amount of potential energy in fuels is overestimated."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7032480", "prompt": "When a person's arm touches something hot, the muscles in the arm react to pull the arm away. Which body system alerts the muscles to react?", "choices": ["Nervous", "Digestive", "Circulatory", "Respiratory"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7041265", "prompt": "Two chemicals are mixed in a test tube and a chemical reaction takes place. If this reaction is endothermic and the test tube is touched, which of the following best describes what is felt?", "choices": ["The test tube is cold.", "The test tube is warm.", "The test tube is very hot.", "The test tube is the same temperature as the air."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7001208", "prompt": "The width of a pencil lead is most accurately measured in", "choices": ["meters.", "inches.", "millimeters.", "feet."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_416643", "prompt": "Which organism is able to work together with other cells of its species?", "choices": ["amoeba", "euglena", "paramecium", "volvox"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_5_1", "prompt": "Which of the following items is necessary in a laboratory for safety purposes?", "choices": ["Triple-beam balance", "Metric ruler", "Computer monitor", "Fire extinguisher"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402261", "prompt": "Which type of energy is carried through a metal cable?", "choices": ["light", "chemical", "electrical", "nuclear"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2009_8_36", "prompt": "Glaciers cover about 10% of the total land area on Earth. The role of glaciers in the water cycle is to", "choices": ["filter salt water", "store fresh water", "move liquid water", "precipitate solid water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7017955", "prompt": "The density of a material can be measured by using a", "choices": ["meter stick and test tubes.", "beaker and stopwatch.", "thermometer and computer probes.", "balance and graduated cylinder."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_178815", "prompt": "Which of the following describes diffraction?", "choices": ["the bouncing back of waves as they meet a surface", "the bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another", "the bending of waves as they pass an edge or an opening", "the combining of two waves that meet at a point"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_405875", "prompt": "What is one way in which workplace automation can have a negative effect on society?", "choices": ["reducing the number of job-related injuries", "producing manufactured objects at a faster rate", "displacing skilled workers from manufacturing jobs", "decreasing the availability of manufactured products"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2012_7_14", "prompt": "Which layer of the atmosphere contains about 75% of the gasses and almost all of the water vapor?", "choices": ["troposphere", "stratosphere", "mesosphere", "thermosphere"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7005093", "prompt": "India was once its own continent. According to the theory of continental drift, India has collided with and become part of the continent of Asia. This caused", "choices": ["glaciers in the area to melt.", "large mountain ranges to form.", "deep mid-ocean trenches to develop.", "deserts in the area to become fertile."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_4_pg24", "prompt": "Why are many desert animals more active at night?", "choices": ["It is drier at night.", "It is cooler at night.", "There is less danger at night.", "There is less wind at night."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7056490", "prompt": "If the Earth rotated in the opposite direction, what would most likely occur?", "choices": ["The Sun would rise in the west.", "The seasons would be reversed.", "There would be more days in each year.", "The phases of the Moon would last longer."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401673", "prompt": "A student uses a fan and a box of sand to model the formation of sand dunes. This model shows the effect of which natural factor on the landscape?", "choices": ["wind", "water", "temperature", "gravity"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408556", "prompt": "Evan is performing an investigation. Before conducting his investigation, what must Evan do?", "choices": ["record his observations", "develop a hypothesis", "reach a conclusion", "organize the data"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7008908", "prompt": "When a skydiver jumps from a plane, the open parachute will increase the air resistance by", "choices": ["reducing fluid friction.", "increasing surface area.", "increasing terminal velocity.", "decreasing mass."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg42", "prompt": "If you took all of the atoms out of a chair, what would be left?", "choices": ["The chair would still be there, but it would weigh less.", "The chair would be exactly the same as it was before.", "There would be nothing left of the chair.", "Only a pool of liquid would be left on the floor."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_5_18", "prompt": "Which of these is the center of our solar system?", "choices": ["Mars", "The moon", "Jupiter", "The sun"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_8", "prompt": "Which of these best describes the Moon?", "choices": ["Older than Earth", "Smaller than Earth", "Having the same climate as Earth", "Having the same atmosphere as Earth"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7008103", "prompt": "The color of a star indicates its", "choices": ["speed.", "volume.", "distance.", "temperature."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_28", "prompt": "Which type of organism helps return nutrients from dead plants and animals to the soil?", "choices": ["producer", "prey", "predator", "decomposer"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MEAP_2005_8_31", "prompt": "When mining for coal, a mining company removes the plants and layers of soil and rock above the coal deposit, and takes the coal. When the operation is complete, the mining company returns soil and rock, covers it with a layer of topsoil, and plants trees and grass. The trees and grass help to", "choices": ["prevent a collapse of the underlying sediment.", "limit the types of pollutants that can enter the soil.", "increase water absorption by the replaced sediments.", "reduce soil erosion and provide new habitat for animals."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_401583", "prompt": "A model of an atom includes red marbles for electrons, green marbles for protons, and blue marbles for neutrons. All marbles have a radius of 2 cm. How could the model be changed to represent more properties of an atom?", "choices": ["by using smaller marbles to represent electrons", "by using two marbles to represent each neutron", "by using two differently colored marbles for protons", "by switching the colors of the marbles"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_177188", "prompt": "The smallest particle of matter that can be identified as an element is called", "choices": ["an atom.", "a proton.", "an electron.", "a molecule."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_414356", "prompt": "How are the life cycles of a ladybug and a frog similar?", "choices": ["The young look like the adults in both cycles.", "The young hatch from eggs in both cycles.", "Both life cycles begin in a water habitat.", "Both life cycles have a pupa stage."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_416539", "prompt": "The empty spaces in a material are called pores. Porosity is the amount of empty space within a material. Permeability describes how well the pores in a material are connected. Which of these materials would make the most effective aquifer?", "choices": ["a material that has high porosity and high permeability", "a material that has high porosity and low permeability", "a material that has low porosity and high permeability", "a material that has low porosity and low permeability"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10276", "prompt": "Why do we see different stars in the sky at different times of the year?", "choices": ["The stars are revolving around the Sun.", "The Moon is revolving around Earth.", "Earth is revolving around the Sun.", "The stars are revolving around Earth."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7092243", "prompt": "Which of these will most likely occur if chemicals from fertilizers run off into lakes and streams?", "choices": ["Water quality will improve.", "Aquatic animals will thrive.", "Fish will die from a lack of oxygen.", "Aquatic plants will stop growing."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7085313", "prompt": "A student identifies a soil sample as \"very gritty.\" What characteristic of the soil did the student describe?", "choices": ["texture", "hardness", "organic content", "water retention"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_23", "prompt": "When a tree is dormant, the tree is", "choices": ["dying", "inactive", "growing taller", "growing its leaves"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7083790", "prompt": "The charge of the nucleus of an atom is due to the presence of", "choices": ["positive protons.", "negative neutrons.", "negative protons and positive electrons.", "positive protons and negative neutrons."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_26", "prompt": "Earth's hydrosphere is a layer of", "choices": ["rock", "air", "lava", "water"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7171763", "prompt": "Riding a bicycle produces several forms of energy. Which form of energy is produced in the greatest amount by pedaling a bicycle down the sidewalk?", "choices": ["chemical", "radiant", "kinetic", "sound"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400001", "prompt": "Which part of a dandelion plant takes in minerals and water?", "choices": ["flower", "leaf", "root", "stem"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_5_23", "prompt": "Many natural resources are found in Maryland and the surrounding area. Some of these natural resources are renewable and some are nonrenewable. People use both kinds of resources in daily activities. Using natural resources often produces waste products. Which of these natural resources found in Maryland is nonrenewable?", "choices": ["coal", "soil", "water", "wood"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_416374", "prompt": "Which surgery is most like the way a transgenic organism is made?", "choices": ["Adelle receives an artificial hip to ease her arthritis.", "Kwan receives a pacemaker to regulate his heartbeat.", "Hector receives a replacement heart valve from a cow.", "Denise receives a kidney donated by her identical twin."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2008_8_25", "prompt": "Use the information to answer the question. Over the last 150 years, the use of fossil fuels has increased, resulting in more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Some scientists think that these atmospheric gases will result in global warming. Scientists have recorded data on global temperature changes and have predicted possible changes in sea level that may affect Maryland residents. Using fossil fuels in the United States will most likely contribute to rising sea levels globally by", "choices": ["increasing oxygen levels", "decreasing oxygen levels", "increasing carbon dioxide levels", "decreasing carbon dioxide levels"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_36", "prompt": "Clouds are formed from tiny drops of water that are light enough to float in the air. As these drops bump into each other, they form larger drops. What happens when these drops become too heavy to float in the air?", "choices": ["The drops form fog.", "The drops evaporate.", "The drops fall as rain.", "The drops become air."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400125", "prompt": "The shape of a riverbed changes over time as a result of which gradual process?", "choices": ["erosion", "dissolving", "plate shifting", "compaction"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_Q11", "prompt": "Which statement explains why daylight and darkness occur on Earth?", "choices": ["The Earth rotates on its axis.", "The Sun rotates on its axis.", "The Earth's axis is tilted.", "The Earth revolves around the Sun."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_14", "prompt": "Which force causes a soccer ball to fall to the ground after it has been kicked up in the air?", "choices": ["erosion", "friction", "gravity", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7245123", "prompt": "Which event will occur in an area after a major flood?", "choices": ["a decrease in the erosion of riverbanks", "a decrease in the number of native plants", "an increase in the number of animal habitats", "an increase in the diversity of insect species"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_37", "prompt": "What type of force keeps the planets orbiting the Sun?", "choices": ["gravitational", "magnetic", "electrical", "nuclear"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_J8", "prompt": "Which gas could cause a glowing splint to burst into flame?", "choices": ["Neon", "Oxygen", "Nitrogen", "Carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7268765", "prompt": "Dr. Wagner is investigating a newly discovered, disease-causing agent. She determines that one structure in the agent is double-stranded RNA. What kind of agent is Dr. Wagner studying?", "choices": ["a virus", "a protist", "a fungus", "a bacterium"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7248290", "prompt": "Which activity is an important function of nucleases?", "choices": ["repairing the double strand of DNA", "concentrating RNA into a nucleolus", "maintaining homeostasis of nucleoplasm", "dissolving the nuclear membrane during mitosis"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_406741", "prompt": "Which best explains why it is important for a doctor's office to keep accurate records of the medicines prescribed for their patients?", "choices": ["to know how many people take medicines", "to keep track of all of the people who are sick", "to keep track of the next scheduled appointments", "to know if there is a risk for harmful side effects"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401123", "prompt": "When light hits a mirror, most of the light is", "choices": ["refracted.", "reflected.", "absorbed.", "transmitted."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_1998_8_22", "prompt": "A plant scientist is developing a new fertilizer called Hypergrow. She designs an experiment to test whether Hypergrow helps plants grow faster than Supergrow, a fertilizer already on the market. Which of the following should the scientist do with light during the experiment?", "choices": ["Apply the same amount of light to all the plants.", "Apply only green light to all the plants.", "Flash the lights to simulate a partly cloudy day.", "Keep the plants in darkness."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_401187", "prompt": "The boiling point of water in degrees Celsius is", "choices": ["0\u00b0C.", "32\u00b0C.", "100\u00b0C.", "212\u00b0C."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2009_5_6512", "prompt": "A student sorted mineral samples into two groups: dull and shiny. Which of the following properties did the student use to sort the mineral samples into groups?", "choices": ["cleavage", "color", "luster", "streak"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_406779", "prompt": "A 13-year-old boy has blue eyes. Which statement concerning his eye color is correct?", "choices": ["It is a result of asexual reproduction.", "It is a result of childhood nutrition.", "It is an inherited characteristic.", "It is a personal choice."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7093083", "prompt": "Radioactive waste from nuclear power plants is sealed in containers and deeply buried in the ground. Sealing and burying waste reduces the chances that water will become contaminated. At which point in the water cycle would radioactive contamination most likely be found?", "choices": ["rain", "fog", "groundwater", "surface water"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MSA_2012_8_9", "prompt": "The early Greeks are credited with many valid concepts in astronomy. Some of their theories were correct; some were later proven incorrect. One theory was that Earth was the center of the universe and that other planets circled Earth. The Greeks thought Earth did not move because its movement was not obvious from the surface of the planet. The Greeks also believed that an invisible sphere surrounding our planet contained the stars. This sphere rotated, explaining the apparent movement of constellations over time. Early Greeks also developed theories about the relationship between the moon and Earth. Why is the same side of the moon always visible from Earth?", "choices": ["The far side of the moon does not reflect sunlight.", "The moon stays in one location while Earth revolves around it.", "The period of rotation and the period of revolution for the moon are about the same.", "The moon rotates clockwise on its axis while Earth rotates counterclockwise on its axis."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_403681", "prompt": "Sodium chloride (NaCl) is formed in a chemical reaction between sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl_{2}). What is sodium chloride?", "choices": ["an element", "a mixture", "a compound", "an atom"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_184380", "prompt": "Which group of organisms is most responsible for changing the composition of Earth's early atmosphere?", "choices": ["algae", "fungi", "reptiles", "angiosperms"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_39", "prompt": "A litter of kittens have traits that are similar to both the mother cat and the father cat. Which best explains this situation?", "choices": ["The kittens are provided the same kind of milk from their mother as they grow.", "The kittens inherit some of their traits from their mother and some from their father.", "The kittens are kept at the same temperatures by their mother when they are first born.", "The kittens are taught by their parents to have similar traits."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409053", "prompt": "Jessica is making fruit punch for her friends. She pours the powder into a container with sugar and water. Which of these best describes what happens to the sugar?", "choices": ["It expands.", "It dissolves.", "It condenses.", "It evaporates."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7017885", "prompt": "The motion of atoms and molecules in a substance is", "choices": ["thermal energy.", "chemical energy.", "mechanical energy.", "electromagnetic energy."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7246365", "prompt": "Which features form when magma emerges between two diverging oceanic plates?", "choices": ["ocean trenches", "fault boundaries", "mid-ocean ridges", "composite volcanoes"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7239698", "prompt": "Research has shown that specialization of stem cells into specific cell types results, in part, from cell shape. What provides a specialized cell with its shape?", "choices": ["number of mitochondria", "presence of a nucleus", "structure of the cytoskeleton", "salt concentration of cytoplasm"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408857", "prompt": "Nicole is learning about the characteristics of different vertebrates. Which is a common characteristic of mammals?", "choices": ["They all live on land.", "They all have hair or fur.", "They are all good swimmers.", "They all live in warm climates."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_22", "prompt": "Which two processes are common to all living things?", "choices": ["flying and breathing", "migrating and reproducing", "using nutrients and growing", "eliminating waste and hibernating"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7172865", "prompt": "Acid rain can damage limestone buildings and marble statues. It can also harm organisms living in ponds and other ecosystems. Which pollutant in the atmosphere causes most of the acid rain?", "choices": ["fluorocarbons from aerosol spray cans", "nitrous oxide from volcanic eruptions", "sulfur dioxide from burning fossil fuels", "soil particles from the use of farm equipment"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415363", "prompt": "Ospreys are birds that eat fish. Where would an osprey most likely live?", "choices": ["near a forest", "near a marsh", "near a desert", "near a prairie"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7085418", "prompt": "Which of these best describes wind energy?", "choices": ["limited", "renewable", "damaging", "inexpensive"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_8_2015_13", "prompt": "Euglena is a single-celled photosynthetic organism. Clover is a multicellular green plant. Which of the following activities is carried out by both euglena and clover?", "choices": ["using light energy to produce sugar", "producing sex cells for reproduction", "moving nutrients to specialized tissues", "transmitting impulses along nerve pathways"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_4_39", "prompt": "A glass of ice water is placed on a table. After 10 minutes, there are drops of water on the outside surface of the glass. Which change in phase caused the drops of water?", "choices": ["Liquid water in the air evaporated into a gas.", "Liquid water in the air condensed into a solid.", "Water vapor from the air evaporated into a liquid.", "Water vapor from the air condensed into a liquid."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_7_8", "prompt": "The list below gives some symptoms of people with the common cold. Symptoms of the Common Cold stuffy nose low fever sore throat cough Which body system is most affected by the common cold?", "choices": ["Nervous", "Digestive", "Circulatory", "Respiratory"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401648", "prompt": "The formation of the Grand Canyon has most likely taken how long?", "choices": ["several years", "hundreds of years", "thousands of years", "millions of years"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_11", "prompt": "Which health condition is an infectious disease?", "choices": ["pneumonia caused by microorganisms", "heart problem caused by a high-fat diet", "lung cancer caused by smoking", "eye damage caused by ultraviolet light"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7216615", "prompt": "Which statement describes a characteristic of both sexual and asexual reproduction?", "choices": ["The processes require egg cells.", "New cells are produced.", "Two parents are required.", "The processes produce genetically unique offspring."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "LEAP_2003_8_10394", "prompt": "Which activity is most likely to add pollutants to the environment?", "choices": ["watering a garden", "pulling weeds from a lawn", "installing a wooden fence", "burning leaves"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7216090", "prompt": "Which is the best example of a parasitic relationship?", "choices": ["a woodpecker nesting in a cavity of a dead tree", "a tapeworm absorbing food in the digestive tract of a wolf", "a polar bear hunting a seal for food", "a hummingbird transferring pollen between flowers"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_405452", "prompt": "What is a benefit of using technology, such as robotics, in manufacturing?", "choices": ["decreased production cost", "decreased productivity", "increased number of manual-labor jobs", "increased number of design flaws"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_8_2015_8", "prompt": "Warm air masses that rise over Earth's equator move north or south. This movement is primarily the result of which of the following processes?", "choices": ["conduction", "convection", "insulation", "radiation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401780", "prompt": "A new moon occurs about every", "choices": ["day.", "year.", "week.", "month."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7262850", "prompt": "Which statement is true?", "choices": ["All fungi are multicellular heterotrophs.", "All fungi are single-celled heterotrophs.", "All animals are multicellular heterotrophs.", "All animals are single-celled heterotrophs."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2009_4_24", "prompt": "A leaf is covered in mud during a landslide. After one million years, this leaf will most likely be ___.", "choices": ["a fossil", "an animal species", "a new plant species", "a nonrenewable fuel"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7004638", "prompt": "A certain snake species in an ecosystem eats small rodents. If a bird species is introduced into the ecosystem that also eats small rodents, which of these will most likely increase?", "choices": ["parasitism", "migration", "mutualism", "competition"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7124355", "prompt": "Which characteristic would a scientist most likely maintain throughout an investigation?", "choices": ["being open to new ideas", "sharing limited research", "focus on completing research first", "focus on formulating conclusions"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416530", "prompt": "Plant cells use special parts to capture sunlight. The parts use the sunlight to make food. Where will you find the most of these parts in a plant?", "choices": ["roots", "stems", "leaves", "flowers"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_36", "prompt": "Which is the best example of something that has kinetic energy?", "choices": ["a rock sitting at the top of a steep hill", "a tennis ball rolling across the court", "a picture hanging on the wall", "a piece of wood before it is burned"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_5_11995", "prompt": "Corals are small marine organisms that live in groups and make hard outer skeletons to protect their bodies. Over time, these outer skeletons can build up to make large coral reefs. Which of the following statements best describes one way the formation of a coral reef changes the ocean ecosystem?", "choices": ["It makes the ocean water saltier.", "It removes sand from the ocean floor.", "It causes ocean waves to become stronger.", "It creates a habitat for some ocean animals."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_8", "prompt": "A magnet and a metal paper clip have the strongest magnetic attraction when the distance between them is", "choices": ["4 centimeters", "8 centimeters", "12 centimeters", "16 centimeters"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7103320", "prompt": "High average daily temperature and heavy annual precipitation are found in a", "choices": ["desert.", "grassland.", "rainforest.", "tundra."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7134803", "prompt": "Computers have devices called heat sinks designed to lower the temperature of a computer by scattering produced heat into the surrounding area. Which type of energy is kept away from a computer by a heat sink?", "choices": ["electrical", "chemical", "thermal", "nuclear"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_9_21", "prompt": "In the first step of making some ceramic cups, the following manufacturing process is used. Liquid clay is poured into a mold, allowed to solidify, then removed from the mold. What is the name of this manufacturing process?", "choices": ["casting", "milling", "finishing", "refining"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409038", "prompt": "The first telescopes were invented hundreds of years ago. Which was discovered as a result of this invention?", "choices": ["the moons of Jupiter", "the bacteria that causes disease", "the deep-sea trenches in the ocean", "the parts of a plant that perform photosynthesis"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_5_15", "prompt": "Which of these best demonstrates the characteristics of science?", "choices": ["One student lifts a rock and skips it across a stream.", "One student thinks about rocks and writes down his opinion.", "Two students study a rock and then compare their observations.", "Two students remove rocks from a garden and then plant flowers."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7216860", "prompt": "Which type of tissue functions to move the bones?", "choices": ["skin", "blood", "muscle", "brain"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_415689", "prompt": "What process in the atmosphere protects people from the ultraviolet rays in sunlight?", "choices": ["Ozone absorbs ultraviolet light.", "Nitrogen reflects ultraviolet light.", "Water vapor scatters ultraviolet light.", "Carbon dioxide blocks ultraviolet light."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_32", "prompt": "Which statement best describes a bacterial cell?", "choices": ["It contains more than one cell.", "It is a complete organism.", "It is part of a larger organism.", "It contains different kinds of cells."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7082653", "prompt": "Visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum", "choices": ["is a broad band within the spectrum.", "is a narrow band within the spectrum.", "makes up 50 percent of the spectrum.", "makes up more than 75 percent of the spectrum."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_8_21", "prompt": "Which of the following is the best example of a part of the propulsion system of a tractor?", "choices": ["engine", "front headlight", "hood", "steering wheel"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS11012", "prompt": "A homeowner wants to use a renewable source of energy to heat the home. Which of these would be the best to use?", "choices": ["coal", "gas", "oil", "solar"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7094465", "prompt": "How do sprouting plants exhibit positive gravitropism?", "choices": ["The roots turn downward.", "The roots move horizontally.", "The leaves face toward the Sun.", "The stems curl around supports."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2002_5_7", "prompt": "A student picked up a small rock using a magnet. The rock probably contained", "choices": ["quartz.", "diamond.", "aluminum.", "iron."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_14", "prompt": "Grasses, shrubs, and trees are called producers because they make", "choices": ["water", "carbon dioxide", "minerals", "food"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7016695", "prompt": "How does the buying and selling of a popular species of rainforest animal as pets have a negative effect on the rainforest ecosystem?", "choices": ["The rate of photosynthesis may decrease.", "There is a probability of genetic variability.", "The number of symbiotic relationships increases.", "It could lead to the potential extinction of those animals."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407288", "prompt": "Plants that can live in sandy soils most likely have the ability to withstand", "choices": ["fires.", "salt.", "cold temperatures.", "dry conditions."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7001453", "prompt": "Which characteristic of an element determines its placement in the periodic table?", "choices": ["mass", "size", "number of neutrons", "number of protons"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_404153", "prompt": "Approximately what percentage of the electromagnetic spectrum is visible light?", "choices": ["more than 75%", "50%", "25%", "less than 10%"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_9_11", "prompt": "Two boxes, A and B, both contain the same number of nitrogen gas molecules. The gas molecules in box A have twice the average speed of the molecules in box B. Which of the following best describes the nitrogen gas in box A?", "choices": ["The nitrogen gas in box A has a greater mass than the nitrogen gas in box B.", "The nitrogen gas in box A has a greater density than the nitrogen gas in box B.", "The nitrogen gas in box A has a greater temperature than the nitrogen gas in box B.", "The nitrogen gas in box A has a greater specific gravity than the nitrogen gas in box B."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405200", "prompt": "People use many tools to help measure changes. Which person is measuring a change?", "choices": ["A sports player scores a goal.", "A scientist gives a weather report.", "A friend watches a television show.", "A nurse checks the temperature of a patient."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7268783", "prompt": "Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infects the cells that coordinate the human immune response. When these cells are killed or compromised, the body cannot effectively protect itself from infection. Which cells does HIV infect?", "choices": ["natural killer T cells", "regulatory T cells", "cytotoxic T cells", "helper T cells"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_18", "prompt": "Which trait can children inherit from their parents?", "choices": ["long hair", "favorite color", "brown eyes", "broken arm"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_407129", "prompt": "Which tool would be best for students to use to observe and measure plant cells?", "choices": ["microscope", "hand lens", "metric ruler", "triple-beam balance"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_3_30", "prompt": "For a plant to stay alive indoors, where does it need to be placed?", "choices": ["In a dry area", "In a dark room", "On a plant stand", "Near a sunny place"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_190803", "prompt": "Which type of adaptation allows an animal to deceive its predator?", "choices": ["large size", "protective coloration", "scent glands", "leathery skin"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_35", "prompt": "Which occurs as a result of the rotation of Earth about its own axis?", "choices": ["the water cycle", "seasons of the year", "sunrises and sunsets", "global climate changes"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7186130", "prompt": "Theresa studied different forms of energy. Which is the best way of expressing the amount of mechanical energy exerted by a force?", "choices": ["kilowatts", "kilocalories", "newton-meters", "foot-pounds per second"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400526", "prompt": "The water cycle includes which processes?", "choices": ["evaporation, condensation, precipitation", "metamorphosis, evaporation, respiration", "precipitation, perspiration, mitosis", "fixation, decomposition, respiration"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg13", "prompt": "Which plant is grown for food?", "choices": ["Rice", "Tobacco", "Orchid", "Cotton"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7239715", "prompt": "Which cell function is most directly dependent on the cytoskeleton?", "choices": ["transport of material inside the cell", "response of the cell to external pathogens", "storage of energy in stable long-term forms", "direction of cellular activity"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10269", "prompt": "When birds fly south for the winter, they are exhibiting", "choices": ["courtship.", "mimicry.", "learned behavior.", "instinctive behavior."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406793", "prompt": "When a plane flies, it travels through air that contains gases, liquids, and solids. This area is best described as the", "choices": ["atmosphere.", "lithosphere.", "biosphere.", "hydrosphere."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_18", "prompt": "How would the woodpecker population in a forest area most likely be affected if a housing development is built in that area?", "choices": ["They would produce more offspring.", "They would change the color of their feathers.", "They would experience a decrease in available food.", "They would experience a decrease in competition."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416521", "prompt": "Where is water most likely to be brackish?", "choices": ["sea", "lake", "river", "estuary"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7026618", "prompt": "The amount of elements heavier than hydrogen is constantly increasing in the universe. Which best identifies the bodies in which this change is taking place?", "choices": ["stars", "planets", "galaxies", "solar systems"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7228113", "prompt": "The discovery of a fossilized animal with teeth, a long bony tail, and feathered wings helped to establish which evolutionary sequence?", "choices": ["rodents to bats", "reptiles to birds", "aquatic organisms to land-based organisms", "invertebrates to flying organisms"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_176558", "prompt": "What does the mechanical energy of a system include?", "choices": ["the sum of the potential and kinetic energy", "the difference of the potential and kinetic energy", "only the kinetic energy", "only the potential energy"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408424", "prompt": "On a class field trip, Zach took a walk through the woods using his senses. Zach made observations on the different sights, smells, and sounds in the woods. What system transferred the observations from his senses to his brain?", "choices": ["nervous system", "digestive system", "circulatory system", "respiratory system"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7166390", "prompt": "Louis was investigating physical and chemical changes in matter. Which of these changes that Louis found involves a chemical change in matter?", "choices": ["evaporation of water", "grinding of rock", "melting of ice", "rusting of iron"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_2", "prompt": "A ball is thrown up into the air. Which force causes the ball to fall to the ground?", "choices": ["friction", "gravity", "magnetism", "electricity"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406709", "prompt": "An octopus releases black ink into the water when feeling threatened. What does this most likely help an octopus do?", "choices": ["find shelter", "hunt for food", "swim faster", "escape enemies"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7218243", "prompt": "Which method would be best for scientists to use to determine the absolute age of a Precambrian igneous rock?", "choices": ["index fossils", "law of superposition", "radiometric dating", "law of original horizontality"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_189980", "prompt": "A mouse's rate of carbon dioxide output increased. Which of the following most likely happened?", "choices": ["The mouse went to sleep.", "The mouse ate some food.", "The mouse started running.", "The mouse detected an odor."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405074", "prompt": "Deer are plants-eaters. A winter storm kills many of the plants deer eat. The storm will most likely result in the deer", "choices": ["shedding a lot of fur.", "traveling in a herd.", "becoming thin.", "feeding on meat."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_406917", "prompt": "Students measured the elevation changes in a large park near their school. Which of the following would be the best way to report their findings?", "choices": ["line graph", "topographic map", "color-coded chart", "spreadsheet data table"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_9_6-v1", "prompt": "Which of the following is the best example of a wave?", "choices": ["a stone rolling downhill", "a vehicle traveling on a bumpy road", "a string vibrating on a guitar", "a grasshopper jumping up and down occasionally"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408578", "prompt": "Louisa needs to demonstrate a solution to her class. Which is the best example of a solution?", "choices": ["mixing salt and pepper", "melting butter", "stirring salt into water", "melting an ice cube"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407195", "prompt": "Which action would most likely reduce air pollution caused by cars?", "choices": ["drive a longer route", "purchase a larger car", "take fewer car trips", "use smaller tires"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402054", "prompt": "How is a telephone able to transmit sound?", "choices": ["It conducts vibrations from speaker to receiver.", "It magnifies a person's voice.", "It carries the sounds through wires.", "It converts vibrations to electrical signals."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7175770", "prompt": "Which cellular structure in an animal cell helps maintain homeostasis by controlling the transportation of substances into and out of the cell?", "choices": ["vacuole", "cell wall", "mitochondrion", "cell membrane"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10267", "prompt": "Which of the following was invented by Benjamin Franklin?", "choices": ["bifocal lens", "telescope lens", "telephone", "camera"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_9", "prompt": "The engine of an automobile is part of which type of system?", "choices": ["structure", "propulsion", "guidance", "control"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_404101", "prompt": "Which event most likely takes place as the result of crustal movement along transform boundaries?", "choices": ["earthquakes", "volcanic activity", "mountain building", "trenches"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_25", "prompt": "The function of a plant's roots is to take in", "choices": ["light and water", "light and air", "nutrients and water", "nutrients and soil"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7092365", "prompt": "The theory of plate tectonics provides the current explanation for the way in which", "choices": ["stars change.", "continents move.", "rocks are formed.", "tides are produced."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_5_4", "prompt": "An organism eats grass and is preyed upon by a carnivore. Which categories describe this organism?", "choices": ["producer and consumer", "consumer and herbivore", "decomposer and producer", "herbivore and decomposer"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg85", "prompt": "Which substance is necessary for burning to take place?", "choices": ["ozone", "oxygen", "hydrogen", "carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415369", "prompt": "Moths undergo complete metamorphosis. Which stages does a moth's life cycle include?", "choices": ["egg, larva, and pupa", "egg, nymph, and pupa", "nymph, larva, and pupa", "nymph, egg, and larva"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_400332", "prompt": "In humans, a V-shaped hairline is dominant over a straight hairline. If one parent is homozygous for a V-shaped hairline ( HH ) while the other parent is homozygous for a straight hairline ( hh ), what is the probability that the offspring of these parents will have a straight hairline?", "choices": ["0%", "50%", "75%", "100%"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_178535", "prompt": "Where would electrons most likely be located in an atom?", "choices": ["with the quarks", "with the neutrons", "outside the nucleus", "near the protons"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7013370", "prompt": "Spring tides occur during which lunar phases?", "choices": ["first quarter and last quarter", "full moon and new moon", "when the moon is waxing", "when the moon is waning"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7212153", "prompt": "A magnet can generate an electric current in a wire if the magnet is close enough to the wire and if the magnet is also", "choices": ["strong.", "weak.", "at rest.", "in motion."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_8_17", "prompt": "Which of the following symbiotic relationships is considered parasitic?", "choices": ["ticks feeding on a dog", "bees transporting pollen from flowers", "pilotfish swimming under sharks", "birds eating the insects from the back of a hippopotamus"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg20", "prompt": "What will most likely affect your adult height?", "choices": ["The height of your parents", "The height of your brothers and sisters", "Your hair color", "Your weight"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_8_23654", "prompt": "The winter solstice occurs on either December 21 or 22, depending on the year. Which of the following statements best explains why the time of the year the winter solstice occurs has the least amount of daylight in Massachusetts?", "choices": ["Earth is farthest away from the Sun on the winter solstice.", "Earth's rotational speed on its axis is greatest on the winter solstice.", "Earth is traveling around the Sun with the greatest speed on the winter solstice.", "Earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun on the winter solstice."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MSA_2015_5_44", "prompt": "Maryland has many renewable and nonrenewable natural resources. Which group contains only renewable resources found in Maryland?", "choices": ["wind, oil, coal", "fish, coal, wind", "oil, water, trees", "trees, water, fish"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_405943", "prompt": "Which part makes a plant cell different from an animal cell?", "choices": ["cell membrane", "cell wall", "cytoplasm", "nucleus"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_8_2014_21", "prompt": "Which of the following has a warmer average surface temperature than Earth?", "choices": ["Mars", "Moon", "Pluto", "Venus"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_43", "prompt": "Sound waves are not able to travel through", "choices": ["a cloud", "a vacuum", "metal", "water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405197", "prompt": "Scientists study fossils to learn about extinct plants and animals. Which of these is the best example of a fossil?", "choices": ["a footprint in a rock", "a seashell under water", "a leaf in a mudpuddle", "a bone on top of a sand pile"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_406776", "prompt": "When an egg and sperm form an embryo, the offspring that is formed will have genetic traits that are", "choices": ["inherited from only one parent.", "created by the environment.", "passed on from two parents.", "learned from siblings."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7263288", "prompt": "Turgor pressure in the cells of plant roots is strong enough to eventually crack the rocks in which they grow. What machine redirects force this way?", "choices": ["a pulley", "a wedge", "an inclined plane", "a wheel and axle"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7136483", "prompt": "Daphnee is going to build a model of the solar system for her science project. She decides that a meter (m) will represent one astronomical unit (AU) in her model. Based on this scale, how far away from the Sun would she need to place Earth?", "choices": ["one meter", "two meters", "three meters", "four meters"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEA_2013_5_9", "prompt": "A lizard in a desert sits on a warm rock. Where does the heat energy in the rock come from?", "choices": ["the Sun", "the lizard's skin", "deep within Earth", "the decay of plant materials"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7043908", "prompt": "What is the major cause of ocean waves?", "choices": ["wind", "Moon's gravity", "salinity", "Earth's rotation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401815", "prompt": "What type of graph would be best for recording plant growth over a one-week period?", "choices": ["pie chart", "line graph", "scatterplot", "histogram"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEA_2013_5_11", "prompt": "A scientist compares ancient animal tracks to modern animal tracks. Which conclusion is the scientist most likely to reach?", "choices": ["Some ancient animals and some modern animals walk on four legs.", "Most ancient animals and most modern animals hunt animals for food.", "The same animals that lived long ago also live today.", "All animals can walk."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7166863", "prompt": "A group of citizens want to have a statue built out of marble. They want to place it in a climate that has a slow rate of chemical weathering. In which type of climate would it be best to place the statue for the slowest rate of chemical weathering?", "choices": ["hot and dry", "cold and dry", "hot and humid", "cold and humid"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEA_2010_8_2", "prompt": "According to scientists, donkeys and horses share a common ancestor. Which evidence shows that the two organisms are related?", "choices": ["Both are tall.", "Both run fast.", "They have the same diet.", "They have the same bones in their limbs."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP__7_10346", "prompt": "Which relationship is mutualistic?", "choices": ["an insect that lives and feeds on the body of an alligator", "an ant that lives on a plant and defends the plant from other insects", "a bird that migrates to follow the movements of the butterflies that it eats", "a deer that eats one kind of plant, which allows another kind of plant to grow in its place"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "LEAP__7_10349", "prompt": "In humans, B is the allele for brown eyes and b is the allele for blue eyes. Two brothers both have brown eyes, but one of them has both the B and b alleles while the other only has B alleles. Which statement is true about the brothers?", "choices": ["They have the same genotype and phenotype.", "They have different phenotypes and genotypes.", "They have the same phenotype but different genotypes.", "They have the same genotype but different phenotypes."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "CSZ_2005_5_CSZ10247", "prompt": "Which of the following is broken down in the body to release energy?", "choices": ["sugar.", "water.", "salt.", "oxygen."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7234028", "prompt": "Which property is thought to characterize objects in the Oort Cloud?", "choices": ["They are composed mostly of iron.", "They are composed mostly of ice.", "They regularly revolve near the Sun.", "They regularly replenish water on Earth."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7018393", "prompt": "Sound travels as a", "choices": ["wave without a medium.", "series of compressions only.", "pattern of up and down vibrations.", "pattern of compressions and rarefactions."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7043680", "prompt": "Astronomers have been studying objects that are very bright and appear to be very far away. They have since concluded that these objects are distant galaxies with giant black holes at their center known as", "choices": ["pulsars.", "quasars.", "supernovas.", "binary stars."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_6", "prompt": "Which unit of measurement should be used to describe the  mass of an apple?", "choices": ["gram", "liter", "minute", "meter"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_35", "prompt": "Scientists have created trains that use magnets to make the trains float above the tracks as they travel. These trains float because", "choices": ["the track is waxed", "the like poles repel", "the train has a low density", "a chemical change occurs"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_4_23", "prompt": "One role of a producer in a food chain is to provide", "choices": ["water for plants", "sunlight for plants", "nutrients for animals", "shelter for animals"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7235970", "prompt": "Tectonic motion caused tension between plates in Earth's crust. A sudden release of this energy occurred. Based on this information, which event happened?", "choices": ["subsidence", "earthquake", "volcanic eruption", "meteoroid impact"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413146", "prompt": "The teacher heats a pot of water. Once the water reaches 100\u00b0C, which point has the water reached?", "choices": ["boiling", "melting", "freezing", "evaporating"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7017185", "prompt": "What is the major cause of seasonal changes?", "choices": ["tilt of the Earth's axis", "Earth changing its distance from the Sun", "changing patterns in wind and ocean currents", "cycles in the amount of energy released by the Sun"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_182700", "prompt": "In 1989, the unusually low snowpack in portions of the Sierra Nevada Mountains led to a widespread emergence of Edith's checkerspot butterflies in April. In these regions, flowers do not appear until May. What was the most likely result of the early emergence of these butterflies?", "choices": ["Most butterflies did not survive.", "Most butterflies reproduced earlier.", "Most butterflies switched to other food sources.", "Most butterflies adapted to the new environment."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7043085", "prompt": "Which scientist developed the mathematical models used to describe the changes in the motion of objects as well as the forces that cause the change in motion?", "choices": ["Dalton", "Newton", "Aristotle", "Ptolemy"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "LEAP__5_10319", "prompt": "Which natural event would take the longest time to happen?", "choices": ["a cloud forming", "a mountain forming", "a pond evaporating", "a river flooding its banks"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_32", "prompt": "Which property of a substance indicates whether the substance is a liquid or a solid at room temperature?", "choices": ["melting point", "electrical conductivity", "flexibility", "solubility"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7216790", "prompt": "Which organelle converts glucose to energy for cellular work?", "choices": ["nucleus", "mitochondrion", "vacuole", "chloroplast"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7084438", "prompt": "The length of a year is determined by the amount of time it takes", "choices": ["the Moon to revolve around Earth.", "Earth to revolve around the Sun.", "Earth to rotate on its axis.", "the Sun to rotate on its axis."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7213815", "prompt": "A tick attaches to a deer and consumes blood, harming the deer. This is an example of which type of relationship?", "choices": ["predator-prey", "mutualism", "parasite-host", "commensalism"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_4_23", "prompt": "Cactus plants grow best in environments (habitats) that are", "choices": ["hot and dry.", "hot and wet.", "cold and dry.", "cold and wet."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NAEP_2005_4_S12+7", "prompt": "Where does water in a lake get most of its energy to evaporate?", "choices": ["The sun heating the lake", "Green plants living in the lake", "Streams entering the lake", "Cold springs under the lake"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401163", "prompt": "A scientist trying to identify an unknown liquid may heat the liquid. Which would be the best reason for the scientist to heat the liquid?", "choices": ["to observe a color change", "to get rid of most impurities", "to identify the boiling point", "to collect gases for additional study"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7026898", "prompt": "During a laboratory investigation, a student cracks a clean, empty Erlenmeyer flask. It does not break, but it can no longer be used. Where should the flask be placed?", "choices": ["trash can", "biohazard bag", "broken glass bin", "hazardous waste bin"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2011_8_39", "prompt": "A light bulb transforms electrical energy into light energy. A light bulb also transforms electrical energy into", "choices": ["heat energy", "potential energy", "magnetic energy", "mechanical energy"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_16", "prompt": "Jonas needs to split a log. He has a sledge hammer. What other tool should he also use to split the log?", "choices": ["a lever", "a pulley", "a wedge", "a fulcrum"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7206010", "prompt": "Hurricanes are driven by the energy they get from ocean water. Which property of water allows it to retain the energy needed to power a hurricane?", "choices": ["low vapor pressure", "high specific heat", "high surface tension", "low freezing point"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7138425", "prompt": "Which organisms contribute most to the decomposition of dead organisms?", "choices": ["snakes", "viruses", "insects", "bacteria"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10948", "prompt": "What is one difference between birds and reptiles?", "choices": ["Birds lay eggs and reptiles do not.", "Reptiles are meat-eaters and birds are not.", "Birds breathe oxygen and reptiles do not.", "Reptiles are cold-blooded and birds are not."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10577", "prompt": "The ounce, the pound, and the ton are units of", "choices": ["time.", "weight.", "length.", "distance."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7223090", "prompt": "A student uses clay to construct a model of Earth. Which layer of the model should be the thinnest layer?", "choices": ["the layer representing the mantle", "the layer representing the outer core", "the layer representing the inner core", "the layer representing the crust"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7014035", "prompt": "A scientist observes that both birds and snakes in the same ecosystem depend on the same mouse species as a food source. The relationship between the birds and the snakes is an example of", "choices": ["predation.", "mutualism.", "competition.", "commensalism."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_8_36", "prompt": "Animals get energy from the food they eat. What is the original source of this energy?", "choices": ["the soil", "the water cycle", "the Sun", "fertilizers"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP__5_10309", "prompt": "Many human activities, such as driving a car, cause the release of air pollutants. Which substance is a common air pollutant when driving a car?", "choices": ["carbon monoxide", "chlorine", "nitrogen", "iron oxide"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7068670", "prompt": "Which environment would most likely have rich, fertile soil?", "choices": ["a desert plain", "a coastal beach", "a mountain peak", "a flood plain"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7160545", "prompt": "In 1785, James Hutton, stated that evidence of past occurrences can be used to explain events which happen today. Which could most likely be used to explain an event in the geologic past?", "choices": ["sunspots", "earthquakes", "wave patterns", "cloud formations"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MDSA_2013_8_7", "prompt": "The elements sulfur (S) and oxygen combine to form a substance called sulfur dioxide (SO2). Sulfur dioxide is also formed when coal and oil are burned. Sulfur dioxide can best be described as", "choices": ["a metal", "an atom", "a compound", "a nonreactive gas"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7159880", "prompt": "If a pond is polluted by soap that has phosphate, this pollutant will cause the algae to quickly reproduce. Which will most likely increase in the pond if this happens to the algae?", "choices": ["sulfur", "oxygen", "nitrogen", "carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7075128", "prompt": "In order to carry out the functions of life, organisms must", "choices": ["have more than one type of cell.", "be exposed to sunlight.", "have at least one cell.", "be able to move."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7124093", "prompt": "A roller coaster is climbing up the highest hill on its track. At which point will the front car of the coaster most likely have its greatest potential energy?", "choices": ["at the bottom of the highest hill", "at the top of the highest hill", "at the start of the track", "at the end of the track"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_9_4", "prompt": "What is the mass of an asteroid with a speed of 200 m/s and a momentum of 2,000 kg x m/s?", "choices": ["10 kg", "1,800 kg", "2,200 kg", "400,000 kg"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7123305", "prompt": "Some scientists study images of very distant celestial bodies. Where is the best location for the types of telescopes that can provide the scientists with the clearest images.", "choices": ["at sea level", "in outer space", "on mountain tops", "at higher latitudes"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416134", "prompt": "How do people get energy and nutrients?", "choices": ["breathing clean air", "exercising and playing", "getting plenty of rest", "eating healthy food"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_401646", "prompt": "Which action is a learned characteristic of a newborn horse?", "choices": ["nursing", "walking", "sleeping", "breathing"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_8_5", "prompt": "An earthquake is caused by sudden shifts in which of the following layers of Earth?", "choices": ["outer core", "crust", "inner core", "mesosphere"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408426", "prompt": "A black bear's diet includes nuts, berries, honey, insects, and fish. Black bears are", "choices": ["decomposers.", "herbivores.", "omnivores.", "prey."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7005828", "prompt": "The news often talks about how global warming could change environmental conditions on Earth. Which best explains why global warming is such a concern?", "choices": ["Glaciers will advance.", "The sea level will rise.", "Earthquake activity will increase.", "The overall temperature will decrease."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7197890", "prompt": "Animal cells perform functions using energy that is derived from glucose (C6H12O6). Which molecule is required for animal cells to obtain the most energy possible from a molecule of glucose?", "choices": ["water", "oxygen", "lactic acid", "carbon dioxide"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2009_7_6", "prompt": "Stomata are tiny pores located on the leaves of plants. These pores permit the exchange of gases between air in the environment and plant cells located inside the leaf. Which tissue performs a similar function in vertebrates?", "choices": ["The cornea in the eye", "The alveoli in the lungs", "The chambers in the heart", "The salivary glands in the mouth"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400752", "prompt": "When crossing parents with genotypes Rr and rr, what will be the percentages of the genotypes of the offspring?", "choices": ["75% Rr, 25% rr", "50% Rr, 50% rr", "100% Rr", "100% rr"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7233345", "prompt": "Which information will best help scientists determine if an object is a comet, an asteroid, or a meteoroid?", "choices": ["the object's diameter", "the object's composition", "the shape of the object's orbit", "the speed at which the object travels"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7154228", "prompt": "In an ocean ecosystem, dead organisms such as fish and plankton sink to the bottom of the ocean. Which organisms break down and recycle the dead organisms?", "choices": ["algae", "bacteria", "mollusks", "sponges"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2009_5_15", "prompt": "Which is the best description of the brightness of the Sun?", "choices": ["It is less bright than planets.", "It is brighter than other stars.", "It is of average brightness compared to planets.", "It is of average brightness compared to other stars."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10042", "prompt": "Which process passes genetic information from plants to their offspring?", "choices": ["germination", "pollination", "photosynthesis", "adaptation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_406785", "prompt": "What must happen in order for scientific data to be verified through repetition?", "choices": ["Accurate records must be kept.", "Modern technology must be used.", "Investigations must be conducted by trained scientists.", "Observations must be made by more than one scientist."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7077648", "prompt": "Which particle type can be identified as being from a specific element?", "choices": ["electron", "atom", "neutron", "proton"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10205", "prompt": "Which of the following is a chemical property of a substance?", "choices": ["mass of 372 g", "reacts with HCl", "density of 37 g/cm^3", "white powder with silver specks"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_18", "prompt": "Which structure is found in a plant cell but not in an animal cell?", "choices": ["cell wall", "cell membrane", "cytoplasm", "nucleus"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10611", "prompt": "Which of these best describes a fossil?", "choices": ["a geometric pattern formed by a mineral", "a solid element or compound from Earth's crust", "remains of an extinct organism found in a rock layer", "bits of weathered rocks and pieces of dead organisms"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7185710", "prompt": "A student is conducting an investigation using chemicals. Other than goggles and gloves, what else should the student use in order to conduct this investigation safely?", "choices": ["lab coat", "Petri dish", "Bunsen burner", "loose-fitting clothing"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_188948", "prompt": "The boiling point of nitrogen is -196\u00b0C. What states of matter are involved when nitrogen boils?", "choices": ["solid to gas", "liquid to gas", "liquid to solid", "gas to liquid"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7179865", "prompt": "The Hubble Space Telescope is a telescope that NASA launched into space in 1990. Scientists most likely prefer to use the Hubble Space Telescope instead of a land-based telescope because it provides better accuracy at", "choices": ["predicting solar eclipses.", "investigating faraway galaxies.", "investigating the size of Venus.", "predicting the phases of the Moon."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_5_3", "prompt": "Which of the following statements best describes a complex machine?", "choices": ["It is designed to move with a motor.", "It is constructed from machine-made parts.", "It is made of more than one simple machine.", "It is built from more than one type of material."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7159583", "prompt": "A drug company developed a pill to reduce cases of stomach virus. To test the medication, half of the participants got the pill with the new medicine and half got a sugar pill. Which term best identifies the participants who got a sugar pill?", "choices": ["control", "experimental", "dependent variable", "independent variable"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7251003", "prompt": "Which information does a student need to differentiate between the speed and the velocity of a vehicle in motion?", "choices": ["the rate of the motion", "the direction of the motion", "the change in the amount of motion", "the amount of distance traveled during motion"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7245158", "prompt": "When do mutations help make an ecosystem more sustainable?", "choices": ["when mutations decrease the number of individuals in an ecosystem", "when mutations increase the number of individuals in an ecosystem", "when mutations decrease the number of species in an ecosystem", "when mutations increase the number of species in an ecosystem"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_5_12", "prompt": "Which scientist would be most likely to study the changes in animal populations in nature?", "choices": ["Botanist", "Engineer", "Ecologist", "Veterinarian"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MSA_2015_5_7", "prompt": "Humans use both renewable and nonrenewable resources. Which human activity uses a nonrenewable resource?", "choices": ["building houses with wood", "using natural gas to heat homes", "using solar energy to power lights", "producing electricity from flowing water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7077578", "prompt": "Which best describes the motion of molecules in the gaseous state?", "choices": ["They vibrate quickly in place.", "They spread apart to fill their container.", "They move at the same speed as in a liquid.", "They move slowly over one another."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_9", "prompt": "What is the downward movement of water through pores and other spaces in soil due to the force of gravity?", "choices": ["percolation", "evaporation", "precipitation", "condensation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7222898", "prompt": "On Mount Everest the temperature decreases as the altitude increases. The summit of this mountain is in which atmospheric layer?", "choices": ["mesosphere", "stratosphere", "thermosphere", "troposphere"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_41", "prompt": "Which energy source is considered nonrenewable?", "choices": ["moving water", "fossil fuel", "wind", "biomass"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg34", "prompt": "A renewable energy source is a source that will not run out. Which is an example of the use of such a source?", "choices": ["A coal furnace heating a house", "a windmill pumping water on a farm", "a kerosene lamp lighting a room", "a diesel truck traveling along a road"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MEA_2016_8_2", "prompt": "Which statement best describes why the Moon is visible from Earth?", "choices": ["The Moon reflects light from other planets.", "The Moon reflects light from the Sun.", "Light is produced by the Moon.", "Light from Earth illuminates the Moon."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "AIMS_2008_4_13", "prompt": "Which statement best explains the reason that electrical wires are made of copper?", "choices": ["Copper is strong.", "Copper is flexible.", "Copper is a conductor.", "Copper is an insulator."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2011_5_1", "prompt": "Which of these is a natural resource of Virginia?", "choices": ["A dam", "A glacier", "A river", "A power plant"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7126613", "prompt": "Insulin is a chemical that is released by the endocrine system to increase the absorption of glucose by the body's cells. After which activity would insulin levels in a healthy body increase?", "choices": ["drinking water", "taking a nap", "swimming", "eating"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7161035", "prompt": "An engineer was given an assignment to build a model rocket. The main requirement was that it had to build it out of a metal that could release the energy that built up when reentering the atmosphere of Earth. What property should the engineer concentrate on the most when designing the rocket?", "choices": ["density", "ductility", "specific heat", "boiling point"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7205468", "prompt": "Which color of light is produced when all of the colors of visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum are combined?", "choices": ["gray", "white", "black", "brown"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_8_12020", "prompt": "A company is making prototypes for a new computer system. Which of the following statements best describes an advantage of making several different prototypes?", "choices": ["They can be tested at the same time.", "They can be produced in large numbers.", "They will be bought by many different users.", "They will be sold for more than they cost to build."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_14", "prompt": "What is the function of the nucleus in a cell?", "choices": ["provides energy", "provides nutrients", "controls activity", "controls movement"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400851", "prompt": "A tree is a renewable resource because it can be", "choices": ["burned in a fire.", "made into lumber.", "eaten by some organisms.", "replaced with a newly planted tree."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10344", "prompt": "How does the presence of organic matter contribute to good soil?", "choices": ["It adds nutrients to the soil.", "It helps the soil to dry out.", "It keeps the soil cool.", "It destroys bacteria in the soil."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_40", "prompt": "A wild turkey's forest community includes", "choices": ["insects", "rainfall", "soil", "wind"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7239435", "prompt": "Which of the following travels from neuron to neuron as information is transmitted?", "choices": ["electrochemical impulses", "RNA strands", "transport vesicles high in ATP", "mechanical forces"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_16", "prompt": "During which process do cells use oxygen to release stored energy?", "choices": ["photosynthesis", "respiration", "circulation", "digestion"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402614", "prompt": "Which of the following has the ability to change the state of matter?", "choices": ["heat", "wind", "light", "sound"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_5_13", "prompt": "Many things can contribute to the development of a theory. A student made a list of some things that might help scientists develop a theory. Observations Calculations Conversations Publications From the student's list, which must be used in the development of every theory?", "choices": ["Observations", "Conversations", "Publications and calculations", "Calculations and conversations"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_410877", "prompt": "Ben has a snack with a combination of raisins, chocolate pieces, and nuts. As he eats the snack, Ben picks out all of the raisins. Which best describes the snack Ben is eating?", "choices": ["a compound", "an element", "a solution", "a mixture"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7163240", "prompt": "Capillary walls are only one layer of cells thick. Passage of oxygen into and out of the capillaries is controlled most by which process?", "choices": ["collection of waste material", "breakdown of materials", "diffusion of material", "storage of materials"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7145950", "prompt": "The average car uses about 25% of the available energy in each gallon of gasoline. The energy not used to run the car is released as heat and sound. Which statement best describes this occurrence?", "choices": ["Energy conversion reduces efficiency.", "Energy is destroyed at high temperatures.", "Energy loss increases the order in a system.", "Energy levels increase as conversions take place."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_Q16", "prompt": "How long does it take light from the nearest star other than the Sun to reach Earth?", "choices": ["Less than 1 second", "About 1 hour", "About 1 month", "About 4 years"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400003", "prompt": "Spider webs help spiders", "choices": ["avoid predators.", "capture food.", "stay dry.", "keep warm."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401001", "prompt": "Pouring water over a sloping tray of soil demonstrates how", "choices": ["soil can be washed away.", "soil creation may take years.", "river sediment forms a delta.", "planting grass protects the soil."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NAEP_2009_8_S10+2", "prompt": "Which layer of Earth is divided into plates?", "choices": ["Mantle", "Crust", "Inner core", "Outer core"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7235848", "prompt": "The breakdown of ozone into oxygen results from the electromagnetic absorption spectrum of ozone. This production of oxygen in the ozone layer is caused by exposing ozone to a strong source of which type of electromagnetic radiation?", "choices": ["radio waves", "microwaves", "infrared light", "ultraviolet light"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402645", "prompt": "Which best describes what keeps the Moon orbiting around Earth?", "choices": ["speed", "gravity", "weight", "friction"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7230125", "prompt": "The hypothesis of an expanding universe required which type of validation before being accepted as a significant part of scientific theory?", "choices": ["a controlled single-variable laboratory test", "support through evidence from numerous observations", "proposal of alternative explanations with predictive value", "a full-scale replication of each event in the proper sequence"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_25", "prompt": "In which type of rock is the fossil imprint of a fern leaf most likely to be found?", "choices": ["igneous", "metamorphic", "sedimentary", "volcanic"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_8_38", "prompt": "At certain times of the year, meteor showers can be observed from Earth. Why are these objects from space usually harmless?", "choices": ["They are always microscopic.", "They are closer to the sun than to Earth.", "They are made of soft, spongy materials.", "They burn up high in Earth's atmosphere"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_4_pg42", "prompt": "Which group of animals contains ONLY reptiles?", "choices": ["lizard, frog, snake", "turtle, lizard, crocodile", "octopus, snail, turtle", "crab, earthworm, snake"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_17", "prompt": "Why is the particular sequence of bases in a segment of DNA important to cells?", "choices": ["Some base sequences code for protein production.", "Some base sequences cause the release of lipids from the nucleus.", "Some base sequences contain the order of sugars in polysaccharides.", "Some base sequences produce electrical signals sent to the cytoplasm."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7012950", "prompt": "A meteorologist announces that the barometer reading is dropping. What does a barometer measure?", "choices": ["wind speed", "air pressure", "air temperature", "ground temperature"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7219783", "prompt": "A cricket population includes approximately the same number of black and light-brown crickets. Black crickets are easier for birds to locate and eat. Over time, the population begins to consist of only light-brown crickets. The change in the color of the cricket population is a result of", "choices": ["limited resources.", "natural selection.", "geographic isolation.", "climate change."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7041230", "prompt": "When nearly vertical rays of solar energy strike a region of the Earth, that area has warm temperatures. What region of the Earth gets nearly vertical rays of solar energy year around?", "choices": ["Equator", "Australia", "United States", "North and South Poles"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_406786", "prompt": "Scientists from around the world would most likely meet at a conference held in Paris, France, to", "choices": ["learn how to speak the same language.", "work together on scientific research.", "teach students the importance of education.", "show other scientists the scientific method."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7219713", "prompt": "Ferns belong to any one of about 12,000 species of plants grouped in their own division within the plant kingdom. Ferns are vascular, seedless, flowerless, and reproduce by spores. To which plant group do ferns belong?", "choices": ["Bryophyta", "Gymnosperm", "Angiosperm", "Pteridophyta"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_401659", "prompt": "A student ties a string around a weight and swings the weight in a circle around her body. If the student represents the Sun and the weight represents Earth, what does the string represent?", "choices": ["gravity", "radiation", "electricity", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7171535", "prompt": "Scientists have studied the specific stages in the life cycle of stars. In which stage do stars spend most of their lifetime?", "choices": ["red giant", "black dwarf", "white dwarf", "main sequence"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_182403", "prompt": "How does the energy in each trophic level of an energy pyramid compare to the energy in the preceding level?", "choices": ["It has about 5% of the energy from the level below it.", "It has about 10% of the energy from the level below it.", "It has about 15% of the energy from the level below it.", "It has about 20% of the energy from the level below it."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7085453", "prompt": "The texture of soil depends primarily on the", "choices": ["mass of the soil.", "water in the soil.", "composition of the soil.", "vegetation growing in the soil."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_19", "prompt": "As children grow, their body height usually", "choices": ["decreases", "increases", "remains the same"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400195", "prompt": "Which is a force that keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?", "choices": ["inertia", "gravity", "magnetism", "solar energy"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_192203", "prompt": "What is the role of the kidneys in the excretory system?", "choices": ["to digest food", "to remove toxins", "to produce bile", "to oxygenate blood"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7222635", "prompt": "Which number is closest to the estimated number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy?", "choices": ["200 thousand", "200 million", "200 billion", "200 trillion"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400307", "prompt": "Which statement best describes how a mountain range changes over time from wind and water erosion?", "choices": ["The mountain range will become faulted.", "The mountain range will be lifted up.", "The mountain range will form craters.", "The mountain range will become rounded."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7238910", "prompt": "In a cell, a newly synthesized protein requires modification by the addition of a carbohydrate. Which structure will transport the protein from the site of synthesis to the site of modification?", "choices": ["a ribosome", "the endoplasmic reticulum", "the Golgi apparatus", "a vacuole"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2008_5_34", "prompt": "Students notice that in the fall leaves of sugar maple trees turn red, but the leaves of black oak trees turn brown. The students are making", "choices": ["an observation", "a conclusion", "a prediction", "an inference"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7217980", "prompt": "What instrument should be used to monitor atmospheric pressure changes as a weather system approaches?", "choices": ["psychrometer", "thermometer", "anemometer", "barometer"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7228533", "prompt": "Which of the following is responsible for determining the traits of an organism?", "choices": ["number of phosphates", "amount of thymine", "sequence of nucleotides", "type of bond between bases"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_405953", "prompt": "In which organism can cell walls be found?", "choices": ["moth", "grass", "snake", "hawk"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400034", "prompt": "Isaac Newton is best known for his study of", "choices": ["motion.", "weather.", "body systems.", "the history of Earth."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MDSA_2011_4_5", "prompt": "Some objects are attracted by magnets. Which object is attracted by a magnet?", "choices": ["an iron nail", "an ice cube", "a plastic knife", "a wooden ruler"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7092330", "prompt": "Which action represents the use of technology to solve a problem?", "choices": ["reducing the amount of heartburn with the use of herbal teas", "answering mathematical equations with the use of computers", "bringing down body temperature with the use of a hand fan", "increasing the supply of fish with the use of fish farms"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400604", "prompt": "When a guitar string is strummed, it produces sound by making", "choices": ["heat.", "electricity.", "vibrations.", "light."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7162575", "prompt": "The meanings of mass and weight can often be confused. Which is an example of a change in both mass and weight?", "choices": ["visiting the Moon", "a stone eroding in a river", "living on the space station", "a ship floating on the ocean"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_407053", "prompt": "Which of these are scientific classifications for galaxies in the universe?", "choices": ["dust, gas, ice", "small, medium, large", "spiral, elliptical, irregular", "red giant, white dwarf, supernova"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_416580", "prompt": "A scientist was observing a unicellular organism over a period of time. He noticed that vacuoles kept moving to the same place in the plasma membrane to empty their contents outside the cell. Which organism was he observing?", "choices": ["amoeba", "euglena", "paramecium", "volvox"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2007_5_4785", "prompt": "Which form of precipitation is most likely to cause damage when hitting the roof of a car?", "choices": ["hail", "rain", "sleet", "snow"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400035", "prompt": "Which tool is best to use when comparing an animal cell to a plant cell?", "choices": ["balance", "compass", "microscope", "thermometer"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_412696", "prompt": "The density of 200 mL of water was determined, and then 20 grams of sugar was dissolved in the water. The student determined the density of the sugar-water solution and recorded the collected data in a table. The sugar in this investigation is", "choices": ["the solute.", "undergoing chemical change.", "the solvent.", "changing from a solid to a gas."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7145215", "prompt": "During the year, the angle at which the path of the Sun appears in the sky varies. In the Northern Hemisphere, the path of the Sun appears higher on the horizon during the summer and lower on the horizon during the winter. Which factor most contributes to the variation in the path of the Sun across the sky?", "choices": ["the rotation of Earth", "the tilted axis of Earth", "the flattening of Earth at the poles", "the elliptical shape of the orbit of Earth"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7213308", "prompt": "Which is the best way to show the percent gas composition in Earth's atmosphere?", "choices": ["bar graph", "line graph", "pie chart", "scatterplot"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_401762", "prompt": "For the reaction between silver nitrate and sodium chloride, which of the following would be a product? AgNo_{3} + NaCl ->", "choices": ["AgNa", "ClNO_{3}", "Na_{3}NO", "AgCl"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_405772", "prompt": "Which invention has done the most to help predict weather and warn people of approaching storms?", "choices": ["satellites", "airplanes", "barometers", "maps"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7100643", "prompt": "During the Siberian summer, reindeer graze on young roots, fungi, grass, and other vegetation. In the cold winter months, they migrate south and rely on available, but less nutritious food, such as lichen. Increased snowfall during the entire winter in southern areas would result in reindeer having to", "choices": ["return to their summer feeding area.", "hibernate until the snows have stopped.", "hunt for organisms such as small rodents.", "move to other areas to compete for resources."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7212503", "prompt": "Sir Isaac Newton stated that every object in the universe attracts matter. The attraction depends on the mass of an object and the distance between the objects. What type of force did Newton describe?", "choices": ["centripetal force", "generalized force", "centrifugal force", "gravitational force"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402254", "prompt": "What season is the Northern Hemisphere experiencing when it is tilted away from the Sun?", "choices": ["spring", "summer", "autumn", "winter"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MDSA_2009_8_38", "prompt": "Heat is applied to a beaker of water, raising the water temperature a few degrees. What happens to the water molecules after heat is applied?", "choices": ["The molecules spread apart and move more slowly.", "The molecules spread apart and move more quickly.", "The molecules come together and move more slowly.", "The molecules come together and move more quickly."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405504", "prompt": "Which feature is most likely the result of a flowing river?", "choices": ["a sand dune", "a volcano", "a canyon", "a glacier"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7009608", "prompt": "Which organ is the site of gas exchange between the body and the environment?", "choices": ["spleen", "liver", "lungs", "pancreas"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7041913", "prompt": "A positively-charged hydrogen ion has a much smaller radius than a neutral hydrogen atom. Which best explains this difference?", "choices": ["The nucleus is the least dense region of an atom.", "Electrons are located far from the nuclei of their atoms.", "Most of the volume of atoms is filled with the particles they contain.", "The repulsion of protons and neutrons keeps them on opposite ends of atoms."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_417472", "prompt": "How are dormancy and hibernation similar in animals?", "choices": ["metabolic rate and body temperature both increase", "metabolic rate and body temperature both decrease", "metabolic rate increases and body temperature decreases", "metabolic rate decreases and body temperature increases"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7248098", "prompt": "A small aluminum cube is dropped into a beaker of water to determine the buoyancy. Which of these is not necessary in determining the buoyant force acting on the cube?", "choices": ["density of water", "displaced volume", "gravitational pull on Earth", "density of the aluminum cube"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_9_3-v1", "prompt": "Before concrete has hardened, it exhibits plasticity. This is an advantage because it allows the concrete to", "choices": ["become strong as it cures.", "withstand compression.", "remain pliable after hardening.", "be molded into almost any shape."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_401337", "prompt": "Which event is an example of inherited behavior?", "choices": ["a dog sitting on command", "a parrot repeating a phrase", "a bird flying south for the winter", "a horse competing in a horse show"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406480", "prompt": "A student must explain the role of dead leaves in the ecosystem. Which statement will the student most likely provide to explain the importance of these leaves?", "choices": ["The leaves provide shelter to growing seeds.", "The decay of the leaves provides nutrients to other plants.", "The leaves release chlorophyll into the grass as they decay.", "The leaves prevent fungus from growing at the base of the tree."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_8_pg77", "prompt": "Which of the following statements is true about organisms that are producers?", "choices": ["They use energy from the sun to make food.", "They absorb energy from a host animal.", "They get energy from eating living animals.", "They get energy by breaking down dead plants and animals."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7056473", "prompt": "If Earth revolved at a faster rate, what would most likely occur?", "choices": ["Annual rainfall would increase.", "Daylight hours would decrease.", "Seasons would be shorter.", "Annual temperature variation would be greater."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7214585", "prompt": "The distance from Earth to the Sun is one astronomical unit. Which unit best describes how many astronomical units it is from Earth to the far end of the Milky Way Galaxy?", "choices": ["hundreds", "thousands", "millions", "billions"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10591", "prompt": "Which is most likely to cause an organism to become endangered or extinct?", "choices": ["habitat loss", "behavioral changes", "increased reproduction rate", "altered migration patterns"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7015680", "prompt": "What are the characteristics of maritime polar air masses?", "choices": ["cool and dry", "warm and dry", "cool and humid", "warm and humid"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP_2002_8_10387", "prompt": "In an ecosystem, which list of organisms is in the correct order from producer to top-level consumer?", "choices": ["field mouse, grass, hawk snake", "snake, field mouse, hawk, grass", "grass, field mouse, snake, hawk", "snake, grass, field mouse, hawk"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416131", "prompt": "What is a true statement about all foods?", "choices": ["All foods are solid.", "All foods taste good.", "All foods provide nutrients.", "All foods should be cooked."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg125", "prompt": "Which of the following is an example of an acidic solution?", "choices": ["bleach", "vinegar", "sugar water", "salt water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7016013", "prompt": "When rock particles settle at the bottom of the ocean, they can continue to be buried by other particles. The process of cementation of these particles forms", "choices": ["molten rocks.", "igneous rocks.", "sedimentary rocks.", "metamorphic rocks."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7283465", "prompt": "Which of these is part of the description of protein?", "choices": ["a folded chain of amino acids", "a folded chain of carbohydrates", "a branched chain of fatty acids", "a branched chain of nucleic acids"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_8_21", "prompt": "Lightning from a thunderstorm strikes a 21 tree that falls to the forest floor and dies. During the next few years the dead tree undergoes many changes. What organisms are most likely responsible for the biological and chemical changes to the tree?", "choices": ["consumers", "decomposers", "predators", "producers"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_7_14", "prompt": "Sodium chloride is formed when sodium and chlorine chemically combine. Which term best describes sodium chloride?", "choices": ["mixture", "element", "solution", "compound"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_21", "prompt": "Which three things do animals need from their environment in order to survive?", "choices": ["soil, water, and food", "soil, light, and water", "air, food, and water", "air, water, and light"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7270043", "prompt": "Most electricity in the United States is generated using coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, or hydropower. Which of these add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?", "choices": ["coal and natural gas", "natural gas and nuclear energy", "nuclear energy and hydropower", "hydropower and coal"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400593", "prompt": "A student has recorded rainfall amounts for 28 days and uses a calculator to determine the total rainfall. What does the student calculate when she divides the total rainfall by 28?", "choices": ["mean rainfall", "rainfall mode", "median rainfall", "percentage of rainfall"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_175280", "prompt": "Which of the following was most likely the cause of the extinction of 60-100 species of native birds in Hawaii since the arrival of colonists?", "choices": ["habitat destruction", "volcanic eruptions", "increased salinity", "tidal waves"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400017", "prompt": "Which is the correct sequence for the stages in the life cycle of a butterfly?", "choices": ["larva; pupa; egg; adult", "egg; pupa; larva; adult", "adult; larva; pupa; egg", "egg; larva; pupa; adult"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg44", "prompt": "Oil is an example of a natural resource that is not renewable. Which is another example of an nonrenewable resource?", "choices": ["Wood", "Seawater", "Sunlight", "Coal"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401128", "prompt": "Students are using hammers to break apart rocks as part of an investigation. The students MUST wear goggles to", "choices": ["magnify the work.", "keep hair out of their faces.", "protect their eyes from debris.", "prevent glare from the light."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MEA_2011_8_15", "prompt": "How would the Sun appear to an astronaut on Pluto compared with how it looks from Earth?", "choices": ["The Sun would appear larger and brighter.", "The Sun would appear smaller and brighter.", "The Sun would appear larger and dimmer.", "The Sun would appear smaller and dimmer."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7009835", "prompt": "When using a microscope, it is best to use a wet mount to", "choices": ["observe live organisms.", "show the interior of sliced objects.", "highlight objects with chemical dyes.", "remove debris that is obscuring the object."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MDSA_2009_8_37", "prompt": "A power plant uses chemical energy to produce electricity. What source of energy does the power plant most likely use?", "choices": ["wind", "sunlight", "fossil fuel", "tidal waves"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7008680", "prompt": "Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?", "choices": ["proton", "neutron", "electron", "quark"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "CSZ_2004_5_CSZ20156", "prompt": "Which list gives the correct order of food traveling through the digestive system after it is swallowed?", "choices": ["stomach, esophagus, large intestine, small intestine.", "small intestine, large intestine, esophagus, stomach.", "esophagus, stomach, large intestine, small intestine.", "esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7182158", "prompt": "Parakeets are birds whose basic plumage color is green. However, parakeets exhibit a wide range of color both in the wild and in captivity. Which process is the source of the wide color variation observed in parakeet populations?", "choices": ["speciation", "adaptation", "natural selection", "genetic mutation"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7163415", "prompt": "In science, old ideas can be changed when new discoveries alter existing information. Which situation is most likely an example of a rethinking of an existing idea?", "choices": ["using coal to generate electricity", "discovering a new species of snake", "developing an antibiotic to treat infections", "changing the definition of the term planet"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416171", "prompt": "How does sweat on the skin help the body?", "choices": ["Sweat stops sunburn.", "Sweat cools the body.", "Sweat feeds the skin.", "Sweat heals cuts."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415335", "prompt": "How does the Sun power the water cycle?", "choices": ["Energy from the Sun evaporates water.", "Energy from the Sun condenses water.", "Energy from the Sun precipitates water.", "Energy from the Sun collects water."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_14", "prompt": "In order to maintain good health, humans should", "choices": ["eat foods high in fat", "exercise regularly", "drink alcohol often", "smoke tobacco occasionally"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7217613", "prompt": "Which of the following is an abiotic factor in a river ecosystem?", "choices": ["dragonfly", "trout", "water", "frog"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7084088", "prompt": "When a conclusion is reached after an experiment, which is most likely the first step other scientists might take when checking the conclusion?", "choices": ["propose different conclusions from the same data", "study the data to evaluate the conclusion", "change current models to fit the conclusion", "develop new technologies based on the conclusion"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7217683", "prompt": "What allows for some organisms in a population to have an increased survival rate over other organisms of the same species?", "choices": ["genetic mutation", "species competition", "asexual reproduction", "genetic variation"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7064015", "prompt": "Which environment is best for an organism that sleeps during the day and digs holes in the ground for shelter?", "choices": ["wetland", "rainforest", "tundra", "desert"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7034895", "prompt": "One difference between a chemical formula and a chemical equation is that the chemical equation shows", "choices": ["abbreviations for each element.", "the number of atoms per element.", "what elements are in each molecule.", "the chemical reaction that takes place."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10588", "prompt": "Plants that have stems that store water and no leaves would most likely live in a", "choices": ["pine forest.", "grassland.", "desert.", "rainforest."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_40", "prompt": "Fossil fuels are considered nonrenewable because they", "choices": ["produce pollution", "are no longer used by humans", "often contain microscopic animals", "take millions of years to form"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406718", "prompt": "A baby bird must eat a lot of food to grow. During which stage of its life cycle is a butterfly most similar to a baby bird?", "choices": ["egg", "larva", "pupa", "adult"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7246313", "prompt": "Which feature results when plates of different densities converge and one plate slips under the other?", "choices": ["a fault", "a ridge", "a trench", "a rift zone"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_3_32", "prompt": "Which of these is the BEST sign that the fall season has begun?", "choices": ["Plants forming new buds", "Sun shining on flowers", "Grass being wet in the morning", "Leaves changing color on trees"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7221025", "prompt": "Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints. Which of these events causes the symptoms of this disease?", "choices": ["The body's immune system attacks specific tissues.", "The cells of the immune system begin to grow rapidly.", "The body's immune system fails to fight off infections.", "The cells of the immune system are absorbed by antigens."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407450", "prompt": "Chris stirs a cup of hot chocolate. He uses a wooden stick thinking it will stay cooler than a metal spoon. Which activity best describes the student's action?", "choices": ["comparing data", "asking a question", "making a prediction", "forming a conclusion"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_LBS10620", "prompt": "Which would be best seen through a telescope?", "choices": ["a moon", "a cell", "a light ray", "a molecule"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400132", "prompt": "A student conducts an investigation testing a material's effectiveness as a heat insulator. Which tool will help the student conduct this investigation safely?", "choices": ["a face mask", "plastic gloves", "a ventilator hood", "insulated gloves"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_401396", "prompt": "Which equipment would best be used for an activity on a biochemistry unit?", "choices": ["meter stick, microscope, and test tubes", "test tube, hot plate, and safety goggles", "balance, telescope, and graduated cylinder", "Petri dish, dissecting equipment, and spring scale"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7098053", "prompt": "When the fuel in a gasoline engine is burned, the energy conversion is from", "choices": ["chemical to thermal.", "potential to nuclear.", "thermal to potential.", "electrical to kinetic."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_415270", "prompt": "Some prokaryotes once classified in the domain Bacteria are now classified as", "choices": ["Fungi.", "Plantae.", "Archaea.", "Protista."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7213763", "prompt": "Which of these is the primary source of energy in food webs?", "choices": ["soil", "sunlight", "producer", "consumer"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NAEP_2005_8_S11+3", "prompt": "An unusual type of fossil clam is found in rock layers high in the Swiss Alps. The same type of fossil clam is also found in the Rocky Mountains of North America. From this, scientists conclude that", "choices": ["glaciers carried the fossils up the mountains", "the Rocky Mountains and the Swiss Alps are both volcanic in origin", "clams once lived in mountains, but have since evolved into sea-dwelling creatures", "the layers of rocks in which the fossils were found are from the same geologic age"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2013_8_26", "prompt": "The layered mixture of gases surrounding Earth is called the", "choices": ["atmosphere", "hydrosphere", "lithosphere", "hemisphere"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409576", "prompt": "Paul listens to music through his radio. Which best explains the sound Paul hears?", "choices": ["Sounds are fluids that travel through air.", "Sounds are waves that travel through matter.", "Sounds are gases that transform into vibrations.", "Sounds are forms of energy that are converted from light."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_21", "prompt": "Plants are producers because they", "choices": ["make their own food", "can grow in soil", "need water to grow", "take in nutrients"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401613", "prompt": "A water hose was left running on a pile of dirt. What feature of stream erosion was most likely being demonstrated?", "choices": ["the rate of water flow in a stream", "the time it takes for deposition to occur along a stream", "how layers of rocks and soil are formed along a stream", "how water shapes a stream over time"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_404892", "prompt": "The best soil mixture for plant growth and drainage is", "choices": ["silt, pebbles, and clay.", "sand, rocks, and clay.", "humus, clay, and sand.", "clay, silt, and rocks."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7094605", "prompt": "Which of these technologies helps a power company use renewable energy for the production of electricity?", "choices": ["hydroelectric power", "nuclear power plants", "natural gas generators", "coal-fired power plants"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408782", "prompt": "Windmills are used to obtain usable energy from wind. Which would be an advantage of using a windmill?", "choices": ["Windmills are expensive to build.", "The wind does not blow all the time.", "Pollution is not created by windmills.", "Populations of birds can be reduced by windmills."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413532", "prompt": "Which of these is an example of a new substance being formed?", "choices": ["a nail rusting", "a wall being painted", "water changing to steam", "paper being folded"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2010_3_28", "prompt": "Which of these can make a shadow on the ground during the day?", "choices": ["River", "Air", "Thunder", "Cloud"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7216580", "prompt": "Which system protects the body by responding to the presence of a virus?", "choices": ["respiratory system", "skeletal system", "immune system", "excretory system"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7227920", "prompt": "The symptoms of influenza infection are partly caused by the", "choices": ["rapid genetic mutation in infected cells.", "consumption of the body's energy resources by viruses.", "release of toxins by viral particles.", "body's inflammatory response to infected cells."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_416502", "prompt": "Which cellular organelle modifies fatty acids?", "choices": ["chloroplast", "mitochondrion", "Golgi complex", "endoplasmic reticulum"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7234220", "prompt": "Which part of Earth's structure exists in the solid phase due to low temperatures?", "choices": ["the inner core", "the outer core", "the lithosphere", "the asthenosphere"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_414130", "prompt": "Which sea otter behavior is learned?", "choices": ["using fur to trap air for warmth", "cracking open clams with a rock", "nursing its young for six months", "closing its ears under water"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7234273", "prompt": "The magnetic poles of Earth frequently change location. What is the direct cause of this change in magnetic pole location?", "choices": ["molten rock flowing in the asthenosphere", "convection cells in the lower mantle", "turbulence in the liquid outer core", "radioactive decay in the solid inner core"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_1998_4_24", "prompt": "Years ago, most family members lived near one another. Today, family members often live all over the country. People are able to live far from their loved ones because of the technologies of", "choices": ["medicine and computers.", "manufacturing and home entertainment.", "refrigeration and heating systems.", "communication and transportation."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2008_8_5", "prompt": "Which two body systems would most directly remove extra fluid from a person's lungs?", "choices": ["nervous and digestive", "nervous and circulatory", "respiratory and digestive", "respiratory and circulatory"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400126", "prompt": "Sedimentary rock helps scientists piece together the history of Earth most likely using clues from", "choices": ["humus.", "soil.", "gravel.", "fossils."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_26", "prompt": "The energy that is stored in food originally comes from", "choices": ["air", "soil", "sunlight", "water"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2007_5_17", "prompt": "Which of these shows how frozen water changes as the temperature of the air increases?", "choices": ["Gas -> liquid -> solid", "Solid -> gas -> liquid", "Liquid -> gas -> solid", "Solid -> liquid -> gas"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_5_14", "prompt": "Which of the following properties best describes a material's ability to resist scratching?", "choices": ["weight", "flexibility", "length", "hardness"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7247100", "prompt": "Scientists noted that muscles and bones would need physical stress to remain healthy during manned space flights. Which of these had to be planned for because of this need?", "choices": ["practicing space walking", "counseling activities for tension", "exercising to maintain strength", "monitoring circadian rhythms"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2010_7_16", "prompt": "If a species of bird stopped reproducing, which of these would happen?", "choices": ["The bird's prey species would decrease in number.", "The food web that the bird belongs to would collapse.", "Trees where these birds build nests would grow taller.", "This bird species would eventually disappear from nature."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405935", "prompt": "When performing a new experiment for the first time, a scientist reaches an unexpected conclusion. What must the scientist do in order to have the conclusion accepted by other scientists?", "choices": ["write a brief report", "repeat the experiment", "purchase new equipment", "make a data chart"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_4", "prompt": "Which system produces most of the hormones in the human body?", "choices": ["circulatory", "digestive", "endocrine", "respiratory"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_4", "prompt": "Which tool should a student use to see the patterns on a small object?", "choices": ["balance", "hand lens", "thermometer", "graduated cylinder"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_4_25", "prompt": "Robots are used to help manufacture cars. One problem with this is", "choices": ["less waste.", "lower cost.", "fewer jobs.", "more mistakes."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7252298", "prompt": "Which two body systems interact to produce antibodies that require essential amino acids?", "choices": ["integumentary and circulatory systems", "digestive and reproductive systems", "endocrine and respiratory systems", "digestive and immune systems"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MEA_2010_8_19", "prompt": "Which chemical is a compound?", "choices": ["helium (He)", "hydrochloric acid (HCl)", "hydrogen (H2)", "nitrogen (N2)"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_36", "prompt": "Two spotted leopards produce a litter of four cubs. Three of the cubs are spotted and one is solid black. The black coat is probably what type of trait?", "choices": ["dominant", "recessive", "polygenic", "sex-linked"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_32", "prompt": "Which physical property is used to identify a mineral based on its resistance to being scratched?", "choices": ["hardness", "density", "color", "streak"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_9_28", "prompt": "A negatively charged rubber rod was brought near some small pieces of paper. The rod's charges repelled the negative charges in the pieces. Which of the following caused the repulsion of the negative charges?", "choices": ["conduction", "gravitation", "induction", "insulation"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7128240", "prompt": "Mangrove trees are affected by several factors. Which is an abiotic factor contributing to the energy cycle of a mangrove ecosystem?", "choices": ["bacteria", "climate", "fungi", "rocks"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7033635", "prompt": "What does a light-year measure?", "choices": ["time", "mass", "distance", "brightness"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_405771", "prompt": "Which of these structures in a plant cell allows a plant to make food?", "choices": ["cell wall", "cytoplasm", "chloroplast", "chromosomes"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408629", "prompt": "Patricia and her classmates are visiting different rocky areas in the city. They want to know what kind of rocks can be found in each area. If the investigation is done correctly, what will Patricia and her classmates do each time they visit an area?", "choices": ["draw the rock shapes", "count the rock numbers", "record the rock types and locations", "measure the rock masses and lengths"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_400806", "prompt": "The electrical charge of the nucleus of an atom is +12. How many electrons does the atom have in its neutral state?", "choices": ["6", "12", "18", "24"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7207148", "prompt": "Which of these is a reason that scientists revise theories?", "choices": ["public opinion in favor of a revised theory", "corporate sponsorship of a revised theory", "government policy based on a revised theory", "experimental results that support a revised theory"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7205328", "prompt": "Which of the following results when hydrogen and chlorine chemically bond to form hydrogen chloride?", "choices": ["a mixture", "a solution", "a compound", "a precipitate"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7071663", "prompt": "Scientists are able to conclude that a forested ecosystem existed in Antarctica millions of years ago by studying", "choices": ["the current climate.", "the fossil record.", "glacial movement.", "seafloor spreading."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_3", "prompt": "Which Earth movement results in day and night?", "choices": ["erosion", "deposition", "revolution", "rotation"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_416686", "prompt": "Upwelling moves the water of the deep ocean to the ocean's surface. What else does upwelling move to the surface?", "choices": ["fish", "nutrients", "phytoplankton", "dissolved gases"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7011235", "prompt": "Which body system functions by bringing in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide?", "choices": ["endocrine", "respiratory", "digestive", "urinary"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7090668", "prompt": "A topographic map is primarily used to determine the", "choices": ["number of continents in the world.", "location of major cities in the country.", "elevation of an area.", "rainfall of desert regions."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7001628", "prompt": "A change in the pattern of warm ocean currents can cause a climate change by", "choices": ["releasing thermal energy in irregular spurts.", "absorbing thermal energy from the Sun's rays.", "moving thermal energy from one place to another.", "increasing the ocean's capacity for absorbing thermal energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_407263", "prompt": "Which part of digestion is mainly a chemical change?", "choices": ["Teeth break food into small pieces.", "Throat muscles push food toward the stomach.", "Stomach acids dissolve food into nutrients.", "Intestinal cells transport nutrients into the blood."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MEA_2013_5_7", "prompt": "Which object is best seen with a microscope?", "choices": ["human cell", "cow heart", "oak leaf", "chicken leg"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_4_pg70", "prompt": "In which example does an object move because of the force of gravity?", "choices": ["a girl hitting a ball with a bat", "a boy pushing a box across the floor", "a girl hammering a nail into a wall", "a boy falling from a tree onto the ground"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7165043", "prompt": "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 to address problems that existed in the environment. Which is the EPA most likely interested in reducing?", "choices": ["the emissions from volcanic activity", "the level of pollution caused by people", "the amount of ozone in the stratosphere", "the amount of oxygen produced by trees"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7057768", "prompt": "In order for plants to grow, the cells require nutrients in the form of minerals. The minerals come from", "choices": ["soil.", "air.", "water.", "pollen."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7227903", "prompt": "HIV makes the body vulnerable to secondary infections by targeting", "choices": ["macrophages.", "helper T-cells.", "cells.", "killer T-cells."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_5_5", "prompt": "A student is investigating the properties of a mineral. The student tests the mineral by putting it under an ultraviolet light. Which property of the mineral can be identified using this test?", "choices": ["color", "streak", "luster", "fluorescence"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7026933", "prompt": "A student plans to grow algal colonies in solutions with different concentrations of liquid fertilizer. Which is a clear and testable hypothesis to guide this investigation?", "choices": ["Algae like fertilizer.", "Fertilizer is good for algae.", "Fertilizer improves the genetic traits of algae.", "Algal growth rate increases with fertilizer concentration."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402284", "prompt": "Which process is taking place when water freezes between cracks in rocks?", "choices": ["deposition", "weathering", "sedimentation", "crystallization"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7183103", "prompt": "The human body temperature is normally 98.6\u00b0F. As a person exercises, the body temperature starts to increase. As a result of the increased body temperature, the perspiration process begins to cool the body. Which best describes what the body is doing when it perspires?", "choices": ["increasing osmosis", "reducing transpiration", "controlling metabolism", "maintaining homeostasis"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg63", "prompt": "In living organisms, the level of organization from least complex to most complex is", "choices": ["cell, tissue, organ, organism", "cell, organ, tissue, organism", "tissue, cell, organ, organism", "tissue, organ, cell, organism"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7094115", "prompt": "Which type of model best shows the location of underwater ocean ridges?", "choices": ["world globe", "satellite map", "topographic map", "nautical chart"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401221", "prompt": "A student put a metal pot on the stove to boil some water. The metal transferred heat to the water through", "choices": ["radiation.", "insulation.", "convection.", "conduction."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401300", "prompt": "Which feature is a kitten most likely to inherit from its parents?", "choices": ["diet", "color", "health", "independence"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7264040", "prompt": "Proteins are compounds formed in the cells of plants and animals. Which element is included in every protein molecule?", "choices": ["calcium", "carbon", "fluorine", "sodium"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409014", "prompt": "A rocket is traveling toward space. What force must the rocket act against as it moves away from Earth?", "choices": ["inertia", "gravity", "magnetism", "momentum"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408554", "prompt": "A group of workers needs to move a piano from the second floor of a building. The piano is too wide to fit through the door, so they will lower the piano to the ground through a window. Which tool would be best to help the workers lower the piano from the window?", "choices": ["wheel and axle", "inclined plane", "pulley", "wedge"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7267908", "prompt": "Why is a spacesuit inflated like a balloon?", "choices": ["to simulate the air pressure of Earth", "to help astronauts float in outer space", "to protect astronauts from solar radiation", "to provide an oxygen supply for breathing"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7137270", "prompt": "Which term best describes the process responsible for cave formation that results from rock being dissolved by groundwater?", "choices": ["chemical weathering", "glacial movement", "sedimentation", "abrasion"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401803", "prompt": "What happens to colored sugar when it is added to water?", "choices": ["The sugar reacts and colors the water.", "The sugar becomes white and the water changes color.", "The sugar evaporates and the water changes color.", "The sugar dissolves and colors the water."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP_2004_8_10398", "prompt": "Which statement about plant and animals cells is true?", "choices": ["Both have a cell wall to give them support.", "Both have a large vacuole to store water.", "Both use mitochondria to produce energy.", "Both use chloroplasts to store energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7271723", "prompt": "Farm fertilizers are often carried by runoff into the Mississippi River and down to the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in algae blooms. Which of these results from the decomposition of the algae blooms?", "choices": ["an abundance of dissolved oxygen", "dead zones where there are no fish", "a reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide", "food webs with rapidly growing populations"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406475", "prompt": "Jennifer is jumping rope. Which type of characteristic is she most likely demonstrating?", "choices": ["learned", "recessive", "inherited", "instinctive"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7165795", "prompt": "A teacher breaks a bar of pure copper into two different sized pieces. Which is the most likely difference between the two pieces?", "choices": ["mass", "texture", "boiling point", "melting point"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7185185", "prompt": "Blood is a fluid made up of several different parts. What level of structural organization best describes blood?", "choices": ["a cell", "a tissue", "an organ", "a system"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2014_5_6", "prompt": "Scientists found large areas of fossilized wood in a desert in Arizona. The fossilized wood is evidence of the ancient environment. Based on the evidence, what was the ancient environment in this area?", "choices": ["forest", "desert", "glacier", "grasslands"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_5_28", "prompt": "Ruben is using a compass to find out which direction the wind is blowing. Which of the following would be best for him to observe to help him find the direction of the wind?", "choices": ["a flag on a pole", "the temperature on a thermometer", "birds flying above the trees", "the shadow of a building"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407701", "prompt": "A farmer predicts a new sprinkler will keep water from being wasted. What term best describes this prediction?", "choices": ["experiment", "hypothesis", "observation", "variable"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_401215", "prompt": "Tides on Earth are mostly caused by the gravitational pull of", "choices": ["the Sun.", "stars.", "the Moon.", "asteroids."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MEAP_2005_8_15", "prompt": "When rain falls on the land, some of it is absorbed by surface sediment. How porous the surface sediments are controls how much water is absorbed. Which of the following will most likely result in an area where surface sediment is NOT porous?", "choices": ["flooding", "droughts", "tornadoes", "spring formation"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2003_8_12", "prompt": "Which of the following parts of a car belongs to its control system?", "choices": ["fuel tank", "hydraulic jack", "steering wheel", "windshield wipers"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401257", "prompt": "Which substance can be used to conduct electricity in a circuit?", "choices": ["metal", "wood", "rubber", "plastic"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_7", "prompt": "Which unit is used to express the amount of energy in food?", "choices": ["Calorie", "degree Celsius", "milliliter", "gram"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MSA_2012_5_1", "prompt": "A student measured how quickly a car rolled down a hill. Which tool should the student have used to measure how quickly the car rolled down the hill?", "choices": ["a hand lens", "a stopwatch", "a thermometer", "a centimeter ruler"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_407767", "prompt": "Water at 20 degrees Celsius is placed on a stove. As the water is heated, thermal energy is absorbed by the water. If the water is heated to a maximum temperature of 80 degrees Celsius, what happens as a result of the increased temperature?", "choices": ["The potential energy increases.", "The evaporation decreases.", "The disorder decreases.", "The entropy increases."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7077525", "prompt": "The electromagnetic spectrum is described as a", "choices": ["series of colors of the rainbow.", "list of radioactive elements.", "band of frequencies of light waves.", "range of conductivity of metals."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2002_8_8", "prompt": "Which of the following is most important in producing the seasons on Earth?", "choices": ["Earth's gravitational attraction to the Sun", "the Moon's revolution around Earth", "the distance of Earth from the Sun", "the tilt of Earth's axis as it revolves around the Sun"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NAEP_2000_8_S21+8", "prompt": "Which of the following is designed to convert energy into mechanical work?", "choices": ["Electric fan", "Kerosene heater", "Flashlight", "Baking oven"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2009_5_6511", "prompt": "A student hears the sound of a bell. Which of the following carries the sound of the bell to the student?", "choices": ["electrical currents", "magnetic signals", "radio waves", "vibrating air"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_34", "prompt": "The first stage of soil formation is the weathering of rock into fine particles. To make a good soil for growing plants, which would be best to add to the rock particles?", "choices": ["minerals", "sand", "organic matter", "silt"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_30", "prompt": "Which best describes a scientific theory?", "choices": ["It is still being tested.", "It is true, once written.", "It is different for each continent.", "It is determined in a court of law."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406000", "prompt": "Scientists are studying the factors that influence the climate of a region. In attempts to gather accurate data, the scientists should use data that includes the", "choices": ["number of earthquakes that occur each year.", "types of organisms in the environment.", "number of people living in the area.", "type of weather that has occurred."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415699", "prompt": "Why do two surfaces get warm when they are rubbed together?", "choices": ["The surfaces absorb energy from the air.", "Friction changes energy of motion to heat energy.", "Moving objects produce heat energy.", "Energy is transferred between the two surfaces."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402125", "prompt": "Two high tides and two low tides occur on Earth every", "choices": ["day.", "hour.", "week.", "month."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7082478", "prompt": "A book placed on a table is observed to remain stationary. Which statement about the observation would be considered a fact rather than an opinion?", "choices": ["The book is not very heavy.", "The table pushes up on the book.", "The book probably has a sticky cover.", "The table is composed of a stronger material than the book."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7220955", "prompt": "Having students wash their hands frequently with soap and water will limit the spread of infectious disease by", "choices": ["protecting harmless bacterial cells.", "changing viral and bacterial nucleic acids.", "releasing mutated cells from pores.", "removing viruses and bacteria from the skin."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2007_5_10", "prompt": "Which object helps people understand what makes up white light?", "choices": ["Barometer", "Prism", "Microscope", "Thermometer"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7217875", "prompt": "Water vapor sometimes condenses into stratus clouds that are in contact with the ground. What forms as a result of this process?", "choices": ["ozone", "methane", "fog", "smoke"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg18", "prompt": "One of the main causes of acid rain is", "choices": ["Waste from nuclear power plants", "Spills from chemical manufacturing plants", "Gases from burning fossil fuels", "Gases from aerosol spray cans"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_3_29", "prompt": "Which of these activities makes the MOST air pollution?", "choices": ["Storing trash bags", "Reusing trash bags", "Burning trash bags", "Recycling trash bags"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_179218", "prompt": "The Hardy-Weinberg law is only valid when", "choices": ["the population is small.", "migration into the population is occurring.", "immigration into the population is occurring.", "the population is large."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400192", "prompt": "Deposition of sediment during floods makes the land near some rivers", "choices": ["acidic.", "fertile.", "hilly.", "unstable."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MSA_2012_5_34", "prompt": "Old, worn-out rubber tires are called scrap tires. Which way of disposing of scrap tires is best for the environment?", "choices": ["burning the tires", "dumping the tires in a lake", "burying the tires in a landfill", "taking the tires to a recycling center"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7221463", "prompt": "Which material is the best conductor of heat at room temperature?", "choices": ["air", "water", "sulfur", "copper"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7001855", "prompt": "A student drops a white tablet into a glass of water, producing carbon dioxide gas. This is a demonstration of", "choices": ["a change of state.", "a chemical reaction.", "the creation of matter.", "the movement of electricity."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7083563", "prompt": "Which of these is a structure that is present in all organisms?", "choices": ["a tissue", "a cell", "a stomach", "a brain"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7213483", "prompt": "Which set of conditions will produce an electric current in a closed loop of wire?", "choices": ["a magnet touching the loop of wire", "a magnet at rest inside the loop of wire", "a magnet at rest outside the loop of wire", "a magnet passing through the loop of wire"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7234115", "prompt": "Extensive folding of sedimentary rock layers on Earth provides indirect evidence of certain processes occurring throughout Earth's history. Which of these is most likely one of these processes?", "choices": ["convective heat loss from Earth's mantle", "slowing of the rotation of Earth's core", "increase in the density of Earth's atmosphere", "slow increase in the distance of Earth's orbit"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7221218", "prompt": "An ice cube melts on a hot summer day because the energy of the particles", "choices": ["decreases over a period of time and is lost.", "increases and the particles move apart.", "causes the particles to move closer together.", "is converted into potential energy."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7004008", "prompt": "The relationship between ticks and a dog can best be described as", "choices": ["mutualism.", "competition.", "parasitism.", "commensalism."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_4_pg82", "prompt": "Small grasshoppers shed their outer covering as they grow larger. Which animal also sheds its outer covering as it grows larger?", "choices": ["frog", "snake", "fish", "human"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400715", "prompt": "Two atoms of oxygen combine to form pure oxygen gas. What is the electrical charge of the O_{2} molecules?", "choices": ["positive", "negative", "neutral", "variable"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7018533", "prompt": "Which is not a type of electromagnetic wave?", "choices": ["sound wave", "x-ray", "microwave", "radio wave"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2007_7_33", "prompt": "What is one way to help slow down or stop the greenhouse effect?", "choices": ["find new coal resources in the earth", "clean up the litter in neighborhoods", "clean up the water pollution in local lakes", "walk or ride a bike instead of driving a car"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7041528", "prompt": "Great distances in space are measured in", "choices": ["kilometers.", "light years.", "megameters.", "astronomical units."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2002_8_12", "prompt": "Which of the following gives a plant cell its rigid structure?", "choices": ["cell membrane", "nucleus", "cell wall", "chloroplast"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415455", "prompt": "Which alternative energy resource changes part of a river into a lake?", "choices": ["solar energy", "geothermal energy", "hydropower", "biofuel energy"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2006_8_10", "prompt": "A student in a laboratory transfers a beaker containing a hot solution from the lab table to a cool water bath. Which of the following parts of the system experiences an increase in heat energy?", "choices": ["beaker", "lab table", "solution", "water bath"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "LEAP__5_10317", "prompt": "Which example best illustrates kinetic energy?", "choices": ["a light bulb that is turned on", "a car that is parked on top of a hill", "a comet that is flying through space", "a battery that is connected to a circuit"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7041563", "prompt": "Which theory about the origin of the universe states that a densely packed sphere exploded, forming clouds that condensed into galaxies?", "choices": ["the Galaxy theory", "the Big Bang theory", "the Steady State theory", "the Oscillating theory"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_417464", "prompt": "Which characteristic is shared by all members of Arthropoda and Chordata phyla?", "choices": ["mandibles", "simple eyes", "jointed limbs", "one pair of wings"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_9_7", "prompt": "Which of the following is certain to change as a ball accelerates?", "choices": ["mass of the ball", "inertia of the ball", "velocity of the ball", "force acting on the ball"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7143080", "prompt": "One year a farmer decided not to plant crops in one of his fields. During that year his farm received a greater amount of precipitation than normal. Which will most likely occur in that unplanted field as a result of the greater precipitation?", "choices": ["more carbon dioxide will be trapped in the field", "erosion of topsoil will increase in the field", "invasive species will inhabit the field", "animals will dig burrows in the field"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg122", "prompt": "Which group of energy sources are ALL renewable?", "choices": ["coal, oil, and natural gas", "solar, oil, and geothermal", "wind, solar, and tidal", "natural gas, solar, and tidal"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2011_8_pg66", "prompt": "What happens to the molecules of a liquid when the liquid cools?", "choices": ["They slow down.", "They speed up.", "They decrease in number", "They decrease in size"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7201758", "prompt": "Some individuals are unable to digest the lactose found in the milk of cows. The digestive systems of these individuals most likely lack which?", "choices": ["a lipid that coats lactose molecules", "an ability to produce lactose internally", "an enzyme that catalyzes lactose breakdown", "a tolerance to lactose developed during childhood"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MDSA_2012_8_35", "prompt": "Use the information below to answer the question. The human body is composed of different systems made of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Each of these structures has a specific function that aids in the survival of the human species. Which organs are used in reproduction?", "choices": ["brain, spinal cord, and eyes", "lungs, esophagus, and heart", "mouth, stomach, and gallbladder", "ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_9_16", "prompt": "Which of the following best describes the relationship between frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic waves?", "choices": ["If the frequency remains constant, the wavelength increases.", "The wavelength decreases as the frequency decreases.", "The frequency increases as the wavelength decreases.", "If the wavelength remains constant, the frequency increases."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7267855", "prompt": "Which pair would be most necessary for life to develop on another planet?", "choices": ["sulfur and nitrogen", "helium and hydrogen", "liquid water and carbon", "chlorophyll and oxygen"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7037363", "prompt": "How are light and sound similar?", "choices": ["They both travel at the same speed.", "They are both waves.", "They are both electromagnetic.", "They both travel through a vacuum."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_406955", "prompt": "When heated, mercuric oxide decomposes to form liquid mercury and oxygen. A scientist heated 10 grams (g) of mercuric oxide and formed 9.3 grams of liquid mercury. How many grams of oxygen were formed?", "choices": ["0.7 g", "9.3 g", "10.0 g", "19.3 g"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg19", "prompt": "When chlorine gas reacts with sodium metal, what type of substance is formed?", "choices": ["A mixture", "A compound", "An element", "An alloy", "A solution"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_12", "prompt": "A structure that carries a single unit of hereditary information is a", "choices": ["gene", "tissue", "sex cell", "pedigree chart"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2013_8_29434", "prompt": "Muscle cells need to quickly convert energy from food molecules into a usable form. For this reason, which of the following do muscle cells have in greater numbers than most other types of cells?", "choices": ["chromosomes", "mitochondria", "nuclei", "vacuoles"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_3_7", "prompt": "Which would help conserve water?", "choices": ["Turn off water while brushing teeth", "Wash the car every day", "Water the lawn every day", "Run the dishwasher after each meal"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407444", "prompt": "Which of these are both supplied to Earth by the Sun?", "choices": ["coal and oil", "heat and light", "friction and electricity", "gravity and magnetism"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7001348", "prompt": "A red flowered plant (RR) is crossed with a white flowered plant (WW) and produces plants with pink flowers (RW). If two pink flowered plants are crossed, what color offspring could be produced?", "choices": ["red, white, and pink", "red and white", "pink and red", "pink and white"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_417569", "prompt": "Which is the most accurate model to show how amino acids form proteins?", "choices": ["bees in a hive", "cars on a train", "petals on a flower", "pieces in a jigsaw puzzle"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7115098", "prompt": "What is the main function of the chloroplasts in plant cells?", "choices": ["to produce glucose", "to keep the cell rigid", "to make the cell divide", "to allow the plant to reproduce"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7094815", "prompt": "Gravity can be defined as a force of attraction between objects. The effects of gravity can be witnessed in many systems. Which of these actions is an example of gravity influencing other systems?", "choices": ["surface water evaporating into the atmosphere", "planets moving around the Sun in an elliptical pattern", "glaciers melting because of increasing temperatures", "groundwater moving to the surface in an artesian well"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7236058", "prompt": "Which characteristic of a cold-water upwelling near the coast of Northern California results in a large concentration of marine organisms?", "choices": ["loss of thermal stability", "high nutrient concentration", "consistent surface-current flow rate", "increased availability of dissolved oxygen"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7162488", "prompt": "When mountains are formed, there is an interaction between areas of Earth. Which two will interact and result in the formation of mountains?", "choices": ["hydrosphere and biosphere", "troposphere and ionosphere", "hydrosphere and lithosphere", "asthenosphere and lithosphere"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401602", "prompt": "A model of the Moon would be different from a model of Earth in that the Moon should", "choices": ["be smaller than Earth.", "have a source of light inside.", "have a smoother surface than Earth.", "have fewer impact craters on the surface."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_8_12013", "prompt": "Which of the following correctly lists the structures in space from smallest to largest?", "choices": ["star, galaxy, solar system, universe", "star, solar system, galaxy, universe", "star, solar system, universe, galaxy", "star, universe, solar system, galaxy"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415478", "prompt": "Some changes are fast. Some changes are slow. Which of these changes is most likely the slowest?", "choices": ["fire", "flood", "landslide", "drought"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_179113", "prompt": "Which of these diseases is caused by a bacterium?", "choices": ["rabies", "influenza", "strep throat", "chicken pox"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415001", "prompt": "When is the most energy transferred from the Sun to water in the water cycle?", "choices": ["during collection", "during evaporation", "during condensation", "during precipitation"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_LBS10254", "prompt": "Which of the following shows the correct sequence of inventions?", "choices": ["printing press -> microscope -> telephone", "television -> automobile -> microwave", "airplane -> microphone -> radio", "Doppler radar -> microphone -> telescope"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_27", "prompt": "When two animals live in the same area and depend on the same organism for food, they are", "choices": ["competing", "decomposing", "germinating", "hibernating"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7142958", "prompt": "Which statement describes a primary function of the cell wall of a plant cell?", "choices": ["The cell wall performs photosynthesis.", "The cell wall stores DNA.", "The cell wall provides structural support.", "The cell wall manufactures proteins."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_6", "prompt": "Which metric units should be used to describe the mass of an object?", "choices": ["centimeters", "liters", "grams", "degrees Celsius"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_3", "prompt": "Which form of energy is produced when a guitar string vibrates?", "choices": ["chemical", "light", "magnetic", "sound"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408703", "prompt": "Andre learned that plants survive through a process called photosynthesis. Which substance do plants produce during photosynthesis?", "choices": ["minerals", "nitrogen", "soil", "sugar"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7128188", "prompt": "For years, scientists have classified plants according to their characteristics. Which most likely has led scientists to better identify and discover new species of plants?", "choices": ["construction of 3-D models", "advances in the study of DNA", "understanding the process of mitosis", "development of the scientific method"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400177", "prompt": "Which material best conducts heat and electricity?", "choices": ["metal", "plastic", "rubber", "wood"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEA_2014_8_7", "prompt": "Which two characteristics affect a planet's gravitational attraction to the Sun?", "choices": ["mass and volume", "volume and length of day", "distance from the Sun and mass", "length of day and distance from the Sun"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7037380", "prompt": "When a prairie ecosystem was disturbed, an invasive grass species outcompeted the native grass. The new grass had less nutritional value for the organisms living in the area. Which category of organism will be affected by this change first?", "choices": ["predators", "herbivores", "scavengers", "decomposers"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7217718", "prompt": "In the 1970s, the pesticide DDT was used to kill insects that damaged fruit and vegetable crops. Most insects died from being exposed to DDT, but some survived. These surviving insects contributed to an increase in their population by", "choices": ["migrating to habitats that had different types of crops.", "learning how to avoid being exposed to DDT.", "passing the gene for DDT resistance to their offspring.", "competing with other types of insects for food."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7110303", "prompt": "Binary stars orbit around the center of mass of the two stars. What causes the stars to remain together?", "choices": ["gravity between the stars", "energy released from the stars", "nuclear reactions in the stars", "magnetic attraction between the stars"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7122850", "prompt": "After a star runs out of most of its hydrogen fuel, it becomes hotter and more luminous. What stage does this represent in the life cycle of a star?", "choices": ["quasar", "protostar", "red giant", "white dwarf"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "LEAP_2009_8_10429", "prompt": "How does no-till farming help the environment?", "choices": ["It decreases soil erosion.", "It increases soil removal.", "It increases fertilizer use.", "It decreases crop yield."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_8_25", "prompt": "In a laboratory, a sealed container with 100 g of steam is cooled until all the steam becomes a liquid. The container is then cooled further until all the water becomes a solid. Which of the following remains constant during both of these changes?", "choices": ["the mass of the water", "the pressure in the container", "the total energy of the water", "the position of the atoms in the container"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_25", "prompt": "A student has decided to investigate whether the number of flowers on a plant will increase if the water supply to the plant is increased. She has five pots of geranium plants to use in her experiment. What factor in the experiment should be varied for the five plants in order to answer the student's question?", "choices": ["age of seedlings", "temperature of water", "volume of water", "number of hours in sunlight"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_8_10", "prompt": "The energy that allows the water cycle to occur comes from", "choices": ["friction.", "electricity.", "the Sun.", "radioactive decay."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7075110", "prompt": "Organisms that are classified as multicellular must have", "choices": ["only one cell.", "large cells.", "more than one cell.", "identical cells."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_4_pg21", "prompt": "Where does air go when a person breathes in?", "choices": ["Into the heart", "Into the stomach", "Into the lungs", "Into the liver"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_16", "prompt": "Kudzu vines grow by climbing and wrapping around trees. Trees covered by kudzu can die because they are starved of sunlight. What type of relationship exists between the trees and the kudzu growing on them?", "choices": ["competition", "mutualism", "parasitism", "predator-prey"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_8_48", "prompt": "In the United States, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of the country's drinking water?", "choices": ["Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)", "Food and Drug Administration (FDA)", "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)", "Center for Disease Control (CDC)"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_18", "prompt": "A student makes a fruit drink by stirring a powdered mix into cold water. Why is the fruit drink a solution?", "choices": ["The powder dissolves in the water.", "The water changes color.", "The student stirs the water.", "The water is the proper temperature."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_416468", "prompt": "Which life function is the same for an amoeba as for other freshwater protists?", "choices": ["the method used to obtain nutrients and energy", "the process used to constantly remove excess water", "the method used to detect changes in their environment", "the process used to remove waste products from their cytoplasm"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7032848", "prompt": "Proxima Centauri is the closest star to the Sun. Which units do astronomers most often use for the distance between Earth and Proxima Centauri?", "choices": ["miles", "meters", "light years", "astronomical units"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_8_22", "prompt": "One positive effect of recycling aluminum cans to manufacture new beverage containers is", "choices": ["conserving Earth's resources", "creating acid rain", "warming Earth's atmosphere", "increasing the ozone layer"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402112", "prompt": "Students are conducting an investigation to see how sunlight affects the speed of plant growth. They measure the growth of the plant at the end of two weeks. What would be the best way to communicate the results of this investigation?", "choices": ["draw a picture", "make some notes", "make a chart or graph", "tell the science teacher"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_412701", "prompt": "The conservation of matter can be demonstrated by using chemical equations. Which chemical equation demonstrates the conservation of matter?", "choices": ["2Sn + 4HNO_{3} -> SnO_{2} + 4NO_{2} + H_{2}O", "I_{2} + 5Cl_{2} + 6H_{2}O -> 2HIO_{3} + 10HCl", "Cl + 4Na -> 4NaCl", "4P + 5HNO_{3} -> 5NO + 3H_{3}PO_{4}"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7092208", "prompt": "As the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, which occurrence is most likely a long-term result?", "choices": ["The polar ice caps will melt.", "Volcanoes will erupt more often.", "The number of earthquakes will decrease.", "Rainforests will be unable to support animal life."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2011_5_6", "prompt": "Which mineral, found in Arkansas, is an ore that can be used to produce aluminum?", "choices": ["quartz", "galena", "bauxite", "diamond"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2007_3_30", "prompt": "A summer day begins with a clear, sunny sky. Then, dark clouds form in the afternoon. What type of weather will MOST likely happen next?", "choices": ["Sleet and snow", "Rain and thunder", "Wind and snow", "Fog and wind"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401288", "prompt": "Eagles have strong, sharp beaks that are most likely adapted for the eagle to eat", "choices": ["fish.", "eggs.", "worms.", "flowers."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400702", "prompt": "When a spoon hits a table, it makes a loud sound. When the spoon hits a soft cushion, it does not make a sound. What is the difference between the table and the cushion that accounts for the sound?", "choices": ["The table is more reactive than the cushion.", "The table vibrates more than the cushion.", "The table is more insulated than the cushion.", "The table has more potential energy than the cushion."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7182963", "prompt": "When Dennis operates his lawnmower, he notices the engine makes a lot of noise. He also notices that the engine gets very hot. Which best describes the heat and noise generated from the lawnmower?", "choices": ["a change in phase", "thermal expansion", "an increase in entropy", "mechanical advantage"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415773", "prompt": "What objects are affected by Earth's gravity?", "choices": ["only objects that have mass", "only objects that sink in water", "only objects that are made of metal", "only objects that are heavier than air"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_8_14", "prompt": "Abnormal cell division in humans may result in", "choices": ["cancer", "fertilization", "asexual reproduction", "dynamic equilibrium"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MEA_2011_8_16", "prompt": "A donkey and a horse can be bred to produce a mule. Which observation is evidence that donkeys and horses are two different species?", "choices": ["They have different body sizes.", "A mule is not able to reproduce.", "They are found in different environments.", "A mule does not resemble either parent."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402075", "prompt": "What should students use to identify the percent chance of a trait being passed down from a parent to its offspring?", "choices": ["a graph", "a flow chart", "a data table", "a Punnett square"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7270533", "prompt": "Which rankings of trees would most likely useful in a scientific study of fruit production in apple trees?", "choices": ["date of flowering and the fruit yield", "fruit yield and taste of the fruit", "taste of the fruit and smell of the flower", "date of flowering and smell of the flower"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_402091", "prompt": "Which of the following characteristics is an acquired trait?", "choices": ["height", "hair color", "language", "eye shape"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_417470", "prompt": "Which stimulus causes a responding plant to demonstrate phototropism?", "choices": ["intensity of light", "direction of light", "length of day", "time of day"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7200060", "prompt": "Estuaries are marine environments located in areas where fresh water from rivers flow into the ocean. Estuaries are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems. Birds, fish, turtles and many other organisms inhabit these ecosystems. Which will most likely cause changes to estuary habitats on a global scale?", "choices": ["decreases in powerful hurricanes", "decreases in volcanic eruptions", "increases in earthquakes", "increases in sea level"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416107", "prompt": "The trunk of a pine tree supports the tree. Which part of a daisy supports the plant the same way?", "choices": ["stem", "flower", "root", "leaf"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_9_5-v1", "prompt": "What property of electromagnetic waves makes it possible to use these waves to transmit information between a space shuttle and NASA mission control centers on the ground?", "choices": ["Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.", "Electromagnetic waves have very low velocity.", "Electromagnetic waves are all visible to human eyes.", "Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_4_31", "prompt": "A student is investigating solar energy by cooking food in an oven powered by the Sun. On which of the following days will the food cook most quickly?", "choices": ["a warm, rainy day", "a warm, sunny day", "a warm, cloudy day", "a hot, cloudy day"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2013_5_13", "prompt": "Which is the correct order of the planets from the Sun?", "choices": ["Mercury, Venus, Earth, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, Mars, Neptune", "Mercury, Earth, Mars, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus", "Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune", "Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7268205", "prompt": "Which of these is the basic building block of complex organisms?", "choices": ["a cell", "a tissue", "an organ", "an organ system"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_20", "prompt": "Which human response is most likely to occur because the air temperature is 90\u00b0F?", "choices": ["blinking", "salivating", "shivering", "sweating"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7270130", "prompt": "What are the properties of the Earth's crust and mantle that are most responsible for Earth's tectonic activity?", "choices": ["They are in different states and have different temperatures.", "They are in the same state but have different temperatures.", "They are in different states but have the same temperature.", "They are the same state and have the same temperature."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_8_11", "prompt": "When a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, its wings are crumpled. In order to expand its wings, the butterfly hangs upside down, causing fluid to be pumped into the veins of its wings. This pumping most likely expands the wings by", "choices": ["increasing the pressure inside the wings", "decreasing the density of the wings", "increasing the temperature inside the wings", "decreasing the mass of the wings"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_5_11988", "prompt": "Which of the following characteristics will best prevent a tree from being blown over by high winds during a storm?", "choices": ["deep roots", "long branches", "thick bark", "wide leaves"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_416504", "prompt": "Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have small, free-floating organelles. The cell makes these organelles from nucleic acids and amino acids found in food. Without these organelles, the cell could not make proteins. What are these organelles called?", "choices": ["chloroplasts", "mitochondria", "ribosomes", "vesicles"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_402082", "prompt": "Which temperature is the freezing point of water?", "choices": ["0\u00b0F", "32\u00b0F", "50\u00b0F", "100\u00b0F"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7223265", "prompt": "Which statement best describes the molecules in a sample of water that was heated from a liquid to a gas?", "choices": ["The average size of the molecules decreased.", "The average size of the molecules increased.", "The average kinetic energy of the molecules decreased.", "The average kinetic energy of the molecules increased."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MEA_2014_5_8", "prompt": "Constellations are patterns of objects seen in the night sky from Earth. How are the objects in constellations like the Sun?", "choices": ["The objects are stars.", "The objects are planets.", "The objects are located in this solar system.", "The objects heat the atmosphere of Earth."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_400396", "prompt": "Which is a trait a human most directly inherits from its parents?", "choices": ["eye color", "musical taste", "career choice", "interest in reading"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "LEAP_2012_8_10440", "prompt": "When observing a very small piece of dust in a liquid under a microscope, the dust appears to jiggle slightly. This movement results from the dust interacting with the molecules in the liquid. What property of the molecules in the liquid causes this effect?", "choices": ["The molecules briefly form chemical bonds with nearby objects.", "The molecules are always in random motion.", "The molecules transfer an electric charge to the dust particles.", "The molecules frequently change shape."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TAKS_2009_5_28", "prompt": "Which of the following happens in our solar system?", "choices": ["Earth revolves around the sun once per day.", "The moon revolves around Earth once per day.", "Earth revolves around the sun once per year.", "The moon revolves around Earth once per year."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "OHAT_2009_5_1", "prompt": "On a cold day, a student felt the tires of her bike before riding it to the store. When she arrived at the store, she felt the tires again and noticed that they were warmer. What caused the temperature of the bicycle tires to change?", "choices": ["the wind blowing against the tires", "the air escaping from the spinning tires", "the rubbing between the ground and the tires", "the heat transferring from the rider's hands to the tire"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2000_8_3", "prompt": "Chloroplasts in cells make it possible for the cells to", "choices": ["reproduce.", "hold their rigid shape.", "absorb and excrete materials.", "carry out photosynthesis."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2011_5_38", "prompt": "Which of these is the most important product of Virginia forests?", "choices": ["Pecan trees", "Pine cones", "Hardwood lumber", "Maple leaves"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7038465", "prompt": "Research in which of these areas has the greatest impact on the environment?", "choices": ["irradiating food", "organic fertilizers", "bacteria to clean up oil spills", "developing larger, sweeter strawberries"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2008_8_29", "prompt": "The surface of Earth is covered mostly by", "choices": ["solid rock", "molten rock", "ice", "water"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7013825", "prompt": "Which pair of systems is responsible for the flow of blood in the human body?", "choices": ["circulatory and skeletal systems", "skeletal and excretory systems", "muscular and circulatory systems", "respiratory and muscular systems"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7274313", "prompt": "Where are the most reactive metals located on the periodic table?", "choices": ["the uppermost complete row of the table", "the rows at the bottom of the table connecting two section", "the column at the far left side of the table", "the second column from the right side of the table"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7098543", "prompt": "What major and potentially catastrophic events can be predicted to occur in the Northern Hemisphere between the months of June and November?", "choices": ["tsunamis", "hurricanes", "asteroid impacts", "volcanic eruptions"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400854", "prompt": "The pull of gravity from Earth has the greatest effect on", "choices": ["comets.", "the Sun.", "asteroids.", "the Moon."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2004_5_21", "prompt": "What is the main advantage of making a laptop computer light in weight?", "choices": ["to make it easy to carry", "to keep it simple to build", "to make the screen easy to read", "to provide storage for an electrical cord"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_403014", "prompt": "It takes 365 days for", "choices": ["Earth to travel halfway around the Sun.", "the Moon to travel halfway around Earth.", "Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun.", "the Moon to complete one orbit around Earth."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7205923", "prompt": "Some scientists once believed that Earth was solid like a marble. Which of these has been most responsible for changes in the scientific view of the structure of Earth?", "choices": ["discussions among earth scientists about new data", "scientific books defining the layers of Earth", "a lead scientist explaining the structure of Earth", "a physical model of Earth showing its layers"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "AKDE&ED_2012_8_4", "prompt": "A student wants to organize a group of animals into two categories based on observable external features. Which display will most appropriately show the two categories of animals?", "choices": ["a timeline", "a pie chart", "a data table", "a line graph"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7228200", "prompt": "Ribosomes present in a particular cell are smaller than those found in plants. In which taxonomic group or groups could the cell be classified?", "choices": ["fungi only", "archaea only", "bacteria or archaea", "bacteria or fungi"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_5_22", "prompt": "What happens to the path of a light ray as it passes from air into water at an angle?", "choices": ["Its path widens.", "Its path bends.", "Its path becomes shorter.", "Its path continues in a straight line."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400186", "prompt": "Vibrations in the air caused by hitting a drum form", "choices": ["radiation.", "light.", "electricity.", "sound."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MDSA_2007_8_25", "prompt": "As humans grow, their bodies change. Which of these statements explains how humans grow?", "choices": ["Cells form a cell wall.", "Cells increase in size.", "Cells undergo cell division.", "Cells merge to become larger."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_184240", "prompt": "Which event below involves a constructive force?", "choices": ["earthquake", "volcanic eruption", "flood", "wind storm"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "MCAS_2012_8_23644", "prompt": "Which of the following are formed when two crustal plates collide with one another?", "choices": ["hot spots", "rift valleys", "mountain ranges", "mid-ocean ridges"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7109428", "prompt": "The nucleus contains DNA. Which statement best describes how DNA controls the working of the cell?", "choices": ["It codes for proteins.", "It inhibits division of cells.", "It helps in energy transformation.", "It regulates traffic in and out of the cell."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2011_8_17698", "prompt": "Which of the following provides the best evidence that Earth has evolved over geologic time?", "choices": ["coral reefs that slowly changed size", "desert sand dunes that were shaped by winds", "deposits of sediment found at the mouth of a river", "rock containing fossilized seashells found on a mountaintop"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407164", "prompt": "The best explanation of why carnivores are dependent on plants is because they", "choices": ["need to consume plant matter.", "use plants for shelter.", "need carbon dioxide released by plants.", "consume other animals that eat plants."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7038500", "prompt": "In the late 1600s, Anton van Leeuwenhoek began making observations with simple magnifying lenses that he constructed. To which scientific field is Leeuwenhoek credited with the most contributions?", "choices": ["plant genetics", "disease control", "DNA sequencing", "microbiology"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7080605", "prompt": "Which section of Earth is composed primarily of liquid metal?", "choices": ["crust", "mantle", "outer core", "inner core"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_417568", "prompt": "One way humans store energy is by making the molecule glycogen. Clusters of which atoms are rearranged when the body digests plant sugars to make glycogen?", "choices": ["hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon", "oxygen, sulfur, carbon", "carbon, hydrogen, oxygen", "nitrogen, carbon, sulfur"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7214620", "prompt": "The number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy is best estimated as", "choices": ["one hundred thousand.", "one hundred million.", "one hundred billion.", "one hundred trillion."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7176103", "prompt": "Which type of substances serves as a catalyst for reactions that break large food molecules into smaller useful molecules?", "choices": ["enzymes", "vitamins", "lipids", "nucleotides"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_415767", "prompt": "What effect does gravity always have on an object on Earth?", "choices": ["makes the object move", "makes the object stay still", "pushes the object upward", "pulls the object downward"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7034825", "prompt": "Which is the best example of a chemical reaction?", "choices": ["blocked sunlight casts a shadow", "sunlight evaporates water from a lake", "oxygen absorbs sunlight forming ozone molecules", "a prism refracts sunlight into light of different wavelengths"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_17", "prompt": "Some one-celled organisms can reproduce by the process of", "choices": ["hormone secretion", "metamorphosis", "fertilization", "cell division"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_405140", "prompt": "One important use of coal is to produce energy for homes. Coal can be burned and converted to", "choices": ["wind energy.", "nuclear energy.", "electrical energy.", "solar energy."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_M10", "prompt": "Which of the following is NOT a mixture?", "choices": ["Air", "Blood", "Orange juice", "Salt"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_12", "prompt": "What kind of energy do all moving objects have?", "choices": ["Light energy", "Solar energy", "Kinetic energy", "Renewable energy"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7163328", "prompt": "In a forest ecosystem, the squirrels eat seeds from trees. The squirrels are then eaten by hawks, owls, and foxes. If there were no more owls present in this ecosystem, which would most likely happen in the forest?", "choices": ["The squirrel population would increase.", "The hawk population would decrease.", "The fox population would decrease.", "The tree population would increase."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_190190", "prompt": "Which of the following has the greatest direct influence on movement of the lithosphere?", "choices": ["the Sun", "the Moon", "Earth's core", "Earth's mantle"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_400099", "prompt": "When humans first began to grow crops, which of these most likely contributed to the extinction of native animal species?", "choices": ["pollution", "climate change", "habitat destruction", "tectonic plate motion"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2007_3_18", "prompt": "Which of these does the MOST harm to the air?", "choices": ["Chopping down trees with an ax in the backyard", "Collecting fall leaves", "Cutting grass with a gas-powered lawnmower", "Picking colorful wildflowers along the highway"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7004498", "prompt": "A scanning electron microscope is best suited for observing", "choices": ["diffraction of light.", "tectonic features on planets.", "the surfaces of small objects.", "topographical features on the ocean floor."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_400608", "prompt": "A bird eats a brightly-colored insect that tastes bad. The bird avoids preying on this type of insect again. This example is best described as", "choices": ["a physical characteristic.", "a learned behavior.", "an inherited behavior.", "an adaptation."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_17", "prompt": "In winter, the arctic fox has white fur. In summer, its fur changes color to brown and gray. The change in fur color helps the arctic fox to ___.", "choices": ["run", "mate", "hide", "hibernate"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_413302", "prompt": "In which ways are hills most different from mountains?", "choices": ["Hills are smaller and more rounded.", "Hills are deeper and more level.", "Hills are steeper and rockier.", "Hills are taller and snowy."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2015_4_27", "prompt": "A bird builds a nest to", "choices": ["hibernate in winter", "shelter its offspring", "produce more feathers", "eliminate waste"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7212048", "prompt": "Which statement best describes the motion of the molecules of a solid object?", "choices": ["They vibrate in place within a fixed volume.", "They move around freely within a fixed volume.", "They vibrate in place and take the shape of a container.", "They move around freely and take the shape of a container."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2002_8_7", "prompt": "What happens when salt water is boiled?", "choices": ["The water evaporates and the salt remains in the beaker.", "Both the salt and the water evaporate and leave the beaker.", "The salt becomes a new compound.", "The salt will evaporate from the water and disperse into the environment."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_412148", "prompt": "Which set of elements has similar bonding properties?", "choices": ["Cl, Br, and F", "K, Ca, and Sc", "Kr, Cl, and O", "Be, C, and O"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "NCEOGA_2013_5_52", "prompt": "Which body system processes foods into a useable source of energy?", "choices": ["circulatory", "digestive", "nervous", "skeletal"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_400164", "prompt": "What is the best way for a scientist to begin an investigation on a population of deer?", "choices": ["typing results into a computer", "intuition", "writing facts in a field notebook", "observing the deer in their own habitat"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2012_4_11", "prompt": "Which property of an object describes how easily electricity travels through it?", "choices": ["color", "temperature", "reflectivity", "conductivity"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406626", "prompt": "Which is a statement of fact?", "choices": ["The Sun is very pretty.", "The Sun is fun to study.", "The Sun is larger than Earth.", "The Sun is more interesting than the Moon."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_409143", "prompt": "Sydney is learning about the sources of energy that can run out. Which energy source will run out the fastest?", "choices": ["flowing water", "natural gas", "sunlight", "wind"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7006108", "prompt": "The first organisms to occupy an area after a prairie fire are known as", "choices": ["primary species.", "secondary species.", "succession species.", "pioneer species."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "TIMSS_2007_8_pg77", "prompt": "Which of the following is caused by a virus?", "choices": ["ulcer", "malaria", "tuberculosis", "influenza"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7082075", "prompt": "When a beam of light passes through a clear, convex lens, the light will mostly", "choices": ["diffract and spread out.", "diffract and come to a focal point.", "refract and come to a focal point.", "refract and spread out."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7068985", "prompt": "The symptoms of strep throat infection are a red and swollen throat. What is the most likely cause of strep throat?", "choices": ["eating raw vegetables", "drinking lemonade", "invading bacteria", "running in cold weather"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_8_39", "prompt": "Compared to the particles in a hardened lava sample, the particles in a liquid lava sample", "choices": ["have a lower temperature", "have less kinetic energy", "are moving faster", "are closer together"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_402286", "prompt": "Which characteristic do both the Moon and Earth share?", "choices": ["They both have rocky surfaces.", "They both have active volcanoes.", "They both have similar atmospheres.", "They both have the same gravitational pull."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407170", "prompt": "Which would be the most likely effect of a large decrease in the number of woodpeckers in a forest?", "choices": ["Temperatures would increase.", "Precipitation would increase.", "The number of trees in the forest would increase.", "The insect population in the forest would increase."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "NYSEDREGENTS_2010_4_17", "prompt": "Which two life processes occur in both plants and humans?", "choices": ["growing and reproducing", "germinating and making food", "growing and making food", "germinating and reproducing"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401276", "prompt": "In order for Galileo to build a telescope, he needed to know about", "choices": ["lenses.", "metals.", "chemical mixtures.", "the making of leather."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7219520", "prompt": "A birdwatcher wants to identify an eastern bluebird. What feature of a bird should the birdwatcher evaluate first to identify an eastern bluebird?", "choices": ["beak shape", "eye position", "feather pattern", "tail-feather length"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7008820", "prompt": "When a neutral atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes", "choices": ["more stable.", "an isotope.", "an ion.", "less charged."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416175", "prompt": "Which is an effect of regular exercise?", "choices": ["weaker bones", "less energy", "better hearing", "stronger heart"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7041545", "prompt": "A light year is used to measure", "choices": ["time.", "distance.", "luminosity.", "temperature."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7007438", "prompt": "As an object falls, air resistance gradually increases until it is equal with the pull of gravity. This effect is called", "choices": ["final velocity.", "initial velocity.", "escape velocity.", "terminal velocity."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7007788", "prompt": "All of these elements are metals except", "choices": ["gold.", "helium.", "sodium.", "aluminum."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_401787", "prompt": "Observation and measurement are important to scientific investigations because", "choices": ["they are part of the instructions.", "they are used to test a hypothesis.", "they are required to make a hypothesis.", "they keep you safe during an investigation."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7165200", "prompt": "When air rises over the open ocean, a low pressure system is formed. Which factor increases the potential of a low pressure system developing into a hurricane in the Northern Hemisphere?", "choices": ["cool ocean currents circulating towards the equator", "increased volcanic activity in the upper latitudes", "cold air moving south from the North Pole", "warm water temperatures in the tropics"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_416355", "prompt": "Imprints of the shells of ocean clams are often found in the rocks of the Appalachian Mountains. What do these imprint fossils most likely indicate?", "choices": ["These mountains were once under the ocean.", "These mountains once had a more rainy climate.", "Mountain river clams evolved from ocean clams.", "Ocean clams evolved from mountain river clams."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7252403", "prompt": "A population of ground squirrels has established a community in the grasslands of the Great Plains. Temperatures often reach -15\u00b0C for most of the winter. What is the most likely behavior the ground squirrels use to survive these winter temperatures?", "choices": ["burrowing below the frost point of the soil surface", "burrowing in tree trunks above the soil surface", "consuming roots found under the soil surface", "consuming organisms found in the soil surface"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7271215", "prompt": "Which is the lowest level of environmental organization that would include the water quality and air temperature in an area?", "choices": ["biome", "ecosystem", "community", "population"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "TIMSS_1995_8_I14", "prompt": "When you bend your arm at the elbow, the bones and muscles in your arm are acting as a system. What simple machine does this system represent?", "choices": ["Inclined plane", "Pulley", "Wedge", "Lever"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_407065", "prompt": "A student places a pan of water on the stove. What happens to some of the water as it is heated to a boil?", "choices": ["It becomes a gas.", "It becomes a solid.", "It gets new atomic bonds.", "It gets destroyed."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_402560", "prompt": "What are the parts that make up an atom?", "choices": ["electrons, neutrons, and protons", "electrons, protons, and gamma rays", "neutrons, photons, and beta particles", "neutrons, protons, and alpha particles"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_404974", "prompt": "One end of a metal rod is placed over a flame during an investigation. A thermometer is touching the opposite end of the metal rod. Which best describes what is happening during this investigation?", "choices": ["Convection carries heat to the thermometer.", "Radiant energy warms the thermometer.", "Mechanical energy from the flame carries heat to the thermometer.", "Heat from the flame is conducted through the metal rod to the thermometer."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7001715", "prompt": "Mountains are most likely formed", "choices": ["when glaciers melt.", "from earthquakes.", "when land sinks.", "along tectonic plates."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "AIMS_2009_8_26", "prompt": "Read the information about Alice's science project then answer the question. Alice needed to design a science project. She decided that she wanted to focus her project on how an earthworm's behavior helps it survive. Alice wrote down four ideas about earthworm behavior that she wanted to test. Which idea can be tested experimentally?", "choices": ["Earthworms like the taste of dirt better than sand.", "Earthworms are happier in black dirt than red dirt.", "Earthworms exist to decompose decaying materials.", "Earthworms will move away from direct light sources."], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "CSZ30499", "prompt": "What do the elements sulfur (S), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and bromine (Br) have in common?", "choices": ["They are noble (inert) gases.", "They are nonmetals.", "They have the same thermal conductivity.", "They have the same number of protons."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_416369", "prompt": "Tissue plasminogen activator is a natural blood thinner. The coded sequence for the blood thinner is called PLAT , found on chromosome 8. It is used to treat people who have heart attacks and strokes. Tissue plasminogen activator can be made through genetic engineering. What is tissue plasminogen activator?", "choices": ["a gene", "a protein", "a platelet", "a DNA molecule"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_400758", "prompt": "Which of these groups contains only metric measurements?", "choices": ["inches, grams, ounces", "inches, pounds, ounces", "centimeters, grams, milliliters", "centimeters, pounds, milliliters"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7264163", "prompt": "Scientists use large optical telescopes to obtain information about the planets in the solar system. What wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation provide this information?", "choices": ["gamma radiation", "infrared radiation", "radio waves", "visible light"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "Mercury_7032148", "prompt": "Which scientist is credited for the development of the polio vaccine?", "choices": ["Jonas Salk", "Neil Armstrong", "Albert Einstein", "Jacques Cousteau"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7187250", "prompt": "When a volcano erupts, new lava is deposited on the slopes of the volcano. After the lava cools and hardens, which types of organisms will most likely be the first to live on the new material?", "choices": ["large reptiles and amphibians", "small birds and mammals", "mosses and lichens", "bushes and vines"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_416164", "prompt": "Ella waves good-bye from the bus. What body system pulls on bones to let Ella wave her arm?", "choices": ["muscular system", "nervous system", "digestive system", "circulatory system"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_416378", "prompt": "Coral reefs are found in shallow tropical ocean waters. A coral reef is a diverse ecosystem that is supported by the photosynthesis of marine plants and the algae that live within the tissues of the coral. Given this information, when would the waters in a coral reef likely have the highest dissolved oxygen concentration?", "choices": ["7 a.m.", "2 p.m.", "9 p.m.", "midnight"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_401603", "prompt": "What keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?", "choices": ["tides", "gravity", "electricity", "magnetism"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_408709", "prompt": "As seen from Earth, the appearance of the Moon changes throughout the month. What causes the appearance of the Moon to change?", "choices": ["Earth rotating on its axis", "the Moon rotating on its axis", "Earth revolving around the Sun", "the Moon revolving around Earth"], "answer_idx": 3}
{"id": "MCAS_2005_8_27", "prompt": "In producing an automobile, which of the 27 following is the best use of a robot?", "choices": ["to perform repetitive tasks", "to determine the trunk space", "to demonstrate passenger comfort", "to perform quality control inspections"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7009713", "prompt": "The Theory of Plate Tectonics is based on", "choices": ["evidence of sea floor spreading.", "topographic mapping of mountain ranges.", "an analysis of soil at the plate boundaries.", "volcanic activity along coastlines."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_2010_5_13", "prompt": "Which of the following must all plant and animal species do in order for each species to survive?", "choices": ["migrate", "reproduce", "make food", "change color"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7248255", "prompt": "Which activity illustrates the main function of the motor neuron complex?", "choices": ["transferring impulses to the appropriate muscle", "receiving sensory impulses from the environment", "delivering regular impulses to the autonomic system", "processing impulses within the cerebral cortex"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7185255", "prompt": "Nutrients are recycled when materials decompose in an ecosystem. Which is the best example of the decomposition process where organic material is recycled in an ecosystem?", "choices": ["a hawk eating a mouse", "worms tunneling through soil", "bacteria feeding on dead plants", "a plant using nitrogen to make proteins"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_406653", "prompt": "What is one function of tree roots?", "choices": ["to absorb sunlight", "to absorb water", "to make seeds", "to make food"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7193690", "prompt": "Food contains stored chemical energy. Which units of measurement can be used to compare the amounts of energy in different foods?", "choices": ["calories", "decibels", "newtons", "watts"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_SC_405495", "prompt": "The freezing and expanding of water in the cracks of rocks is a form of", "choices": ["weathering.", "deposition.", "faulting.", "erosion."], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "MCAS_1999_4_25", "prompt": "Which of the following is a way that everyone can help with conservation efforts?", "choices": ["camp in the woods", "use biodegradable materials", "visit a landfill", "use disposable plates"], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "ACTAAP_2009_7_12", "prompt": "Historically, how has the compass been used?", "choices": ["for navigation", "to predict weather", "to measure temperature", "for mineral identification"], "answer_idx": 0}
{"id": "Mercury_7083458", "prompt": "A cut to the skin is treated with antiseptic first to avoid", "choices": ["an immune response.", "a bacterial infection.", "bruising of tissues.", "an allergic reaction."], "answer_idx": 1}
{"id": "Mercury_7030450", "prompt": "Which would be a safe practice to exercise during laboratory investigations?", "choices": ["using open flames to heat all materials", "keeping your cell phone on the laboratory countertop", "knowing where your instructor/laboratory leader is at all times", "removing your safety glasses when moving from station to station"], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "TIMSS_2003_8_pg101", "prompt": "The shape of the moon appears to change regularly during each month. Which of the following best explains why the shape of the moon appears to change?", "choices": ["The Earth turns on its axis.", "The Moon turns on its axis.", "The Moon orbits around the Earth.", "Clouds cover the Moon."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "Mercury_7057960", "prompt": "How do the nutrients necessary for plant growth get into the soil?", "choices": ["The soil absorbs sunlight.", "Water filters through the soil.", "Organic matter is decayed in the soil.", "The soil is exposed to air."], "answer_idx": 2}
{"id": "VASoL_2009_5_34", "prompt": "Which part of a sunflower plant absorbs water and nutrients?", "choices": ["Roots", "Stems", "Leaves", "Flowers"], "answer_idx": 0}