Grade 6 Science diagnostic

15 questions on matter & forces, earth & space, biology & genetics and inquiry, plus 3 from Grade 5. Answer what you can, then check your answers to see which topics are secure and what to practise next.

15 questions4 topicsAbout 15 minutesSet 3 of 5

Skip a question if you do not know the answer. It is better than guessing, because it shows what to practise.

1Matter & forcesA model vehicle travels 260 m in 26 s at constant speed. What is its speed in m/s?

Your answerm/s

2Matter & forcesIn a solid, particles are best described as

A. usually kilometres apartB. vibrating around relatively fixed positionsC. having no interactionsD. completely motionless

3Matter & forcesMatter and changes: which term fits this description? A change from gas to liquid.

A. MixtureB. VolumeC. DepositionD. Condensation

4Earth & spaceRainfall on four days is 2, 0, 5 and 3 mm. Find the total rainfall in mm.

Your answer

5Earth & spaceEarth systems: which term fits this description? Removal and transport of material by agents such as water, wind or ice.

A. ErosionB. MagmaC. Inner coreD. Outer core

6Earth & spaceSpace and the solar system: which term fits this description? The third planet from the Sun.

A. EarthB. MarsC. NeptuneD. Moon

7Biology & geneticsEcosystems and interactions: which term fits this description? A single sequence showing transfer through feeding relationships.

A. Abiotic factorB. CommensalismC. Food chainD. Population

8Biology & geneticsCells and cell structures: which term fits this description? An organelle that carries out photosynthesis in plants and algae.

A. Active transportB. TissueC. ChloroplastD. Chromosome

9Biology & geneticsA pond loses many water plants. Which claim is most defensible from this fact alone?

A. Several food and habitat relationships may be affected.B. No other organism can be affected.C. Every fish will immediately die.D. The exact fish count is now known.

10InquiryAn unusual value appears. What is the most defensible first response?

A. Ignore the entire experiment.B. Check the record and procedure before deciding how to treat it.C. Change it to the average.D. Delete it automatically.

11InquiryWhich instrument directly measures duration?

A. a stopwatchB. a measuring cylinderC. a rulerD. a magnet

12InquiryWhat should happen to an unexpected measurement?

A. Always delete it immediately.B. Replace it with the expected result.C. Record it and investigate possible causes.

From Grade 5

These questions check skills from the grade below, so gaps can be spotted early.

13Matter & forces (Grade 5)A stretched elastic band changes

A. its name onlyB. the number written on it onlyC. shapeD. the day of the week

14Inquiry (Grade 5)Which statement is an observation?

A. These are the best seeds.B. Four of six seeds produced shoots.C. Plants prefer my pot.D. All seeds will grow.

15Matter & forces (Grade 5)Which is a non-contact force example?

A. a magnet attracting a suitable iron objectB. a hand pushing a boxC. a bat striking a ballD. a rope pulling a cart