SC READY Science — Grade 4

Which of the following is the primary source of light and heat energy for Earth?

• AThe Moon
• BThe Sun
• CVolcanoes
• DElectrical power grids

A student places a cup of hot cocoa on a kitchen table. After 30 minutes, the cocoa feels cool. How did thermal energy move?

• AThermal energy moved from the cool room air into the hot cocoa.
• BThermal energy moved from the hot cocoa into the cooler surrounding air.
• CThermal energy disappeared completely from the cup.
• DCold energy moved from the table directly into the cocoa.

When you turn on a battery-powered flashlight, what energy transformation takes place?

• AChemical energy -> Electrical energy -> Light and Heat energy
• BLight energy -> Electrical energy -> Sound energy
• CThermal energy -> Chemical energy -> Mechanical energy
• DElectrical energy -> Sound energy -> Chemical energy

What must occur for a bell to produce sound energy?

• AThe bell must melt.
• BThe bell must vibrate.
• CThe bell must absorb light.
• DThe bell must be insulated with rubber.

Solar panels installed on school roofs absorb energy from sunlight to power lights inside the school. Which energy transformation occurs?

• ASound energy to mechanical energy
• BLight energy to electrical energy
• CElectrical energy to chemical energy
• DHeat energy to sound energy

A student builds a simple circuit with a battery, wires, and a light bulb. The bulb does not light up. What is the MOST LIKELY reason?

• AThe circuit path is completely closed.
• BThe circuit path has a gap or is open.
• CThe wires are made of copper metal.
• DThe battery is brand new.

Why are electrical wires in homes typically covered with a plastic coating?

• APlastic is a good conductor that speeds up electricity.
• BPlastic is an insulator that prevents electric shocks and short circuits.
• CPlastic increases the weight of the wire to keep it steady.
• DPlastic converts electricity into magnetic force.

Which component in a simple circuit acts as the energy source?

• AThe light bulb
• BThe switch
• CThe battery
• DThe plastic wire clip

What is the function of a switch in an electrical circuit?

• ATo produce electrical energy for the circuit
• BTo turn electrical energy into light energy
• CTo open or close the circuit path safely
• DTo increase the voltage of the battery

Which material would be BEST to test as an electrical insulator in a classroom circuit experiment?

• ACopper penny
• BRubber eraser
• CAluminum foil strip
• DIron nail

Which object is a good conductor of electricity?

• AWooden popsicle stick
• BMetal paperclip
• CGlass marble
• DCotton string

In a series circuit with two light bulbs, what happens to the second bulb if the first bulb is unscrewed?

• AIt gets twice as bright.
• BIt stays lit without changing.
• CIt goes out because the circuit path is broken.
• DIt starts blinking rapidly.

Why are decorative house lights often wired in parallel rather than in series?

• AIf one bulb burns out, the other bulbs remain lit.
• BParallel circuits do not require a power source.
• CParallel circuits use plastic wires instead of metal.
• DIf one bulb burns out, all other bulbs turn off instantly.

When light shines onto a flat glass mirror, the light bounces back off the surface. What is this behavior of light called?

• ARefraction
• BReflection
• CAbsorption
• DEvaporation

A student places a straight pencil into a glass half-full of water. Looking from the side, the pencil appears bent or broken at the water line. What causes this?

• ALight is reflected off the pencil into space.
• BLight slows down and bends (refracts) as it passes from air into water.
• CThe pencil absorbs all light waves under water.
• DWater dissolves the outer wooden layer of the pencil instantly.

On a hot sunny day, why does a black asphalt driveway feel much hotter than a white concrete sidewalk?

• AThe black surface reflects all sunlight back into the air.
• BThe black surface absorbs most light energy and converts it to heat.
• CThe white surface refracts light into electrical current.
• DThe white surface attracts cold air currents from the ground.

Which term describes a material that blocks all light from passing through it, casting a dark shadow?

• ATransparent
• BTranslucent
• COpaque
• DRefractive

A bathroom window is made of frosted glass that lets sunlight into the room but prevents people outside from seeing clear shapes inside. Frosted glass is best classified as:

• ATransparent
• BTranslucent
• COpaque
• DMagnetic

Which object is transparent?

• AClear plastic food wrap
• BWooden closet door
• CAluminum baking foil
• DHeavy cardboard box

When a beam of white light passes through a glass triangular prism, a spectrum of rainbow colors appears on the wall. Why does this happen?

• AThe prism adds color dyes into the light beam.
• BDifferent colors of light bend (refract) at slightly different angles as they pass throug…
• CThe prism reflects white light back to the Sun.
• DLight waves vibrate into sound waves inside glass.

A musician plucks two strings on a guitar. String A vibrates very quickly, while String B vibrates much more slowly. How will the sound of String A compare to String B?

• AString A will have a higher pitch than String B.
• BString A will have a lower pitch than String B.
• CString A will be completely silent.
• DString A will produce light instead of sound.

How can a student raise the pitch of a sound made by tightening a rubber band stretched across an open box?

• AStretch the rubber band tighter so it vibrates faster.
• BLoosen the rubber band so it vibrates more slowly.
• CUse a thicker, wider rubber band.
• DPlace the box inside a dark closet.

What determines whether a drum sound is loud or soft?

• AThe color of the drumsticks
• BThe amount of force used to strike the drumhead
• CThe temperature of the room
• DThe amount of light in the room

Why can sound NOT travel through outer space?

• AOuter space is too cold for sound.
• BOuter space is a vacuum with no matter (air particles) to carry vibrations.
• CSound waves move too quickly in space to be heard.
• DThe Sun's gravity destroys all sound waves.

In which medium does sound generally travel FASTEST?

• AA solid metal rod
• BLiquid water in a lake
• CCool air in a classroom
• DWarm air in a gymnasium

A student places a metal spoon into a bowl of hot soup. A few minutes later, the handle of the spoon feels warm. What process caused this?

• AConduction
• BEvaporation
• CRefraction
• DPhotosynthesis

Which material would make the BEST thermal insulator for a thermos designed to keep drinks cold on hot days?

• ACopper metal
• BFoam (Styrofoam)
• CAluminum foil
• DSteel alloy

Which object demonstrates mechanical energy of motion?

• AA rolling soccer ball across a grass field
• BA battery resting inside a drawer
• CUnlit firewood stacked by a fireplace
• DA flashlight turned off

An electric toaster plugs into a wall outlet to toast bread. Which energy conversion is intended during operation?

• AElectrical energy -> Thermal (heat) energy
• BLight energy -> Sound energy
• CChemical energy -> Nuclear energy
• DThermal energy -> Magnetic energy

A student pedals a bicycle equipped with a small wheel generator that powers a headlight. What sequence of energy transfers is taking place?

• AChemical energy (in muscles) -> Mechanical energy (pedaling) -> Electrical energy (genera…
• BLight energy -> Chemical energy -> Sound energy -> Thermal energy
• CElectrical energy -> Sound energy -> Mechanical energy -> Chemical energy
• DThermal energy -> Nuclear energy -> Chemical energy -> Mechanical energy

Why can a student see a clear mirror image on a smooth polished metal shield, but NOT on a rough piece of tin foil crumpled into a ball?

• ASmooth surfaces reflect light rays evenly in one direction, while rough surfaces scatter…
• BSmooth surfaces absorb light rays, while rough surfaces refract light into rainbows.
• CPolished metal creates its own light source.
• DCrumpled tin foil destroys light waves upon contact.

A student blows across the top of four glass bottles filled with different amounts of water. Bottle 1 is almost full of water (short air column), while Bottle 4 is almost empty (long air column). Which bottle will produce the HIGHEST pitch sound?

• ABottle 1 (short air column)
• BBottle 4 (long air column)
• CAll bottles will produce identical pitch sounds
• DNone of the bottles will produce sound

What dangerous condition occurs if bare copper wires connect the positive and negative terminals of a battery directly without passing through a light bulb or motor (load)?

• AA short circuit that causes wires to overheat rapidly
• BAn open circuit that stops energy flow safely
• CA parallel circuit that brightens room lighting
• DAn insulating barrier that freezes the battery

Which energy source is considered renewable because it is constantly replenished by natural processes?

• ACoal
• BWind energy
• CPetroleum oil
• DNatural gas

A student shouts toward a high brick wall standing far across a field and hears their voice return a second later. What sound phenomenon created this echo?

• AAbsorption of sound by grass
• BReflection of sound off a hard surface
• CRefraction of sound through warm air
• DEvaporation of sound waves into water vapor

Which plant structure is primarily responsible for absorbing water and dissolved minerals from the soil?

• ALeaves
• BRoots
• CFlowers
• DPetals

How does water travel from the roots of a oak tree up to its high leaves?

• AWater is absorbed directly from air by top leaf tips.
• BWater travels upward through specialized vascular tubes in the stem and trunk.
• CFlowers pump water downward into the branches.
• DSunlight pulls water droplets through outer bark layer.

What key process do green plant leaves perform to produce food (sugar) using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide?

• ARespiration
• BPhotosynthesis
• CGermination
• DPollination

Why do many flowering plants have brightly colored petals and sweet nectar?

• ATo scare away all insects and birds
• BTo attract animals like bees and butterflies to help pollinate flowers
• CTo absorb extra water from rainwater drops
• DTo keep the plant cool during freezing winter nights

Dandelion seeds have light, feathery tufts. Which method of seed dispersal is this adaptation BEST suited for?

• AFloating on ocean currents
• BCatching wind currents to travel far from the parent plant
• CSticking to animal fur with sharp hooks
• DExploding out when touched by heavy animals

Which microscopic leaf structures open and close to allow carbon dioxide gas in and oxygen gas out?

• AStomata (stoma)
• BTaproots
• CBark fibers
• DFlower sepals

What is the primary function of an internal skeletal system in vertebrate animals like dogs, birds, and humans?

• ATo produce photosynthetic sugars
• BTo provide structural support, shape, and protection for internal organs
• CTo absorb sunlight directly through skin
• DTo filter nitrogen gas out of surrounding air

A mallard duck has webbed feet. How does this physical adaptation help the duck survive?

• AIt helps the duck climb tall pine trees.
• BIt acts like paddles to push water efficiently while swimming.
• CIt enables the duck to catch insects deep underground.
• DIt allows the duck to generate electricity while walking.

A wolf has sharp, pointed canine teeth and strong jaw muscles. What type of diet is this animal's mouth adapted for?

• AGrinding tough prairie grasses
• BTearing meat from prey animals (carnivore)
• CSucking nectar from tropical flowers
• DFiltering microscopic algae out of seawater

Fennec foxes live in hot desert habitats and have unusually large ears. How do these large ears assist their survival?

• AThey collect rainwater to store inside the skull.
• BThey detect faint sounds of prey underground and radiate body heat into the air to stay c…
• CThey flap rapidly to fly over high sand dunes.
• DThey block all sound so the fox can sleep during storms.

An arctic hare's fur turns white in winter and brown in summer. What type of adaptation is this?

• ACamouflage
• BHibernation
• CPollination
• DMigration

The harmless viceroy butterfly has color patterns almost identical to the foul-tasting monarch butterfly. Predators avoid eating the viceroy butterfly. What adaptation is demonstrated?

• AMimicry
• BDecomposition
• CPhotosynthesis
• DErosion