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Alaska Science Assessment · Grade 8

Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment Practice Test

Build Grade 8 Alaska science assessment readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering energy, ecosystems, Earth systems, engineering, data, and Alaska applications.

Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment practice sets

This Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets support Grade 8 review across matter, energy, forces, cells, genetics, ecosystems, Earth systems, climate, engineering, data, and Alaska-related phenomena.

Skills covered

  • Chemical reactions, conservation of matter, density, energy, forces, waves, circuits, insulation, and magnetic fields
  • Cell functions, mitosis, alleles, food webs, carrying capacity, natural selection, homeostasis, and biodiversity
  • Plate movement, rocks, seasons, tides, weather fronts, greenhouse gases, groundwater, stars, eclipses, and Alaska earthquakes
  • Variables, correlation, control groups, models, optimization, peer review, uncertainty, fair tests, graphs, and evidence-based claims
  • Permafrost, salmon life cycles, sea ice, volcano monitoring, data interpretation, water quality, invasive species, and bridge testing

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Identify the evidence, connect it to the scientific model, and check whether the conclusion is supported by the data. Review each explanation after responding.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current Alaska Department of Education and Early Development guidance, official assessment materials, accommodations, or testing schedules.

For the broader Alaska assessment hub, visit Alaska State Assessments.

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Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment Practice Questions

A 10-question Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment practice set on cells, genetics, and ecosystems, with answers and explanations.

Read each scenario carefully, identify the evidence, choose one answer, and review the explanation after responding.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

What is one major function of the nucleus in a eukaryotic cell?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It contains genetic material and helps direct cell activities.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: The nucleus stores genetic material and helps regulate many activities of the cell.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

The nucleus stores genetic material and helps regulate many activities of the cell.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Why is mitosis important for a multicellular organism?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is It produces cells used for growth and repair.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Mitosis produces genetically similar daughter cells that support growth, replacement, and repair.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Mitosis produces genetically similar daughter cells that support growth, replacement, and repair.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A plant has one allele for purple flowers and one allele for white flowers. Purple is dominant. What color will the flowers most likely be?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Purple.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: A dominant allele can determine the observable trait when paired with a recessive allele.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

A dominant allele can determine the observable trait when paired with a recessive allele.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

What is a likely result if the producer population in a food web decreases sharply?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Populations that depend on those producers may also decrease.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Producers supply energy to the rest of the food web, so a decline can affect organisms at higher levels.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Producers supply energy to the rest of the food web, so a decline can affect organisms at higher levels.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

What does carrying capacity describe?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The largest population an environment can support over time.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Carrying capacity depends on available resources and limiting factors in an environment.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Carrying capacity depends on available resources and limiting factors in an environment.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

How can natural selection change a population over many generations?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Helpful inherited traits can become more common.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Organisms with traits that improve survival or reproduction are more likely to pass those traits to offspring.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Organisms with traits that improve survival or reproduction are more likely to pass those traits to offspring.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What is homeostasis?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Maintaining relatively stable internal conditions.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Homeostasis allows an organism to keep internal conditions within a suitable range despite outside changes.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Homeostasis allows an organism to keep internal conditions within a suitable range despite outside changes.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Why can sexual reproduction increase variation in offspring?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Genetic information from two parents is combined.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Combining genetic information from two parents can produce new combinations of traits.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Combining genetic information from two parents can produce new combinations of traits.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

What is one function of a cell membrane?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It regulates what enters and leaves the cell.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: The cell membrane helps maintain the cell environment by controlling movement of materials.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

The cell membrane helps maintain the cell environment by controlling movement of materials.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Why can an ecosystem with greater biodiversity be more resilient after a disturbance?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Different species may fill different roles and support recovery.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: A variety of species and ecological roles can provide more pathways for an ecosystem to continue functioning.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

A variety of species and ecological roles can provide more pathways for an ecosystem to continue functioning.

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Frequently asked questions about Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment Practice Test

Which science skills are covered?

The page covers matter, energy, forces, cells, genetics, ecosystems, Earth systems, climate, engineering, data, and Alaska-related science applications.

How many questions are included?

There are five practice sets with 10 questions each, for 50 questions in total. Each set can be completed separately.

Are these official Alaska assessment questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the latest Alaska Department of Education and Early Development information for official assessment dates, materials, accommodations, and policies.