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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.

Select a test

5 Tests
1. Test2. Test3. Test4. Test5. Test

5. Test

Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment Practice Questions

A 10-question Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment practice set on alaska systems and data applications, 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

Why can thawing permafrost contribute to climate feedback?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Thawing can release stored carbon that may become greenhouse gases.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: When frozen organic material thaws, decomposition can release carbon dioxide or methane, which are greenhouse gases.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

When frozen organic material thaws, decomposition can release carbon dioxide or methane, which are greenhouse gases.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sequence best describes part of the salmon life cycle?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Salmon hatch in freshwater, migrate, grow in the ocean, and return to spawn.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Many salmon species move between freshwater and marine environments during their life cycle.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Many salmon species move between freshwater and marine environments during their life cycle.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Why can melting sea ice create a positive feedback in the climate system?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Less reflective ice exposes darker water that absorbs more solar energy.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Bright sea ice reflects much sunlight, while darker open water absorbs more energy and can contribute to additional warming.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Bright sea ice reflects much sunlight, while darker open water absorbs more energy and can contribute to additional warming.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

How can reduced sea ice affect Arctic marine organisms?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is It can reduce or shift habitat used for feeding, resting, or reproduction.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Sea ice provides habitat and influences food webs, so changes can affect organisms in different ways.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Sea ice provides habitat and influences food webs, so changes can affect organisms in different ways.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which measurement can help scientists monitor volcanic activity before an eruption?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Changes in earthquake frequency and volcanic gas release.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Increased seismic activity and changing gas emissions can provide evidence of changes inside a volcano.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Increased seismic activity and changing gas emissions can provide evidence of changes inside a volcano.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

A data set contains 4, 6, 7, and 9. What is the mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is 6.5.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Add the values to get 26, then divide by 4 to obtain a mean of 6.5.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Add the values to get 26, then divide by 4 to obtain a mean of 6.5.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Why can turbidity be useful when comparing stream water samples?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is It provides an indicator of suspended particles in the water.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Turbidity describes how cloudy water is because of suspended particles and can help compare water quality.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Turbidity describes how cloudy water is because of suspended particles and can help compare water quality.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

What may happen when an invasive species has no natural predators in a new habitat?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Its population may grow and alter native food webs.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Without effective controls, an invasive species may increase and compete with or prey on native organisms.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Without effective controls, an invasive species may increase and compete with or prey on native organisms.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

A graph shows that solar radiation is strongest near midday and lower in the morning and evening. What pattern is supported?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The angle and path of sunlight change during the day.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: The changing position of the Sun changes the angle and amount of solar radiation received at a location.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

The changing position of the Sun changes the angle and amount of solar radiation received at a location.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

A remote community needs a small bridge that can support snowmobiles. Which test gives useful evidence?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Apply increasing measured loads and record the maximum load before failure.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Measured load testing directly evaluates whether the bridge meets its strength requirement.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Measured load testing directly evaluates whether the bridge meets its strength requirement.

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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.