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California CAST · Grade 5 · Science

California Grade 5 CAST Science Practice Test

Build Grade 5 California CAST Science readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, and environmental data.

Grade 5 CAST Science practice sets

This California Grade 5 CAST Science Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets support supplemental review across life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering and design, environmental systems, and data analysis.

Science skills covered

  • Plant structures, responses, food chains, decomposers, adaptations, populations, body systems, life cycles, and ecosystem change
  • Chemical change, dissolving, thermal energy, forces, circuits, motion, material properties, matter conservation, and light absorption
  • Earth rotation, Moon phases, the water cycle, weathering, erosion, shadows, tides, and changing Earth surfaces
  • Engineering constraints, controlled tests, repeated measurements, models, impact protection, tools, evidence, iteration, and graph labels
  • Environmental resources, food-web interactions, recycling, biodiversity, water conservation, data patterns, and energy efficiency

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Identify the evidence, describe the mechanism, and review every explanation before moving to the next set.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current California Department of Education guidance, official CAST blueprints, accommodations, or testing schedules.

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

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California Grade 5 CAST Science Practice Questions

A 10-question California Grade 5 CAST Science practice set on physical science matter and energy, with answers and explanations.

Read each science task carefully, choose one answer, and review the explanation after responding.

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

Which observation shows that a new substance formed?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A metal develops rust after reacting with air and water..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: Rust is a new substance with different properties from the original metal.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Rust is a new substance with different properties from the original metal.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

A student mixes salt into water and cannot see the salt afterward. What happened?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The salt dissolved and spread through the water..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: Dissolving spreads salt particles throughout the water without making them disappear.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Dissolving spreads salt particles throughout the water without making them disappear.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What happens to most materials when they are heated?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Their particles move faster..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: Heating transfers energy to particles, usually increasing their motion.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Heating transfers energy to particles, usually increasing their motion.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A student pushes a box and the box moves across the floor. What caused the box to move?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is A force acted on the box..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: A push is a force that can change an object’s motion.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

A push is a force that can change an object’s motion.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which material is the best conductor of electrical energy?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Copper wire.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: Copper allows electric charge to move easily and is commonly used in wires.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Copper allows electric charge to move easily and is commonly used in wires.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

A bulb does not light in a circuit because one wire is disconnected. What is the problem?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The circuit is open..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: An open circuit has a gap, so electric current cannot travel through the entire path.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

An open circuit has a gap, so electric current cannot travel through the entire path.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

A ball rolls down a ramp. What happens to its motion as the ramp becomes steeper?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The ball generally speeds up..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: A steeper ramp increases the component of gravity pulling the ball downhill.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

A steeper ramp increases the component of gravity pulling the ball downhill.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which property can be used to identify a material?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Density.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: Density is a measurable property that can help identify and compare materials.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Density is a measurable property that can help identify and compare materials.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

A block of clay is reshaped into a sphere. What stays the same if no clay is added or removed?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The amount of matter..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: Changing shape does not change the amount of matter in the clay.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Changing shape does not change the amount of matter in the clay.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does a dark shirt usually warm more in sunlight than a white shirt?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The dark shirt absorbs more light energy..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, or data.
  2. Use the evidence: Dark surfaces generally absorb more incoming light energy than light surfaces.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Dark surfaces generally absorb more incoming light energy than light surfaces.

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Frequently asked questions about California Grade 5 CAST Science Practice Test

Which Science skills are covered?

The page covers Grade 5 life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering practices, environmental systems, and data analysis.

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 CAST questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the latest California Department of Education information for official materials, standards, accommodations, and policies.