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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.

Select a test

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

5. Test

California Grade 5 CAST Science Practice Questions

A 10-question California Grade 5 CAST Science practice set on environmental systems and data, 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

A graph shows fewer fish in a lake after a factory begins releasing warm water. What is a reasonable conclusion?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The warmer water may be affecting conditions needed by the fish..

  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: The timing suggests a possible relationship, but further investigation should test other factors.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

The timing suggests a possible relationship, but further investigation should test other factors.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which action would most likely reduce soil erosion on a hillside?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Planting vegetation with roots that hold soil in place..

  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: Roots help hold soil and reduce the movement of sediment.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Roots help hold soil and reduce the movement of sediment.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A community uses more water during a dry season than the local supply can replace. What may happen?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The water supply may decrease..

  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: Using water faster than it is replenished can reduce the available supply.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Using water faster than it is replenished can reduce the available supply.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Why can removing a predator affect many organisms in an ecosystem?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is It can change the number of prey and the amount of food available at other levels..

  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: Predators are connected to prey and other organisms through food-web relationships.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Predators are connected to prey and other organisms through food-web relationships.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

A town compares the amount of trash collected before and after a recycling program. Which result supports the program’s effectiveness?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The amount of trash decreases while the amount recycled increases..

  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 decrease in waste with an increase in recycling is evidence consistent with the program’s goal.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

A decrease in waste with an increase in recycling is evidence consistent with the program’s goal.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which resource is nonrenewable on a human time scale?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Coal.

  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: Coal forms over very long periods and is used faster than it is naturally replaced.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Coal forms over very long periods and is used faster than it is naturally replaced.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

A school garden has fewer insects after pesticide use increases. What should students do before claiming the pesticide caused the decrease?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Compare data and investigate other changes in the garden..

  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: Other factors may explain the change, so comparisons and additional evidence are needed.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Other factors may explain the change, so comparisons and additional evidence are needed.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

A chart shows that a city’s average temperature rises as the amount of pavement increases. What pattern does the chart show?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is A positive association between pavement and temperature..

  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: Both values increase together in the chart, showing a positive association without proving a single cause.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Both values increase together in the chart, showing a positive association without proving a single cause.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which solution can help conserve energy in a building?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Using insulation to reduce unwanted heat transfer..

  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: Insulation slows heat transfer and can reduce the energy needed for heating or cooling.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

Insulation slows heat transfer and can reduce the energy needed for heating or cooling.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Why is biodiversity important in an ecosystem?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Different organisms contribute different roles and can help the system remain stable..

  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 variety of organisms supports interconnected roles and can make an ecosystem more resilient.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observation or model and is supported by the evidence.

A variety of organisms supports interconnected roles and can make an ecosystem more resilient.

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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.