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Delaware State Assessments · DeSSA · Science · Grades 5, 8, and High School

Delaware DeSSA Science Practice Test

Build Delaware DeSSA Science readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets for Grades 5, 8, and high school, covering physical science, life science, Earth science, environmental systems, biology, data, and evidence.

Delaware DeSSA Science practice sets

This Delaware DeSSA Science Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets are organized across Grade 5, Grade 8, and high school science themes so learners can review concepts, models, data, and evidence at an appropriate level.

Grade-band skills covered

  • Grade 5: matter, forces, energy, ecosystems, photosynthesis, weather, the water cycle, rocks, erosion, and Earth-Sun-Moon patterns
  • Grade 8 physical and Earth science: particles, thermal energy, circuits, forces, waves, chemical reactions, plate movement, rocks, currents, and measurement quality
  • Grade 8 life and environmental science: cells, DNA, specialization, food webs, variation, natural selection, water quality, biodiversity, and carrying capacity
  • High school biology: cellular respiration, gene expression, enzymes, inheritance, trophic energy, experimental controls, meiosis, mutations, and restoration evidence

How to use this page

Choose the practice set that matches your grade band. Read the scenario, identify the evidence, explain the scientific relationship, and review the solution after each response.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current Delaware Department of Education guidance, official DeSSA materials, accommodations, or testing policies.

For the Delaware assessment hub, visit Delaware State Assessments.

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

1. Test

Delaware DeSSA Science Practice Questions

A 10-question Delaware DeSSA Science practice set on grade 5 physical and life science, with answers and explanations.

Read each science scenario 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 student places an ice cube in a warm room. Which change of state will occur?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Melting.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: The ice absorbs thermal energy and changes from a solid to a liquid, which is melting.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

The ice absorbs thermal energy and changes from a solid to a liquid, which is melting.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which property can be measured to help identify an unknown mineral?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Its color, hardness, or streak.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Observable and measurable properties such as hardness and streak help distinguish minerals.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Observable and measurable properties such as hardness and streak help distinguish minerals.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A toy car travels farther when pushed with greater force. What is the best explanation?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is A greater force changes the cars motion more..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: A stronger push produces a larger change in motion when other conditions are similar.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

A stronger push produces a larger change in motion when other conditions are similar.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sequence correctly shows energy flow in a simple food chain?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Sun, grass, rabbit, hawk.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Plants capture energy from sunlight, rabbits eat plants, and hawks can eat rabbits.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Plants capture energy from sunlight, rabbits eat plants, and hawks can eat rabbits.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is They return matter to the environment by breaking down dead organisms..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Decomposers break down dead material and return nutrients to the ecosystem.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Decomposers break down dead material and return nutrients to the ecosystem.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does a plant need sunlight for photosynthesis?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Light energy helps the plant make food from water and carbon dioxide..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Photosynthesis uses light energy to help produce food from water and carbon dioxide.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Photosynthesis uses light energy to help produce food from water and carbon dioxide.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which observation is evidence that a new substance formed during a reaction?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is A gas forms and cannot be recovered as the original materials..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: An unrecoverable gas can be evidence of a chemical change rather than a simple change in form.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

An unrecoverable gas can be evidence of a chemical change rather than a simple change in form.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

A sealed bag of soil is placed on a scale before and after a plant grows inside it. What should happen to the total mass if nothing enters or leaves?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The total mass should stay about the same..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Matter is conserved in a closed system, so growth rearranges matter rather than removing it.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Matter is conserved in a closed system, so growth rearranges matter rather than removing it.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which design would best reduce heat transfer from a cup of warm water?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A cup surrounded by foam insulation.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Foam traps air and slows thermal energy transfer between the warm water and surroundings.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Foam traps air and slows thermal energy transfer between the warm water and surroundings.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

What is most likely to happen to a shadow when a light source moves closer to an object?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The shadow usually becomes larger..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Moving the light closer increases the apparent size of the blocked region.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Moving the light closer increases the apparent size of the blocked region.

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Frequently asked questions about Delaware DeSSA Science Practice

Which grades are covered?

This page includes science practice sets for Grade 5, Grade 8, and high school biology and integrated science review.

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 DeSSA questions?

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