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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. Test

Delaware DeSSA Science Practice Questions

A 10-question Delaware DeSSA Science practice set on high school biology and integrated review, 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

What is the main purpose of cellular respiration?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is To release usable energy from food molecules..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Cellular respiration transfers energy from food molecules into a usable form for cell activities.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Cellular respiration transfers energy from food molecules into a usable form for cell activities.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which molecule carries genetic information from DNA to a ribosome during protein production?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Messenger RNA.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Messenger RNA carries a copied genetic message from DNA to the ribosome.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Messenger RNA carries a copied genetic message from DNA to the ribosome.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

An enzyme works fastest at a certain temperature and becomes less effective at a much higher temperature. Why?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The enzyme can change shape and lose the fit of its active site..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Excess heat can disrupt the protein structure that gives an enzyme its active site.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Excess heat can disrupt the protein structure that gives an enzyme its active site.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

In a cross between two organisms with genotype Bb, what fraction of offspring is expected to be bb?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is One fourth.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: The possible combinations are BB, Bb, Bb, and bb, so one of four is bb.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

The possible combinations are BB, Bb, Bb, and bb, so one of four is bb.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does energy decrease at higher trophic levels in an ecosystem?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Much of the energy is used for life processes and released as heat..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient because organisms use energy and release heat.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient because organisms use energy and release heat.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

A student tests whether fertilizer changes plant growth. Which setup is the control group?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Plants grown under the same conditions without the fertilizer.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: The control lacks the independent variable while keeping other conditions comparable.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

The control lacks the independent variable while keeping other conditions comparable.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

A graph shows that increasing temperature raises reaction rate until a peak, after which the rate falls. What is the best conclusion?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Temperature affects the reaction, but excessive heat can reduce enzyme function..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: The peak suggests an optimum temperature and the decline suggests loss of enzyme function at higher temperatures.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

The peak suggests an optimum temperature and the decline suggests loss of enzyme function at higher temperatures.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which process produces genetically different cells for sexual reproduction?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Meiosis.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Meiosis reduces chromosome number and creates variation through recombination and independent assortment.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Meiosis reduces chromosome number and creates variation through recombination and independent assortment.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

A mutation changes one DNA base but does not change the amino acid in a protein. What type of mutation could this be?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A silent mutation.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: A silent mutation changes a codon without changing the encoded amino acid.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

A silent mutation changes a codon without changing the encoded amino acid.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which evidence would best support the claim that a wetland restoration improved water quality?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Repeated measurements show lower nutrient levels downstream after restoration than before it..

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the observation, model, data table, or description and identify the scientific relationship being tested.
  2. Apply the concept: Repeated before-and-after measurements directly test the claimed water-quality change.
  3. Check the claim: Choose the explanation best supported by the Delaware DeSSA Science practice task.

Repeated before-and-after measurements directly test the claimed water-quality change.

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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.