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Scientific Investigation Practice Tests

These Grade 9 Biology practice tests build the skills needed to ask testable questions, design investigations, collect data, analyze graphs, evaluate evidence, and communicate conclusions. Topics include hypotheses, variables, controls, sampling, reliability, validity, models, and laboratory safety.

Skills covered

  • Identifying testable questions, hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, constants, controls, and operational definitions
  • Evaluating repeated trials, sample size, random sampling, controlled experiments, observational studies, reliability, validity, accuracy, and precision
  • Calculating and interpreting means and medians and recognizing outliers and trends
  • Selecting and interpreting line graphs, bar graphs, scatter plots, axes, error bars, and claim-evidence-reasoning explanations
  • Applying laboratory safety, ethical treatment, modeling, peer review, reproducibility, citations, and uncertainty communication

How to use these practice tests

Begin by identifying the question, variables, and comparison. Then decide what the data show, how strong the evidence is, and whether the conclusion stays within the investigation limits. Review each explanation to strengthen scientific reasoning and laboratory practice.

For more Grade 9 Science practice, return to the Grade 9 Science category.

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Grade 9 Scientific Investigation Practice Tests

Practice Grade 9 Science questions about scientific questions, hypotheses, variables, controls, experimental design, data analysis, graphs, evidence, and laboratory safety.

Choose the best answer. Identify the variable or evidence type, evaluate the investigation design, and make conclusions that match the data and its limitations.

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

On a graph of plant growth versus days, which variable usually belongs on the x-axis?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Days of growth..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: The independent variable, such as time, is usually placed on the x-axis.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is Days of growth..

The independent variable, such as time, is usually placed on the x-axis.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

On a graph of plant growth versus days, which variable usually belongs on the y-axis?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Plant height..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: The dependent variable, such as measured height, is usually placed on the y-axis.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is Plant height..

The dependent variable, such as measured height, is usually placed on the y-axis.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What does a positive trend in a scatter plot suggest?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is As one variable increases, the other tends to increase as well..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: A positive association means the variables tend to increase together, but it does not by itself prove causation.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is As one variable increases, the other tends to increase as well..

A positive association means the variables tend to increase together, but it does not by itself prove causation.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

What can error bars on a graph represent?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The variability or uncertainty associated with measurements..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: Error bars can show spread, such as standard deviation, standard error, or another stated measure of uncertainty.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is The variability or uncertainty associated with measurements..

Error bars can show spread, such as standard deviation, standard error, or another stated measure of uncertainty.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Why is a control comparison important when interpreting experimental data?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It shows what would likely happen without the tested treatment or condition..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: Comparing with a control helps determine whether the independent variable is associated with a difference in the outcome.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is It shows what would likely happen without the tested treatment or condition..

Comparing with a control helps determine whether the independent variable is associated with a difference in the outcome.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

What does a trend in data describe?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A general direction or pattern in the measurements..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: A trend summarizes how data change across values of the independent variable.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is A general direction or pattern in the measurements..

A trend summarizes how data change across values of the independent variable.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What is an anomalous result?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is A result that does not fit the pattern of the other data..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: An anomalous result should be checked for procedural issues, measurement error, or meaningful unusual variation.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is A result that does not fit the pattern of the other data..

An anomalous result should be checked for procedural issues, measurement error, or meaningful unusual variation.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

What should a researcher do if one measurement is very different from the others?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Check the procedure and record the result before deciding how to analyze it..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: Outliers should be investigated and handled transparently according to a stated analysis plan.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is Check the procedure and record the result before deciding how to analyze it..

Outliers should be investigated and handled transparently according to a stated analysis plan.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

What is peer review?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Evaluation of scientific work by other knowledgeable researchers before or after publication..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: Peer review can identify weaknesses, improve clarity, and assess whether conclusions are supported by evidence.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is Evaluation of scientific work by other knowledgeable researchers before or after publication..

Peer review can identify weaknesses, improve clarity, and assess whether conclusions are supported by evidence.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the claim-evidence-reasoning structure used for?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Connecting a conclusion to data and explaining why the data support it..

  1. Identify the investigation skill: Determine whether the question concerns a question, hypothesis, variable, design, data, evidence, or safety.
  2. Apply the scientific reasoning principle: A strong scientific explanation states a claim, cites relevant evidence, and explains the scientific reasoning that connects them.
  3. Check the answer: The correct answer is Connecting a conclusion to data and explaining why the data support it..

A strong scientific explanation states a claim, cites relevant evidence, and explains the scientific reasoning that connects them.

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