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Illinois State Assessments · ISA Science

Illinois ISA Science Practice Test

Build Illinois science assessment readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, data, and scientific reasoning.

Illinois ISA Science practice sets

This Illinois ISA Science Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets cover life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering and scientific practices, and integrated evidence-based review.

ISA Science skills

The Illinois State Board of Education describes the Illinois Science Assessment as an online assessment for Grades 5 and 8 aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. These supplemental sets practice explaining phenomena, using models, interpreting data, analyzing evidence, and evaluating solutions.

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Read every diagram, model, table, and evidence statement carefully, then review the explanation after each response.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current Illinois State Board of Education guidance, official materials, accommodations, or testing procedures.

For broader grade-level study paths, explore Elementary School Tests, Middle School Tests, and High School Tests.

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Illinois ISA Science Practice Questions

A 10-question Illinois ISA Science practice set on integrated isa science review, with answers and explanations.

Read each phenomenon, model, data table, or investigation 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 plant receives water, light, and carbon dioxide. Which process uses these materials to make sugar?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Photosynthesis.

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: Plants use light energy to help convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars during photosynthesis.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

Plants use light energy to help convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars during photosynthesis.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

A toy car travels farther when released from a higher ramp. Which explanation is best?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The higher starting position gives the car more potential energy..

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: A higher starting position can give the car more gravitational potential energy to transform into motion.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

A higher starting position can give the car more gravitational potential energy to transform into motion.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A cold glass develops water droplets on the outside. Where does the water come from?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Water vapor in the surrounding air condenses..

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: Cooling causes water vapor in the air to change into liquid droplets on the glass.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

Cooling causes water vapor in the air to change into liquid droplets on the glass.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A fossil is found in a layer below another fossil. What can the layer order help scientists infer?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The lower layer is generally older..

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: In undisturbed rock layers, deeper layers generally formed earlier than layers above them.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

In undisturbed rock layers, deeper layers generally formed earlier than layers above them.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

A student records plant height every two days. Which information is the dependent variable?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Plant height.

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: Plant height is the measured outcome that may respond to the investigation conditions.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

Plant height is the measured outcome that may respond to the investigation conditions.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

A food web shows grass feeding grasshoppers and grasshoppers feeding frogs. What could happen if grass decreases?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Grasshopper numbers may decrease because food is less available..

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: A decrease in grass can reduce food available to grasshoppers and affect organisms that depend on them.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

A decrease in grass can reduce food available to grasshoppers and affect organisms that depend on them.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

A metal cube has a mass of 40 grams and a volume of 10 cubic centimeters. What is its density?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is 4 grams per cubic centimeter.

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: Density equals mass divided by volume: 40 ÷ 10 = 4 grams per cubic centimeter.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

Density equals mass divided by volume: 40 ÷ 10 = 4 grams per cubic centimeter.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

A student wants to test whether salt changes the freezing point of water. Which setup is best?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Use equal water samples, change only salt amount, and measure freezing temperature..

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: Changing only the salt amount makes it possible to compare its effect on freezing temperature.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

Changing only the salt amount makes it possible to compare its effect on freezing temperature.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which statement best explains why biodiversity can help an ecosystem remain stable?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Different organisms can fill different roles and respond differently to change..

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: A variety of organisms provides multiple roles and can make an ecosystem more resilient to disturbances.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

A variety of organisms provides multiple roles and can make an ecosystem more resilient to disturbances.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the best strategy for an Illinois ISA Science practice question?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Use the evidence, identify variables or systems, and choose the explanation supported by the data..

  1. Read the ISA science task: Identify the system, evidence, variables, or model described in the question.
  2. Use the evidence: The ISA emphasizes using evidence, models, data, and scientific reasoning to explain phenomena and evaluate solutions.
  3. Check the claim: Confirm that the answer is supported by the information in the question and matches the scientific concept.

The ISA emphasizes using evidence, models, data, and scientific reasoning to explain phenomena and evaluate solutions.

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Frequently asked questions about Illinois ISA Science Practice

Which grades are covered by the Illinois Science Assessment?

The Illinois State Board of Education identifies ISA science assessments for Grades 5 and 8. Check the official ISA page for current assessment information.

Which science skills are included?

The practice sets include life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering design, scientific practices, data interpretation, evidence, models, and explanations.

Are these official ISA questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the official Illinois State Board of Education ISA page for current resources, standards, accommodations, and testing procedures.