SCIENCE CONCEPTS 4 SCIENCE ITEMS - National Center for ...nces.ed.gov/timss/pdf/TIMSS4_Science_ConceptsItems.pdf · 4 & SCIENCE CONCEPTS SCIENCE ITEMS The Science Concepts and Science

4 &SCIENCE CONCEPTSSCIENCE ITEMS

SCIENCE CONCEPTSSCIENCE ITEMS

The Science Concepts and Science Items book contains the released TIMSS science assessment items. These are the released items from the 1995 and 2003 assessments (as distinct from the secure items, which are kept confidential so that they may be used in subsequent cycles to monitor trends).

Guide to Using the Science Concepts and Science Items Materials

The materials contained in this book can be used in a number of ways as a tool to assist teachers in making a formative assessment of student knowledge and skills. Some of these ways include the following:

Teacher-designed formative assessments. A teacher might, for example, decide to examine how well his or her class can use tools, routine procedures, and science processes. In such a case, the first step would be to review the questions in Science Concepts and Science Items, selecting the ones of interest. Ready-to-use versions of these items can be found in the Science Items book. The teacher can print these items or present them to students on an overhead. Student responses can be scored by referring to the appropriate page in Science Concepts and Science Items. The teacher can also compare the overall percentage of students responding correctly to the international benchmark for that item.

Feedback on teaching. To the extent that the items coincide with concepts taught, the teacher might follow the same process to gain rapid feedback on the success of the teaching episode.

Understanding misunderstandings. Again, a teacher might decide to examine the incorrect or partially correct responses of the class for insight into any general misunderstandings, with a view to re-teaching a particular topic or skill.

Identifying individual difficulties. In the same way, the teacher might use the items to identify particular difficulties experienced by individual students, as the basis for some remedial teaching or focused practice.

18679.0206 55

Guide to the Content and Layout of This Book

This book contains the released items from both TIMSS 1995 and TIMSS 2003. Due to slight revisions in terminology and released information between cycles, the format for the items in each cycle differs slightly. Each item appears on a single page and is accompanied by a number of descriptors.

1995 Content Domains:• Earth science• Life science• Physical science• Environmental issues and the nature of science

2003 Content Domains:• Physical science (chemistry and physics) • Earth Science • Life Science

1995 Cognitive Domains:• Understanding simple information• Understanding complex information• Theorizing, analyzing and solving problems• Using tools, routine procedures and science processes• Investigating the natural world

2003 Cognitive Domains:• Factual knowledge • Conceptual understanding • Reasoning and analysis

Take a look at Temperature/precipitation table, the name given to the first item in this book. As specified in boxes at the top of the page, the content domain for this item is earth science and the cognitive domain is using tools, routine procedures and science processes. Looking at Which decays fastest, the first item from TIMSS 2003 (page 68), the content domain (physical science) and the cognitive domain (conceptual understanding) are also accompanied by the main topic (chemical change).

International item numbers identify each item. This number appears just below the item box.

Correct answers are shown beneath each item. These correct answers take two forms:

• Letter code. This form is used for the correct response on multiple-choice items. Temperature/precipitation table provides an example of the letter code type—the correct answer is B.

• Scoring guide. This form is used to assist in scoring write-in responses. Snow on mountain (O9) further along in the earth science domain (page 5), provides an example of the scoring guide approach, indicating the general nature of correct and incorrect responses. In some cases, partial credit may be awarded and these items will provide guidelines for fully correct, partially correct, and incorrect responses.

Sample student responses are provided for TIMSS 2003 extended response items. An example of an actual U.S. fourth-grade student’s response is provided for each scoring category. See Item S031406A on page 74.

International benchmarks are provided in a table next to each item. These consist of statistics on the percentage of students in each country who answered the question correctly. The countries are ordered in terms of this percentage. The international average is included as well, and this display also indicates which countries scored significantly higher, significantly lower, and not significantly different from this international average.

Earth ScienceUsing Tools, Routine Procedures,

and Science Processes

TIMSS 1995 4th-Grade Science Concepts and Science Items

Content Domain Cognitive Domain

Correct Response: B

Overall Percent Correct

3

Temperature/precipitation table

Item Number: N1

Country average vs. International average:

Higher �Not different OLower �

Japan 69 �Hong Kong 63 �Czech Republic 60 �Netherlands 60 �Korea 56 �Slovenia 55 �United States 54 �Austria 52 OHungary 49 OLatvia (LSS) 48 OCanada 47 OAustralia 46 OIsrael 44 ONorway 44 OInternational average 44Singapore 41 ONew Zealand 39 OIreland 38 OIceland 36 OCyprus 32 �England 32 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 31 �Scotland 31 �Greece 30 �Kuwait 27 �Thailand 27 �Portugal 26 �

This table shows the temperature and precipitation (rain orsnow) in four different towns on the same day.

Where did it snow?

A. Town A

B. Town B

C. Town C

D. Town D



Earth ScienceUnderstanding Simple

Information

Correct Response: A


4

Hong Kong 87 �Singapore 86 �Norway 85 �Netherlands 81 �Austria 79 �Hungary 78 �Portugal 77 OCzech Republic 76 OKorea 76 OUnited States 75 OEngland 72 OSlovenia 72 OAustralia 70 OInternational average 70Ireland 69 OCanada 68 OGreece 67 OIceland 64 ONew Zealand 64 OThailand 64 OScotland 63 OLatvia (LSS) 62 OJapan 58 �Kuwait 58 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 56 �Cyprus 54 �Israel 52 �

Moon shining at night

Item Number: O4



The Moon produces no light, and yet it shines at night. Whyis this?

A. The Moon reflects the light from the Sun.

B. The Moon rotates at a very high speed.

C. The Moon is covered with a thin layer of ice.

D. The Moon has many craters.



5

Snow on mountain

Item Number: O9

Japan 73 �Korea 70 �Hungary 67 �Norway 64 �Czech Republic 60 �Canada 54 OEngland 54 �United States 53 ONetherlands 52 OIceland 50 OScotland 48 OLatvia (LSS) 47 OSlovenia 47 OHong Kong 46 OIsrael 46 OInternational average 46Iran, Islamic Rep. 42 OIreland 41 ONew Zealand 41 OAustralia 37 �Portugal 33 �Singapore 33 �Austria 30 �Cyprus 29 �Greece 28 �Thailand 24 �Kuwait 22 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Mentions that it is colder on the mountain tops or warmer farther down.

Example: The air is colder higher up.

• Mentions that more snow is falling high up in the mountains.

• Other correct.

Incorrect Response

• Mentions that there is sunshine lower down or there is more sunshine lower down.

• Refers to sun or heat melting the snow.

Examples: The sun is warm.Sun shines and the snow melts.

• Refers to the mountain being very high.

• Refers to the wind blowing more on the mountain top.

• Merely repeats information in stem.

• Other incorrect.


Earth ScienceTheorizing, Analyzing,

and Solving Problems

Sometimes mountains can still have snow on their topswhen the snow on the lower parts of the mountains hasmelted. What makes this happen?



6

Size of sun and moon

Item Number: Y1

Korea 46 �Australia 44 �Japan 43 �Norway 43 �Austria 40 �Czech Republic 38 �Iceland 38 ONetherlands 38 �Canada 36 �Scotland 36 OEngland 35 ONew Zealand 34 OHungary 33 OIreland 33 OUnited States 33 OInternational average 31Hong Kong 30 OLatvia (LSS) 30 OSlovenia 29 OSingapore 27 OIsrael 25 OThailand 18 �Kuwait 16 �Portugal 15 �Greece 12 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 12 �Cyprus 9 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Mentions that the sun is farther away than the moon. Comparative language is used.

Example: The moon is closer to the Earth.

• Other correct responses comparing apparent sizes.

Incorrect Response

• Includes some reference to the light.

Examples: The sun shines on the moon.The moon shines only in the night.

• States that the sun is closer than the moon.

• Refers to distance, but response is general, not specified.

Examples: We are so far away from the sun.The distance is so long.

• Refers to the sun being higher up than the moon.

• Other acceptable but incomplete or slightly erroneous responses.

• Repeats the information in the stem.

Example: The sun is bigger than the moon.

• Other incorrect:

Examples: Because you are in the same place.Because the sun is rotating.




The Sun is bigger than the Moon, but they appear to beabout the same size when you look at them from the Earth.Why is this?



7

River on the plain: good place for farming

Item Number: Z1A

Korea 91 �United States 83 �Singapore 78 �Australia 76 �Japan 75 �England 74 �Scotland 72 �Ireland 70 �Hungary 69 �New Zealand 69 OThailand 69 OCanada 68 OHong Kong 65 OInternational average 62Greece 62 ONetherlands 62 OIsrael 59 OSlovenia 59 OCyprus 56 ONorway 56 OCzech Republic 54 �Latvia (LSS) 52 �Austria 51 �Portugal 49 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 40 �Iceland 38 �Kuwait 23 �



SCORING

Part a: Scoring for reason plain is a good place for farming.

Correct Response

• Mentions that the soil is fertile (good), abundant.

• Mentions that there is a river (for irrigation, water for animals).

• Mentions that there is plenty of space or flat areas for farm land.

• Other correct:

Example: The goats can find grass in the mountains.

Incorrect Response

• Does not address the issue of farming.

Examples: It is silent, a peaceful place to live.You can swim in the river.






The diagram shows a river flowing through a wide plain.The plain is covered with several layers of soil and sediment.

a. Write down one reason why this plain is a good place forfarming.

b. Write down one reason why this plain is NOT a good placefor farming.



8

Item Number: Z1B

Netherlands 45 �England 40 �Ireland 36 �Slovenia 36 �Hungary 35 �Korea 32 �New Zealand 32 �United States 28 �Scotland 27 OIsrael 26 OCanada 25 OThailand 25 OAustralia 23 OInternational average 23Czech Republic 22 OAustria 20 OLatvia (LSS) 20 OSingapore 19 ONorway 16 �Greece 13 �Iceland 12 �Japan 12 �Portugal 11 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 10 �Cyprus 9 �Hong Kong 9 �Kuwait 7 �



SCORING

Part b: Scoring for reason plain is not a good place for farming.

Correct Response

• Mentions the possibility of flooding, or that the soil will be too wet.

• Mentions the possibility of wind or water erosion.

• Other correct:

Examples: They might not get a lot of sunlight.The farmer would have to climb the hills to sell or trade his meat, vegetables, orfruit.It might be in the rain shadow of one of the mountains or hills.

Incorrect Response

• Mentions that it is an undesirable place to live: boring/lonesome/ugly...

Example: Too far from the city.

• Does not address the issue of farming.

Example: The river is dangerous [for children].

• Refers to problems due to surrounding mountains.

Examples: Avalanches (snow or rocks) from the mountains.Goats get lost in the mountains.

• Refers to sediment, soil, being rocky and negative.






The diagram shows a river flowing through a wide plain.The plain is covered with several layers of soil and sediment.

a. Write down one reason why this plain is a good place forfarming.

b. Write down one reason why this plain is NOT a good placefor farming.

River on the plain: bad place for farming



Life ScienceUnderstanding Complex

Information

Correct Response: D


9

Which are living things

Item Number: N2



Japan 94 �Korea 91 �Netherlands 88 �Austria 86 �Ireland 85 �Czech Republic 84 �Slovenia 84 �England 79 OScotland 79 OIsrael 78 OSingapore 78 OHong Kong 77 OThailand 77 OAustralia 76 OInternational average 74United States 74 OCanada 73 OHungary 71 OPortugal 70 OIceland 68 ONew Zealand 66 OGreece 65 �Latvia (LSS) 65 ONorway 61 �Cyprus 60 �Kuwait 60 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 47 �

Which one of these refers only to living things?

A. clouds, fire, rivers

B. fire, rivers, trees

C. rivers, birds, trees

D. birds, trees, worms

E. trees, worms, clouds



Life ScienceUnderstanding Simple

Information

Correct Response: B


10

Japan 74 �Singapore 71 �Netherlands 70 �United States 62 �Czech Republic 60 �Slovenia 59 �Austria 58 �Hong Kong 58 �Korea 58 �Iceland 57 �Kuwait 57 �Norway 54 O

Latvia (LSS) 50 O

International average 48

Israel 44 O

Australia 43 O

Greece 42 O

Hungary 42 O

Portugal 40 O

Canada 37 �Cyprus 33 �New Zealand 32 �Scotland 32 �England 31 �Thailand 28 �Ireland 27 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 17 �

Body temperature

Item Number: N3



Your temperature is taken when you are NOT sick. Which temperature is CLOSEST to what the thermometer wouldshow?

A. 29°C

B. 37°C

C. 100°C

D. 212°C




Information

Correct Response: E


11

Where does bird live

Item Number: N5



Korea 88 �Czech Republic 83 �Netherlands 83 �Greece 82 �Iceland 81 �Austria 80 �Norway 80 �Latvia (LSS) 77 OAustralia 76 OHungary 76 OIreland 76 OCanada 75 OIsrael 73 OEngland 71 OJapan 71 OSlovenia 71 OInternational average 71Cyprus 69 OScotland 68 OUnited States 68 ONew Zealand 67 OKuwait 63 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 57 �Singapore 57 �Hong Kong 56 �Portugal 56 �Thailand 29 �

This is a drawing of a bird’s foot.

Where would you be MOST likely to find such a bird?

A. a forest

B. a meadow

C. a cornfield

D. a desert

E. a lake




Information

Correct Response: D


12

Korea 72 �Japan 67 �Austria 62 �Slovenia 60 �Netherlands 55 �New Zealand 50 OIceland 48 OGreece 47 OAustralia 44 OUnited States 44 OInternational average 43Canada 41 OLatvia (LSS) 41 OEngland 40 OSingapore 40 OHungary 39 OIreland 37 ONorway 37 OScotland 36 OThailand 36 OHong Kong 35 �Czech Republic 34 �Kuwait 34 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 33 �Israel 29 �Portugal 28 �Cyprus 27 �

Where does baby chick get food

Item Number: N6



A baby chick grows inside an egg for 21 days before it hatches.Where does the baby chick get its food before it hatches?

A. It is fed by the mother hen.

B. It doesn’t need any food.

C. It makes its own food.

D. It uses food stored in the egg.

E. It eats the egg shell.




Information

Correct Response: A


13

Why did seeds not sprout

Item Number: O2



Korea 61 �Netherlands 58 �Israel 53 �Czech Republic 50 OHungary 48 ONew Zealand 46 OUnited States 46 OAustralia 45 OCanada 45 OSingapore 45 OLatvia (LSS) 44 OEngland 43 OIceland 43 OIreland 43 ONorway 42 OInternational average 41Austria 40 OScotland 39 OPortugal 38 OSlovenia 38 OJapan 37 OHong Kong 36 OCyprus 31 �Thailand 25 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 23 �Greece 22 �Kuwait 22 �

John kept some seeds on moist cotton in a dish. Mike put thesame kind of seeds in a dish beside John’s dish, and coveredthem with water. After two days, John’s seeds sprouted, butMike’s did not.

Which is the most likely reason?

A. Mike’s seeds needed more air.

B. Mike’s seeds needed more light.

C. Mike did not put the dish in a warm enough place.

D. Mike should have used a different kind of seed.




Information

Correct Response: B


14

Korea 97 �Japan 92 �Singapore 92 �Hong Kong 86 �United States 81 �Netherlands 79 �Australia 78 �Thailand 78 �Slovenia 77 �Czech Republic 76 ONew Zealand 74 OCanada 72 OEngland 70 OAustria 69 OInternational average 69Scotland 65 OIreland 64 OIsrael 64 OHungary 61 OCyprus 60 �Iceland 60 OGreece 55 �Latvia (LSS) 52 �Norway 52 �Portugal 52 �Kuwait 47 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 33 �

Stages of plant growth

Item Number: O3



The pictures show a bean plant at different stages of growth.(The pictures are not drawn on the same scale.)

In what order do these stages take place?

A. 2, 1, 3, 4

B. 2, 4, 1, 3

C. 3, 2, 1, 4

D. 4, 2, 3, 1

E. 4, 3, 2, 1




Information

Correct Response: C


15

Which animal produces milk

Item Number: O7



Korea 96 �Japan 94 �Czech Republic 92 �Hungary 91 �Thailand 85 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 83 �Slovenia 83 �Netherlands 82 OHong Kong 81 �Portugal 77 OSingapore 77 OAustralia 76 OInternational average 75Latvia (LSS) 74 OGreece 73 ONew Zealand 73 OEngland 72 OUnited States 71 OCanada 70 OIreland 69 ONorway 69 OCyprus 68 OScotland 66 �Israel 63 �Austria 60 �Kuwait 58 �Iceland 56 �

Which animal produces milk for its young?

A. Chicken

B. Frog

C. Monkey

D. Snake




Information

Correct Response: B


16

Canada 98 �Hong Kong 97 �Netherlands 97 �Norway 97 �United States 97 �Australia 96 �Czech Republic 96 �England 96 �Japan 95 �New Zealand 95 �Austria 94 �Ireland 94 �Scotland 94 �Singapore 94 �Korea 90 OSlovenia 87 OHungary 85 OInternational average 85Israel 81 OThailand 76 OIceland 71 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 69 �Greece 67 �Cyprus 64 �Latvia (LSS) 63 �Portugal 59 �Kuwait 45 �

Adult stage of caterpillar

Item Number: P1



When this caterpillar becomes an adult, whatwill it look like?




Information

Correct Response: A


17

Plants found in very dry places

Item Number: P2



Hong Kong 97 �Canada 96 �Korea 96 �Austria 95 �Norway 95 �United States 95 �Japan 94 �Netherlands 94 �Australia 92 OCzech Republic 91 OEngland 91 OLatvia (LSS) 91 OScotland 91 OIceland 89 OIreland 89 ONew Zealand 89 OSlovenia 89 OInternational average 88Greece 86 OCyprus 84 OThailand 83 OHungary 82 OIsrael 80 �Portugal 78 �Kuwait 76 �Singapore 76 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 56 �

Which picture shows plants commonly found in a desert?




Information

Correct Response: E


18

Hungary 95 �Czech Republic 77 �Japan 77 �Australia 76 �Canada 73 �Singapore 73 �Austria 71 �New Zealand 69 �United States 69 �Scotland 67 OKorea 65 ONorway 64 OEngland 63 OIreland 63 OInternational average 60Greece 59 OKuwait 58 OThailand 58 ONetherlands 57 OIceland 55 OLatvia (LSS) 46 �Portugal 43 �Slovenia 42 �Hong Kong 41 �Israel 41 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 29 �Cyprus 28 �

Birds different from insects

Item Number: P8



Birds are different from insects in that birds have

A. wings

B. legs

C. eyes

D. eggs

E. feathers




Information

Correct Response: A


19

Seeds in plants

Item Number: P9



Czech Republic 79 �Austria 71 �Thailand 69 �Japan 68 �Slovenia 68 �Latvia (LSS) 66 �Hungary 65 �Singapore 64 �Hong Kong 62 �Korea 55 �Netherlands 46 OInternational average 46Israel 45 OCyprus 44 OAustralia 38 OGreece 37 OUnited States 37 �England 35 �Canada 33 �New Zealand 33 �Norway 33 �Iceland 29 �Scotland 26 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 23 �Ireland 22 �Kuwait 22 �Portugal 20 �

Seeds develop from which part of a plant?

A. Flower

B. Leaf

C. Root

D. Stem




Information

Correct Response: B


20

Japan 92 �Netherlands 86 �Korea 85 �Hong Kong 82 �Australia 81 �United States 80 �Canada 79 �Czech Republic 79 �New Zealand 76 �England 73 OSingapore 73 �Scotland 72 OAustria 70 OHungary 67 ONorway 67 OIreland 65 OInternational average 64Greece 57 OSlovenia 56 OLatvia (LSS) 54 �Cyprus 53 �Israel 51 �Iceland 49 �Portugal 44 �Thailand 33 �Kuwait 31 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 19 �

Changes in butterfly eggs

Item Number: Q1



A butterfly sitting on a leaf laid some small eggs. The picturesshow the changes that took place to the eggs.

In what order did the changes take place?

A. 1, 2, 3, 4

B. 1, 3, 2, 4

C. 1, 4, 3, 2

D. 1, 4, 2, 3




Information

Correct Response: C


21

Why eat fruits and vegetables

Item Number: Q2



Netherlands 93 �Austria 92 �Czech Republic 83 �Hungary 82 �Slovenia 80 �Korea 79 �Norway 77 �Hong Kong 74 �Latvia (LSS) 73 OIsrael 72 OSingapore 72 �International average 65Iceland 65 OJapan 64 OIreland 62 OUnited States 62 OScotland 59 OCanada 58 OEngland 58 OAustralia 57 OPortugal 57 ONew Zealand 55 �Greece 46 �Kuwait 45 �Thailand 45 �Cyprus 44 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 39 �

What is the BEST reason for including fruits and leafyvegetables in a healthy diet?

A. They have a high water content.

B. They are the best source of protein.

C. They are rich in minerals and vitamins.

D. They are the best source of carbohydrates.




Information

Correct Response: B


22

Hong Kong 87 �United States 80 �Cyprus 79 OSlovenia 79 OAustralia 78 OAustria 77 OEngland 77 OLatvia (LSS) 77 OSingapore 77 OCanada 75 OCzech Republic 75 OGreece 75 ONetherlands 75 ONew Zealand 74 ONorway 74 OJapan 73 OKorea 73 OScotland 73 OInternational average 73Ireland 72 OIceland 71 OIran, Islamic Rep. 71 OIsrael 69 OHungary 68 OPortugal 59 �Thailand 58 �Kuwait 52 �

Animal breathes faster

Item Number: Q5



When an animal breathes faster and its heart beats faster,the animal is MOST likely

A. cold

B. frightened

C. resting

D. sleeping




Information

Correct Response: C


23

Which is not an insect

Item Number: Q6



Korea 81 �Japan 77 �Singapore 67 �Australia 63 �United States 62 �Hong Kong 61 �Canada 59 �New Zealand 53 �Netherlands 45 OScotland 44 OAustria 43 OEngland 43 OInternational average 43Ireland 40 OGreece 39 OSlovenia 39 OKuwait 38 OCyprus 37 ONorway 34 OCzech Republic 32 �Hungary 31 �Portugal 26 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 22 �Israel 21 �Iceland 20 �Latvia (LSS) 19 �Thailand 10 �

Which picture does NOT show an insect?




Information

Correct Response: D


24

Czech Republic 79 �Slovenia 79 �Hungary 76 �Austria 72 �Ireland 72 �England 67 �New Zealand 66 �Australia 62 ONorway 62 OScotland 60 OUnited States 60 OCanada 59 OIsrael 57 OLatvia (LSS) 57 ONetherlands 57 OPortugal 57 OInternational average 55Greece 55 OIceland 54 OIran, Islamic Rep. 48 OSingapore 41 �Cyprus 40 �Korea 36 �Hong Kong 35 �Kuwait 34 �Thailand 27 �Japan 22 �

Insect carries pollen

Item Number: R3



The picture shows how an insect can carry pollen from theflowers of a tree to the flowers of a small plant.

What will most likely happen?

A. The offspring from the tree will look like the plant.

B. The offspring from the plant will look like the tree.

C. The offspring from the plant will look like the tree and theplant.

D. Nothing will happen because no offspring will be produced.




Information

Correct Response: A


25

Why use sunscreen

Item Number: R4



Australia 93 �Ireland 90 �Czech Republic 89 �England 87 �Canada 85 �Hong Kong 85 �Norway 85 �Slovenia 85 �Austria 83 OIsrael 83 OKorea 83 �Netherlands 83 OUnited States 83 �New Zealand 81 OScotland 80 OPortugal 77 OCyprus 76 OInternational average 76Iceland 74 OSingapore 74 OHungary 69 OGreece 68 OThailand 63 �Japan 61 �Kuwait 53 �Latvia (LSS) 51 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 28 �

What is the MOST important reason for people to use a sun-screen when they are outside in sunlight?

A. It protects the skin against dangerous rays from the sun.

B. It makes the skin more tanned.

C. It makes the skin smooth.

D. It makes the skin feel cooler.




Information

Correct Response: E


26

Thailand 74 �Hungary 64 �Czech Republic 63 �Greece 61 �United States 55 �Kuwait 54 �Australia 53 OKorea 51 OCanada 50 OCyprus 50 ONew Zealand 50 OEngland 47 OIreland 47 OJapan 47 ONetherlands 47 OInternational average 45Singapore 42 OSlovenia 41 OIceland 40 OPortugal 40 OScotland 40 ONorway 33 �Austria 31 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 31 �Latvia (LSS) 30 �Hong Kong 22 �Israel 19 �

Which animal has backbone

Item Number: R6



Which one of these groups contains only animals with abackbone (vertebrates)?

A. Earthworm, snake, crayfish

B. Spider, clam, dragonfly

C. Crayfish, snake, horse

D. Clam, fish, earthworm

E. Horse, snake, fish



Life ScienceUsing Tools, Routine Procedures,


Correct Response: C


27

Worm in box

Item Number: R7



Korea 92 �Japan 79 �Austria 73 �Netherlands 73 �Australia 68 �England 68 �Czech Republic 66 �Slovenia 63 OCanada 62 ONew Zealand 62 OIsrael 60 OScotland 60 OUnited States 59 OLatvia (LSS) 58 OHong Kong 56 OInternational average 56Hungary 55 OIreland 54 OIceland 53 ONorway 53 OSingapore 48 �Portugal 37 �Cyprus 35 �Greece 30 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 28 �Kuwait 26 �Thailand 26 �

Here is a picture of the inside of a box. If you put a worm onthe X on the bottom of the box, to which corner would youexpect it to go?

A. Damp and light

B. Dry and light

C. Damp and dark

D. Dry and dark



28

Function of the heart

Item Number: W2

Australia 69 �United States 64 �England 61 �Singapore 59 �Austria 57 �New Zealand 53 �Scotland 53 �Norway 51 �Canada 49 �Ireland 49 �Slovenia 49 �International average 40Japan 39 OIsrael 37 ONetherlands 36 OCzech Republic 35 OGreece 34 OKorea 34 OIceland 33 OLatvia (LSS) 33 OHungary 30 �Portugal 27 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 23 �Cyprus 18 �Hong Kong 14 �Thailand 13 �Kuwait 12 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Explanation includes pumping blood in a circulating system out to the body and back to the

heart.

• Explanation includes pumping blood to all parts of the body.

Examples: It pumps blood and gives air to your lungs.It pumps blood to the other parts of your body.It pumps your blood.It pumps your blood around your body.

• Other correct.

Incorrect Response

• Refers to heart keeping us alive or similar expression.

Examples: Your heart gives you energy.Your heart gives you the strength to grow.It helps me breathe.

• Refers to heart keeping the beat.




Information

Write down one thing your heart does that helps the otherparts of your body.



29

Thirst on a hot day

Item Number: W3



SCORING

Correct Response

• Refers to perspiration and its cooling effect and the need to replace lost water.

• Refers to perspiration and only to replacement of lost water.

Example: Because when we are hot, our body opens the pores on our skin and we lose a lot of salt and liquid.

• Refers to perspiration and only its cooling effect.

• Refers to perspiration only.

Examples: We are sweating.Your body gives away much water.We are sweating and get drier.

• Other acceptable.

Incorrect Response

• Refers to body temperature (being too hot) but does not answer why we get thirsty.

Example: You cool down by drinking something cold.

• Refers only to drying of the body.

Examples: Your throat/mouth gets dry.You get drier.The heat dries everything.

• Refers to getting more energy by drinking more water.

Example: You get exhausted.

• Merely repeats the information in the stem.

Examples: Because it is hot.You need water.


Example: You lose salt.


Life ScienceTheorizing, Analyzing,


Write down the reason why we get thirsty on a hot day andhave to drink a lot.

Slovenia 44 �Korea 43 �Singapore 43 �Hong Kong 41 �Japan 37 �Israel 36 �Austria 35 OCanada 33 �Czech Republic 33 OScotland 32 ONorway 30 OUnited States 29 OAustralia 28 OEngland 28 ONetherlands 28 OInternational average 27Greece 25 OIreland 22 OLatvia (LSS) 21 ONew Zealand 21 �Cyprus 19 �Hungary 17 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 15 �Portugal 14 �Iceland 13 �Thailand 13 �Kuwait 12 �



30

Human skull

Item Number: W4

Korea 80 �Japan 71 �Hong Kong 70 �Australia 66 �Singapore 66 �Austria 65 �Netherlands 60 �United States 58 �Scotland 56 OEngland 55 ONew Zealand 53 OCzech Republic 52 OGreece 52 OIsrael 52 OInternational average 51Ireland 49 OCanada 48 OHungary 48 OThailand 47 OSlovenia 46 ONorway 43 �Latvia (LSS) 41 �Cyprus 38 �Iceland 38 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 33 �Portugal 24 �Kuwait 13 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Refers to protection against concussion and injuries of the brain.

Example: It protects the brain. [or thoughts, memory....]

• Refers to protection of the "head."

Examples: It does not break as easily.The head can withstand more.

• Explanation includes other correct "advantages."

Incorrect Response

• Repeats information given in the stem.

Examples: The skull is so hard.Its so thick it makes it strong.





The human brain is inside the skull. Write down one advantageof the skull being thick and strong.



31

Animals and plants

Item Number: X2

Japan 91 �Korea 88 �Netherlands 88 �Australia 87 �Slovenia 87 �England 85 �Singapore 85 �Israel 84 �Austria 83 �United States 83 �Ireland 80 OCzech Republic 79 ONorway 79 OCanada 78 OLatvia (LSS) 77 ONew Zealand 77 OScotland 77 OInternational average 77Hungary 74 OHong Kong 71 �Cyprus 70 �Greece 70 �Iceland 70 �Portugal 68 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 60 �Thailand 57 �Kuwait 44 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Shows some understanding of food chain.

Example: Some animals need plants to eat and others depend on eating the animals.

• Mentions that plants are generally needed for food.

Example: Animals eat plants.

• Refers to plants "producing oxygen" or "cleaning the air".

Examples: If there were no plants, animals couldn't breathe.Plants give them air.

• Some combination of the above.

• Other acceptable:

Example: Plants give animals shelter and a home.

Incorrect Response

• Merely repeats information from the stem.

Example: Plants are needed.





Write down one reason why animals could NOT live in aworld without plants.



32

Item Number: X4

Japan 97 �Netherlands 97 �Austria 95 �Hong Kong 95 �Singapore 95 �Australia 94 �Korea 94 �United States 94 �Canada 92 �England 91 �Czech Republic 90 �Ireland 89 �Slovenia 89 �Hungary 87 �Scotland 87 ONew Zealand 85 ONorway 84 OInternational average 83Greece 79 OIsrael 79 OLatvia (LSS) 77 OThailand 75 �Cyprus 71 �Iceland 71 �Kuwait 64 �Portugal 62 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 16 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• ZWYX.

Incorrect Response

• Any other order.



Information

The pictures show different stages in a frog’s growth.

Write the letters in the boxes to show the pictures in theorder of the frog’s growth.

Stages in frog’s growth

This chart shows four groups of animals. In which group dofish belong?




Information

Correct Response: B


33

Item Number: X5



Japan 88 �Korea 82 �Singapore 79 �Slovenia 76 �Czech Republic 71 �Australia 69 �Hungary 65 OEngland 63 OHong Kong 63 OGreece 61 OIreland 61 ONew Zealand 61 ONorway 61 OUnited States 59 OInternational average 59Canada 57 OCyprus 57 OLatvia (LSS) 56 OScotland 56 OIceland 53 OThailand 52 OKuwait 47 �Netherlands 47 �Austria 44 �Israel 43 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 36 �Portugal 27 �

In which group do fish belong



34

Changes in children's bodies: one change

Item Number: Y2A

Korea 91 �Japan 90 �Netherlands 86 �Austria 79 �Norway 76 �Australia 75 �United States 74 �Ireland 73 �Canada 70 �England 70 �Scotland 70 OHong Kong 67 OSingapore 67 OIsrael 66 OGreece 65 OIceland 64 ONew Zealand 64 OInternational average 64Hungary 58 OSlovenia 55 �Portugal 54 �Czech Republic 53 �Latvia (LSS) 53 �Cyprus 52 �Kuwait 37 �Thailand 37 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 17 �



SCORING

Note: Each of the two ways must be scored separately.

If the ways described are essentially the same, the second should be

scored as incorrect.

Correct Response

• Refers to growth such as increases in height, weight, strength....

Example: They get bigger.

• Refers to sexual maturation. Explanation may include secondary sexual features such as

voice, hair....

• Refers to appearance.

Examples: Their nails grow.Their hair might darken.


Example: They lose teeth.

Incorrect Response

• Refers to emotional or intellectual changes.

Examples: They don't cry.Their minds expand in intelligence.

• Refers to social changes.

Examples: They can decide more themselves.They wear fashion clothes.

• Refers to changes associated with aging such as losing hair.

• Repeats information in the question, such as referring to children becoming adults.

Example: They get older.


Example: Bones.



Information

Write down two changes that occur in children’s bodies asthey become adults.



35

Changes in children's bodies: two changes

Item Number: Y2B

Korea 60 �Netherlands 60 �Austria 59 �Norway 53 �United States 53 �Hong Kong 51 �Singapore 51 �Australia 50 �Hungary 49 �Canada 48 �Ireland 46 OScotland 43 OEngland 42 OIsrael 42 OInternational average 39Iceland 38 ONew Zealand 37 OGreece 33 OCzech Republic 32 �Cyprus 28 �Slovenia 25 �Thailand 23 �Japan 22 �Portugal 22 �Kuwait 21 �Latvia (LSS) 18 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 10 �



SCORING


If the ways described are essentially the same, the second should be

scored as incorrect.

Correct Response

• Refers to growth such as increases in height, weight, strength....

Example: They get bigger.

• Refers to sexual maturation. Explanation may include secondary sexual features such as

voice, hair....

• Refers to appearance.

Examples: Their nails grow.Their hair might darken.


Example: They lose teeth.

Incorrect Response

• Refers to emotional or intellectual changes.

Examples: They don't cry.Their minds expand in intelligence.

• Refers to social changes.

Examples: They can decide more themselves.They wear fashion clothes.

• Refers to changes associated with aging such as losing hair.

• Repeats information in the question, such as referring to children becoming adults.

Example: They get older.


Example: Bones.



Information

Write down two changes that occur in children’s bodies asthey become adults.



36

Ways animals protect themselves: one way

Item Number: Y3A

Japan 92 �Netherlands 83 �Korea 80 �United States 77 �Australia 75 �Canada 72 �Singapore 69 �England 67 �Ireland 67 �Slovenia 67 �Israel 66 ONorway 65 ONew Zealand 64 OScotland 64 OCzech Republic 62 OAustria 61 OGreece 61 OHong Kong 61 OInternational average 60Latvia (LSS) 60 OIceland 48 �Portugal 47 �Hungary 43 �Cyprus 38 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 35 �Kuwait 28 �Thailand 20 �



SCORING


If the ways described are essentially the same, the second should be scored as

incorrect.

Correct Response

• Response includes general action such as defense, attack, fight.

Example: It can fight the animal.

• Response includes specific examples of offensive actions such as biting, scratching, goring,

frightening, making noise.

• Response includes specific examples of defensive actions such as camouflage or hiding,

blending in, staying still, acting dead, etc.

• Response includes structural features of the animal used in defense such as spines, shell,

smell, being poisonous, and tasting bad.


Example: Use their special weapons.

Incorrect Response

• Response repeats information in the question or adds other ways of escaping.

Examples: Flying awayJumping awayClimbing trees.




Information

One way for animals to protect themselves is by escaping(running, flying, or swimming away). What are two otherways they protect themselves?



37

Ways animals protect themselves: two ways

Item Number: Y3B

United States 64 �Australia 63 �Netherlands 61 �Canada 56 �Ireland 53 �Israel 52 �Singapore 52 �New Zealand 51 �Norway 50 �Korea 49 �Hong Kong 47 OScotland 47 OEngland 46 OCzech Republic 44 OInternational average 42Austria 41 OSlovenia 41 OHungary 37 OIceland 36 OGreece 35 OLatvia (LSS) 35 OJapan 31 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 25 �Cyprus 23 �Kuwait 15 �Portugal 14 �Thailand 11 �



SCORING


If the ways described are essentially the same, the second should be scored as

incorrect.

Correct Response

• Response includes general action such as defense, attack, fight.

Example: It can fight the animal.

• Response includes specific examples of offensive actions such as biting, scratching, goring,

frightening, making noise.

• Response includes specific examples of defensive actions such as camouflage or hiding,

blending in, staying still, acting dead, etc.

• Response includes structural features of the animal used in defense such as spines, shell,

smell, being poisonous, and tasting bad.


Example: Use their special weapons.

Incorrect Response

• Response repeats information in the question or adds other ways of escaping.

Examples: Flying awayJumping awayClimbing trees.




Information

One way for animals to protect themselves is by escaping(running, flying, or swimming away). What are two otherways they protect themselves?



38

Structural features of animals

Item Number: Z2

Hong Kong 94 �Korea 85 �Japan 83 �Australia 79 �United States 78 �Singapore 76 �Hungary 74 �England 72 �Austria 71 �Czech Republic 71 �Scotland 71 �Canada 69 �New Zealand 67 OSlovenia 67 OGreece 63 OInternational average 62Cyprus 62 OIreland 60 ONetherlands 57 ONorway 57 OLatvia (LSS) 49 �Israel 45 �Portugal 41 �Iceland 40 �Kuwait 38 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 27 �Thailand 24 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Crab - Earthworm - Horse - Snake in this order.

• One or more general terms are used, in the correct order, for the above organisms.

(Crustacean, Reptile, etc.)

Incorrect Response

• No correct answers.

• Only crab and horse are correct.

• Any other two or three are correct.

• Only crab is correct.

Only horse is correct.

Only earthworm is correct.

Only snake is correct.




Information

Use the pictures to answer the questions. (Use each animalonce only.)

An animal that has a hard outside skeleton is___________________________________________________

An animal without a backbone that has many segments toits body is___________________________________________________

An animal that has hair and an inside skeleton is___________________________________________________

An animal that has a scaly skin and an inside skeleton is___________________________________________________

an earthworm a snake a horse a crab

The picture shows a block of wood floating in fresh water.

If this block were placed in salt water from the ocean, whichpicture shows what would happen?



Physical ScienceUnderstanding Complex

Information

Correct Response: D


39

Block floating in water

Item Number: N4



Korea 54 �Slovenia 46 �Hong Kong 44 �Austria 43 ONorway 41 OSingapore 40 �Israel 38 OCyprus 37 OJapan 37 OCanada 36 OCzech Republic 35 OIreland 34 ONew Zealand 34 OInternational average 34Kuwait 33 OAustralia 32 OGreece 32 ONetherlands 31 OScotland 31 OUnited States 31 OEngland 29 OIceland 29 OLatvia (LSS) 26 OHungary 24 �Thailand 24 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 20 �Portugal 20 �



Physical ScienceUnderstanding Simple

Information

Correct Response: A


40

Iceland 70 �Netherlands 70 �Austria 66 �Korea 65 �Singapore 64 �Canada 63 �Japan 63 �England 61 �Norway 61 OUnited States 60 �Australia 59 OCzech Republic 54 OHong Kong 54 OInternational average 52Ireland 52 OIsrael 52 OScotland 51 ONew Zealand 50 OIran, Islamic Rep. 47 OSlovenia 46 OLatvia (LSS) 44 OPortugal 44 OHungary 42 �Kuwait 32 �Greece 31 �Cyprus 29 �Thailand 25 �

Girl's source of energy

Item Number: N7



Keisha is pushing her bicycle up a hill. Where does Keishaget the energy to push her bicycle?

A. From the food she has eaten

B. From the exercise she did earlier

C. From the ground she is walking on

D. From the bicycle she is pushing




Information

Correct Response: C


41

Powder with white/black specks

Item Number: N8



Netherlands 85 �Korea 83 �Ireland 78 �Austria 77 �Hungary 77 �Australia 75 �England 75 �Canada 73 �Singapore 71 �United States 71 �Scotland 70 �New Zealand 67 OLatvia (LSS) 61 OPortugal 61 OSlovenia 61 OInternational average 61Israel 55 OCzech Republic 54 �Cyprus 53 ONorway 52 OHong Kong 48 �Kuwait 47 �Greece 42 �Japan 42 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 36 �Iceland 35 �Thailand 30 �

A powder made up of both white specks and black specks islikely to be

A. a solution

B. a pure compound

C. a mixture

D. an element



Physical ScienceUsing Tools, Routine Procedures,


Correct Response: A


42

Japan 87 �Korea 81 �Hong Kong 80 �Netherlands 78 �New Zealand 72 �Canada 70 OCzech Republic 70 OIceland 70 ONorway 70 OSingapore 69 �Hungary 66 OAustralia 65 OScotland 65 OThailand 64 OInternational average 63United States 62 OIreland 61 OSlovenia 61 OCyprus 54 OEngland 54 OGreece 52 �Latvia (LSS) 52 OAustria 49 �Israel 49 �Portugal 45 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 42 �Kuwait 38 �

Which box has least mass

Item Number: N9



Which of the boxes X, Y, or Z has the LEAST mass?

A. X

B. Y

C. Z

D. All three boxes have the same mass.



Physical ScienceTheorizing, Analyzing,


Correct Response: D


43

Balance on seesaw

Item Number: O1



Korea 84 �Norway 64 �Japan 63 �Czech Republic 59 �Austria 56 OSlovenia 54 OAustralia 53 OSingapore 53 �Canada 52 ONetherlands 51 OLatvia (LSS) 48 ONew Zealand 48 OInternational average 46Iceland 45 OHong Kong 44 OUnited States 44 OHungary 40 OIreland 39 OThailand 39 OEngland 38 OPortugal 37 OIsrael 35 �Scotland 34 �Cyprus 32 �Greece 32 OIran, Islamic Rep. 22 �Kuwait 18 �

A girl wanted to play on a seesaw with her little brother.

Which picture shows the best way for the girl, who weighed 50kg (kilograms), to balance her brother, who weighed 25 kg?





Correct Response: A


44

Korea 90 �Canada 63 OEngland 63 OSingapore 63 OCzech Republic 62 OHong Kong 62 OHungary 60 OCyprus 59 OJapan 59 OIsrael 58 OThailand 58 ONew Zealand 57 OScotland 57 OUnited States 57 OInternational average 56Australia 56 OSlovenia 56 OIreland 55 OAustria 53 OGreece 52 OIceland 51 ONetherlands 51 OPortugal 50 ONorway 46 OIran, Islamic Rep. 44 �Latvia (LSS) 44 �Kuwait 42 �

What would reflection look like

Item Number: O5



A beam of light strikes a mirror as shown.

Which picture best shows what the reflected light would looklike?




Information

Correct Response: C


45

Mixture of iron and sand

Item Number: O8



Korea 96 �Japan 89 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 73 �Singapore 67 �Israel 64 OLatvia (LSS) 60 OCzech Republic 59 OHungary 59 ONetherlands 59 ONorway 59 OAustria 56 OInternational average 55Australia 54 OEngland 53 OUnited States 53 OPortugal 52 OGreece 50 OScotland 49 OHong Kong 48 OSlovenia 47 ONew Zealand 46 OThailand 45 �Canada 43 �Cyprus 43 �Ireland 42 �Iceland 41 �Kuwait 35 �

In a box there is a mixture of iron filings and sand. Which isthe easiest way to separate the iron filings from the sand?

A. Pour water on the mixture

B. Use a magnifying glass

C. Use a magnet

D. Heat the mixture




Information

Correct Response: B


46

Austria 47 �Japan 46 �Ireland 40 OScotland 40 OSlovenia 40 OCanada 39 OHungary 38 ONetherlands 38 OUnited States 38 OIceland 37 OEngland 36 OIsrael 36 OInternational average 35Greece 34 OHong Kong 34 OPortugal 34 OAustralia 33 OCyprus 32 OIran, Islamic Rep. 32 ONew Zealand 32 ONorway 32 OCzech Republic 31 OKorea 31 OKuwait 27 OLatvia (LSS) 27 OThailand 27 OSingapore 20 �

What is not energy source

Item Number: P3



Which is NOT used as an energy source?

A. Flowing water

B. Iron ore

C. Sun

D. Oil



47

Beaker on scale

Item Number: P4

Japan 58 �Korea 48 �Slovenia 48 �Singapore 47 �Latvia (LSS) 45 �Czech Republic 43 �Austria 40 OHungary 39 OAustralia 38 ONetherlands 37 OIceland 36 OInternational average 34Hong Kong 33 OGreece 32 ONew Zealand 32 OIsrael 31 OIreland 30 OPortugal 30 OScotland 30 OCanada 28 OCyprus 28 ONorway 28 OEngland 27 OIran, Islamic Rep. 27 OThailand 22 �United States 21 �Kuwait 10 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• The arrow or line is in the same position as in the first diagram or is described in words. Allow

about 0.5 mm tolerance on each side.

Incorrect Response

• The arrow is pointing to a greater weight, that is the arrow is pointing downward

somewhere between its original position and vertically down.

OR the student states that it "Weighs more" or similar expression.

• The arrow is pointing to a lesser weight than in the original picture, that is the arrow is point-

ing upward, between the original position and vertically up.

OR the student states that it "Weighs less" or similar expression.





Elizabeth put a weight and a beaker of water on a scale, asshown in the first picture.

Then she moved the beaker and put the weight in it, asshown in the second picture.

What will the scale show now? Draw an arrow on the secondpicture to show your answer.




Information

Correct Response: C


48

Korea 84 �Japan 83 �Singapore 70 �Czech Republic 66 �Hungary 64 �England 59 �Hong Kong 59 �Scotland 57 OAustralia 56 ONetherlands 53 OUnited States 53 ONew Zealand 52 OSlovenia 52 OAustria 51 OCanada 51 OIreland 50 OInternational average 50Cyprus 42 ONorway 40 �Israel 38 �Latvia (LSS) 38 �Portugal 34 �Iceland 33 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 32 �Thailand 29 �Greece 25 �Kuwait 25 �

Magnet and coffee

Item Number: P5



Each of the three magnets shown has been dipped into thesubstance below it. Which of the substances could be coffee?

A. A only

B. B only

C. C only

D. A and B only




Information

Correct Response: D


49

What travels fastest

Item Number: P7



Korea 64 �Australia 59 �Japan 58 �New Zealand 56 �Czech Republic 53 �England 50 �Slovenia 50 OHungary 49 ONorway 48 OCanada 44 OHong Kong 44 OAustria 43 OIsrael 43 OUnited States 43 OInternational average 41Latvia (LSS) 41 OIreland 39 OSingapore 38 OIceland 37 OIran, Islamic Rep. 34 OScotland 34 OPortugal 33 �Greece 29 �Netherlands 27 �Cyprus 23 �Thailand 22 �Kuwait 16 �

Which travels fastest?

A. A train

B. An airplane

C. Sound

D. Light




Information

Correct Response: B


50

Hungary 76 �Japan 76 �Korea 74 �Slovenia 67 �Austria 66 �Australia 63 �Latvia (LSS) 62 OCanada 60 OCzech Republic 60 OEngland 60 ONetherlands 59 OThailand 57 ONew Zealand 54 OInternational average 54Scotland 51 OUnited States 51 OGreece 50 ONorway 50 OIsrael 49 OCyprus 48 OIreland 41 �Hong Kong 40 �Singapore 40 �Iceland 39 �Portugal 38 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 37 �Kuwait 29 �

Which doesn't change in wet ground

Item Number: Q3



Some things were buried in wet ground. Several years laterthey were dug up. Which thing is MOST likely to havestayed the same?

A. An egg shell

B. A plastic cup

C. A paper plate

D. An orange peel



51

Glass over candle

Item Number: Q4

Slovenia 94 �Czech Republic 85 �Austria 83 �Singapore 78 �Hungary 77 �Norway 75 �Korea 74 �Netherlands 74 �Australia 69 OHong Kong 68 OEngland 66 ONew Zealand 66 OScotland 66 OInternational average 64Portugal 63 OIceland 62 OIreland 62 OLatvia (LSS) 62 OUnited States 62 OCanada 61 OIsrael 60 OCyprus 56 OGreece 50 �Japan 48 �Kuwait 39 �Thailand 37 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 33 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Refers to the need for oxygen.

Examples: Fire does not get enough oxygen.The oxygen will be used up.

• Refers to the need for air.

Example: Fire does not get enough air.

• Refers to the need for air, using non-scientific language.

Examples: The fire will be "strangulated.”The fire cannot breathe.

• Other acceptable.

Incorrect Response

• Refers to its getting too hot.

• States that the gas (smoke, vapor, carbon dioxide...) is trapped inside the jar.

Example: The smoke cannot come out.

• Refers to the properties of the glass.

Example: The glass makes it cold.

• Repeats the information in the stem.

Example: The glass is placed over it.


Example: You put it on too fast and the wind makes it go out.




When a glass jar is placed over a lighted candle, the flamegoes out.

Why does this happen?



52

Pencil in the mirror

Item Number: Q8

Singapore 66 �Netherlands 64 �Japan 62 �England 61 �Hong Kong 60 �Korea 59 �Hungary 58 �Scotland 58 �Australia 56 �Czech Republic 56 OSlovenia 55 OAustria 53 OCanada 53 OIceland 50 OInternational average 47Latvia (LSS) 47 ONew Zealand 44 OUnited States 43 ONorway 42 OIreland 38 �Thailand 38 OIsrael 37 �Portugal 37 �Greece 29 �Cyprus 24 �Kuwait 20 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 17 �



SCORING

Note: In the scoring guide below, the letters refer to squares which are covered by the image of

the pencil. Pencil on the borderline should be accepted as correct.

Correct Response

• FGH; pencil point to the right.

• FGH; point not shown.

• FG or GH (point to the right either shown or not shown) OR any other in the row E,F,G,H as

long as the point is not clearly turned to the left.

Incorrect Response

• FGH, FG or GH, pencil point clearly turned to the left OR other in the row E,F,G,H.

• Lists all or some part of the row: ABCD.

• Lists all or some part of JKL; pencil point to the right may or may not be shown.

• Lists all or some of the row MNOP, point to the right may or may not be shown.





The picture shows a pencil that is lying on a shelf in front ofa mirror. Draw a picture of the pencil as you would see it inthe mirror. Use the patterns of lines on the shelf to help you.

A B C D

E F G H

I J K L

M N O P

Ken put a thermometer in a glass filled with hot water. Whydoes the liquid inside the thermometer rise?

A. Gravity pushes it up.

B. Air bubbles are released.

C. Heat from the water makes it expand.

D. Air pressure above the water pulls it up.





Correct Response: C


53

Why does liquid in thermometer rise

Item Number: Q9



Hong Kong 74 �Australia 72 �England 72 �Singapore 70 �United States 69 �Canada 66 �Austria 65 ONetherlands 63 OJapan 60 OScotland 60 OIreland 59 ONew Zealand 59 OCzech Republic 58 OInternational average 56Greece 56 ONorway 56 OKorea 54 OHungary 49 OKuwait 49 OCyprus 48 OIceland 48 OIsrael 47 OThailand 47 OLatvia (LSS) 43 �Portugal 42 �Slovenia 40 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 34 �



54

Tipped watering can

Item Number: R1

Singapore 32 �Latvia (LSS) 30 OEngland 29 �Czech Republic 28 OHong Kong 28 ONetherlands 28 OJapan 27 OHungary 26 OKorea 26 OAustria 25 OSlovenia 25 OCanada 22 OInternational average 21Norway 21 OUnited States 21 OAustralia 20 OPortugal 20 OIreland 19 OGreece 17 OIceland 17 ONew Zealand 17 OScotland 15 �Thailand 15 OCyprus 13 �Israel 13 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 10 �Kuwait 8 �



SCORING

Note: For wrong answers, the focus is on the angle of the water surface. The exact level

(amount of water) is not important. See illustration above.

Correct Response

• Approximately* horizontal level of water within allowable range (see Figure 1).

Incorrect Response

• Approximately* horizontal level of water. Higher or lower level of water than allowable range.

• Water level is approximately* parallel to the bottom of the can (see Figure 2).

• Water level clearly steeper than the bottom of the can (see Figure 3).

• Water level is inclined in the opposite direction of the bottom of the can (see Figure 4).


Examples: Water in the spout only.Water only in the flower pot.

*By “approximately” it is meant within 10 degrees.



Information

A watering can is almost filled with water as shown.

The watering can is tipped so that the water just begins todrip through the spout.

Draw a line to show where the surface of the water in thecan is now.

10º

Figure 1

Correct

Figure 2

Incorrect

Figure 3

Incorrect

Figure 4

Incorrect

The picture shows Dick and his friends playing with astring-telephone. Sally is speaking. Dick and Tom are tryingto listen. Which of them can hear her speak?

A. Both of them can hear equally clearly.

B. Neither of them can hear.

C. Only Tom can hear clearly.

D. Only Dick can hear clearly.

E. Both of them hear equally faintly.




Information

Correct Response: D


55

Item Number: R5



Japan 86 �Korea 82 �Singapore 80 �United States 72 �Netherlands 71 �Canada 70 �England 69 �Cyprus 67 �Ireland 66 OHong Kong 65 OIsrael 64 OThailand 64 OAustria 62 OScotland 61 OAustralia 60 OPortugal 60 OInternational average 59Greece 55 ONorway 55 OSlovenia 52 OCzech Republic 51 ONew Zealand 47 �Iceland 44 �Latvia (LSS) 34 �Kuwait 32 �Hungary 29 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 25 �

Sound through string




Information

Correct Response: B


56

Austria 83 �Hungary 72 �Czech Republic 69 �Netherlands 67 �Israel 63 �Cyprus 57 OPortugal 57 OCanada 56 OIceland 56 OSlovenia 56 OUnited States 55 OGreece 54 OLatvia (LSS) 53 OInternational average 52Australia 52 OEngland 50 ONew Zealand 48 OSingapore 48 OIreland 47 OScotland 47 OHong Kong 45 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 39 �Norway 39 �Kuwait 37 �Japan 31 �Thailand 25 �

Which produces light

Item Number: R8



Which makes its own light?

A. A mirror

B. A candle flame

C. A diamond ring

D. A magnifying lens




Information

Correct Response: A


57

Advantage of solar energy

Item Number: R9



Japan 80 �Austria 62 �Australia 57 �Israel 55 �Slovenia 55 �Canada 53 OCzech Republic 52 OHong Kong 52 OIceland 51 OKorea 48 OIreland 47 OUnited States 47 ONew Zealand 44 OInternational average 44Hungary 43 OPortugal 42 OEngland 38 ONetherlands 38 OScotland 38 O Latvia (LSS) 36 OSingapore 36 �Norway 34 OGreece 33 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 31 �Cyprus 27 �Thailand 18 �Kuwait 14 �

One advantage of solar energy is that it

A. does not pollute

B. is not renewable

C. is efficient in any climate

D. is available at all times



58

Dissolve sugar

Item Number: W1

Korea 75 �Japan 72 �Netherlands 70 �Austria 47 �Canada 46 �Singapore 45 �Czech Republic 44 �Ireland 43 OUnited States 43 �Australia 42 OEngland 42 OHong Kong 40 OScotland 40 ONew Zealand 37 OInternational average 37Latvia (LSS) 33 OIsrael 32 OSlovenia 32 OThailand 30 OHungary 29 �Cyprus 27 �Portugal 22 �Greece 20 �Norway 18 �Kuwait 16 �Iceland 8 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 5 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Loose sugar: explanation refers to size.

Examples: Because it is already in smaller pieces.Because it is smaller/thinner.Because it has thousands of individual crystals.

• Loose sugar: explanation refers to compactness of particles.

Examples: Because cubes are kept together.Because cubes are harder.

• Loose sugar. Other acceptable explanations.

Partially Correct

• Loose sugar. No explanation.

• Loose sugar. Explanation is inadequate.

Examples: Loose sugar is already loose and ready to dissolve.Loose sugar isn't in cubes.The cubes will take longer to dissolve.

• Other partially correct.

Incorrect Response

• Cubes. No explanation.

• Cubes. Response indicates that loose sugar is already dissolved.

Examples: Because only cubes need to dissolve.Because a sugar cube is not already loose.

• Cubes. Refers to packaging.

Example: Because the cubes are not in a package.

• Cubes. Other explanations.

Example: Because the cubes are thicker.





The picture shows two forms of sugar — solid cubes and packets of loose crystals. One cube has the same mass ofsugar as one packet.

Which of the two forms of sugar will dissolve faster inwater? _____________

Give a reason for your answer.



59

Two bowls of soup

Item Number: X1

Korea 80 �Australia 67 �United States 67 �Netherlands 61 �Canada 60 �Singapore 60 �England 59 �Ireland 57 �Israel 56 ONew Zealand 56 �Japan 55 �Scotland 49 OInternational average 46Slovenia 45 OAustria 44 ONorway 44 OCyprus 39 �Czech Republic 39 �Hungary 39 �Greece 36 �Hong Kong 33 �Latvia (LSS) 28 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 25 �Portugal 25 �Iceland 22 �Kuwait 16 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Anna's soup. Mentions that heat or hot air does not escape Anna’s soup or cold air does not

enter it OR that heat (vapor, steam, smoke, etc.) disappears from Uri’s soup or cold air enters

it (or some combination).

• Anna's soup. Other correct explanations.

Partially Correct

• Anna's soup. Explanation refers to the cover.

Example: The soup with the cover.

• Anna's soup. Incomplete or incorrect explanation.

• Anna's soup. No explanation.


Incorrect Response

• Uri's soup. Explanation is inadequate.

• Uri's soup. No explanation.





Anna and Uri had identical bowls of soup, both at the sametemperature. Anna put a cover on her bowl.

Whose soup do you think would stay hot longer?________________

Give a reason for your answer.



60

Weights of three blocks

Item Number: Z3

Korea 74 �Japan 70 �Hong Kong 61 �Singapore 57 �Australia 47 �Netherlands 47 �Scotland 44 �United States 42 �Ireland 39 OCanada 37 OIceland 37 OInternational average 37England 36 ONorway 36 OSlovenia 36 ONew Zealand 35 OCzech Republic 34 OAustria 32 OHungary 31 OGreece 28 �Israel 28 �Cyprus 26 �Latvia (LSS) 25 �Portugal 20 �Thailand 16 �Kuwait 11 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 4 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• C. Because B is heavier than A and C is heavier than B, or any equivalent expression.

Partially Correct

• C. Explanation is inadequate.

Examples: Because B is higher up.C. Because it can be seen from the figure(s).C. Because it could lift up B.

• C. No explanation.

• The wrong block is chosen but the explanation is correct.


Incorrect Response

• B. With or without explanation.

• A. With or without explanation.

• B and C. (Based on each of the two figures considered separately.)

• All the blocks weigh the same.





The weights of three blocks were compared.

Which one of the three blocks weighs the most?(A, B, or C): ______

Explain your answer.



61

How computers help

Item Number: O6

United States 81 �Korea 79 �Australia 78 �Ireland 77 �Slovenia 76 �England 74 �Singapore 74 �Israel 72 �New Zealand 72 �Canada 71 �Netherlands 71 �Scotland 71 �Norway 68 OCzech Republic 67 OHong Kong 65 OHungary 62 OIceland 61 OInternational average 60Austria 60 OJapan 48 �Thailand 47 �Greece 38 �Portugal 35 �Latvia (LSS) 33 �Cyprus 32 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 27 �Kuwait 27 �



SCORING

Correct Response

• Refers to writing OR editing text.

Example: With a computer you can write faster and neater.

• Refers to doing calculations OR doing them faster.

• Refers to computer storing or retrieving information (promptly).

Example: It helps keep files.

• Refers to using computers for instruction.

Examples: They teach you math.Computers help people understand things like math, science, or any subject at all.

• Refers to any combination of two or more responses like those listed above.

• Other Correct:

Examples: The computer does no mistakes.It works faster.

Incorrect Response

• Playing games such as Nintendo.

• Vague references to "everything" or some similar expression.




Environmental Issues

and the Nature of Science

Understanding Complex

Information

Write down one example of how computers help people dotheir work.




and the Nature of ScienceInvestigating the Natural World

Correct Response: B


62

Korea 66 �Singapore 62 �United States 61 �Australia 49 �Canada 43 OEngland 43 OCzech Republic 40 OIceland 40 OThailand 40 ONew Zealand 39 OInternational average 36Hong Kong 36 ONetherlands 36 OScotland 36 OSlovenia 36 OAustria 35 OGreece 30 ONorway 30 OIreland 29 OCyprus 27 �Israel 26 �Kuwait 25 �Portugal 25 �Latvia (LSS) 23 �Hungary 19 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 14 �

Growing seeds in light or dark

Item Number: P6



To find out whether seeds grow better in the light or dark,you could put some seeds on pieces of damp paper and

A. keep them in a warm, dark place

B. keep one group in a light place and another in a darkplace

C. keep them in a warm, light place

D. put them in a light or dark place that is cool






Information

Correct Response: D


63

Observations of objects in bag

Item Number: Q7



Korea 59 �United States 58 �Australia 57 �Japan 56 �Canada 54 ONorway 54 �England 53 �Netherlands 53 OIreland 51 ONew Zealand 50 OScotland 50 OCzech Republic 47 OHong Kong 47 OHungary 44 OSingapore 44 OInternational average 43Austria 42 OIsrael 40 OSlovenia 38 OThailand 37 OLatvia (LSS) 33 �Portugal 32 �Cyprus 29 �Greece 28 �Iceland 27 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 21 �Kuwait 18 �

Four children can feel and smell an object inside a bag, butthey cannot see it. Which of the following is NOT an observation about the object?

A. “It is flat at one end and round at the other.”

B. “It smells like peppermint.”

C. “It has a bump on it.”

D. “I hope it is candy.”





Using Tools, Routine Procedures,


Correct Response: C


64

Korea 61 �Hong Kong 60 �Israel 59 �Japan 59 �United States 54 �Australia 52 �Czech Republic 51 ONetherlands 49 OEngland 48 OIceland 48 ONew Zealand 46 OCanada 45 OIreland 45 OInternational average 43Norway 42 OGreece 41 OCyprus 40 OSingapore 38 OSlovenia 37 OThailand 37 OScotland 36 OHungary 35 �Latvia (LSS) 35 OKuwait 32 �Austria 27 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 24 �Portugal 24 �

Which bulb is brightest

Item Number: R2



Some children were trying to find out which of three lightbulbs was brightest. Which one of these gives the bestSTART toward finding the answer?

A. “One bulb looks brightest to me, so I already know theanswer.”

B. “All the bulbs look bright to me, so there cannot be ananswer.”

C. “It would help if we had a way to measure thebrightnessof a light bulb.”

D. “We can take a vote and each person will vote for the bulbhe or she thinks is the brightest.”



65

Reducing air pollution: one way

Item Number: W5A

Slovenia 69 �Australia 68 �Korea 67 �Netherlands 66 �Austria 62 �United States 59 �Japan 57 �Czech Republic 55 �Latvia (LSS) 54 OEngland 52 OHungary 52 OIceland 50 ONorway 50 OScotland 49 OThailand 49 OInternational average 48Canada 46 OIreland 46 OSingapore 44 ONew Zealand 41 OHong Kong 39 �Israel 38 �Cyprus 36 �Greece 33 �Portugal 24 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 18 �Kuwait 18 �



SCORING

Note: Each of the two things must be scored separately. If the two things described are

essentially the same, the second should be scored as incorrect.

Merely mentioning causes of pollution does not receive credit.

Correct Response

• Refers to transportation and suggests a personal choice such as reduced use of airplanes,

cars and motor boats or more walking, biking, public transportation, horseback riding,

sailboats.....

• Suggests manufacturing changes.

Examples: Make cars, buses, etc. less polluting.

• Refers to reducing use of fossil fuels: less burning of coal or oil.

• Refers to reducing industrial pollution.

Example: Filter industrial waste.

• Student suggests planting or not cutting down trees/forest.

• Refers to specific individual efforts.

Examples: Stop smoking.Stop using spray cans.

• Other correct.

Incorrect Response

• Student's response is vague and general.

Examples: Stop pollutionDo the right thingsClean everythingRecycleDon't litter






Information

Write down two different things that people can do to helpreduce air pollution.



66

Reducing air pollution: two ways

Item Number: W5B

Netherlands 56 �Australia 52 �Korea 49 �United States 48 �Slovenia 47 �Austria 46 �Japan 44 �Norway 41 OCzech Republic 38 OSingapore 37 OThailand 36 OEngland 35 OHong Kong 35 OScotland 35 OInternational average 34Canada 33 OIreland 33 OIceland 32 ONew Zealand 31 OLatvia (LSS) 29 OIsrael 28 OCyprus 25 �Greece 24 �Hungary 23 �Kuwait 11 �Portugal 10 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 8 �



SCORING

Note: Each of the two things must be scored separately. If the two things described are

essentially the same, the second should be scored as incorrect.

Merely mentioning causes of pollution does not receive credit.

Correct Response

• Refers to transportation and suggests a personal choice such as reduced use of airplanes,

cars and motor boats or more walking, biking, public transportation, horseback riding,

sailboats.....

• Suggests manufacturing changes.

Examples: Make cars, buses, etc. less polluting.

• Refers to reducing use of fossil fuels: less burning of coal or oil.

• Refers to reducing industrial pollution.

Example: Filter industrial waste.

• Student suggests planting or not cutting down trees/forest.

• Refers to specific individual efforts.

Examples: Stop smoking.Stop using spray cans.

• Other correct.

Incorrect Response

• Student's response is vague and general.

Examples: Stop pollutionDo the right thingsClean everythingRecycleDon't litter






Information

Write down two different things that people can do to helpreduce air pollution.



67

Oil Spills

Item Number: X3

Korea 64 �Japan 53 �United States 46 �New Zealand 38 �Australia 37 �Israel 36 �Canada 30 OIreland 30 OAustria 29 OPortugal 29 OEngland 28 OInternational average 27Hungary 26 OGreece 25 OLatvia (LSS) 24 OScotland 23 OCzech Republic 22 ONorway 21 OSingapore 21 �Slovenia 21 �Iceland 20 �Netherlands 20 �Cyprus 18 �Thailand 14 �Kuwait 11 �Hong Kong 9 �Iran, Islamic Rep. 7 �



SCORING

Correct Response

Includes at least one the following elements with an explanation/elaboration:

•Oil kills living things (plants, birds,...)

•Water gets polluted

•Air and/or beaches get polluted

Examples: Because of oil in the water, the birds get oil in their feathers and then theycool down and die.Large oil spills are harmful because it goes on plants and animals.Animals may breathe in the odor and then plants and animals will die. Plants and animals are a big part of our wildlife. If plants die, so would we, because plants give us oxygen.

• Includes any combination of two or more of the elements above.

Example: Because it can kill animals and pollute rivers.

• Combinations of other acceptable consequences.

Partially Correct

• Oil kills plants/birds, fishes, seals, crabs, or other organisms.

Example: Fish get killed.

• The water gets polluted (poisoned, covered by oil film).

• Mentions that the air gets polluted.

• Mentions that the beaches get polluted.

• Other acceptable but incomplete.

Incorrect Response

• Refers to the source of the oil spill such as tank ships and motor boats.

• Vaguely refers to otherwise correct elements, but without specification.

Examples: Oil is dangerous. Pollution.

• Mentions that oil can cause a fire.






Information

Write as completely as possible why large oil spills in riversand seas are harmful to the environment.

Correct Response:

68

Main TopicContent Domain Cognitive Domain




Higher pNotdifferent OLower q

PhysICal sCIenCe ChemicalChange ConceptualUnderstanding

Whichdecaysfastest

Item Number: S011008

D

S011008

If you throw each one of these things away, which will decay fastest?

a A glass bottle

b A metal can

c A plastic bottle

d An apple core

Belgium (Flemish) 94 pChinese Taipei 93 pJapan 92 pRussian Federation 92 pNorway 91 pNetherlands 86 pLatvia 79 pEngland 77 pUnited States 73 pHong Kong, SAR 72 pNew Zealand 70 pAustralia 69 OIran, Islamic Republic of 69 OSingapore 67 OHungary 66 OInternational average 65 OLithuania 64 OScotland 63 OItaly 62 OSlovenia 47 qCyprus 42 qMorocco 29 qPhilippines 29 qTunisia 23 qMoldova, Republic of 22 qArmenia 0 q

Correct Response:

69







B


Candle flame last to go out

S031061

The pictures below show four identical burning candles. Each is covered bya glass container of a different size. Which candle flame will be the last togo out?

a b

c d

Cyprus 81 pNetherlands 81 pSingapore 81 pHong Kong, SAR 80 pHungary 79 pLatvia 78 pBelgium (Flemish) 78 pChinese Taipei 75 pItaly 74 pSlovenia 73 OUnited States 72 pLithuania 71 OEngland 69 ONorway 68 OAustralia 66 ORussian Federation 66 OInternational average 66 OScotland 65 ONew Zealand 63 OMoldova, Republic of 61 OArmenia 55 qIran, Islamic Republic of 52 qJapan 51 qPhilippines 47 qMorocco 34 qTunisia 30 q

Correct Response:

70







Activitythatresultsinnewmaterial


S031420

Which of these activities will result in a different kind ofmaterial being formed?

a A nail is left outside and it rusts.

b A glass is dropped and it shatters into small pieces.

c A rubber band is stretched until it breaks.

d A pencil is sharpened to a point.

Hong Kong, SAR 61 pChinese Taipei 57 pHungary 55 pRussian Federation 51 pItaly 49 pLatvia 49 pEngland 47 pNew Zealand 43 pArmenia 41 OAustralia 40 OJapan 40 OLithuania 39 OScotland 39 OSingapore 38 OInternational average 38 ONetherlands 37 ONorway 37 OUnited States 36 OSlovenia 31 qMoldova, Republic of 30 qIran, Islamic Republic of 27 qCyprus 22 qBelgium (Flemish) 21 qMorocco 20 qPhilippines 17 qTunisia 16 q

a

Correct Response:

71






PhysICal sCIenCeClassification

andCompositionofMatterConceptualUnderstanding

Whatstrongmagnetsseparate


C

S011006

A strong magnet will separate a mixture of

a clear glass and green glass.

b paper cups and plastic cups.

c iron nails and aluminum nails.

d sand and salt.

Japan 86 pNetherlands 85 pRussian Federation 85 pCyprus 83 pIran, Islamic Republic of 82 pLithuania 82 pMoldova, Republic of 82 pEngland 82 pItaly 81 pHungary 80 pChinese Taipei 79 pSingapore 79 pArmenia 78 OLatvia 76 OUnited States 76 OAustralia 75 OInternational average 75 OScotland 73 OHong Kong, SAR 72 OSlovenia 72 ONew Zealand 70 qBelgium (Flemish) 67 qPhilippines 65 qNorway 63 qTunisia 56 qMorocco 55 q

Correct Response:

72







andCompositionofMatterFactualKnowledge

Commonsubstancesthatdissolveinwater


D

S031035

Which of these things will dissolve in water?

a iron filings

b wood chips

c sand

d sugar

Chinese Taipei 94 pRussian Federation 93 pLithuania 91 pSlovenia 91 pJapan 87 pItaly 86 pLatvia 85 pHong Kong, SAR 84 pHungary 83 pIran, Islamic Republic of 83 pEngland 81 pSingapore 76 OUnited States 76 OInternational average 75 OMoldova, Republic of 74 OMorocco 74 OScotland 73 OArmenia 72 ONew Zealand 72 OAustralia 71 ONetherlands 71 OBelgium (Flemish) 62 qCyprus 61 qNorway 55 qPhilippines 54 qTunisia 36 q

73





Item Number: S031406A

sCORInGCorrect Response

• Namesanobjectmadeofmetal.Examples: Jewelry, money, electrical wires, magnet, pots/pans, cans, building materials (bridges,

beams in buildings, steel rods), boats, cars, etc.

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

• Onlygivesthenameofatypeofmetal.Examples: Copper, silver.

• Otherincorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegible,orofftask)

Objectsmadeofmetals/name

S031406

Many objects are made of metals (like copper, iron and gold).This is because metals have many useful properties.

A. Name one object that is made out of metal.

B. What property of the metal makes it useful for this object?

a. PhysICal sCIenCe Classification and Composition of Matter Factual Knowledge

B.PHysiCALsCieNCe Classification and Composition of Matter ConceptualUnderstanding

Content Domain Main Topic Cognitive Domain

Scotland 86 pSingapore 84 pEngland 84 pHungary 83 pLithuania 83 pNew Zealand 83 pAustralia 80 pBelgium (Flemish) 80 pUnited States 79 pJapan 78 pLatvia 78 pSlovenia 78 pNetherlands 74 pChinese Taipei 73 pRussian Federation 71 pHong Kong, SAR 69 OMoldova, Republic of 68 OInternational average 65 OItaly 62 OCyprus 57 qNorway 50 qArmenia 40 qIran, Islamic Republic of 39 qPhilippines 23 qTunisia 22 qMorocco 5 q

74

Student Responses


Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Objectsmadeofmetals/name(continued)Item Number: S031406A

75





Item Number: S031406B


• NamesacorrectpropertyofmetalthatisclearlyrelatedtotheuseoftheobjectnamedinpartA.Examples: It’s shiny. (Part A: Bracelet); It conducts heat. (Part A: An Iron) Magneticproperty.(PartA:Compass);Electricitycanflowthroughit.(PartA:Wire) It can be hammered into thin sheets without breaking. (Part A: Kitchen foil) It is strong and will not break. (Part A: Pole)

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

• Names only a type of metal that the object in Part A is made of. [No property identified.]Examples:Silver(PartA:Bracelet);Copper(PartA:Wire);Iron(PartA:Magnet) Aluminum (Part A: Kitchen foil)

• NamesauseoftheobjectnamedinPartAinsteadofapropertyofmetal.Examples: To sit on. (Part A: Desk); To cut with. (Part A: Scissors) It is used for money. (Part A: Coin)


Objectsmadeofmetals/property

A.PHysiCALsCieNCe Classification and Composition of Matter FactualKnowledge

B. PhysICal sCIenCe Classification and Composition of Matter Conceptual Understanding

S031406

Many objects are made of metals (like copper, iron and gold).This is because metals have many useful properties.

A. Name one object that is made out of metal.

B. What property of the metal makes it useful for this object?

Content Domain Main Topic Cognitive Domain

Lithuania 45 pHungary 38 pSingapore 38 pChinese Taipei 33 pJapan 28 pRussian Federation 28 pEngland 27 pInternational average 19 OAustralia 18 OHong Kong, SAR 18 OLatvia 18 ONew Zealand 18 OCyprus 15 qBelgium (Flemish) 15 qIran, Islamic Republic of 14 qSlovenia 14 qUnited States 14 qScotland 14 qArmenia 13 qItaly 13 qMoldova, Republic of 13 qNorway 11 qNetherlands 10 qTunisia 5 qPhilippines 4 qMorocco 2 q

76

Student Responses


Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Objectsmadeofmetals/property(continued)Item Number: S031406B

Correct Response:

77







D

Truestatementforallobjects


andCompositionofMatterFactualKnowledge

S031409

Which statement is true for all objects?

a All objects are shiny.

b All objects are hard.

c All objects are rough.

d All objects have mass.

Singapore 90 pHungary 85 pHong Kong, SAR 83 pLithuania 83 pChinese Taipei 82 pRussian Federation 81 pMoldova, Republic of 77 pAustralia 75 pUnited States 73 pJapan 71 pEngland 70 pLatvia 68 ONew Zealand 67 OBelgium (Flemish) 65 OInternational average 63 OItaly 61 OCyprus 59 OArmenia 55 qIran, Islamic Republic of 51 qNetherlands 50 qScotland 50 qPhilippines 48 qSlovenia 45 qNorway 37 qMorocco 36 qTunisia 21 q

78







andCompositionofMatterReasoningandAnalysis

identifywood,rockandiron


sCORInGTo be fully correct, all three materials must be identified correctly. Partial credit is given if one or two of the substances are identified correctly. If two substances are identified with the same number, neitheronecanbeconsideredascorrect.Forexample,aresponseof2,1,1shouldbescoredaspartiallycorrect.Aresponseof2,2,2shouldbescoredasincorrect.

Correct Response

• All three materials identified correctly: wood = 2; rock = 3; iron = 1

Partial Response

• Two materials identified correctly (1 left blank)

• Onlywood identified correctly (2); rock and iron are blank or reversed

• Onlyrock identified correctly (3); wood and iron are blank or reversed

• Onlyiron identified correctly (1); wood and rock are blank or reversed

• Otherpartiallycorrect(withatleastonematerialcorrect)

Incorrect Response

• incorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegibleorofftask)

S031053

The properties of three materials are compared in the table below.One of the materials is wood, one is rock and one is iron.

Property Material 1 Material 2 Material 3

Sinks in water? Yes No Yes

Burns easily? No Yes No

Attracted by a magnet? Yes No No

Identify the three materials by filling in the spaces below.

Wood is material number: _______________

Rock is material number: _______________

Iron is material number: _______________

Singapore 74 pJapan 69 pNetherlands 59 pHong Kong, SAR 58 pEngland 53 pBelgium (Flemish) 52 pChinese Taipei 48 pLithuania 45 pCyprus 44 pLatvia 42 ORussian Federation 42 OItaly 41 OAustralia 39 OUnited States 39 OScotland 38 OInternational average 38 ONew Zealand 37 OHungary 35 OSlovenia 35 ONorway 25 qTunisia 15 qArmenia 14 qPhilippines 12 qIran, Islamic Republic of 9 qMoldova, Republic of 9 qMorocco 7 q

79

Student Responses


Correct Response:

Partially Correct Response:

identifywood,rockandiron(continued)Item Number: S031053

80


Incorrect Response:

Student Responses (continued)

identifywood,rockandiron(continued)Item Number: S031053

Correct Response:

81







Whichbulbwilllight

PhysICal sCIenCe electricityandMagnetism ConceptualUnderstanding

C

Japan 95 pHong Kong, SAR 94 pChinese Taipei 91 pEngland 89 pSingapore 85 pCyprus 81 pSlovenia 81 pUnited States 81 pNew Zealand 80 pLatvia 79 pLithuania 79 pAustralia 78 OScotland 78 ORussian Federation 77 OItaly 76 OMoldova, Republic of 75 OBelgium (Flemish) 75 OInternational average 75 OHungary 74 ONorway 72 OPhilippines 72 ONetherlands 66 qIran, Islamic Republic of 65 qArmenia 53 qTunisia 37 qMorocco 31 q

Correct Response:

82






PhysICal sCIenCe electricityandMagnetism ConceptualUnderstanding

Figurewheretwomagnetsrepel


C

S031306

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Which of the figures above shows a situation where two magnets repel eachother?

a Figures 1 and 3

b Figures 2 and 3

c Figures 1 and 4

d Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4

N N SS

N S NS

S N SN

S S NN

Singapore 73 pJapan 65 pChinese Taipei 62 pHong Kong, SAR 54 pUnited States 50 pEngland 44 pRussian Federation 41 ONetherlands 40 OAustralia 39 OHungary 38 OInternational average 38 OArmenia 37 OItaly 36 OMoldova, Republic of 36 OScotland 34 qCyprus 33 qLithuania 33 qNew Zealand 33 qBelgium (Flemish) 33 qLatvia 31 qSlovenia 28 qIran, Islamic Republic of 27 qNorway 24 qPhilippines 22 qMorocco 21 qTunisia 19 q

Correct Response:

83







B

Renewableenergysource

PhysICal sCIenCeenergyTypes,sources,

andConversionsConceptualUnderstanding

S011011

A renewable energy source is a source that will not run out. Which is anexample of the use of such a source?

a A coal furnace heating a house

b A windmill pumping water on a farm

c A kerosene lamp lighting a room

d A diesel truck traveling along a road

Japan 71 pHong Kong, SAR 64 pChinese Taipei 60 pLatvia 54 pAustralia 52 pNetherlands 52 pEngland 52 pBelgium (Flemish) 52 pNew Zealand 51 pUnited States 51 pCyprus 49 pRussian Federation 48 OArmenia 46 OLithuania 45 ONorway 45 OInternational average 45 OSingapore 44 OScotland 44 OSlovenia 37 qItaly 36 qMoldova, Republic of 36 qMorocco 35 qHungary 34 qPhilippines 30 qIran, Islamic Republic of 22 qTunisia 18 q

Correct Response:

84







B

Objects floating in water

PhysICal sCIenCe ForcesandMotion ConceptualUnderstanding

S011001

The picture shows three solid objects of the same size floating in water.

Which object weighs the most?

a Object A

b Object B

c Object C

d They all weigh the same.

Object AObject B

Object C

Japan 94 pNetherlands 92 pSingapore 92 pEngland 92 pChinese Taipei 91 pNorway 91 pUnited States 91 pScotland 91 pBelgium (Flemish) 91 pAustralia 90 pCyprus 90 pNew Zealand 90 pHong Kong, SAR 89 pItaly 89 pHungary 88 pSlovenia 88 pLatvia 85 ORussian Federation 85 OLithuania 84 OInternational average 83 OMoldova, Republic of 82 OArmenia 72 qIran, Islamic Republic of 70 qPhilippines 52 qMorocco 50 qTunisia 50 q

Correct Response:

85







B

Whichcanmakeobjectsrepel

PhysICal sCIenCe ForcesandMotion FactualKnowledge

S031313

Which of the following can make objects repel each other?

a gravity

b magnetism

c both gravity and magnetism

d neither gravity nor magnetism

Japan 70 pChinese Taipei 64 pHungary 57 pSingapore 56 pEngland 50 pCyprus 46 pUnited States 45 pLithuania 43 pHong Kong, SAR 42 OLatvia 41 OScotland 41 OItaly 39 OInternational average 39 ONetherlands 37 ORussian Federation 37 OAustralia 35 OMoldova, Republic of 32 qIran, Islamic Republic of 31 qMorocco 29 qNew Zealand 29 qBelgium (Flemish) 29 qNorway 26 qSlovenia 26 qTunisia 24 qArmenia 23 qPhilippines 19 q

Correct Response:

86






D


Weightonscale

PhysICal sCIenCe ForcesandMotion ReasoningandAnalysis

S011009

The same brick is put on a scale in three different ways.

What will the scale show?

a 1 will show the greatest weight.

b 2 will show the greatest weight.

c 3 will show the greatest weight.

d All will show the same weight.

1. 3.2.

Lithuania 88 pMoldova, Republic of 87 pRussian Federation 86 pChinese Taipei 85 pSlovenia 85 pLatvia 84 pHungary 79 pSingapore 79 pItaly 78 pEngland 76 pAustralia 74 OArmenia 74 ONetherlands 74 OUnited States 73 OBelgium (Flemish) 73 OIran, Islamic Republic of 72 OInternational average 72 OHong Kong, SAR 69 OScotland 68 qJapan 66 qNew Zealand 66 qCyprus 63 qMorocco 54 qNorway 54 qPhilippines 52 qTunisia 45 q

Correct Response:

87







PhysICal sCIenCe HeatandTemperature ConceptualUnderstanding

Whymadeofcopper

S011

014

Jessica gave some reasons why kettles and kitchen pans are often made of

copper. Which reason is correct?

a Copper is a good conductor of heat.

b Copper is easy to melt.

c Copper is difficult to shape.

d Copper dissolves in hot water.

Singapore 87 pChinese Taipei 84 pJapan 82 pRussian Federation 81 pEngland 79 pUnited States 74 pLatvia 73 pScotland 72 pAustralia 70 pNew Zealand 69 pHong Kong, SAR 66 pLithuania 65 OItaly 63 OBelgium (Flemish) 62 OInternational average 62 OSlovenia 61 OCyprus 57 qNetherlands 56 qMoldova, Republic of 55 qNorway 49 qIran, Islamic Republic of 45 qPhilippines 45 qMorocco 44 qHungary 38 qTunisia 37 qArmenia 36 q

a

88






PhysICal sCIenCe Light ConceptualUnderstanding

Twothingswrongwiththeshadow


S031072

There are two things wrong with the shadow of the man shown in thepicture above.

Write down the two things that are wrong.

1.

2.

Japan 63 pSingapore 48 pEngland 46 pHong Kong, SAR 44 pLatvia 39 pChinese Taipei 38 pAustralia 31 OHungary 31 pRussian Federation 31 pNew Zealand 30 pUnited States 27 OBelgium (Flemish) 26 OInternational average 25 OItaly 23 OLithuania 21 OCyprus 20 OScotland 18 qSlovenia 17 qNorway 13 qArmenia 10 qIran, Islamic Republic of 7 qPhilippines 5 qMorocco 4 qTunisia 3 qMoldova, Republic of 1 qNetherlands 0 q

89


Twothingswrongwiththeshadow(continued)Item Number: S031072

sCORInGNote: To receive full credit, responses must identify an error in both the direction/angle and the pose of the shadow of the man. Direction/angle: shadow should be on the other side of the man away from the sun. Pose: shadow of the left hand should be raised; shadow on the right hand should be down at his side.Partialcreditisgivenforresponsesthataddressonlyoneofthesefactors.statementsabouttheshadowofthemountainsdonotcontributetothecorrectnessofthescore.

Fully Correct Response

• Identifies an error in BOTH the direction/angle and the pose of the shadow of the man.Examples: The shadow should have the main raising one hand. The shadow should be opposite

the sun. The man’s hand is sticking out, but the shadow is not. The shadow is not behind him. The position of the shadow is wrong. The shape of the shadow is wrong. The man has his arm out and the shadow has it on his hip. The shadow is on the side

facing the sun.

• Otherfullycorrect

Partial Response

• Identifies only the direction/angle of the shadow of the man. [No mention of the pose.]Examples: The shadow is on the wrong side of the man. The hill has a bump, but its shadow

has a curve.

• Identifies only the pose of the shadow of the man. [No mention of the direction/angle.]Examples: He put out his hand, but the shadow did not show it right. His other hand is straight

but the shadow is not.

• Otherpartiallycorrect

Incorrect Response

• Responsetoovague.Examples: The shadow of the man. The shadow of the hill. The hands. The head.


Examples: He has no hair. He has no face.

90

Student Responses



Correct Response:

91



Student Responses(continued)


92


Incorrect Response:

Student Responses(continued)


Correct Response:

93






PhysICal sCIenCe Light FactualKnowledge

Whichcouldcauserainbow


D

S011029

Which pair together could cause a rainbow?

a Fog and clouds

b Rain and snow

c Clouds and ice

d Sunshine and rain

Belgium (Flemish) 98 pHungary 97 pLatvia 97 pNetherlands 97 pEngland 97 pScotland 97 pHong Kong, SAR 96 pChinese Taipei 95 pNew Zealand 95 pNorway 95 pSlovenia 95 pUnited States 95 pLithuania 94 pRussian Federation 94 pAustralia 93 pItaly 93 pJapan 93 pMoldova, Republic of 93 pSingapore 93 pInternational average 88 OArmenia 87 OCyprus 77 qIran, Islamic Republic of 67 qPhilippines 62 qMorocco 56 qTunisia 49 q



Correct Response:

94






PhysICal sCIenCePhysicalstates

andChangesinMatterConceptualUnderstanding

soapbubbles


S011017

When you make soap bubbles, what is inside the bubbles?

a Air

b Soap

c Water

d Nothing

Japan 82 pRussian Federation 81 pHungary 80 pSingapore 80 pEngland 78 pNetherlands 77 pUnited States 76 pMoldova, Republic of 75 pItaly 70 pLatvia 70 pLithuania 70 OAustralia 69 ONew Zealand 67 OInternational average 66 OArmenia 64 OChinese Taipei 64 OCyprus 64 OSlovenia 64 OBelgium (Flemish) 64 ONorway 60 qScotland 57 qHong Kong, SAR 51 qIran, Islamic Republic of 48 qPhilippines 48 qMorocco 43 qTunisia 38 q

a

Correct Response:

95








Boilingwater


C

S011030

What happens to water when it boils?

a It changes color.

b It becomes heavier.

c It changes into water vapor.

d It stops bubbling.

Italy 95 pJapan 93 pLatvia 91 pMoldova, Republic of 91 pSlovenia 91 pHungary 90 pCyprus 88 pHong Kong, SAR 88 pRussian Federation 88 pEngland 88 pChinese Taipei 87 pSingapore 87 pNetherlands 86 ONorway 86 pBelgium (Flemish) 85 pLithuania 83 OUnited States 82 OInternational average 82 OIran, Islamic Republic of 78 qArmenia 76 qAustralia 72 qNew Zealand 72 qScotland 69 qMorocco 66 qPhilippines 66 qTunisia 62 q

96








Differencebetweensolidsandliquids



• Referstodifferencesinarrangement(space,distance)orspeedofparticles(molecules).Examples: In solids molecules are packed together. Liquid particles are more spread out and fast.

• Refers to solids having a fixed shape OR liquids taking the shape of their container (or similar)Examples:Liquidscanfilltheshapeofanycontainer,solidscannot. A liquid can take any form.

• Refers to solids as hard OR liquids as soft, wet, flowing, runny, poured (or similar).Examples: Solids can’t spill and liquids can. Liquids can be poured. You can drink liquids, you cannot drink solids. Solids are hard and liquids are soft.

• OthercorrectExamples: Solids can be melted into liquid, but liquids are already liquid.

Incorrect Response

• Refersonlytoexamplesofsolids/liquidswithnoorincorrectpropertygiven.Examples:Waterisaliquidandiceisasolid.

• Otherincorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegible,orofftask)Examples: Solids are cold. One is harder than the other. A solid is strong.

S031370

Describe one difference between solids and liquids.England 74 pSingapore 73 pUnited States 67 pChinese Taipei 66 pAustralia 64 pHungary 64 pNew Zealand 62 pJapan 59 pScotland 57 pHong Kong, SAR 56 pItaly 55 pSlovenia 51 pRussian Federation 49 pLatvia 44 OInternational average 44 OCyprus 41 OMoldova, Republic of 37 qBelgium (Flemish) 32 qLithuania 30 qIran, Islamic Republic of 29 qPhilippines 22 qArmenia 21 qNetherlands 21 qNorway 16 qTunisia 11 qMorocco 8 q

97

Student Responses


Differencebetweensolidsandliquids(continued)Item Number: S031370

Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

98







andChangesinMatterReasoningandAnalysis

solid,liquid,andgasinacontainer/identify


S031372

The figure above shows a box that contains a material that could be a solid,a liquid or a gas. The material is then put into a box four timesas large.

Look at the figures below. They show how the different types of materialwill look when put into the larger box.

A. Identify which figure shows a solid, which shows a liquid and whichshows a gas. (Write the word solid, liquid or gas on the line next to eachfigure below. Use each word only once.)

__________________

__________________

__________________

B. Explain your answers.

sCORInGNote: If any state (solid, liquid or gas) is listed more than once, then none of the duplicated responses willbeconsideredcorrect.Forexample,aresponseof“liquid,gas,gas”shouldbescoredincorrect.

Correct Response

• Identifies all 3 correctly: Liquid – Solid - Gas

Incorrect Response

• Onlyliquidiscorrect.

• Onlysolidiscorrect.

• Onlygasiscorrect.


Singapore 83 pHong Kong, SAR 81 pLatvia 77 pItaly 76 pEngland 74 pHungary 72 pChinese Taipei 71 pJapan 70 pRussian Federation 70 pLithuania 68 pSlovenia 66 pUnited States 61 pNew Zealand 60 OMoldova, Republic of 59 OInternational average 57 OAustralia 56 OScotland 55 OCyprus 49 qBelgium (Flemish) 45 qNetherlands 41 qIran, Islamic Republic of 37 qPhilippines 35 qNorway 34 qArmenia 33 qTunisia 26 qMorocco 20 q

99

Student Responses


solid,liquid,andgasinacontainer/identify(continued)Item Number: S031372A

Correct Response:

100


solid,liquid,andgasinacontainer/identify(continued)Item Number: S031372A


Incorrect Response:

101







andChangesinMatterReasoningandAnalysis

solid,liquid,andgasinacontainer/explain


S031372

The figure above shows a box that contains a material that could be a solid,a liquid or a gas. The material is then put into a box four timesas large.

Look at the figures below. They show how the different types of materialwill look when put into the larger box.

A. Identify which figure shows a solid, which shows a liquid and whichshows a gas. (Write the word solid, liquid or gas on the line next to eachfigure below. Use each word only once.)

__________________

__________________

__________________

B. Explain your answers.

Japan 30 pLithuania 28 pSingapore 28 pChinese Taipei 26 pNew Zealand 25 pHungary 24 pAustralia 22 pLatvia 21 pEngland 20 pItaly 19 pUnited States 18 pRussian Federation 17 OCyprus 16 OInternational average 15 OSlovenia 12 qHong Kong, SAR 11 qNetherlands 10 qScotland 10 qNorway 7 qBelgium (Flemish) 7 qIran, Islamic Republic of 6 qPhilippines 4 qArmenia 3 qMoldova, Republic of 3 qMorocco 1 qTunisia 1 q

102


sCORInGFully Correct Response

• Explanation refers to at least one property of each of the three states that differentiates them:

i)Liquids: flow (or take the shape of their container); cannot be compressed; have a definite or fixed volume; seek the lowest level (or similar).

ii)Solids: keep a definite or fixed shape (volume); are hard (objects); cannot be compressed.

iii)Gases: expand or can be compressed (to fill a container of different sizes/shapes); can spread out,canrise(orsimilar).

Examples: Liquid can take any shape or form; solid can be hard; gas can take up a lot of room. Liquidrunsandfindsthelowestlevel;solidkeepsthesameshape;gastakesupallthe

room.Liquidwouldflowdownandcoverthebottom;solidisformedintoashapeandleave some room on the bottom; gas would spread out.

Watercannotbecompressed;solidisanobject;aircanbecompressed.

• Otherfullycorrect

Partially Correct Response

• explanationincludesapropertythatcorrectlydifferentiatesatleastoneofthestates(solid,liquidorgas)butnotallthree.Examples: Solids remain the same, gases go everywhere. Liquids run, gases evaporate; solids don’t go anywhere. The solid stays the same. The gas expands all the way. Liquidandgasbothfollowtheshapeofthecontainer;solidshaveadefiniteshape.

• Otherpartiallycorrect

Incorrect Response

• Referstoobservations,usesorexamplesofsolids,liquidsorgases,butinadequateforansweringquestion.Examples: The liquid is water; the solid is a block of wood; the gas is oxygen. Solids are heavier. Blocks are made of solids.

• Otherincorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegibleorofftask)

solid,liquid,andgasinacontainer/explain(continued)Item Number: S031372B

103

Student Responses


Correct Response:


104





105


Incorrect Response:



106







• Referstowaterexpandingorincreasinginvolume(explicitlyorimplicitly).Examples:Waterexpanded. Its volume increased. There was not enough room in the bottle for the water to freeeze. The water got bigger when it froze. Whenwaterfreezesitexpands.

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

• Refers ONLY to water freezing or turning into ice (or similar). [No mention of water expansion.]Examples: It turned into ice and broke. It turned into solid. Because of the ice. The freezer was too cold and it froze the water so hard it broke the glass.

• Refers ONLY to pressure or force of ice (or similar). [No mention of water expansion.]Examples: The pressure on the inside. The force of water and cold air broke the glass. Because of the pressure from the ice.

• Otherincorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegible,orofftask)Examples: The glass froze and turned to ice. It got too cold


Closed glass bottle filled with water

PhysICal sCIenCe PropertiesandUsesofWater ReasoningandAnalysis

S031005

A closed glass bottle filled with water was left in the freezer overnight.In the morning the glass was found broken.

Why did freezing the water cause the bottle to break?

Russian Federation 39 pAustralia 29 pJapan 27 pMoldova, Republic of 27 pSingapore 27 pItaly 25 pNorway 24 pEngland 24 pHong Kong, SAR 23 pUnited States 23 pLithuania 22 ONew Zealand 22 OLatvia 21 ONetherlands 21 OHungary 19 OInternational average 19 OArmenia 18 OBelgium (Flemish) 15 qChinese Taipei 14 qSlovenia 14 qScotland 13 qCyprus 9 qMorocco 7 qIran, Islamic Republic of 6 qTunisia 4 qPhilippines 1 q

107

Student Responses


Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Closed glass bottle filled with water (continued)Item Number: S031005

Correct Response:

108






eaRTh sCIenCeearthinthesolarsystem

andUniverseConceptualUnderstanding

Whichdiagramshowsshadow


C

S011027

At different times during a sunny day a tree was seen to cast a shadow ofdifferent length as shown in the diagrams below. Which diagram shows theshadow at mid-day (12 noon)?

A. B. C. D. E.a b c d e

Chinese Taipei 88 pHong Kong, SAR 86 pJapan 86 pHungary 83 pEngland 83 pLithuania 78 pSingapore 78 pItaly 77 pAustralia 75 pLatvia 75 pMoldova, Republic of 75 pNew Zealand 75 pBelgium (Flemish) 75 pNorway 72 ONetherlands 70 OSlovenia 70 OUnited States 70 OInternational average 70 ORussian Federation 69 OScotland 69 OArmenia 60 qPhilippines 57 qCyprus 52 qIran, Islamic Republic of 47 qTunisia 42 qMorocco 35 q

Correct Response:

109







andUniverseFactualKnowledge

Whichishottest


D

S011018

Which of these is hottest?

a The Earth

b Mars

c The Moon

d The Sun

Norway 99 pLatvia 98 pLithuania 98 pMoldova, Republic of 98 pRussian Federation 98 pScotland 98 pBelgium (Flemish) 98 pNew Zealand 97 pSlovenia 97 pUnited States 97 pEngland 97 pAustralia 96 pHungary 96 pNetherlands 96 pSingapore 96 pArmenia 92 OItaly 92 OInternational average 91 OJapan 90 OHong Kong, SAR 85 qIran, Islamic Republic of 85 qCyprus 83 qTunisia 82 qChinese Taipei 81 qMorocco 68 qPhilippines 68 q

Correct Response:

110








earth’smovement


B

S011022

Each year the Earth moves once around

a Mars

b the Sun

c the Moon

d all of the other planets

Russian Federation 87 pLatvia 86 pHungary 84 pIran, Islamic Republic of 84 pArmenia 82 pLithuania 80 pNorway 80 pEngland 79 pMoldova, Republic of 78 pUnited States 74 pHong Kong, SAR 70 OAustralia 69 OBelgium (Flemish) 69 OItaly 68 OInternational average 67 ONew Zealand 66 OScotland 66 OChinese Taipei 63 qNetherlands 62 qSingapore 62 qSlovenia 60 qJapan 58 qCyprus 55 qPhilippines 46 qMorocco 30 qTunisia 29 q

Correct Response:

111








Howmuchtimetonextfullmoon


C

S031060

Kate sees a full moon. About how much time will go by beforethe next full moon?

a one week

b two weeks

c one month

d one year

Chinese Taipei 62 pLatvia 47 pMoldova, Republic of 46 pNew Zealand 45 pSlovenia 45 pUnited States 43 pNorway 40 OAustralia 39 OJapan 38 ORussian Federation 38 OEngland 38 OHong Kong, SAR 37 ONetherlands 37 OInternational average 37 OSingapore 36 OScotland 36 OIran, Islamic Republic of 34 OItaly 34 OBelgium (Flemish) 34 OPhilippines 33 OLithuania 32 qArmenia 30 qTunisia 27 qCyprus 26 qHungary 26 qMorocco 24 q

112







• easTwithexplanationstatingthatthesunrisesintheeast(orsimilar).Examples: East. The Sun comes up on the East side. East.TheSuntravelsfromEasttoWest. East.Whenthesuncomesuponthatsideitmakesashadowonthewestside. East. Area 4 is shaded in the morning because the Sun in on the East side.

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

• easT with no explanation or incorrect explanation. [May include a true statement that does not answer the question.]Examples: East. Because it is closest to the pond. East. Because it’s on the East side. East. Because the Sun travels across the sky.

• WesTwithanexplanationstatingthatthesunrisesintheWest(orsimilar).Examples:West.Whenthesunrisesinthemorningit’sonthewest.

• WesTwithnoexplanationorotherincorrectexplanation.Examples:West.Theoaktreesarethere.



S031440

A plan of Rebecca’s house and garden is shown below. There are four areasin the garden where she would like to grow some plants(Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4).

Which side of Rebecca’s house will receive the most sun in the morning?

(Check one box.)

C East side (Area 3)

C West side (Area 4)


Area 4

Area 3

Area 2

Area 1 SouthHouse

oak trees

Pond

North

EastWest

Questions for Garden continue.

Garden: which side of the house gets most sun


andUniverseReasoningandAnalysis

Chinese Taipei 55 pHong Kong, SAR 51 pJapan 45 pSingapore 42 pHungary 41 pLatvia 34 pNetherlands 33 pItaly 30 OSlovenia 30 OUnited States 29 OAustralia 28 OCyprus 28 ONew Zealand 27 OInternational average 26 OLithuania 23 OBelgium (Flemish) 22 ORussian Federation 21 qEngland 21 OMoldova, Republic of 16 qNorway 14 qIran, Islamic Republic of 13 qScotland 11 qMorocco 10 qPhilippines 7 qTunisia 7 qArmenia 4 q

113

Student Responses


Correct Response:

Garden: which side of the house gets most sun (continued)Item Number: S031440

114


Incorrect Response:


Garden: which side of the house gets most sun (continued)Item Number: S031440

115






eaRTh sCIenCeearthProcesses,

Cycles,andHistoryConceptualUnderstanding

Directionofwater



• DrawsanarrowonthediagramthatisonriveroralongtheriverbelowthefeederriversandstreamswithanarrowheadpointingtowardstheGreatOcean.

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

• Drawsanarrowpointingtheoppositewayoraprosedescriptionofthisdirection.

• Drawsanarrowthatpointsinanyotherdirection.


S011032

Draw an arrow on the Old River to show the direction that the water flows.

Snow Covered Mountains

MountainPond

SmallStreams

Great Ocean

OldRiver

Chinese Taipei 64 pRussian Federation 64 pMoldova, Republic of 62 pJapan 58 pLatvia 56 pNetherlands 54 pEngland 52 pItaly 51 pSingapore 51 pSlovenia 50 pNew Zealand 49 pAustralia 48 OScotland 48 OCyprus 47 OHong Kong, SAR 47 ONorway 45 OHungary 44 OInternational average 44 OArmenia 42 OBelgium (Flemish) 40 qUnited States 37 qLithuania 30 qIran, Islamic Republic of 18 qMorocco 14 qTunisia 13 qPhilippines 12 q

116

Student Responses


Directionofwater(continued)Item Number: S011032

Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

117







Cycles,andHistoryConceptualUnderstanding

Watervaporwhenitgetscold



• Referstocondensationorfreezing(orequivalent).Examples: It freezes. It condenses. Condensation. It condenses and turns into rain.

• Mentionscloudformationoraformofprecipitation(e.g.,rain,snow,fog,etc.)Examples: The water vapor changes to rain. It changes to snow. Watervaporturnsintoclouds. It rises into the clouds and becomes rain droplets. It turns foggy. It rains.

• OthercorrectExamples: It falls to the ground.

Incorrect Response

• Mentions only that the water becomes cold. [No mention of a change of state or precipitation.]Examples: The water vapor becomes cold. Its temperature drops.

• Mentions only that water vapor rises (or similar). [No mention of condensation or precipitation.]Examples: The water vapor will rise on a hot day.

• Otherincorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegible,orofftask)Examples: It disappears.

S031382

On a hot, humid day the air contains a lot of water vapor. What happens tothe water vapor in the air when the air becomes very cold?

Netherlands 72 pSingapore 68 pBelgium (Flemish) 67 pHungary 65 pLatvia 60 pUnited States 58 pChinese Taipei 57 pRussian Federation 55 pEngland 54 pAustralia 53 pItaly 49 ONorway 49 OMoldova, Republic of 48 ONew Zealand 48 OLithuania 47 OScotland 47 OInternational average 47 OCyprus 45 OJapan 45 OSlovenia 43 OArmenia 37 qHong Kong, SAR 34 qIran, Islamic Republic of 28 qPhilippines 20 qTunisia 18 qMorocco 12 q

118

Student Responses


Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Watervaporwhenitgetscold(continued)Item Number: S031382

Correct Response:

119







Cycles,andHistoryFactualKnowledge

Wherearefossilsfound


D

S011005

The fossils of dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago can be found in

a the water of oceans.

b the ice on ponds.

c the trunks of trees.

d rocks in the ground.

Chinese Taipei 93 pJapan 90 pAustralia 89 pHong Kong, SAR 89 pUnited States 89 pLatvia 88 pLithuania 88 pSlovenia 88 pNetherlands 87 pNew Zealand 87 pEngland 87 pSingapore 86 pBelgium (Flemish) 86 pHungary 85 pRussian Federation 85 pScotland 85 pItaly 79 OInternational average 76 OCyprus 75 ONorway 75 OMoldova, Republic of 64 qArmenia 59 qIran, Islamic Republic of 43 qPhilippines 34 qTunisia 34 qMorocco 28 q

Correct Response:

120







Cycles,andHistoryReasoningandAnalysis

Townwhereitismostlikelytosnow


D

S031383

Clouds Lowest Highestin the Sky Temperature Temperature

Town A no 10oC 25oC

Town B yes 20oC 30oC

Town C no -10oC -1oC

Town D yes -15oC 5oC

The table above shows some weather information for four different townsduring a 24-hour period. In which town did it most likely snow?

a Town A

b Town B

c Town C

d Town D

Belgium (Flemish) 57 pJapan 56 pHungary 54 pNetherlands 54 pEngland 49 pSlovenia 43 pCyprus 40 pLatvia 40 OUnited States 40 pItaly 39 OLithuania 38 ONorway 37 ORussian Federation 37 OAustralia 36 ONew Zealand 36 OInternational average 36 OSingapore 35 OChinese Taipei 34 OScotland 34 OMoldova, Republic of 32 OHong Kong, SAR 31 qArmenia 19 qIran, Islamic Republic of 16 qTunisia 13 qPhilippines 12 qMorocco 9 q

Correct Response:

121







saltiestwater

eaRTh sCIenCeearth’sstructure

andPhysicalFeaturesConceptualUnderstanding

S011007

Look at this diagram.

The saltiest water is in the

a Great Ocean

b Mountain Pond

c Old River

d Small Streams

Snow Covered Mountains

MountainPond

SmallStreams

Great Ocean

Old River

Italy 95 pChinese Taipei 94 pJapan 91 pCyprus 87 pSlovenia 85 pHungary 82 pLatvia 82 pUnited States 82 pRussian Federation 81 pEngland 81 pNorway 80 pBelgium (Flemish) 80 pScotland 79 pMoldova, Republic of 76 ONetherlands 76 OAustralia 74 ONew Zealand 73 OInternational average 73 OHong Kong, SAR 71 OArmenia 65 qLithuania 65 qSingapore 63 qIran, Islamic Republic of 47 qPhilippines 43 qMorocco 37 qTunisia 23 q

a

Correct Response:

122






C


Layersofearth



S012007

The picture shows the three main layers of the Earth.

Where is it the hottest?

a Layer A

b Layer B

c Layer C

d All three layers are the same temperature.

B

C

A

United States 90 pItaly 89 pNetherlands 88 pNew Zealand 87 pHong Kong, SAR 86 pEngland 86 pMoldova, Republic of 84 pScotland 84 pNorway 83 pHungary 81 pSlovenia 81 pBelgium (Flemish) 81 pAustralia 80 pLatvia 80 pJapan 79 pChinese Taipei 78 OSingapore 76 OInternational average 76 OLithuania 75 OCyprus 73 ORussian Federation 70 qArmenia 65 qMorocco 52 qIran, Islamic Republic of 51 qPhilippines 48 qTunisia 47 q

Correct Response:

123








Rockcarriedfarthestdowntheriver


B

S031082

Lily found four rocks of the same material in a riverbed. They had differentshapes and sizes.

Which rock has most likely been carried the farthest down the river?

a b

c d

Hungary 86 pLithuania 83 pChinese Taipei 82 pEngland 80 pNetherlands 79 pRussian Federation 79 pBelgium (Flemish) 78 pAustralia 77 pLatvia 76 pNew Zealand 76 pUnited States 76 pItaly 75 pMoldova, Republic of 75 pCyprus 73 OSlovenia 71 OScotland 70 OInternational average 69 OHong Kong, SAR 68 OJapan 64 qNorway 63 qArmenia 60 qIran, Islamic Republic of 57 qSingapore 57 qPhilippines 50 qMorocco 47 qTunisia 24 q

Correct Response:

124







andPhysicalFeaturesFactualKnowledge

earth’ssurface


a

S011003

What covers most of the Earth’s surface?

a Water

b Bare rock

c Farm land

d Cities and towns

United States 86 pLithuania 83 pRussian Federation 82 pSingapore 82 pEngland 82 pArmenia 80 pLatvia 79 pMoldova, Republic of 79 pAustralia 77 pNorway 77 pScotland 77 pNew Zealand 76 pChinese Taipei 75 pHungary 74 pSlovenia 72 OHong Kong, SAR 71 OItaly 71 OInternational average 68 OBelgium (Flemish) 65 OJapan 60 qNetherlands 56 qCyprus 54 qPhilippines 53 qIran, Islamic Republic of 45 qMorocco 30 qTunisia 20 q

Correct Response:

125








Gasweneedtobreathe


B

S011012

What gas in the air do we need to breathe in order to live?

a nitrogen

b oxygen

c carbon dioxide

d hydrogen

e water vapor

Hungary 95 pHong Kong, SAR 94 pNetherlands 94 pSingapore 94 pRussian Federation 93 pSlovenia 93 pBelgium (Flemish) 93 pAustralia 91 pCyprus 91 pLithuania 90 pUnited States 90 pItaly 89 pNew Zealand 89 pEngland 89 pScotland 88 pChinese Taipei 85 OLatvia 85 OInternational average 84 ONorway 82 OIran, Islamic Republic of 78 qMoldova, Republic of 77 qJapan 75 qArmenia 72 qMorocco 62 qTunisia 59 qPhilippines 53 q

Correct Response:

126








ironandaluminum


e

S011013

Large amounts of metals like iron and aluminum are found in

a dead trees

b water

c animal bones

d oil wells

e rocks

Japan 69 pHong Kong, SAR 65 pItaly 64 pRussian Federation 58 pCyprus 53 pHungary 51 pSingapore 51 pChinese Taipei 48 OMoldova, Republic of 48 OUnited States 48 ONetherlands 47 OEngland 45 OInternational average 45 OArmenia 44 OLithuania 44 ONew Zealand 44 OBelgium (Flemish) 44 OAustralia 43 OIran, Islamic Republic of 43 ONorway 42 OLatvia 40 qScotland 35 qPhilippines 33 qSlovenia 33 qMorocco 28 qTunisia 12 q

Correct Response:

127







andPhysicalFeaturesReasoningandAnalysis

Terry’srocks


D

S011023

Terry tested four rocks to see how hard they are. He rubbed each of themagainst some hard steel for one minute. He drew pictures of what theylooked like before he rubbed them and after he rubbed them.

Circle which of Terry’s rocks is the hardest.

BeforeTest

AfterTest

a b c d

Netherlands 85 pEngland 85 pUnited States 84 pHong Kong, SAR 83 pJapan 80 pSingapore 80 pChinese Taipei 78 pBelgium (Flemish) 78 pLatvia 77 pSlovenia 74 pRussian Federation 72 pScotland 72 pAustralia 71 pItaly 70 pNew Zealand 70 pNorway 68 OInternational average 66 OHungary 65 OCyprus 64 OMoldova, Republic of 61 OLithuania 59 qArmenia 47 qIran, Islamic Republic of 38 qPhilippines 36 qMorocco 26 qTunisia 20 q

Correct Response:

128






B


Bestlocationtogrowcrops


andPhysicalFeaturesReasoningandAnalysis

S031379

Look at the picture above. Where is the best location to grow crops?

a Location A

b Location B

c Location C

d Location D

ocean

desert

A

mountains

B

C D

river

Japan 75 pHong Kong, SAR 70 pLatvia 70 pUnited States 70 pHungary 69 pLithuania 69 pNetherlands 69 pEngland 69 pItaly 68 pScotland 68 pChinese Taipei 67 pAustralia 66 pNew Zealand 63 pNorway 63 pRussian Federation 63 pSingapore 62 pCyprus 59 OInternational average 57 OSlovenia 56 OMoldova, Republic of 54 OBelgium (Flemish) 44 qArmenia 34 qIran, Islamic Republic of 32 qMorocco 27 qPhilippines 24 qTunisia 22 q

129







• Explains that some species will die; others will be more abundant.Examples: Fish die, plants grow more because there is more water.

• Explains that many plants and fishes die.Examples: They die. They are almost cooked.

• Explains that fish try to leave.Examples:Thefishswimaway.

• OthercorrectExamples: Fish die, plants live.

Incorrect Response

• Thedescriptionorexplanationgivenisnotadequate.Examples: They cannot breathe. They can do better and do worse.

• Otherincorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegible,orofftasks)


Plants and fish in river

lIFe sCIenCe Changesinenvironment ReasoningandAnalysis

S011019

Write down what happens to plants and fish in a river when a factory pourslarge amounts of hot water into the river.

Russian Federation 90 pHong Kong, SAR 88 pJapan 87 pSingapore 87 pAustralia 86 pChinese Taipei 85 pLatvia 85 pUnited States 85 pNetherlands 84 pNew Zealand 82 pBelgium (Flemish) 82 pScotland 80 pSlovenia 79 pEngland 79 pCyprus 78 pLithuania 75 OMoldova, Republic of 75 OInternational average 73 ONorway 70 OHungary 69 OItaly 69 OArmenia 57 qTunisia 43 qIran, Islamic Republic of 40 qPhilippines 40 qMorocco 22 q

130

Student Responses


Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Plants and fish in river (continued)Item Number: S011019

Correct Response:

131






C


Wherewegetmineralstomakethings

lIFe sCIenCeUseandConservationofNaturalResources

FactualKnowledge

S031398

Minerals are used for making many things including jewelry, chalk, andconcrete. Where do we get the minerals needed to make these things?

a from air

b from wood

c from rocks

d from crops

Hungary 85 pChinese Taipei 84 pRussian Federation 79 pJapan 76 pItaly 75 pLatvia 72 pHong Kong, SAR 67 pUnited States 67 pIran, Islamic Republic of 62 OSlovenia 59 OEngland 59 OInternational average 59 OBelgium (Flemish) 58 OAustralia 57 OLithuania 57 OArmenia 52 qCyprus 49 qNetherlands 49 qScotland 49 qMoldova, Republic of 48 qSingapore 48 qNew Zealand 47 qNorway 47 qMorocco 46 qTunisia 43 qPhilippines 30 q

Correct Response:

132






lIFe sCIenCeDevelopmentandLifeCycle

ofOrganismsConceptualUnderstanding

Larvaefoundinabagofrice


D

S031

003

Larvae were found in a bag of rice. What best explains how the larvae got

there?

a They came from water in the bag.

b They came from air in the bag.

c They came from the rice itself.

d They came from eggs laid by insects.

bag of rice

larvae

rice

Lithuania 91 pHungary 84 pLatvia 84 pBelgium (Flemish) 81 pSlovenia 80 pRussian Federation 76 pNetherlands 75 pAustralia 74 pChinese Taipei 73 pJapan 73 pNew Zealand 73 pEngland 73 pNorway 72 pSingapore 69 OUnited States 69 OScotland 69 OMoldova, Republic of 68 OInternational average 67 OHong Kong, SAR 66 OIran, Islamic Republic of 63 OItaly 61 qPhilippines 52 qCyprus 49 qTunisia 40 qArmenia 36 qMorocco 31 q

133








Physicalchangeaschildrenbecomeadults



• Describesacorrectdevelopmentalchange.Examples: Boys start growing beards. They start growing hair on their bodies. Girls start menstruating. They start developing their sex organs. Boys voices break and deepen. Girls hips will widen. Womengetbreasts. They can start having babies.

• Describesamoregeneralphysicalchange.Examples: They develop muscles and get stronger. They lose their little teeth and get new bigger teeth.

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

• Mentionsonlythattheygetsmarterorlearnmore.Examples: They get smarter and smarter. They learn to read.

• Mentionsonlythattheygrow,getbigger,older,orsimilar.Examples: They grow up. Their feet get bigger.

• Mentionschangesthatoccurafteradulthood.Examples: They get gray hair. They stop growing taller. They go bald and get wrinkled.

• Otherincorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegibleorofftask).Examples: They look different. Their personality and attitude changes. Puberty. They mature.

S031251

Children grow taller and become heavier as they develop into adults.Describe one other physical change that takes place in children's bodies asthey become adults.

Japan 55 pChinese Taipei 47 pNetherlands 40 pEngland 37 pLatvia 36 pRussian Federation 36 pItaly 34 pNorway 33 pUnited States 33 pBelgium (Flemish) 33 pSingapore 32 pAustralia 31 OLithuania 29 OHungary 28 OScotland 28 ONew Zealand 27 OInternational average 27 OMoldova, Republic of 26 OCyprus 22 qSlovenia 17 qHong Kong, SAR 16 qArmenia 14 qMorocco 10 qTunisia 9 qIran, Islamic Republic of 7 qPhilippines 6 q

134

Student Responses


Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Physicalchangeaschildrenbecomeadults(continued)Item Number: S031251

135








Organismsthatgivebirthorlayeggs


sCORInGFully Correct Response

• Organisms that give birth: human, Dog, Whale

• Organisms that lay eggs: Frog, Butterfly, Bird

Partially Correct Response

• One organism omitted or misclassified.

• Two organisms omitted or misclassified.

Incorrect Response


S031252

Some of the organisms shown above give birth to young that develop insidethe mother. Some of the organisms have young that hatch from eggs thatare laid outside the mother.

In the table below, write down the names of the organisms that belongto each group.

Organisms that give birth Organisms that lay eggs

human

whale

butterfly

frog

dog

bird•

Singapore 84 pUnited States 76 pNew Zealand 74 pNetherlands 73 pAustralia 72 pJapan 67 pEngland 67 pItaly 64 pRussian Federation 63 pBelgium (Flemish) 63 pHungary 62 pLatvia 62 pLithuania 60 OScotland 59 OHong Kong, SAR 58 ONorway 58 OInternational average 58 OCyprus 54 OChinese Taipei 53 qSlovenia 52 qMoldova, Republic of 51 qArmenia 46 qPhilippines 41 qIran, Islamic Republic of 35 qMorocco 23 qTunisia 19 q

136

Student Responses


Correct Response:

Organismsthatgivebirthorlayeggs(continued)Item Number: S031252

137





138


Incorrect Response:



139







sCORInGNote: To receive credit, responses must state a specific benefit to plants. Credit is given both for pollination or reproduction in flowering plants as well as other more general benefits of ‘insects’ in gardens. Responses that refertopollen but with no or inadequate description of the benefit to plants are scored as incorrect. Specific organisms named (e.g., worms, spiders) do not have to be ‘insects’ in order to be considered as correct as long as the benefit to plants is correct.

Garden: why insects are important for flowering plants



S031443

Rebecca noticed that the leaves on her rose bushes were getting eaten byinsects as shown in the picture below.

Rebecca was planning to use insect spray to kill the insects. Her friendGwen said that the insect spray might kill other insects that are importantfor some of the flowering plants in the garden.

Why are some insects important for flowering plants?

insects

End of Garden section.

Russian Federation 41 pHungary 39 pLatvia 37 pNetherlands 33 pItaly 28 pLithuania 28 pUnited States 27 pAustralia 26 OChinese Taipei 24 OJapan 24 OBelgium (Flemish) 24 OEngland 22 OSlovenia 21 OInternational average 21 OHong Kong, SAR 19 ONew Zealand 19 OSingapore 18 OMoldova, Republic of 17 OCyprus 14 qIran, Islamic Republic of 14 qArmenia 13 qNorway 10 qPhilippines 10 qScotland 10 qMorocco 5 qTunisia 3 q

140


Garden: why insects are important for flowering plants (continued)Item Number: S031443

sCORInG(continued)Correct Response

• States that some insects (e.g., butterflies, bees) are needed for pollination or reproduction ofplants(orsimilar).Examples:Beescarrythepollenfromoneflowertoanotherflower. Some insects are important because plants can’t reproduce without them. They take the pollen to others of the same species. Bees pollinate the plants.

• statesthatsomeinsectseatotherinsectsthatarebadforplants(orsimilar).Examples: They will eat all the bad bugs in the garden. Some insects are important because they eat other insects. Spiders and ladybugs will eat the bugs that are killing the plants.

• OthercorrectExamples:Wormsdigintothesoilandbringinairfortheplants.

Incorrect Response

• Givesonlyageneral/vagueresponserelatedtoinsectshelpingplantswithinadequatedescription.Examples: Some insects are helpful to plants. They need them to grow.

• Names a specific insect important to plants but with no specific benefit to plants given.Examples:Bees,ladybugs,butterflies,etc.

• Refers to pollen but with no or inadequate description of the benefit to plants.Examples: Bees need pollen. Bees are for pollen. They produce the right kind of pollen for the plant.


141

Student Responses



Correct Response:

142



Incorrect Response:


Correct Response:

143







ofOrganismsFactualKnowledge

insectcorrectlypairedwithitsyoungform


D

S031017

Which of these insects is correctly paired with its young form?

Housefly Grasshopper ButterflyMosquito

a b c d

United States 91 pSingapore 90 pJapan 89 pAustralia 84 pEngland 84 pRussian Federation 82 pNew Zealand 81 pHungary 80 pChinese Taipei 79 pNorway 79 pScotland 78 OHong Kong, SAR 76 OBelgium (Flemish) 75 OLatvia 74 ONetherlands 73 OInternational average 73 OCyprus 72 OItaly 71 OMoldova, Republic of 70 OSlovenia 69 OLithuania 66 qPhilippines 62 qArmenia 55 qIran, Islamic Republic of 51 qTunisia 26 qMorocco 0 q

Correct Response:

144






lIFe sCIenCeDiversity,Adaptation,andNaturalselection

FactualKnowledge

Plantfoundintropicalrainforest


B

S031287

Which of these types of plants are usually found growing in atropical rain forest?

a b

c d

Netherlands 92 pHungary 88 pUnited States 86 pLatvia 85 pAustralia 82 pLithuania 81 pEngland 80 pBelgium (Flemish) 80 pItaly 79 pMoldova, Republic of 77 pRussian Federation 73 pScotland 71 pNew Zealand 70 pNorway 67 pSingapore 65 OInternational average 63 OChinese Taipei 62 OHong Kong, SAR 54 qSlovenia 47 qArmenia 41 qJapan 39 qPhilippines 38 qCyprus 35 qIran, Islamic Republic of 29 qMorocco 26 qTunisia 23 q

Correct Response:

145






lIFe sCIenCeDiversity,Adaptation,andNaturalselection

ReasoningandAnalysis

Physicalfeaturetogetridofbodyheat


D

S031284

Animals usually have physical features that help them live in certainplaces. Look at the picture shown above. This animal lives in a hot desert.

What physical feature does this animal have that helps it lose heat?

a a thick coat of fur

b a bushy tail

c small eyes

d large ears

Lithuania 52 pLatvia 48 pScotland 48 pUnited States 44 pEngland 44 pNorway 41 pNew Zealand 40 pAustralia 38 ORussian Federation 37 OSlovenia 36 OJapan 35 OBelgium (Flemish) 35 ONetherlands 34 OInternational average 33 OChinese Taipei 29 qMorocco 29 OHong Kong, SAR 28 qCyprus 23 qSingapore 23 qPhilippines 22 qArmenia 20 qItaly 18 qTunisia 18 qIran, Islamic Republic of 12 qHungary 0 qMoldova, Republic of 0 q

146






Garden: why plants need light to grow



• statesthatplantsneedlightinorderundergophotosynthesisORmaketheirownfood(orsimilar).Examples: Plants make food using light. It’s for photosynthesis. They won’t make food if there is no light. To make food Sunlight gives them food. Plants get their food using sunlight.

• statesthatplantsneedlightforenergy(orsimilar).Examples: Sunlight is the source of energy for all living things. The Sun warms the plant and gives it energy. They turn the Sun’s rays into energy. Plants get energy from the Sun.

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

Givesonlyageneralresponserelatedtoplantsneedinglightinordertolive/grow(giveninthestem).Examples: Plants will wilt and die without light. They cannot grow without it. To live. Light makes it grow.

• Mentionsonly the need for heat/warmth. [No mention of energy.]Examples: The heat from the sun helps them grow. Living things need warmth.


a. lIFe sCIenCe ecosystems Conceptual Understanding

B.LiFesCieNCe Types,Characteristics,and Classification of Living Things FactualKnowledge

S031439

Rebecca moved into a new house. She wanted to grow plants in differentareas of her garden.

A. Rebecca knows that plants need light to grow.Why do plants need light to grow?

B. Plants also need water to grow.Name one other thing plants need in order to grow well.


S031439





Singapore 69 pHong Kong, SAR 40 pChinese Taipei 32 pItaly 28 pUnited States 25 pHungary 20 OMoldova, Republic of 20 OEngland 20 OInternational average 16 OIran, Islamic Republic of 15 OArmenia 14 OJapan 13 qLatvia 13 ONetherlands 12 qLithuania 11 qPhilippines 11 qAustralia 10 qCyprus 9 qRussian Federation 9 qNew Zealand 8 qNorway 7 qSlovenia 6 qScotland 6 qBelgium (Flemish) 6 qTunisia 5 qMorocco 3 q

147

Student Responses


Garden: why plants need light to grow (continued)Item Number: S031439A

Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

148






Garden: one other thing plants need to grow



• States fertilizer, nutrients, minerals, plant ‘food’ (or similar term meaning nutrients).

• statesair(oxygenorcarbondioxide).

• statessoil,dirt,earth(orsimilar).

• statespropertemperature(heat,warmth,etc.).

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

• Repeatslight,sunlightorsun.

• Repeatswater,moistureorsimilar.


A.LiFesCieNCe ecosystems ConceptualUnderstanding

B. lIFe sCIenCe Types, Characteristics, and Classification of Living Things Factual Knowledge

S031439





S031439





Japan 67 pSingapore 66 pNetherlands 64 pEngland 64 pUnited States 61 pHungary 57 pLatvia 57 pAustralia 55 pChinese Taipei 51 pIran, Islamic Republic of 50 OSlovenia 50 OScotland 49 OHong Kong, SAR 48 ONew Zealand 48 OItaly 45 OInternational average 45 ORussian Federation 43 OBelgium (Flemish) 42 ONorway 38 qLithuania 35 qCyprus 32 qMoldova, Republic of 30 qTunisia 27 qArmenia 22 qPhilippines 15 qMorocco 11 q

149

Student Responses


Garden: one other thing plants need to grow (continued)Item Number: S031439B

Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Correct Response:

150






lIFe sCIenCe ecosystems FactualKnowledge

Herbivorousanimal


D

S011010

Which animal eats only plants?

a Cat

b Dog

c Lion

d Rabbit

Hungary 99 pLatvia 98 pRussian Federation 98 pLithuania 97 pChinese Taipei 95 pHong Kong, SAR 95 pItaly 95 pSingapore 95 pArmenia 94 OCyprus 94 pNetherlands 94 ONew Zealand 94 OSlovenia 94 OUnited States 94 pAustralia 92 ONorway 92 OEngland 92 OBelgium (Flemish) 92 OInternational average 92 OMoldova, Republic of 91 OJapan 90 qScotland 90 qIran, Islamic Republic of 88 qMorocco 82 qTunisia 82 qPhilippines 77 q

Correct Response:

151






C


Wheretadpolegetsitsfood

lIFe sCIenCe ecosystems FactualKnowledge

S031338

The picture above shows a pond and some of the organisms that live in andaround the pond. They all depend on each other for food. The tadpole mostlikely gets its food from which of the following?

a sun

b fish

c duckweed plant

d heron

Heron

Sun

Fish Tadpole

Duckweed Plant

Chinese Taipei 90 pJapan 87 pItaly 84 pBelgium (Flemish) 84 pSingapore 83 pEngland 83 pScotland 82 pLithuania 81 pNetherlands 81 pRussian Federation 81 pUnited States 81 pAustralia 80 pHong Kong, SAR 79 pHungary 78 pMoldova, Republic of 77 pNew Zealand 76 pNorway 73 OInternational average 72 OCyprus 65 qSlovenia 65 qLatvia 61 qIran, Islamic Republic of 57 qArmenia 49 qMorocco 47 qPhilippines 43 qTunisia 35 q

152






lIFe sCIenCe ecosystems ReasoningandAnalysis

Garden: why roses will not grow under oak trees


S031441_1

Rebecca wanted to plant each area with different types of plants. Shecollected pictures of her favorite plants and found out how much sunlightthey needed to grow well. She put the pictures and the information shefound into a scrap book as shown below.

A. Rebecca wanted to grow roses in Area 1 under the oak trees. Her friendGwen disagreed and told her that the roses would not grow well inArea 1. Explain why Gwen says this.

This Garden question continues.

Light needed to grow well Light needed to grow well

Fern

Rose

Wood rush

Shade

Sun all day

Part shade

Shrub

Shooting Star

Tomato plant

Afternoon sun

Morning sun

Sun all day

Continued

Netherlands 82 pChinese Taipei 78 pJapan 77 pSingapore 77 pEngland 75 pLatvia 72 pBelgium (Flemish) 72 pUnited States 71 pAustralia 70 pHungary 70 pNew Zealand 67 pHong Kong, SAR 63 pLithuania 60 ORussian Federation 60 OScotland 57 OInternational average 55 OSlovenia 52 OItaly 51 OMoldova, Republic of 50 OCyprus 43 qNorway 42 qIran, Islamic Republic of 27 qPhilippines 19 qArmenia 17 qTunisia 9 qMorocco 8 q

153


Garden: why roses will not grow under oak trees (continued)Item Number: S031441A


S031441_2

B. Look at the information for each plant given in Rebecca’s scrap book andthe plan of her garden above. Write the names of the plants that wouldgrow best in each area in the boxes below.

Area 4

Area 3

Area 2

Area 1 SouthHouse

oak trees

Pond

North

EastWest

Area 4

Area 1

Area 3

Area 2


154



sCORInGNote: Responses that refer to the amount of light or shade in Area 1 either explicitly or implicitly by referringtotheneedforsungivenintheinformationinthescrapbookshouldbescoredascorrect.ResponsesthatrefertotheoaktreesWiTHOUTanymentionoflightorshadearescoredasincorrect.

Correct Response

• Referstotherenotbeingenoughlight(ortoomuchshade)inArea1fortherosestogrow(explicitlyorimplicitly).Examples: Because the oak trees will block out the sun. The trees will provide too much shade. There isn’t much light in Area 1. Roses need lots of sun to grow. Because it needs sun all day. They would not get much sun. Too much shade.

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

• Refers only to the oak trees. [No explicit reference to light/shade.]Examples: Because of the oak trees. There is no room for roses under the oak trees. The oak trees soak up all the water.


155



Correct Response:

Student Responses

156


Incorrect Response:



157






Garden: plants that grow well in four areas

S031441_1

Rebecca wanted to plant each area with different types of plants. Shecollected pictures of her favorite plants and found out how much sunlightthey needed to grow well. She put the pictures and the information shefound into a scrap book as shown below.

A. Rebecca wanted to grow roses in Area 1 under the oak trees. Her friendGwen disagreed and told her that the roses would not grow well inArea 1. Explain why Gwen says this.

This Garden question continues.

Light needed to grow well Light needed to grow well

Fern

Rose

Wood rush

Shade

Sun all day

Part shade

Shrub

Shooting Star

Tomato plant

Afternoon sun

Morning sun

Sun all day

Continued


lIFe sCIenCe ecosystems ReasoningandAnalysis

Japan 25 pChinese Taipei 23 pUnited States 23 pNetherlands 22 pEngland 22 pAustralia 20 pHungary 20 pRussian Federation 20 pNew Zealand 19 pLatvia 18 OSingapore 18 pBelgium (Flemish) 18 pHong Kong, SAR 15 OSlovenia 14 OInternational average 13 OItaly 12 OScotland 11 OLithuania 9 qNorway 7 qMoldova, Republic of 6 qCyprus 4 qArmenia 2 qIran, Islamic Republic of 2 qMorocco 2 qTunisia 2 qPhilippines 1 q

158


Garden: plants that grow well in four areas (continued)Item Number: S031441B


S031441_2

B. Look at the information for each plant given in Rebecca’s scrap book andthe plan of her garden above. Write the names of the plants that wouldgrow best in each area in the boxes below.

Area 4

Area 3

Area 2

Area 1 SouthHouse

oak trees

Pond

North

EastWest

Area 4

Area 1

Area 3

Area 2


159




• Identifies the correct plant(s) in all four areas:

Area 1 (shade or part shade): fern or wood rush

Area 2 (sun all day): rose or tomato plant

Area 3 (morning sun or part shade): shooting star or wood rush

Area 4 (afternoon sun or part shade): shrub or wood rush

[Consistent with correct identification of morning sun on the East (Area 3) given in previous question.]

• As above but plants in Areas 3 and 4 are reversed.

[Consistent with an incorrect identification of morning sun on the West (Area 4) given in previous question.

Partial Response

• Identifies correct plants in at least one area but less than four areas.

Incorrect Response


160

Student Responses



Correct Response:

161





162


Incorrect Response:



Correct Response:

163






lIFe sCIenCe HumanHealth ConceptualUnderstanding

Washinghands


S011031

How can washing your hands help keep you from getting sick?

a It washes away germs.

b It makes your hands look nice.

c It keeps your skin from drying out.

d It makes your hands warmer.

Chinese Taipei 98 pJapan 98 pHong Kong, SAR 97 pUnited States 97 pEngland 96 pScotland 96 pLatvia 95 pNew Zealand 95 pRussian Federation 95 pItaly 94 pSingapore 94 pAustralia 92 pLithuania 92 pCyprus 91 pSlovenia 89 ONetherlands 87 OHungary 86 ONorway 86 OInternational average 86 OIran, Islamic Republic of 84 OMoldova, Republic of 84 OArmenia 69 qBelgium (Flemish) 67 qPhilippines 62 qMorocco 58 qTunisia 47 q

a

164







sCORInGNote: To be correct, responses must mention a specific effect. General or vague responses that refer onlytoillness,etc.,shouldbescoredasincorrect.

Correct Response

• Mentionsskincancerorcancer.Examples: They will get sunburn or sun cancer and might die. They might get skin cancer. Cancer.

• Mentionssunburn,tanning,orsimilar.Examples: They will get sunburn. Sunburn and heat rash. The sun could burn their skin and their skin would turn red. They can get a sun tan if they are not protected from the sun. Their skin can get burned from the sun. Their skin changes into a darker color when they lie in the sun for a long time.

• Mentionsaheat-relatedillnesssuchassunstroke,dehydration,heatrash,orsimilar.Examples: People can get heat stroke from the hot sun. Heat rash. Stroke could happen.

• OthercorrectExamples: You could go blind if you looked directly into the sun. Sun allergy.

Incorrect Response

• Mentions only the sun causing illness (or similar). [No specific effect identified.]Examples: Getting too much sun makes you feel sick. It can make people ill. It’s bad for the whole body.


Protectionfromthesun

lIFe sCIenCe HumanHealth ConceptualUnderstanding

S031330

People need to protect themselves from getting too much sun. Name onething that can happen to their bodies if they are not protected from the sun.

Netherlands 87 pEngland 84 pNew Zealand 83 pAustralia 81 pHungary 81 pScotland 80 pUnited States 79 pLithuania 78 pLatvia 77 pBelgium (Flemish) 76 pSlovenia 74 pItaly 72 pSingapore 72 pNorway 71 pCyprus 69 pRussian Federation 69 OJapan 67 OChinese Taipei 66 OInternational average 65 OHong Kong, SAR 61 OMoldova, Republic of 57 qIran, Islamic Republic of 47 qArmenia 41 qTunisia 22 qPhilippines 21 qMorocco 7 q

165

Student Responses


Protectionfromthesun(continued)Item Number: S031330

Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Correct Response:

166







Plantgrownforfood

lIFe sCIenCe HumanHealth FactualKnowledge

S011021

Which plant is grown for food?

a Rice

b Tobacco

c Orchid

d Cotton

Chinese Taipei 99 pHong Kong, SAR 96 pRussian Federation 96 pLithuania 93 pLatvia 92 pCyprus 88 pHungary 88 pJapan 88 pMoldova, Republic of 88 pArmenia 87 pIran, Islamic Republic of 87 pItaly 85 pSingapore 84 OEngland 84 OScotland 84 ONorway 83 OSlovenia 83 OInternational average 82 ONetherlands 80 OPhilippines 75 qUnited States 75 qBelgium (Flemish) 74 qAustralia 72 qNew Zealand 65 qMorocco 58 qTunisia 49 q

a

Correct Response:

167






lIFe sCIenCe ReproductionandHeredity ConceptualUnderstanding

effectonadultheight


S011033

What will most likely affect your adult height?

a The height of your parents

b The height of your brothers and sisters

c Your hair color

d Your weight

Russian Federation 75 pNetherlands 68 pNorway 61 pLithuania 59 pSlovenia 57 pItaly 56 pMoldova, Republic of 51 pLatvia 49 pEngland 49 pHungary 48 pBelgium (Flemish) 45 ONew Zealand 44 OInternational average 43 OIran, Islamic Republic of 42 OAustralia 41 OSingapore 41 OUnited States 38 qScotland 38 qArmenia 35 qPhilippines 29 qCyprus 27 qChinese Taipei 26 qHong Kong, SAR 25 qJapan 25 qTunisia 22 qMorocco 20 q

a

Correct Response:

168






lIFe sCIenCe ReproductionandHeredity ConceptualUnderstanding

explainyellowcolorofaplant


B

S031269

A plant has yellow flowers. What best explains why the flowersare yellow?

a The sunshine colored the flowers yellow.

b The flowers of the parent plants were yellow.

c It was very warm when they flowered.

d It rained every day.

Italy 79 pLithuania 77 pCyprus 70 pRussian Federation 66 pSingapore 64 pLatvia 63 pHungary 62 pJapan 62 pArmenia 60 pHong Kong, SAR 60 pBelgium (Flemish) 59 pMoldova, Republic of 58 ONetherlands 57 OEngland 56 ONorway 54 OInternational average 54Chinese Taipei 53 OUnited States 46 qAustralia 43 qSlovenia 43 qScotland 43 qNew Zealand 42 qPhilippines 38 qMorocco 29 qIran, Islamic Republic of 28 qTunisia 28 q

Correct Response:

169






D


Body’suseofexcessfood

lIFe sCIenCestructure,Function,andLife

ProcessesinOrganismsConceptualUnderstanding

S011004

If the body takes in more food than it uses,

a breathing becomes faster.

b weight is lost.

c the heart rate increases.

d the food is stored as fat.

Japan 86 pLithuania 82 pHungary 81 pNetherlands 80 pHong Kong, SAR 77 pLatvia 76 pSingapore 76 pUnited States 76 pEngland 76 pBelgium (Flemish) 76 pNew Zealand 75 pScotland 75 pItaly 74 pMoldova, Republic of 74 pNorway 74 pRussian Federation 71 OSlovenia 71 OChinese Taipei 70 OInternational average 69 OAustralia 68 OArmenia 58 qCyprus 56 qIran, Islamic Republic of 46 qTunisia 41 qPhilippines 40 qMorocco 39 q

Correct Response:

170








Teeth


D

S011015

The teeth that people use for grinding their food are labeled in the pictureas

a 1 only

b 3 only

c 1 and 2

d 3 and 4

1

2 2

2 2

3

3 3

4

44

4 Upper Teeth

Lower Teeth

1

3

Japan 90 pNetherlands 88 pLithuania 87 pSingapore 86 pRussian Federation 84 pHong Kong, SAR 82 pHungary 82 pLatvia 82 pChinese Taipei 81 pUnited States 81 pMoldova, Republic of 80 pBelgium (Flemish) 79 pInternational average 74 OEngland 73 OCyprus 72 OIran, Islamic Republic of 72 ONew Zealand 71 OArmenia 70 qItaly 70 OScotland 70 ONorway 69 qAustralia 68 qSlovenia 68 qPhilippines 54 qTunisia 45 qMorocco 43 q

Correct Response:

171






D


Plantsandwaterabsorption



S011026

Which part of the plant takes in the MOST water?

a Part A

b Part B

c Part C

d Part D

Part B

Part D

Part A

Part C

Hungary 95 pJapan 94 pCyprus 92 pMoldova, Republic of 92 pArmenia 91 pAustralia 90 OEngland 90 pLatvia 89 ONew Zealand 89 pRussian Federation 89 OSlovenia 89 pItaly 88 ONetherlands 88 OUnited States 88 pHong Kong, SAR 87 ONorway 87 OBelgium (Flemish) 87 OChinese Taipei 86 OLithuania 86 OInternational average 86 OSingapore 85 OScotland 83 qPhilippines 82 OMorocco 75 qIran, Islamic Republic of 74 qTunisia 64 q

172








• statesthatthebodyreleasessweatorequivalent.Examples: Her body sweats to cool down. She sweats. Sweat. It gives off sweat. Perspire

• OthercorrectExamples: Blood vessels dilate.

Incorrect Response

• Refersonlytovoluntaryorexternalactivities.Examples:Shecouldjumpintoalake. Beth could fan her hand in front of her face. Drink water. She needs to rest. Take a shower. Shecouldtakeherjacketoff. Do a cool down exercise.

• Otherincorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegible,orofftask)Examples: Her heart beats faster.

Whatthebodydoestocooldown



S031246

Beth is playing soccer. She gets very hot. Name one thing her body does tocool down.

Hong Kong, SAR 55 pNetherlands 45 pUnited States 38 pRussian Federation 36 pAustralia 32 pEngland 32 pLatvia 30 pItaly 29 pNew Zealand 29 pScotland 29 pChinese Taipei 27 pBelgium (Flemish) 26 OSingapore 25 ONorway 24 OSlovenia 24 OInternational average 24 OArmenia 21 OJapan 20 qMoldova, Republic of 19 qHungary 12 qLithuania 12 qIran, Islamic Republic of 9 qCyprus 8 qTunisia 4 qMorocco 3 qPhilippines 2 q

173

Student Responses


Whatthebodydoestocooldown(continued)Item Number: S031246

Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Correct Response:

174







ProcessesinOrganismsFactualKnowledge

Airwhenapersonbreathes


C

S011025

Where does air go when a person breathes in?

a Into the heart

b Into the stomach

c Into the lungs

d Into the liver

Lithuania 95 pHungary 94 pRussian Federation 93 pHong Kong, SAR 92 pItaly 92 pLatvia 92 pSlovenia 91 pEngland 91 pAustralia 90 pMoldova, Republic of 90 pNorway 89 pUnited States 89 pScotland 89 pSingapore 88 pNew Zealand 87 pNetherlands 86 pCyprus 84 OBelgium (Flemish) 84 OInternational average 83 OIran, Islamic Republic of 81 OArmenia 76 qTunisia 68 qChinese Taipei 67 qMorocco 67 qJapan 58 qPhilippines 39 q

Correct Response:

175







ProcessesinOrganismsFactualKnowledge

interpretationofsenses


S012033

Humans interpret seeing, hearing, tasting and smelling in the

a brain

b spinal cord

c receptors

d skin

Russian Federation 84 pMoldova, Republic of 82 pNorway 79 pHong Kong, SAR 77 pHungary 75 pEngland 69 pBelgium (Flemish) 69 pNew Zealand 68 pAustralia 67 pUnited States 66 pScotland 65 pSingapore 64 pJapan 62 OLatvia 61 OInternational average 59 ONetherlands 52 qMorocco 48 qChinese Taipei 46 qItaly 43 qSlovenia 40 qPhilippines 39 qLithuania 38 qIran, Islamic Republic of 37 qTunisia 23 qArmenia 0 qCyprus 0 q

a

Correct Response:

176







ProcessesinOrganismsReasoningandAnalysis

Pulse/breathingrateafterexercise


C

S012

010

Immediately before and after running a 50 meter race, your pulse and

breathing rates are taken. What changes would you expect to find?

a no change in pulse but a decrease in breathing rate

b an increase in pulse but no change in breathing rate

c an increase in pulse and breathing rate

d a decrease in pulse and breathing rate

e no change in either

Chinese Taipei 92 pNetherlands 86 pHong Kong, SAR 85 pSingapore 85 pLithuania 78 pNorway 77 pSlovenia 77 pHungary 74 pEngland 73 pJapan 72 pRussian Federation 72 pLatvia 70 OAustralia 67 OInternational average 67 OUnited States 65 OItaly 63 ONew Zealand 63 qScotland 63 OArmenia 60 qMoldova, Republic of 59 qBelgium (Flemish) 58 qCyprus 52 qIran, Islamic Republic of 52 qTunisia 48 qMorocco 47 qPhilippines 29 q

177







• statesthattheseedswereblownintothegarden(bythewind)orsimilar.Examples: The wind blew them. Theyflewintothegarden. They were carried through the air. Someoneblewtheplantforwishesandtheseedsflewoff.

• OthercorrectExamples: Birds could have dropped them.

Incorrect Response

• statesonlythatsomeoneplantedtheseedsthere(orsimilar).Examples: Rebecca must have planted them and forgot about it. Somebody else put them there.

• States only that the seeds came from a plant. [No method of dispersal included.]Examples: The seeds fell from the plant. Some other plants might have grown the seeds. She got them from another plant.



Garden: how seeds get into garden


ProcessesinOrganismsReasoningandAnalysis

S031442

Rebecca planted her garden. After a few months, she noticed some plantsgrowing that she had not planted. She knew that the plants must havegrown from seeds. She collected some seeds from one of the plants. Theplant and seeds are shown in the picture below.

How did the seeds most likely get into her garden?


Plant Seeds

Japan 81 pChinese Taipei 69 pNetherlands 68 pBelgium (Flemish) 61 pEngland 59 pLithuania 58 pRussian Federation 57 pHungary 56 pLatvia 56 pHong Kong, SAR 53 pUnited States 47 pSlovenia 43 OItaly 42 OInternational average 42 OMoldova, Republic of 40 OAustralia 39 OSingapore 39 ONew Zealand 34 qNorway 33 qScotland 33 qCyprus 27 qArmenia 18 qIran, Islamic Republic of 11 qPhilippines 10 qTunisia 5 qMorocco 3 q

178

Student Responses


Garden: how seeds get into garden (continued)Item Number: S031442

Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Correct Response:

179







B

lIFe sCIenCeTypes,Characteristics,and

Classification of Living ThingsConceptualUnderstanding

Whichdoesn’tlayeggs

S011016

Which one of these animals does NOT lay eggs?

a chickens

b dogs

c frogs

d turtles

Singapore 97 pUnited States 97 pBelgium (Flemish) 97 pAustralia 96 pRussian Federation 96 pScotland 96 pItaly 95 pLithuania 95 pEngland 95 pChinese Taipei 94 pLatvia 94 pNorway 94 pJapan 93 pNew Zealand 92 pMoldova, Republic of 91 ONetherlands 91 OSlovenia 91 OHungary 90 OHong Kong, SAR 89 OInternational average 89 OCyprus 88 OArmenia 82 qIran, Islamic Republic of 79 qPhilippines 75 qMorocco 69 qTunisia 52 q

180







Classification of Living ThingsConceptualUnderstanding

Areplantslivingornonliving



• lIVInGwithacorrectexplanationthatreferstoreproduction,responsetostimuliorcellularstructure(orsimilar).Examples: They reproduce. They respond to light (a stimulus). They are made up of cells. Plants can move, grow and reproduce. They reproduce and respond to changes.

• lIVInGwithacorrectexplanationthatreferstobasicneeds,life/deathcycle,growth,movement,functions,etc.Examples: They make their own food. They breathe. They grow. They require air (oxygen). They need light to grow. They need air, water and food or they will die. They can die. They eat and drink.

Note: Some human terms for function are accepted as applied to plants even if they are not strictly correct. For example, ‘breathe’ is accepted as meaning that plants take in air (oxygen, carbon dioxide) and ‘drink’ is accepted as meaning that plants take in water.

• Othercorrect

Incorrect Response

• lIVInGwithnoexplanationoranincorrectexplanation.Examples: They are green. Because of sun and rain.

• NON-LIVINGwithorwithoutexplanation.

Otherincorrect(includingcrossedout/erased,straymarks,illegible,orofftask)

S031218

Are plants living or nonliving?

(Check one box.)

C Living

C Nonliving


Singapore 84 pJapan 77 pLatvia 72 pItaly 71 pNetherlands 70 pHungary 66 pChinese Taipei 65 pBelgium (Flemish) 64 pSlovenia 63 pEngland 63 pNew Zealand 61 pAustralia 60 pUnited States 60 pHong Kong, SAR 57 OLithuania 55 OInternational average 53 OScotland 50 OCyprus 48 qMoldova, Republic of 43 qNorway 41 qIran, Islamic Republic of 40 qRussian Federation 40 qArmenia 32 qTunisia 20 qPhilippines 19 qMorocco 14 q

181

Student Responses


Areplantslivingornonliving(continued)Item Number: S031218

Correct Response:

Incorrect Response:

Correct Response:

182







Groupthatconsistsonlyoflivingthings


Classification of Living ThingsFactualKnowledge

S031212

Which group consists only of living things?

a rabbit, seed, bird

b seed, bird, wind

c volcano, candle, rabbit

d wind, candle, volcano

Italy 89 pSingapore 89 pHong Kong, SAR 87 pJapan 87 pRussian Federation 86 pHungary 84 pLatvia 78 pMoldova, Republic of 76 pChinese Taipei 72 pNetherlands 72 OUnited States 72 pEngland 72 OCyprus 69 OScotland 69 OInternational average 69 OAustralia 65 OLithuania 65 qNew Zealand 64 qBelgium (Flemish) 64 qIran, Islamic Republic of 61 qArmenia 58 qSlovenia 58 qNorway 50 qPhilippines 49 qMorocco 41 qTunisia 40 q

a

Correct Response:

183







Classification of Living ThingsFactualKnowledge

Whichareinsects


S031349

Which of these are insects?

a 1 and 3 only

b 1 and 4 only

c 2 and 4 only

d 3 and 4 only

1 2 3 4

Lithuania 94 pSingapore 92 pItaly 91 pJapan 91 pRussian Federation 91 pUnited States 91 pNorway 90 pChinese Taipei 89 pNetherlands 89 pBelgium (Flemish) 89 pAustralia 88 pHungary 86 pEngland 86 pCyprus 85 pMoldova, Republic of 85 pNew Zealand 85 pLatvia 84 pScotland 83 OHong Kong, SAR 81 OInternational average 81 OSlovenia 79 OIran, Islamic Republic of 76 qPhilippines 64 qArmenia 59 qTunisia 49 qMorocco 35 q

a

Item Index 1995Content Domain Page

Earth Science N1 Temperature/precipitationtable 3

O4 Moonshiningatnight 4

O9 Snowonmountain 5

Y1 Sizeofsunandmoon 6

Z1A Riverontheplain:goodplaceforfarming 7

Z1B Riverontheplain:badplaceforfarming 8

Life Science N2 Whicharelivingthings 9

N3 Bodytemperature 10

N5 Wheredoesbirdlive 11

N6 Wheredoesbabychickgetfood 12

O2 Whydidseedsnotsprout 13

O3 Stagesofplantgrowth 14

O7 Whichanimalproducesmilk 15

P1 Adultstageofcaterpillar 16

P2 Plantsfoundinverydryplaces 17

P8 Birdsdifferentfrominsects 18

P9 Seedsinplants 19

Q1 Changesinbutterflyeggs 20

Q2 Whyeatfruitsandvegetables 21

Q5 Animalbreathesfaster 22

Q6 Whichisnotaninsect 23

R3 Insectcarriespollen 24

R4 Whyusesunscreen 25

R6 Whichanimalhasbackbone 26

R7 Worminbox 27

W2 Functionoftheheart 28

W3 Thirstonahotday 29

W4 Humanskull 30

X2 Animalsandplants 31

X4 Stagesinfrog’sgrowth 32

X5 Inwhichgroupdofishbelong 33

Y2A Changesinchildren’sbodies:onechange 34

Y2B Changesinchildren’sbodies:twochanges 35

Y3A Waysanimalsprotectthemselves:oneway 36

Y3B Waysanimalsprotectthemselves:twoways 37

Z2 Structuralfeaturesofanimals 38

Content Domain Page

Physical Science N4 Blockfloatinginwater 39

N7 Girl’ssourceofenergy 40

N8 Powderwithwhite/blackspecks 41

N9 Whichboxhasleastmass 42

O1 Balanceonseesaw 43

O5 Whatwouldreflectionlooklike 44

O8 Mixtureofironandsand 45

P3 Whatisnotenergysource 46

P4 Beakeronscale 47

P5 Magnetandcoffee 48

P7 Whattravelsfastest 49

Q3 Whichdoesn’tchangeinwetground 50

Q4 Glassovercandle 51

Q8 Pencilinthemirror 52

Q9 Whydoesliquidinthermometerrise 53

R1 Tippedwateringcan 54

R5 Soundthroughstring 55

R8 Whichproduceslight 56

R9 Advantageofsolarenergy 57

W1 Dissolvesugar 58

X1 Twobowlsofsoup 59

Z3 Weightsofthreeblocks 60

Environmental Issues and the Nature of ScienceO6 Howcomputershelp 61

P6 Growingseedsinlightordark 62

Q7 Observationsofobjectsinbag 63

R2 Whichbulbisbrightest 64

W5A Reducingairpollution:oneway 65

W5B Reducingairpollution:twoways 66

X3 Oilspills 67

Content Domain Page

Physical Science S011008 Whichdecaysfastest 68

S031061 Candleflamelasttogoout 69

S031420 Activitythatresultsinnewmaterial 70

S011006 Whatstrongmagnetsseparate 71

S031035 Commonsubstancesthatdissolveinwater 72

S031406A Objectsmadeofmetals/name 73

S031406B Objectsmadeofmetals/property 75

S031409 Truestatementforallobjects 77

S031053 Identifywood,rockandiron 78

S031038 Whichbulbwilllight 81

S031306 Figurewheretwomagnetsrepel 82

S011011 Renewableenergysource 83

S011001 Objectsfloatinginwater 84

S031313 Whichcanmakeobjectsrepel 85

S011009 Weightonscale 86

S011014 Whymadeofcopper 87

S031072 Twothingswrongwiththeshadow 88

S011029 Whichcouldcauserainbow 93

S011017 Soapbubbles 94

S011030 Boilingwater 95

S031370 Differencebetweensolidsandliquids 96

S031372A Solid,liquid,andgasinacontainer/identify 98

S031372B Solid,liquid,andgasinacontainer/explain 101

S031005 Closedglassbottlefilledwithwater 106

Earth Science S011027 Whichdiagramshowsshadow 108

S011018 Whichishottest 109

S011022 Earth’smovement 110

S031060 Howmuchtimetonextfullmoon 111

S031440 Garden:whichsideofthehousegetsmostsun 112

S011032 Directionofwater 115

S031382 Watervaporwhenitgetscold 117

S011005 Wherearefossilsfound 119

S031383 Townwhereitismostlikelytosnow 120

S011007 Saltiestwater 121

S012007 LayersofEarth 122

S031082 Rockcarriedfarthestdowntheriver 123

S011003 Earth’ssurface 124

S011012 Gasweneedtobreathe 125

S011013 Ironandaluminum 126

S011023 Terry’srocks 127

S031379 Bestlocationtogrowcrops 128

Content Domain Page

Life Science S011019 Plantsandfishinriver 129

S031398 Wherewegetmineralstomakethings 131

S031003 Larvaefoundinabagofrice 132

S031251 Physicalchangeaschildrenbecomeadults 133

S031252 Organismsthatgivebirthorlayeggs 135

S031443 Garden:whyinsectsareimportant forfloweringplants 139

S031017 Insectcorrectlypairedwithitsyoungform 143

S031287 Plantfoundintropicalrainforest 144

S031284 Physicalfeaturetogetridofbodyheat 145

S031439A Garden:whyplantsneedlighttogrow 146

S031439B Garden:oneotherthingplantsneedtogrow 148

S011010 Herbivorousanimal 150

S031338 Wheretadpolegetsitsfood 151

S031441A Garden:whyroseswillnotgrowunderoaktrees 152

S031441B Garden:plantsthatgrowwellinfourareas 157

S011031 Washinghands 163

S031330 Protectionfromthesun 164

S011021 Plantgrownforfood 166

S011033 Effectonadultheight 167

S031269 Explainyellowcolorofaplant 168

S011004 Body’suseofexcessfood 169

S011015 Teeth 170

S011026 Plantsandwaterabsorption 171

S031246 Whatthebodydoestocooldown 172

S011025 Airwhenapersonbreathes 174

S012033 Interpretationofsenses 175

S012010 Pulse/breathingrateafterexercise 176

S031442 Garden:howseedsgetintogarden 177

S011016 Whichdoesn’tlayeggs 179

S031218 Areplantslivingornonliving 180

S031212 Groupthatconsistsonlyoflivingthings 182

S031349 Whichareinsects 183

Item Index 2003

Documents

SCIENCE CONCEPTS 4 SCIENCE ITEMS - National Center for ...nces.ed.gov/timss/pdf/TIMSS4_Science_ConceptsItems.pdf · 4 & SCIENCE CONCEPTS SCIENCE ITEMS The Science Concepts and Science