General Science PRAXIS 5435 Exam with Complete
Solutions
Identifying problems based on observations Correct answer-Causal question—what am I
seeing, what hypothesis might I test to learn more information about what I am seeing?
Forming and testing hypotheses Correct answer-Hypotheses make a prediction about
what will happen upon experimentation, but will not make inferences as to why something is
happening. I.e. As amount of physical exertion increases, heart rate will increase.
Development of theories, models and laws Correct answer-A theory is a thoroughly
vetted explanation for phenomena. It is not a name taken lightly, it is almost fact; no evidence
has arisen to disprove the theory. A model is a type of theory that attempts to explain how
something works. I.e. heliocentric model. A law is a theory that has been proven to be fact, such
as the laws of motion. It has been affirmed that no evidence will ever be brought forward to
disprove a law. Hypotheses become theories as they are tested and supported over time.
Theories become laws when it is clear no evidence will come forward to disprove them.
Experimental design, including independent and dependent variables, controls, and sources of
error Correct answer-The independent variable is the one and only thing about an
experimental setup that I am changing, in order to measure a dependent variable. I.e. I change
the amount of exercise, and heart rate changes as a result. Controls are what stays the same in
my experiment. I.e. how quickly I do jumping jacks, how many jumping jacks I do, that the same
person is doing the jumping jacks. Sources of error include anything that may be changing data
that is uncontrolled. I.e. food calorimetry lab, not all heat is being captured efficiently by the
water.
, General Science PRAXIS 5435 Exam with Complete
Solutions
Process skills including observing, comparing, inferring, categorizing, generalizing, and
concluding Correct answer-Observing; making observations and asking causal questions.
Comparing; evaluate two phenomena in light of each other
Inferring; using evidence to offer an explanation of why something is happening
Categorizing: using observations to organize information
Generalizing: knowing what can and cannot be included in a generalization
Concluding: drawing conclusions based on experimental evidence.
Nature of scientific knowledge: subject to change Correct answer-As new evidence is
gathered, previous conclusions may change to fit the evidence. We can't know things until we
make hypotheses, and those hypotheses may be disproven.
Nature of scientific knowledge: consistent with evidence Correct answer-We cannot call
something a scientific finding unless it is based on experimental evidence; anecdotal evidence is
insufficient.
Nature of scientific knowledge: based on reproducible evidence Correct answer-Evidence
has to be reproducible in an experimental setting. A one-time phenomenon is not enough to
come to scientific conclusions. I.e. "I drank a soda and did well on my exam" does not make
drinking soda a tried and true way to do well on an exam; it needs to be experimentally tested.
Nature of scientific knowledge: includes unifying concepts and processes (e.g., systems, models,
constancy and change, equilibrium, form and function) Correct answer-Consistent with
, General Science PRAXIS 5435 Exam with Complete
Solutions
previous knowledge. Fits with other systems and models. Is able to be disproven and/or
modified.
Common units of measurement (metric and English) including unit conversion and prefixes such
as milli and kilo Correct answer-Kilogram (kg) -- .5 kg in 1 pound
Second (s)
Kelvin (K)
Meter (m) - 0.3 m = 1 ft
Liter (L) - 0.9 L in 1 quart
Unit Prefixes from largest to smallest:
Giga
Mega
Kilo
Deci
Centi
Milli
Micro
Nano
Pico
Femto
, General Science PRAXIS 5435 Exam with Complete
Solutions
Organization and presentation of data Correct answer-Bar graph to compare numbers in
different groups.
Line graph to look at data over time.
Pie chart to compare parts of a whole.
Histogram to compare continuous numerical groups.
Dot plot a modification of bar graphs.
Labels on axes.
Basic data and error analysis including determining mean, accuracy, precision, and sources of
error Correct answer-Mean: total divided by number of groups/individuals. Accuracy:
correct results. Precision: same results repeatedly. Sources of error: Why does my data not look
how it should?
Trends in data Correct answer-Skewed? Right or left? Continuous growth or shrinking?
Relationships between variables Correct answer-Correlation vs. causation. We often
cannot conclude causation.
Predictions based on data Correct answer-What will happen in the future? What could
cause a change in the data?
Drawing valid conclusions based on data Correct answer-Drawing correlations between
variables while accounting for any error or confounding factors.
Solutions
Identifying problems based on observations Correct answer-Causal question—what am I
seeing, what hypothesis might I test to learn more information about what I am seeing?
Forming and testing hypotheses Correct answer-Hypotheses make a prediction about
what will happen upon experimentation, but will not make inferences as to why something is
happening. I.e. As amount of physical exertion increases, heart rate will increase.
Development of theories, models and laws Correct answer-A theory is a thoroughly
vetted explanation for phenomena. It is not a name taken lightly, it is almost fact; no evidence
has arisen to disprove the theory. A model is a type of theory that attempts to explain how
something works. I.e. heliocentric model. A law is a theory that has been proven to be fact, such
as the laws of motion. It has been affirmed that no evidence will ever be brought forward to
disprove a law. Hypotheses become theories as they are tested and supported over time.
Theories become laws when it is clear no evidence will come forward to disprove them.
Experimental design, including independent and dependent variables, controls, and sources of
error Correct answer-The independent variable is the one and only thing about an
experimental setup that I am changing, in order to measure a dependent variable. I.e. I change
the amount of exercise, and heart rate changes as a result. Controls are what stays the same in
my experiment. I.e. how quickly I do jumping jacks, how many jumping jacks I do, that the same
person is doing the jumping jacks. Sources of error include anything that may be changing data
that is uncontrolled. I.e. food calorimetry lab, not all heat is being captured efficiently by the
water.
, General Science PRAXIS 5435 Exam with Complete
Solutions
Process skills including observing, comparing, inferring, categorizing, generalizing, and
concluding Correct answer-Observing; making observations and asking causal questions.
Comparing; evaluate two phenomena in light of each other
Inferring; using evidence to offer an explanation of why something is happening
Categorizing: using observations to organize information
Generalizing: knowing what can and cannot be included in a generalization
Concluding: drawing conclusions based on experimental evidence.
Nature of scientific knowledge: subject to change Correct answer-As new evidence is
gathered, previous conclusions may change to fit the evidence. We can't know things until we
make hypotheses, and those hypotheses may be disproven.
Nature of scientific knowledge: consistent with evidence Correct answer-We cannot call
something a scientific finding unless it is based on experimental evidence; anecdotal evidence is
insufficient.
Nature of scientific knowledge: based on reproducible evidence Correct answer-Evidence
has to be reproducible in an experimental setting. A one-time phenomenon is not enough to
come to scientific conclusions. I.e. "I drank a soda and did well on my exam" does not make
drinking soda a tried and true way to do well on an exam; it needs to be experimentally tested.
Nature of scientific knowledge: includes unifying concepts and processes (e.g., systems, models,
constancy and change, equilibrium, form and function) Correct answer-Consistent with
, General Science PRAXIS 5435 Exam with Complete
Solutions
previous knowledge. Fits with other systems and models. Is able to be disproven and/or
modified.
Common units of measurement (metric and English) including unit conversion and prefixes such
as milli and kilo Correct answer-Kilogram (kg) -- .5 kg in 1 pound
Second (s)
Kelvin (K)
Meter (m) - 0.3 m = 1 ft
Liter (L) - 0.9 L in 1 quart
Unit Prefixes from largest to smallest:
Giga
Mega
Kilo
Deci
Centi
Milli
Micro
Nano
Pico
Femto
, General Science PRAXIS 5435 Exam with Complete
Solutions
Organization and presentation of data Correct answer-Bar graph to compare numbers in
different groups.
Line graph to look at data over time.
Pie chart to compare parts of a whole.
Histogram to compare continuous numerical groups.
Dot plot a modification of bar graphs.
Labels on axes.
Basic data and error analysis including determining mean, accuracy, precision, and sources of
error Correct answer-Mean: total divided by number of groups/individuals. Accuracy:
correct results. Precision: same results repeatedly. Sources of error: Why does my data not look
how it should?
Trends in data Correct answer-Skewed? Right or left? Continuous growth or shrinking?
Relationships between variables Correct answer-Correlation vs. causation. We often
cannot conclude causation.
Predictions based on data Correct answer-What will happen in the future? What could
cause a change in the data?
Drawing valid conclusions based on data Correct answer-Drawing correlations between
variables while accounting for any error or confounding factors.
