5th Grade Science : 5th Grade Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 5th Grade Science

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : 5th Grade Science

Select the planet that is closest to the sun. 

Possible Answers:

Neptune

Mercury 

Earth

Venus

Correct answer:

Mercury 

Explanation:

To answer this question correctly, we need to recall the order of the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 

We can use a mnemonic device to help us remember this order. A common mnemonic device is: My Very Excellent Mom Just Served Us Noodles. The first letter of each word matches the first letter of each planet. You can come up with your own mnemonic device to help you remember the order of the planets! 

The diagram provided shows the order of the planets. We can see that Mercury is the closest planet from the sun; thus, Mercury is the correct answer. 

Solar system

Image adapted from public domain NASA image at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/images/ppj_hp_pluto.jpg.

Example Question #2 : 5th Grade Science

Select the planet that is furthest away from the sun. 

Possible Answers:

Saturn 

Uranus 

Jupiter 

Neptune

Correct answer:

Neptune

Explanation:

To answer this question correctly, we need to recall the order of the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 

We can use a mnemonic device to help us remember this order. A common mnemonic device is: My Very Excellent Mom Just Served Us Noodles. The first letter of each word matches the first letter of each planet. You can come up with your own mnemonic device to help you remember the order of the planets! 

The diagram provided shows the order of the planets. We can see that Neptune is the furthest away planet from the sun; thus, Neptune is the correct answer. 

Solar system

Image adapted from public domain NASA image at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/images/ppj_hp_pluto.jpg.

Example Question #3 : 5th Grade Science

Select the planet that comes before Earth. 

Possible Answers:

Mars

Jupiter 

Venus 

Mercury 

Correct answer:

Venus 

Explanation:

To answer this question correctly, we need to recall the order of the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 

We can use a mnemonic device to help us remember this order. A common mnemonic device is: My Very Excellent Mom Just Served Us Noodles. The first letter of each word matches the first letter of each planet. You can come up with your own mnemonic device to help you remember the order of the planets! 

The diagram provided shows the order of the planets. We can see that Venus comes before Earth; thus, Venus is the correct answer. 

Solar system

Image adapted from public domain NASA image at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/images/ppj_hp_pluto.jpg.

Example Question #4 : 5th Grade Science

Select the planet that comes after Earth. 

Possible Answers:

Mars

Mercury 

Venus

Jupiter 

Correct answer:

Mars

Explanation:

To answer this question correctly, we need to recall the order of the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 

We can use a mnemonic device to help us remember this order. A common mnemonic device is: My Very Excellent Mom Just Served Us Noodles. The first letter of each word matches the first letter of each planet. You can come up with your own mnemonic device to help you remember the order of the planets! 

The diagram provided shows the order of the planets. We can see that Mars is comes after Earth; thus, Mars is the correct answer. 

Solar system

Image adapted from public domain NASA image at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/images/ppj_hp_pluto.jpg.

Example Question #1 : Life Science

The process of plants making their own food with sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water is called __________. 

Possible Answers:

adaptation 

evolution 

reproduction 

photosynthesis 

Correct answer:

photosynthesis 

Explanation:

Plants make their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into chemical energy that is used for food. 

Example Question #5 : 5th Grade Science

Select the answer that is represented by point A on the diagram provided. 

1

Possible Answers:

Nuclear Membrane

Nucleolus

Cell Membrane

Nucleus

Correct answer:

Cell Membrane

Explanation:

There are four pieces of a cell shown on the diagram provided. 

Cell Membrane: The cell is contained by the cell membrane and it keeps all the pieces inside.  

Nucleus: The nucleus is known as the brain of a cell. The nucleus is a structure within the cell's structure. The nucleus isn't always in the middle of the cell, but it's usually not near an edge. 

Nucleolus: The nucleolus is within the nucleus, and can be thought of as the brain of the nucleus. 

Nuclear Membrane: The nuclear membrane surrounds the nucleus. 

2

Point A is pointing to the Cell Membrane. 

Example Question #6 : 5th Grade Science

Select the answer that is represented by point B on the diagram provided. 

1

Possible Answers:

Cell Membrane

Nuclear Membrane

Nucleus

Nucleolus

Correct answer:

Nucleus

Explanation:

There are four pieces of a cell shown on the diagram provided. 

Cell Membrane: The cell is contained by the cell membrane and it keeps all the pieces inside.  

Nucleus: The nucleus is known as the brain of a cell. The nucleus is a structure within the cell's structure. The nucleus isn't always in the middle of the cell, but it's usually not near an edge. 

Nucleolus: The nucleolus is within the nucleus, and can be thought of as the brain of the nucleus. 

Nuclear Membrane: The nuclear membrane surrounds the nucleus. 

2

Point B is pointing to the Nucleus. 

Example Question #7 : 5th Grade Science

Select the answer that is represented by point C on the diagram provided. 

1

Possible Answers:

Nuclear Membrane

Nucleus

Cell Membrane

Nucleolus

Correct answer:

Nucleolus

Explanation:

There are four pieces of a cell shown on the diagram provided. 

Cell Membrane: The cell is contained by the cell membrane and it keeps all the pieces inside.  

Nucleus: The nucleus is known as the brain of a cell. The nucleus is a structure within the cell's structure. The nucleus isn't always in the middle of the cell, but it's usually not near an edge. 

Nucleolus: The nucleolus is within the nucleus, and can be thought of as the brain of the nucleus. 

Nuclear Membrane: The nuclear membrane surrounds the nucleus. 

2

Point C is pointing to the Nucleolus. 

Example Question #1 : 5th Grade Science

Select the answer that is represented by point D on the diagram provided. 

1

Possible Answers:

Cell Membrane

Nucleolus

Nuclear Membrane

Nucleus

Correct answer:

Nuclear Membrane

Explanation:

There are four pieces of a cell shown on the diagram provided. 

Cell Membrane: The cell is contained by the cell membrane and it keeps all the pieces inside.  

Nucleus: The nucleus is known as the brain of a cell. The nucleus is a structure within the cell's structure. The nucleus isn't always in the middle of the cell, but it's usually not near an edge. 

Nucleolus: The nucleolus is within the nucleus, and can be thought of as the brain of the nucleus. 

Nuclear Membrane: The nuclear membrane surrounds the nucleus. 

2

Point D is pointing to the Nuclear Membrane. 

Example Question #2 : 5th Grade Science

Select the answer that is a physical change. 

Possible Answers:

Ice melting 

A nail rusting 

Baking a cake

Wood burning 

Correct answer:

Ice melting 

Explanation:

A physical change is a change is a substance that does not change what the substance is. In contrast, in chemical change a new substance is formed. 

Let's look at our options:

When wood is burned, the wood turns into ash. We can't get the piece of wood back once it's been burned; thus, wood burning is a chemical change. 

When a cake is baked, the ingredients combine and turn into a cake once it's baked. Once we have a cake, we can't get the ingredients back; thus, baking a cake is a chemical change. 

When a nail rusts, pieces of the metal nail have turned into rust. We can't get the original nail back; thus, a nail rusting is a chemical change. 

Ice is made up of water, and when the ice melts we are left with a puddle of water. If we freeze the water, it will turn back into ice; thus, melting ice is a physical change. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors