Texas TAKS Sample Quiz

1.

MATH QUESTIONS: At a community center there are a total of 11 tables in the dining room. Six of the tables seat 4 people each. Five of the tables seat 8 people each. What is the maximum number of people who can sit at the tables in the dining room?

A.

40
B.

12
C.

22
D.

64

Correct Answer
D. 64

Explanation
There are 6 tables that seat 4 people each, so the maximum number of people that can sit at these tables is 6 x 4 = 24. There are also 5 tables that seat 8 people each, so the maximum number of people that can sit at these tables is 5 x 8 = 40. Therefore, the maximum number of people who can sit at the tables in the dining room is 24 + 40 = 64.

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2.

Ms. Melendez needs to replace the batteries in 20 calculators. Each calculator uses 4 batteries. The batteries are sold in packages of 16. How many packages of batteries does Ms. Melendez need to buy?

A.

64
B.

4
C.

80
D.

5

Correct Answer
D. 5

Explanation
Ms. Melendez needs to replace the batteries in 20 calculators, and each calculator uses 4 batteries. Therefore, she needs a total of 20 x 4 = 80 batteries. The batteries are sold in packages of 16, so she needs to buy 80 / 16 = 5 packages of batteries.

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3.

Mrs. Sandoval has 60 folders, 45 pairs of scissors, and 30 rulers. What is the greatest common factor Mrs. Sandoval can use to divide the school supplies into equal groups?

A.

3
B.

5
C.

10
D.

15

Correct Answer
D. 15

Explanation
The greatest common factor is the largest number that can evenly divide all the given numbers. In this case, the factors of 60 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 60. The factors of 45 are 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, and 45. The factors of 30 are 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, and 30. The common factors of all three numbers are 1, 3, 5, and 15. Among these, 15 is the greatest common factor that Mrs. Sandoval can use to divide the school supplies into equal groups.

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4.

There are 6 children in Todd’s family, including Todd. Their ages in years are listed below. 1, 2, 2, 8, 9, 14 What is the median of the children’s ages?

A.

6
B.

5
C.

2
D.

13

Correct Answer
B. 5

Explanation
The median is the middle value when the data is arranged in ascending or descending order. In this case, when the ages are arranged in ascending order, the list becomes 1, 2, 2, 8, 9, 14. The middle value is 2, which is the median of the children's ages.

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5.

SCIENCE QUESTIONS: Which of these is an example of a chemical reaction?

A.

A pot of water boiling
B.

An iron nail rusting
C.

Corn being ground
D.

Sugar dissolving in tea

Correct Answer
B. An iron nail rusting

Explanation
An iron nail rusting is an example of a chemical reaction because it involves a chemical change. Rusting occurs when iron reacts with oxygen in the presence of moisture, forming iron oxide. This process alters the chemical composition of the nail, resulting in the formation of a new substance. In contrast, the other options mentioned are physical changes. Boiling water, grinding corn, and dissolving sugar in tea do not involve a change in the chemical properties of the substances involved.

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6.

Which of the following processes helps the body maintain chemical balance?

A.

Tears washing away dust from the eyes
B.

Rib bones protecting internal organs
C.

Hair growing faster in winter months
D.

Cells using sugar in the blood

Correct Answer
D. Cells using sugar in the blood

Explanation
Cells using sugar in the blood helps the body maintain chemical balance. This process is known as glucose regulation and is essential for proper functioning of the body. The cells in our body use sugar (glucose) from the blood as a source of energy. The levels of sugar in the blood are carefully regulated to ensure that there is enough energy for the cells to function, but not too much that it becomes harmful. This balance is maintained through the action of hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which help to control the uptake and release of sugar by the cells.

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7.

Which of the following best represents stored potential energy?

A.

Air leaking from a flat tire
B.

Stress built up in a rock fault
C.

Heat given off by a forest fire
D.

Water flowing through a hose

Correct Answer
B. Stress built up in a rock fault

Explanation
Stress built up in a rock fault best represents stored potential energy. When tectonic plates push against each other, stress accumulates along the fault line. This stored potential energy can be released suddenly in the form of an earthquake when the stress exceeds the strength of the rocks. This release of energy is a prime example of stored potential energy being converted into kinetic energy.

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8.

SCIENCE QUESTIONS: The 13 original colonies were primarily located along the –

A.

Atlantic Ocean
B.

Gulf of Mexico
C.

Mississippi River
D.

Great Lakes

Correct Answer
A. Atlantic Ocean

Explanation
The 13 original colonies were primarily located along the Atlantic Ocean because they were established by European colonizers who arrived by ship from Europe. The Atlantic Ocean provided easy access for trade and transportation between the colonies and Europe. Additionally, the Atlantic coastline offered fertile land for agriculture and natural resources for economic development.

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9.

Belief in the idea of Manifest Destiny was one reason that –

A.

The United States went to war with Mexico
B.

Transcendentalists established utopian societies
C.

The bank of the United States was established
D.

Women organized the Seneca Falls Convention

Correct Answer
A. The United States went to war with Mexico

Explanation
The belief in the idea of Manifest Destiny was one reason that the United States went to war with Mexico. Manifest Destiny was the belief that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. This belief fueled the desire for territorial expansion, and the United States saw the annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California and other territories from Mexico as part of fulfilling this destiny. This led to tensions and conflicts between the two countries, ultimately resulting in the Mexican-American War.

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10.

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution –

A.

Brought immediate equality to Native Americans
B.

Established a process for the admission of western states into the Union
C.

Created new congressional districts
D.

Granted civil rights primarily to African Americans

Correct Answer
D. Granted civil rights primarily to African Americans

Explanation
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution granted civil rights primarily to African Americans. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment granted equal protection under the law and citizenship rights to African Americans, and the 15th Amendment prohibited racial discrimination in voting rights. These amendments were a response to the Civil War and aimed to ensure that African Americans were granted equal rights and protections under the law. While these amendments did not bring immediate equality to Native Americans, establish a process for the admission of western states into the Union, or create new congressional districts, they played a significant role in advancing civil rights for African Americans.

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11.

During the mid-1800s the expanding U.S. economy required better methods of communication. Communications were improved significantly by Samuel Morse’s invention of the –

A.

Typewriter
B.

Telephone
C.

Telegraph
D.

Phonograph

Correct Answer
C. TelegrapH

Explanation
During the mid-1800s, the U.S. economy was growing rapidly and there was a need for improved methods of communication. Samuel Morse's invention of the telegraph played a significant role in meeting this need. The telegraph allowed for the transmission of messages over long distances using a system of electrical signals and a code known as Morse code. This innovation revolutionized communication by enabling faster and more efficient transmission of information, facilitating business transactions, and connecting people across great distances. The telegraph paved the way for further advancements in communication technology and played a crucial role in the development of the modern telecommunications industry.

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