Science Introduction and Strategies Berkley High School

Be informed! Science – 40 questions; 35 minutes –No order in the 7 passages, but always 3 charts and graphs, 3 research summaries, 1 comparing hypotheses –No science knowledge required aside from basic scientific method (controls/assumptions) –simply reading comprehension

Pick the order! Just like in Math and Reading, you do NOT have to answer the science passages in order. Charts and Graphs are shorter and usually more direct. Research Summaries are comparisons/ back and forth. Comparing Hypotheses is all reading

Pick the Order! Easier passages… –Clear and consistent relationships/trends –Small tables and only a few curves –Numbers in the tables; not words or symbols –Short answer choices –Just like in Reading, you can/should skip one passage entirely and use the letter of the day

Scanning the Passage Do NOT spend a lot of time reading the charts and passages. This is the same recommendation from Reading. Just scan over and prep the passage… The only things you need to know are: –What is being tested? –Why is it being tested? –What are the variables? –What are the factors that stay the same?

Prepping the passage Once you have selected a passage, prep the passage –While glancing over charts, you should mark down trends, underline units, and briefly summarize the chart –Same goes for experiments where text is involved. –Do NOT try to understand exactly what is being analyzed! You don’t have to!

Prepping the Passage Research Summaries –Mark questions by 1, 2, or both –Answer the single summary questions first, then compare – just like in Reading! –Look at Passage 3 Comparing Hypotheses –+ or – where the hypotheses are similar (+) or opposite (-) –Summarize each in just a few words – just like Reading! –Look at Passage 2

Look only where you need! The ACT is notorious for including extra, distracting stuff; ignore it! Answers will often refer to other parts of the passage so students will think, “oh I remember hearing/reading that. It must be correct!” Practice going back and rereading.

Science Strategies There is always extra information given. Treat these like word searches: look only for what they are asking you. –Find key words and look for them together –“The scientists predict that the escape velocity of a planet also depends on the planet’s distance from the Sun. Which of the following best refutes this hypothesis?”

Science Strategies “The scientists predict that the escape velocity of a planet also depends on the planet’s distance from the Sun. Which of the following best refutes this hypothesis? –A. A planet’s distance from the sun changes as it orbits, but the escape velocity never does. –B. As a planet’s mass increases, so does its escape velocity. No mention of distance –C. As a planet’s radius decreases, its escape velocity increases. No mention of distance –D. Planets far away from the Sun tend to be much colder than planets close to the Sun. no mention of temperature

Science Strategies Do not be intimidated by the language. It sounds scary, but just treat each question like a word search.

Science Strategies Use common sense! –They cannot test your scientific knowledge (aside from a control and hypothesis), but you can use your logic. –Example: Below 1,200 meters, the ice is bubble-free. Researches hypothesized that this is because: –A. oxygen cannot exist under pressure –B. the gases in the bubbles have dissolved into the surrounding ice. –C. there is no gas at that level. –D. the older ice at that level froze in a difference manner than the newer ice closer to the surface.

Science Strategies Below 1,200 meters, the ice is bubble-free. Researches hypothesized that this is because: –A. oxygen cannot exist under pressure (Think of a balloon!) –B. the gases in the bubbles have dissolved into the surrounding ice. –C. there is no gas at that level. –D. the older ice at that level froze in a difference manner than the newer ice closer to the surface. (How many ways can ice melt?) Without reading the passage, you already have knocked down two answers.

Science Strategies Application Questions –You will be given new, intense information and asked to apply it to the figures provided. –All you have to do is find a trial/figure that follows what they are saying. –Take a look at #38 and #39 in 0359F

Science Strategies When given a chart that has more than two axes, literally cover up the other axis/axes that are not being discussed in that question. Look at number 5 in 0359F Only pay attention to what is being asked…