Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) Science Syllabus

Science syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Science in Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Scientific Practices and Reasoning

   4 topics

   • The Scientific Method
     • Hypotheses, predictions, and testable questions
     • Controlled experiments: variables and controls
   • Interpreting Data and Evidence
     • Reading tables, graphs, and diagrams
     • Identifying trends and drawing conclusions
   • Evaluating Scientific Claims and Models
     • Distinguishing evidence from conclusion
     • Reliability, error, and reproducibility
   • Quantitative Reasoning in Science
     • Units, scale, and proportional reasoning
     • Probability and statistics in scientific contexts
2. 2

   Life Science (Biology)

   6 topics

   • Cell Structure and Function
     • Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
     • Organelles and the cell membrane
   • Energy in Living Systems
     • Photosynthesis
     • Cellular respiration
   • Genetics and Heredity
     • DNA, genes, and chromosomes
     • Mendelian inheritance and Punnett squares
   • Evolution and Natural Selection
     • Adaptation and variation
     • Evidence for evolution
   • Ecology and Ecosystems
     • Food webs and energy flow
     • Population dynamics and the carbon cycle
   • Human Body Systems and Homeostasis
     • Major organ systems and their interactions
     • Maintaining internal balance
3. 3

   Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics)

   6 topics

   • Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
     • Protons, neutrons, and electrons
     • Periodic trends and element groups
   • Chemical Bonds and Reactions
     • Ionic and covalent bonding
     • Balancing chemical equations and conservation of mass
   • States and Properties of Matter
     • Physical and chemical changes
     • Mixtures, solutions, and phase changes
   • Forces and Motion
     • Newton's laws of motion
     • Speed, velocity, and acceleration
   • Energy, Work, and Power
     • Kinetic and potential energy
     • Conservation of energy
   • Waves, Heat, and Electricity
     • Wave properties and the electromagnetic spectrum
     • Heat transfer and basic circuits
4. 4

   Earth and Space Science

   5 topics

   • Earth's Structure and Plate Tectonics
     • Layers of the Earth
     • Earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate boundaries
   • The Rock Cycle and Geologic Processes
     • Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
     • Weathering and erosion
   • Weather, Climate, and the Atmosphere
     • Atmospheric layers and weather systems
     • Climate change and the water cycle
   • The Solar System and Universe
     • Planets, moons, and orbits
     • Stars, galaxies, and the Big Bang
   • Earth's Resources and Human Impact
     • Renewable and nonrenewable resources
     • Pollution and conservation

Science flashcards for Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)

23 of 61 cards from the Science deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the ordered steps of the scientific method?

   Make an observation, ask a question, form a hypothesis, design and conduct an experiment, collect and analyze data, draw a conclusion, and communicate/replicate results.

2. In a controlled experiment, what is the difference between the independent variable and the dependent variable?

   The independent variable is the factor the experimenter deliberately changes (the cause); the dependent variable is the factor that is measured in response (the effect).

3. What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

   It is the group that does not receive the experimental treatment, providing a baseline for comparison so that the effect of the independent variable can be isolated.

4. How does a scientific hypothesis differ from a scientific theory?

   A hypothesis is a testable, tentative explanation for a single observation; a theory is a broad, well-substantiated explanation supported by a large body of evidence that has withstood repeated testing.

5. What does it mean for an experimental result to be 'reproducible,' and why does it matter?

   Reproducible means other scientists following the same procedure obtain the same results; it matters because reproducibility confirms findings are reliable and not due to chance or error.

6. When interpreting a graph, what is the difference between correlation and causation?

   Correlation means two variables change together; causation means one variable directly produces the change in the other. Correlation alone does not prove causation.

7. On a line graph showing distance versus time, what does the slope of the line represent?

   The slope represents speed (rate of change of distance with respect to time); a steeper slope means a greater speed.

8. What type of graph is best for showing how parts make up a whole (percentages of a total)?

   A pie chart (circle graph), where each slice represents a fraction or percentage of the total 100%.

9. Why is a large sample size generally better than a small one in a scientific study?

   A larger sample reduces the influence of random variation and outliers, giving results that are more reliable and more likely to represent the true population.

10. What questions should you ask to evaluate the reliability of a scientific claim?

    Is the source credible and peer-reviewed? Is there supporting evidence and data? Has it been replicated? Is there bias or conflict of interest? Is the conclusion supported by the data?

11. In science, what is a model and what is its main limitation?

    A model is a simplified representation of a system or process used to explain or predict; its limitation is that it leaves out details and approximations, so it may not perfectly match reality.

12. What is the difference between an observation and an inference?

    An observation is information gathered directly through the senses or instruments; an inference is a conclusion or interpretation drawn from those observations.

13. Convert the measurement $2{,}500$ meters to kilometers.

    $2{,}500 \text{ m} \times \frac{1 \text{ km}}{1000 \text{ m}} = 2.5 \text{ km}$

14. How do you calculate the percent change from an initial value to a final value?

    $\text{Percent change} = \frac{\text{final} - \text{initial}}{\text{initial}} \times 100\%$

15. Express the number $0.00045$ in scientific notation.

    $4.5 \times 10^{-4}$

16. What is the formula for density, and what are its common units?

    $\rho = \frac{m}{V}$ (mass divided by volume), commonly expressed in $\text{g/cm}^{3}$ or $\text{kg/m}^{3}$.

17. What is the basic structural and functional unit of all living things?

    The cell.

18. Name three key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

    Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus, lack membrane-bound organelles, and have circular DNA in the cytoplasm; eukaryotes have a true nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, and linear DNA. Prokaryotes are also generally smaller.

19. What is the function of the mitochondria in a cell?

    The mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration, producing usable energy (ATP) for the cell; they are often called the 'powerhouse of the cell.'

20. What is the main difference between a plant cell and an animal cell in terms of structures?

    Plant cells have a rigid cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole, which animal cells lack. Animal cells have centrioles.

21. Write the overall chemical equation for photosynthesis.

    $\ce{6CO2 + 6H2O ->[\text{light}] C6H12O6 + 6O2}$

22. Write the overall chemical equation for cellular respiration.

    $\ce{C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy(ATP)}$

23. What molecule is the primary energy currency of the cell?

    ATP (adenosine triphosphate); energy is released when its phosphate bond is broken to form ADP.

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