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Quizzes > Science

6th Grade Science Questions to Check Your Understanding

Quick, free 6th grade science quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Chynt OrdialesUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style science quiz elements featuring books, beakers, atoms, pencils on golden yellow background

This 6th grade science quiz helps you review key topics, spot gaps, and build confidence for your next test. Answer quick questions on matter, energy, forces, cells, ecosystems, Earth, and space, then see instant results and helpful tips. For extra practice, explore our science questions for kids or round out your study plan with a 6th grade social studies quiz.

What is the basic unit of life?
Cell
Molecule
Organ
Atom
The cell is the smallest unit capable of performing all life processes. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells, which contain structures that carry out specific functions. This concept is a fundamental principle in biology.
What is the chemical symbol for water?
H2O
O2
CO2
H2
Water is composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, giving it the chemical formula H2O. This formula is universal in chemistry for representing water molecules.
Which process do plants use to make food?
Respiration
Fermentation
Digestion
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen. It occurs in chloroplasts within plant cells, using chlorophyll to capture light energy.
What force pulls objects toward Earth's center?
Friction
Gravity
Electricity
Magnetism
Gravity is the force that attracts objects with mass toward one another. On Earth, gravity pulls objects toward the planet's center, giving weight to physical objects.
What do we call water in its gas form?
Liquid
Steam
Ice
Snow
When water transitions from liquid to gas, it becomes water vapor or steam. This happens when heat provides enough energy for molecules to escape into the air.
Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
Jupiter
Venus
Mars
Mercury
Mars is nicknamed the Red Planet because its surface contains iron oxide, or rust, which gives it a reddish appearance. It's the fourth planet from the Sun.
What tool is used to measure temperature?
Thermometer
Anemometer
Hygrometer
Barometer
A thermometer measures temperature by registering the expansion or contraction of a liquid (like mercury) or using electronic sensors. It's the standard instrument for checking how hot or cold something is.
Which organ system is responsible for transporting blood throughout the body?
Circulatory system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Nervous system
The circulatory system, including the heart and blood vessels, moves blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste.
What type of energy is stored in the chemical bonds of food?
Electrical energy
Chemical energy
Thermal energy
Magnetic energy
Chemical energy is stored in the bonds between atoms in molecules. When food is digested, these bonds break and release energy for the body's use.
Which layer of Earth is composed primarily of molten rock?
Mantle
Outer core
Crust
Inner core
The mantle lies between the crust and outer core and is composed of semi-solid, convecting rock that can flow slowly. It's the largest layer by volume.
What is the process by which liquid water becomes water vapor?
Evaporation
Condensation
Freezing
Sublimation
Evaporation is the process where water absorbs heat and changes from a liquid to a gas at the surface of a body of water.
In a food chain, what is a producer?
An organism that makes its own food
An organism that breaks down dead matter
An organism eaten by all levels
An organism that eats other consumers
Producers, such as plants and algae, create energy-rich food molecules via photosynthesis. They form the base of food chains.
Which simple machine is a ramp?
Inclined plane
Pulley
Screw
Lever
An inclined plane is a flat surface tilted at an angle to help raise or lower objects with less effort. Ramps are the most common example.
What is the term for the transition of a substance directly from a solid to a gas?
Deposition
Freezing
Sublimation
Condensation
Sublimation is when a solid changes directly into a gas without becoming liquid first, like dry ice turning into carbon dioxide gas.
What subatomic particles determine the atomic number of an element?
Protons
Neutrons
Photons
Electrons
The atomic number is defined by the number of protons in an atom’s nucleus. Changing the number of protons changes the element.
Which process breaks down food into nutrients that the body can absorb?
Respiration
Fermentation
Digestion
Photosynthesis
Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
What type of chemical bond is formed when atoms share electrons?
Ionic bond
Metallic bond
Hydrogen bond
Covalent bond
A covalent bond occurs when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, forming a stable balance of attractive and repulsive forces.
In genetics, what term describes the observable characteristics of an organism?
Allele
Phenotype
Chromosome
Genotype
A phenotype is the set of observable traits of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
Which gas is the primary contributor to the greenhouse effect on Earth?
Carbon dioxide
Nitrogen
Methane
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere, making it the largest contributor to the greenhouse effect from human activities.
Which type of electromagnetic wave has the longest wavelength?
X-rays
Microwaves
Radio waves
Gamma rays
Radio waves have the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from 1 millimeter to over 100 kilometers.
What is the pH value of a neutral solution?
1
14
0
7
A pH of 7 is considered neutral, meaning the concentration of hydrogen ions equals that of hydroxide ions, as seen in pure water.
Which group of animals are warm-blooded and regulate their internal body temperature?
Fish
Amphibians
Mammals
Reptiles
Mammals are endothermic (warm-blooded), maintaining a constant internal body temperature regardless of the environment.
Which principle explains why an object floats when it displaces a volume of fluid equal to its own weight?
Archimedes' principle
Pascal's law
Bernoulli's principle
Boyle's law
Archimedes' principle states that a body immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. This explains why ships float.
During mitosis, which phase involves the separation of sister chromatids toward opposite poles?
Anaphase
Telophase
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase is the mitotic phase where sister chromatids separate and move to opposite ends of the cell, ensuring each daughter cell receives identical genetic material.
If a wave has a frequency of 200 Hz and a wavelength of 2 meters, what is its speed?
200 m/s
400 m/s
100 m/s
0.01 m/s
Wave speed is calculated as frequency multiplied by wavelength (v = f × ?). Here, 200 Hz × 2 m equals 400 meters per second.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Science Concepts -

    Grasp fundamental principles in earth science, biology, and physics as presented in the 6th grade science quiz to reinforce your science midterm review.

  2. Identify Knowledge Gaps -

    Pinpoint areas of weakness by reviewing quiz feedback and focus your study on concepts you find most challenging.

  3. Apply Scientific Reasoning -

    Use critical thinking skills to solve multiple-choice and short-answer questions that mirror real midterm topics.

  4. Analyze Data Patterns -

    Interpret charts, graphs, and experimental scenarios common to 6th grade science practice tests to draw accurate conclusions.

  5. Evaluate Quiz Performance -

    Assess your overall score and review detailed explanations to measure progress and set targeted learning goals.

  6. Navigate Interactive Quiz Features -

    Familiarize yourself with the interface of the interactive science quiz to enhance test-taking strategies and boost confidence.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Earth's Layered Interior -

    Earth is made of the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core; remember "Cows Make Oatmeal Instantly" to recall the order. The crust is solid rock, the mantle flows slowly, the outer core is liquid iron, and the inner core is solid iron - nickel. (Source: USGS.gov)

  2. The Water Cycle's Key Steps -

    Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation form the continuous water cycle that distributes Earth's water. Picture morning dew (condensation) turning into clouds (droplets) and then rain (precipitation) - it's all driven by solar energy. (Source: NOAA.gov)

  3. Cell Structure and Organelles -

    Animal and plant cells share organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, and cell membrane; use the mnemonic "Never Make Chocolate" to memorize Nucleus, Mitochondria, Cytoplasm. Plant cells add a cell wall and chloroplasts for photosynthesis, turning sunlight into food. (Source: KhanAcademy.org)

  4. Newton's First Law of Motion -

    Often called the law of inertia, it states an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by a net force. Think of a soccer ball that won't roll until you kick it - friction and other forces change its state. (Source: NASA.gov)

  5. Potential vs. Kinetic Energy -

    Potential energy (PE=mgh) is stored energy based on height, while kinetic energy (KE=½mv²) is energy of motion. On a roller coaster, PE at the top converts to KE as you speed down, illustrating the energy trade-off. (Source: PhysicsClassroom.com)

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