Question 1

Alaska PEAKS

Accepted Answer

The Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools, a standardized testing system to measure students' proficiency in key subject areas.

Question 2

Mathematics

Accepted Answer

A core subject area on the PEAKS test, assessing students' understanding of number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis.

Question 3

English Language Arts

Accepted Answer

Another core subject area in PEAKS, assessing reading comprehension, language conventions, writing skills, and listening skills.

Question 4

Science

Accepted Answer

An optional PEAKS subject area, measuring understanding of earth, life, and physical science.

Question 5

Number and Operations

Accepted Answer

Part of the mathematics assessment, this domain involves understanding numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems.

Question 6

Algebra

Accepted Answer

A branch of mathematics that involves expressions, equations, inequalities, and the study of structure, relation, and quantity.

Question 7

Geometry

Accepted Answer

The study of shapes, sizes, patterns, and properties of figures and spaces.

Question 8

Measurement

Accepted Answer

This mathematical domain involves quantifying attributes including length, area, volume, and weight.

Question 9

Data Analysis

Accepted Answer

The process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data to discover useful information and conclusions.

Question 10

Reading Comprehension

Accepted Answer

The ability to read text, process it, and understand its meaning.

Question 11

Language Conventions

Accepted Answer

Standard rules in English language including grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary use.

Question 12

Writing Skills

Accepted Answer

The ability to convey ideas and information in written form effectively.

Question 13

Listening Skills

Accepted Answer

The ability to understand and interpret sound in context and to process the information.

Question 14

Earth Science

Accepted Answer

The study of the earth's structure, properties, processes, and four main systems: the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

Question 15

Life Science

Accepted Answer

The study of living things, including plants, animals, and human beings.

Question 16

Physical Science

Accepted Answer

The study of non-living things, including physics and chemistry.

Question 17

Multiple-Choice Questions

Accepted Answer

A type of question format in PEAKS where students choose the correct answer from several options.

Question 18

Constructed-Response Questions

Accepted Answer

A type of question format in PEAKS where students create their own answers.

Question 19

Performance Task

Accepted Answer

A complex, multi-step exercise that students must complete to demonstrate their proficiency in a particular skill or content area.

Question 20

Testing Accommodations

Accepted Answer

Changes in testing procedures or materials that enable students with special needs to participate in the test.

Question 21

Scale Scores

Accepted Answer

Numerical values given to individual test takers based on their responses, used in PEAKS to compare performance across different tests.

Question 22

Achievement Levels

Accepted Answer

Categories of performance that indicate a student's level of proficiency in a particular subject area.

Question 23

Reporting Categories

Accepted Answer

Broad content areas that provide detailed information about a student's performance on the PEAKS.

Question 24

Growth Model

Accepted Answer

A model that compares a student's test score with their previous scores to measure their academic growth.

Question 25

Algebraic Thinking

Accepted Answer

The ability to understand and use various mathematical structures to solve problems.

Question 26

Fractions

Accepted Answer

Numbers expressed as the quotient of two quantities, part of number and operations.

Question 27

Decimals

Accepted Answer

Numbers that represent fractions, where the denominator is a power of ten.

Question 28

Percents

Accepted Answer

A way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100.

Question 29

Ratios and Proportional Relationships

Accepted Answer

Concepts that describe how two quantities relate to each other.

Question 30

Expressions and Equations

Accepted Answer

Algebraic concepts involving variables, numbers, and mathematical operations.

Question 31

Coordinate Plane

Accepted Answer

A plane with a horizontal number line and a vertical number line, used to locate points.

Question 32

Area and Perimeter

Accepted Answer

The measurement of the amount of space within a shape (area) and the distance around a shape (perimeter).

Question 33

Volume

Accepted Answer

The amount of space that a substance or object occupies within a three-dimensional shape.

Question 34

Statistical Variability

Accepted Answer

The expected variability in a statistical measurement; the concept is used in data analysis.

Question 35

Inference

Accepted Answer

The process of drawing conclusions based on evidence or reasoning; used in both reading comprehension and data analysis.

Question 36

Argument and Persuasion

Accepted Answer

Techniques used in writing to convince readers of a particular point of view.

Question 37

Narrative Techniques

Accepted Answer

Methods used in writing to tell a story, including elements like plot, setting, character, and point of view.

Question 38

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Accepted Answer

A type of writing meant to explain, clarify, or provide information on a specific topic.

Question 39

Research Skills

Accepted Answer

The ability to search for, evaluate, and use information effectively.

Question 40

Textual Evidence

Accepted Answer

Proof or facts directly from a text to support a statement, idea, or argument.

Question 41

Figurative Language

Accepted Answer

Uses of language where the intended meaning is different from the literal meaning, such as metaphors, similes, and personification.

Question 42

Text Structure

Accepted Answer

The way a text is organized, including sequence, cause/effect, compare/contrast, problem/solution, and description.

Question 43

Point of View

Accepted Answer

The perspective from which a story is told or an event is viewed.

Question 44

Context Clues

Accepted Answer

Hints that an author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word within a book.

Question 45

Earth's Systems

Accepted Answer

These include the geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life).

Question 46

Matter and Its Interactions

Accepted Answer

A topic in physical science exploring the structure, properties, and interactions of matter.

Question 47

Energy

Accepted Answer

A concept in physical science that deals with the potential or capacity to do work.

Question 48

Force and Motion

Accepted Answer

Concepts in physical science involving the movement of objects and the forces acting on them.

Question 49

Waves

Accepted Answer

Disturbances that transfer energy from place to place, a topic covered under physical science.

Question 50

Ecosystem Dynamics

Accepted Answer

Study of the changes in ecosystem structure caused by changes in the environment or internal forces.

Question 51

Biological Evolution

Accepted Answer

The process through which species of organisms develop from earlier life forms.

Question 52

Earth's Place in the Universe

Accepted Answer

A topic in earth science that explores the earth's position, movements, and interactions within the universe.

Question 53

Human Impacts on Earth Systems

Accepted Answer

How human activities affect the natural functioning and health of the earth's systems.

Question 54

Argument from Evidence

Accepted Answer

The process of developing claims, creating arguments, and using evidence to justify these claims in science.

Question 55

Scientific Method

Accepted Answer

A method of research with defined steps that include experiments and careful observation.

Question 56

Independent Variable

Accepted Answer

The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment.

Question 57

Dependent Variable

Accepted Answer

The variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.

Question 58

Control Group

Accepted Answer

The group in an experiment where the independent variable being tested is not applied so it can serve as a benchmark for the experimental groups.

Question 59

Experimental Group

Accepted Answer

The group in an experiment where the independent variable is applied.

Question 60

Data Collection

Accepted Answer

The process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest in an established systematic fashion.

Question 61

Data Interpretation

Accepted Answer

The process of assigning meaning to the collected information and determining the conclusions, significance, and implications of the findings.

Question 62

Scientific Models

Accepted Answer

Simplified representations of more complex real-world objects or phenomena.

Question 63

Engineering Design

Accepted Answer

A systematic and iterative process to create solutions to meet human needs or wants.

Alaska PEAKS Grades 3-8 Advanced Review