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Study Guide

Field 055: Primary Education (PK–5)
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions

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Domain I–Oral and Written Language Development

Competency 0001
Understand the foundations of language development and how to promote listening and speaking skills in children.

Based on formal assessment results, a second-grade student was unable to effectively deliver an oral report because their speaking voice was inaudible. The teacher previously observed the student shying away from large peer groups, preferring to engage in conversations with one peer at a time. Which of the following steps would be most effective for the teacher to take next to properly assess the student's speaking skills?

  1. asking the student to record their oral report using a digital device while seated in the classroom at their desk
  2. pairing the student with a familiar peer and assigning them a high-interest topic to discuss while listening to their conversation skills
  3. assigning a new oral report topic to the student and prompting them to deliver their presentation to a smaller group of peers
  4. sitting down with the student in a comfortable and semi-private location within the classroom to allow them to present their oral report one-on-one
Answer
Correct Response: D. Based on the formal assessment results and the teacher's observations, the student is uncomfortable speaking in front of small and large groups of peers. To most effectively assess the student's speaking skills, the teacher should work one-on-one with the student in a semi-private location within the classroom to allow them to present their oral report comfortably and audibly.

Competency 0002
Understand the processes, conventions, and modes of written and oral communication.

When engaging in interpersonal communication, which of the following elements correctly identifies the individual doing the listening?

  1. sender
  2. medium
  3. receiver
  4. feedback
Answer
Correct Response: C. Interpersonal communication involves two or more individuals engaging in a conversation in which at least one person is talking and acting as the sender while the others are listening and acting as receivers.

Domain II–Mathematics

Competency 0003
Understand number sense, numbers and operations in base ten, and fractions.

Which of the following manipulatives would be most effective for teaching first-grade students about place value when paired with a place value mat?

  1. base-ten blocks
  2. number chart
  3. snap cubes
  4. number line
Answer
Correct Response: A. A place value mat is typically divided into hundreds, tens, and ones sections to visually aid students in learning the concept of place value. The most effective manipulative to pair with a place value mat would be base-ten blocks that provide kinesthetic support to students as they work with single-, double-, and triple-digit numbers.

Competency 0004
Understand operations and algebraic thinking.

If a customer purchased a T-shirt from the 20% off clearance rack for 15.00 dollars, what was the original price of the T-shirt?

  1. 16 dollars and 66 cents
  2. 18 dollars and 75 cents
  3. 21 dollars and 42 cents
  4. 25.00 dollars
Answer
Correct Response: B. If the customer paid 15.00 dollars for a T-shirt that was 20% off, to calculate the original price, solve the equation X open paren 1 minus 20 percent close paren equals 15. This becomes X equals 15 divided by open paren 1 minus 20 percent close paren, which becomes X equals 15 divided by 0.8. This results in an original price of 18 dollars and 75 cents for the T-shirt.

Competency 0005
Understand basic concepts of measurement, data, and geometry.

Which of the following activities would best support kindergarten students' development of relative spatial positions?

  1. using nonverbal gestures to direct students to gather at different locations around the classroom
  2. playing whole group outdoor games, such as baseball, that involve spatial awareness and sequentially numbered bases
  3. providing students with three-dimensional shapes and prompting them to place them above, below, in front of, or behind their chairs
  4. calling out verbal directions while walking in the hallway, such as "Turn left at the door" and "Go right at the bathrooms"
Answer
Correct Response: C. Providing students with three-dimensional shapes and prompting them with spatial position directions will directly support their development of relative spatial positions. By utilizing three-dimensional shapes and a classroom object like a chair, the activity is accessible and developmentally appropriate.

Domain III–Science

Competency 0006
Understand the nature of science and application of scientific and engineering practices.

A group of students wants to investigate the effects of sunlight on the growth of a plant. Which of the following steps would be most appropriate for them to take first?

  1. identifying a control
  2. outlining the experimental procedure
  3. developing a hypothesis
  4. selecting a data analysis tool
Answer
Correct Response: C. When beginning a scientific investigation, it is most appropriate to develop a hypothesis first. The hypothesis is what drives the investigation and will define the processes and procedures the students will need to then follow.

Competency 0007
Understand the core ideas in life science and Earth and space science.

During a scientific investigation, students create a scale model of the earth, the sun, and the moon. The model moves at approximately the same rate as the actual objects do within the solar system. This activity primarily addresses the scientific concept of:

  1. proportions.
  2. celestial objects.
  3. seasons and tides.
  4. revolution and rotation.
Answer
Correct Response: D. Since the earth, the sun, and the moon will move at approximately the same rate as they do within the actual solar system, the students will be able to observe the scientific concepts of revolution and rotation.

Competency 0008
Understand the core ideas in physical science and engineering design.

A substance's flammability is an example of its:

  1. chemical property.
  2. atomic structure.
  3. physical property.
  4. biological structure.
Answer
Correct Response: A. A chemical property, such as flammability, is a property that can only be observed or measured as a result of matter undergoing a change to become a new and/or different kind of matter as it does during the chemical reaction of combustion.

Domain IV–Social Studies

Competency 0009
Understand fundamental concepts related to civics and government.

A democratic government utilizes free and fair elections to elect a president whereas a monarch is most often appointed to the role because of their:

  1. hereditary bloodline.
  2. popularity with citizens.
  3. alignment with parliament.
  4. military status and ranking.
Answer
Correct Response: A. A monarch is most often appointed because of their hereditary bloodline, meaning they were born into the role.

Competency 0010
Understand historical inquiry and significant events, patterns, and themes in the history of Ohio, the United States, and the world.

Which of the following statements best identifies a benefit to using primary sources when teaching students about historical events? 

  1. Primary sources contain first-hand evidence of events and occurrences, making them authentic and educational.
  2. A primary source features real-life events and topics that are not typically discussed in secondary sources.
  3. Primary sources contain minor aspects of history that are often overlooked, making them informative and accurate.
  4. A primary source features factual data about historical events that are not typically seen within secondary sources.
Answer
Correct Response: A. Primary sources are first-hand accounts of events, occurrences, ideas, etc., from individuals who experienced them throughout history. Since they contain first-hand evidence, primary sources are valuable for teaching students about historical events because they are authentic and educational.

Competency 0011
Understand geographic literacy knowledge and skills and fundamental concepts of economics.

Which of the following major geographic themes focuses on the reasons why individuals migrate, immigrate, or emigrate to a specific area?

  1. place
  2. region
  3. location
  4. movement
Answer
Correct Response: D. The geographic theme of movement concentrates on the reasons why humans, their goods, and their ideas distribute from one place to another; this includes through migration, immigration, and emigration.

Domain V–The Arts

Competency 0012
Understand basic visual art concepts, techniques, materials, and instructional approaches.

Which of the following genres of painting is well-known for utilizing inanimate objects set on a table?

  1. landscape
  2. still life
  3. portrait
  4. history
Answer
Correct Response: B. The genre of painting known as still life painting features objects such as fruit, vases, flowers, and other household objects placed on a table.

Competency 0013
Understand basic musical elements, terms, techniques, and instructional approaches.

Which of the following language arts lessons would best promote kindergarten students' development of the musical concept of rhythm?

  1. providing students with blank sheet music to use while creating their own song or chant during an opinion writing unit
  2. guiding students to tap on their knees at specific stressed increments during repeated readings of a familiar nursery rhyme
  3. prompting students to snap their fingers when singing along with the morning announcements
  4. asking students to create musical instruments using various materials after reading an informational text about arts and crafts
Answer
Correct Response: B. Nursery rhymes are a critical component of kindergarten language arts lessons that foster students' ability to recognize rhyme and rhythm. Rhyme is closely connected to the musical concept of rhythm because rhymes feature literary devices that result in the creation of rhythm. Guiding students to tap on their knees at specific increments of a nursery rhyme will promote the students' ability to recognize and follow along with rhythm.