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

A teacher works with a student who is an English learner at the preproduction level. Which of the following strategies would best support the student’s understanding of classroom conversations and lessons?

  1. labeling the classroom supplies and furniture in English and the student’s primary language
  2. reading aloud books available in English and the student’s primary language
  3. pairing the student with a bilingual peer to help with translating
  4. using visuals so students can point to pictures or act out vocabulary
Answer
Correct Response: D. Students at the preproduction level are just starting to learn English. They may understand some basic words or phrases, but they are not speaking or writing in English yet. At the preproduction level, an English learner relies on non-verbal communication forms, such as gestures, pointing, or acting things out to engage in classroom conversations and lessons.

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.

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

Which of the following skills do students develop in the emergent stage of writing?

  1. paragraph indentation
  2. punctuation
  3. grammatical rules
  4. directionality
Answer
Correct Response: D. Directionality refers to the order words are written on a page. In the English language, characters are written from left to right and top to bottom. Early writers may write in different places on the page or in random directions. Directionality is a foundational skill that supports the development of more advanced writing and reading abilities.

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

A school is organizing a six-mile charity race. A staff member must place eight flags evenly along the six-mile course. Which of the following expressions represents the distance between each flag?

  1. 6  multiplied by  8 miles
  2. 8  divided by  6 miles
  3.  the fraction 8 over 6  miles
  4.  the fraction 6 over 8  miles
Answer
Correct Response: D. The six-mile course is being divided evenly by eight flags. To represent this mathematically, we use the expression 6  divided by  8, which can also be written as the fraction  6 over 8 . Six is the dividend, indicating total distance, and eight is the divisor, indicating the number of flags dividing the course.

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 0004
Understand operations and algebraic thinking.

When learning multiplication, which of the following skills would likely be the first step in a student’s progression?

  1. memorizing multiplication facts for the factors 1, 2, 5, and 10
  2. relating the concept of multiplication to repeated addition
  3. identifying factors of numbers through 100
  4. relating the product of an equation to its corresponding quotient
Answer
Correct Response: B. Multiplication is a method for adding the same number multiple times in a quick and efficient manner. Teaching multiplication as repeated addition is the first step in the progression of learning multiplication because it builds on students’ existing understanding of addition, making the concept more accessible and helping students visualize what multiplication represents.

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.

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

Second-grade students are using rulers to measure the lengths of their desks in inches. The students then write their measurements on the board and compare them as a whole group. One student writes a measurement that is more than twice as much as those of their peers. The student most likely:

  1. converted inches to feet.
  2. measured in centimeters instead of inches.
  3. identified to the decimal unit of the measurement.
  4. added the length to the width measurement.
Answer
Correct Response: B. An inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters, or a little more than twice the length of a centimeter. For example, if a student uses centimeters to measure a desk that is 24 inches wide, they will get a measurement of over 60 centimeters—more than twice the numerical value their peers would get using inches.

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

A group of second-grade students creates a diagram that shows how a puddle disappears over time on a sunny day. With which of the following science and engineering practices does creating a diagram best align?

  1. ask questions
  2. engage in argument from evidence
  3. define problems and design solutions
  4. sdevelop and use models
Answer
Correct Response: D. The science and engineering practice of developing and using models helps students understand complex ideas by creating simplified representations. A model can include diagrams, drawings, or simulations.

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

Second-grade students are exploring factors of an ecosystem that support living organisms. Groups of students create their own imaginary species for a project. Which of the following activities would provide the students with the most authentic learning experience?

  1. determining the effect humans would have on their species’ survival
  2. constructing a food web that would place their species at the top
  3. identifying a biosphere where their species would thrive
  4. drawing a picture of their species in its habitat
Answer
Correct Response: C. Identifying biospheres, such as rainforest, ocean, or desert, where the imaginary species would thrive is the most authentic learning experience because it involves problem solving, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary learning, all skills that scientists use. Also, identifying biospheres where the species would thrive allows students to show they understand how factors of an ecosystem support living organisms.

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.

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

A scientist conducts an experiment in which the movement of magnetic materials is affected by the strength of the magnet with which the materials interact. The scientist wants to ensure the experiment is replicable. Which of the following steps should the scientist take first to meet that goal?

  1. upplying specific data that show significant results
  2. publishing enough of the method to expect the same results
  3. working collaboratively with another researcher to guide the process
  4. taking detailed notes on the process and procedures as well as materials used
Answer
Correct Response: D. Taking detailed notes on process, procedures, and materials is one of the first things a scientist should do to ensure replicable results. Clear and accurate documentation provides consistency, allowing others to follow the same process and achieve similar outcomes. Without detailed notes from the beginning, it would be difficult for other scientists to replicate the experiment, which is essential for confirming and expanding scientific understanding.

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 0009
Understand fundamental concepts related to civics and government.

A fourth-grade class is learning about the role of Ohio in the early development of the United States. Which of the following activities best demonstrates the integration of civic engagement into this unit?

  1. a class debate about the region entering the Revolutionary War
  2. a reading about the Civil Rights Act
  3. a skit of the Founding Fathers writing the US Constitution
  4. an interview with an Ohio state senator
Answer
Correct Response: A. Civic engagement refers to active participation in the community and contributing to its improvement. Discussing issues that are important and relevant to the community, such as in a debate, is an example of how civic engagement occurs in the real world.

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

Following a unit of study on Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, a fourth-grade teacher assesses student learning by asking students to fill in missing information on a timeline. This method of assessment is most likely to be effective at evaluating students’ understanding of the:

  1. meaningful relationships in Harriet Tubman’s life.
  2. process of traveling on the Underground Railroad.
  3. sequence of events in Harriet Tubman’s life.
  4. key landmarks on the Underground Railroad.
Answer
Correct Response: C. A timeline is a visual tool used to show events in the order they happened over time. Its purpose is to help organize and understand the sequence of events, making it easier to see how events progress or relate to each other.

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.

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

Students are learning about the economic concept of consumers. Which of the following graphs would best support a lesson on changes in consumer spending trends?

  1.  A bar graph titled “Mattresses Sold in 2022 to 2023” shows different bar measurements for four items. The y-axis is unlabeled. The x-axis lists bed sizes from left to right: twin (for the second-tallest bar); full (for the shortest bar); queen (for the tallest bar); and king (for the third-tallest bar). 
  2.  A pyramid chart titled “Mattresses Sold in 2022 to 2023” shows different segments without number values for four categories. From bottom to top, the pyramid segments are: queen (in the largest segment); twin (in the second-largest segment); king (in the third-largest segment); and full (in smallest segment). 
  3.  A double bar graph titled “Mattresses Sold in 2022 to 2023” shows different bar measurements for four categories. The y-axis is unlabeled. The x-axis lists bed sizes of twin, full, queen, and king. The 2022 bar for the twin size is slightly higher than 2023. The 2022 bar for the full size is slightly lower than 2023. The 2022 and 2023 bars for the queen size are equal. The 2022 bar for the king size is about one-third lower than the 2022 bar. 
  4.  A pie chart titled “Mattresses Sold in 2022 to 2023” showing different pie segments for four categories. The segments are: full (smallest segment); king (one of the two second-largest segments); twin (one of the two second-largest segments); and queen (largest segment). 
Answer
Correct Response: C. The bar graph in option C represents a comparison of sales, broken down by mattress size, between 2022 and 2023. The lighter gray bars represent the 2022 sales, and the darker gray bars represent the 2023 sales. This bar graph is the only one that shows the change in sales over time, therefore indicating consumer spending trends.

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

Fifth-grade students are studying M.C. Escher’s tessellation artwork. The teacher can most effectively connect this artwork to which of the following mathematical concepts?

  1. coordinate planes
  2. geometric shapes
  3. repeated addition
  4. data analysis
Answer
Correct Response: B. A tessellation is a pattern of shapes, often basic geometric shapes like triangles or hexagons, that fit together without gaps or overlaps to cover a surface completely. Studying M.C. Escher’s work in an upper elementary geometry unit can help students understand concepts of symmetry, spatial reasoning, and geometric patterns.

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.

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

Which of the following activities is most likely to reinforce third-grade students’ understanding of the musical element of form?

  1. listening for low and high pitches in nature
  2. improvising rhythms on percussion instruments
  3. comparing symphonies with different textures
  4. analyzing patterns in poems and songs
Answer
Correct Response: D. Analyzing patterns in poems and songs helps students understand form in music by showing them how ideas or sections repeat and change. Just like in a poem where lines or stanzas follow a specific rhythm or rhyme pattern, songs often have repeating sections, such as verses, choruses, or bridges.