Grade 5 Science · Earth and Space Systems
Virginia SOL 5.8.ESS.1
Virginia SOL 5.8.ESS.1 is part of the Earth and Space Systems strand in Grade 5 Science (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate how Earth constantly changes. Below is what 5.8.ESS.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice 5.8.ESS.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL 5.8.ESS.1 means
Investigate how Earth constantly changes.
Practice Grade 5 Science SOL questions
Free Grade 5 Science questions from official Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests — good practice while you work on 5.8.ESS.1 and the rest of the course. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review.
1. High and low tides on the coast are caused mostly by —
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Answer: A — underwater earthquakes
2. Skunk cabbage grows in swamps and produces a strong odor. Why should people preserve a plant like skunk cabbage?
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Answer: B — It has a certain role in the ecosystem.
3. An ocean food chain is shown as: Phytoplankton → Fish → Seal → White shark, with animal-like plankton also included as a consumer of phytoplankton. Which pair of organisms needs to switch places for the food chain to be correct?
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Answer: B — Animal-like plankton and fish
4. A mineral identification flow chart shows that a mineral is nonmetallic, brown-gray in color, and has a hardness of about 6. Based on this information, which mineral belongs in square X of the flow chart?
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Answer: D — Hornblende
Skills you’ll practice for 5.8.ESS.1
- Explain how Earth’s internal energy causes movement of material within the Earth.
- Describe plate tectonics as movement of the crust.
- Model the transformation of rocks using the rock cycle.
- Explain how weathering, erosion, and deposition change Earth’s surface.
- Use fossils and geologic patterns as evidence of Earth’s change.
Key concepts covered by 5.8.ESS.1
- Earth’s internal energy
- material movement
- plate tectonics
- crust movement
- rock cycle
- rock transformation
- weathering
- erosion
- deposition
- surface change
- fossils
- geologic patterns
- evidence
How to study and practice SOL 5.8.ESS.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether 5.8.ESS.1 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL 5.8.ESS.1
What is Virginia SOL 5.8.ESS.1?
SOL 5.8.ESS.1 is a Grade 5 Science Standard of Learning in the Earth and Space Systems strand. It expects students to investigate how Earth constantly changes.
What skills does SOL 5.8.ESS.1 cover?
SOL 5.8.ESS.1 is assessed on 5 skills: explain how Earth’s internal energy causes movement of material within the Earth; describe plate tectonics as movement of the crust; model the transformation of rocks using the rock cycle; explain how weathering, erosion, and deposition change Earth’s surface; use fossils and geologic patterns as evidence of Earth’s change.
What strand of Grade 5 Science is SOL 5.8.ESS.1 in?
SOL 5.8.ESS.1 belongs to the Earth and Space Systems reporting strand of the Grade 5 Science Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL 5.8.ESS.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether 5.8.ESS.1 is already solid, then work the 5 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.