4-PS4-2 | Light and the Eye · NYS standard · Grade 5 test questions

Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eyea llows objects to be seen.

Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include knowledge of specific colors reflected and seen, the cellular mechanisms of vision, or how the retina works.

Grade 5 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 5 science test questions that assess 4-PS4-2 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam	Cluster	Question
Spring 2026 Grade 5 Test	Sunlight and Starlight	Question 1

Vocabulary

Terms from the Elementary Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 5 Science Test questions that assess it.

From this standard

cause and effect relationship
cellular mechanism
color
evidence
investigation
light
model
reflection
retina
vision

From released test questions

galaxy – Spring 2026
path of light – Spring 2026
solar system – Spring 2026
star – Spring 2026
sunlight – Spring 2026

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 5 Science Test question on 4-PS4-2 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Identify the model, from those given, that shows what occurs when light reflects from objects and enters the eye, allowing objects to be seen.

Level 2: Use a model to describe that when light reflects from objects and enters the eye it allows objects to be seen.

Level 3: Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen. Spring 2026 · Q1

Level 4: Carry out an investigation in order to produce evidence to develop a model to describe the cause and effect relationships that occur when light reflects from objects and enters the eye, allowing objects to be seen.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of 4-PS4-2.

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Page contributors: Conrad Richman

Grades 3–5 science standards | 4. Structure, Function, and Information Processing