4-PS4-1 | Waves · NYS standard · Grade 5 test questions

Develop a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength and that waves can cause objects to move.

Clarification statement: Examples of models could include diagrams, analogies, and physical models using wire to illustrate wavelength and amplitude of waves.

Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include interference effects, electromagnetic waves, non- periodic waves, or quantitative models of amplitude and wavelength.

Grade 5 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 5 science test questions that assess 4-PS4-1 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	Information Transfer	Question 18

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

amplitude
analogy
diagram
electromagnetic wave
interference
model
non-periodic wave
periodic wave
physical model
quantitative model
wave
wavelength

From released test questions

air particle – Spring 2026
motion – Spring 2026
particle – Spring 2026
pitch – Spring 2026
sound – Spring 2026
sound wave – Spring 2026
string-and-can telephone – Spring 2026
vibration – Spring 2026
volume – Spring 2026

Implied by this standard

crest and trough – implied by "patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength"

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 5 Science Test question on 4-PS4-1 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Using a given model of waves, identify a pattern in terms of wavelength or amplitude or how a wave can cause an object to move.

Level 2: Use a given model of waves to describe patterns in amplitude and wavelength and/or how waves can cause objects to move. Spring 2026 Question 18

Level 3: Develop a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength and that waves can cause objects to move.

Level 4: Develop different types of models of waves to describe patterns, in terms of amplitude and wavelength, and to demonstrate that waves can cause objects to move.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of 4-PS4-1.

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Page contributors: Conrad Richman

Grades 3–5 science standards | 4. Waves: Waves and Information