FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

In which scenario would a child likely lack the ability to conserve?

1. When shown two jars of different shapes but equal volume

2. When they can count objects accurately

3. When asked to solve simple addition problems

4. When they are able to explain abstract concepts

The correct answer is: When shown two jars of different shapes but equal volume

The scenario where a child would likely lack the ability to conserve relates to the understanding of volume, number, and quantity as they pertain to the appearance of objects. Conservation refers to the developmental understanding that certain properties of objects, such as volume or mass, remain constant even when their outward appearance changes. When children are shown two jars of different shapes but equal volume, they may focus on the height or width of the containers and mistakenly believe that the jar that looks shorter or skinnier contains less liquid. This indicates a lack of conservation because they are unable to recognize that the total amount of liquid remains the same despite the variations in shape. This cognitive task challenges their ability to understand that the fundamental properties of objects do not change based on changes in their appearance. In contrast, the other scenarios—counting objects accurately, solving simple addition problems, and explaining abstract concepts—reflect various stages of cognitive development where a child generally demonstrates greater cognitive abilities, including the understanding of numbers and quantity, which are crucial for mastering conservation.