HS Sample Set 3, Round 7 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

In Barbara McClintock’s famous experiments revealing the existence of transposable genes, she primarily used which of the following as her experimental organism: W) drosophila X) E. coli Y) lambda phage Z) corn plants

W: W) drosophila

X: X) E. coli

Y: Y) lambda phage

Z: Z) corn plants

Answer: Z) Z) corn plants

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT properly matched with its function or operation: W) conjugation and transfer of genetic material between bacteria X) F plasmids and reversible incorporation into bacterial genome Y) transposons and plasmids interchanging genes Z) R plasmids and antibiotic resistance

W: W) conjugation and transfer of genetic material between bacteria

X: X) F plasmids and reversible incorporation into bacterial genome

Y: Y) transposons and plasmids interchanging genes

Z: Z) R plasmids and antibiotic resistance

Answer: Y) Y) transposons and plasmids interchanging genes

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Which of the following would be the MOST soluble in water at room temperature: W) Aluminum sulfate X) Barium sulfate Y) Lead sulfate Z) Calcium sulfate

W: W) Aluminum sulfate

X: X) Barium sulfate

Y: Y) Lead sulfate

Z: Z) Calcium sulfate

Answer: W) W) Aluminum sulfate

BONUS chem phrase

What is the empirical formula for acetic acid?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CH2O

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Astrophysicists, when referring to interstellar gases, typically use the Roman numeral I to indicate that an atom is: W) singly ionized X) doubly ionized Y) contains one proton Z) neutral

W: W) singly ionized

X: X) doubly ionized

Y: Y) contains one proton

Z: Z) neutral

Answer: Z) Z) neutral

BONUS phys phrase

A draft horse has a hoof print of 50 square inches per hoof. If the horse weighs 1,400 pounds, what is the pressure it exerts, in pounds per square inch, on the ground when all its hooves equally distribute its weight on the ground?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 7

TOSS-UP math phrase

If a 6-foot tall person who is standing next to a vertical pole casts a shadow of 8 feet and the pole casts a shadow of 40 feet, how many feet tall is the pole?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 30

BONUS math phrase

Solve the following equation for x: 18 20 ( 10) ( 9) = ++ x x

Acceptable Answers:

  • -19

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of meteorite: W) chondrites X) achondrites Y) stoney-irons Z) andesites

W: W) chondrites

X: X) achondrites

Y: Y) stoney-irons

Z: Z) andesites

Answer: Z) Z) andesites

BONUS ess multiple_choice

The “dead zone” that has been occurring off the central Oregon coast since 2002 and recently expanding is thought to be caused by which of the following: W) toxic sulfur gas from undersea vents X) abnormal upwelling processes due to highly variable winds Y) an increased presence of invasive predatory species Z) toxic release of waste products from oil refineries

W: W) toxic sulfur gas from undersea vents

X: X) abnormal upwelling processes due to highly variable winds

Y: Y) an increased presence of invasive predatory species

Z: Z) toxic release of waste products from oil refineries

Answer: X) X) abnormal upwelling processes due to highly variable winds

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

As a close relative to the bacteria that cause botulism and gas gangrene, which of the following bacteria are a growing concern in hospitals, killing patients who have been treated with antibiotics: W) Bacillus anthracis X) Clostridium difficile Y) Treponema pallidum Z) Vibrio cholera

W: W) Bacillus anthracis

X: X) Clostridium difficile

Y: Y) Treponema pallidum

Z: Z) Vibrio cholera

Answer: X) X) Clostridium difficile

BONUS general multiple_choice

The length of the longest side of a U.S. dollar bill is about how many nanometers in length: W) 70 million X) 1.10 × 10^6 Y) 1.55 × 10^8 Z) 600 million

W: W) 70 million

X: X) 1.10 × 10^6

Y: Y) 1.55 × 10^8

Z: Z) 600 million

Answer: Y) Y) 1.55 × 10^8

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following sets of constellations would be found nearest the ecliptic to an observer in mid-northern latitudes: W) Leo, Virgo, and Scorpius X) Pisces, Aries, and Draco Y) Cancer, Gemini, and Cassiopeia Z) Taurus, Ursa Minor, and Pisces

W: W) Leo, Virgo, and Scorpius

X: X) Pisces, Aries, and Draco

Y: Y) Cancer, Gemini, and Cassiopeia

Z: Z) Taurus, Ursa Minor, and Pisces

Answer: W) W) Leo, Virgo, and Scorpius

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following will MOST likely occur if the Earth crosses the orbit of a comet: W) a meteor shower could be seen from Earth X) an asteroid will likely strike the Earth Y) red sprites and bolides will be seen both day and night Z) the Earth would temporarily lose its Van Allen belts

W: W) a meteor shower could be seen from Earth

X: X) an asteroid will likely strike the Earth

Y: Y) red sprites and bolides will be seen both day and night

Z: Z) the Earth would temporarily lose its Van Allen belts

Answer: W) W) a meteor shower could be seen from Earth

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

During photosynthesis, from what substance does the oxygen that is liberated originate: W) glucose X) air Y) water Z) carbon dioxide

W: W) glucose

X: X) air

Y: Y) water

Z: Z) carbon dioxide

Answer: Y) Y) water

BONUS bio phrase

The oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide has what specific charge?

Acceptable Answers:

  • +1

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true of halogens: W) iodine is the least reactive of the stable halogens X) elemental halogens exist as diatomic molecules containing single covalent bonds Y) their outermost electron configuration is represented by ns2np6 Z) halides of typical metals are ionic

W: W) iodine is the least reactive of the stable halogens

X: X) elemental halogens exist as diatomic molecules containing single covalent bonds

Y: Y) their outermost electron configuration is represented by ns2np6

Z: Z) halides of typical metals are ionic

Answer: Y) Y) their outermost electron configuration is represented by ns2np6

BONUS chem phrase

If the total number of moles of gas in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen gases is 12 moles, and the mole fraction of oxygen is 0.6, how many moles of oxygen gas are present, to the first decimal place?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 7.2

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

In the ray approximation in optics, which of the following is NOT true for a converging lens: W) a ray parallel to the optical axis passes through the focus X) a ray passing through the center of the lens is bent parallel to the optical axis Y) an object at infinity is imaged at the focus Z) a ray passing through the focus is bent parallel to the optical axis

W: W) a ray parallel to the optical axis passes through the focus

X: X) a ray passing through the center of the lens is bent parallel to the optical axis

Y: Y) an object at infinity is imaged at the focus

Z: Z) a ray passing through the focus is bent parallel to the optical axis

Answer: X) X) a ray passing through the center of the lens is bent parallel to the optical axis

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true: W) electrical utilities deliver electricity over long distances at high voltages to reduce power loss X) in typical modern vacuum tubes, the cathode supplies the electrons Y) Faraday’s law of induction is a general guide for induction of EMF with a magnetic field Z) a typical voltmeter can be used to reliably test how much life is left in a double-A battery

W: W) electrical utilities deliver electricity over long distances at high voltages to reduce power loss

X: X) in typical modern vacuum tubes, the cathode supplies the electrons

Y: Y) Faraday’s law of induction is a general guide for induction of EMF with a magnetic field

Z: Z) a typical voltmeter can be used to reliably test how much life is left in a double-A battery

Answer: Z) Z) a typical voltmeter can be used to reliably test how much life is left in a double-A battery

TOSS-UP math phrase

Remove all negative exponents and simplify the following expression for all non-zero values of x, y, and z: \(\displaystyle \frac{2^{-3}x^{-4}y^{-5}}{2^{-1}x^{3}y^{0}z^{-1}}\).

Acceptable Answers:

  • \(2x^{3}y^{4}z^{5}\)

BONUS math phrase

What is the slope-intercept equation of the line that passes through the point (4, ‑1) and is parallel to the line with equation 2x – 3y = 9?

Acceptable Answers:

  • \(y = \tfrac{2}{3}x - \tfrac{11}{3}\)

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is a brief yet destructive windstorm marked by cool moist air descending from a thunderstorm that is sometimes mistaken for a tornado because of the damage it produces: W) Chinook X) zephyr Y) dust devil Z) microburst

W: W) Chinook

X: X) zephyr

Y: Y) dust devil

Z: Z) microburst

Answer: Z) Z) microburst

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true about Earth’s water: W) more fresh water exists underground than in streams and lakes X) the total amount of water in the global system varies greatly from year to year Y) ground water can take thousands or millions of years to recharge naturally Z) a rock is permeable if water can pass through it

W: W) more fresh water exists underground than in streams and lakes

X: X) the total amount of water in the global system varies greatly from year to year

Y: Y) ground water can take thousands or millions of years to recharge naturally

Z: Z) a rock is permeable if water can pass through it

Answer: X) X) the total amount of water in the global system varies greatly from year to year

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

In a recent breakthrough announcement by the CDC, which of the following diseases has been shown to have both a genetic and physiological component: W) malaria X) chronic fatigue syndrome Y) Tay Sachs disease Z) sleeping sickness

W: W) malaria

X: X) chronic fatigue syndrome

Y: Y) Tay Sachs disease

Z: Z) sleeping sickness

Answer: X) X) chronic fatigue syndrome

BONUS general multiselect

Name all of the following 4 diseases that are NOT caused by bacteria: cholera; bubonic plague; syphilis; mumps

Choices:

  • cholera
  • bubonic plague
  • syphilis
  • mumps

Correct Answers:

  • 4

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following BEST describes the location of the heliosphere: W) the region that extends a few thousand kilometers outside of the Sun’s corona X) the region that extends from the Sun’s corona to the end of the solar system Y) the region that extends from the Sun’s core to the end of the solar system Z) the region of the expanding solar wind between the sun and the heliopause

W: W) the region that extends a few thousand kilometers outside of the Sun’s corona

X: X) the region that extends from the Sun’s corona to the end of the solar system

Y: Y) the region that extends from the Sun’s core to the end of the solar system

Z: Z) the region of the expanding solar wind between the sun and the heliopause

Answer: Z) Z) the region of the expanding solar wind between the sun and the heliopause

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following BEST describes the position of the first quarter Moon to an observer in northern mid-latitudes on a clear summer night just after sunset: W) rising in the east X) setting in the west Y) high in the south Z) unable to be seen

W: W) rising in the east

X: X) setting in the west

Y: Y) high in the south

Z: Z) unable to be seen

Answer: Y) Y) high in the south

TOSS-UP bio phrase

Bacterial transduction is primarily caused by the transference of what specific biological substance?

Acceptable Answers:

  • DNA

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following 4 organisms that are human ectoparasites: Plasmodium ovale; Ascaris; Trichinella spiralis; Ixodes

Choices:

  • Plasmodium ovale
  • Ascaris
  • Trichinella spiralis
  • Ixodes

Correct Answers:

  • 4

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

When iron becomes the ion Fe2+, it W) loses two, 3d electrons X) loses two, 4s electrons Y) gains two, 3d electrons Z) gains two, 4s electrons

W: W) loses two, 3d electrons

X: X) loses two, 4s electrons

Y: Y) gains two, 3d electrons

Z: Z) gains two, 4s electrons

Answer: X) X) loses two, 4s electrons

BONUS chem multiple_choice

Which of the following statements regarding the kinetic molecular theory of ideal gases is TRUE: W) the average kinetic energy of gaseous molecules is directly proportional to the absolute temperature of the sample X) the volume occupied by the atoms and/or molecules in a gas is large Y) collisions between gas particles are both elastic and inelastic Z) between collisions, molecules exert both attractive and repulsive forces on each other

W: W) the average kinetic energy of gaseous molecules is directly proportional to the absolute temperature of the sample

X: X) the volume occupied by the atoms and/or molecules in a gas is large

Y: Y) collisions between gas particles are both elastic and inelastic

Z: Z) between collisions, molecules exert both attractive and repulsive forces on each other

Answer: W) W) the average kinetic energy of gaseous molecules is directly proportional to the absolute temperature of the sample

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Huygen’s principle can be used to most directly derive which of the following: W) the speed of light X) the law of diffraction Y) the laws of reflection and refraction Z) Fermat’s Principle

W: W) the speed of light

X: X) the law of diffraction

Y: Y) the laws of reflection and refraction

Z: Z) Fermat’s Principle

Answer: Y) Y) the laws of reflection and refraction

BONUS phys multiple_choice

When utilizing dissimilar metals in a device that operates over a large temperature range, which of the following factors is most important to consider in determining internal stresses: W) ductility X) hardenability Y) conductivity Z) coefficients of thermal expansion

W: W) ductility

X: X) hardenability

Y: Y) conductivity

Z: Z) coefficients of thermal expansion

Answer: Z) Z) coefficients of thermal expansion

TOSS-UP math phrase

Remove all negative exponents and simplify the following expression for all non-zero values of x: \(5^{-2}(32)^{-x}\)

Acceptable Answers:

  • \(\tfrac{16}{x}\)

BONUS math multiple_choice

Which of the following is a prime polynomial over the integers: W) 5x² – 8x + 2 X) 4x² – 4x – 8 Y) 3x² – 4x – 4 Z) 3x² – 10x² + 3x

W: W) 5x² – 8x + 2

X: X) 4x² – 4x – 8

Y: Y) 3x² – 4x – 4

Z: Z) 3x² – 10x² + 3x

Answer: W) W) 5x² – 8x + 2

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What type of volcano is made mostly of andesite and typically erupts violently and dangerously with pyroclastic flows, an example of which is Mount Fuji in Japan?

Acceptable Answers:

  • STRATOVOLCANO
  • COMPOSITE VOLCANO

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Hematite belongs to which of the following mineral groups: W) oxide X) carbonate Y) halide Z) silicate

W: W) oxide

X: X) carbonate

Y: Y) halide

Z: Z) silicate

Answer: W) W) oxide

TOSS-UP general phrase

How many carbon and hydrogen atoms are in an octane molecule?

Acceptable Answers:

  • Carbon = 8; Hydrogen = 18

BONUS general multiple_choice

Which of the following statements is LEAST accurate: W) systemic autoimmunity often targets a person’s own nucleic acids X) the protonated hydrogen molecule is the most abundant molecular ion in the universe Y) carbenes are highly reactive intermediates in certain organic reactions Z) recent studies show that the female brain releases up to 3-times more dopamine as compared to males which may account for higher addiction rates in females

W: W) systemic autoimmunity often targets a person’s own nucleic acids

X: X) the protonated hydrogen molecule is the most abundant molecular ion in the universe

Y: Y) carbenes are highly reactive intermediates in certain organic reactions

Z: Z) recent studies show that the female brain releases up to 3-times more dopamine as compared to males which may account for higher addiction rates in females

Answer: Z) Z) recent studies show that the female brain releases up to 3-times more dopamine as compared to males which may account for higher addiction rates in females

TOSS-UP ess phrase

At how many parsecs is a star’s absolute magnitude the same as its apparent magnitude?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 10

BONUS ess phrase

A photon of only a certain wavelength is able to be absorbed only by an electron at a specific energy level of an atom. This is the basis of what commonly used astronomical technique?

Acceptable Answers:

  • SPECTROSCOPY
  • ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

TOSS-UP bio phrase

In plants, water molecules are generally protected from water loss to the outside environment by what lipid-based structure covering the epidermis?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CUTICLE

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following 4 plant structures that are typically modified leaves: corms; tendrils; cacti spines; bracts

Choices:

  • corms
  • tendrils
  • cacti spines
  • bracts

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

TOSS-UP chem multiple_choice

The principle quantum number ‘n’ of an electron largely determines its: W) energy X) spin Y) shape Z) orientation

W: W) energy

X: X) spin

Y: Y) shape

Z: Z) orientation

Answer: W) W) energy

BONUS chem multiselect

Name all of the following compounds that exhibit ONLY London forces: CH4; N2; BaCl2; NH3

Choices:

  • CH4
  • N2
  • BaCl2
  • NH3

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP phys phrase

How many times as intense is 60 decibels than 30 decibels?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1000

BONUS phys phrase

What is the minimal force, in newtons to the first decimal place, that a mother must exert to vertically lift her 4 kilogram baby out of her play pen?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 39.2

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What biological substance is the SECOND MOST abundant organic compound on Earth after cellulose, and is especially abundant in sclereids, xylem fibers and tracheids?

Acceptable Answers:

  • LIGNIN

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following 4 choices that are complex carbohydrates: chitin; amylase; cellulose; glycogen

Choices:

  • chitin
  • amylase
  • cellulose
  • glycogen

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3
  • 4