MS Sample Set 15, Round 4 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following nitrogenous bases is the most structurally similar to guanine? W) Thymine X) Uracil Y) Adenine Z) Cytosine

W: W) Thymine

X: X) Uracil

Y: Y) Adenine

Z: Z) Cytosine

Answer: Y) Y) Adenine

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is an example of a protist? W) Cyanobacterium X) Mosquito Y) Mushroom Z) Kelp

W: W) Cyanobacterium

X: X) Mosquito

Y: Y) Mushroom

Z: Z) Kelp

Answer: Z) Z) Kelp

TOSS-UP math phrase

If the intercepts of a line are (8, 0) and (0, –8), what is the slope-intercept equation of the line?

Acceptable Answers:

  • y = x – 8

BONUS math phrase

Solve the following equation for x: x² + 17x – 480 = 0.

Acceptable Answers:

  • –32, 15

TOSS-UP phys phrase

A substance is sampled multiple times for some measurements. The mass is recorded on the y-axis and volume on the x-axis. What physical property of that substance will equal the slope?

Acceptable Answers:

  • DENSITY

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Which of the following diatomic bonds is most polar? W) Br – Br X) C – H Y) C – N Z) Cl – H

W: W) Br – Br

X: X) C – H

Y: Y) C – N

Z: Z) Cl – H

Answer: Z) Z) Cl – H

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What is the term for the 3-kelvin radiation field that fills all of space?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CMB
  • COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND, CMBR, COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND RADIATION

BONUS ess phrase

RR Lyrae and Cepheid stars are examples of what general type of stars?

Acceptable Answers:

  • VARIABLES
  • VARIABLE STARS

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Lab are studying the genomes of fungi that are found living in a mutualistic relationship with algae. What is the term for this composite organism?

Acceptable Answers:

  • LICHEN

BONUS energy phrase

Argonne National Lab researchers are studying how to biosynthesize gold nanoparticles within hypoxic tissues. The main organ they are studying accounts for 25% of the body’s oxygen demand but only 2% of the body’s mass. What organ is this?

Acceptable Answers:

  • BRAIN

TOSS-UP bio phrase

Mammals are named for their mammary glands, which produce what substance?

Acceptable Answers:

  • MILK

BONUS bio multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true of single-celled organisms: 1) They are all prokaryotic; 2) They can sexually reproduce; 3) They include both autotrophs and heterotrophs.

Choices:

  • They are all prokaryotic
  • They can sexually reproduce
  • They include both autotrophs and heterotrophs

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP math phrase

Giving your answer as a decimal, decreasing a number by 54% is equivalent to multiplying it by what?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 0.46
  • .46

BONUS math phrase

What is the volume of a rectangular pyramid with base dimensions 13 and 9 and height 15?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 585

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

David has two ramps with the same height but at different angles to the horizontal. He places identical marbles at the tops of the ramps and allows them to roll down. Which of the following quantities will be the same for the two marbles? W) Time taken to roll down the ramp X) Velocity at the bottom of the ramp Y) Acceleration along the ramp Z) Position along the ramp after one second

W: W) Time taken to roll down the ramp

X: X) Velocity at the bottom of the ramp

Y: Y) Acceleration along the ramp

Z: Z) Position along the ramp after one second

Answer: X) X) Velocity at the bottom of the ramp

BONUS phys multiselect

Identify all of the following three ionic compounds that are readily soluble in water: 1) Lithium phosphate; 2) Silver nitrate; 3) Calcium hydroxide.

Choices:

  • Lithium phosphate
  • Silver nitrate
  • Calcium hydroxide

Correct Answers:

  • 2

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What term is used to describe ground that is frozen for a period of at least two years?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PERMAFROST

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true of felsic magma: 1) It is more viscous than mafic magma; 2) It has a higher melting temperature than mafic magma; 3) It has a higher gas content than mafic magma.

Choices:

  • It is more viscous than mafic magma
  • It has a higher melting temperature than mafic magma
  • It has a higher gas content than mafic magma

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Scientists at Argonne National Lab are using copper-based photocatalysts to reduce carbon dioxide into useful compounds. To trace the movement of carbon atoms, they used carbon dioxide composed of a stable yet uncommon isotope of carbon. What isotope was this?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CARBON-13
  • C-13

BONUS energy multiselect

Ames Lab has been developing a device called the SelectShred, which can recover rare earth elements from discarded disk drives. Identify all of the following three statements that are true of rare earth elements: 1) They are all metals; 2) They are all actinides; 3) Their total abundance in Earth’s crust is lower than gold.

Choices:

  • They are all metals
  • They are all actinides
  • Their total abundance in Earth’s crust is lower than gold

Correct Answers:

  • 1

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Halophytes are plants that have adapted to which of the following environmental challenges? W) Aridity X) Salinity Y) Long winters Z) Flooded soil

W: W) Aridity

X: X) Salinity

Y: Y) Long winters

Z: Z) Flooded soil

Answer: X) X) Salinity

BONUS bio phrase

The medulla, pons, and midbrain collectively form what structure of the brain?

Acceptable Answers:

  • BRAINSTEM

TOSS-UP math phrase

Simplify the following expression: 21 – 5 times 3.

Acceptable Answers:

  • 6

BONUS math phrase

What is the largest prime factor of 2385?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 53

TOSS-UP phys phrase

A wave is generated by moving one end of a rope up and down, so that the displacement of the rope is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave. What is the term for this type of wave?

Acceptable Answers:

  • TRANSVERSE

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • SINUSOIDAL

BONUS phys multiple_choice

According to VSEPR theory, what is the molecular geometry of water? W) Bent X) Linear Y) Tetrahedral Z) Trigonal planar

W: W) Bent

X: X) Linear

Y: Y) Tetrahedral

Z: Z) Trigonal planar

Answer: W) W) Bent

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is primarily responsible for the presence of carbon-14 used in radiometric dating? W) Volcanic gases X) Biomass burning Y) Cosmic rays Z) Lightning

W: W) Volcanic gases

X: X) Biomass burning

Y: Y) Cosmic rays

Z: Z) Lightning

Answer: Y) Y) Cosmic rays

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following minerals, when examined at a molecular level, would appear to be a stack of loosely interacting sheets? W) Muscovite X) Augite Y) Olivine Z) Quartz

W: W) Muscovite

X: X) Augite

Y: Y) Olivine

Z: Z) Quartz

Answer: W) W) Muscovite

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Brookhaven National Lab researchers are working on a reactor that can reduce a notable greenhouse gas into compounds such as formic acid, ethanol, and acetic acid. Which greenhouse gas are they attempting to reduce?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CARBON DIOXIDE
  • CO2

BONUS energy multiselect

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab researchers are working to develop new uses for graphene, an atomically thin 2D material. Identify all of the following four statements that are true of graphene: 1) It is an excellent electrical conductor; 2) It is an excellent heat conductor; 3) It contains silicon atoms; 4) It contains carbon atoms.

Choices:

  • It is an excellent electrical conductor
  • It is an excellent heat conductor
  • It contains silicon atoms
  • It contains carbon atoms

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 4