MS Sample Set 1, Round 12 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP phys phrase

If the density of a metal alloy is 5,430 kilograms per cubic meter, what is its specific gravity, rounded to the second decimal place?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 5.43

BONUS phys phrase

An Olympic runner braces himself against a stationary set of foot blocks and accelerates with a horizontal magnitude of 2 meters per second squared. How many newtons of horizontal force does the runner exert on the blocks to produce this acceleration if his mass is 70 kilograms?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 140

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following best explains the relative lack of hydrogen in our atmosphere in spite of its abundance in the Universe: W) most of it is tied up in the water molecule X) most of it is consumed in photosynthesis Y) most of it escaped into space long ago because of its low mass Z) most of it was an unstable isotope that decayed into helium

W: W) most of it is tied up in the water molecule

X: X) most of it is consumed in photosynthesis

Y: Y) most of it escaped into space long ago because of its low mass

Z: Z) most of it was an unstable isotope that decayed into helium

Answer: Y) Y) most of it escaped into space long ago because of its low mass

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following locations contains relatively young coasts that formed as a consequence of continental rifting: W) southern coasts of the Aleutian Islands X) Gulf of California Y) Hawaii Z) northeastern Japan

W: W) southern coasts of the Aleutian Islands

X: X) Gulf of California

Y: Y) Hawaii

Z: Z) northeastern Japan

Answer: X) X) Gulf of California

TOSS-UP math phrase

What is the x-intercept of a graph of the following equation: \(y = -7x + 7\)?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1

BONUS math phrase

Multiply the polynomial \(3x^2 - 4xy + y^2\) by \(-3xy\), and simplify:

Acceptable Answers:

  • \(-9x^3y + 12x^2y^2 - 3xy^3\)

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following filters can withstand temperatures up to 1400ºC: W) paper cellulosic X) borosilicate glass Y) polyester Z) ceramic

W: W) paper cellulosic

X: X) borosilicate glass

Y: Y) polyester

Z: Z) ceramic

Answer: Z) Z) ceramic

BONUS general phrase

Convert 60 miles per hour into feet per second:

Acceptable Answers:

  • 88

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following BEST describes muscle tone: W) maximum strength of a muscle X) length versus width of a muscle Y) average energy use or oxygen use of a fully contracted muscle Z) amount of tension or contraction of a resting muscle

W: W) maximum strength of a muscle

X: X) length versus width of a muscle

Y: Y) average energy use or oxygen use of a fully contracted muscle

Z: Z) amount of tension or contraction of a resting muscle

Answer: Z) Z) amount of tension or contraction of a resting muscle

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following terms most commonly refers to nerves leaving the brain: W) posterior X) rostral Y) efferent Z) involuntary

W: W) posterior

X: X) rostral

Y: Y) efferent

Z: Z) involuntary

Answer: Y) Y) efferent

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Randy was precise in his lab experiment but he was not accurate. Which of the following best describes his measurements: W) his data was close to the true value but not reproducible X) his data was close to the true value and reproducible Y) his data was not close to the true value but reproducible Z) his data was not close to the true value and reproducible

W: W) his data was close to the true value but not reproducible

X: X) his data was close to the true value and reproducible

Y: Y) his data was not close to the true value but reproducible

Z: Z) his data was not close to the true value and reproducible

Answer: Y) Y) his data was not close to the true value but reproducible

BONUS phys phrase

Using a gravitational acceleration of 10 meters per second squared and giving your answer in appropriate SI units, if dropped off a cliff, how fast will a rock be falling at the end of 2 seconds, if friction is ignored?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 20 meters per second

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

The Earth’s mantle is thought to be composed of which of the following: W) coal X) granite Y) slate Z) peridotite

W: W) coal

X: X) granite

Y: Y) slate

Z: Z) peridotite

Answer: Z) Z) peridotite

BONUS ess phrase

Giving your answer in hours and minutes, how often will the entire tidal pattern on Earth be repeated?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 24 hours and 50 minutes

TOSS-UP math phrase

What is the common ratio of the geometric series with the first three terms \( \tfrac12, \tfrac14, \tfrac18\)?

Acceptable Answers:

  • \(\tfrac12\)

BONUS math phrase

What is the least common multiple of the numbers 30, 45, and 60?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 180

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following best describes a coelacanth (see-la-canth): W) living fossil fish X) extinct amphibian Y) extinct mammal Z) an air-breathing extinct fish

W: W) living fossil fish

X: X) extinct amphibian

Y: Y) extinct mammal

Z: Z) an air-breathing extinct fish

Answer: W) W) living fossil fish

BONUS general phrase

Which of the following three choices are reference scales commonly used in describing the hardness of materials: Rockwell; Austenite; Ferrule

Acceptable Answers:

  • Rockwell

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Into which of the following does a typical fern spore most directly develop: W) sporophyte X) egg cell Y) gametophyte Z) sperm cell

W: W) sporophyte

X: X) egg cell

Y: Y) gametophyte

Z: Z) sperm cell

Answer: Y) Y) gametophyte

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following 4 plants that are conifers: pine; hemlock; palm; maple

Choices:

  • pine
  • hemlock
  • palm
  • maple

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following most likely occurs when one molecule is oxidized: W) another molecule is reduced X) there is a release in work Y) the system becomes more ordered Z) the reaction is at equilibrium

W: W) another molecule is reduced

X: X) there is a release in work

Y: Y) the system becomes more ordered

Z: Z) the reaction is at equilibrium

Answer: W) W) another molecule is reduced

BONUS phys order

Arrange the following 3 pure substances in order of INCREASING evaporation rates at 1 atmosphere of pressure and at room temperature: water; acetone; aluminum

Choices:

  • water
  • acetone
  • aluminum

Correct Order:

  • 3
  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following were NOT produced by the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in 1980: W) lahar flows X) pyroclastic flows Y) significant ashfall deposits Z) basic lava

W: W) lahar flows

X: X) pyroclastic flows

Y: Y) significant ashfall deposits

Z: Z) basic lava

Answer: Z) Z) basic lava

BONUS ess phrase

All of the volcanoes of Hawaii belong to which one of the three basic types?

Acceptable Answers:

  • shield

TOSS-UP math phrase

Reduce the following expression to lowest terms: \(\frac{xy}{3x + y}\)

Acceptable Answers:

  • \(\frac{xy}{3x + y}\)
  • CANNOT BE REDUCED

BONUS math phrase

Find the prime factorization of 90:

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2 × 3 × 3 × 5

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following is a native American fruit that is typically grown in bogs and harvested in the fall: W) cherries X) blueberries Y) cranberries Z) huckleberries

W: W) cherries

X: X) blueberries

Y: Y) cranberries

Z: Z) huckleberries

Answer: Y) Y) cranberries

BONUS general multiple_choice

Which of the following is the pigment responsible for the characteristic red color of the cranberry: W) red dye number 2 X) carotene Y) carmine red Z) anthocyanin

W: W) red dye number 2

X: X) carotene

Y: Y) carmine red

Z: Z) anthocyanin

Answer: Z) Z) anthocyanin

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is a theory of heredity postulated by Lamarck: W) characteristics acquired after birth are passed on to following generations X) nature selects for the best characteristic Y) only the fittest organisms survive through natural selection Z) genes determine the phenotype

W: W) characteristics acquired after birth are passed on to following generations

X: X) nature selects for the best characteristic

Y: Y) only the fittest organisms survive through natural selection

Z: Z) genes determine the phenotype

Answer: W) W) characteristics acquired after birth are passed on to following generations

BONUS bio multiselect

By words or numbers, name all of the following 3 choices that are found in the E. coli bacterium: 1) mitochondria; 2) chloroplasts; 3) ribosomes

Choices:

  • mitochondria
  • chloroplasts
  • ribosomes

Correct Answers:

  • 3

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following molecules is considered the most polar: W) CH₄ X) HF Y) F₂ Z) CO₂

W: W) CH₄

X: X) HF

Y: Y) F₂

Z: Z) CO₂

Answer: X) X) HF

BONUS phys phrase

In addition to oxygen and sodium, what other element is a major constituent of borax?

Acceptable Answers:

  • boron

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

A Beaufort number of 4 indicates: W) a moderate earthquake X) a moderate breeze Y) a strong tornado Z) a mineral similar in hardness to fluorite

W: W) a moderate earthquake

X: X) a moderate breeze

Y: Y) a strong tornado

Z: Z) a mineral similar in hardness to fluorite

Answer: X) X) a moderate breeze

BONUS ess multiple_choice

If cumulus mammatus clouds are heading in your direction, you may soon experience: W) clearing skies X) severe weather Y) high pressure conditions Z) snow

W: W) clearing skies

X: X) severe weather

Y: Y) high pressure conditions

Z: Z) snow

Answer: X) X) severe weather

TOSS-UP math phrase

Find the sum of 7 times 23, and 3 times 23:

Acceptable Answers:

  • 230

BONUS math phrase

Solve the following equation for x: \((4x – 8) – (5x + 6) = (2x – 9) – (4x + 1)\)

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4

TOSS-UP general phrase

What human disease is caused by infection with the rhinovirus?

Acceptable Answers:

  • common cold
  • cold

BONUS general multiselect

Name all of the following 4 diseases for which effective vaccines are currently available: chicken pox; malaria; diphtheria; HIV

Choices:

  • chicken pox
  • malaria
  • diphtheria
  • HIV

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is LEAST likely to be found in or on a root of a flowering plant: W) stomata X) epidermis Y) xylem Z) phloem

W: W) stomata

X: X) epidermis

Y: Y) xylem

Z: Z) phloem

Answer: W) W) stomata

BONUS bio phrase

What is the common name for the protective layers of cells that cover the tip of a growing root, allowing it to make its way through difficult soils?

Acceptable Answers:

  • root cap

TOSS-UP phys phrase

When aluminum filings are added to a beaker containing concentrated sulfuric acid, what gas is produced?

Acceptable Answers:

  • hydrogen
  • H₂

BONUS phys phrase

Rounded to the first decimal place, what is the current, in amperes, for a 60-watt bulb running on a 120-volt power source?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 0.5

TOSS-UP ess phrase

In which of the five main layers of Earth’s atmosphere does the Space Shuttle orbit?

Acceptable Answers:

  • thermosphere

BONUS ess order

Order the following 4 life forms from the EARLIEST to appear on Earth to the most RECENT: crocodile; jawless fish; jawed fish; antelope

Choices:

  • crocodile
  • jawless fish
  • jawed fish
  • antelope

Correct Order:

  • 2
  • 3
  • 1
  • 4

TOSS-UP math phrase

Any triangle inscribed within a semicircle is always what type of triangle if one of its sides is the diameter of the semicircle?

Acceptable Answers:

  • right

BONUS math phrase

Provide the prime factors over the integers for the following expression: \(25x^4 - 16y^2\)

Acceptable Answers:

  • (5x² + 4y)(5x² – 4y)

TOSS-UP general phrase

Which of the following four star types is believed to be the most common in the universe: neutron; blue giant; red dwarf; pulsar?

Acceptable Answers:

  • red dwarf

BONUS general phrase

Which one of the following five spectral classes of stars is the HOTTEST: A; F; G; K; O

Acceptable Answers:

  • O

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What sugar is found in the backbone of DNA?

Acceptable Answers:

  • deoxyribose
  • ribose

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following 4 trees that produce true flowers: hemlock; palm; maple; pine

Choices:

  • hemlock
  • palm
  • maple
  • pine

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3