MS Sample Set 1, Round 14 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP math multiple_choice

The graph of which of the following equations has a negative slope: W) y = 2x – 4 X) y = –2x + 4 Y) y = –4 Z) x = –2

W: W) y = 2x – 4

X: X) y = –2x + 4

Y: Y) y = –4

Z: Z) x = –2

Answer: X) X) y = –2x + 4

BONUS math phrase

Simplify the following completely: 4² · 2² ÷ (6² · 3²) · 20 x y z – x y z

Acceptable Answers:

  • –10x²z

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true: W) all fires burn with a yellow flame X) snowflakes and raindrops often contain bacteria Y) a general rule for solubility is that ‘like dissolves like’ Z) a super-cooled liquid is a liquid at a temperature below its normal freezing point

W: W) all fires burn with a yellow flame

X: X) snowflakes and raindrops often contain bacteria

Y: Y) a general rule for solubility is that ‘like dissolves like’

Z: Z) a super-cooled liquid is a liquid at a temperature below its normal freezing point

Answer: W) W) all fires burn with a yellow flame

BONUS general multiple_choice

Which of the following BEST describes the range of sizes of most animal cells: W) 0.2 to 2.0 micrometers X) 2.0 to 4.0 micrometers Y) 5.0 to 20.0 micrometers Z) 12.0 to 40.0 micrometers

W: W) 0.2 to 2.0 micrometers

X: X) 2.0 to 4.0 micrometers

Y: Y) 5.0 to 20.0 micrometers

Z: Z) 12.0 to 40.0 micrometers

Answer: Y) Y) 5.0 to 20.0 micrometers

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is most advantageous to plants that depend on insects for pollination: W) absence of rhizomes X) sticky pollen Y) small green flowers Z) numerous stomata

W: W) absence of rhizomes

X: X) sticky pollen

Y: Y) small green flowers

Z: Z) numerous stomata

Answer: X) X) sticky pollen

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following biological molecules that are considered polymers: 1) glucose; 2) cellulose; 3) DNA; 4) RNA

Choices:

  • glucose
  • cellulose
  • DNA
  • RNA

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following materials in pure form would register the LOWEST amount of ohms for a given electric current at 20 °C if all other variables are constant: W) silver X) gold Y) tin Z) lead

W: W) silver

X: X) gold

Y: Y) tin

Z: Z) lead

Answer: W) W) silver

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Which of the following optical devices produces a real image: W) plane mirror X) convex mirror Y) concave lens Z) convex lens

W: W) plane mirror

X: X) convex mirror

Y: Y) concave lens

Z: Z) convex lens

Answer: Z) Z) convex lens

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

A semidiurnal tidal pattern is more typical of which of the following locations: W) the East Coast of the U.S. X) the West Coast of the U.S. Y) the Gulf of Mexico Z) the North Pole

W: W) the East Coast of the U.S.

X: X) the West Coast of the U.S.

Y: Y) the Gulf of Mexico

Z: Z) the North Pole

Answer: W) W) the East Coast of the U.S.

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is the most notable product of the hydrolysis of feldspar: W) chalk X) sandstone Y) clay minerals Z) halite

W: W) chalk

X: X) sandstone

Y: Y) clay minerals

Z: Z) halite

Answer: Y) Y) clay minerals

TOSS-UP math multiple_choice

Which of the following is closest in value to √51: W) 5.1 X) 5.5 Y) 6.8 Z) 7.1

W: W) 5.1

X: X) 5.5

Y: Y) 6.8

Z: Z) 7.1

Answer: Z) Z) 7.1

BONUS math phrase

Find the next three terms of the arithmetic sequence whose first three terms are: 23, 15, 7

Acceptable Answers:

  • –1, –9, –17

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following is one of the most likely causes of algal blooms in waterways along the Chesapeake Bay: W) fertilizers X) natural pesticides Y) nitrogen-fixing bacteria Z) plastics pollution

W: W) fertilizers

X: X) natural pesticides

Y: Y) nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Z: Z) plastics pollution

Answer: W) W) fertilizers

BONUS general phrase

Giving your answer as winter, spring, summer, or fall, in what season will “dead zones” be most prevalent in the Chesapeake Bay?

Acceptable Answers:

  • summer

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Pampas, steppes, and savannas are all different types of: W) deserts X) tropical forests Y) tropical shrublands Z) grasslands

W: W) deserts

X: X) tropical forests

Y: Y) tropical shrublands

Z: Z) grasslands

Answer: Z) Z) grasslands

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following biomes takes up more square area of the world than any other biome: W) rainforest X) savanna Y) taiga Z) tundra

W: W) rainforest

X: X) savanna

Y: Y) taiga

Z: Z) tundra

Answer: Y) Y) taiga

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Hydrogen bonding is NOT important in the physical and chemical properties of: W) liquid water X) water ice Y) DNA Z) methane gas

W: W) liquid water

X: X) water ice

Y: Y) DNA

Z: Z) methane gas

Answer: Z) Z) methane gas

BONUS phys order

Arrange the following three diatomic molecules in order of increasing number of bonds between atoms: 1) oxygen; 2) fluorine; 3) nitrogen

Choices:

  • oxygen
  • fluorine
  • nitrogen

Correct Order:

  • 2
  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT a key step in the rock cycle: W) cementation X) melting Y) cooling Z) evaporation

W: W) cementation

X: X) melting

Y: Y) cooling

Z: Z) evaporation

Answer: Z) Z) evaporation

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Most of Earth’s deserts in the northern hemisphere are located near which of the following latitudes: W) 0º X) 30º Y) 70º Z) 90º

W: W) 0º

X: X) 30º

Y: Y) 70º

Z: Z) 90º

Answer: X) X) 30º

TOSS-UP math phrase

Express the following radical in simplified form for all positive values of x and y: (36x y)^(4/6)

Acceptable Answers:

  • 6x²y³

BONUS math phrase

Find the product of 2^(5x) times 5^x, giving your answer in its simplest radical form for all positive values of x.

Acceptable Answers:

  • 5^x√x

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following is typically used to sterilize laboratory glassware: W) hot plate X) freeze dryer Y) autoclave Z) fume hood

W: W) hot plate

X: X) freeze dryer

Y: Y) autoclave

Z: Z) fume hood

Answer: Y) Y) autoclave

BONUS general multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true of the Big Dipper: W) it is a well known constellation that can be seen from mid-northern latitudes X) it appears on the opposite side of the North Star from Cassiopeia Y) it is sometimes called the Plough Z) assuming clear skies, it can be seen throughout the night every night of the year from mid-northern latitudes

W: W) it is a well known constellation that can be seen from mid-northern latitudes

X: X) it appears on the opposite side of the North Star from Cassiopeia

Y: Y) it is sometimes called the Plough

Z: Z) assuming clear skies, it can be seen throughout the night every night of the year from mid-northern latitudes

Answer: W) W) it is a well known constellation that can be seen from mid-northern latitudes

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is the most likely highest power for an objective lens on a typical student compound light microscope: W) 25-times X) 100-times Y) 500-times Z) 1500-times

W: W) 25-times

X: X) 100-times

Y: Y) 500-times

Z: Z) 1500-times

Answer: X) X) 100-times

BONUS bio order

Order the following four parts of the human intestine from first to receive food from the stomach to last: 1) colon; 2) duodenum; 3) ileum; 4) jejunum

Choices:

  • colon
  • duodenum
  • ileum
  • jejunum

Correct Order:

  • 2
  • 4
  • 3
  • 1

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true of pH: W) the terms basic or alkaline describe a solution with pH greater than 7 X) the highest value on the pH scale is 14 Y) strong acids dissociate almost completely in water Z) a pH meter operates by measuring small differences in the density of different fluids

W: W) the terms basic or alkaline describe a solution with pH greater than 7

X: X) the highest value on the pH scale is 14

Y: Y) strong acids dissociate almost completely in water

Z: Z) a pH meter operates by measuring small differences in the density of different fluids

Answer: Z) Z) a pH meter operates by measuring small differences in the density of different fluids

BONUS phys multiple_choice

A decrease of 1 unit on the pH scale represents which of the following: W) a 10-fold increase in the hydrogen ion concentration X) a 10-fold decrease in the hydrogen ion concentration Y) a 100-fold increase in the hydrogen ion concentration Z) a 100-fold decrease in the hydrogen ion concentration

W: W) a 10-fold increase in the hydrogen ion concentration

X: X) a 10-fold decrease in the hydrogen ion concentration

Y: Y) a 100-fold increase in the hydrogen ion concentration

Z: Z) a 100-fold decrease in the hydrogen ion concentration

Answer: W) W) a 10-fold increase in the hydrogen ion concentration

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Earth’s atmosphere contains several different layers that are most often defined according to: W) pressure X) moisture Y) wind velocity Z) temperature

W: W) pressure

X: X) moisture

Y: Y) wind velocity

Z: Z) temperature

Answer: Z) Z) temperature

BONUS ess multiselect

Name all of the following three factors that influence wind direction on Earth: 1) Coriolis effect; 2) centripetal force; 3) pressure gradients

Choices:

  • Coriolis effect
  • centripetal force
  • pressure gradients

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP math multiple_choice

Which of the following is closest in value to 79²: W) 6084 X) 6241 Y) 6399 Z) 6400

W: W) 6084

X: X) 6241

Y: Y) 6399

Z: Z) 6400

Answer: X) X) 6241

BONUS math phrase

Solve the following equation for x: 9x² + 12x = –4

Acceptable Answers:

  • –3/2

TOSS-UP general phrase

In 2005, into what celestial object did the Deep Impact probe crash?

Acceptable Answers:

  • comet
  • Comet Temple

BONUS general multiple_choice

Which of the following terms is used most often by astronomers for the total energy emitted per unit time from a star: W) apparent magnitude X) watts Y) luminosity Z) stellar unit

W: W) apparent magnitude

X: X) watts

Y: Y) luminosity

Z: Z) stellar unit

Answer: Y) Y) luminosity

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

The presence of which of the following is the most important characteristic that allows xylem to function in plants: W) plastids and chloroplasts X) strong thick walls Y) large fluid-filled vacuoles Z) nuclei and endoplasmic reticulum

W: W) plastids and chloroplasts

X: X) strong thick walls

Y: Y) large fluid-filled vacuoles

Z: Z) nuclei and endoplasmic reticulum

Answer: X) X) strong thick walls

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following four structures that are composed mostly of keratin: 1) bird’s beak; 2) snake teeth; 3) human fingernail; 4) mammalian fur

Choices:

  • bird’s beak
  • snake teeth
  • human fingernail
  • mammalian fur

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3
  • 4

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Francium has the lowest electronegativity of the elements. This would indicate that francium is in what corner of the periodic chart: W) upper left X) lower left Y) upper right Z) lower right

W: W) upper left

X: X) lower left

Y: Y) upper right

Z: Z) lower right

Answer: X) X) lower left

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Which of the following compounds is LEAST soluble in water and is frequently used as a radiocontrast agent in imaging of the GI tract: W) sodium chloride X) potassium chloride Y) barium sulfate Z) sodium hydroxide

W: W) sodium chloride

X: X) potassium chloride

Y: Y) barium sulfate

Z: Z) sodium hydroxide

Answer: Y) Y) barium sulfate

TOSS-UP ess phrase

At any one time, there are always how many major tidal bulges on Earth?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2

BONUS ess multiselect

Which two of the following four forces are primarily responsible for the creation of two major tidal bulges on the Earth: 1) gravity; 2) wind; 3) inertia; 4) sunlight

Choices:

  • gravity
  • wind
  • inertia
  • sunlight

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP math phrase

Your English teacher asks that you learn 2 new words every day. If you started with 12 new words, how many total new words will you learn after 30 days?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 72

BONUS math order

Arrange the following four values in increasing order: 1) π^(0.5); 2) 0.5; 3) 0.52; 4) ∛5

Choices:

  • π^(0.5)
  • 0.5
  • 0.52
  • ∛5

Correct Order:

  • 1
  • 3
  • 2
  • 4

TOSS-UP general phrase

What uranium isotope is most common on Earth?

Acceptable Answers:

  • uranium-238
  • 238

BONUS general phrase

What is the common name for the plant from which the prized spice saffron is derived?

Acceptable Answers:

  • crocus

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What natural plant hormone is most directly involved in controlling phototropism?

Acceptable Answers:

  • auxin
  • indole acetic acid
  • IAA

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following three types of molecules that are generally soluble in water: 1) simple sugars; 2) mRNA; 3) lipids

Choices:

  • simple sugars
  • mRNA
  • lipids

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP phys phrase

Knowing that carbon is in group 4 and period 2 on the Periodic Table, give the electron configuration of the carbon atom:

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1s² 2s² 2p²
  • [He] 2s² 2p²

BONUS phys order

Arrange the following four materials in decreasing order of thermal conductivity: 1) granite; 2) rubber; 3) gold; 4) lead

Choices:

  • granite
  • rubber
  • gold
  • lead

Correct Order:

  • 3
  • 4
  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What is the most common name for the last stellar stage in the life of our Sun?

Acceptable Answers:

  • white dwarf
  • black dwarf

BONUS ess phrase

The decay rate of the radioactive isotope potassium-40 into stable argon-40 can be used to radiometrically date rocks. If it takes 1.28 billion years for half the potassium-40 to decay, a rock that contains a 50/50 ratio of the two is how many billion years old, to the second decimal place?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1.28