MS Sample Set 12, Round 11 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Cape Town, South Africa has a Mediterranean climate. Which of the following statements best describes the climate of Cape Town on average? W) Winters have higher temperature and more precipitation than summers X) Winters have higher temperature and less precipitation than summers Y) Winters have lower temperature and more precipitation than summers Z) Winters have lower temperature and less precipitation than summers

W: W) Winters have higher temperature and more precipitation than summers

X: X) Winters have higher temperature and less precipitation than summers

Y: Y) Winters have lower temperature and more precipitation than summers

Z: Z) Winters have lower temperature and less precipitation than summers

Answer: Y) Y) Winters have lower temperature and more precipitation than summers

BONUS ess phrase

The Rio Tinto river in Spain is so named because of its red hue, which is derived from what abundant dissolved ion?

Acceptable Answers:

  • IRON THREE
  • IRON THREE PLUS
  • FERRIC IRON

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • IRON

TOSS-UP math phrase

Giving your answer in base 8, what is ONE-SEVEN base 8 plus FIVE-SIX base 8?

Acceptable Answers:

  • SEVEN-FIVE (75)

BONUS math phrase

A right circular cylinder has a radius of 3 and a height of 12. A second right circular cylinder has a radius of 5 and a height of 7. What is the larger lateral surface area of the two cylinders?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 72π

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following exhibits quaternary protein structure? W) Myoglobin X) Bilirubin Y) Hemoglobin Z) Adenosine triphosphate

W: W) Myoglobin

X: X) Bilirubin

Y: Y) Hemoglobin

Z: Z) Adenosine triphosphate

Answer: Y) Y) Hemoglobin

BONUS bio multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true of the domains of life: 1) Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger than bacterial ribosomes; 2) Bacterial ribosomes are larger than archaean ribosomes; 3) Bacteria initiate translation of mRNA with methionine codons.

Choices:

  • Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger than bacterial ribosomes
  • Bacterial ribosomes are larger than archaean ribosomes
  • Bacteria initiate translation of mRNA with methionine codons

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP energy phrase

What is the name for the value that is used to rate the performance of diesel fuels?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CETANE NUMBER
  • CETANE RATING
  • CN

BONUS energy phrase

Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Lab are studying a new generation of catalysts that accelerate the polymerization of ethylene to form plastic water bottles, windshield glass, and other modern polymers. What is the empirical formula of the polymer product polyethylene?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CH₂

TOSS-UP phys phrase

Brian drives from his home to work, and then back home in a total of 3 hours. In miles per hour, what is the average velocity of his round trip, if his home and work are separated by 60 miles?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 0

BONUS phys phrase

An object has fallen 30 meters in the past 2 seconds. To the nearest meter per second, what is its current vertical speed?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 25

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

What type of solution can cause plasmolysis of a plant cell when the cell is immersed in the solution? W) Isotonic X) Nontonic Y) Hypertonic Z) Hypotonic

W: W) Isotonic

X: X) Nontonic

Y: Y) Hypertonic

Z: Z) Hypotonic

Answer: Y) Y) Hypertonic

BONUS bio phrase

An amoeba creates a vesicle by phagocytosis. The next step for the vesicle is fusion with what organelle?

Acceptable Answers:

  • LYSOSOME

TOSS-UP ess phrase

Thalassa is a natural satellite of what planet?

Acceptable Answers:

  • NEPTUNE

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is true of the Great Red Spot of Jupiter? W) It does not vary significantly in latitude X) It varies significantly in latitude within the Northern Hemisphere Y) It varies significantly in latitude within the Southern Hemisphere Z) It frequently migrates between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere

W: W) It does not vary significantly in latitude

X: X) It varies significantly in latitude within the Northern Hemisphere

Y: Y) It varies significantly in latitude within the Southern Hemisphere

Z: Z) It frequently migrates between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere

Answer: W) W) It does not vary significantly in latitude

TOSS-UP math phrase

Evaluate the following expression: 8 minus 3 times 4

Acceptable Answers:

  • –4

BONUS math phrase

The bases of a right trapezoid have lengths 5 and 8. The non-perpendicular side connecting them has length 12. What is the height of the trapezoid?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 3√15

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What is the only element not in the halogen family that forms a noble-gas electron configuration with the addition of one electron?

Acceptable Answers:

  • HYDROGEN

BONUS phys phrase

How many fatty acid chains are present in one molecule of a phospholipid?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Argonne National Lab researchers are developing techniques to better annotate genomes of organisms. In this case, to what does annotation refer? W) Adding information about the functions of different sequences X) Adding information about similar genes in other organisms Y) Converting the genome to amino acid code Z) Converting the genome to RNA code

W: W) Adding information about the functions of different sequences

X: X) Adding information about similar genes in other organisms

Y: Y) Converting the genome to amino acid code

Z: Z) Converting the genome to RNA code

Answer: W) W) Adding information about the functions of different sequences

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab recently developed a device that can manufacture on demand technetium-99m, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 6 hours. For what purpose will this technetium isotope be used? W) Research into nuclear shell structure X) Source for high-energy X-rays Y) Medical diagnostics Z) Research into CP violation in the weak force

W: W) Research into nuclear shell structure

X: X) Source for high-energy X-rays

Y: Y) Medical diagnostics

Z: Z) Research into CP violation in the weak force

Answer: Y) Y) Medical diagnostics

TOSS-UP math phrase

The endpoints of a diameter of a circle have coordinates (7, 4) and (–5, –8). What are the coordinates of the center of the circle?

Acceptable Answers:

  • (1, –2)

BONUS math phrase

If a 40-degree sector of a circle has area 30π, then, to the nearest whole number, what is the radius of the circle?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 16

TOSS-UP ess phrase

Spectroscopic binary stars can only be differentiated by oscillations in their spectra caused by their rotation around their center of mass. What is the name of the effect that causes this oscillation in their observed spectra?

Acceptable Answers:

  • DOPPLER

BONUS ess phrase

Jupiter’s mass is approximately 320 Earth masses, and its average density is a quarter of Earth’s. To the nearest whole number of Earth diameters, what is the diameter of Jupiter?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 11

TOSS-UP bio phrase

Trichinosis is a parasitic disorder that is usually caused by the consumption of what meat?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PORK
  • PIG
  • HOG

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is least likely to be found in a hot desert climate? W) A plant with broad flat leaves X) A plant with few leaves Y) A plant with thick fleshy leaves Z) A plant with thin needle-like leaves

W: W) A plant with broad flat leaves

X: X) A plant with few leaves

Y: Y) A plant with thick fleshy leaves

Z: Z) A plant with thin needle-like leaves

Answer: W) W) A plant with broad flat leaves

TOSS-UP math phrase

A triangle has sides of length 10, 10, and 4. Connecting the midpoints of the sides of this triangle forms a smaller triangle. What is the perimeter of the smaller triangle?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 12

BONUS math phrase

To the nearest whole number, 130 kilometers per hour is how many meters per second?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 36

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Some plants have bacteria within their root nodules that perform nitrogen fixation. What conversion does nitrogen fixation involve? W) Nitrite to nitrate X) Nitric acid to ammonium nitrate Y) Dinitrogen to ammonia Z) Nitrate to dinitrogen

W: W) Nitrite to nitrate

X: X) Nitric acid to ammonium nitrate

Y: Y) Dinitrogen to ammonia

Z: Z) Nitrate to dinitrogen

Answer: Y) Y) Dinitrogen to ammonia

BONUS bio phrase

Lacteals are fat-absorbing structures that are a part of what human organ system?

Acceptable Answers:

  • LYMPHATIC
  • SMALL INTESTINE

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What group of elements react violently with water and have one electron in their valence shell?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ONE
  • ALKALI METALS

BONUS phys order

Rank the following three atoms in terms of increasing number of valence electrons: 1) Carbon; 2) Beryllium; 3) Fluorine.

Choices:

  • Carbon
  • Beryllium
  • Fluorine

Correct Order:

  • 2
  • 1
  • 3

TOSS-UP energy phrase

Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab are studying a structure composed of gas and dust surrounding and feeding the Sagittarius A* black hole. What is the name given to such a disk of material?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ACCRETION DISK

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Researchers at Argonne National Lab are developing tools to assign functions to sequence data that are being generated at a faster and faster pace. Most of the diversity in these data comes from what classification of organisms? W) Animals X) Prokaryotes Y) Plants Z) Fungi

W: W) Animals

X: X) Prokaryotes

Y: Y) Plants

Z: Z) Fungi

Answer: X) X) Prokaryotes

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

What type of volcano is Mt. Fuji in Japan? W) Shield X) Volcanic dome Y) Cinder cone Z) Stratovolcano

W: W) Shield

X: X) Volcanic dome

Y: Y) Cinder cone

Z: Z) Stratovolcano

Answer: Z) Z) Stratovolcano

BONUS ess multiselect

Identify all of the following three rock types that are metamorphic: 1) Slate; 2) Quartzite; 3) Monzonite.

Choices:

  • Slate
  • Quartzite
  • Monzonite

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP math phrase

How many integers are there between –6 and 8, inclusive?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 15

BONUS math phrase

If x varies inversely as the square root of y and x equals 10 when y equals 4, what is the value of x when y = 49?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 20/7 (2 6/7)

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following compounds will be most soluble in water at 50 °C? W) Sucrose X) Calcium carbonate Y) Vegetable oil Z) Benzene

W: W) Sucrose

X: X) Calcium carbonate

Y: Y) Vegetable oil

Z: Z) Benzene

Answer: W) W) Sucrose

BONUS phys multiselect

Identify all of the following three elements that methylamine contains: 1) Carbon; 2) Nitrogen; 3) Oxygen.

Choices:

  • Carbon
  • Nitrogen
  • Oxygen

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP bio phrase

In mammals, the major thermoregulatory center is in what part of the brain?

Acceptable Answers:

  • HYPOTHALAMUS

BONUS bio phrase

In DNA, what is the nucleotide base that pairs with adenine?

Acceptable Answers:

  • THYMINE

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What spectral class is classified by the strongest hydrogen Balmer lines?

Acceptable Answers:

  • A

BONUS ess phrase

In which corner of a Hertzsprung–Russell diagram can one find Betelgeuse?

Acceptable Answers:

  • TOP RIGHT

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What is the general term for devices that transform radiant energy into electrical energy, such as solar panels?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PHOTOVOLTAIC

BONUS phys multiselect

Identify all of the following three statements that are true regarding sound waves: 1) They travel faster in warm air than in cold air; 2) They travel faster in gases than in solids; 3) They travel faster in liquids than in gases.

Choices:

  • They travel faster in warm air than in cold air
  • They travel faster in gases than in solids
  • They travel faster in liquids than in gases

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3