MS Sample Set 1, Round 13 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

The upper limit of the zone of saturation is the: W) watershed X) water table Y) precipitation zone Z) Darcy zone

W: W) watershed

X: X) water table

Y: Y) precipitation zone

Z: Z) Darcy zone

Answer: X) X) water table

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following ground-level forms of precipitation results when supercooled water droplets collide with ice pellets and they freeze together: W) sleet X) hail Y) snow Z) rain

W: W) sleet

X: X) hail

Y: Y) snow

Z: Z) rain

Answer: X) X) hail

TOSS-UP math phrase

Expand the following expression, giving your answer in standard form: (x – 4^(1/2))^2

Acceptable Answers:

  • x^2 – 16^(1/2) + x
  • x^2 – 16^(1/2) + x

BONUS math phrase

If $1,000 is invested at a simple interest rate of 10% annually, at the end of 3 years, what is the total interest earned?

Acceptable Answers:

  • $300

TOSS-UP general phrase

Most nuclear reactors in the U.S. use what element as their fuel for fission?

Acceptable Answers:

  • uranium
  • uranium-235

BONUS general multiple_choice

Which of the following is TRUE regarding cooking with water: W) rice cooking at a vigorous boil in an open pot is at a higher temperature than at a slow boil X) pressure cookers increase the boiling point of water so that food cooks faster Y) cooking times in Miami, Florida are longer than in Denver, Colorado Z) live steam is used in most electric rice cookers

W: W) rice cooking at a vigorous boil in an open pot is at a higher temperature than at a slow boil

X: X) pressure cookers increase the boiling point of water so that food cooks faster

Y: Y) cooking times in Miami, Florida are longer than in Denver, Colorado

Z: Z) live steam is used in most electric rice cookers

Answer: X) X) pressure cookers increase the boiling point of water so that food cooks faster

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Phylogenetic systems of classifying organisms into various groups are mostly based on: W) physical appearances X) numbers of genes Y) evolutionary history Z) environmental origins

W: W) physical appearances

X: X) numbers of genes

Y: Y) evolutionary history

Z: Z) environmental origins

Answer: Y) Y) evolutionary history

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following are homologous structures: W) wing of a bat and the arm of a human X) leg of a cat and the wing of a fly Y) stinger of a bee and the fang of a snake Z) rattler of a rattle snake and the whistle of a song bird

W: W) wing of a bat and the arm of a human

X: X) leg of a cat and the wing of a fly

Y: Y) stinger of a bee and the fang of a snake

Z: Z) rattler of a rattle snake and the whistle of a song bird

Answer: W) W) wing of a bat and the arm of a human

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What color light will be produced when combining equal proportions of green and blue light?

Acceptable Answers:

  • cyan

BONUS phys order

Order the following four forms of electromagnetic radiation from the one with the shortest wavelength to the longest wavelength: ultraviolet; microwave; gamma; FM radio

Choices:

  • ultraviolet
  • microwave
  • gamma
  • FM radio

Correct Order:

  • 3
  • 1
  • 2
  • 4

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

About what percent of the Northern Hemisphere is continental land mass: W) 20 X) 40 Y) 60 Z) 80

W: W) 20

X: X) 40

Y: Y) 60

Z: Z) 80

Answer: X) X) 40

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following atmospheric gases is found on Earth and on our two closest planetary neighbors, but is found in much higher concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere: W) helium X) carbon dioxide Y) argon Z) nitrogen

W: W) helium

X: X) carbon dioxide

Y: Y) argon

Z: Z) nitrogen

Answer: Z) Z) nitrogen

TOSS-UP math phrase

Express the following square root in its simplest radical form: √27

Acceptable Answers:

  • 3 √3

BONUS math phrase

Your grades on your first 3 math tests are 80%, 83% and 90%. What do you need to score on the next test in order to average 87% on the 4 tests?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 95

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Measuring at 2 feet in length, the hellbender, commonly known as a snot otter or devil dog, found in many streams in the Appalachian and Ozark Mountains of the Eastern United States, are one of the largest species of: W) salamanders X) jawless fish Y) giant catfish Z) bright, red-colored frogs with horn-like ears

W: W) salamanders

X: X) jawless fish

Y: Y) giant catfish

Z: Z) bright, red-colored frogs with horn-like ears

Answer: W) W) salamanders

BONUS general multiple_choice

Which of the following is most likely if a healthy hellbender population is found in a stream: W) they should be eradicated because they eat all the predatory fish X) they are venomous creatures and are a threat to people Y) their presence is an excellent indicator that the water quality of the stream is good Z) their presence is an excellent indicator that the stream is polluted with heavy metals and PCBs

W: W) they should be eradicated because they eat all the predatory fish

X: X) they are venomous creatures and are a threat to people

Y: Y) their presence is an excellent indicator that the water quality of the stream is good

Z: Z) their presence is an excellent indicator that the stream is polluted with heavy metals and PCBs

Answer: Y) Y) their presence is an excellent indicator that the water quality of the stream is good

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

What human gland releases thyroid-stimulating hormone and oxytocin into the blood? W) pituitary X) thyroid Y) adrenal Z) pancreas (Actually answer field given:)

W: W) pituitary

X: X) thyroid

Y: Y) adrenal

Z: Z) pancreas

Answer: p)

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Ribosomes are made of: W) protein only X) nucleic acid only Y) nucleic acid and protein Z) nucleic acid and carbohydrate

W: W) protein only

X: X) nucleic acid only

Y: Y) nucleic acid and protein

Z: Z) nucleic acid and carbohydrate

Answer: Y) Y) nucleic acid and protein

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following is least accurate of ionic solids such as NaCl: W) they have low melting points X) they are salts Y) they conduct electricity when dissolved in water Z) they dissolve completely in water

W: W) they have low melting points

X: X) they are salts

Y: Y) they conduct electricity when dissolved in water

Z: Z) they dissolve completely in water

Answer: W) W) they have low melting points

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Knowing that an extensive property of a system is a physical quality whose value does depend on the amount of the substance in a system, which of the following is an extensive property: W) temperature X) melting point Y) density Z) heat

W: W) temperature

X: X) melting point

Y: Y) density

Z: Z) heat

Answer: Z) Z) heat

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following celestial objects has the closest chemical makeup to the planet Jupiter: W) the Sun X) the planet Earth Y) the planet Mercury Z) a Kuiper-belt comet

W: W) the Sun

X: X) the planet Earth

Y: Y) the planet Mercury

Z: Z) a Kuiper-belt comet

Answer: W) W) the Sun

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is not prevalent at mid-ocean ridges: W) strong earthquakes with deep foci X) black smokers Y) hydrothermal activity Z) rift valleys

W: W) strong earthquakes with deep foci

X: X) black smokers

Y: Y) hydrothermal activity

Z: Z) rift valleys

Answer: W) W) strong earthquakes with deep foci

TOSS-UP math phrase

Express the following radical in simplified form for all positive values of x: √(16/x²)

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4/x

BONUS math phrase

Add the following rational expressions, giving your answer in reduced form: (2/(3x)) + (2/(6x))

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2/(3(x+1))
  • (3x+2)/(3x)
  • 3x + 3x^(–2)

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following is a highly contagious disease and is easily spread from person to person by simply coughing or sneezing: W) HIV X) Lyme disease Y) chickenpox Z) cellulitis

W: W) HIV

X: X) Lyme disease

Y: Y) chickenpox

Z: Z) cellulitis

Answer: Y) Y) chickenpox

BONUS general phrase

Sickle Cell anemia has the advantage of allowing a person with the disorder to effectively resist what parasitic infectious disease?

Acceptable Answers:

  • malaria

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following animals are believed to be the closest living relatives to the dinosaurs: W) salamanders X) snakes Y) ostriches Z) crocodiles

W: W) salamanders

X: X) snakes

Y: Y) ostriches

Z: Z) crocodiles

Answer: Z) Z) crocodiles

BONUS bio order

Order the following four taxonomical groups from the one with the most organisms to the least: order; family; phylum; kingdom

Choices:

  • order
  • family
  • phylum
  • kingdom

Correct Order:

  • 4
  • 3
  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

The behavior of light has led scientists to generally consider light as behaving as: W) a particle only X) a wave only Y) the most basic energy source Z) particles and waves

W: W) a particle only

X: X) a wave only

Y: Y) the most basic energy source

Z: Z) particles and waves

Answer: Z) Z) particles and waves

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Which of the following best explains why the halogens are found in nature as compounds or ions: W) they have an excess of neutrons and are unstable in pure form X) they have 1 electron in their outer shell Y) they need only one electron to fill their outermost shell so they are highly reactive Z) they are non-metals with unfilled energy shells

W: W) they have an excess of neutrons and are unstable in pure form

X: X) they have 1 electron in their outer shell

Y: Y) they need only one electron to fill their outermost shell so they are highly reactive

Z: Z) they are non-metals with unfilled energy shells

Answer: Y) Y) they need only one electron to fill their outermost shell so they are highly reactive

TOSS-UP general multiselect

Name all of the following three substances that are considered by scientists as antiseptics: 1) 5% bleach; 2) 70% ethanol; 3) tincture of iodine

Choices:

  • 5% bleach
  • 70% ethanol
  • tincture of iodine

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

BONUS general multiple_choice

Which of the following foods contains the most grams of carbohydrates: W) 3 ounces fried beef liver X) 1 cup lard Y) 1 cup white granulated sugar Z) 1 (8-ounce) baked potato, with skin

W: W) 3 ounces fried beef liver

X: X) 1 cup lard

Y: Y) 1 cup white granulated sugar

Z: Z) 1 (8-ounce) baked potato, with skin

Answer: Y) Y) 1 cup white granulated sugar

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is not true of humidity: W) relative humidity is a description of the water vapor content in air X) humans feel uncomfortable when the relative humidity is high because cooling from sweating is less effective Y) dew points normally occur when the relative humidity of an air mass is 100% Z) the dew point is measured in percent along with the relative humidity

W: W) relative humidity is a description of the water vapor content in air

X: X) humans feel uncomfortable when the relative humidity is high because cooling from sweating is less effective

Y: Y) dew points normally occur when the relative humidity of an air mass is 100%

Z: Z) the dew point is measured in percent along with the relative humidity

Answer: Z) Z) the dew point is measured in percent along with the relative humidity

BONUS ess phrase

At 30ºC a parcel of air can contain 30 grams of water vapor per cubic meter of air. What is the relative humidity if the parcel actually contains 9 grams of water vapor per cubic meter at this temperature?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 30

TOSS-UP math phrase

Simplify the following expression: 15/(15x + 5y)

Acceptable Answers:

  • x + 3/1 y
  • x + 3y

BONUS math phrase

Simplify the following completely: –3²(2)x³

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2x/8

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

In which of the following environments would a thermophilic bacteria most likely evolve: W) Antarctic X) hot spring Y) desert Z) thermokarst

W: W) Antarctic

X: X) hot spring

Y: Y) desert

Z: Z) thermokarst

Answer: X) X) hot spring

BONUS bio multiselect

Name all of the following four plants that are gymnosperms: 1) fern; 2) ginkgo tree; 3) pine tree; 4) giant sequoia tree

Choices:

  • fern
  • ginkgo tree
  • pine tree
  • giant sequoia tree

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following is not a hazard that would be listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet for concentrated sulfuric acid: W) corrosive X) poison Y) use with adequate ventilation Z) flammable

W: W) corrosive

X: X) poison

Y: Y) use with adequate ventilation

Z: Z) flammable

Answer: Z) Z) flammable

BONUS phys phrase

How many grams are in 10 moles of water if the atomic mass of oxygen is 16 and hydrogen is 1?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 180

TOSS-UP general phrase

Giving your answer in degrees, what is the declination for the north celestial pole?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 90
  • +90

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • –90
  • negative 90

BONUS general phrase

If right ascension is measured in hours, with 24 hours in a full circle, how many degrees of arc are in 1 hour of right ascension?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 15

TOSS-UP ess phrase

Which of the following four choices does not belong with the others: sleet; anvil cloud; hail; lightning

Acceptable Answers:

  • sleet

BONUS ess multiselect

Name all of the following three choices that are excellent index fossils because they were distributed over a wide geographical area but only for a relatively short period of time: 1) trilobites; 2) ammonites; 3) copepods

Choices:

  • trilobites
  • ammonites
  • copepods

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 2

TOSS-UP math phrase

Multiply the following two radicals, giving your answer as a whole number: (√4 5)(√2 5)

Acceptable Answers:

  • 40

BONUS math order

Arrange the following four choices in INCREASING order: 0.2¹; 0.22; 0.23; 0.2₁

Choices:

  • 0.2¹
  • 0.22
  • 0.23
  • 0.2₁

Correct Order:

  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 4

TOSS-UP bio phrase

Of the three basic types of muscle in humans, which are considered voluntary?

Acceptable Answers:

  • skeletal

BONUS bio phrase

At the beginning of metaphase in mitosis, how many chromatids are in each chromosome?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 2

TOSS-UP phys phrase

If the distance between two objects is doubled and everything else remained the same, by what factor would the gravitational attraction between the two bodies decrease?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4

BONUS phys phrase

If a 4.0-kilogram bowling ball is resting on a shelf 3.0 meters above a floor, how many joules of gravitational potential energy, rounded to the first decimal place, does the ball have relative to the floor, assuming g is 9.8 meters per second squared?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 117.6