MS Sample Set 3, Round 13 from NSB
A research project called Cosmic plans to use GPS satellites for weather forecasting to give data on temperature, pressure and water vapor in the atmosphere. Today, these data are typically gathered by which of the following: W) Doppler radar X) sonar Y) laser interferometry Z) radiosonde balloons
W: W) Doppler radar
X: X) sonar
Y: Y) laser interferometry
Z: Z) radiosonde balloons
Answer: Z) Z) radiosonde balloons
After the Sumatran earthquake, a seismograph stationed on the opposite side of the epicenter half-way around the Earth would have detected which of the following: W) nothing because seismic waves cannot pass through the Earth X) both P-waves and S-waves Y) only P-waves Z) only S-waves
W: W) nothing because seismic waves cannot pass through the Earth
X: X) both P-waves and S-waves
Y: Y) only P-waves
Z: Z) only S-waves
Answer: Y) Y) only P-waves
Add and simplify the following two polynomials, giving your answer in standard form: (9x^6 + 10x^3) + (3x^9 + 10x^3 + 3x^2 – x + x – x)
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Give the height, to the nearest whole meter, of the triangle that has an area of 54 square meters and whose base is 4-times its height:
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Which of the following forms of coal typically has the HIGHEST BTU value per pound: W) lignite X) anthracite Y) bituminous Z) peat
W: W) lignite
X: X) anthracite
Y: Y) bituminous
Z: Z) peat
Answer: X) X) anthracite
MTBE or methyl tertiary butyl ether, is a: W) gasoline additive X) organic dye Y) food preservative Z) plant alkaloid
W: W) gasoline additive
X: X) organic dye
Y: Y) food preservative
Z: Z) plant alkaloid
Answer: W) W) gasoline additive
Which of the following is the BEST example of how evolution progresses: W) animals learn to survive through experience and teach their offspring X) certain mutations improve an organism’s offspring’s chances to survive and reproduce in different environments Y) animals develop certain strengths and weaknesses through experience and pass the knowledge down by example Z) an animal that is successful at hunting will be more likely to survive
W: W) animals learn to survive through experience and teach their offspring
X: X) certain mutations improve an organism’s offspring’s chances to survive and reproduce in different environments
Y: Y) animals develop certain strengths and weaknesses through experience and pass the knowledge down by example
Z: Z) an animal that is successful at hunting will be more likely to survive
Answer: X) X) certain mutations improve an organism’s offspring’s chances to survive and reproduce in different environments
Order the following from the part nearest to the START of the human digestive system to the part nearest the END: ileum; esophagus; duodenum; jejunum
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Which of the following BEST describes the following reaction: 2CaO → 2Ca + O2 W) combustion X) decomposition Y) single replacement Z) double replacement
W: W) combustion
X: X) decomposition
Y: Y) single replacement
Z: Z) double replacement
Answer: X) X) decomposition
Order the following three particles from the one with the LEAST mass to the one with the MOST mass: electron; neutron; photon
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Which of the following is TRUE: W) pyroclastic flows dominate Hawaiian volcanoes X) granitic magma contains less silica than basaltic magma Y) peridotite is rock found within the Earth’s mantle and some meteorites Z) plutons are large masses of basalt
W: W) pyroclastic flows dominate Hawaiian volcanoes
X: X) granitic magma contains less silica than basaltic magma
Y: Y) peridotite is rock found within the Earth’s mantle and some meteorites
Z: Z) plutons are large masses of basalt
Answer: Y) Y) peridotite is rock found within the Earth’s mantle and some meteorites
Which of the following is TRUE about Earth’s atmosphere: W) the upper mesosphere is the coldest region of the Earth’s atmosphere X) the stratopause lies just below the stratosphere Y) moist air weighs more than dry air at the same temperature Z) the tropopause is higher at the South Pole than at the equator
W: W) the upper mesosphere is the coldest region of the Earth’s atmosphere
X: X) the stratopause lies just below the stratosphere
Y: Y) moist air weighs more than dry air at the same temperature
Z: Z) the tropopause is higher at the South Pole than at the equator
Answer: W) W) the upper mesosphere is the coldest region of the Earth’s atmosphere
Add the following radicals, giving your answer in simplest radical form: √3 + √12
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Solve the following inequality for x: |2x – 3| < 9
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Which of the following is a type of burn in which the outer layer of keratin in the skin and the dermis are damaged and is referred to as a full-thickness burn: W) 1st degree X) 2nd degree Y) 3rd degree Z) 4th degree
W: W) 1st degree
X: X) 2nd degree
Y: Y) 3rd degree
Z: Z) 4th degree
Answer: Y) Y) 3rd degree
In a 2nd degree burn, what is the name of the fluid that quickly forms beneath the blister?
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What cellular organelle most directly functions to help match the tRNA to the correct place on the mRNA and allows the growing of a protein?
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The basic parts of ribosomes are manufactured in what specific part of a eukaryotic cell?
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DO NOT ACCEPT:
Which of the following is NOT true about boiling liquids: W) all boiling liquids are too hot to touch X) the boiling point of pure water at standard pressure is 373.15 kelvin Y) the boiling point of a liquid depends on the surface pressure above the liquid Z) adding a handful of table salt to a quart of boiling water will change its boiling point
W: W) all boiling liquids are too hot to touch
X: X) the boiling point of pure water at standard pressure is 373.15 kelvin
Y: Y) the boiling point of a liquid depends on the surface pressure above the liquid
Z: Z) adding a handful of table salt to a quart of boiling water will change its boiling point
Answer: W) W) all boiling liquids are too hot to touch
How many grams of sodium chloride are in 300 grams of a 20% solution, if the atomic masses of sodium and chloride are 23 and 35, respectively?
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Which of the following is the BEST reason why the Earth’s inner core is solid and the outer core is not: W) greater depths yield cooler temperatures X) greater depths yield higher pressures Y) inner core is further removed from the influence of hot magma Z) they have different mineral contents
W: W) greater depths yield cooler temperatures
X: X) greater depths yield higher pressures
Y: Y) inner core is further removed from the influence of hot magma
Z: Z) they have different mineral contents
Answer: X) X) greater depths yield higher pressures
Coral reefs capture about half of all calcium flowing into the ocean every year by fixing it into: W) calcium carbonate X) calcium fluoride Y) calcium oxalate Z) quartz
W: W) calcium carbonate
X: X) calcium fluoride
Y: Y) calcium oxalate
Z: Z) quartz
Answer: W) W) calcium carbonate
If k is an integer greater than 1, which of the following is greater than 1: W) –(–k)^3 X) –(k)^3 Y) (k)^(-1/3) Z) –|k|^3
W: W) –(–k)^3
X: X) –(k)^3
Y: Y) (k)^(-1/3)
Z: Z) –|k|^3
Answer: W) W) –(–k)^3
Giving your answer in the simplest form, what is the slope-intercept equation of the line passing through the points (3, 8) and (2, 3)?
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From what continent do more than 80% of the weather systems originate which become tropical storms or hurricanes that reach the U.S. eastern and southern shores?
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It is believed that the heavy elements in Earth’s crust primarily originated from: W) comets X) asteroids Y) meteorites Z) exploding stars called supernovae
W: W) comets
X: X) asteroids
Y: Y) meteorites
Z: Z) exploding stars called supernovae
Answer: Z) Z) exploding stars called supernovae
What structure of the human eye is primarily responsible for regulating the amount of light that enters the eye?
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In the human eye, what type of light receptor is most densely populated at the fovea?
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Which of the following is MOST commonly used to separate substances based on solubility differences: W) centrifugation X) autoclaving Y) paper filtration Z) paper chromatography
W: W) centrifugation
X: X) autoclaving
Y: Y) paper filtration
Z: Z) paper chromatography
Answer: Z) Z) paper chromatography
Name all of the following three pairs of elements that would be chemically bonded by a covalent bond:
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Which of the following BEST explains why there is typically less temperature variation along the coasts of continents versus inland climates at the same latitude: W) land surfaces of the planet can store more heat than the oceans X) the friction between waves and the shore add heat to the area Y) water can absorb and release large amounts of heat with very little change in temperature Z) surface ocean currents along shorelines typically carry warm water
W: W) land surfaces of the planet can store more heat than the oceans
X: X) the friction between waves and the shore add heat to the area
Y: Y) water can absorb and release large amounts of heat with very little change in temperature
Z: Z) surface ocean currents along shorelines typically carry warm water
Answer: Y) Y) water can absorb and release large amounts of heat with very little change in temperature
Surface bedrock in British Columbia often has long, parallel scratches called striations. Which of the following is most likely TRUE about these markings: W) they were caused by seasonal freeze-thaw cycles X) a glacier once moved in the direction of these scratches Y) a swift river once ran through these areas Z) the area was once a pluvial lake
W: W) they were caused by seasonal freeze-thaw cycles
X: X) a glacier once moved in the direction of these scratches
Y: Y) a swift river once ran through these areas
Z: Z) the area was once a pluvial lake
Answer: X) X) a glacier once moved in the direction of these scratches
Which of the following is equivalent to the radical expression, √(18^18): W) 3^3 X) 9^9 Y) 18^3 Z) 18^9
W: W) 3^3
X: X) 9^9
Y: Y) 18^3
Z: Z) 18^9
Answer: Z) Z) 18^9
Give the third term in the binomial expansion of (x + y)^5.
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The majority of sulfuric acid produced in the U.S. today is used to make which of the following: W) fertilizers X) glass Y) paint Z) plastics
W: W) fertilizers
X: X) glass
Y: Y) paint
Z: Z) plastics
Answer: W) W) fertilizers
Fertilizers typically have three numbers such as 5, 10, 5. What are the chemical elements that represent these numbers, in any order? W) nitrogen; phosphorus; potassium X) nitrogen; potassium; sulfur Y) phosphorus; calcium; potassium Z) nitrogen; phosphorus; calcium
W: W) nitrogen; phosphorus; potassium
X: X) nitrogen; potassium; sulfur
Y: Y) phosphorus; calcium; potassium
Z: Z) nitrogen; phosphorus; calcium
Answer: W) W) nitrogen; phosphorus; potassium
What insect is used the most in experiments studying genetics and development?
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Which of the following is the BEST explanation why fruit flies are popular experimental organisms in genetic studies: W) they are true breeding with almost no mutations and have only two chromosomes X) they are cheap to maintain, produce many offspring, and have a short time between generations Y) they are very safe, carry no human diseases, and have only two chromosomes Z) their genes are extra-sensitive to mutation-causing substances, which makes them excellent to observe evolving under stress
W: W) they are true breeding with almost no mutations and have only two chromosomes
X: X) they are cheap to maintain, produce many offspring, and have a short time between generations
Y: Y) they are very safe, carry no human diseases, and have only two chromosomes
Z: Z) their genes are extra-sensitive to mutation-causing substances, which makes them excellent to observe evolving under stress
Answer: X) X) they are cheap to maintain, produce many offspring, and have a short time between generations
Raising a bucket of chicken fat from the floor to 3 meters high off the floor would increase the bucket’s: W) kinetic energy X) chemical energy Y) thermal energy Z) potential energy
W: W) kinetic energy
X: X) chemical energy
Y: Y) thermal energy
Z: Z) potential energy
Answer: Z) Z) potential energy
During normal chemical reactions, although the combinations of atoms that form molecules can change, the total number of atoms must remain the same. This is called: W) the law of interchange X) the atomic principle Y) the law of conservation of matter Z) Dalton’s law
W: W) the law of interchange
X: X) the atomic principle
Y: Y) the law of conservation of matter
Z: Z) Dalton’s law
Answer: Y) Y) the law of conservation of matter
Order the following four minerals from the SOFTEST to the HARDEST: fluorite; gypsum; talc; calcite
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A third quarter moon has what percent of its surface appearing to be illuminated to an observer on Earth?
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Factor the following polynomial over the integers: 49x^2 – 64
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Consider a distribution of 7 scores with a median of 20. If the lowest score value is decreased by 4, what will the new median value be for this distribution of 7 scores?
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What is the most common name of the object in outer space that has a gravitational field so strong that light cannot escape from it?
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Both the Sun and the Gas Giants in our Solar System are composed primarily of what two elements?
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Bile is produced by what organ of the human body?
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Into what human organ does the gall bladder release bile?
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Name all of the following three choices that affect the speed of sound in a substance: temperature; density; elasticity
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Name all of the following five choices that are NOT a form of electromagnetic radiation: radio waves; gamma-rays; cosmic rays; infrared light; ultrasound waves
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