MS Sample Set 11, Round 1 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

Which of the following appliances typically uses the most electricity per unit time? W) Vacuum cleaner X) Hair dryer Y) 60-watt incandescent light bulb Z) Desktop computer in active mode

W: W) Vacuum cleaner

X: X) Hair dryer

Y: Y) 60-watt incandescent light bulb

Z: Z) Desktop computer in active mode

Answer: X) X) Hair dryer

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is aimed at reducing methane emissions. According to the Energy Information Administration, which of the following fractions is closest to the estimate of the 100-year net global warming potential of methane? W) One-one-hundredth X) One-fourth Y) Three-fourths Z) Nine-tenths

W: W) One-one-hundredth

X: X) One-fourth

Y: Y) Three-fourths

Z: Z) Nine-tenths

Answer: X) X) One-fourth

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is not considered a type of wetland? W) Fen X) Bog Y) Swamp Z) Bay

W: W) Fen

X: X) Bog

Y: Y) Swamp

Z: Z) Bay

Answer: Z) Z) Bay

BONUS ess multiple_choice

In our solar system, how many moons does the fourth planet from the Sun have? W) 0 X) 1 Y) 2 Z) 4

W: W) 0

X: X) 1

Y: Y) 2

Z: Z) 4

Answer: Y) Y) 2

TOSS-UP math multiple_choice

Which of the following statements about a right triangle is NOT necessarily true? W) One angle measures 90 degrees X) The hypotenuse is the longest side Y) It has at least one obtuse angle Z) It has two acute angles

W: W) One angle measures 90 degrees

X: X) The hypotenuse is the longest side

Y: Y) It has at least one obtuse angle

Z: Z) It has two acute angles

Answer: Y) Y) It has at least one obtuse angle

BONUS math multiselect

If p and q are consecutive integers, identify all of the following four numbers that are always odd: 1) p + q; 2) pq; 3) pq + 1; 4) (p + q)².

Choices:

  • p + q
  • pq
  • pq + 1
  • (p + q)²

Correct Answers:

  • 1
  • 3
  • 4

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

A diver finds an underwater cave filled with bacteria that seem to feed on volcanic sulfur vents. What type of organisms are these? W) Heterotroph X) Hemotroph Y) Chemotroph Z) Phototroph

W: W) Heterotroph

X: X) Hemotroph

Y: Y) Chemotroph

Z: Z) Phototroph

Answer: Y) Y) Chemotroph

BONUS bio multiple_choice

A liver cell has stopped functioning and a scientist observes that it is producing lactic acid. Failure of what organelle most likely caused the liver cell to stop functioning? W) Mitochondrion X) Nucleus Y) Ribosome Z) Golgi Body

W: W) Mitochondrion

X: X) Nucleus

Y: Y) Ribosome

Z: Z) Golgi Body

Answer: W) W) Mitochondrion

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following is a unit for sound intensity level? W) Amplitude X) Watt Y) Decibel Z) Hertz

W: W) Amplitude

X: X) Watt

Y: Y) Decibel

Z: Z) Hertz

Answer: Y) Y) Decibel

BONUS phys multiple_choice

In which of the following cases will the displacement of the object be the least? W) A 1.2-kilogram object moving 4 meters up an incline of 45 degrees X) A 3.1-kilogram object moving 3 meters on a flat surface Y) A 0.5-kilogram object moving 6 meters along a circle with circumference 6 meters Z) Cannot be determined from the information given

W: W) A 1.2-kilogram object moving 4 meters up an incline of 45 degrees

X: X) A 3.1-kilogram object moving 3 meters on a flat surface

Y: Y) A 0.5-kilogram object moving 6 meters along a circle with circumference 6 meters

Z: Z) Cannot be determined from the information given

Answer: Y) Y) A 0.5-kilogram object moving 6 meters along a circle with circumference 6 meters

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is true about the water table? W) It is deeper in summer than winter X) It does not vary under high pumping rates Y) It varies due to precipitation amounts Z) It is constant throughout the year

W: W) It is deeper in summer than winter

X: X) It does not vary under high pumping rates

Y: Y) It varies due to precipitation amounts

Z: Z) It is constant throughout the year

Answer: Y) Y) It varies due to precipitation amounts

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following best approximates the ratio of the volume of Olympus Mons to that of Mauna Loa? W) 10 X) 50 Y) 100 Z) 1000

W: W) 10

X: X) 50

Y: Y) 100

Z: Z) 1000

Answer: Y) Y) 100

TOSS-UP math phrase

What is 300 + 200 – 333?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 167

BONUS math phrase

What is the radius of the circle with equation x² + 4x + y² = 12?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 4

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

The length of a meter was re-defined in 1983 to be based on what physical quantity? W) A wavelength of krypton-86 radiation X) The distance light travels in a specific fraction of a second in a vacuum Y) The length of a one-kilogram bar of iridium Z) A specific fraction of the length of the meridian through Paris from the North Pole to the Equator

W: W) A wavelength of krypton-86 radiation

X: X) The distance light travels in a specific fraction of a second in a vacuum

Y: Y) The length of a one-kilogram bar of iridium

Z: Z) A specific fraction of the length of the meridian through Paris from the North Pole to the Equator

Answer: X) X) The distance light travels in a specific fraction of a second in a vacuum

BONUS phys phrase

In meters per second squared, what is the acceleration experienced by a 10-kilogram mass if it is being pushed by a 15-newton force?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1.5

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Calling a tsunami a tidal wave is misleading because of what characteristic of a tsunami? W) It is not a wave X) It is not caused by tides Y) It does not occur in the ocean Z) It only occurs during ebb tides

W: W) It is not a wave

X: X) It is not caused by tides

Y: Y) It does not occur in the ocean

Z: Z) It only occurs during ebb tides

Answer: X) X) It is not caused by tides

BONUS ess phrase

The thin, upper fraction of the pelagic zone is known as what?

Acceptable Answers:

  • EPIPELAGIC ZONE

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the term for proteins that act as catalysts in chemical reactions?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ENZYMES

BONUS bio multiple_choice

In a human heart, through what structure does oxygenated blood first pass? W) Right Atrium X) Right Ventricle Y) Left Atrium Z) Left Ventricle

W: W) Right Atrium

X: X) Right Ventricle

Y: Y) Left Atrium

Z: Z) Left Ventricle

Answer: Y) Y) Left Atrium

TOSS-UP math multiple_choice

If the discriminant of a quadratic equation is –9, which of the following best describes the roots of the equation? W) No roots X) 3 and -3 Y) Irrational Z) Complex

W: W) No roots

X: X) 3 and -3

Y: Y) Irrational

Z: Z) Complex

Answer: Z) Z) Complex

BONUS math phrase

If Y is a point outside square ABCD, and triangle BYC is equilateral, what is the degree measure of angle BYA?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 15

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following materials is the best thermal conductor? W) Glass X) A sheet of plastic Y) A block of aluminum Z) An air mattress

W: W) Glass

X: X) A sheet of plastic

Y: Y) A block of aluminum

Z: Z) An air mattress

Answer: Y) Y) A block of aluminum

BONUS phys phrase

What is the adjective for a process that occurs at constant pressure?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ISOBARIC

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

What is the term for the process of burning a fuel? W) Conduction X) Combustion Y) Explosion Z) Transformation

W: W) Conduction

X: X) Combustion

Y: Y) Explosion

Z: Z) Transformation

Answer: X) X) Combustion

BONUS energy multiple_choice

As a spring is compressed, which of the following best describes what happens to the amount of elastic potential energy stored in the spring? W) It increases X) It decreases Y) It is unchanged Z) It decreases, then increases

W: W) It increases

X: X) It decreases

Y: Y) It is unchanged

Z: Z) It decreases, then increases

Answer: W) W) It increases

TOSS-UP energy multiple_choice

In the United States, which of the following renewable energy sources provides the smallest annual energy output? W) Solar X) Hydroelectric Y) Biomass Z) Wind

W: W) Solar

X: X) Hydroelectric

Y: Y) Biomass

Z: Z) Wind

Answer: W) W) Solar

BONUS energy multiple_choice

Which of the following is not a potential environmental concern related to concentrating solar plants? W) Generation of high temperatures X) Wildlife strikes with turbines Y) Use of large land areas Z) Use of water for cooling

W: W) Generation of high temperatures

X: X) Wildlife strikes with turbines

Y: Y) Use of large land areas

Z: Z) Use of water for cooling

Answer: X) X) Wildlife strikes with turbines

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the major groups of plants contains no vasculature? W) Bryophytes X) Gymnosperms Y) Angiosperms Z) Embryophytes

W: W) Bryophytes

X: X) Gymnosperms

Y: Y) Angiosperms

Z: Z) Embryophytes

Answer: W) W) Bryophytes

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT a difference between archaeans and eubacteria? W) Archaeans have a nucleus, while eubacteria do not X) Eubacteria have peptidoglycan in their cell walls, while archaeans do not Y) Archaeans can have introns, while eubacteria do not Z) Archaeans have several different RNA polymerases, while eubacteria have just one

W: W) Archaeans have a nucleus, while eubacteria do not

X: X) Eubacteria have peptidoglycan in their cell walls, while archaeans do not

Y: Y) Archaeans can have introns, while eubacteria do not

Z: Z) Archaeans have several different RNA polymerases, while eubacteria have just one

Answer: W) W) Archaeans have a nucleus, while eubacteria do not

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following has the highest pH? W) Sea water X) Lemon juice Y) Baking soda Z) Chlorine bleach

W: W) Sea water

X: X) Lemon juice

Y: Y) Baking soda

Z: Z) Chlorine bleach

Answer: Z) Z) Chlorine bleach

BONUS phys phrase

What type of radioactive decay occurs when carbon-14 decays to nitrogen-14?

Acceptable Answers:

  • BETA DECAY

TOSS-UP math multiselect

Identify all of the following 3 types of numbers that both π and √2 are: 1) Rational; 2) Irrational; 3) Real.

Choices:

  • Rational
  • Irrational
  • Real

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

BONUS math phrase

If the length of each edge of a 3-centimeter cube is tripled, what is the volume, in cubic centimeters, of the resulting cube?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 729

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What is the term for the percentage of light reflected by an object?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ALBEDO

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is an asterism as opposed to a constellation? W) Orion X) Big Dipper Y) Crux Z) Ursa Minor

W: W) Orion

X: X) Big Dipper

Y: Y) Crux

Z: Z) Ursa Minor

Answer: X) X) Big Dipper

TOSS-UP math phrase

Calculate the mean of the following 4 numbers: 20, 10, 30, 40

Acceptable Answers:

  • 25

BONUS math phrase

Simplify the following expression: 3√8 − √50 + √32.

Acceptable Answers:

  • 5√2

TOSS-UP ess phrase

What is the name for the part of the Sun that, by definition, is completely hidden in a total eclipse?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PHOTOSPHERE

BONUS ess multiple_choice

What is the name for a strong ground-level wind system that emanates from a point source above and blows radially from the point of contact at ground level? W) Waterspout X) Downburst Y) Fire storm Z) Jet stream

W: W) Waterspout

X: X) Downburst

Y: Y) Fire storm

Z: Z) Jet stream

Answer: X) X) Downburst

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following taxonomic categories is the highest rank, including all of the other choices? W) Order X) Class Y) Species Z) Phylum

W: W) Order

X: X) Class

Y: Y) Species

Z: Z) Phylum

Answer: Z) Z) Phylum

BONUS bio multiple_choice

Which of the following organisms has radial symmetry? W) Sea urchin X) Sea horse Y) Sea otter Z) Sea turtle

W: W) Sea urchin

X: X) Sea horse

Y: Y) Sea otter

Z: Z) Sea turtle

Answer: W) W) Sea urchin

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What cellular organelle encloses the cell with a lipid bilayer and separates the internal environment from the outside?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PLASMA MEMBRANE

BONUS bio phrase

What process introduces genetic variation during meiosis and does not occur during mitosis?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CROSSING OVER

TOSS-UP ess phrase

You are a mountaineer preparing to summit Mt. Everest. Over the course of your climb, you notice that the mountain is losing snow cover without any signs of physical removal from wind or melting. What phase change are you observing?

Acceptable Answers:

  • SUBLIMATION

BONUS ess phrase

To the nearest tenth of a day, how long is a sidereal month?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 27.3