MS Sample Set 1, Round 3 from NSB

Questions in Packet

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is a coastal morphology most characteristic of the west coast of the U.S.: W) numerous estuaries X) depositional coast Y) extensive barrier islands Z) rocky coast with small spits and pocket beaches

W: W) numerous estuaries

X: X) depositional coast

Y: Y) extensive barrier islands

Z: Z) rocky coast with small spits and pocket beaches

Answer: Z) Z) rocky coast with small spits and pocket beaches

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following best describes how a sedimentary rock can form: W) compaction and cementation X) slow cooling and hardening of magma Y) fast cooling and hardening of magma Z) high temperature and pressure causing recrystallization

W: W) compaction and cementation

X: X) slow cooling and hardening of magma

Y: Y) fast cooling and hardening of magma

Z: Z) high temperature and pressure causing recrystallization

Answer: W) W) compaction and cementation

TOSS-UP math phrase

What is the degree measure of a semicircle?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 180

BONUS math phrase

How many degrees are in the 4th angle of a quadrilateral whose other 3 angles are 85º, 95º, and 100º?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 80

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following does the prefix “ambi” (spell out the letters a, m, b, i) mean, as in the word ambidextrous: W) equal X) both Y) neither Z) always

W: W) equal

X: X) both

Y: Y) neither

Z: Z) always

Answer: X) X) both

BONUS general order

Arrange the following 4 choices from the one with the LOWEST mass to the HIGHEST mass: decigram; microgram; centigram; hectogram

Choices:

  • decigram
  • microgram
  • centigram
  • hectogram

Correct Order:

  • 2
  • 3
  • 1
  • 4

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the most common term for the biological polymer found in chromosomes that stores genetic information?

Acceptable Answers:

  • DNA
  • DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID

BONUS bio phrase

Inside what human cell organelle does replication of the chromosomal DNA in preparation for mitosis occur?

Acceptable Answers:

  • NUCLEUS

TOSS-UP phys phrase

What is the mass, in grams to the nearest whole number, of one cubic centimeter of pure water at standard temperature and pressure?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1

BONUS phys multiselect

Name all of the following 3 choices that a physicist would consider to be simple machines: bicycle; lever; ramp

Choices:

  • bicycle
  • lever
  • ramp

Correct Answers:

  • 2
  • 3

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

The greatest geophysical impacts from the movement of Earth’s lithospheric plates are most often seen and felt in which of the following areas: W) at the center of the plates X) at plate boundaries Y) evenly distributed throughout the entire plate Z) along riverbeds within the plates

W: W) at the center of the plates

X: X) at plate boundaries

Y: Y) evenly distributed throughout the entire plate

Z: Z) along riverbeds within the plates

Answer: X) X) at plate boundaries

BONUS ess phrase

What layer of Earth’s interior contains over 60% of the Earth’s mass and is composed of iron- and magnesium-rich silicates?

Acceptable Answers:

  • MANTLE

TOSS-UP math phrase

The equation (2 + x) + y = 2 + (x + y) best illustrates what basic property of addition?

Acceptable Answers:

  • ASSOCIATIVE

BONUS math phrase

Change the decimal 0.88 to a fraction in lowest terms:

Acceptable Answers:

  • 22/25

TOSS-UP general phrase

One quintillion contains how many zeroes?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 18

BONUS general phrase

A single U.S. quarter is 2 millimeters thick. Find the height, in centimeters, of a stack of 50 quarters:

Acceptable Answers:

  • 10

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What specific structure is most directly responsible for the motility of bacteria?

Acceptable Answers:

  • FLAGELLA
  • FLAGELLUM

BONUS bio multiple_choice

If an animal has 42 chromosomes in its normal, non-gamete or somatic cells, what term would be given to the gametes that have 21 chromosomes: W) somatic X) unigentic Y) haploid Z) solitary

W: W) somatic

X: X) unigentic

Y: Y) haploid

Z: Z) solitary

Answer: Y) Y) haploid

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following BEST describes how the SI unit called the Newton is derived: W) the product of force times time X) the energy in one kilogram traveling at one meter per second Y) the force needed to accelerate 1 kilogram at one meter per second squared Z) the power needed to accelerate 1 kilogram at one kilometer per hour

W: W) the product of force times time

X: X) the energy in one kilogram traveling at one meter per second

Y: Y) the force needed to accelerate 1 kilogram at one meter per second squared

Z: Z) the power needed to accelerate 1 kilogram at one kilometer per hour

Answer: Y) Y) the force needed to accelerate 1 kilogram at one meter per second squared

BONUS phys phrase

A car is traveling at a constant speed of 20 kilometers per hour on a long straight road. How many minutes will it take to travel a distance of 5 kilometers?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 15

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

The best evidence for the model of Earth's interior comes from the study of: W) seismology X) paleontology Y) paleomagnetism Z) glaciology

W: W) seismology

X: X) paleontology

Y: Y) paleomagnetism

Z: Z) glaciology

Answer: W) W) seismology

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is TRUE of the Richter Scale: W) values are always given in whole numbers X) an earthquake measuring 5 has 50-times more energy than an earthquake measuring 4 Y) it is based on a scale of 0 to 14 Z) it is based on a logarithmic scale

W: W) values are always given in whole numbers

X: X) an earthquake measuring 5 has 50-times more energy than an earthquake measuring 4

Y: Y) it is based on a scale of 0 to 14

Z: Z) it is based on a logarithmic scale

Answer: Z) Z) it is based on a logarithmic scale

TOSS-UP math phrase

In the real numbers, a number times its multiplicative inverse equals what?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1

BONUS math phrase

Find the elapsed time, in hours and minutes reduced to their lowest terms, between 12:15 AM and 5:05 PM:

Acceptable Answers:

  • 16 HOURS 50 MINUTES

TOSS-UP general phrase

What hard silvery-grey metal is the 9th most common element in the Earth’s crust, has an atomic number of 22, and takes its name from the Titans?

Acceptable Answers:

  • TITANIUM

BONUS general phrase

What state in the U.S. has the largest continuous system of mangroves in the world?

Acceptable Answers:

  • FLORIDA

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the most common term for the symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PARASITISM

BONUS bio phrase

What is the most common term for the type of symbiosis where one organism benefits and the other is neither significantly harmed nor helped by the interaction?

Acceptable Answers:

  • COMMENSALISM

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

When using the periodic chart, what number gives the number of protons in a given element: W) period number X) group number Y) atomic number Z) average atomic mass

W: W) period number

X: X) group number

Y: Y) atomic number

Z: Z) average atomic mass

Answer: Y) Y) atomic number

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Which of the following is NOT true: W) compounds have atoms from more than one element X) atoms can bond together to make molecules Y) all helium atoms have one more proton than all hydrogen atoms Z) all oxygen molecules have 8 neutrons

W: W) compounds have atoms from more than one element

X: X) atoms can bond together to make molecules

Y: Y) all helium atoms have one more proton than all hydrogen atoms

Z: Z) all oxygen molecules have 8 neutrons

Answer: Z) Z) all oxygen molecules have 8 neutrons

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Most blizzards that strike the continental U.S. most directly originated in which of the following locations: W) the Gulf of Alaska X) the Gulf of Mexico Y) along the Gulf Stream Z) in the North Sea

W: W) the Gulf of Alaska

X: X) the Gulf of Mexico

Y: Y) along the Gulf Stream

Z: Z) in the North Sea

Answer: W) W) the Gulf of Alaska

BONUS ess phrase

What terrestrial planet rotates in an opposite direction to the planet Earth?

Acceptable Answers:

  • VENUS

TOSS-UP math phrase

What is the mathematical term for coplanar lines that never intersect?

Acceptable Answers:

  • PARALLEL

BONUS math phrase

What is the least common denominator of the following 3 fractions: 3/2; 6/5; 5/1?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 30

TOSS-UP general multiple_choice

Which of the following types of maps would be most useful on a hiking trip through the Alps: W) synoptic X) topographic Y) planimetric Z) Mercator projection

W: W) synoptic

X: X) topographic

Y: Y) planimetric

Z: Z) Mercator projection

Answer: X) X) topographic

BONUS general multiple_choice

Regarding computer technology, which of the following BEST describes the bit: W) an analogue magnetic storage sequence X) a computer processor Y) a memory value of 1 through 8 Z) a binary digit that stores information

W: W) an analogue magnetic storage sequence

X: X) a computer processor

Y: Y) a memory value of 1 through 8

Z: Z) a binary digit that stores information

Answer: Z) Z) a binary digit that stores information

TOSS-UP bio phrase

What is the scientific term for the biting structures of spiders?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CHELICERAE
  • CHELICERA

BONUS bio phrase

In what structure of a nucleated cell are ribosomes assembled into their subunits?

Acceptable Answers:

  • NUCLEOLUS

DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • NUCLEUS

TOSS-UP phys phrase

If the angle of incidence for a beam of light on a mirror is 27 degrees, what is the angle of reflection, in degrees?

Acceptable Answers:

  • 27

BONUS phys multiple_choice

Which of the following is TRUE of gases: W) they have a definite shape X) they are highly compressible Y) they behave like a fluid Z) their particles are in uniform motion

W: W) they have a definite shape

X: X) they are highly compressible

Y: Y) they behave like a fluid

Z: Z) their particles are in uniform motion

Answer: X) X) they are highly compressible

TOSS-UP ess multiple_choice

Which of the following terms best describes the cleavage of a mineral: W) silky X) brittle Y) perfect one way Z) sub-metallic

W: W) silky

X: X) brittle

Y: Y) perfect one way

Z: Z) sub-metallic

Answer: Y) Y) perfect one way

BONUS ess multiple_choice

Which of the following is a region of Earth’s atmosphere where convection is most likely to take place: W) troposphere X) stratosphere Y) tropopause Z) thermosphere

W: W) troposphere

X: X) stratosphere

Y: Y) tropopause

Z: Z) thermosphere

Answer: W) W) troposphere

TOSS-UP math phrase

Find the reciprocal of \(10^{5}\).

Acceptable Answers:

  • 1/10^5

BONUS math phrase

Convert \(5/3\) into percent, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent:

Acceptable Answers:

  • 166.7%

TOSS-UP general phrase

What is the most common element in most steel?

Acceptable Answers:

  • IRON

BONUS general phrase

Stainless steel is differentiated from other steels based mainly on the content of what element?

Acceptable Answers:

  • CHROMIUM

TOSS-UP bio multiple_choice

Which of the following is part of the nephron in the kidney: W) islet cells X) ureter Y) amygdala Z) glomerulus

W: W) islet cells

X: X) ureter

Y: Y) amygdala

Z: Z) glomerulus

Answer: Z) Z) glomerulus

BONUS bio phrase

The human body is most commonly described as having what type of symmetry?

Acceptable Answers:

  • BILATERAL

TOSS-UP phys multiple_choice

Which of the following BEST explains why a concrete floor feels colder than a wooden floor if both are at 21ºC: W) wood is not as dense as concrete X) concrete conducts heat better than wood Y) wood is alive and concrete is not Z) concrete is much less elastic than wood

W: W) wood is not as dense as concrete

X: X) concrete conducts heat better than wood

Y: Y) wood is alive and concrete is not

Z: Z) concrete is much less elastic than wood

Answer: X) X) concrete conducts heat better than wood

BONUS phys phrase

Molasses flows more slowly than water. What is the most common scientific term for the ability of different substances to flow more or less freely?

Acceptable Answers:

  • VISCOSITY