REVIEW EVIDENCE TAKS QUESTIONS
SPRING 2003 – 10:
(47) Certain chemicals in the diet of moth larvae seem to influence the early development
of the moths’ wings. Careful observation of developing pupae could result in —
A* data to verify the hypothesis
B changes to the conclusion
C a conclusion about the moths’ eggs
D development of a new moth species
SPRING 2003 – 10:
(54) As temperature drops to the dew point, clouds form in the atmosphere, and dew
forms on ground surfaces. A scientist proposes that adding more water molecules to the
atmosphere will change the dew point. This proposal is —
F an invalid observation
G* a valid hypothesis
H an invalid problem
J a valid conclusion
SPRING 2003 – 11:
(5) The smell of an ammonia solution used to clean a floor can quickly be detected
throughout a house. Scientists explain this phenomenon by theorizing that gas molecules
from the ammonia are in continuous random high-speed motion, drifting rapidly and
permeating the air. Which statement best demonstrates the strength of this theory?
A* Scientists have observed tiny smoke particles moved by unseen particles in a
rapid, irregular fashion.
B Scientists have unanimously agreed on this theory since Thomas Graham’s
experiments in the 1820s.
C The possibility of another theory being formed to explain the phenomenon as
well is very remote.
D Reason, as opposed to experimentation, is superior to any explanation found
through chemical testing.
SPRING 2003 – 11:
(15) An advertisement claims that patients can be cured of the common cold in 48 hours
by vitamin C tablets with secret mineral supplements. In a scientific experiment to test
these claims, which data can be considered irrelevant?
A The amount of vitamin C in each tablet
B The severity of the patients’ cold symptoms
C* The chemical formula for vitamin C
D The amount of time before symptoms improve
APRIL 2004 – 10:
(42) In a movie, meteoroids make several microscopic holes in a pressurized cabin in the
weightless environment of a spaceship. The astronauts search for the holes by spraying
water droplets from a container. If this were an actual situation, what effect should be
expected?
F* The drifting water droplets float to the location of the holes.
G After falling to the floor, the water forms a stream leading to the holes.
H The water droplets form a large sphere of water that moves away from the
holes.
J Pumping the trigger on the spray container increases the air pressure in the
cabin.
APRIL 2004 – 10:
(49) This statement is a poor hypothesis because it is not —
A a question
B* testable
C observable
D a comparison
FALL 2005 – 11:
Ancient Greeks and Science
The ancient Greeks developed a set of assumptions, based on observations, to
explain how the universe works. These observations led the Greeks to believe that
the universe was composed of four elements: earth, water, fire, and air. The “theory
of natural place” was based on their observations of these four elements. The theory
stated that anything not in its natural place would move toward its natural place as
soon as an opportunity arose. The theory of natural place was the foundation for the
modern understanding of the elements. The following chart describes some
observations and assumptions made by the ancient Greeks.
15 Which of these fails to support the idea that water’s natural place is on the
ground?
A. Hailstones
B. Rain
C. Waterfalls
D.*Clouds
OCTOBER 2005 – 11:
29 The graph above compares the acidity of apples stored for 270 days under different
conditions to the acidity of apples that were just harvested. Some apples were stored at
room temperature (20°C), and other apples were stored at 0.5°C. Some of the apples were
treated with MCP, an antispoilage chemical. According to these data, it can be inferred
that —
A* apples treated with MCP and kept at a low temperature retain acidity best
B low temperature prevents any loss of acidity in stored apples
C apples stored at room temperature are unaffected by treatment with MCP
D high temperature promotes acid production in stored apples
OCTOBER 2005 – 11:
54 Which of the following is a strength of this hypothesis?
F It is more logical than past hypotheses.
G It agrees with the opinion of most people.
H* It can be examined using scientific means.
J It challenges the current theory of atoms.
APRIL 2006 – 10:
23 The graph shows data for botulism, a form of food poisoning. The conclusion in the
box is based on these data. Which of the following is the best reason this conclusion may
be unreliable?
A The greatest number of reported botulism cases was 50.
B The number of reported botulism cases remained relatively constant from 1988
to 1995.
C More botulism cases were reported in the 1980s than in the 1990s.
D* The number of reported botulism cases decreased after 1994.
APRIL 2006 – 10:
Watersheds
The San Antonio–Nueces Coastal Basin, shown in the map below, consists mainly of
flatland. The soil in the area is mostly sandy and porous. Rainfall that collects in this area
drains into the Gulf of Mexico by a series of waterways. The San Antonio–Nueces
Coastal Basin is one of more than 20 major watersheds in Texas. A watershed is a
geographic area that drains water collected on its surface. Watersheds provide a way for
water to move from areas of higher elevation to areas of lower elevation. Sediment and
dissolved materials are also moved to lower elevations. Rivers and streams form a
general pattern within a watershed. The map shows this general pattern within the San
Antonio–Nueces Coastal Basin. This type of pattern is called a dendritic pattern and can
be observed in many natural structures, including the network of nerves in the human
nervous system and branching patterns in trees. Watersheds can change as the geography
and other features of an area change. Some of the causes of change are more obvious than
others. For example, the clearing of wooded areas for the construction of buildings may
change the way rainfall collects and drains from an area.
28 The information above could be used most effectively in arguing against which of
these proposals?
F Adding chemicals to a local water supply
G Permitting a water well to be drilled in a state park
H Limiting the use of waterways for recreation
J* Paving a meadow to create a parking area
FEBRUARY 2006 – 11, JULY 2006 – 11 #22:
41 Which of these is a benefit of knowing whether a person with a respiratory infection
has an elevated level of this protein in the blood?
A A set of aerobic exercises can be recommended.
B A diet of essential nutrients can be recommended.
C A decision can be made about whether to take an x-ray.
D* A decision can be made about whether to use antibiotics.
APRIL 2006 – 11:
30 The table shows the time it took trees of the same type and size to drop all of their
leaves after being grown in different atmospheres. For the experiment to be valid, which
of these must be a constant for all the trees?
F The height of all the trees during the entire experiment
G* The amount of water available to all trees during the experiment
H The mass of fallen leaves collected from each tree
J The rate of photosynthesis in all trees during the experiment
JULY 2006 – 11:
1 Which of the following conclusions is supported by these data?
A Alertness is directly related to level of distraction.
B Shuffling methods can affect alertness.
C *Alertness levels vary during the day.
D Long periods of rest improve alertness.