Practice Test 6: General Science

Questions 1–50 are four-option items. For each question, select the option that best completes the statement or answers the question.

1.	Citrus fruits include

(A)	apples.
(B)	bananas.
(C)	oranges.
(D)	peaches.

2.	What temperature is shown on a Fahrenheit thermometer when a centigrade thermometer reads 0º?

(A)	–40º
(B)	–32º.
(C)	0º.
(D)	+ 32º.

3.	The major chemical constituent of a cell (by weight) is

(A)	protein.
(B)	ash.
(C)	water.
(D)	carbohydrates.

4.	The Wassermann test may indicate the presence of

(A)	syphilis.
(B)	tuberculosis.
(C)	measles.
(D)	AIDS.

5.	Alcoholic beverages contain

(A)	wood alcohol.
(B)	isopropyl alcohol.
(C)	glyceryl alcohol.
(D)	grain alcohol.

6.	The air around us is composed mostly of

(A)	carbon.
(B)	nitrogen.
(C)	hydrogen.
(D)	oxygen.

7.	The process that is responsible for the continuous removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is

(A)	respiration.
(B)	oxidation.
(C)	metabolism.
(D)	photosynthesis.

8.	Ringworm is caused by a(n)

(A)	alga.
(B)	fungus.
(C)	bacterium.
(D)	protozoan.

9.	Light passes through the crystalline lens in the eye and focuses on the

(A)	cornea.
(B)	iris.
(C)	pupil.
(D)	retina.

10.	Saliva contains an enzyme that acts on

(A)	carbohydrates.
(B)	proteins.
(C)	minerals.
(D)	vitamins.

11.	The vitamin that helps coagulation of the blood is

(A)	C.
(B)	E
(C)	D
(D)	K.

12.	Of the following, the part of a ship that gives it stability by lowering the center of gravity is the

(A)	bulkhead.
(B)	keel.
(C)	anchor.
(D)	prow.

13.	To reduce soil acidity, a farmer should use

(A)	lime.
(B)	phosphate.
(C)	manure.
(D)	peat moss.

14.	Which of the following minerals is restored to the soil by plants of the pea and bean family?

(A)	Sulfates
(B)	Carbonates
(C)	Nitrates
(D)	Phosphates

15.	The greater the frequency of sound waves,

(A)	the louder the sound.
(B)	the higher the pitch of the sound.
(C)	the softer the sound.
(D)	the lower the pitch of the sound.

16.	Of the following, the food that contains the largest amount of vitamin C is

(A)	carrots.
(B)	sweet potatoes.
(C)	lima beans.
(D)	tomatoes.

17.	The cyclotron is used to

(A)	measure radioactivity.
(B)	measure the speed of the Earth’s rotation.
(C)	split atoms.
(D)	store radioactive energy.

18.	The Earth completes one trip around the sun approximately every

(A)	24 hours.
(B)	52 weeks.
(C)	7 days.
(D)	30 days.

19.	A person is more buoyant when swimming in salt water than in fresh water because

(A)	he keeps his head out of salt water.
(B)	salt coats his body with a floating membrane.
(C)	salt water has great tensile strength.
(D)	salt water weighs more than an equal volume of fresh water.

20.	A volcanic eruption is caused by

(A)	sunspots.
(B)	pressure inside the Earth.
(C)	nuclear fallout.
(D)	boiling lava.

21.	The vitamin manufactured by the skin with the help of the sun is

(A)	A
(B)	B6
(C)	B12
(D)	D

22.	A tumor is a

(A)	cancer.
(B)	growth.
(C)	sore spot.
(D)	kind of mushroom.

23.	All types of steel contain

(A)	iron.
(B)	chromium.
(C)	nickel.
(D)	tungsten.

24.	The most important provision for a hike in hot, dry countryside is

(A)	dried meat.
(B)	raisins.
(C)	fresh fruit.
(D)	water.

25.	The moon is a

(A)	star.
(B)	satellite.
(C)	planetoid.
(D)	planet.

26.	During a thunderstorm, we see a lightning bolt before we hear the sound of the accompanying thunder chiefly because

(A)	the eye is more sensitive than the ear.
(B)	the wind interferes with the sound of the thunder.
(C)	the storm may be very far away.
(D)	the speed of light is much greater than the speed of sound.

27.	Of the following, a human blood disease that has been definitely shown to be due to a hereditary factor or factors is

(A)	pernicious anemia.
(B)	polyscythemia.
(C)	sickle cell anemia.
(D)	leukemia.

28.	The number of degrees on the Fahrenheit thermometer between the freezing point and the boiling point of water is

(A)	100 degrees.
(B)	212 degrees.
(C)	180 degrees.
(D)	273 degrees.

29.	An observer on Earth sees the phases of the moon because the

(A)	moon revolves around the sun.
(B)	moon revolves around the Earth.
(C)	Earth revolves around the sun.
(D)	moon rotates on its axis.

30.	The temperature of the air falls at night because the Earth loses heat by

(A)	radiation.
(B)	conduction.
(C)	convection.
(D)	rotation.

31.	The normal height of a mercury barometer at sea level is

(A)	15 inches.
(B)	32 feet.
(C)	30 inches.
(D)	34 feet.

32.	Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are found in nodules on the roots of the

(A)	beet.
(B)	potato.
(C)	carrot.
(D)	clover.

33.	The vascular system of the body is concerned with

(A)	respiration.
(B)	sense of touch.
(C)	circulation of blood.
(D)	enzymes.

34.	Of the following substances, the one that is nonmagnetic is

(A)	iron.
(B)	aluminum.
(C)	nickel.
(D)	cobalt.

35.	If you wish to cut down on saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet, which of the following foods should you avoid?

(A)	Fish
(B)	Dry beans and peas.
(C)	Cheese
(D)	Spaghetti

36.	Which one of the following is NOT a fruit?

(A)	Potato
(B)	Tomato
(C)	Cucumber
(D)	Green pepper

37.	The hammer, anvil, and stirrup bones lie in the

(A)	knee.
(B)	hip.
(C)	ear.
(D)	elbow.

38.	Of the following, a condition NOT associated with heavy cigarette smoking is

(A)	shorter life span.
(B)	slowing of the heartbeat.
(C)	cancer of the lung.
(D)	heart disease.

39.	You are most likely to develop hypothermia when

(A)	it is very hot and you have nothing to drink.
(B)	you are bitten by a rabid dog.
(C)	you fall asleep in the sun.
(D)	it is very cold and your clothes are wet.

40.	Of the following, the gas that is needed for burning is

(A)	carbon dioxide.
(B)	nitrogen.
(C)	oxygen.
(D)	argon.

41.	Of the following, the only safe blood transfusion would be

(A)	Group A blood into a Group O person.
(B)	Group B blood into a Group A person.
(C)	Group O blood into a Group AB person.
(D)	Group AB blood into a Group B person.

42.	Of the following, the statement that best describes a “high” on a weather map is

(A)	the air extends farther up than normal.
(B)	the air pressure is greater than normal.
(C)	the air temperature is higher than normal.
(D)	the air moves faster than normal.

43.	The smallest particle of gold that still retains the characteristics of gold is

(A)	a molecule.
(B)	a proton.
(C)	an electron.
(D)	an atom.

44.	Narcotics may be dangerous if used without supervision, but they are useful in medicine because they

(A)	increase production of red blood cells.
(B)	kill bacteria.
(C)	relieve pain.
(D)	stimulate the heart.

45.	The primary reason why fungi are often found growing in abundance deep in the forest is that there

(A)	it is cooler.
(B)	it is warmer.
(C)	they have little exposure to sunlight for photosynthesis.
(D)	they have a plentiful supply of organic matter.

46.	The presence of coal deposits in Alaska shows that at one time Alaska

(A)	had a tropical climate.
(B)	was covered with ice.
(C)	was connected to Asia.
(D)	was formed by volcanic action.

47.	If a person has been injured in an accident and damage to the back and neck is suspected, it is best to

(A)	roll the person over so that he does not lie on his back.
(B)	rush the person to the nearest hospital.
(C)	force the person to drink water to replace body fluids.
(D)	wait for professional help.

48.	A 1,000-ton ship must displace a weight of water equal to

(A)	500 tons.
(B)	1,500 tons.
(C)	1,000 tons.
(D)	2,000 tons.

49.	Vitamin C is also known as

(A)	citric acid.
(B)	ascorbic acid.
(C)	lactic acid.
(D)	glutamic acid.

50.	If you are caught away from home during a thunderstorm, the safest place to be is

(A)	in a car.
(B)	under a tree.
(C)	in an open field.
(D)	at the top of a small hill.