Question 2
GED Science PRACTICE Test. Scientists today are studying tidal power as an alternative energy source for generating electricity. Some scientists conclude that tidal power is a good alternative source of energy because it uses a natural process, does not rely on fossil fuels, and does not release greenhouse gases. 1These scientists recommend building tidal power plants around the United States in locations with high tidal power potential. Other scientists conclude that tidal power is not a good alternative ene2rgy source because tidal power plants can negatively impact the surrounding ecosystem by killing marine animals, restricting fish migration, reducing the natural flow of water, and causing silt buildup in water3ways. These scientists recommend not building tidal power plants in U.S. waterways.4
Both5 conclusions are based on valid data and scientific reasoning. How can both conclusions be valid?
- A. The two groups of scientists believe different theories about the process of generating electricity.
- B. The two groups of scientists are looking at different specific aspects of the same scientific problem.
- C. The two groups of scientists collect and analyze data about all types of possible alternative energy sources.
- D. The two groups of scientists are on opposite sides of the debate on whether the United States needs to find clean alternative energy sources.
Question 3
As part of an investigation of the population of foxes on San Miguel Island, a scientist graphed the number of foxes present on the island over a span of 15 years, as shown below. The study began with year 0 and ran until the start of year 15.
According to the graph, during which year did an event reduce the carrying capacity of the area?
- A. year 3
- B. year 6
- C. year 10
- D. year 11
Question 4
In humans, a dominant allele causes the distal segment of the fifth finger to bend toward the fourth finger. The gene for bent fifth finger (B) is dominant to the gene for straight fifth finger (b).
If a man is homozygous dominant for bent fifth finger and a woman is homozygous recessive, what is the probability that any offspring will have a bent fifth finger?
- A. 0%
- B. 25%
- C. 50%
- D. 100%
Question 5
One way to determine the age of Earth is to measure the ratio of certain radioactive elements to their more stable forms. By comparing the amount of the radioactive form of an object with the stable one, and by knowing how long it takes to turn from one to the other, scientists can estimate the age of the object. Some people argue that the decay rate has not always been the same and that it can be much faster than scientists have measured in labs. Nuclear power plants use radioactive elements to produce power because, during the decay process, energy is released.678
If scientists are wrong about Earth’s age based on radioactive material and the decay rates are really much faster, how would nuclear power plants be affected? GED Science PRACTICE Test
- A. Nuclear 12fuel would remain useful longer.
- B. The rate of energy release would be higher.
- C. The amount of energy released would be less.
- D. Nuclear fuel would gene19rate less radioactivity.
Question 621
Which phrase describes the purpose of ubiquitin?22
- A. to tag waste proteins for recycling in the proteasomes
- B. to create small polypeptide chains that are 76 amino acids long
- C. to create inclusions that can be identified under the microscope
- D. to attach to mutant proteins so that they can accumulate in the cell
Question 7
Why do individuals with spinocerebellar ataxia experience loss of muscle control, even though the ataxin-1 protein builds up only in the brain and spinal cord?
- A. Inclusions can build up in all body systems and can cause debilitating effects.
- B. Genetic mutations in the ataxin-1 protein cause muscular proteins to change shape.
- C. When the ubiquitin tagging system does not work effectively, cellular waste can build up in the muscles.
- D. The neurons affected by the ataxin-1 protein buildup are in a region of the brain that manages muscle control.
Question 8
Which statement describes the overall consequence of proteins containing mutations like those described in the passage?
- A. Wastes will build up and will be reassembled to build new proteins.
- B. Wastes will build up, and Mallory bodies will accumulate in the liver.
- C. Wastes will build up in cells and will eventually be excreted from each cell.
- D. Wastes will build up in vital organs, and the organism will experience disease.
Question 9
The table below shows data for two isotopes of chlorine (Cl). The data in the “% Abundance” column represents the likelihood that any given atom of chlorine is a particular isotope.
| Isotope | Mass (amu) | % Abundance |
| 35Cl | 34.97 | 75.78 |
| 37Cl | 36.97 | 24.22 |
What is the weighted average mass of chlorine?
- A. 26.50
- B. 34.97
- C. 35.45
- D. 35.97
Question 10
Sea level rise can have a great impact on the natural environment and on human populations, particularly in coastal areas. Satellite data for mean global sea levels are presented in the following table.
The map below shows local increasing and decreasing sea level trends as measured by tide measurement stations located around the world.
Do the local tide measurement data support or contradict the global satellite data?
- A. The tide measurement data contradict the satellite data because the tide measurement data show that the local sea level trends at some locations are decreasing.
- B. The tide measurement data support the satellite data because the number of places where local sea level trends are decreasing is so small that they can be ignored.
- C. The tide measurement data contradict the satellite data because the number of decreasing local sea level trends is greater than the number of increasing local sea level trends.
- D. The tide measurement data support the satellite data because the tide measurement data show that the number of increasing local sea level trends is significantly greater than the number of decreasing local sea level trends.
Question 6
After a meal, glucose is absorbed from the small intestine, starting the following process: GED Science PRACTICE Test
- Blood glucose concentration increases.
- The pancreas responds, secreting insulin into the bloodstream.
- Insulin causes the liver to convert glucose to glycogen, reducing blood glucose.
- The pancreas stops secreting insulin.
- Low levels of glucose cause glucagon to be released.
- Glucagon causes the liver to break down some of its stored glycogen to glucose, increasing blood glucose.
At point A on the graph, Select… is turning into Select…
- At point A on the graph, glucose is turning into glycogen.
Question 5 of 16
One way to determine the age of Earth is to measure the ratio of certain radioactive elements to their more stable forms. By comparing the amount of the radioactive form of an object with the stable one, and by knowing how long it takes to turn from one to the other, scientists can estimate the age of the object. Some people argue that the decay rate has not always been the same and that it can be much faster than scientists have measured in labs.
Nuclear power plants use radioactive elements to produce power because, during the decay process, energy is released.
If scientists are wrong about Earth’s age based on radioactive material and the decay rates are really much faster, how would nuclear power plants be affected?
- A. Nuclear fuel would remain useful longer.
- B. The rate of energy release would be higher.
- C. The amount of energy released would be less.
- D. Nuclear fuel would generate less radioactivity.
