GED Science Pre-Test 2024 Questions and Answers

1) The early atmosphere of the Earth had no oxygen. It was first produced when bacteria developed the green pigment that made photosynthesis possible. In which of the following groups is the sequence in which organisms appeared on Earth presented correctly?

2) The laws that control recombination of genes seem to be much the same for all sexually reproducing organisms. These laws are studied by statistical analysis of large numbers of offspring for several generations. Which of the following organisms would be most useful in experiments to study the laws of recombination of genes?

3) Oxides of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen, which occur in the stack gases of coal-burning plants, react with atmospheric water to form acids. The pollution caused by stack gases may be responsible for all the following forms of environmental damage EXCEPT

4) Potassium is receiving special attention as an important nutritional requirement. Potassium ions help conduct an electric charge that is important in the transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction. Foods such as bananas and dried apricots are rich in potassium. These foods are recommended for persons who lose potassium because their medication causes the loss of body water. Why might the heart malfunction because of loss of potassium?

5) The graph below shows the changes in the populations of wolves and moose in a northern forest for a period of 6 years. What is the most reasonable explanation of the facts shown?

6)

When sediments are deposited in the ocean, new layers form on top of preexisting layers. The sediments may eventually turn into fossil bearing rocks. What might a geologist conclude about fossils found in the rock layers shown in the diagram above?

7) The AIDS virus is transmitted from an infected person by direct introduction of his or her blood or other body fluids into the body of another person. An individual can contract AIDS by any of the following means EXCEPT

8) Some corn plants may have genes that make them immune to the poisonous effects of herbicides. These genes can arise spontaneously by mutation, and will then be passed on to future generations. What might a plant breeder do to develop a line of corn that would not be killed by herbicides?

9) Since the middle of the 20th century, many varieties of plants have been developed. What are some reasons for developing new strains of plants?

I. resistance to insects or disease
II. increased nutritional value
III. more water and fertilizer required for growth

10) Phase changes are processes in which a material changes from one state of matter to another. For example, melting is a phase change in which a solid turns into a liquid. Phase changes involve either the absorption or release of energy. Which of these phase changes would involve the release of energy?

I. freezing (liquid to solid)
II. evaporation (liquid to gas)
III. condensation (gas to liquid)

11) Today some plants are cloned to produce millions of offspring from a small piece of the original plant. Plant cloning is possible because each plant cell contains a complete blueprint, in the form of chromosomes, for reproducing itself. After a piece of the plant is placed in a growth medium, special plant growth hormones, called auxins and cytokinin, are added to stimulate the production of new plants. The new plants are genetically identical to the original plant and to each other.

The equipment and processes used in cloning are more expensive than those used for other forms of vegetative propagation. The advantage of cloning is that large numbers of plants are produced in a short period of time. For example, a million plants of a new variety can be cloned in about six months. This process is very useful for developing strains of disease resistant crops or plants that not only can survive in a difficult climate but also will produce a large harvest.

For which reason is cloning used to reproduce plants?

12) Today some plants are cloned to produce millions of offspring from a small piece of the original plant. Plant cloning is possible because each plant cell contains a complete blueprint, in the form of chromosomes, for reproducing itself. After a piece of the plant is placed in a growth medium, special plant growth hormones, called auxins and cytokinin, are added to stimulate the production of new plants. The new plants are genetically identical to the original plant and to each other.

The equipment and processes used in cloning are more expensive than those used for other forms of vegetative propagation. The advantage of cloning is that large numbers of plants are produced in a short period of time. For example, a million plants of a new variety can be cloned in about six months. This process is very useful for developing strains of disease resistant crops or plants that not only can survive in a difficult climate but also will produce a large harvest.

It is possible to clone plants that are identical to their parent plants because

13) Today some plants are cloned to produce millions of offspring from a small piece of the original plant. Plant cloning is possible because each plant cell contains a complete blueprint, in the form of chromosomes, for reproducing itself. After a piece of the plant is placed in a growth medium, special plant growth hormones, called auxins and cytokinin, are added to stimulate the production of new plants. The new plants are genetically identical to the original plant and to each other.

The equipment and processes used in cloning are more expensive than those used for other forms of vegetative propagation. The advantage of cloning is that large numbers of plants are produced in a short period of time. For example, a million plants of a new variety can be cloned in about six months. This process is very useful for developing strains of disease resistant crops or plants that not only can survive in a difficult climate but also will produce a large harvest.

Which statement describes the hormones auxin and cytokinin?

14) Today some plants are cloned to produce millions of offspring from a small piece of the original plant. Plant cloning is possible because each plant cell contains a complete blueprint, in the form of chromosomes, for reproducing itself. After a piece of the plant is placed in a growth medium, special plant growth hormones, called auxins and cytokinin, are added to stimulate the production of new plants. The new plants are genetically identical to the original plant and to each other.

The equipment and processes used in cloning are more expensive than those used for other forms of vegetative propagation. The advantage of cloning is that large numbers of plants are produced in a short period of time. For example, a million plants of a new variety can be cloned in about six months. This process is very useful for developing strains of disease resistant crops or plants that not only can survive in a difficult climate but also will produce a large harvest.

How is cloning defined?

15) Today some plants are cloned to produce millions of offspring from a small piece of the original plant. Plant cloning is possible because each plant cell contains a complete blueprint, in the form of chromosomes, for reproducing itself. After a piece of the plant is placed in a growth medium, special plant growth hormones, called auxins and cytokinin, are added to stimulate the production of new plants. The new plants are genetically identical to the original plant and to each other.

The equipment and processes used in cloning are more expensive than those used for other forms of vegetative propagation. The advantage of cloning is that large numbers of plants are produced in a short period of time. For example, a million plants of a new variety can be cloned in about six months. This process is very useful for developing strains of disease resistant crops or plants that not only can survive in a difficult climate but also will produce a large harvest.

An important difference between plants produced by cloning and plants grown from seed is that

16) If particles are to be considered water-soluble, they must dissolve in water. In this case, the resulting solution will be clear. Sometimes, however, some of the substance will settle out of the solution, leaving a precipitate on the bottom of the container.

Why do we find the instruction “Shake well before using” on the labels of some medicines?

17)

The table above shows some common household substances and their acid-base properties. pH is a way of describing the acidity of a substance, with lower pH values being more acidic and higher pH values being more basic (alkaline). A pH of 7 is neutral. Methyl red and litmus are examples of acid-base indicators, chemicals that change color depending upon the pH. (Note: Even though taste information is given here, tasting is never considered an acceptable laboratory practice.)

Sour milk would most likely have a pH value closest to

18)

The table above shows some common household substances and their acid-base properties. pH is a way of describing the acidity of a substance, with lower pH values being more acidic and higher pH values being more basic (alkaline). A pH of 7 is neutral. Methyl red and litmus are examples of acid-base indicators, chemicals that change color depending upon the pH. (Note: Even though taste information is given here, tasting is never considered an acceptable laboratory practice.)

A certain brand of detergent has a pH of 10.5. Which of the following properties would it most likely have?

19)

The table above shows some common household substances and their acid-base properties. pH is a way of describing the acidity of a substance, with lower pH values being more acidic and higher pH values being more basic (alkaline). A pH of 7 is neutral. Methyl red and litmus are examples of acid-base indicators, chemicals that change color depending upon the pH. (Note: Even though taste information is given here, tasting is never considered an acceptable laboratory practice.)

An unknown substance has a bitter taste. What color would it most likely turn the two acid-base indicators?

20) Which of the following general rules is the best explanation of the way an ice cube cools a drink?

21) When air rises, it expands, and this change makes it cool down. Conversely, when air sinks, it is compressed and becomes warmer. As air cools down, its relative humidity rises; when the relative humidity reaches 100%, moisture condenses out of the air.

The diagram shows the prevailing wind directions and air temperatures at different elevations on both sides of a mountain.

What is the approximate air temperature at the top of the mountain?

22) When air rises, it expands, and this change makes it cool down. Conversely, when air sinks, it is compressed and becomes warmer. As air cools down, its relative humidity rises; when the relative humidity reaches 100%, moisture condenses out of the air.

The diagram shows the prevailing wind directions and air temperatures at different elevations on both sides of a mountain.

On which side of the mountain and at what elevation is the relative humidity probably 100%?

23) When air rises, it expands, and this change makes it cool down. Conversely, when air sinks, it is compressed and becomes warmer. As air cools down, its relative humidity rises; when the relative humidity reaches 100%, moisture condenses out of the air.

The diagram shows the prevailing wind directions and air temperatures at different elevations on both sides of a mountain.

How does the temperature of the air change as the air rises on the windward side of the mountain between sea level and 0.5 kilometer?

24) When air rises, it expands, and this change makes it cool down. Conversely, when air sinks, it is compressed and becomes warmer. As air cools down, its relative humidity rises; when the relative humidity reaches 100%, moisture condenses out of the air.

The diagram shows the prevailing wind directions and air temperatures at different elevations on both sides of a mountain.

Which feature is probably located at the base of the mountain on the leeward side (location X )?

25)

What is the function of the cell wall?

26) The following reaction takes place in a reaction vessel:

Heat + A(s) + B(l) → 2C(s) + D(s).

The chemist who is carrying out the reaction in the laboratory repeats the experiment under various conditions in order to produce the maximum possible amounts of substances C and D

Which of the following factors will NOT help the chemist to change the speed or rate of the reaction?

27) The following reaction takes place in a reaction vessel:

Heat + A(s) + B(l) → 2C(s) + D(s).

The chemist who is carrying out the reaction in the laboratory repeats the experiment under various conditions in order to produce the maximum possible amounts of substances C and D

Which equation is NOT correctly balanced?

28) The following reaction takes place in a reaction vessel:

Heat + A(s) + B(l) → 2C(s) + D(s).

The chemist who is carrying out the reaction in the laboratory repeats the experiment under various conditions in order to produce the maximum possible amounts of substances C and D

This reaction can be classified as

29) Use the information that follows to answer Questions .

During which link in the food web is the most energy transferred?

30) Use the information that follows to answer Questions .

What is the role of the mole in the food web shown?

31)

When comparing mitosis and meiosis, you can say that both processes

32) Use the following information to answer Questions

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that children in the United States receive certain vaccinations at given ages. Several of these vaccinations are repeated at specific intervals between birth and age six. Many of the diseases for which children are routinely vaccinated today used to pose serious health concerns in the past; however, since vaccinations began, some of these diseases have declined by 100 percent. For example, in the years just prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine, more than 503,000 cases were reported annually. In 2007, there were only 43 cases of the disease.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, looks like the common cold; however, after a few weeks, it causes patients to suffer violent coughing spells and may lead to pneumonia, seizures, and brain infections. In some cases, it can be fatal. It is spread through the air from one person to the next but can be prevented through vaccination. Which type of disease is pertussis?

33) Use the following information to answer Questions

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that children in the United States receive certain vaccinations at given ages. Several of these vaccinations are repeated at specific intervals between birth and age six. Many of the diseases for which children are routinely vaccinated today used to pose serious health concerns in the past; however, since vaccinations began, some of these diseases have declined by 100 percent. For example, in the years just prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine, more than 503,000 cases were reported annually. In 2007, there were only 43 cases of the disease.

Diphtheria, a disease caused by bacteria found in the mouth and throat, causes patients to suffer from a sore throat, as well as fever and chills. Untreated, it can lead to complications including heart failure and paralysis. It can be fatal in approximately 10 percent of those who contract the disease and used to be a major cause of death in children. As recently as the 1920s, about 15,000 people died from diphtheria each year. Which assumption can be made regarding this disease?

34) Use the following information to answer Questions

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that children in the United States receive certain vaccinations at given ages. Several of these vaccinations are repeated at specific intervals between birth and age six. Many of the diseases for which children are routinely vaccinated today used to pose serious health concerns in the past; however, since vaccinations began, some of these diseases have declined by 100 percent. For example, in the years just prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine, more than 503,000 cases were reported annually. In 2007, there were only 43 cases of the disease.

According to the information given, which of the following can be most properly inferred?

35) Use the following information to answer Questions

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that children in the United States receive certain vaccinations at given ages. Several of these vaccinations are repeated at specific intervals between birth and age six. Many of the diseases for which children are routinely vaccinated today used to pose serious health concerns in the past; however, since vaccinations began, some of these diseases have declined by 100 percent. For example, in the years just prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine, more than 503,000 cases were reported annually. In 2007, there were only 43 cases of the disease.

According to the information given, which is a true statement?

36) Use the following information to answer Questions

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that children in the United States receive certain vaccinations at given ages. Several of these vaccinations are repeated at specific intervals between birth and age six. Many of the diseases for which children are routinely vaccinated today used to pose serious health concerns in the past; however, since vaccinations began, some of these diseases have declined by 100 percent. For example, in the years just prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine, more than 503,000 cases were reported annually. In 2007, there were only 43 cases of the disease.

A patient receives the same vaccination each winter. According to the chart, which disease is this vaccination preventing?