GED Practice Quiz

Directions:

Choose the one best answer to each question. When you have finished the quiz, click on Submit Answers to receive feedback and results. You may also choose to e-mail your results to your instructor.


1	It is generally known that a compass needle will point north. It does not point to the geographical North Pole, but to the magnetic north pole. The Chinese tell stories of their seagoing ancestors whose compasses pointed south. For a long time, no one believed these stories. Then scientists discovered that periodically the magnetic poles of Earth reverse themselves. What assumption made scientists unwilling to believe the stories about the ancient Chinese sailors?
		A)	Compasses are a very old invention.
		B)	Magnets have two poles: a north pole and a south pole.
		C)	Local iron deposits in the earth can affect the direction in which the compass needle points.
		D)	Earth’s magnetic poles cannot change.
		E)	Compasses always line up with Earth’s north and south poles.

Questions 2 through 5 refer to the following information.

Scientists sometimes group elements according to their properties. Below are descriptions of five physical properties that help identify different elements.
luster—degree to which an element shines
ductility—ability to be drawn into wire
malleability—ability to be hammered, rolled, or shaped
heat conductivity—ability to transfer heat
electrical conductivity—ability to carry electricity


2	A camper wraps aluminum foil around fresh fish to store it. The camper is making use of which property of foil?
		A)	luster
		B)	ductility
		C)	malleability
		D)	heat conductivity
		E)	electrical conductivity


3	Ancient Romans polished silver for use as mirrors. The Ancient Romans made use of which property of silver?
		A)	luster
		B)	ductility
		C)	malleability
		D)	heat conductivity
		E)	electrical conductivity


4	A large cast-iron skillet cooks food quickly and evenly. The makers of the skillet are making use of which property in the iron?
		A)	luster
		B)	ductility
		C)	malleability
		D)	heat conductivity
		E)	electrical conductivity


5	A jeweler makes a fine, thin bracelet from platinum. The jeweler is making use of which quality of platinum?
		A)	luster
		B)	ductility
		C)	malleability
		D)	heat conductivity
		E)	electrical conductivity

Questions 6 and 7 refer to the following diagram and information.

Various scientists have proposed models of the atom. The model that is used today is the electron cloud model shown above. In this model an electron moves rapidly through the atom. Its position is described as a cloud rather than a precise point. The outer ring represents the distance from the nucleus where electrons are most likely to be found.


6	According to the model, how do electrons move?
		A)	along straight lines away from the nucleus
		B)	orbiting around the nucleus
		C)	in figure eights
		D)	along straight lines toward the nucleus
		E)	around each other in orbits


7	Which of the following conclusions about the scientific study of the structure of the atom is supported by evidence in the diagram and paragraph?
		A)	Scientists use different atomic models depending on their reason for their study.
		B)	Scientists now know exactly what an atom looks like.
		C)	It is impossible for a scientist to know exactly where each electron is at any one instant.
		D)	Scientists do not know how the electrons produce clouds in an atom.
		E)	Scientists cannot study the nucleus of an atom because an electron cloud surrounds it.

Question 8 refers to the following diagram and information.

Gravity is a force of attraction that exists among all objects. Every object attracts every other object. Most objects are too small for their gravitational force to be measured or even noticed. Because the earth is large, its gravitational force is very strong. Gravity holds things on Earth's surface as it draws everything toward the center of the planet.


8	Suppose that a very narrow tunnel has been drilled straight through Earth’s center as shown in the diagram. What will the marble MOST LIKELY do if it is dropped into the tunnel?
		A)	The speed of the marble will continually decrease as the marble moves towards Earth's center.
		B)	The speed of the marble will not change as the marble moves towards Earth's center.
		C)	The speed of the marble will continually increase as the marble moves towards Earth's center.
		D)	The speed of the marble will be zero at the time when the marble reaches Earth's center.
		E)	The speed of the marble will continually increase as the marble goes from one side of Earth to the other.


9	Homeostasis is a state of equilibrium. Every living thing tries to achieve homeostasis by regulating its processes. To achieve homeostasis, a cell that has taken in food would also need to do which of the following?
		A)	use less energy
		B)	take in still more food
		C)	stop all other functions
		D)	release waste materials
		E)	divide into two cells


10	Camels, like all animals, need water to live. Yet they are able to go up to ten days without eating or drinking. Many people believe that camels store water in their humps, but others disagree. Which of the following statements would help prove that water is NOT stored in a camel’s hump?
		A)	The hump becomes smaller when there is nothing to eat or drink.
		B)	The hump gets smaller when there is no food but water is available.
		C)	A camel can live for months on green grass and no water.
		D)	A camel’s hump may contain up to fifty pounds of fat.
		E)	The hump becomes larger when the camel eats and drinks.

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