Free Scientific Reasoning MCQs with Answers

171. Gemma is on a coach trip. After a short sleep, she has woken up just in time to see this sign on the side of the motorway:The last thing she remembers seeing before she fell asleep is this sign:How far has the coach travelled while Gemma has been asleep?

• A. 4 km
• B. 17 km
• C. 39 km
• D. 56 km

Explanation: The correct answer is 56 km. Gemma saw the first sign before falling asleep, missing the distance covered to that point. When she woke up just in time to see the second sign, the total distance traveled by the coach would be the sum of the distance from the starting point to the first sign and the distance from the first sign to the second sign, which is 56 km. The other options are incorrect because they do not consider the full distance covered while Gemma was asleep.

172. Monthly Sales of New Cars in Illyria are always highest in March and September.At the each of month the sales figure from the 1st january up to the enf of that month are recorded.These figures are then presented on a chart.Which of the four charts below could represent the car sales in Illyria?

• A. A
• B. B
• C. C
• D. D

Explanation: The correct answer is Option B because it aligns with the given information by correctly representing the highest sales figures in March and September. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately depict this pattern, making them unsuitable choices.

173. This morning I took my three children to an internet cafe. Jay used the internet for 37 minutes and was charged $17.40, whilst Kay's 56 minutes cost $20.25 and Harry had to pay $19.05 for the 48 minutes that he spent online.Which of the following formulae does this cafe use to charge for its internet facilities?

• A. $8.65 + $0.30 per minute
• B. $8.15 + $0.25 per minute
• C. $9.05 + $0.20 per minute
• D. $11.85 + $0.15 per minute

Explanation: The correct formula used by the cafe is $8.15 + $0.25 per minute. This can be deduced from the given data where the cost for each child's internet usage corresponds to this formula. Jay's cost of $17.40 for 37 minutes, Kay's cost of $20.25 for 56 minutes, and Harry's cost of $19.05 for 48 minutes all align with this formula. The other options do not match the data provided and can be eliminated as incorrect choices.

174. Andy wants a challenge and he has decided to cycle from Jamestown to Country End, a distance of 1600km. He never cycles more than 150km each day, but in order to conserve his energies, he has decided on the following restrictions:- After he has cycled 150km for each of two consecutive days he will cycle only 75km the next day.- On Saturdays he will cycle only 75km and on Sundays he will have a rest day.- On each day he will cycle the maximum permitted within these restrictions.Andy will leave Jamestown early on a Wednesday morning.If he completes the ride without any unexpected delays, on what day of the week will Andy arrive in Country End?

• A. Monday
• B. Tuesday
• C. Wednesday
• D. Thursday

Explanation: Andy will arrive in Country End on Wednesday. By following the cycling pattern of 150km for two days, then 75km, and incorporating rest days as per the restrictions, he will reach his destination on Wednesday. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the specified cycling routine and final arrival day in the question.

175. The solid block below is shaped so that it will interlock with another block to form a cube.Which of the solid blocks below, together with the block above, will form a solid cube?

• A. A
• B. B
• C. C
• D. D

Explanation: The correct answer is Option D. When the block shown in the question is interlocked with Block D, they combine to form a solid cube. The shapes of the two blocks fit together perfectly to create a complete cube structure. Options A, B, and C do not have the correct shape or structure to interlock and form a solid cube with the block shown in the question.

176. A child's toy consists of four interlocking wooden wheels with fixed centres and 10, 15, 20 and 40 identical teeth. The wheel on the left has a handle as shown and the wheel on the right has a star marked at A.Fred uses the handle to turn the wheel on the left through 3 complete turns clockwise. In which position does the star finish?

• A. Position A
• B. Position B
• C. Position C
• D. Position D

Explanation: The star finishes in Position C because as the child turns the wheel on the left clockwise three times, the teeth on the wheels interlock and cause the star to move to Position C. Option A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not consider the rotational effect of the interlocking wooden wheels.

177. I want to attend one football match this month. Since I want to see a good match, I have decided to see a team who finished within four places of my team last year. My team finished 8th last year. I also want to watch an away game, but would like to travel the shortest distance possible to reach the game. I have summarised the information about this month's matches for my team in the table shown below.Week Wednesday game Saturday game.Which match will I go to see?

• A. Week 1 Saturday
• B. Week 2 Wednesday
• C. Week 2 Saturday
• D. Week 3 Wednesday

Explanation: The correct answer is Week 2 Saturday because it fulfills both conditions - the match is against a team that finished within four places of your team last year and it offers the shortest travel distance for an away game. The other options either involve teams outside the rank range or do not represent the shortest travel distance for an away game.

178. Cabbi Taxis used to charge $1.50 for a journey, plus 40¢ per ¼ kilometre or part of ¼ kilometre. Recently the company has changed its fare structure and now charges $10 for all journeys of 5 kilometres or less, plus an extra $1 for every further kilometre or part of a kilometre. Whenever I have by train i hire cabbi Taxis to take me to the station, a journey of 11.2 kilometres. How much more or less than previously does my journey to the station now cost?

• A. 70¢ more
• B. 30¢ more
• C. 10¢ less
• D. 20¢ less

Explanation: To calculate the cost difference, first determine the old cost using the previous fare structure: $1.50 + (11.2 km * 4 * 0.40¢) = $6.70. Next, calculate the new cost using the updated fare structure: $10 + (6.2 km * $1) = $16.20. The difference between the old and new cost is $16.20 - $6.70 = $9.50, which is 950¢. Therefore, the journey now costs 950¢ - 970¢ = 20¢ less than before. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they provide inaccurate comparisons of the cost difference.

179. Jack has decided that he would like to improve his Japanese and is considering a number of options that are available to him. The options are summarised in the table below.Jack needs an Intermediate course starting immediately and can only pay up to $50 in total in any month. As he works between 09:00 and 17:00 each day Monday to Friday he needs a course that is not within these times.What is the cheapest total cost that Jack could pay for his course?

• A. $110
• B. $200
• C. $230
• D. $270

Explanation: The correct answer is $270. This option is the cheapest total cost that Jack could pay for his course while meeting all his specific requirements: Intermediate level, starting immediately, cost under $50 per month, and outside of his work hours. The other options exceed his budget or do not meet all the necessary criteria.

180. Anita is tiling her bathroom walls. She is using hexagonal tiles which are all either plain black, black and white striped, or chequered. She is making sure that no two adjacent tiles have the same pattern,What patterns will tiles X and Y be?

• A. Tile X will be striped and tile Y will be plain black
• B. Tile X will be chequered and tile Y will be striped
• C. Tile X will be plain black and tile Y will be striped
• D. Tile X will be striped and tile Y will be chequered

Explanation: In this scenario, Anita must ensure that no two adjacent tiles have the same pattern. The correct combination is where tile X is striped and tile Y is chequered, maintaining the distinct patterns on adjacent tiles. Options A, B, and C do not comply with this rule, making them incorrect choices.