Free Scientific Reasoning MCQs with Answers

11. A urologist is a doctor who specializes in disorders of the urinary system. Which of the following patients is most likely to be treated by a urologist?

• A. A patient with low levels of iron in her blood
• B. A patient with a painful kidney stone
• C. A patient with swollen veins in the anus, called hemorrhoids
• D. A patient with chronic indigestion

Explanation: The patient most likely to be treated by a urologist is B) a patient with a painful kidney stone.A urologist specializes in disorders of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Kidney stones are mineral and salt deposits that form in the urinary tract, particularly in the kidneys. They can cause severe pain and discomfort when passing through the urinary system. Managing and treating kidney stones falls within the expertise of a urologist.The other options mentioned do not directly relate to the urinary system disorders that a urologist typically treats:

12. Genetically modified crops and livestock offer the possibility of greater yield and food quality, reductions in pesticide use, and higher profits for agricultural businesses. They are viewed by some as a way to help reduce world hunger by increasing food production and reducing losses to pests and varying environmental conditions. Each year, industrial agriculture relies more heavily on genetically modified crops. There are some concerns about our increasing use of genetically modified crops and livestock, including their safety for human consumption and their effects on the environment.Based on the passage above, if genetically modified crops were to be banned, what could be the largest negative impact to humans?

• A. Introduction of new allergens into the food supply
• B. Loss of genetic diversity in food crops
• C. Decreases in food production worldwide
• D. Increase in the amount of beneficial insects

Explanation: Based on the passage, if genetically modified crops were to be banned, the largest negative impact to humans would likely be option C) Decreases in food production worldwide.The passage states that genetically modified crops offer the possibility of greater yield and food quality, as well as reductions in pesticide use. These benefits contribute to increased food production and the potential to help reduce world hunger. By banning genetically modified crops, these advantages would be lost, which could lead to a decrease in overall food production worldwide.While there are concerns about the safety of genetically modified crops for human consumption and their effects on the environment, the passage does not specifically mention any negative impact on humans related to allergens (option A) or beneficial insects (option D). These concerns may exist but are not explicitly discussed in the given passage.Loss of genetic diversity in food crops (option B) is a potential concern associated with the widespread adoption of genetically modified crops. However, the passage does not indicate that it would be the largest negative impact to humans compared to the decrease in food production if genetically modified crops were banned.Therefore, based on the information provided, the largest negative impact to humans if genetically modified crops were to be banned would be a decrease in food production worldwide (option C).

13. Battery companies make impressive claims about how long their batteries will last. A student decided to test the running time of different batteries to determine which battery lasts the longest. The student tested 6 different batteries, 4 brand name and 2 generic, using flashlights. The results show that the battery referred to as Name Brand A lasted the longest, with 101 hours of runtime: It could be argued that this experiment was not set up using proper experimental protocol. What would need to change in the experiment for the results to be valid?

• A. The batteries should have all been either name brand or generic
• B. Only two groups should have been tested at a time
• C. The same battery should have been used in each flashlight
• D. The same flashlight should have been used to test each battery

Explanation: The same flashlight should have been used to test each battery: This is the correct answer. By using the same flashlight to test each battery, the variable of flashlight performance is eliminated. This allows for a fair comparison of the batteries' performance, isolating the variable of interest and ensuring more valid results.To summarize, while options A, B, and C might contribute to experimental control and consistency, they do not address the key issue of comparing different batteries accurately. Option D, using the same flashlight to test each battery, is the change necessary to ensure valid results.

14. Which of the following statements about photosynthesis is correct?

• A. When 6 molecules of carbon dioxide are used, 1 molecule of oxygen is produced
• B. When 1 molecule of water is used, 1 molecule of glucose is produced
• C. When 6 molecules of water are used, 1 molecule of glucose is produced
• D. When 1 molecule of glucose is produced, 12 molecules of oxygen are used

Explanation: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose (a sugar) and oxygen. The balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis can be represented as:6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2From the equation, we can see that 6 molecules of carbon dioxide and 6 molecules of water are used during photosynthesis. As a result, 1 molecule of glucose and 6 molecules of oxygen are produced.Therefore, option C) When 6 molecules of water are used, 1 molecule of glucose is produced is the correct statement regarding photosynthesis.

15. Wavelengths are measured in nanometers (nm). Each color on the visible spectrum has a different wavelength. The human eye is only able to distinguish wavelengths between 400-750 nm. The approximate wavelengths of the visible spectrum are shown below:If you were reading a scientific report, and it referred to a wavelength of 455 nm, which color would it be referring to?

• A. Violet
• B. Ultraviolet
• C. Blue
• D. Green

Explanation: Reading the spectrum provided in the question, it is evident that a wavelength of 455nm refers to the colour that lies in between 400nm (Violet) and 500nm (Green), which is blue. Therefore, the answer is C.

16. What is the median of number of hurricanes per decade?

• A. 15.29
• B. 15.5
• C. 15
• D. 17

Explanation: The median is the middle value in a set of data. First, organize and order the data from smallest to largest. To find the midpoint value, divide the number of observations by two. If there are an odd number of observations, round that number up, and the value in that position is the median.1950s →20 hurricanes1960s →15 hurricanes1970s →12 hurricanes1980s →17 hurricanes1990s →15 hurricanes2000s →19 hurricanes2010s →09 hurricanesArranging them in order:9, 12, 15, 15, 17, 19, 20Median:(7+1)/2=4th term=15Therefore, the answer is C.

17. What is the range of this data set?

• A. 15
• B. 11
• C. 20
• D. 9

Explanation: The range of a data set is the difference between the maximum and the minimum values.1950s →20 hurricanes1960s →15 hurricanes1970s →12 hurricanes1980s →17 hurricanes1990s →15 hurricanes2000s →19 hurricanes2010s →09 hurricanesArranging them in order:9, 12, 15, 15, 17, 19, 20The difference between the maximum and minimum value=20-9=11Therefore, the range is 11. Option B is the answer.

18. As part of a chemistry experiment, 1025 milliliters of water is mixed into a beaker that contains 175 milliliters of motor oil. After adding the water, how many liters of liquid are in the beaker?

• A. 1.2L
• B. 1200L
• C. 1,200,000L
• D. 12L

Explanation: To convert milliliters (mL) to liters (L), we need to divide by 1000.Total volume of liquid in the beaker = 1025 mL + 175 mL = 1200 mLConverting 1200 mL to liters: 1200 mL ÷ 1000 = 1.2 LTherefore, the answer is C. 1.2.

19. When a cell reproduces through cell division, scientists call the reproducing cell the parent cell, and the two cells that result from the division are called daughter cells. The daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent cells. Before a parent cell starts to divide, the DNA in its nucleus replicates, or makes a complete copy of itself. Why is this process necessary?

• A. So that the parent cell will have an extra copy of DNA
• B. So that each daughter cell receives a complete set of DNA
• C. So that each daughter cell will not need to synthesize proteins
• D. So that each daughter cell will receive half its DNA from each parent cell

Explanation: The correct answer is B. The process of DNA replication before cell division ensures that each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic material identical to the parent cell. Without DNA replication, the genetic material would not be distributed equally between the daughter cells, and they would not be genetically identical to the parent cell.

20. Which of the following is implied by the fact that seafloor spreading at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is causing the Atlantic Ocean to widen by about 5 centimeters a year?

• A. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge stretches over a vast distance across the ocean floor.
• B. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the most prominent underwater feature in the Atlantic Ocean.
• C. The continents of North America and Europe are moving apart.
• D. The continents of North America and Europe are increasing in size due to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Explanation: The correct answer is C. The fact that seafloor spreading at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is causing the Atlantic Ocean to widen by about 5 centimeters a year implies that the continents of North America and Europe are moving apart. This is because the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent boundary where new crust is formed as tectonic plates move away from each other. As new crust is formed at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the ocean basin widens and the continents on either side are pushed farther apart.