ACT Success - Science - Practice #1

There are several passages in this test. Each passage is followed by several questions. After reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question. You may refer to the passages as often as necessary. You are NOT permitted to use a calculator on this test.

Researchers investigated how different light wavelengths affect the growth of a common houseplant. Over a period of 30 days, plants were exposed to different wavelengths, and their growth metrics were recorded.

According to the table, which light wavelength promotes the greatest average leaf size?

If the experiment were to continue for an additional 30 days under the same conditions, which light wavelength would likely support the highest number of leaves based on current data?

If it was found that leaf size decreases over time under the 750 nm wavelength, which hypothesis could researchers reasonably test next?

Researchers have documented how birds in urban environments alter their singing patterns to cope with increased noise pollution. They noted changes in frequency, amplitude, and duration of the bird songs.

According to the study, what is the primary reason birds in urban environments raise the minimum frequencies of their songs?

The study observed variations in birds' responses to urban noise. Which adaptation is comparable to the human Lombard effect?

What implication might the study's findings on varied species adaptability have for future urban planning concerning green spaces?

Considering the study’s conclusion that urban environments can offer advantages like increased food resources, which statement would a researcher most likely agree with regarding the overall impact of urban noise on birds?

Coastal Erosion Theories

Three geologists provide different explanations for the mechanisms driving coastal erosion in various environments.

According to Geologist 2, which coastal feature is most susceptible to erosion due to chemical weathering?

If a study found increased rates of coastal erosion in an area following extensive construction of coastal defenses, this observation would most support the explanation provided by which geologist?

Suppose a new technology was developed that could significantly reinforce the structural integrity of limestone without altering its chemical properties. How would this likely affect the viewpoints of Geologist 2 regarding the primary factors contributing to coastal erosion?

If a longitudinal study observed that regions with minimal human activity also experienced significant coastal erosion, which geologist's theory would be most challenged by this finding?

In this study, researchers examined how the height of a peak section (in meters) influences the percentage of the year that the section is exposed to wind erosion. The graphs (labeled A through D) each propose a different possible relationship between peak section height and wind exposure. The x-axis represents peak section height, ranging from 0 to 6 meters, while the y-axis represents the percentage of the year that the peak section is exposed to wind erosion, ranging from 0% to 50%. The researchers aim to determine which graph best represents the actual relationship between height and wind exposure, helping to understand how peak height might shield or expose areas to erosive wind forces throughout the year.

If observations show that higher peak sections are consistently exposed to more wind erosion than lower sections, which graph best represents this relationship?

Assume researchers found that wind exposure remains high near the ground level and gradually decreases with increasing height due to natural windbreaks created by the terrain. Which graph would most accurately illustrate this relationship?

If wind exposure is observed to decrease linearly with increasing peak height, likely due to a protective effect from surrounding structures or vegetation, which graph would correctly represent this pattern?