AECTP Subject-Specific Content Knowledge 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A math teacher instructs students on probability. A bag contains 5 red and 3 blue marbles. If one marble is drawn at random, what is the probability it is blue?
- 3/5
- 5/8
- 3/8 (Correct answer)
- 1/3
Correct answer: 3/8
There are 3 blue marbles out of 8 total, so the probability is 3/8.
Question 2: An English teacher is discussing figurative language. Which device is used when a writer gives human characteristics to a non-human entity, such as 'the wind whispered through the trees'?
- Simile
- Metaphor
- Personification (Correct answer)
- Hyperbole
Correct answer: Personification
Personification attributes human qualities or actions to non-human things, as the wind 'whispers' like a person would.
Question 3: A social studies teacher explains the three branches of U.S. government. Which principle describes the system that allows each branch to limit the power of the others?
- Federalism
- Popular sovereignty
- Checks and balances (Correct answer)
- Separation of powers
Correct answer: Checks and balances
Checks and balances is the mechanism by which each branch has specific powers to oversee and limit the actions of the other two branches.
Question 4: A biology teacher explains genetics. A parent with genotype Aa crosses with a parent of genotype Aa. What percentage of offspring are expected to show the dominant phenotype?
- 25%
- 50%
- 75% (Correct answer)
- 100%
Correct answer: 75%
An Aa × Aa cross yields 1 AA : 2 Aa : 1 aa offspring; AA and Aa both express the dominant phenotype, totaling 75%.
Question 5: A music teacher asks students about dynamics. Which Italian term instructs a performer to play very softly?
- Forte
- Mezzo-forte
- Pianissimo (Correct answer)
- Fortissimo
Correct answer: Pianissimo
Pianissimo (pp) is the dynamic marking indicating very soft playing, softer than piano (p).
Question 6: A high school algebra teacher introduces function notation. If f(x) = 3x − 7, what is the value of f(4)?
- 5 (Correct answer)
- 19
- −5
- 12
Correct answer: 5
Substituting x = 4: f(4) = 3(4) − 7 = 12 − 7 = 5.
Question 7: A chemistry teacher explains acids and bases. According to the Brønsted-Lowry definition, an acid is a substance that:
- Accepts a proton (H⁺)
- Donates a proton (H⁺) (Correct answer)
- Accepts an electron pair
- Produces OH⁻ ions in solution
Correct answer: Donates a proton (H⁺)
A Brønsted-Lowry acid is defined as a proton (H⁺) donor, while a base is a proton acceptor.
AECTP Subject-Specific Content Knowledge 5
A math teacher instructs students on probability.
A bag contains 5 red and 3 blue marbles.
If one marble is drawn at random, what is the probability it is blue?