AST Science Reasoning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Two scientists conduct the same experiment and get different results. What is the best next step?
- Replicate the experiment multiple times to check for consistency. (Correct answer)
- Accept the result from the more experienced scientist.
- Discard both results and abandon the experiment.
- Publish both results without further investigation.
Correct answer: Replicate the experiment multiple times to check for consistency.
Replication is essential to scientific validity; repeated experiments help determine which result is reliable.
Question 2: A bar chart shows average rainfall for four cities. City B's bar is twice the height of City A's. What does this indicate?
- City B receives twice as much rainfall as City A. (Correct answer)
- City B is twice as large as City A.
- City A receives twice as much rainfall as City B.
- City B's data is twice as accurate.
Correct answer: City B receives twice as much rainfall as City A.
Bar height directly represents the measured quantity; double the height means double the rainfall.
Question 3: Which unit would most likely be used to measure the mass of a small laboratory sample?
- Grams (Correct answer)
- Kilograms
- Liters
- Meters
Correct answer: Grams
Grams are the standard SI unit for measuring small masses in laboratory settings.
Question 4: A scientist records data over several weeks and notices a consistent upward trend. This trend is best described as:
- A positive correlation over time (Correct answer)
- A negative correlation
- Random variation
- A controlled experiment outcome
Correct answer: A positive correlation over time
A consistent increase over time represents a positive correlation between time and the measured variable.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a control group in a scientific experiment?
- To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group (Correct answer)
- To repeat the experiment identically
- To introduce multiple variables at once
- To invalidate the researcher's hypothesis
Correct answer: To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group
A control group establishes the standard outcome under normal conditions so the effect of the independent variable can be isolated.
Question 6: A scatter plot shows data points clustered closely around an upward-sloping line. This indicates:
- A strong positive correlation between the two variables (Correct answer)
- A weak negative correlation
- No relationship between the variables
- A strong negative correlation
Correct answer: A strong positive correlation between the two variables
Points tightly clustered around an upward-sloping line indicate a strong positive correlation.
AST Science Reasoning 2
Two scientists conduct the same experiment and get different results.
What is the best next step?