CLT Science Reasoning 2

Question 1

A researcher wants to determine whether fertilizer type affects plant growth. She grows 30 plants, gives 10 plants Fertilizer A, 10 plants Fertilizer B, and 10 plants no fertilizer. All plants receive identical light and water. What is the control group?

Accepted Answer

Plants given no fertilizer

Answer

The control group receives no treatment (no fertilizer), serving as the baseline for comparison.

Question 2

In an experiment testing reaction time, a scientist measures how quickly subjects press a button after a light flashes. The independent variable is:

Accepted Answer

Whether the light is red or blue

Answer

The independent variable is what the experimenter manipulates — in this case, the color of the light.

Question 3

A study reports that students who eat breakfast score higher on tests than those who skip breakfast. Which conclusion is best supported?

Accepted Answer

A correlation exists between breakfast and test performance

Answer

Observational studies can establish correlation but cannot alone establish causation.

Question 4

Two scientists propose competing hypotheses about why a lake's fish population declined. Scientist 1 claims pollution caused the decline; Scientist 2 claims overfishing caused it. Which evidence would best distinguish between the two hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

Water quality data combined with historical fishing records

Answer

Comparing water quality data with fishing records directly tests both pollution and overfishing as potential causes.

Question 5

A table shows that as altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases. A student concludes that 'low pressure causes high altitude.' This reasoning is flawed because:

Accepted Answer

Correlation was mistaken for causation, and direction reversed

Answer

Altitude drives pressure changes, not the reverse — the student inverted the causal direction and confused correlation with causation.

(CLT) Classical Learning Test Practice Test

(CLT) Classical Learning Test Practice Test

CLT Science Reasoning 2