ELTIS - English Language Test for International Students Reading Science-Based Texts Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a science text, the word 'hypothesis' is best defined as:
- A proven scientific law
- A testable prediction or educated guess based on observations (Correct answer)
- The final conclusion of an experiment
- A type of laboratory equipment
Correct answer: A testable prediction or educated guess based on observations
A hypothesis is a testable prediction based on limited evidence, used as a starting point for investigation.
In the scientific method, a hypothesis is a proposed explanation that can be tested through experimentation. It must be testable and falsifiable.
Question 2: A science passage states: 'Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight.' What type of process is this?
- A physical change only
- A chemical conversion that transforms substances using energy (Correct answer)
- A process that does not require energy
- A process that only occurs at night
Correct answer: A chemical conversion that transforms substances using energy
Photosynthesis is a chemical process that uses solar energy to convert CO2 and water into new substances.
Photosynthesis is a chemical process because the starting materials (CO2, water) are transformed into different substances (glucose, oxygen). The word 'converts' signals chemical transformation.
Question 3: A text states: 'As the wolf population decreased, the deer population increased dramatically, leading to overgrazing.' This illustrates which concept?
- Symbiosis
- Food chain or predator-prey relationships (Correct answer)
- Photosynthesis
- Cell division
Correct answer: Food chain or predator-prey relationships
The inverse relationship between wolves (predators) and deer (prey) and its effect on vegetation illustrates the food chain.
This describes a trophic cascade through a food web. When wolf numbers drop, deer numbers rise, which depletes vegetation.
Question 4: A science text reads: 'The control group received no treatment, while the experimental group received the new medication.' Why include a control group?
- To make the experiment longer
- To provide a baseline for comparing the treatment's effects (Correct answer)
- Control groups are not important
- To give medication to more people
Correct answer: To provide a baseline for comparing the treatment's effects
A control group provides a baseline to compare against, helping determine if the treatment caused the observed effects.
The control group serves as a baseline for comparison, allowing researchers to determine whether observed changes are caused by the treatment rather than other factors.
Question 5: A passage states: 'Fossil fuels are nonrenewable because they take millions of years to form.' What does 'nonrenewable' mean?
- Easily replaced
- Cannot be replenished within a human lifetime (Correct answer)
- Not useful for energy
- Found everywhere on Earth
Correct answer: Cannot be replenished within a human lifetime
Nonrenewable means the resource cannot be replaced in any reasonable time frame relative to human use.
Nonrenewable resources are consumed faster than they can be naturally replenished. The prefix 'non-' (not) + 'renewable' (able to be renewed) = not able to be renewed.
Question 6: A science text explains: 'The water cycle includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.' Which directly leads to cloud formation?
- Collection
- Precipitation
- Condensation (Correct answer)
- Evaporation
Correct answer: Condensation
Condensation is the process where water vapor cools and turns into tiny water droplets, forming clouds.
Condensation is when water vapor cools and changes from gas to liquid, forming tiny droplets that cluster together as clouds.
ELTIS - English Language Test for International Students Reading Science-Based Texts Questions and Answers 2
In a science text, the word 'hypothesis' is best defined as: