ELTIS - English Language Test for International Students Reading Science-Based Texts Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A science text states: 'Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent.' What is the main purpose of mitosis?
- To create genetically different cells
- To produce identical copies for growth and repair (Correct answer)
- To reduce chromosomes by half
- To create reproductive cells only
Correct answer: To produce identical copies for growth and repair
Mitosis produces identical copies of cells for growth, repair, and maintenance.
Mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter cells for growth, repair, and maintenance. This differs from meiosis, which produces cells with half the chromosome number.
Question 2: Students planted seeds in three pots — sunlight, shade, and darkness — and measured growth. What is the independent variable?
- The amount of water
- The amount of light each pot receives (Correct answer)
- The growth of the plants
- The type of soil
Correct answer: The amount of light each pot receives
The independent variable is what the experimenter deliberately changes — in this case, the light conditions.
The independent variable is the factor deliberately manipulated. Here, the three conditions represent different levels of light. The dependent variable (what is measured) is plant growth.
Question 3: A text reads: 'Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but cannot treat viral infections such as the common cold.' What can you conclude?
- Antibiotics cure all infections
- Bacteria and viruses are the same
- Doctors should not prescribe antibiotics for viral illnesses (Correct answer)
- The common cold is caused by bacteria
Correct answer: Doctors should not prescribe antibiotics for viral illnesses
Since antibiotics only work against bacteria, prescribing them for viral infections would be ineffective.
Antibiotics target bacteria, not viruses. Prescribing them for viral infections is ineffective and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Question 4: A text explains: 'Newton's Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.' Which example best demonstrates this?
- A ball rolling down a hill
- A rocket launching as gases are pushed downward (Correct answer)
- Water boiling at 100 degrees
- The Earth orbiting the Sun
Correct answer: A rocket launching as gases are pushed downward
A rocket pushes gases downward (action), and the gases push the rocket upward (equal and opposite reaction).
The rocket engine pushes exhaust gases downward (action), and the gases push the rocket upward (reaction). These forces are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.
Question 5: A passage states: 'DNA contains the genetic instructions for building and maintaining an organism.' What is DNA's main function described here?
- To provide energy
- To store and transmit genetic instructions (Correct answer)
- To protect cells from damage
- To digest food
Correct answer: To store and transmit genetic instructions
DNA's primary function is storing genetic information — the biological blueprint for an organism.
DNA's primary function is to store genetic information that determines an organism's characteristics and guides cellular processes.
Question 6: A text reads: 'The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic, and exactly 7 is neutral.' What pH is neutral?
- 0
- 14
- 7 (Correct answer)
- 1
Correct answer: 7
The passage directly states that a pH of exactly 7 is neutral.
A pH of exactly 7 is neutral — neither acidic nor basic. Pure water is the most common example of a neutral substance.
ELTIS - English Language Test for International Students Reading Science-Based Texts Questions and Answers 3
A science text states: 'Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent.' What is the main purpose of mitosis?