HiSET Science Practice Test 1

Question 1

The generalized cross section below shows the sedimentary rock layers at Niagara Falls in western New York State. Which rock layer appears to be most resistant to weathering and erosion?

Accepted Answer

Lockport dolostone

Answer

In a generalized cross-section of rock layers, the most resistant layers often form cliffs or caprocks, while less resistant layers erode more easily. At Niagara Falls, the Lockport dolostone forms the resistant caprock over softer shales, which is crucial for maintaining the waterfall's structure. This resistance to weathering and erosion allows it to stand prominently against the forces of nature.

Question 2

The timeline below depicts when the Trianis Volcano has erupted.  Geologists discuss "recurrence intervals" which represent an average time between past events.  The black circles represent when the Trianis Volcano had a confirmed eruption.  The triangle represents a suspected but not confirmed eruption.   The timeline shows that volcanic eruptions tend to happen at regular intervals.  According to this timeline, in which year would a volcanic eruption also have been expected?

Accepted Answer

1894

Answer

The timeline shows confirmed volcanic eruptions at regular 12-year intervals (e.g., 1812-1800, 1824-1812, etc.). However, the question mentions 'recurrence intervals' as an *average* time between past events, and there's a suspected eruption at 1830 that slightly alters the pattern. Calculating the average interval between all listed events (1800, 1812, 1824, 1830, 1836, 1848, 1860, 1872, 1884) yields an average of 10.5 years (84 years / 8 intervals). Adding this average to the last confirmed eruption (1884 + 10.5 years) gives 1894.5, which rounds to 1894 as the most expected year.

Question 3

The timeline below depicts when the Trianis Volcano has erupted.  Geologists discuss "recurrence intervals" which represent an average time between past events.  The black circles represent when the Trianis Volcano had a confirmed eruption.  The triangle represents a suspected but not confirmed eruption. Which of the following statements represents an hypothesis rather than a fact?

Accepted Answer

A volcanic eruption should have ocurred about 1820

Answer

A fact is an observable event or confirmed piece of information, while a hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction that requires testing. Statements A, B, C, and E are factual observations or counts directly from the timeline. Option D, 'A volcanic eruption should have occurred about 1820,' is an inference or prediction based on the observed pattern, making it a hypothesis rather than a direct factual statement from the provided data.

Question 4

The timeline below depicts when the Trianis Volcano has erupted.  Geologists discuss "recurrence intervals" which represent an average time between past events.  The black circles represent when the Trianis Volcano had a confirmed eruption.  The triangle represents a suspected but not confirmed eruption. Which of the following events follows a predictable timeline similar to the volcanic eruptions.

Accepted Answer

The Red River has a catastrophic flood about every 100 years

Answer

The Trianis Volcano eruptions follow a relatively predictable, regular interval, even if it's an average. We are looking for another event that also follows a predictable timeline. While hurricanes, mudslides, and tornadoes occur, their exact timing is generally unpredictable. 'The Red River has a catastrophic flood about every 100 years' describes a long-term, recurring pattern with a stated average interval, which is analogous to the predictable recurrence intervals of the volcanic eruptions.

Question 5

The five Great Lakes make up 95% of the United States’ fresh water supply. The Great Lakes are estimated to have been formed at the end of the last glacial period (about 10,000 years ago), when the Laurentide ice sheet receded. The retreat of the ice sheet left behind a large amount of meltwater.  Today, chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides from the agriculture industry and toxic wastes from factories have polluted the Lakes. Higher temperatures and reduced precipitation have contributed to lower water levels, leading to costly efforts to dig out harbors and to open shipping lanes. A hard freeze that affected Lakes Superior, Huron, and Erie during the winter of 2003 forced ships carrying industrial products to delay shipments or risk being trapped in the 2-foot-thick ice. A scientist who believes that the dropping water levels in the Great Lakes are the result of global warming would be most likely to study ways to reduce

Accepted Answer

fossil fuel use.

Answer

The scientist believes that dropping water levels are a result of global warming. Global warming is primarily caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, largely from the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore, to address the root cause of global warming and its effects on water levels, a scientist would most likely focus on reducing fossil fuel use.

HiSET - High School Equivalency Test Practice Test

HiSET - High School Equivalency Test Practice Test

HiSET Science Practice Test 1