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ACT Science Hard practice

13 questions

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Hard practice

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Question 1

Based on Set 1, which finding, if newly discovered, would MOST SUPPORT Scientist 2's hypothesis?

A.Native fish are observed near the cool spring in summer.B.Genetic analysis shows the invasive species evolved a taste for juveniles of multiple native species over the decade.C.Dissolved oxygen drops sharply during hot summers.D.The deep-water spring has remained at the same temperature.

Question 2

Across all three experiments, which one best supports a CAUSAL claim about the independent variable's effect on the dependent variable?

A.Experiment 1.B.Experiment 2.C.Experiment 3.D.None — all three are observational.

Question 3

Across the three experiments, the relationship between the independent and dependent variables is:

A.linear in all three.B.non-monotonic in Experiment 1, linear in Experiment 2, asymptotic in Experiment 3.C.asymptotic in all three.D.linear in Experiments 1 and 3, non-monotonic in Experiment 2.

Question 4

Based on Set 1, what additional experiment would best test BOTH hypotheses simultaneously?

A.Measure water temperature monthly for the next year.B.Survey the nearby lake for any new invasive species.C.Remove the invasive species from Lake Marisol and track both native population recovery and water temperature over multiple seasons.D.Add cooler water to Lake Marisol artificially.

Question 5

Across Set 1 and Set 2, what common reasoning pattern do the scientists use to support their hypotheses?

A.Both pairs rely entirely on theoretical calculations.B.Both pairs cite empirical observations and propose a causal mechanism.C.Both pairs rely on the same kind of data.D.Both pairs reject all alternative hypotheses with statistical tests.

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Question 6

Based on Set 1, which finding, if newly discovered, would MOST WEAKEN Scientist 1's hypothesis?

A.Native species can spawn over a wider temperature range than Scientist 1 assumed.B.Average summer temperatures have risen by

2.0° C

, not

1.6° C

, over the past decade.C.The deep-water spring is colder than previously measured.D.The invasive fish prefer warm water.

Question 7

Based on Experiment 2, what specific change would strengthen the design as a test of the causal effect of rainfall on ring width?

A.Conducting a controlled greenhouse experiment with identical seedlings receiving different watering amounts.B.Sampling more rings from each year.C.Adding more years from the same forest.D.Studying tree rings from a forest with different soil.

Question 8

Based on Experiment 3, suppose the team found that Method A reads about $5$ mg/dL HIGHER than Method B on every volunteer. What conclusion is best supported?

A.Method A is more accurate than Method B.B.There is a systematic difference between the two methods.C.Either method may be used interchangeably.D.The methods produce random differences.

Question 9

Based on Experiment 3, if the team had measured salinity at $30$ km, the value would most likely be:

A.less than

30

pptB.between

34.5

and

36

pptC.between

40

and

50

pptD.greater than

50

ppt

Question 10

Based on Experiment 1, what additional trial would most help refine the conclusion about the optimal pH for tomato seedling growth?

A.Adding a pot at

pH 3.5

.B.Adding pots at

pH 6.0

and

pH 7.0

.C.Adding a pot at

pH 7.5

again.D.Increasing watering volume for all pots.

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Question 11

Among Experiments 1, 2, and 3, which best demonstrates a relationship that levels off as the independent variable increases?

A.Experiment 1 onlyB.Experiment 2 onlyC.Experiment 3 onlyD.All three experiments

Question 12

Based on Set 2, what finding would MOST SUPPORT Researcher 1 over Researcher 2?

A.A battery removed from the engine entirely shows lower voltage at

- 15° C

than at

20° C

.B.Engines using lighter oil start more easily in the cold.C.Cold mornings draw more current from the battery during starting.D.Batteries fail completely after one cold winter.

Question 13

Based on Set 2, what finding would MOST SUPPORT Researcher 2 over Researcher 1?

A.Cold-start current draw is roughly

3 \times

warm-start draw in the same vehicle.B.Disconnected batteries at

- 15° C

still deliver less peak current than at

20° C

.C.Newer batteries are more reliable in the cold.D.Voltage drops smoothly with temperature.

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