ACT science practice test 18
PASSAGE II
The ninth planet of our solar system, Pluto, was discovered in 1930. It is
the smallest planet in the solar system, with a surface area more than 300
times smaller than Earth's. Recently, Pluto's categorization as a planet has
been debated. Two scientists discuss whether Pluto is a planet or another
celestial object.
Scientist 1
Pluto is most certainly a planet. Some astronomers have suggested that
Pluto be stripped of its planetary status, arguing that it is more accurately
categorized as an asteroid or comet. However, with a 1,413 mile diameter,
Pluto is almost 1,000 times bigger than an average comet, and it does not
have a tail of dust and gas as comets do. A planet can be described as a
non-moon, sun-orbiting object that does not generate nuclear fusion and is
large enough to be pulled into a spherical shape by its own gravity. Strictly by
definition alone, Pluto is a planet. Pluto is clearly not a moon, as it does not
orbit another planet. Although Pluto's orbital path is irregular as compared with
the other planets of the solar system, it undisputedly orbits the sun. Pluto does
not generate heat by nuclear fission, distinguishing it from a star. It is large
enough to be pulled into a spherical shape by its own gravitational force,
distinguishing it from either a comet or an asteroid.
Scientist 2
There are many facts about Pluto suggesting that it is actually not a planet
but a member of the Kuiper Belt, a group of sizable comets that orbit the sun
beyond Neptune. First, Pluto is composed of icy material, as are the comets in
the Kuiper Belt, while the other planets of the solar system fall into one of two
categories: rocky or gaseous. The four inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth,
and Mars are rocky planets; Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are
gaseous. Pluto is neither rocky nor gaseous but has an icy composition. In
addition, Pluto is much too small to be a planet. It is less than half the diameter
of the next smallest planet, Mercury. The Earth's moon is even larger than
Pluto. Finally, the eccentricity of Pluto's orbit indicates that it is not a planet.
Pluto is generally considered the ninth planet, but for twenty years of its 249
year orbit, it is actually closer to the sun than is Neptune, making it the eighth
planet during that period of time. This irregular orbit is shared by over seventy
Kuiper Belt comets.
1. Which of the following phrases best describes the major point of difference
between the two scientists' viewpoints?
F. The actual location of Pluto in the solar system.
G. The length of Pluto's orbit.
H. The shape of Pluto's orbit.
J. The classification of Pluto as a planet.
2. According to Scientist 2's viewpoint, compared to other planets of the solar
system, Pluto's surface is:
A. less icy.
B. more icy.
C. more gaseous.
D. more rocky.
3. Scientist 1's viewpoint indicates that Pluto differs from asteroids and comets
in all of the following ways EXCEPT:
F. Pluto can generate heat through nuclear fission.
G. Pluto is pulled into a spherical shape by its own gravitational force.
H. asteroids and comets have a tail of gas and dust particles.
J. asteroids and comets are much smaller than Pluto.
4. The polar ice caps on Pluto's surface melt one time during every 249-year
orbit, exposing Pluto's truly rocky surface, which is similar to that of Mars.
Based on the information provided, this finding, if true, would most likely
weaken the position(s) of:
A. Scientist 1 only.
B. Scientist 2 only.
C. both Scientist 1 and Scientist 2.
D. neither Scientist 1 nor Scientist 2.
5. With which of the following statements would both scientists most likely
agree?
F. The size of Pluto indicates that it could actually be a satellite of another
planet.
G. Pluto should be classified as neither a planet nor a comet; a new category is
indicated.
H. The surface composition of Pluto is irrelevant and should not be considered
in its classification.
J. Pluto's erratic orbit differentiates it from all other planets in the solar system.
6. Scientist 1's viewpoint would be weakened by which of the following
observations, if true?
A. Scientists have recently discovered a Kuiper Belt comet with a radius of
almost 1,500 miles.
B. Pluto only has one moon, Charon, which is half the size of Pluto.
C. Planets can be distinguished from comets by the lack of gas and dust
particles in the wake of their orbits.
D. Comets and asteroids are capable of generating nuclear fission.
7. Which of the following statements best describes how Scientist 2 likens
Pluto to a Kuiper Belt comet?
F. Neither Pluto nor Kuiper Belt comets have identifiable atmospheres.
G. Neither Pluto nor Kuiper Belt comets are trailed by a cloud of gases and
dust.
H. Both Pluto and Kuiper Belt comets have similar eccentric orbital patterns.
J. Both Pluto and Kuiper Belt comets are roughly half the size of the next
smallest planet, Mercury.
PASSAGE III
A solute is any substance that is dissolved in another substance, which is
called thesolvent.
A student tested the solubility (a measure of how much solute will dissolve
into the solvent) of six different substances. The solubility of a substance at a
given temperature is defined as the concentration of the dissolved solute that
is in equilibrium with the solvent.
Table 1 represents the concentration of dissolved substances in 100
grams of water at various temperatures. The concentrations are expressed in
grams of solute per 100 grams of water.
1. According to Table 1, the concentrations of which of the following
substances varies the least with temperature?
A. HCl
B. NH3
C. NaCl
D. KCl
2. The graph below best represents the relationship between concentration
and temperature for which of the following substances?
F. HCl
G. NaNO3
H. NaCl
J. KCl
3. The data shown in Table 1 support the conclusion that, for a given
substance, as the temperature of the water increases, the amount of solute
that can be dissolved:
A. increases only.
B. decreases only.
C. varies, but there is a trend depending on the substance.
D. varies, but with no particular trend.
4. According to Table 1, HCl would most likely have which of the following
concentrations at 70°C?
F. 25.5 g/100g H2O
G. 37.0 g/100g H2O
H. 45.5 g/100g H2O
J. 51.5 g/100g H2O
5. A scientist wants to dissolve at least 50 grams of NH4Cl in 100 g of water in
order for the solution to be the proper concentration for use in an experiment. A
reasonable minimum temperature for the solution would be:
A. 25°C
B. 30°C
C. 35°C
D. 50°C
Answers and Explanations
1. Correct Answer: J
Explanation:
The best answer is J. The two scientists are discussing how the planet Pluto
should be classified: as a planet, or as some other celestial object. Scientist 1
believes it Pluto should retain its status as a planet, while Scientist 2 believes
Pluto would be more accurately categorized as a Kuiper Belt comet. This best
supports answer choice J.
2. Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The best answer is B. Scientist 2 explains that currently two categorizations of
planets exist: rocky and gaseous. The scientist then goes on to say that Pluto
does not fit into either of these categories because it is composed of an icy
material. This best supports answer choice B.
3. Correct Answer: F
Explanation:
The best answer is F. The question asks for the identification of the
characteristic that does not differentiate Pluto from asteroids and comets.
Neither Pluto nor asteroids and comets can generate heat through nuclear
fission, so this is not a differentiating characteristic, making this answer choice
the best.
4. Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The best answer is B. Scientist 2 maintains that Pluto is not like the other
planets due to its icy surface. If the ice melted and revealed that Pluto's
surface was similar to Mars, Scientist 2's argument would be significantly
weakened.
5. Correct Answer: J
Explanation:
The best answer is J. Both scientists mention the irregularity of Pluto's orbit in
their respective arguments. Scientist 1 states, "Pluto's orbital path is irregular
as compared with the other planets of the solar system, and Scientist 2 also
makes note of the "eccentricity of Pluto's orbit."
6. Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The best answer is A. One of the arguments that Scientist 1 makes for Pluto
not being a comet is that Pluto is far too massive. If a comet were discovered
with a diameter of 1,500 miles, it would be even larger than Pluto, which has a
diameter of 1,413 miles. This would nullify the scientist's argument that Pluto
cannot be a comet because comets are much smaller than Pluto.
7. Correct Answer: H
Explanation:
The best answer is H. One reason that Scientist 2 offers to support the
argument for Pluto to be a Kuiper Belt object is that both have strange, atypical
orbital patterns.
1. Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The best answer is C. The question asks you to look at the overall trends of the
data sets for each substance. A good way to measure the degree to which
data varies would be to find the range, meaning subtract the lowest value from
the highest value for each individual substance. In this problem it is clear that
NaCl varies the least with temperature.
2. Correct Answer: F
Explanation:
The best answer is F. In this question you are asked to look at the trends of the
substances, especially at how their concentrations change with increasing
temperature. In the data set, some substances become more soluble with
increasing temperature, while some become less soluble. The graph
represents the solubility curve for a substance that gets less soluble with
increasing temperature. Looking at the possible answer choices, HCl is the
only logical choice.
3. Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The best answer is C. It is clear from the table that each substance reacts
differently in its solubility depending on the temperature. However, each
substance does show a clear trend in whether it gets more or less soluble with
increasing temperature.
4. Correct Answer: J
Explanation:
The best answer is J. According to Table 1, HCl has a concentration of 55
g/100 g H2O at 60°C, and a concentration of 48 g/100 g H2O at 80°C.
Therefore, at 70°C it would likely have a concentration of 55 + 48 ÷ 2 = 51.5
g/100 g H2O.
5. Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The best answer is D. By looking at the trend in concentration for NH4Cl, 50g
are dissolved between the 40°and 60°C measurements. The logical answer
choice would then be 50°C.
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