ged science and practice test

A a high school equivalency exam designed for individuals who did not graduate from high school but want to demonstrate they have the same knowledge and skills as a high school graduate

Various species of birds from the genus Agaporis possess differing behaviors. These behaviors differ in a way that can be used to infer how the species are related and how they have evolved over time. For example, the three lovebird species considered to be the most primitive all build simple nests in preexisting cavities. The three middle species all build elaborate nests with tops, and one even digs out a cavity for the nest. The four modern species build cuplike nests: These nests are more complex than those built by the primitive species but less complex than those built by the middle species. William Dilger conducted an investigation to show that the nest-building behaviors of these birds were genetic rather than learned behaviors. In his investigation, Dilger used two different species of lovebird that readily mate with each other-Fischer's lovebird and the peach-faced lovebird. Fischer's lovebird is a species of moder lovebird while the peach-faced lovebird is a slightly more primitive species. Fischer's lovebird carries small pieces of nesting material in its beak. The small size of the nesting material is the reason for the simpler cuplike nests of Fischer's lovebird. The peach-faced lovebird cuts long strips of nesting material, which is then tucked into the feathers on the back of the bird. These long strips of nesting material will often fall out of the bird's feathers. However, the long strips of material allow the peach-faced lovebird to build an elaborate nest. The hybrid offspring of these two species has difficulty building nests. The hybrid offspring will cut long strips of material like its peach-faced parent. However, the hybrid offspring will attempt to carry the material in its beak and have difficulty flying. If it does attempt to place the material in the feathers of its back, the material falls out because the bird does not properly secure the material in its feathers.
Which hypothesis was Dilger testing in his experiment?
  • A. If hybrid offspring have a mixture of behaviors, then the species are within the same genus.
  • B. If a hybrid offspring carries nesting material in its beak, then it is more closely related to modern lovebirds.
  • C. If behavior in lovebirds is genetic, then a hybrid offspring will display a mixture of behaviors.
  • D. If lovebird species can interbreed, then a hybrid offspring will have a mixture of behaviors.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Dilger aimed to investigate the genetic basis of behavior in lovebirds, specifically focusing on whether hybrid offspring exhibit a blend of behaviors from their parent species. Option C accurately reflects this hypothesis, linking genetic inheritance to behavioral traits in hybrids. Option A incorrectly connects hybrid behavior to taxonomic classification, which is not the primary focus of Dilger’s study. Option B suggests a direct relationship between nesting material behavior and modern lovebirds, overlooking the broader genetic implications. Option D, while related to interbreeding, does not emphasize the genetic aspect of behavior, which is central to Dilger's hypothesis.

Other Related Questions

Which statement describes the motion of the object for the first 10 seconds?
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  • A. The object is moving at a constant speed.
  • B. The object is doubling its speed every two seconds.
  • C. The object is increasing its height.
  • D. The object is accelerating.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The motion of the object for the first 10 seconds indicates that it is accelerating, meaning its speed is increasing over time. Option A is incorrect because constant speed implies no change in velocity, which contradicts the evidence of acceleration. Option B suggests a specific pattern of doubling speed, which is not necessarily true without further information on the object's velocity changes. Option C, while it may imply upward motion, does not capture the essential aspect of acceleration, which is a change in speed rather than just height.
What statement describes one or more needed changes to this experiment that would allow the experimenter to draw a valid conclusion?
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  • A. Salt water should have been used to make the ice cubes for the cup of salt water.
  • B. The time for ice cubes to melt should have been measured in minutes.
  • C. At the beginning, both cups should have contained the same mass of water at the same temperature.
  • D. The energy released should have been measured, not calculated.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C highlights the necessity for both cups to start with the same mass of water at the same temperature to ensure a fair comparison. This control eliminates variables that could skew results, allowing for a valid conclusion about the melting rates of ice cubes in different solutions. Option A is incorrect because using salt water to make ice cubes would not provide relevant data on how the ice behaves in fresh versus salt water. Option B is not a change that affects the experimental validity; measuring time in minutes is appropriate, but the key is ensuring conditions are equal. Option D suggests a measurement method change, but calculating energy based on temperature changes is acceptable in this context.
Based on these results and assuming that whenever two materials are present their remaining energy is averaged, what would the scientist best conclude to be the composition of Saturn's rings?
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  • A. equal amounts of loose rocks and loose snow
  • B. equal amounts of ice and bedrock
  • C. a small amount of bedrock and a large amount of carbon rock
  • D. large amounts of ice and smaller amounts of carbon rock
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The conclusion about Saturn's rings is supported by the composition of ice and carbon rock. Large amounts of ice are consistent with observations of Saturn’s rings, which are primarily composed of water ice particles. Smaller amounts of carbon rock align with the presence of darker materials found in the rings. Options A and B suggest equal amounts of materials that do not reflect the observed predominance of ice. Option C overestimates the presence of bedrock, which is not supported by scientific data. Thus, option D accurately captures the dominant composition of Saturn's rings.
Scientists can indirectly observe temperatures and insolation (the Intensity or direct solar radiation) in the distant past by measuring oxygen isotope ratios in ice cores collected from polar ice. The graph presents data for the period from what ta200.000 years ago. What time period in the graph shows the greatest correlation between Milankovitch cycles and climate?
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  • A. 140,000-160,000 years ago
  • B. 120,000-140,000 years ago
  • C. 100,000-120,000 years ago
  • D. 160,000-180,000 years ago
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The time period from 100,000 to 120,000 years ago exhibits the greatest correlation between Milankovitch cycles and climate, as evidenced by significant fluctuations in temperature and insolation reflected in the oxygen isotope ratios. This interval aligns closely with the timing of glacial and interglacial periods influenced by Earth's orbital changes. Options A and B show notable climate changes, but they do not align as strongly with Milankovitch cycles, indicating less correlation. Option D, while part of the broader glacial cycle, reveals less pronounced temperature shifts, making it less relevant to the question of correlation.