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

which sentence describes a difference between artificial selection and natural selection?
  • A. In natural selection, variation is heritable; in artificial selection, variation is not heritable.
  • B. In natural selection, there is differential reproduction; in artificial selection, there is not differential reproduction.
  • C. In natural selection, there is variation within the population of organisms; in artificial selection, there is no variation within the population or organisms.
  • D. In natural selection, reproductive success is driven by naturally occurring processes; in artificial selection, reproductive success is driven by human-imposed processes.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Natural selection occurs through naturally occurring processes where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to evolutionary change over time. In contrast, artificial selection involves human intervention, where specific traits are chosen for breeding based on human preferences. Option A is incorrect; both types of selection involve heritable variation. Option B misrepresents artificial selection, which also involves differential reproduction based on selected traits. Option C is inaccurate as artificial selection can still involve variation within the chosen traits. Thus, option D accurately highlights the fundamental distinction between the two processes.

Other Related Questions

Which statement describes a weakness of the investigation in the passage?
  • A. None of the hypotheses are directly related to the ice core data.
  • B. The Greenland ice sheet is far away from the site of the explosion in Russia.
  • C. Several of the hypotheses rely on unproven processes or estimated values.
  • D. A few micrograms of ammonia is insufficient evidence for a conclusion.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C highlights a significant weakness, as relying on unproven processes or estimated values can lead to unreliable conclusions, undermining the investigation's credibility. Option A is incorrect because hypotheses can be related to data in broader contexts, even if not directly. Option B misrepresents the geographical relevance; distance alone does not invalidate the connection between the ice core data and the explosion. Option D, while suggesting a concern about evidence quantity, does not address the fundamental issue of reliance on unproven processes that can skew the investigation's outcomes.
Which instruction would be most appropriate for step 2 of the procedure?
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  • A. Provide both group A and group B participants with a daily magnesium supplement.
  • B. Provide group A participants with a daily magnesium supplement and provide group B participants with a daily supplement that contains only inactive ingredients.
  • C. Provide group A participants with a high-magnesium supplement and group B participants with a low-magnesium supplement...
  • D. Provide both group A and group B participants with guidelines about which foods they should consume.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B is the most appropriate instruction for step 2 as it establishes a clear experimental control. By giving group A a magnesium supplement and group B an inactive placebo, it allows for a direct comparison of the effects of magnesium on the participants. Option A is incorrect because it does not create a control group; both groups would receive magnesium, making it impossible to determine its specific effects. Option C is flawed as it introduces an additional variable by varying the magnesium levels between groups, complicating the results. Option D fails to provide a direct intervention, which is essential for assessing the impact of magnesium supplementation.
The graph shows results from a study that sought to determine average exposure to triclosan in the U.S. population. Which statement is supported by the results in the graph?
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  • A. Triclosan concentration does not vary significantly among different age groups.
  • B. Increased levels of triclosan in urine are related to increased age.
  • C. Triclosan concentration in urine is highest in the 30- to 39-year-old age group.
  • D. People aged 20-29 likely use more products containing triclosan.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The data indicates that the highest triclosan concentration in urine occurs in the 30- to 39-year-old age group, supporting option C. This finding highlights a specific peak in exposure among this demographic. Option A is incorrect as the graph likely shows variation in triclosan levels across age groups. Option B misinterprets the data; the graph does not suggest that triclosan levels increase with age. Option D assumes usage patterns without evidence from the graph, which focuses on urinary concentration rather than product usage.
What natural process is required to connect the ice core data to the Tunguska Event?
  • A. the cycling of carbon in forest fires
  • B. the interaction of comets with the solar wind
  • C. the movement of glaciers due to gravity
  • D. the constant mixing of the atmosphere
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Connecting ice core data to the Tunguska Event necessitates understanding atmospheric dynamics, which is achieved through the constant mixing of the atmosphere. This mixing disperses particles and gases, allowing researchers to correlate ice core samples with historical events, including the Tunguska explosion. Option A, the cycling of carbon in forest fires, is unrelated to the atmospheric conditions or the specific data derived from ice cores. Option B, the interaction of comets with the solar wind, pertains to space phenomena rather than terrestrial atmospheric processes. Option C, the movement of glaciers due to gravity, describes glacial dynamics but does not address the atmospheric mixing needed to link ice core data to the event.