1. You test a new fertilizer on two groups of plants, one with fertilizer and one without. Both groups grow at the same rate. What is the most likely explanation?

A. The fertilizer has no effect on plant growth.
B. The control group accidentally received some fertilizer too.
C. Both groups received other nutrients from the soil, negating the fertilizer's effect.
D. The test period was too short to observe any difference.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A true control group should be identical to the test group except for the variable being tested. If both groups grew the same despite the fertilizer, it suggests external factors like soil nutrients masked any potential fertilizer effect.

2. The rigid structure that provides shape and support to plant cells is called the:

A. Cell wall
B. Plasma membrane
C. Nucleus
D. Cytoplasm

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cell wall. The cell wall is a rigid structure found in plant cells, providing support and shape to the cell. It is composed mainly of cellulose, a tough and fibrous substance that helps plants maintain their structure. The plasma membrane, option B, is a semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the cell and regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell. The nucleus, option C, is the control center of the cell that contains genetic material. Cytoplasm, option D, is the jelly-like substance that fills the cell and houses organelles. In this context, the function of providing shape and support points specifically to the cell wall, making it the correct choice.

3. Which of the following is a common property of bases?

A. Conductivity in aqueous solutions
B. Sour taste
C. Reactivity with metals to produce hydrogen gas
D. Turns red litmus paper blue

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Bases are substances that can accept protons or donate hydroxide ions in a chemical reaction. One common property of bases is that they turn red litmus paper blue. This is a classic test to distinguish between acids (which turn blue litmus paper red) and bases. Conductivity in aqueous solutions (Option A) is a property of both acids and bases, sour taste (Option B) is a property of acids, and reactivity with metals to produce hydrogen gas (Option C) is a property of acids, not bases.

4. Percent (%) is a way to express a fraction with a denominator of 100. 125% can be expressed as a fraction in lowest terms. Which of the following represents 125% as a fraction?

A. 5/4
B. 1/8
C. 5/2
D. 25/2

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Percent literally means "out of one hundred." So, 125% is equivalent to 125/100. We can simplify this fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by 25, resulting in 5/2.

5. When proofreading your writing, focus on:

A. Changing the wording to sound more original.
B. Ignoring minor grammatical errors like typos.
C. Checking for clarity, consistency, and overall flow.
D. Replacing common words with thesaurus alternatives.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Proofreading involves correcting errors, refining sentence structure, and ensuring the writing achieves its purpose, clarity, and consistency.

6. The involuntary "fight-or-flight" response is controlled by the:

A. Sympathetic nervous system
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Enteric nervous system
D. Sensory nervous system

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Sympathetic nervous system. The "fight-or-flight" response is an automatic physiological reaction triggered by the sympathetic nervous system in response to a perceived threat or stressor. This system prepares the body for action by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and redirecting blood flow to muscles. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, controls the body's "rest-and-digest" response, promoting relaxation and digestion. The enteric nervous system primarily regulates the gastrointestinal system, while the sensory nervous system is responsible for transmitting sensory information to the brain. Therefore, the sympathetic nervous system is specifically responsible for initiating the fight-or-flight response.