SCIENCE REASONING TEST

35 Minutes-40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: There are seven passages in the following
section. Each passage is followed by several questions. After
reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question
and blacken the corresponding oval on your answer document.
You may refer to the passages as often as necessary.
You are NOT permitted to use a calculator on this test.
Passage I
A study was conducted regarding the fossil shells of a par
ticular species of turt1e that lives off the coast of the Opula.<;ian
Peninsula. Scientists discovered a continuous record of fossil
ized shells in the seabed off the coast dating back 120,000 years.
In addition to examining the fossilized turtle shells, the scientists
also examined the shells of living turtles.
From each layer of seabed, the scientists randomly selected
five complete, unbroken fossilized shells. Each shell was care
fully prepared, measured, and photographed. A bit of each shell
was then clipped off and sent to a laboratory for radiocarbon dat
ing to determine the precise age of each shell.
Study /
All of the living turtles had a distinct band of hexagonal Study 2
scutes (bony plates) running the length of their shells, from head
For each shell, the surface area of the shell, the
to tail. The fossilized shells' sCUles were not visible to the naked
shell's bridge (the part of the shell linking the upper
eye; however upon application of a particular dye, a similar band
plates), and the total number of scutes were recorded
of scutes from head to tail was observed in every shell.
ure 1).
SculeS extending greater than .!. of the length of the shell
gmwg,
8
were labeled major (M), where scutes extending less than or
:::::r:
height
equal to .!. of the length of the shell were labeled minor (m).
8
Figure I
'['he pattern of scutes was recorded for each fossil. For each time
period, the percent of fossils exhibiting each pattern is given in
For the shells of each age, the average of each
Table 1.
was calculated. The results are presented in Figure 2.
201i I 1,296 ACT Practice Questions

120 100 80 40 20 0
age of shells (thOusands of years)
e 3.2 . .,-------------,
QI -= 2.8
eo ..c::
0'
.8
;: cu

2.4
2.0
c
.t:>

120 100 80 60 40 20 0
age of shells (thousands of years)
:;-- 700-r--------------,
- e
]l .e 680
'" <':I
II.l
660
G8
640

120 100 80 60 40 20 0
age of shells (thousands of years)
Figure 2
a layer of seabed determined to be 250,000 years old.
the scientists found fragments of twelve turtle shells. but
complete. intact shells. Which of the following is the
likely reason this layer of seabed was not included in
studies?
250.000 years is too old to obtain an accurate radio
carton date.
Shells that were 250,000 years old would have been
irrel to the studies.
Accurate measurements of the dimensions of the
shells could have been impossible 10 obtain.
The ,cientists would not have been able to accurately
detelmine the color of the shells.
regHd to the descriptions given in Study I, the shells
the M-M-m-m-M band of scutes probably most
resembled which of the following?
@)HO

3. to the results of Study 2, how do the average
number of scutes and the average bridge height of living
turtles of the Opulasian Peninsula compare to those of the
turtles of the Opulasian Peninsula from 120,000 years ago?
For the living turtles:
A. both the average number of scutes and the average
bridge height are larger.
B. both the average number of scutes and the average
bridge height are smaller.
C. the average number of scutes is larger and the average
bridge height is smaller.
D. the average number of scutes is smaller and while the
average bridge height is larger.
4. Suppose, in Study I, the scientists had found another seabed
layer with fossilized shells that were radiocarbon dated and
found to be 86,000 years old. Based on the results of Study
I, the scute pattern percents for the group of shells would
most likely have been closest to which of the following?
M-m-M-M-m M-M-m-m-M M-m-M-m-M
F. 100% 0% 0%
G. 50% 25% 25%
H. 36% 61% 4%
J. 26% 69% 5%
5. In Study 2, the average shell surface area of fossilized
turtle shells that were 80,000 years old was closest to:
A. 670cm
2
B. 680cm
2
C. 690cm
2
D. 700cm
2
6. Which of the following statements best describes how
Study 1 differed from Study 2 ?
F. In Study I, the scientists examined 3 characteristics re
garding the shape and size of turtle shells; but in Study
2. the scientists examined the frequency of occurrence
of different patterns of scutes on turtle shells.
G. In Study 1, the scientists examined the frequency of
occurrence of different patterns of scutes on turtle
shells; but in Study 2, the scientists examined the envi
ronment in which turtles live.
H. In Study I, the scientists examined the frequency of
occurrence of different patterns of scutes on turtle
shells; but in Study 2, the scientists examined 3 char
acteristics regarding the shape and size of turtJe shells.
J. In Study I, the scientists examined 3 characteristics
regarding the shape and size of turtle shells; but in
Study 2. the scientists examined the environment in
which turtles live.
Science Practice I 207
SCIENCE REASONING TEST
35 Minutes-40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: There are seven passages in the following
section. Each passage is followed by several questions. After
reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question
and blacken the corresponding oval on your answer document.
You may refer to the passages as often as necessary.
You are NOT permitted to use a calculator on this test.
Passage I
A study was conducted regarding the fossil shells of a par
ticular species of turtle that lives off the coast of the Opula.<;ian
Peninsula. Scientists discovered a continuous record of fossil
ized shells in the seabed off the coast dating back 120.000 years.
In addition to examining the fossilized turtle shells. the scientists
also examined the shells of living turtles.
From each layer of seabed, the scientists randomly selected
five complete. unbroken fossilized shells. Each shell was care
fully prepared. measured, and photographed. A bit of each shell
was then clipped off and sent to a laboratory for radiocarbon dat
ing to determine the precise age of each shell.
Study J
AU of the living turtles had a distinct band of hexagonal
scutes (bony plates) running the length of their shells, from head
to tail. The fossilized shells' scutes were not visible to the naked
eye; however upon application ofa particular dye. a similar band
of scutes from head to tail was observed in every shell.
Scutes extending greater than .! of the length of the shell
8
were labeled major (M), where scutes extending less than or
equal to .! of the length of the shell were labeled minor (m).
8
The pattern of scutes was recorded for each fossil. For each time
period, the percent of fossils exhibiting each pattern is given in
Table l.
2116 I 1.296 ACT Practice Questions
Study 2
For each shell. the surface area of the shell. the
shell's bridge (the part of the shell linking the upper
plates). and the total number of scutes were recorded
ure I).
upper plate

height
J()W;plate
Figure 1
For the shells of each age, the average of each
was calculated. The results are presented in Figure 2.
c
4Or-----------------------,
35


30
cu ....

a
25
-1---

120 [00 SO 60 40 20 0
age of shells (thousands of years)
!
3.2.,------------,
2.S

t: 2.4

:os 2.0
c 1.6f---.----.--....,--,-----,,....-.-j
.c 120 [00 SO 60 40 20 0
age of shells (thousands of years)
700.---------------,
_. e
"Ql -36S0

660
cu
<I.. U
640

120 100 80 60 40 20 0
age of shells (thousands of years)
Figure 2
a layer of seabed determined to be 250,000 years old,
scientists found fragments of twelve turtle shells, but
complete, intact shells. Which of the following is the
Iil:ely reason this layer of seabed was not included in
studies?
25C,000 years is too old to obtain an accurate radio
carbon date.
Shells that were 250,000 years old would have been
irre evant to the studies.
Accurate measurements of the dimensions of the
shells could have been impossible to obtain.
The scientists would not have been able to accurately
determine the color of the shells.
reg,lrd to the descriptions given in Study I, the shells
the .VI-M-m-m-M band of scutes probably most
resembled which of the following?
3. AccQrding to the results of Study 2, how do the average
number of scutes and the average bridge height of living
turtles of the Opulasian Peninsula compare to those of the
turtles of the Opulasian Peninsula from 120,000 years ago?
For the living turtles:
A. both the average number of scutes and the average
bridge height are larger.
B. both the average number of scutes and the average
C\bridge height are smaller.
fJ.i.:,.,Ithe average number of scutes is larger and the average
bridge height is smaller.
D. the average number of scutes is smaller and while the
average bridge height is larger.
4. Suppose, in Study I, the scientists had found another seabed
layer with fossilized shells that were radiocarbon dated and
found to be 86,000 years old. Based on the results of Study
I, the scute pattern percents for the group of shells would
most likely have been closest to which of the following?
M-m-M-M-m M-M-m-m-M M-m-M-m-M
F. 100% 0% 0%
G. 50% 25% 25%
36% 61% 4%
26% 69% 5%
cE>
5. In Study 2, the average shell surface area of fossilized
turtle shells that were SO,ooo years old was closest to:
A. 670cm
2
Iil. 6S0cm
2
C. 690cm
2
D. 700cm
2
6. Which of the following statements best describes how
Study 1 differed from Study 2 ?
F. In Study [. the scientists examined 3 characteristics re
garding the shape and size of turtle shells; but in Study
2, the scientists examined the frequency of occurrence
of different patterns of scutes on turtle shells.
G. In Study I, the scientists examined the frequency of
occurrence of different patterns of scutes on turtle
shells; but in Study 2, the scientists examined the envi
ronment in which turtles live.
H. In Study I, the scientists examined the frequency of
occurrence of different patterns of scutes on turtle
shells; but in Study 2. the scientists examined 3 char
acteristics regarding the shape and size of turtle shells.
oIn Study I, the scientists examined 3 characteristics
regarding the shape and size of turtle shells; but in
Study 2, the scientists examined the environment in
which turtles live.
Science Practice I 207
cladogram below describes the evolutionary rela
of some reptiles. Each branching point repre
the common ancestor of the branches. The more
the common ancestor, the closer the relationship is
om,luc:n;;u to be. Dates, in millions of years, represent
time of transition from each era to the next. Base
answers only on the information in the diagram.
m
,
2. The turtles are unique, of this group, in that:
(F) they are the only reptiles with a hard shell
formed of ribs.
(G) they are not closely related to any other sur
viving reptile.
(H) they are not related to any other reptiles.
(J) they have existed unchanged for over 245 mil
lion years.
Of the following pairs, in, which pair are the two
forms most closely related?
(A) Ornithischian dinosaurs and lizards
(B) Birds and mammals
(C) Crocodiles and ichthyosaurs
(D) Birds and crocodiles
14. One outstanding feature of the record is that:
(F) there was a mass extinction at the end of the
Cretaceous.
(G) there are now far more reptiles than mammals
or birds.
(H) about 200 million years ago there was a major
radiation of reptiles into a variety of new
forms.
(J) the snakes and lizards became distinct about
140 million years ago.
Science Reasoning Review and Practice 415
15. Of all the groups shown, only the birds and the
mammals are known to be warm-blooded. How
can this be interpreted?
(A) It is possible that the ancestral archosaur may
also be warm-blooded.
(B) Warm-bloodedness is an ancestral character
that has survived in these two lines.
(C) The diagram as given may be wrong, since the
fact that these birds and mammals share this
character indicates a close relationship.
(D) Warm-bloodedness is a useful property that
may arise more than once, independently.
16. If a geologist reports finding a fossil feather in a
rock layer 220 million years old, how might his
colleagues initially react?
(F) Revise the cladogram to place the origin of the
birds at an earlier date.
(G) Suggest a careful reexamination of the evi
dence for the date of the rock.
(H) Take this as proof that an early Saurischian
dinosaur had feathers.
(J) Reject the report because it conflicts with
known data of the origin of birds.
) 2. (G) The turtles have no ancestor in common with all the other reptiles later than the earliest reptile of all. F is
wrong because the cladogram gives no infonnation about shells in reptiles. H is wrong because there is a common
ancestor, although it is in the long-distant past. J is wrong because the cladogram gives no infonnation about the
way the various reptiles have changed.
13. (D) The common ancestor ,of the birds and crocodiles is an ancestral archosaur, about 220 million years ago', All
of the other pairs have no common ancestor later than the stem reptiles, in the Pennian.
14. (F) Many of the lines in the diagram disappeared at the end of the Cretaceous. G is wrong because no infonnation
is given about the relative abundance of the different life fonns. H is wrong because the major radiation took place
long before 245 million years ago. J is wrong because this event is not a major feature of the whole story.
(0) A and B are wrong because it would be most unlikely that a character would survive in two distantly related
fonns and not in any of the others. C is wrong because the cladogram depends on many characters, not just one.
Independent evolution of a useful character is the most likely explanation.
(G) This discovery cannot be rejected out of hand, but it suggests a really drastic revision of current theories, con
flicting with much other evidence. It would have to be reviewed by others.