ASVAB General Science Sample Questions
Practice original General Science questions covering the same basic physical and biological science skills tested by the GS subtest. Select one answer under each question to see the result and a short explanation.
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Why does one liter of air usually have much less mass than one liter of liquid water?
Physical Science
A Air particles are spaced much farther apart. B Air contains no matter. C Water molecules have no empty space at all. D Air particles are always colder than water molecules.
Gases have particles that are much more widely spaced than particles in liquids, so the same volume of air usually contains much less mass.
A temperature of 50°C is equal to which Fahrenheit temperature?
Temperature
A 82°F B 100°F C 122°F D 150°F
Use F = (C × 9/5) + 32. For 50°C, the result is 122°F.
Why can spreading salt on ice help the ice melt when conditions are suitable?
Chemistry
A Salt raises the freezing point of water. B Salt lowers the freezing point of water. C Salt turns frozen water into a gas. D Salt removes all heat from the ice.
Dissolved salt lowers water's freezing point, so liquid water can remain unfrozen at a lower temperature than pure water.
Which gas makes up the largest portion of Earth's atmosphere?
Earth Science
A Oxygen B Carbon dioxide C Nitrogen D Argon
Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up about 78% of dry air.
Which cell structure is most directly associated with producing usable energy in the form of ATP?
Biology
A Mitochondrion B Cell membrane C Nucleus D Ribosome
Mitochondria carry out major stages of cellular respiration and produce much of a cell's ATP.
In plant cells, photosynthesis mainly takes place in which structure?
Biology
A Mitochondria B Chloroplasts C Lysosomes D Nuclei
Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the main site of photosynthesis in plant cells.
A gene is best described as which of the following?
Genetics
A A type of blood cell B A segment of DNA that carries biological information C A complete organ system D A mineral used by cells
A gene is a segment of DNA that contains information used in inheritance and biological function.
Where does most gas exchange between air and blood occur in the human lungs?
Human Biology
A Alveoli B Trachea C Diaphragm D Larynx
Alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged with nearby capillaries.
Which organism is acting as a decomposer in an ecosystem?
Ecology
A A hawk eating a mouse B A fungus breaking down a fallen log C A deer eating grass D A tree using sunlight
Decomposers such as many fungi break down dead organic material and return nutrients to the ecosystem.
A solution with a pH of 3 is best classified as
Chemistry
A acidic. B neutral. C basic. D radioactive.
On the standard pH scale, values below 7 are acidic, 7 is neutral, and values above 7 are basic.
Which change is a chemical change rather than only a physical change?
Chemistry
A Ice melting B Paper being cut C Iron rusting D Water boiling
Rusting forms new substances through chemical reactions involving iron and oxygen.
A sample has a mass of 60 grams and a volume of 20 cubic centimeters. What is its density?
Physical Science
A 2 g/cm³ B 3 g/cm³ C 40 g/cm³ D 80 g/cm³
Density = mass ÷ volume. 60 g ÷ 20 cm³ = 3 g/cm³.
What happens when an unbalanced force acts on an object?
Physics
A Its motion must remain unchanged. B It can accelerate. C Its mass immediately becomes zero. D Gravity stops acting on it.
An unbalanced net force causes acceleration, so the object's velocity can change.
An electric toaster mainly changes electrical energy into which form of energy?
Energy
A Nuclear energy B Thermal energy C Gravitational energy D Chemical energy
A toaster's heating elements convert electrical energy mainly into thermal energy.
Most of the weather people experience occurs in which layer of Earth's atmosphere?
Earth Science
A Troposphere B Stratosphere C Mesosphere D Thermosphere
The troposphere is the lowest major atmospheric layer and contains most of the air and water vapor involved in everyday weather.
Igneous rock forms when
Geology
A magma or lava cools and solidifies. B sediment is always dissolved in water. C plants decay without oxygen. D existing rock is only broken into smaller pieces.
Igneous rocks form from the cooling and solidification of molten rock.
What is the main reason Earth experiences seasons?
Astronomy
A Earth is much closer to the Sun in summer everywhere. B Earth's axis is tilted as it orbits the Sun. C The Sun becomes cooler every winter. D Earth stops rotating during part of the year.
Earth's axial tilt changes the angle and duration of sunlight received by each hemisphere during the year.
In an experiment, what is the independent variable?
Scientific Method
A The factor the researcher deliberately changes B The final written conclusion C Every factor kept constant D The measurement that responds to the change
The independent variable is the factor deliberately changed. The dependent variable is the response that is measured.
What is the change from a liquid to a gas called?
States of Matter
A Condensation B Freezing C Evaporation D Deposition
Evaporation is a liquid-to-gas change.
A metal spoon becomes hot after sitting in a pot of hot soup. Which heat-transfer process is most directly responsible?
Heat Transfer
A Conduction B Radiation only C Evaporation D Nuclear fusion
Conduction transfers thermal energy through direct contact within or between materials.
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