UNIT 1 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Which of the following definitions of a scientific hypothesis are FALSE? Select all that apply. a. an educated guess that is tested using evidence b. a testable question about a scientific model c. a prediction in the form of a question d. a question about a model that can be confirmed
ALL are false. it is a testable STATEMENT not a question
A fact is best defined as a piece of evidence used to test a hypothesis. T or F
False - a fact is a confirmed observation
Which of the following is TRUE of most processes in biology? a. They are unobservable b. They describe what occurs c. Very few can be tested with models d. Experiments are necessary to prove that they are accurate and objective
a
Which of the following is TRUE of most processes in biology? a. they are unobservable b. they describe what occurs c. very few can be tested with models d. experiments are necessary to prove that they are accurate and objective
a
Which of the following statements about scientific theories is CORRECT? a. theories are explanations of observable patterns b. theories are descriptions of scientific laws c. theories are descriptions of observable patterns d. theories are descriptions of observable processes e. none of these statements
a
Which of the following statements about scientific theories is TRUE? a. scientific theories should make predictions about data not collected yet b. scientific theories remove bias and subjectivity from biological experiments c. scientific theories are complex hypotheses about observable patterns in nature d. scientific theories become scientific laws once they are well-established
a
why are laws like patterns? a. because laws describe things that happen regularly b. because laws may become theories c. because laws are a set of inferences d. because laws describe things that cannot be observed
a
which of the following is a pattern a. photosynthesis b. the green coloration of most organisms that perform photosynthesis c. the binding between ions and chlorophyll pigments that are necessary for photosynthesis d. none of the above
b
which is the easiest to do in science? a. develop a theory explaining a process b. formulate a hypothesis about a process underlying a pattern c. document a widespread pattern in nature d. design and perform an experiment to test a hypothesis about a process
c
which of the following is the best description of a scientific fact: a. something that is absolutely true and cannot change b. a piece of evidence that is used to test a hypothesis c. a confirmed observation d. the type of knowledge that is most valuable in science e. cannot be shown to be wrong because it has been proven
c - a confirmed observation
which of the following about scientific theories is true? a. they are the only way hypotheses can be generated b. provide evidence-based guesses that can be tested later c. change more quickly than collected facts and data d. should explain existing observations and patterns
d
Which of the following statements about observations and patterns is FALSE? a. patterns are single observations about naturally occurring phenomena b. repeated inferences about a phenomenon may be considered to be patterns c. patterns emerge from repeated explanations about observations d. all of the above e. none of the above
d - all of the above
Which of the following statements about the "scientific method" is FALSE? a. the "scientific method" is a step-by-step procedure for establishing the truth b. it is a procedure that limits creativity in order to limit bias c. it is the only accepted approach for generating knowledge. d. all of the above e. none of the above
d all of the above
Which of the following statements about the relationships among observations, inferences, models, hypotheses, and explanations is TRUE? a. observations and inferences are combined in order to develop an explanation, which is tested using hypotheses. if the hypothesis is shown to be correct, then the scientific model has been tested and can be considered to be a scientific fact. b. Observations and inferences are combined in order to test hypotheses. These hypotheses are then used to build and test scientific models. These models are important tools for representing and communicating information. c. Observations and inferences are used to test hypotheses about explanations. Once these explanations have been tested and confirmed, they can be represented as models in order to show others how unobservable processes occur. d. All of the above e. None of the above
e
Which of the following statements is TRUE? a. both patterns and processes in nature are usually directly observable by scientists b. if enough scientists disagree with a scientific theory, then that theory is proven to be falsified c. given enough support a scientific theory eventually becomes a scientific law d. patterns and processes provide observations and inferences, and theories and laws provide explanations e. none of the above
e
Which of the following statements is TRUE? a. the primary goal of scientific work is to find evidence to support one's hypothesis b. experiments are the only way that scientists can prove that their hypothesis is correct c. it is impossible to make hypotheses about something that cannot be directly observed d. all of the above e. none of the above
e
a well-established scientific theory should do all of the following except: a. explain all of the available observations b. be consistent with current inferences c. predict the outcomes of new experiments d. be able to be revised when necessary by incorporating new observations and inferences e. be accepted by scientists without considering evidence against it
e
which of the following statements about the nature of science is correct? a. theories become laws when they have been proven b. theories can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses c. models are complex representations of scientific patterns d. laws are descriptions of repeatable patterns in nature e. B and D
e
which of the following statements about scientific theories is correct: a. scientific theories should be accepted as truth by non-scientists b. scientific theories come from laws that have been written for a long time c. scientific theories describe repeatable patterns in nature d. scientific theories are the "educated guesses" of scientists e. none of these are correct
e - none of these are correct
which statement about scientific theories is correct? a. scientific theories should be accepted as truth by non-scientists b. come from laws that have been written for a long time c. describe repeatable patterns in nature d. educated guesses of scientists e. none of the above
e none of the above
pattern is a term for a single observation of a naturally occurring phenomenon. true or false
false
patterns are produced by repeated explanations of theories. true or false
false
a scientific argument is best defined as a disagreement by scientists about someone's claims. true or false
false - a scientific argument is basically just showing the evidence you have gathered to try and convince someone to believe it
a fact cannot be shown to be wrong because it has been proven. true or false
false - it can change and nothing is proven in science
the "scientific method" is the only accepted approach for generating knowledge. T or F
false - it is a myth
repeated inferences about a phenomenon may be considered to be patterns. true or false
false - it is repeated observations
scientific proof is important for establishing facts. true or false
false - nothing is ever actually proven in science
the scientific method is a procedure that limits creativity in order to limit bias. true or false
false, creativity is necessary in science and the scientific method is not real
The following statement is best described as a scientific (blank) that could potentially be used to test the accuracy of the conceptual model: No sounds come from a stationary (non-moving) box.
hypothesis
The following statement is best described as a scientific (blank) that could potentially be used to test the accuracy of the conceptual model: The box can support 10 lbs of pressure.
hypothesis
At a store you buy a beautiful green plant for your bedroom. A few weeks after placing the plant on your bedroom desk, you realize that you forgot to water the plant, the soil is dry and you see that it has changed since you bought it (the plant leaves are now droopy and sagging). The following statement is best described as an (blank) : The store made a profit when it sold you the plant.
inference
At a store you buy a beautiful green plant for your bedroom. A few weeks after placing the plant on your bedroom desk, you realize that you forgot to water the plant, the soil is dry and you see that it has changed since you bought it (the plant leaves are now droopy and sagging). The following statement is best described as an _________________: The lack of water caused your plant to wilt.
inference
At a store you buy a beautiful green plant for your bedroom. A few weeks after placing the plant on your bedroom desk, you realize that you forgot to water the plant, the soil is dry and you see that it has changed since you bought it (the plant leaves are now droopy and sagging). The following statement is best described as an ___________: You saw your plant at the store where you purchased it.
not observation or inference
At a store you buy a beautiful green plant for your bedroom. A few weeks after placing the plant on your bedroom desk, you realize that you forgot to water the plant, the soil is dry and you see that it has changed since you bought it (the plant leaves are now droopy and sagging). The following statement is best described as an ________: Your plant is on your desk.
observation
The following statement is best described as (fill in blank) that could potentially be used to test the accuracy of the conceptual model: When the black box is tilted, the ball will move.
scientific prediction
a hypothesis is best defined as a statement for which it is possible to show that it is incorrect. true or false
true
noticing patterns in the natural world is an important part of science. true or false
true
the "scientific method" is a myth because scientists do not follow a strict set of steps to do their work. true or false
true
