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Example Questions
Example Question #251 : Act Science
Elena is conducting an experiment to determine the effect of a new drug, norzapam, that is meant to help diabetic patients produce insulin naturally. She has four test subjects, all with type 1 diabetes, and all of whom continued to take fast-acting insulin as needed but ceased taking long-acting insulin. Two patients received the drug and two received a placebo. Over a period of ten months Elena measured her patients’ insulin levels each day (measured in International Units) and averaged them for each month. She also asked each patient to walk for as long as they could after taking the drug before their blood sugar dropped too low to continue. Her results from the experiment are shown in the given tables.
Patient 1: Drug received
Patient 1 is a 45 year-old male who is overweight and leads a sedentary lifestyle.
Month |
Insulin level (IU) |
Length of Walk (min) |
1 |
50 |
15 |
2 |
52 |
18 |
3 |
54 |
20 |
4 |
60 |
20 |
5 |
64 |
22 |
6 |
70 |
25 |
7 |
78 |
28 |
8 |
86 |
33 |
9 |
98 |
38 |
10 |
103 |
40 |
Patient 2: Drug received
Patient 2 is a 23 year-old female of healthy weight who leads an active lifestyle.
Month |
Insulin level (IU) |
Length of Walk (min) |
1 |
50 |
30 |
2 |
55 |
38 |
3 |
59 |
42 |
4 |
68 |
47 |
5 |
75 |
55 |
6 |
83 |
60 |
7 |
90 |
68 |
8 |
97 |
70 |
9 |
105 |
72 |
10 |
112 |
75 |
Patient 3: No drug
Patient 3 is a 60 year-old female who is overweight and leads a moderately active lifestyle.
Month |
Insulin level (IU) |
Length of Walk (min) |
1 |
50 |
25 |
2 |
51 |
25 |
3 |
53 |
28 |
4 |
51 |
25 |
5 |
53 |
28 |
6 |
55 |
30 |
7 |
53 |
28 |
8 |
65 |
33 |
9 |
51 |
25 |
10 |
50 |
25 |
Patient 4: No Drug
Patient 4 is a 28 year-old male of healthy weight who leads very active lifestyle.
Month |
Insulin level (IU) |
Length of Walk (min) |
1 |
60 |
45 |
2 |
65 |
48 |
3 |
68 |
50 |
4 |
68 |
50 |
5 |
70 |
55 |
6 |
71 |
56 |
7 |
68 |
52 |
8 |
69 |
55 |
9 |
79 |
65 |
10 |
80 |
65 |
A fifth patient, patient 5 is added to the study. She is a 25 year-old female of health weight who leads an active lifestyle. What would her insulin levels likely have been?
Low, like that of patient 3
Low, like that of patient 4
High, like that of patient 1
High, like that of patient 2
High, like that of patient 2
Note that the patient is young fit and active. There are two others like her, patients 2 and 4. Both have comparatively high insulin levels, though patient 2's remain low due to receiving the placebo. Therefore this new patient is most likely going to have insulin levels like patient 1, who is both fit as well as receives the drug.
Example Question #251 : Act Science
Researchers have recorded data in four different regions, Region A, Region B, Region C and Region D. In these regions, the researchers recorded the height, diameter and the approximate age of the tallest redwood. The researchers want to use this data to learn more amount redwoods and their respective regions.
If each of the measured trees were located in a forest in their respective regions, which region has the oldest forest?
Region A
Region D
Region C
Region B
Region C
In the data given, the older the tree is the taller that the tree is. In other words there is a direct relationship between the height of the tree and its age. Since all of the trees measured are the tallest trees in their regions, it can be implied that the measured trees are the oldest tree in their respective regions. The oldest tree that was measured was in Region C and therefore Region C is the oldest forest.
Example Question #252 : Act Science
Two scientists are examining the fragmented skeletal remains of an unidentified person. To begin work on identification, they must start by determining several characteristics about the individual, including sex. When determining sex, a measurement index can be used. Measurements can be taken from various points on the skeleton, such as the scapula or the femur, which then correspond to documented averages for different sexes, which vary with ancestry. In this individual of Latin American ancestry, the scapular breadth has measured 22.0cm, which is the only true sex-determining measurement that can be taken from these remains. In their reference books, the scientists find that this measurement in Latin American females ranges from 18.0-22.0cm and 22.0-24.0cm for Latin American males. Both scientists make a case using other supporting evidence as to which sex this unidentified individual may be.
Scientist 1
Sex can be clearly defined through context clues. Items found with the body and the way the body was found can both be used to determine the sex of the individual in cases such as this which lack other sex-determining measurements. The remains were found with small tennis shoes (size 8), which would generally be indicative of a female. The bag found with the body contained waterlogged copies of several popular magazines, as well as a broken cell phone, nail clippers, and a tube of lip balm. These items are generally more associated with items commonly carried by and used by female individuals rather than males. Because of abundant context clues, this individual can be determined to be female despite ambiguous measurements.
Scientist 2
Clues about the sex of the individual can come from multiple sources. Context clues, such as the items found with the body, can help. The small shoes and stereotypically female-associated objects found with the remains can give an indication that the person must likely have been female. Another way to help determine sex is through estimated overall stature of the person – men are generally larger and more robustly built than females of the same ancestry. A rough estimation of stature of this individual would indicate that they were about 5’10” tall and heavily muscled. While not impossible for a female, this is a build that is much more likely to belong to a male individual. Though the context clues seem to point toward a female, the stature of the individual strongly suggests male.
With which of the following statements would both scientists likely agree?
The size of shoes can be used to definitely determine the sex of a person.
Multiple methods of determination should always be used.
Context clues can be useful in determining the sex of an individual.
Measurements might be wrong.
Context clues can be useful in determining the sex of an individual.
Both scientists make mention of the use of context clues in their theories of sex determination.
Example Question #253 : Act Science
Two scientists are examining the fragmented skeletal remains of an unidentified person. To begin work on identification, they must start by determining several characteristics about the individual, including sex. When determining sex, a measurement index can be used. Measurements can be taken from various points on the skeleton, such as the scapula or the femur, which then correspond to documented averages for different sexes, which vary with ancestry. In this individual of Latin American ancestry, the scapular breadth has measured 22.0cm, which is the only true sex-determining measurement that can be taken from these remains. In their reference books, the scientists find that this measurement in Latin American females ranges from 18.0-22.0cm and 22.0-24.0cm for Latin American males. Both scientists make a case using other supporting evidence as to which sex this unidentified individual may be.
Scientist 1
Sex can be clearly defined through context clues. Items found with the body and the way the body was found can both be used to determine the sex of the individual in cases such as this which lack other sex-determining measurements. The remains were found with small tennis shoes (size 8), which would generally be indicative of a female. The bag found with the body contained waterlogged copies of several popular magazines, as well as a broken cell phone, nail clippers, and a tube of lip balm. These items are generally more associated with items commonly carried by and used by female individuals rather than males. Because of abundant context clues, this individual can be determined to be female despite ambiguous measurements.
Scientist 2
Clues about the sex of the individual can come from multiple sources. Context clues, such as the items found with the body, can help. The small shoes and stereotypically female-associated objects found with the remains can give an indication that the person must likely have been female. Another way to help determine sex is through estimated overall stature of the person – men are generally larger and more robustly built than females of the same ancestry. A rough estimation of stature of this individual would indicate that they were about 5’10” tall and heavily muscled. While not impossible for a female, this is a build that is much more likely to belong to a male individual. Though the context clues seem to point toward a female, the stature of the individual strongly suggests male.
Scientist 1 claims that the items found with the body (small shoes, lip balm, magazines, nail clippers) are stereotypically female. If the body was found with stereotypically male items (a knife, rope, large shoes), how might Scientist 1's conclusion change?
Scientist 1 would conclude that the individual was male
Scientist would conclude that there was not enough evidence to determine the sex of the individual
Scientist 1 would conclude that the individual was female
Scientist 1 would conclude that there might have been a second individual
Scientist 1 would conclude that the individual was male
Scientist 1 relies on the type of context clues to determine sex. If the items found with the body (context clues) were typically male items, then Scientist 1 would likely claim the individual to be male.
Example Question #122 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
Two scientists are examining the fragmented skeletal remains of an unidentified person. To begin work on identification, they must start by determining several characteristics about the individual, including sex. When determining sex, a measurement index can be used. Measurements can be taken from various points on the skeleton, such as the scapula or the femur, which then correspond to documented averages for different sexes, which vary with ancestry. In this individual of Latin American ancestry, the scapular breadth has measured 22.0cm, which is the only true sex-determining measurement that can be taken from these remains. In their reference books, the scientists find that this measurement in Latin American females ranges from 18.0-22.0cm and 22.0-24.0cm for Latin American males. Both scientists make a case using other supporting evidence as to which sex this unidentified individual may be.
Scientist 1
Sex can be clearly defined through context clues. Items found with the body and the way the body was found can both be used to determine the sex of the individual in cases such as this which lack other sex-determining measurements. The remains were found with small tennis shoes (size 8), which would generally be indicative of a female. The bag found with the body contained waterlogged copies of several popular magazines, as well as a broken cell phone, nail clippers, and a tube of lip balm. These items are generally more associated with items commonly carried by and used by female individuals rather than males. Because of abundant context clues, this individual can be determined to be female despite ambiguous measurements.
Scientist 2
Clues about the sex of the individual can come from multiple sources. Context clues, such as the items found with the body, can help. The small shoes and stereotypically female-associated objects found with the remains can give an indication that the person must likely have been female. Another way to help determine sex is through estimated overall stature of the person – men are generally larger and more robustly built than females of the same ancestry. A rough estimation of stature of this individual would indicate that they were about 5’10” tall and heavily muscled. While not impossible for a female, this is a build that is much more likely to belong to a male individual. Though the context clues seem to point toward a female, the stature of the individual strongly suggests male.
Based on the views of Scientist 1, if an individual was found with no objects, what might they conclude?
The individual is likely male
There is not enough evidence to determine sex based
Body measurements are very accurate and may be used to determine sex
The individual is likely female
There is not enough evidence to determine sex based
Scientist 1 relies mainly on context clues to determine sex, so if there were no context clues, they would not be able to determine the sex of the individual.
Example Question #123 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
Two scientists are examining the fragmented skeletal remains of an unidentified person. To begin work on identification, they must start by determining several characteristics about the individual, including sex. When determining sex, a measurement index can be used. Measurements can be taken from various points on the skeleton, such as the scapula or the femur, which then correspond to documented averages for different sexes, which vary with ancestry. In this individual of Latin American ancestry, the scapular breadth has measured 22.0cm, which is the only true sex-determining measurement that can be taken from these remains. In their reference books, the scientists find that this measurement in Latin American females ranges from 18.0-22.0cm and 22.0-24.0cm for Latin American males. Both scientists make a case using other supporting evidence as to which sex this unidentified individual may be.
Scientist 1
Sex can be clearly defined through context clues. Items found with the body and the way the body was found can both be used to determine the sex of the individual in cases such as this which lack other sex-determining measurements. The remains were found with small tennis shoes (size 8), which would generally be indicative of a female. The bag found with the body contained waterlogged copies of several popular magazines, as well as a broken cell phone, nail clippers, and a tube of lip balm. These items are generally more associated with items commonly carried by and used by female individuals rather than males. Because of abundant context clues, this individual can be determined to be female despite ambiguous measurements.
Scientist 2
Clues about the sex of the individual can come from multiple sources. Context clues, such as the items found with the body, can help. The small shoes and stereotypically female-associated objects found with the remains can give an indication that the person must likely have been female. Another way to help determine sex is through estimated overall stature of the person – men are generally larger and more robustly built than females of the same ancestry. A rough estimation of stature of this individual would indicate that they were about 5’10” tall and heavily muscled. While not impossible for a female, this is a build that is much more likely to belong to a male individual. Though the context clues seem to point toward a female, the stature of the individual strongly suggests male.
What other evidence might Scientist 2 look for to best support his/her claim?
Research on Latin American ancestry
Historical cases of female Asian individuals
Historical cases of Latin American male individuals
Information about the town where the individual was found
Historical cases of Latin American male individuals
Historical cases would be useful to compare this new but similar case to. The other information is not be relevant and would not support Scientist 2's claim.
Example Question #263 : Biology
Two scientists are examining the fragmented skeletal remains of an unidentified person. To begin work on identification, they must start by determining several characteristics about the individual, including sex. When determining sex, a measurement index can be used. Measurements can be taken from various points on the skeleton, such as the scapula or the femur, which then correspond to documented averages for different sexes, which vary with ancestry. In this individual of Latin American ancestry, the scapular breadth has measured 22.0cm, which is the only true sex-determining measurement that can be taken from these remains. In their reference books, the scientists find that this measurement in Latin American females ranges from 18.0-22.0cm and 22.0-24.0cm for Latin American males. Both scientists make a case using other supporting evidence as to which sex this unidentified individual may be.
Scientist 1
Sex can be clearly defined through context clues. Items found with the body and the way the body was found can both be used to determine the sex of the individual in cases such as this which lack other sex-determining measurements. The remains were found with small tennis shoes (size 8), which would generally be indicative of a female. The bag found with the body contained waterlogged copies of several popular magazines, as well as a broken cell phone, nail clippers, and a tube of lip balm. These items are generally more associated with items commonly carried by and used by female individuals rather than males. Because of abundant context clues, this individual can be determined to be female despite ambiguous measurements.
Scientist 2
Clues about the sex of the individual can come from multiple sources. Context clues, such as the items found with the body, can help. The small shoes and stereotypically female-associated objects found with the remains can give an indication that the person must likely have been female. Another way to help determine sex is through estimated overall stature of the person – men are generally larger and more robustly built than females of the same ancestry. A rough estimation of stature of this individual would indicate that they were about 5’10” tall and heavily muscled. While not impossible for a female, this is a build that is much more likely to belong to a male individual. Though the context clues seem to point toward a female, the stature of the individual strongly suggests male.
How might Scientist 2 respond to Scientist 1’s methods?
Scientist 2 would say that Scientist 1 needs more information about Latin American religious practices
Scientist 2 would say that Scientist 1 needs more information about shoes
Scientist 2 would agree with Scientist 1’s methods
Scientist 2 would say that Scientist 1 needs more evidence than just one method can provide
Scientist 2 would say that Scientist 1 needs more evidence than just one method can provide
While the other objections might also be made, the fact that Scientist 1 only uses one source of proof would likely bother Scientist 2 (who uses multiple methods) the most.
Example Question #264 : Biology
Two scientists are examining the fragmented skeletal remains of an unidentified person. To begin work on identification, they must start by determining several characteristics about the individual, including sex. When determining sex, a measurement index can be used. Measurements can be taken from various points on the skeleton, such as the scapula or the femur, which then correspond to documented averages for different sexes, which vary with ancestry. In this individual of Latin American ancestry, the scapular breadth has measured 22.0cm, which is the only true sex-determining measurement that can be taken from these remains. In their reference books, the scientists find that this measurement in Latin American females ranges from 18.0-22.0cm and 22.0-24.0cm for Latin American males. Both scientists make a case using other supporting evidence as to which sex this unidentified individual may be.
Scientist 1
Sex can be clearly defined through context clues. Items found with the body and the way the body was found can both be used to determine the sex of the individual in cases such as this which lack other sex-determining measurements. The remains were found with small tennis shoes (size 8), which would generally be indicative of a female. The bag found with the body contained waterlogged copies of several popular magazines, as well as a broken cell phone, nail clippers, and a tube of lip balm. These items are generally more associated with items commonly carried by and used by female individuals rather than males. Because of abundant context clues, this individual can be determined to be female despite ambiguous measurements.
Scientist 2
Clues about the sex of the individual can come from multiple sources. Context clues, such as the items found with the body, can help. The small shoes and stereotypically female-associated objects found with the remains can give an indication that the person must likely have been female. Another way to help determine sex is through estimated overall stature of the person – men are generally larger and more robustly built than females of the same ancestry. A rough estimation of stature of this individual would indicate that they were about 5’10” tall and heavily muscled. While not impossible for a female, this is a build that is much more likely to belong to a male individual. Though the context clues seem to point toward a female, the stature of the individual strongly suggests male.
If the scapular breadth was 23.0cm instead of 22.0cm, how might Scientist 1 respond?
They would no longer believe that context clues matter
They would use another method of determining sex in combination with context clues to check their answer
They would disagree with Scientist 2
They would not change their answer
They would use another method of determining sex in combination with context clues to check their answer
Because the measurement is more similar to males according to the given information in the problem, Scientist 1 would likely find something else to use as proof since the context clues indicate female instead of male.
Example Question #261 : Act Science
Two scientists are examining the fragmented skeletal remains of an unidentified person. To begin work on identification, they must start by determining several characteristics about the individual, including sex. When determining sex, a measurement index can be used. Measurements can be taken from various points on the skeleton, such as the scapula or the femur, which then correspond to documented averages for different sexes, which vary with ancestry. In this individual of Latin American ancestry, the scapular breadth has measured 22.0cm, which is the only true sex-determining measurement that can be taken from these remains. In their reference books, the scientists find that this measurement in Latin American females ranges from 18.0-22.0cm and 22.0-24.0cm for Latin American males. Both scientists make a case using other supporting evidence as to which sex this unidentified individual may be.
Scientist 1
Sex can be clearly defined through context clues. Items found with the body and the way the body was found can both be used to determine the sex of the individual in cases such as this which lack other sex-determining measurements. The remains were found with small tennis shoes (size 8), which would generally be indicative of a female. The bag found with the body contained waterlogged copies of several popular magazines, as well as a broken cell phone, nail clippers, and a tube of lip balm. These items are generally more associated with items commonly carried by and used by female individuals rather than males. Because of abundant context clues, this individual can be determined to be female despite ambiguous measurements.
Scientist 2
Clues about the sex of the individual can come from multiple sources. Context clues, such as the items found with the body, can help. The small shoes and stereotypically female-associated objects found with the remains can give an indication that the person must likely have been female. Another way to help determine sex is through estimated overall stature of the person – men are generally larger and more robustly built than females of the same ancestry. A rough estimation of stature of this individual would indicate that they were about 5’10” tall and heavily muscled. While not impossible for a female, this is a build that is much more likely to belong to a male individual. Though the context clues seem to point toward a female, the stature of the individual strongly suggests male.
Suppose the individual was eventually identified and proven to be female. Which methods would have proven most useful?
Height
Measurements
Ancestry
Context clues
Context clues
Because the context clues pointed to the individual being a female and the rest of the information was ambiguous, the context clues were the most important.
Example Question #125 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
Two scientists are examining the fragmented skeletal remains of an unidentified person. To begin work on identification, they must start by determining several characteristics about the individual, including sex. When determining sex, a measurement index can be used. Measurements can be taken from various points on the skeleton, such as the scapula or the femur, which then correspond to documented averages for different sexes, which vary with ancestry. In this individual of Latin American ancestry, the scapular breadth has measured 22.0cm, which is the only true sex-determining measurement that can be taken from these remains. In their reference books, the scientists find that this measurement in Latin American females ranges from 18.0-22.0cm and 22.0-24.0cm for Latin American males. Both scientists make a case using other supporting evidence as to which sex this unidentified individual may be.
Scientist 1
Sex can be clearly defined through context clues. Items found with the body and the way the body was found can both be used to determine the sex of the individual in cases such as this which lack other sex-determining measurements. The remains were found with small tennis shoes (size 8), which would generally be indicative of a female. The bag found with the body contained waterlogged copies of several popular magazines, as well as a broken cell phone, nail clippers, and a tube of lip balm. These items are generally more associated with items commonly carried by and used by female individuals rather than males. Because of abundant context clues, this individual can be determined to be female despite ambiguous measurements.
Scientist 2
Clues about the sex of the individual can come from multiple sources. Context clues, such as the items found with the body, can help. The small shoes and stereotypically female-associated objects found with the remains can give an indication that the person must likely have been female. Another way to help determine sex is through estimated overall stature of the person – men are generally larger and more robustly built than females of the same ancestry. A rough estimation of stature of this individual would indicate that they were about 5’10” tall and heavily muscled. While not impossible for a female, this is a build that is much more likely to belong to a male individual. Though the context clues seem to point toward a female, the stature of the individual strongly suggests male.
Which scientist had the stronger given argument?
Scientist 2, because he/she used multiple kinds of evidence to prove their point.
Scientist 1, because he/she used context clues.
Scientist 2, because he/she used ancestry and measurements.
Neither, the two arguments are equal.
Scientist 2, because he/she used multiple kinds of evidence to prove their point.
Because multiple sources of proof strengthen an argument, Scientist 2 had the best argument.
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